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3 LION HOUSE, CHURCH STREET, MAIDSTONE, KENT ME14 1EN OPINION If you are sick of discussing Brexit and the Tel: 01622 695656 Fax: 01622 663733 General Election, then there is some hope as at least one of these e-mail: [email protected] events will be resolved within the next week. The snap election Web address: www.hortnews.co.uk caught many people by surprise, giving politicians and lobbyists limited time to shape their messages before campaigning began. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Although every effort is made Consequently, the NFU produced a short manifesto for farming, to ensure the accuracy and TWELVE ISSUES calling for five key policies which it says will secure British farming Inland UK £36 readability of material Air Mail:Europe £45 published, the publishers and for the good of the country and society for the future beyond Brexit. Middle East their agents can accept no USA/Canada/Far East £55 responsibility for claims and Whichever party has a majority in Westminster in a week’s time, they Australia/New Zealand £65 opinions expressed by will have a challenging few years ahead as they negotiate a Brexit contributors, manufacturers or Printed by Buxton Press Ltd deal. Perhaps an indication of how challenging can be seen by a advertisers. ISSN 0960-863X subtle but significant tone evident from NFU representatives such as The Vegetable Farmer is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed President Meurig Raymond and Chair of the Horticulture and to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have Potatoes Board, Ali Capper. not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please write to the editor at the address above. If you would like more information about Both spoke at the recent FPJ Live event and while they were keen to IPSO or the Editors’ Code, visit: www.ipso.co.uk stress the need to support British farmers and growers by ensuring access to the European market and a level playing field in terms of support, they also recognised how much British farming, and CONTENTS horticulture in particular, relies on imports from Europe, including seed and plant material, agrochemicals, machinery, fertilisers and G’s Polish expansion...... 4 more. More European potatoes...... 6 Another challenge for the next government will be public health. We New SPot Farm...... 7 have seen how important elderly and social care has been during the campaign, and with the wider health service being pushed harder New blight website...... 9 than ever, surely the time has come for often disjointed government 3Ms investment...... 11 departments, such as health and agriculture, to work together to improve general health and reduce the pressure on the NHS from NFU nutrition project...... 12 preventable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Fruit & Vegetable Congress...... 14 News that ten portions of fruit and veg a day are better for you than five may be encouraging for those of us who produce it, but if we South Devon Organic Producers...... 16 are currently failing to get people to eat their five-a-day, how does it Potato storage...... 19 benefit growers or society?
Bob Thomas profile...... 23 The potential to increase the nutritional benefits of foodstuffs is nothing new; we have had fortified breakfast cereals for years, but it Farm visit...... 24 could be the key to tackling some of these issues. With continued Weed control...... 26 concerns about the consumption of fast food, fats and sugars, fresh produce has never had a better opportunity to grow consumption. Potato farm visit...... 28 With the right coordination, the message about home grown fruits Classified...... 29 and vegetables being good for public health, good for the economy and good for the environment, sell themselves. Now we just need Appointments...... 30 the right policies on issues such as labour, crop protection and
Buyers Guide...... 31 Produce Organisations which will allow us to deliver these benefits to everyone.
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•NEWS• 4 AHDB Pest Bulletin returns for 2017 AHDB Horticulture’s popular Additions to the bulletin this with south-westerly winds. especially in the north and Pest Bulletin is back for 2017 year include using UK and Project Leader Dr Rosemary west.” with new features and early overseas information to predict Collier said: “It is probably too Cabbage root flies and carrot forecasts. The Pest Bulletin, infestations of diamond-back early for them to do major flies are already emerging hosted by Syngenta, provides moth (DBM) and silver Y moth damage in the UK but large towards the South of the UK forecasts and up-to-date more effectively. It follows migrations later in the year are and cabbage root flies are reports for most key field crop exceptionally high levels of DBM likely to have an impact.” She starting to lay eggs. Bean seed pests. infestation in 2016. added it was possible that some flies have also been on the wing The first diamond-back moths for some time. immigrant overwintered in the warmest Keith Mawer, grower at DBMs of this parts of the country. Strawson Ltd, said: “The Pest season were For aphids, early forecasts Bulletin gives an insight into found in mid- from the Rothamsted Insect what’s happening at an early March by Survey suggest first flights by stage, it focuses attention and moth species such as Myzus persicae allows early intervention.” enthusiasts will be about a week earlier To view the AHDB Pest running light than average. Bulletin online, go to: traps, primarily Dr Collier said: “The general www.syngenta.co.uk/ in the South message from the Rothamsted ahdb-pest-bulletin. West – Insect Survey is if spring doesn’t For the latest observations possibly throw any wildly abnormal and updates, go to; arriving from conditions at us, aphids will be blogs.warwick.ac.uk/ the Continent flying a little earlier than usual, rosemarycollier. Project Leader Dr Rosemary Collier. Syngenta vegetable team appointments Syngenta have announced They will report to Guido Luke, who studied the appointment of two new Brass. Horticulture at University members to their UK Elizabeth, who studied College in Dublin, also has Vegetable Seeds team. Agriculture with Crop good experience of field Elizabeth Spray joins as a Management at Harper vegetables, having worked as Trials Officer specializing in Adams University, has a good a Technical Development Brassica Crops; and Luke knowledge of field vegetables Representative at a Duffy joins as a Trials Officer gained both from working as competitor company. specializing in Leafy Crops. a Placement Student at In their new roles, which Syngenta and as a Technical Right: New Syngenta UK Vegetable started on 1st May, they will Sales Representative at a Seed team members, Elizabeth be responsible for trials competitor company, where Spray and Luke Duffy. planning and execution, and she monitored and reported all pre-commercial evaluation. on variety trials. G’s expands farming New look team for British Growers The British Growers Association has announced a number of changes to its team as part of its strategy to tackle the many operations in Poland challenges facing the industry at the present time. The organisation Cambridge-based G’s Group shows no signs of slowing is also looking to add value for the industry and identify investment in its European farming operations despite the result of opportunities wherever possible, and has adopted a new strapline: last summer’s Brexit referendum. ‘fresh thinking – growing opportunities’. Since buying 120 ha of salad production near Warsaw in 2014, James Richardson will head up the organisation’s finance G’s Poland has doubled in size each year since to now stand at operation, supported by Karen Smith, 950 ha of salads and vegetables. Despite the challenging climate, who takes over as Management Accountant. Coral Russell has which can see heat waves giving way to heavy rain, Henry joined as Crop Association Executive, and will work with Jayne Shropshire, the company’s European Business Development Dyas on Crop Associations. Manager who lives in the country believes that Poland could British Growers has also taken the opportunity to strengthen its become the centre of G’s European operations after Brexit. administration team. Alison Frith joined just before Christmas, and “We are already successfully exporting small amounts of labour will work with Chief Executive, Jack Ward and Operations Director, intensive products to our UK customers from Poland,” he said. Lisa Eagles, taking on a broad range of responsibilities. Peter “This should be relatively straight forward to increase if required. Crowe, who has extensive experience in the fresh produce industry, Therefore, with the uncertainty of Brexit, we are certain that has been appointed as communications consultant for British whichever way the decisions go, we will have options to keep Growers. He will be working with Jack Ward on a part-time basis continuity of supply to our customers.” to ensure that the organisation’s messages are communicated. His father John Shropshire, who is chairman of the G’s group of Jack Ward says: “I am very confident that with the new look companies, recently told an Ipswich Suffolk Business Club lunch team, we can develop and extend the range of services we can that he was worried about growing anti-British sentiments in offer, create efficiencies, and provide a highly cost-effective service Europe. to our member organisations.”
THE VEGETABLE FARMER • JUNE 2017 www.hortnews.co.uk JUNE 2017.qxp_VEG FARMER TEMPLATE 26/05/2017 11:30 Page 5
Get the look with Nativo 75WG. @?>=<;:9876:$=<,3:5?22;>3:5?+)=1; ,23:5?..?$,3:.2;55;)=:?4-:3&2;+>3:>%,:<=3+?):+?)=>/:/;+:?4-:/;+2:5+3>;,23: ?4>( 7=>%:.2;?-3&,5>2+:-=3,?3,:&2;>,5>=;4:3>2;.=)+2=4:.,4,>3:?4-:,3;3>,=5:?5>=;4:@?>=<;:9876:!,,&3:52;&3:5),?4,2: ;2:);4$,2(:#%?>:,?43:?:$2,?>:4=3%: =>%:,05,)),4>:/=,)-3( 4-:-;4>: ;2$,>:>,?:@?>=<;:9876: =>%:'+-=3: ;2:>%,:.,3>:&;33=.),:)?33::&2;-+5,( #?)!:>;:/;+2:?-<=3;2:5?)):+3:;4:0808 1969522:;2:3,,: (52;&35=,45,(.?/,2(5;(+!4?>=<;(
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•NEWS• 6 Bejo introduces its first True Potato Seed variety
Bejo has obtained breeder’s good flavour. hybrid seed, rather than from distribution process.” rights on its first True Potato Research Director Bert vegetatively propagated tubers, In the coming years Bejo will Seed (TPS) variety. This new Schrijver comments: “Breeders provides several advantages for focus on selected markets in potato hybrid, Oliver F1, can be and researchers from Bejo have growers and others in the these areas, working with local cultivated directly from worked for over 15 years to distribution chain. True Potato partners and growers to develop botanical seed and, after develop the company’s first Seed is disease-free, ensuring a further knowledge through transplanting, produces table tetraploid hybrid potato variety healthy start of cultivation, commercial testing and to potatoes in one season. Oliver that grows from botanical seed. while its compactness makes it provide cultivation advice. In F1 is a slightly floury table This variety, Oliver F1, has been easy to transport and store. TPS addition, this new variety will be potato with an oval shape, a tested in recent years in fields in is also available for year-round tested in several countries of the very smooth skin and a very the Netherlands, in cooperation planting. EU in order to assess its value. with Naktuinbouw “The advantages of TPS are Bejo expects TPS to have (the Netherlands particularly important for hardly any influence on the Inspection Service smallholder farmers in Africa, well-organized sector for for Horticulture) Asia and Central America,” says vegetatively propagated tuber and a number of Rien van Bruchem, Crop potatoes. Growing potatoes growers. The Manager TPS. “In these from TPS has advantages mainly process of seed developing regions, long in regions that are relatively production has distribution times for tuber difficult to access. been successful and potatoes can have devastating Oliver F1 is the first promising seed is already effects on the quality of the variety to result from Bejo’s TPS available”. propagation material. In Breeding Program. More Oliver F1, Bejo’s first tetraploid hybrid potato Growing potatoes contrast, the quality of TPS varieties are currently in variety. from botanical typically holds strong during the development as well. Haith Group announces new alliances The Haith Group has efficiencies for packers and large believe we can offer our leading project design, announced two exclusive new scale vegetable growers, customers the best in Grading, manufacturing facilities, on-site alliances with respected industry The new alliances will enable Handling, Washing, Optical installation and aftercare,” says specialists, Brillopak and Deprez Haith to offer a complete Sorting, Packing and Water Sales manager, Duane Hill. Construct, that will extend package, focusing on gentle Treatment, coupled to industry Haith’s product portfolio and handling, high wash quality, enable them to provide improved pack out, and reduced customers with complete labour costs, aided by creating package solutions. efficient layouts with limited UK based company Brillopak, forklift truck movements. specialise in automated end of Haith will also be able to offer line packing and palletising their clients the latest up to solutions. These include high- date vegetable packing speed packing of product into solutions, with high quality fully trays and boxes as well as automated lines incorporating robotic tray handling and 3D layout design, proven project stacking. management, HMI line control, Deprez Construct are Belgian and diagnostics incorporating market leaders in automated Haith Group technologies. box handling and storage “With our new and long- A Brillopak robotic tray filling and stacking system, with automatic tray and systems, aimed at improving standing industry partners, we and pallet feed. Estimated increase in N.W. Europe potato area The first potato area estimate suggested growth in the area It is important to note is that suggests that if the current area from the North-Western would have been much larger in the GB proportion of the 2017 estimate is realised, production European Potato Growers order to fulfil the continuously area estimate is based on a is likely to increase across the (NEPG) region suggests a expanding requirements of the historical average. The NEPG NEPG area, even if the yields possible increase of 3.6% European processing industry. area estimate is therefore likely achieved are similar to the lows compared with last season. The The poor yielding crop of the to change as more information of 2012, which was an usually total planted area is estimated 2016 season has forestalled this becomes available. low yielding year. to be approximately 572,000ha by causing a shortage in seed AHDB Potatoes’ production However, with a possible (excluding potatoes for seed availability across much of modelling based on planted range of between 25 million and starch), which would be the Europe. Seed availability in GB area and various yield scenarios, tonnes and almost 30 million highest area for the last ten was better as yield in Scotland, forecast a year-on-year tonnes, there is still years, if achieved. a key producer of seed production increase of between considerable uncertainty around Amber Cottingham, analyst at potatoes, was higher than in 3% and 21%. how the season will likely play AHDB said: “Earlier expectations other areas of Europe.” Amber said: “Our analysis out.”
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•NEWS• 7 SCEPTREplus announces crop trial priorities
Crop trial priorities for the first year of SCEPTREplus project, said: “There is no host-specific, affects a wide range of AHDB’s £1.4 million SCEPTREplus project question that this project is critical to the protected and outdoor edible and have been announced by its Steering viability of the industry and this is reflected ornamental crops and there is considerable Group. The timetable of work will focus on through routine grower feedback. Without merit in adopting a functional or generic delivering trials specifically targeting key sufficient tools to practice efficient weed, approach to disease, pest and weed problems identified pest and disease control, some crops will evaluating the as high priorities in the new 2017-2020 be very hard to sustain.” efficacy of horticulture strategy and also through the Key targets for 2017 include Aphids, products and AHDB Horticulture gap analysis. Thrips, Downy and Powdery Mildew, undertaking The project consortium led by Agri-Food Botrytis, Phytophthora, and a range of crop safety Solutions consists of NIAB-EMR, RSK ADAS, annual and perennial weeds. screening trials.” Stockbridge Technology Centre and the Dr Rosemary Collier, science lead for Right: Visitors at University of Warwick. Dr Ed Moorhouse, SCEPTREplus, said: “Some crop protection an AHDB SCEPTRE director at Agri-Food Solutions and issues are common to several sectors. For event. independent industry chairman of the example, downy mildew, while generally New Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm Shropshire-based Heal Farms has become the latest addition to AHDB’s Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm family. The arable and poultry farm estate, which grows around 500 hectares of potatoes each year, will become the new home of SPot Farm West. It will host a series of farm walks and open days, the first of which will be held on 6 June. There will also be a results day at the end of the year. Anne Stone, Knowledge Exchange Manager for AHDB Potatoes, who leads the SPot Farm West project, said: “Each farm has its own environment and challenges, so it is exciting to have an opportunity to see how effective the latest technology is when applied on Heal Farms’ Shropshire soils.” Farms Director at Heal Farms, Matthew Wallace, said: “As a business, we are interested in improving productivity and the SPot Farm programme provides us with an opportunity to do that. As well as working alongside researchers and experts, it will be interesting to hear about the approach taken by other growers in the West at the open days and farm walks.” There will be six technical demonstrations at the SPot Farm, all related to potato cyst nematode (PCN) control. PCN is the most important potato pest in Britain and has the potential to cause substantial yield losses. There will be Massey Ferguson supports the With a choice of three models, from 75hp to 95 hp, the new MF 4700 a range of complementary measures British food and farming sector Global Series tractors are dependable and easy-to-use, and combine demonstrated at Heal Farms, including and is extremely proud to be a uncompromising performance with value for money. resistant varieties, trap crops, key sponsor of the Back British biofumigation and nematicide regimes. Farming campaign CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TO FIND OUT MORE
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•NEWS• 8 Arysta LifeScience launches ICL to launch single new biostimulant in UK fertilizer range A biostimulant to improve result in yield benefits of 10- Leading fertilizer exclusive products to the Nova the quality of fruit and 15% and an increase in top manufacturer and distributor, range, that will offer growers vegetable yields whilst size category of 8-15%. ICL Specialty Fertilizers, is numerous crop benefits.” relieving stress has been Arysta’s Technical Lead for launching a new complete “Nova Pekacid 0-60-20 is officially launched in the UK Vegetables, Alison Casey, said: portfolio of single source, ICL’S patented water-soluble PK by Arysta LifeScience. BM “We are delighted to be water-soluble fertilizers to the fertilizer Low PH (2.2) and is Start, already used officially launching BM Start UK agricultural market this ideal for open field and soil- throughout Europe, is a liquid in the UK, a complementary summer, and strengthening the less crops. Growers will be formulation based on Physio product that works alongside range will be two completely able to use it successfully in Activator Technology, to traditional crop protection unique products. hard water conditions,” he improve plant health and the techniques. Maintaining plant ICL agronomists recognise says. The product will acidify marketable yield of the crop. health is vital in enabling that soils, crops and climates the soil, which increases the This includes improving farmers to produce an are unique and all fields and availability and uptake of fertilisation for better fruit efficient crop, and that is crops will have different phosphorus and setting, improving the essentially what BM Start does nutritional needs. The Nova micronutrients. It will also uniformity of the fruit, while – improves the plant’s overall portfolio will include 11 provide acidity to neutralize alleviating stress and limiting health and ability to achieve products, offering a and dissolve bicarbonates, flower drop. its potential yield. comprehensive solution to avoiding the problem of The product contains “Biostimulants and the fertilizer requirements, which is scaling and clogging of GA142, an active ingredient biosolutions market make a also backed by technical drippers in irrigation systems. found in seaweed harvested in considerable contribution to support. Also, completely unique to North Brittany where the tides the sustainable agriculture “All ICL single water-soluble ICL, will be MagPhos 0-55- are some of the highest in the agenda, and we are proud to fertilizers will be derived from 18+7MgO, offering all three world. The GA142 is extracted be developing our portfolio to an unrivalled quality source essential nutrients – within 24 hours using a include more of these and are highly concentrated. magnesium, phosphorus and unique cold manufacturing products.” It’s going to be a broad range potassium, in one bag. “The process to retain the active BM Start has a wide range of and all Singles will be pure and uniqueness will lie in the fact characteristics of fresh applications, including fruit fully soluble. We offer that the product will have a seaweed and to ensure a trees, grapes, berries and consistent quality,” says Tal high-level of magnesium, consistently high quality fruiting vegetables both in Bugatos, straights business phosphorus and potassium, product. indoors and outdoors. It is director for ICL. “We’re really while still being slightly acidic, This active helps to unlock compatible with most excited about two completely with a PH of 3.5,” adds Tal. nutrients in the soil which insecticides, fungicides, PGRs may otherwise be unavailable and fertilisers with a dose rate to the plant, and stimulates of 2 L/ha. Used in conjunction AGCO announces new the enzymes that enhance with other crop protection plant root growth. According methods, biostimulants can to Arysta LifeScience, have a positive effect on the southern Massey distributor fertilisation is improved and marketable crop yield, AGCO has appointed C&O Straddling several counties, cell division is stimulated, and meaning less food waste and Tractors Ltd as the new C&O Tractors’ exclusive trials have shown that this can improved profitability. distributor for its Massey Massey Ferguson territory Ferguson farm machinery includes parts of Dorset, brand in South Central Somerset, Hants, West Sussex Potassium for stressed potato crops England. This new move is and Wilts together with the After one of the driest springs for decades plus low night-time part of AGCO’s long-term Isle of Wight. temperatures many crops are showing the typical symptoms of strategy to strengthen The company will be stress. At times such as this, foliar applications of potassium can customer service, offer full- responsible for the sales and help according to Dick Holden of Specialist fertiliser supplier line product ranges and support of the full-line of Solufeed. “Foliar applications of potassium are proven to ensure an increased Massey Ferguson machinery stimulate and improve the uptake of nutrients applied earlier and availability of exclusive brand including tractors, combine at planting,” he says. expertise at its distribution harvesters, balers, hay & “In many crops the leaf canopy has not developed and this will outlets. forage tools, grounds care be to the detriment of tuber initiation and development. These “This is a significant new and materials handling crops are up to a month behind and require a foliar feed to give appointment in this key equipment. them a boost. As the potassium requirement is greater than territory,” says Mark “We are very excited to be other nutrients at this time, potatoes are particularly responsive Casement, AGCO Director joining the Massey Ferguson to a foliar application rather than being dependent upon soil Distribution Management UK family,” comments Andy reserves.” and Ireland. “C&O Tractors is Coles, C&O Tractors Chairman Mr Holden recommends K-Leaf, to provide potassium in a highly-experienced, extremely and Managing Director. “The soluble form which will readily be taken up by the plant. “It will well-equipped and fully- strength and depth of Massey also improve resistance to disease and stress whilst leading to focused on serving customers Ferguson’s product line-up more robust tubers and skin set,” he says. K-Leaf dissolves rapidly in this important farming area provides a huge choice of and is easy to apply with a conventional sprayer typically at a which accounts for nearly award-winning equipment rate of 6kg per hectare in 200 litres of water and costs 10% of total industry tractor backed by MF’s world-class approximately £12 per hectare. sales in the UK.” After-Sales.”
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•NEWS• New AHDB blight website
AHDB Potatoes has launched (Food and Environment a new website to help combat Research Agency) for initial the industry’s most threatening tests. All positive results are disease. Blight.ahdb.org.uk will then sent to the James Hutton Headland allow industry experts to report Institute for detailed analysis. blight outbreaks more Claire Hodge, Knowledge Crop Nutrition efficiently than ever before. Exchange Manager for AHDB As a part of its research into Potatoes, said: “The blight populations, AHDB introduction of our new Potatoes’ Fight Against Blight website will make it easier than campaign has been redeveloped ever to report outbreaks and and modernised to capture stamp out blight at the earliest more UK blight outbreaks than opportunity. Growers should ever before. Fight Against check whether their agronomist Blight, which started in 2006, is or key staff are part of the a sampling service which Blight Scout network and that notifies the industry of their crops are being effectively outbreaks and risk throughout scouted.” Great Britain. Anyone who would like to Anonymous samples are volunteer as an AHDB Blight collected from around the Scout can do so by visiting the country by a team of volunteer new website and registering Blight Scouts and sent to FERA their details. AVR launches new trailed potato planter AVR is launching a new 4-row trailed potato planter, called the Ceres 450. Featuring a hopper capacity of either 3,500 kg (4 x Performance you can 75cm) or 4,000 kg (4 x 90cm), the new planter can be combined with tilling equipment, such as the specially designed AVR GE-Force rely on in Potatoes C ridge cultivator, the basic AVR GE-Force or with other brands. Each individual Carnival® potato row assembly Hi-Phos® can be disconnected KuruS® manually although an electrical option is also Potato Micronutrient Complex™ available. A clever mechanical design ® Prince ® allowing up to 30° of Seamac PCT
wheel movement from ® left to right, ensures Root 66 Vertex Hi-N® that the rotation axis always remains vertical, AVR’s new Ceres 450 trailed potato planter. and that the wheels Headland Headland constantly remain in contact with the ground. Crop Nutrition Crop Nutrition The 4x75 version can be equipped with either a narrow top MICRO & MACRO NUTRIENTS BIOSTIMULANTS ridging hood with round sides or a wide top hood with straight sides. The 4x90 version is equipped with a wide top ridging hood Headland’s range of high performance and straight sides. Wear plates feature a special hard-wearing micronutrients, macronutrients and biostimulants coating made from Boron 27. provide innovative products and advanced The ridging hood is operated as standard by means of an formulations to suit your market, crops and needs. automatic pressure control. However, users can also opt for the well- known PDC system (Proportionally Distance Controlled), which uses two ultrasound sensors to measure the amount of soil in the hood. Based upon this input, the pressure on the hood is adjusted in order For information on our full range of nutrition products please visit: to maintain even ridging. www.headlandcropnutrition.com The control panel of the Ceres 450 is designed in the same way as other AVR machines, and features a 7” touch screen. The associated joystick is ergonomically designed. The planter can be used in conjunction with a GPS system, to control functions like switching the potato planting channel feeders. The AVR Ceres 450 will be exhibited for the first time on the AVR Stand at the Potato Europe exhibition in Emmeloord in September 2017.
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•NEWS• 10 NFU Potato Forum chairman and vice chairman are re-appointed Alex Godfrey and Tim our members in the domestic affecting members and creates the forum members, represent Papworth have been re- market. a plan of action to address my fellow potato growers appointed as chairman and vice “The past few years have them. during what will be chairman respectively of the been incredibly challenging for NFU Potato Forum vice undoubtedly the most critical NFU Potato Forum. the potato sector, so it remains chairman, Tim Papworth, who period for farmers and growers Alex Godfrey, who farms in vitally important that the NFU grows 10 varieties of potatoes in a generation. Lincolnshire, said: “I am can deliver robust support to for several customers in Norfolk, “We also need to harness delighted to be re-appointed as growers. That is why we have a said: “This will be my second greater support from the supply chairman for a further two dedicated forum to ensure the term as vice chairman, after chain to ensure that growers years and I look forward to views of the potato sector are holding the post of chairman can operate in a profitable continuing to deliver the embedded within NFU policy. since its creation. I am pleased market and have the confidence forum’s objectives during 2017. Whether it is crop protection, to be able to support Alex and to invest in the future.” We have a lot to do. Not least labour needs, legislative with ensuring the potato sector changes on water policy or is well represented in NFU Brexit tackling a lack of transparency Bejo lettuce varieties resistant to new policies, but also in addressing on potato sales, the NFU Potato some of the key concerns for Forum helps identify the issues Bremia race Last month the International Bremia Evaluation Board for the EU (IBEB-EU) officially designated a new race of Bremia 33, (downy mildew) in lettuce. Bejo have announced that with only a few exceptions all of their varieties with resistance BL16-32 are also resistant to Bremia BL:33EU. Gerhard Voelkel, Bejo’s Crop Manager for lettuce, says: “Our assortment in Iceberg, Batavia, Butterhead and Babyleaf in general, demonstrates strong resistances. The resistance to Bremia 33 across this assortment confirms to me that we are performing particularly well on resistance breeding”. Lisa Tokelove, Elsoms Salad and Diverse Manager, said; “This is great news for the UK’s lettuce growers. Bejo’s lettuce material is being trialed and tested under commercial conditions in the UK and it is reassuring that our varieties combine excellent agronomic Tim Papworth. Alex Godfrey. qualities with mildew resistance.”
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•NEWS• 11 THREE MUSKETEERS GROUP OPEN NEW POTATO GRADING FACILITY 3Ms (Three Musketeers) have been operating since 2001 and now have six farming shareholders who between them farm more than 34,000 acres. After nearly 18 months of careful investigation, they recently opened their new potato grading line, which is based at their site on the ex-USAF airbase at Bentwaters, near Woodbridge. Richard Shepherd-Barron reports.
large number of guests behalf of other growers in the went along in mid-May area which was of mutual AAto see the new operation benefit to everyone concerned. officially opened by Dr Therese Praising 3Ms investment and Coffey. Dr Coffey has been MP vision to bring this new grading 3Ms’new Haith SUPAFILL 600 grading line. for the Suffolk Coastal region line into operation, Dr Coffey since 2010 and is currently the said: “As a Minister for DEFRA, it provided the finance for the trained staff and are then sorted Conservative candidate in the is very encouraging to see remaining investment. into sizes by the vertical grading next general Election. She has farmers investing in the future in Three Musketeers’ growers module. also been the Minister at DEFRA these difficult times. This wanted to get their grading The early variety Swift is dealing with flooding and equipment adds considerable right and maximise their income already being run through the coastal problems. value to this important potato from the smaller-sized fractions grader with great success. 3Ms Edward Blanchard, managing growing region, with 3Ms within the crops, while still growers planted this, along with director for 3Ms, said: “This is a having found a solution to adding value to the larger sizes another 900 acres of crop under project that has been talked increase their output while that are no longer in demand fleece to enable their crops to about for several years and has saving money. I know they are from the UK retailers. 3Ms are be ready for sale as early as finally come to fruition. We’re a also keen to help other farms in looking to add more value to possible in the season. relatively small company, Suffolk realise higher values for the sales they have currently, by 3Ms who were featured in The particularly in terms of our their crops.” serving the retail packers with Vegetable Farmer in March last number of employees, so it’s a 3Ms needed a new building to specific sizes and selling the rest year, are a major supplier of new massive achievement to be able house the grading line, and this elsewhere. and early maincrop potatoes to to put such a modern piece of was erected in a “record- The new SUPAFILL 600 potato the fresh potato market. Around equipment into our business. As breaking” eight weeks by PFG grading line was supplied by 95% of their potatoes and a company owned by Fabrication. 3Ms were successful Haith, with some equipment onions go to major retailers and collaborating growers here in in gaining a Rural Development also coming from Tomra and processors with the remainder Suffolk and working to market Programme for England (RDPE) Dijkstra. It will offer an increased being sold to local wholesalers their produce, it’s imperative grant in conjunction with the hourly output, and will reduce and retailers. The group of six that we generate the best return Rural Payments Agency (RPA) the requirement for the older farms has expanded its business from every sale that we make”. and received £250,000 towards and less efficient graders on site considerably in recent years, Mr Blanchard said the new the investment. This is one of to be used as much as they were with an increased acreage and grader will help sales to existing the largest projects in the previously. The inbuilt infra-red tonnage of potatoes. Each farm customers as well as opening country to be funded by these sorter removes stones and soil operates its own staff and doors to new ones. It will allow grants and, after reviewing the from the potatoes before they planting/growing/harvesting 3Ms to grade potatoes on business plan for 3Ms, HSBC pass through visual grading by equipment.
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•VEGETABLE NUTRITION PROJECT• 12 CAN THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF UK GROWN PRODUCE BE RAISED?
There have been many studies identifying strong links children. This can mean a lot of more of them,” he adds. between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and fruit and veg is wasted in “Raising and/or identifying these households across the UK and key nutrients would be a good improved health. But eating several portions of produce a eating a large amount every day thing for the whole industry and day can be expensive and a challenge. Adrian Tatum can be very expensive. perhaps lead to producing and investigates a new idea by the NFU to find ways of raising So, what if it were possible to marketing more ‘super-foods- raise the nutritional levels in a from the fresh produce category.” the nutrient levels in crops. single piece of fruit of vegetable, Mr Ward says the challenge will or adapt or change the specific come during the breeding major new study launched could also have other important nutrients within it to increase the process. “I think the challenge will in February revealed that health as well as environmental benefits it offers? The NFU’s be that if we increase the nutrient AAeating ten, rather than five benefits. Our meta-analysis Board for Horticulture and levels then that might bring into portions of fruit and vegetables a provides further support for public Potatoes is about to kick-start a question whether disease day, could reduce health risks health recommendations and project looking at just this. resistance can be as strong or such as heart disease and cancer interventions to increase fruit and Leading the project will be board other factors such as taste and considerably. vegetable intake for prevention of member, Sarah Dawson. She texture might change.” The research, conducted by cardiovascular disease, cancer and thinks if this can be achieved, it But how could the raising of scientists at Imperial College, premature mortality,” says the will bring benefits to all involved. nutrient levels actually be done? London, showed that although a report. “The health benefits of what we Scientists in other food sectors are high fruit and vegetable intake Lead author, Dr Dagfinn Aune grow is undoubtedly our biggest already making progress in this has been recommended for the said that several potential USP as an industry and there is a area. Dr Brittany Hazard is a prevention of cardiovascular mechanisms could explain why real opportunity here to enhance Research Leader at the Quadram disease and some cancers, fruit and vegetables have such our British brand by findings ways Institute (previously known as the questions remain with regard to profound health benefits: “Fruit of increasing the nutrients levels Institute of Food Research) and the amounts and types of fruits and vegetables have been shown in every single piece of produce the John Innes Centre. She has and vegetables that are most to reduce cholesterol levels, blood we grow. That will have benefits been studying how to improve strongly associated with a reduced pressure, and to boost the health for the consumers buying it and cereal grain quality for human risk of cardiovascular disease, total of our blood vessels and immune also for the growers producing it. health. cancer or all-cause mortality; and system. This may be due to the “The potential difference it This involves building strong with regard to the burden of complex network of nutrients they could make to growers if we can connections between the fields of disease and mortality that may be hold. For instance they contain increase the value of each acre plant breeding and genetics with attributed to a low fruit and many antioxidants, which may they grow because we can prove food and health. The work vegetable intake. reduce DNA damage, and lead to we have increased the nutritional focuses on studying starch Some other notable a reduction in cancer risk.” value of that crop is huge for composition and structure in observations were also made. He went on to say that them and every other stakeholder wheat because this can influence During the study, a meta-analysis compounds called glucosinolates in the industry. This would give us its digestibility. Starch that is of 95 studies of fruit and in cruciferous vegetables, such as another reason to tell consumers resistant to digestion can play an vegetable consumption was broccoli, activate enzymes that why buying British is a really good important role in maintaining undertaken. Reductions in risk of may help prevent cancer. idea,” she says. healthy blood sugar levels in cardiovascular disease and all- Furthermore, fruit and vegetables Jack Ward, Chief Executive of humans. cause mortality were observed up may also have a beneficial effect British Growers, thinks work like A key aim of Dr Hazard’s to an intake of 800g/day of fruit on the naturally-occurring bacteria this can only help the industry research is to develop wheat and vegetables combined, in our gut. “Most likely it is the and the UK in general. “I think genotypes with novel starch whereas for total cancer no whole package of beneficial there is a real opportunity to still compositions and structural further reductions in risk were nutrients you obtain by eating have a closer connection observed above 600g/day. fruits and vegetables that is between UK fresh Inverse associations were crucial is health. This is why it is produce production and observed between intake of important to eat whole plant consumption and the apples and pears, citrus fruits, foods to get the benefit, instead UK’s health agenda,” he green leafy vegetables and salads of taking antioxidant or vitamin says. “I don’t think we and cruciferous vegetables and supplements (which have not have paid enough cardiovascular disease and been shown to reduce disease attention to this, mortality; and between green- risk).” considering that health yellow vegetables and cruciferous So here we have confirmation issues such as heart vegetables and total cancer risk. It from a major new study that disease and obesity are also revealed that an estimated could be advantageous to fresh costing the NHS £5bn a 5.6 and 7.8 million premature produce marketing departments, year to treat. We know deaths worldwide during 2013 to help enhance their story about consumption of fruit and may be attributable to a fruit and the benefits of eating increased vegetables is good for us; vegetable intake below 500 and amounts of home grown produce. what is less clear is what 800 g/day, respectively. But the truth is, eating five nutrients are really good “A change in the diet towards a portions a day can be a challenge for us and what types of higher intake of fruit and in today’s society, let alone ten, fruit and veg we should vegetables and other plant foods especially in relation to feeding be eating to consume Sarh Dawson is leading the new project.
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•VEGETABLE NUTRITION PROJECT• 13 performance and because that could bring end-use quality many benefits for the for milling and sector.” baking. Thus, a “For us, this is lot more research something that could has to be done to certainly have massive ensure that the potential but for it to new starch traits work we need every are commercially stakeholder in the sector viable to achieve on-board. It needs to desirable levels of work for growers, the resistant starch supermarkets and other for a positive retailers as well as the health impact consumer and also for us while maintaining at the start of the good yields and process to be a success quality.” that guarantees benefits Importantly, Dr for everyone. Hazard thinks this To start to develop this Dr Brittany Hazard. method could be we need a greater clarity Sue Kennedy of Elsoms Seeds. properties which can help improve applied elsewhere. “I think this and understanding of what the that are so important such as health. “Starch is the main crop genetics approach could be industry needs and how it will pest and disease resistance and component of wheat grain and applied to developing nutritional work for each stakeholder,” she flavour,” she says. “But, there processed refined flours, and with traits for healthier vegetable adds. will certainly be more focus on this project we want to varieties,” she says. Ms Kennedy says the science the health benefits of produce in understand how different starch “We would welcome the and technology is already there the future.” genes control the starch structure chance to explore this in more to select certain characteristics in The NFU plans to conduct a and digestibility in different wheat detail,” says Sue Kennedy, Head seeds to help raise the nutrition round table discussion in a few based foods like bread and of Research & Development at value. “The challenge will be to months’ time, to discuss how pasta,” Dr Hazard tells The Elsoms Seeds. “We think it is a avoid working in silo with different stakeholders in the Vegetable Farmer. sensible way forward to start specific nutrients but to find a industry can identify the way “But it is also very important to identifying areas of breeding that way to raise all the levels of forward to help raise nutrient consider how the new starch could in the future help increase nutrients in the crop without levels in UK grown fresh traits could affect agronomic the nutrients in UK grown crops affecting the other characteristics produce.
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•FRUIT & VEG CONGRESS• 14 BREXIT CREATES POTENTIAL FOR BETTER UK AGRICULTURAL POLICY necessarily increase The fourth annual FPJ Live UK Fruit and Vegetable volume because there are Congress took place on what has now become known as lots of other things that Star Wars day (May the fourth). The conference opened will affect why people will by produce.” In terms of with a clever parody of the famous opening scene from market share, all of the the film, where moving text was used to introduce the top ten retailers had seen sales growth in the last story. Like the film, this set out the key topics for the rest quarter, but convenience of the day, including the continued rise of the of location is still the discounters, Brexit, falling farm gate prices and innovation number one driver for which store people visit. in the supply chain. Richard Crowhurst reports. This is something that is well understood by the FU President Meurig already struggling to recruit the Co-op, which Category Raymond used his necessary staff and the situation Development Planner NNopening address to set had worsened almost overnight NFU president Meurig Raymond. Fiona Clayton explained out the organisation’s demands since the vote. “A solution is had, “quite a different for the forthcoming general urgently needed,” he stressed. of their business. way of doing business.” The election. Emphasising his Mr Raymond called on Chris Cowan of Kantar company has shown an credentials as a fresh producer whoever wins the general Worldpanel presented the most excellent performance over the grower (this year his farm will election to provide: “A new up to date statistics on fresh last year, showing 1.5 per cent plant 400 acres of potatoes for agricultural policy which assists produce consumption and growth compared with a supply to Puffin Produce), he in the development of an shopper behaviour, pointing out market average of just 0.3 per said the snap election, together increasingly productive, that while the value of the cent. It has introduced with Brexit represented a progressive and, above all, market had risen from £10.9 initiatives such as relaunching seismic shift in the UK’s farming profitable farming sector.” He billion in 2013 to £11.8 billion its membership scheme, industry. “The right post-Brexit added that MPs needed to see this year against a background revamping stores and a trade deal is absolutely critical, “the total food supply chain, of falling grocery sales, this had widespread range review. but so is [our] agricultural from farmers to processors, to been driven by policy,” he said. manufacturers and retailers,” increasing volumes while Once again he emphasised adding: “Much of the food average spend per shop that farming needed supply chain is domestically had actually fallen more unrestricted access, not only to based and increasingly, I’m than 3 per cent. In the European market, but also pleased to say, we are particular, the vegetable to labour, which he said was committed to increasing that sector was losing out to the most immediate concern for domestic production, yet we fruit and prepared the fresh produce sector. “Our cannot operate in isolation. produce. There has been a widespread switch from whole-head vegetables to prepared produce, and potatoes in particular had suffered from the negative press about carbohydrate consumption, with a Fiona Clayton, Category Development Planner quarter of those people at the Co-op. who make up the panel of 30,000 shoppers concerned She stressed that produce is a about carbs. However, he very competitive market place: pointed out that people do not “We need to motivate shoppers always act in the way they say to choose to shop on the high they will. “People will talk about street.” As a result the retailer is The day opened with a reference to ‘Star Wars day’, May the Fourth. things that they are worried ‘evolving’ its supplier about, but they don’t always relationships, with the aim of message to government on Growers rely on imported act on them,” he said. “Fewer, better, more engaged labour is clear,” he said. “An goods and inputs, particularly While accepting that price can suppliers.” Part of this strategy abrupt reduction in the number seed, rootstock, machinery, influence purchases of fresh will involve becoming closer to of EU workers available to work fertilisers and chemicals.” He produce, particularly the whole- growers, and so far 15 three- in the UK post-Brexit, would pointed out that the ability of head market, he warned year supply contracts have been cause massive disruption to the many grower businesses to retailers against relying on price signed with UK suppliers, with entire food supply chain.” Prior import produce to cover gaps in promotions to drive sales: “You named growers and 269 British to the referendum labour seasonal availability was also can play around with price a lot growers included in the first providers and employers were crucial to the continued success in produce, but it doesn’t steps to creating dedicated
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•FRUIT & VEG CONGRESS•
The ‘Big Debate’ panel included, from left to right: Jack Ward of British Growers; Anna Taylor, Executive Director of Food Foundation; Nick Marston, Managing Director of Berry Gardens; and Ali Capper, Chair of the NFU Horticulture & Potatoes Board. Initialise fast grower groups. However, become stuck between during questioning, some government departments: acting protection existing suppliers raised the “Generally people understand issue of ‘double digit rebates’ the role of fruit and veg in the for your crop. and pointed out that supplier diet, but how do you actually relationships had to work both [eat it in practice]?” ways. “Going forward our new “We need to be much more relationships are not built up in positive with the consumer,” that way,” stressed Ms Clayton. stressed Ali Capper. “Our sector Some of the leading figures in has some really positive stuff to the industry, including Jack say. We have to think about Ward of British Growers, fruit where the consumer is coming grower and NFU spokesman Ali from.” Capper and Nick Marston of As well as challenges, Brexit Berry Gardens, discussed key creates the potential for a new issues facing the sector and and better UK agricultural once again Brexit dominated policy, something which Jack the agenda. Mr Ward pointed Ward was positive about: “It is out that Producer Organisations a terrific opportunity to unpick are a key way for small the CAP and make it more fit producers to reduce the risk of for purpose for the UK. More vital investment while Nick money for horticulture to drive Marston agreed that funding R&D and innovation could make needed to be maintained in a huge difference.” order to allow UK producers to “Unpicking state aid rules compete on a level playing field might help promote UK with their European messages,” added Ali. “There is Control even the most resistant aphid strains with Biscaya competitors who will still an opportunity to sort out – unmatched in protecting vegetables including carrots, benefit from €830 million of regulation. For example, crop vining peas and Brussels sprouts. PO funding a year when the UK protection regulation for a lot leaves the EU. Both he and Ali of farmers and growers is not Biscaya delivers optimum control of important aphid Capper also stressed the fit for purpose.” species in vegetable crops. Fast acting, it breaks the dangers of introducing tariffs to After lunch the agenda turned aphid life cycle and inhibits their ability to form colonies. ‘protect’ British farmers from to marketing, with branding imports. “We bring in a lot of experts Tunde Daczo of Storm Alternate with Movento® in brassica crops as part of an plant material from Holland Strategy and Ben Towers and integrated pest management programme for long-lasting, each year and we wouldn’t Roger Williams of Zest the all-over protection, safeguarding crops into autumn. want to see any restrictions on Agency, providing an insight those,” he pointed out. into ‘Consumer 4.0’ and the For effective vegetable crop protection visit The need for more joined up role that modern influencers, www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk/biscaya thinking across government was such as high profile figures on also high on the panel’s wish social media can play in list, such as the Department of promoting products and Health recognising the benefits lifestyle trends. There is no www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk of fresh produce in reducing doubt that the recent boom in the Nation’s health care bill, demand for avocados has been and using this to offset helped massively by social Biscaya contains thiacloprid. Movento contains spirotetramat. Biscaya potential industry funding from and Movento are registered Trade Marks of Bayer. Use plant protection media, but several speakers products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Defra. However, Anna Taylor, warned against trying to apply Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on executive director of the Food what had been successful for the label. For further information, visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call Foundation warned that there one product to others. Bayer Assist on 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2017 was a danger that issues could Ben Towers has been dubbed
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•FRUIT & VEG CONGRESS• •FARM VISIT• 16 ‘the most influential teenager on the planet’ by The Times. He SOUTH DEVON suggested that using social media and new ORGANIC PRODUCERS – forms of influencer should not be seen as A FRESH APPROACH being too expensive, particularly when compared to traditional TO ORGANIC GROWING advertising and PR. “More under 25s now South Devon Organic Producers picked up the Vegetable watch YouTube daily Grower of the Year award at this year’s UK Grower than watch television,” he pointed out. “If you Awards, highlighting the development and progression of are going to do social organic vegetable production in the UK. Adrian Tatum media, then you need to The day closed with an interview with Fresca spoke to the co-operative’s General Manager, Caroline make it effective. For Group Chairman, Chris Mack. example Twitter is now Westacott and its current Chairman, Anthony Coker. categorised as a news [rather produce are increasingly than networking] app.” important. t is hard to know what the brainchild of Riverford’s While the multiples may be “We have 21 brands stands out more, the vibrant founder, Guy Watson, who went engaged in an ongoing price operating from 15 sites, each IIbiodiversity in the in search of producers nearby to war while they try to with their own branded hedgerows or the lush, freshly his farm that could supply him rediscover the margins of a vehicles and very little drilled fields on the dramatic on a regular basis to help fulfil former era, other sectors are consolidation,” he explained. south-facing slopes that form his ambition for Riverford to becoming increasingly This includes three fresh part of the South Devon become the country’s leading important. Box schemes such produce businesses: R Noone countryside at Home Park Farm. veg box supplier. It didn’t take as Hello Fresh are growing & Son, Oliver Kay and The site belongs to current long for the company to achieve Campbell Brothers. South Devon Organic Producers its ambition but perhaps what is Most of the company’s chairman, Anthony Coker and most telling, is that South clients come from the catering his wife Mary-Lou. Or maybe it Devon Organic Producers still and restaurant sector and rely is Mr Coker’s passion for forms the base for Guy on Bidfresh deliveries. “We like organic farming and the future Watson’s vegetable supply customers that are painful and direction of the South Devon today, over twenty years since that make us work hard,” Organic Producers group that Riverford first started. Stephen explained. “For really holds your attention more Winning the Vegetable example they want us to be than anything. Grower of the Year Award is nimble and they have very Mr Coker is, in many ways, a testament not only to the hard tight specifications. That perfect chairman for the group work of the group and its staff makes it difficult for our as he talks positively about but also proof that you can still competitors.” working with the other grower have the principles of organic Someone else who knows members in the co-operative, an farming at the heart of an about the complexity of the organisation that is already organisation while modernising fresh produce sector, from focused on building on the and driving efficiencies at the the wholesale markets success it has had over the last same time. Stephen Oswald is Chief Executive of through to multiple retailers, two decades while maintaining “I’ve never trusted chemicals,” Bidfresh. is Christopher Mack, and improving the level of says Anthony Coker. “That was while Darren Henaghan, chairman of the Fresca quality produce it supplies to its one of the main reasons I managing director of Borough Group. customer, Riverford Organics. wanted to start organic Market in London described He has overseen the rise of In fact, the co-operative was vegetable production when Guy how quality ingredients, the Kent-based company provenance and consumer from a family owned experience are driving growth, company focused mainly on not just at Borough, but at wholesale markets to become many of London’s other local the largest fresh produce food markets. supplier in the UK when key The logistics of supplying joint venture businesses such these markets may not fit with as Manor Fresh, Thanet Earth many larger growers, but and MMG Citrus are taken Stephen Oswald of Bidfresh into account. explained that fresh produce is Moving forward Christopher a rapidly expanding part of his and Chief Executive Ian Craig company’s activities. Unlike will continue to innovate to some other companies, survive in the fresh produce Bidfresh trades locally using industry, while overseeing the locally established business transformation of the names and brands and has a company from a family- strong background in fish, owned to an employee South Devon Organic Producers’ Chairman Anthony Coker (left), with Co-op although meat and fresh owned enterprise. members David and Sheila Savage and Mary Coker.
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•FARM VISIT• 17
The group is holding an open day on one of its farms on September 7th as a Harvesting carrots by hand. showcase for any potential new grower members.
Watson first approached us. I and in many ways that marks not easy. “Organic growing is a September 7th and is hoping feel much more at ease dealing the end of a chapter and the big commitment and is hard that this will be a real showcase with natural products. Organic beginning of a new one. The work. There is risk also; we for any potential new grower farming can be extremely hard main challenge now is to find understand that but we are in a members. Various suppliers and work but I always feel that new growers to join the group, unique position with this group associates have been invited effort is worth it.” to help re-energise us in the with the fact we have along for the day including He says he is pleased with the future and take us forward. We guaranteed supply through plant raisers, seed houses, development of the group over need younger growers to ensure Riverford and that is a huge machinery dealers, and the last few years and is now the group is around in another opportunity. Now is a really organisations to offer advice on looking optimistically ahead to twenty years when we have all good time to be involved in organic conversion. Members the future. “It was such an retired,” he says. organic production,” he says. will also be on hand to discuss achievement to be recognised as As every organic grower and The group is holding an open the current business model. Vegetable Grower of the Year producer group knows, this is day on one of its farms on The last few years for the
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•FARM VISIT• 18 Among the crops it has Currently, there are five full- successfully trialled and now time and four part-time grows as part of its annual members of staff and nine programme are; edamame seasonal workers - many of beans, kohl rabi, golden whom have been coming to the beetroot and borlotti beans. UK to work for the group for This year it will also trial purple many years. They are employed mange tout and flat beans. by the group and then hired At Home Park Farm, which has out to the members. The group been in the Coker family since also owns a pool of machinery 1897, there is an air of positivity and specialist machinery which about the forthcoming season. can be hired out to members “It is a been a bit cold up to with or without a group- now but apart from that we employed tractor driver on a have been able to get on with yearly, hourly or per acre rate. things with not too much “The National Living Wage is disruption from the weather,” beginning to affect things. General Manager Caroline Westacott, picking up the Vegetable Grower of the he says. From our new financial year Year Award at this year’s UK Grower Awards (courtesy Horticulture Week). Another change for the group (June onwards) we will be might be its structure if current having to charge our staff out group has been all about something I believe we could do funding doesn’t continue after at £11 an hour to members investing in new equipment. here in future years.” 2019. South Devon Organic which is expensive, especially as “We realised we couldn’t stand Driving efficiencies and new Producers is funded by the Fresh organic production is so labour still, we had to invest in new product development are Fruit and Vegetables Aid intensive,” says Ms Westacott. technology to modernise our important elements of an ever- Scheme, which is administered South Devon Organic Producers operation and more importantly demanding yearly schedule for through the Rural Payments currently has 12 members, to become more efficient, the growers. South Devon Agency (RPA) but is European seven of which are active especially with the cost of Organic Producers work closely money. This process is managed growers this season. The labour,” Mr Coker says. “The with Riverford to meet by the cooperative’s efficient members pay a fee per acre aim here isn’t about getting rid demanding specifications and General Manager, Caroline into the co-operative and also of people. Organic farming is schedules with a Riverford team Westacott. pay a quarterly fee for very labour intensive but good member visiting all the farms “We are in the middle of a machinery and administration staff are very hard to come by every week to help assess the five-year programme which will which works out at about £115 and we want to keep them immediate and forthcoming end in 2019. At the moment per acre. because having that human crop availability and to aid there is a lot of uncertainty as “Our growers are guaranteed element is vital to any organic Riverford’s planning for the to what will happen after that a market and a fixed price from growers’ success. weeks ahead. for obvious reasons. There is Riverford which is agreed in the “However, there is a need Although the group has the also talk about a possible autumn when the crop plans among the grower members to luxury of guaranteed supply and replacement scheme here to get released. This is quite drive efficiencies and find new fixed prices from Riverford it help fund growers but at this something for any of our ways of working to improve the likes to keep an eye on what is point we really don’t know. EU members to enjoy because quality of the crops we grow, going on in the organic sector tariffs are likely to be part of the when you are out on the open get the best from our soils and in general. But should the sector negotiation process for new market there isn’t a lot of land and keep on finding ways be focused on price anymore? trade agreements but certainty,” she adds. There is to grow in a sustainable way,” “First and foremost we should consumers will be averse to even support when crops are he adds. be focused on great tasting having their choices narrowed over produced through The last year has seen the produce. That is the most by high tariffs and sadly these Riverford’s wholesale division or group purchase more specialist important reason for us doing will disproportionately hit the through some of the export machinery as well as a GPS what we do. The price has to be less well off, thus defeating our work it does. “Even when there guided tractor to improve attractive but ultimately we on-going mission to encourage is a crop failure, which is very accuracy, taking the ability to want to be as efficient as self sufficiency of fruit and veg rare, there is opportunity for monitor performance through possible and organic production in the UK,” says Caroline. another grower-member to sell detailed data, to another level. is still expensive with the labour “We can and will continue that crop instead.” “We are still learning,” says Mr costs we have,” says Mr Coker. even if we can’t get any Ms Westacott thinks the Coker, “even with all the He says that during the funding but we would have to group is going from strength to experience we have in the recession while many have a total re-think of our strength. “It is all down to our group, there is still a willingness supermarkets were withdrawing strategy and structure of the fantastic grower members and to get better and improve and organic lines because of fears group,” she says. The current dedicated staff. There are a few the purchasing of specialist that it would be too expensive scheme is based on match challenges on the horizon. I’d machinery has definitely helped for shoppers, Riverford’s sales funding and requires the group like to see more research into us on that journey,” he adds. increased. to turnover at least Euros 1 what we can do to further But he wants this knowledge In many ways, the key to the million from vegetable sales. combat pest and disease and to also extend to new growing success of South Devon Organic “The funding has meant we we need to continue to techniques and ways of Producers has been innovation. have been able to invest in experiment with new varieties, working. “There is an exciting Now producing approximately specialist machinery such as the as the weather is a constant development in the US where 400 acres of vegetables, the GPS system, but it also pays for challenge. But generally we are they have had success with group has been willing to try soil testing, crop covers, in good shape. The one thing growing tomatoes outside in new ideas and new varieties and products such as Limex which we would like is new members the ground. We will be to offer something different on benefits the land and other and hopefully that will be the watching that closely and it every annual crop programme. relevant items,” she says. case by the end of the year.”
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•POTATO STORAGE• 19 SPROUT SUPPRESSION USING BOTH ETHYLENE AND CIPC Markies and Russet Burbank There is robust scientific evidence that a combination of was very good and, chlorpropham (CIPC) and ethylene offers better sprout encouragingly, there were no commercially adverse effects on control in potatoes than either treatment alone, says fry colour. Although there were Sutton Bridge Crop Storage (SBCSR) scientist Dr Glyn more mixed results with some other varieties, ethylene has Harper. Frances Wright reports. potential as a sprout suppressant for some specific ne of the reasons maximum residue limits (MRLs). processing varieties, says Glyn. behind the success of One approach has been to Over a number of years, tests OOlong-term storage has improve the methods of have also been carried out at been the ability to prevent application, while another SBCSR on processing varieties, tubers from sprouting. This has approach has been to treated with both ethylene and helped the industry to achieve investigate alternative sprout low concentrations of CIPC, almost year-round, reliable suppressants alone or in stored at 9deg.C, and assessed Glyn Harper has been looking at the supply of quality potatoes for combination with CIPC. for sprouting and processing potential of using a combination of processing. Glyn has been undertaking colour. Stores received a single CIPC and ethylene for sprout The most effective sprout experiments on the suppressant application of different doses of suppression. suppressant is CIPC, but ethylene, and looking at CIPC at the start of storage and growers have been challenged combining it with CIPC. ethylene was then applied and Store 3 – which was the by successive reductions in the Ethylene has long been used in continuously to maintain an control store –received a dose maximum dose. As a result, the fresh pack industry but has environment of 10ppm. of CIPC at store loading and AHDB Sutton Bridge Crop the potential to darken fry Glyn says: “In the trial during CIPC was then applied as and Storage Research has stepped colour in some varieties – a ‘no- 2015-16 we used three stores. when required to control up to the mark to help find no’ for the processing industry. In Store 1 we applied a single sprouting, up to the maximum ways for store managers and Trials at Sutton Bridge have dose of 9g of CIPC and dose and according to industry growers to achieve the best shown that with ethylene alone, ethylene; in Store 2 a single best practice.” results without exceeding at 9 deg. C, sprout control in dose of 16g CIPC and ethylene; He reveals that results in Store
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•POTATO STORAGE• 20
2 (CIPC + ethylene) were Results of ethylene and ethylene/CIPC on popular processing varieties always better than in the control Store 3 (CIPC alone). Ethylene Ethylene/CIPC Markies and Russet Burbank – Maris Piper Maris Piper both of which are well sprout Fry colour: No significant effect Fry colour: no significant effect controlled by ethylene – Sprout control: Variable Sprout control: Good showed even better sprout Markies Markies control when CIPC was in the Fry colour: No significant effect Fry colour: No significant effect mix. Sprout control: good Sprout control: good “When Maris Piper was Ramos Ramos treated with ethylene alone, Fry colour: Darker fry colour especially during Fry colour: Darker fry colour especially during sprout control was variable but longer storage longer storage fry colours were unaffected. Sprout control: Acceptable Sprout control: good However, when CIPC was in the Russet Burbank Russet Burbank mix, sprout was very well Fry colour: No significant effect Fry colour: No significant effect controlled. This means a Sprout control: good Sprout control: good combination treatment could Innovator Innovator be suitable for Maris Piper,” Fry colour: No significant effect Fry colour: No significant effect says Glyn. Sprout control: Variable Sprout control: good However, he points out, For the reports go to: https://potatoes.ahdb.org.uk dealing with ethylene can be tricky as varietal responsiveness to the sprout suppressant varies chip fry colour with potatoes to large commercial and/or sell the potatoes a lot. One of the challenges is treated with ethylene was not enterprises.” promptly,” says James. that the response of a variety to significantly different to He takes a pragmatic view; by ethylene for fry colour does not potatoes treated with CIPC. ‘Smelling’ soft rots in using off-the-shelf commercial appear to be linked to how well However, we found the fry potato stores sensors and then further ethylene works on sprout colour could be darker for some Soft rot can be a real optimising these, it is possible suppression. Nevertheless, it is crisping varieties, especially challenge in potato stores. to reduce the development time important that each variety is when they had been stored for Once the disease has become of any final commercial assessed for both as, even if longer. established, it can progress very product. To this end, he has sprout control is good, it is “It is important for us to rapidly and, if uncontrolled, can crucial there is no adverse effect become smarter in our ability to cause significant losses. on fry colour for stocks destined store processing varieties, Therefore, early detection of for chipping and crisping. making use of the potential of potential problems through “While there was virtually no ethylene and other monitoring the health of stored effect on fry colour in Russet suppressants. Using CIPC in tubers is key to maintaining Burbank or Maris Piper there combination with other quality. Dr James Covington, an were increases in fry colour in suppressants could help to Associate Professor at the other varieties although they prevent exceedance while School of Engineering at the were usually well within maintaining efficacy. University of Warwick, and PhD commercially acceptable “Moreover, as it is even more student Massimo Rutolo, have parameters.” effective in combination with been developing an electronic Chip processing is less ethylene, this strategy could nose capable of detecting the sensitive to factors which affect provide a back-up and extended volatiles released by rots. fry colour than in processing for control to a reduced overall “One of the criteria for good crisps. Fry colour can decline dose of CIPC. This will allow storage is the ability to detect throughout storage, so the growers to store over the long low levels of rots in a large longer the crop is stored, the term and avoid reaching MRLs. volume of potatoes so the store James Covington has been darker the colour. The next step is to transfer this manager can either decide to developing sensors for detecting Glyn explains: “In our trials, research from small scale stores change in-store conditions rots in potato stores.
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•POTATO STORAGE• 22
Soft rot infection can enter via lenticels (Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Smart sensors like these are tipped to play an important role in the potato Research). stores of the future. been trialling commercial Moreover, he adds, by choosing makes control quite temperatures mean that rots sensors to discover the secrets the right type of sensors, any challenging. Therefore, using can develop more quickly in of getting them to work in final unit should have a low additional sensors strategically some varieties and they can store environments. price point. placed amongst the potatoes become a real issue which hits “Our trials using the research The sensors work by sampling throughout the store to help the grower in the pocket.” facilities at Sutton Bridge Crop the store air and capture identification of problem areas Usually the first signs of rot Storage Research have worked volatiles produced from could make a real difference. are detected by the store well and we can now think of anywhere within the store. They “These sensors detect where manager’s nose. But a sensor testing in larger scale stores can be placed within the the rot is within the store, which is sufficiently sensitive to where farmers can integrate circulating ventilation system, in guiding store managers on pick up a slight trace of volatiles them into their store boxes or between the stacks or which area to deal with as a released by rots before they management system,” he says. even within the bulk pile. This priority,” he says. Moreover, the become a detectable smell It will provide further means they should work in sensors have the potential to would give time for the store environmental information both box and bulk stores. detect volatiles from other manager to increase ventilation rather than a single tool, he Rots are one of the biggest tuber diseases and conditions. and prevent having to move the emphasises, and will help store causes of profit loss from “Perhaps the sensors could crop early. managers get strategic storage, and the ease and also be tweaked for other store “Processing systems depend decisions right and therefore speed of which they can move needs. For example, they could on technology and sensors are impact on the bottom line. from one potato to another be used to monitor sprouting, already being used in stores to so a timely top-up application monitor temperature, air and of sprout control can be made humidity to fine-tune before sprouting occurs.” environmental control, and this is another which will help our Electronic nose a step industry keep on top of its upward for potato game.” stores Footnote: Results from the An electronic ‘nose’ will make work on sprout suppression will useful addition to the store be displayed at the forthcoming manager’s toolkit, says store AHDB Postharvest Showcase manager Tim Kitson of Potato event being held at Sutton Solutions. He expects it to be Bridge Crop Storage Research particularly useful in stores for on Thursday 27 July. James the processing sector, as they Covington will also be a are kept at warmer seminar speaker at the event. To temperatures (around 8 deg.C) register and access further than those for the fresh pack details go to: market (2-3 deg.C). www.potatoes.ahdb.org.uk/ Tim says: “These warmer events/postharvest-showcase.
Tim Kitson says prompt detection of rots will help store managers keep on top of their game.
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•PROFILE• 23 BOB THOMAS – A LIFETIME OF SALAD CROP INNOVATION by Ian Gillott Earlier this year, Bob Thomas was presented with an award recognising his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry at the Grower of the Year Awards. The award recognised Bob’s immense contribution to the UK horticultural industry and to the salad industry in particular.
hen he eventually of hops, which came under retires from his role as Bob’s jurisdiction. WWChairman of the Kent- He finally rose to the position based salad company, Intercrop, of farm manager, a post which Bob can reflect on a lifetime’s he held from 1968 until 1972. involvement in the salad During his time as farm industry. An involvement which manager, he recalls employing has seen many innovations some of the first Concordia which he introduced and that students. They were weeding have had a significant influence carrots after an application of on the direction the salad TVO (tractor vapourising oil) industry has taken over the had failed to control some of years. the weeds. The students were Perhaps his most notable only allowed to stay on the farm achievement was his role in the for three weeks before returning introduction of Iceberg lettuce home. The boys were separated into the UK. from the girls - how times have His interest in horticulture changed! really began when helping his By this time, Bomfords had father - a country clergyman in amalgamated with J.M.Stokes. Bob Thomas. Worcestershire – in the rectory’s Maurice Stokes, of Severn Stoke, extensive vegetable garden. This near Worcester, and Captain In 1972, Bob Thomas moved Inspired by what they had experience obviously made an James Bomford were great to Nackington Farms in Kent, seen on their travels, the couple impression on Bob, as it was friends and when the two initially to take charge of hop spent the journey home on the fundamental in establishing a companies amalgamated, James production. In addition to 150 floor of the aircraft, designing lifelong passion for horticulture. became Managing Director of acres of top fruit, the farm had lettuce-harvesting rigs! To gain experience on a the new company. The 500 ewes and also produced The original aim of producing commercial holding, he enlisted amalgamation worked well as potatoes, blackcurrants and Iceberg lettuce on the west as a student on Captain J.F. Stokes had a strong cherries in addition to 10 acres coast of America, where the Bomford’s Springhill Farm at merchanting arm. of flat lettuce. This lettuce crop climate was conducive to lettuce Fladbury. This consisted of some Stokes also produced and sold was marketed by Saphir. production, was that there was 600 acres and formed part of a very popular lettuce herbicide Hearing about lettuce a demand for a lettuce which the Worcester Bishopric Estates. –JMS No. 6 – which many of production in the USA, Bob, would travel across America and Captain Bomford was one of the The Vegetable Farmer’s older along with the growing arrive in perfect condition in most substantial and influential readers will remember. It was manager of Bettshanger Farms, cities on America’s east coast. farmers in Worcestershire. the most widely used lettuce Howard Carr, decided to fly to Iceberg lettuce had been Bob points out that he had to herbicide throughout the 70’s the States to look at lettuce grown in California since the pay twenty-five pounds a and early 80’s. production in California. They 1930’s. It had been shipped to quarter for his apprenticeship! Innovation always played a initially met with Bud Antle in the East Coast by train, packed On his first day on the farm, huge part at Stokes Bomford. Salinus and Ed Ryder. Bud in ice. Ice was then replaced by he was given a brush and shovel The first hop picking machine Antil’s company was the biggest vacuum cooling. This was a big plus a wheelbarrow and told to was installed in 1946 and the and most successful producer of step forward as it removed the muck out five-hundred pigs. first hydro-cooler was built in lettuce in California. Ed Ryder field heat from the lettuce. Hardly the introduction to 1958. Part of the World War worked for the US Department Bob and Howard were then horticulture he had been Two PLUTO pipeline - that of Agriculture, as a breeder and left to set about investigating expecting! However, as his carried fuel under the channel geneticist. vacuum cooling as this was clergyman father had always from the UK to France - was During their first visit to obviously the way forward to kept a couple of cows on land used at the Springhill farm, as a Salinas, Bob and Howard were ensure good shelf-life. It was at adjoining his rectory to mains irrigation pipe. By 1956, flown down to Yuma where Bud this time that Ray Jeffs of L.O supplement his meagre stipend, underground mains and risers Antle’s company had Jeffs in Lancashire was also livestock was not a new had been installed on the farm. established another production investigating vacuum cooling, experience for Bob. The work The new irrigation system was area to complement their and extensive telephone with livestock was short-lived demonstrated on a number of production in Salinas. This was conversations between the and he soon progressed to the farm visits by local growers and the first time they had seen rig- pioneers of this new technique horticultural side of Bomford’s students, who, Bob says, were harvesting of lettuce on such a eventually led to the building of business – including forty acres suitably impressed. massive scale. the first vacuum cooler. As a
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•PROFILE• •FARM VISIT• 24 STANHILL FARM – FINDING SUCCESS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF LONDON by Bill Sherer “We are fully committed to serving our high-density population, customer base with quality vegetables through our Farm Shop, delivered box scheme and on- Bob Thomas receiving his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award at the recent UK Grower Awards. (Photo courtesy of Horticulture Week). line,” says Toby Williams of Stanhill Farm, Wilmington, near Dartford in Kent. The 150 acre farm is one of just a result of the new technology, a were also growing 300 acres of seven-day shelf-life could be salad onions which were tray- few close to the capital, and is only 17 miles from central offered to the customer. packed and marketed exclusively London. Bob and Howard established a through M & S. brand name, ‘Kingcrisp,’ and The farm was also growing n marketing terms (stick) (2.5); Courgettes & began Iceberg production in 250 acres of calabrese along being close to so Marrows (4); Parsnips (0.25); 1978 operating as a joint with 200 acres of sweetcorn ““IImany current and Carrots (1); Leeks (0.25); Purple venture between the and 500 acres of sprouts. 1984 potential customers is a distinct Sprouting Broccoli (1.25); Nackington and Bettshanger saw the introduction of endive business advantage,” he says. Cabbage/Savoy/Greens/Kale/Cala farms as Kent Salads. and continental lettuce along “It also means we are brese (10); Brussels Sprouts Originally they grew Penlake with the ‘in-house’ development frequently in face-to-face (1.25) and Pumpkins & Squash varieties, but these were prone of washed bagged salads. contact with those end users 2.5 acres, making an overall to coning, especially in hot In 1991 Geest bought Kent who purchase our produce and acreage of 31.75 acres. Purple weather. However, progress was Salads. Bob Thomas brokered a today that is becoming carrots, a new introduction, are rapid. They dealt with an deal with Lord Northbourne to increasingly important. For also proving popular through all American seed company called farm the land around grower and customer alike, Stanhill Farm’s outlets. Red Coach, who introduced Bettshanger and a new feedback is the name of the The remaining 118 acres them to the new Ed Ryder bred company, Intercrop, was game.” variety, Salinas. This introduction formed. The portfolio of salad When he took was an enormous breakthrough crops was widened to include over as tenant at in the production of Iceberg products such as salad rocket Stanhill Farm in lettuce and it could be said to and spinach along with herbs 2004 the emphasis have revolutionised Iceberg and oriental brassicas. was on growing quality. In 1993, Geest asked cabbages specifically In 1977 Marcus Sieff had also Intercrop to look at overseas for Waitrose, whilst been to the States to see lettuce production in order to courgettes and production and on his return guarantee a twelve-month runner beans were encouraged the newly-formed supply of salads. Bob initially produced for the Kent Salads to market a looked at Portugal but finished wholesale markets. proportion of the crop through up by deciding that the Murcia Toby’s brother Max Marks and Spencer. region in Spain would be most joined the business The rigs, which were designed suitable. in 2006 and now and produced by Bob and Initially, they partnered with a has responsibility for Howard, were very much ahead Spanish company but after two all retail and sales of their time as all operations years decided to progress on aspects of the were carried out in the field their own. They now grow over business. prior to cooling. The over- one-thousand acres of spinach To match wrapping included codes which and salad crops during the consumer identified which rig had cut and winter for export to the UK. preferences, a cross wrapped the lettuce; traceability Geest were bought out by section of different Toby Williams (left) with his brother Max. ahead of its time. Bakkavor in 2011. It was at this brassicas are grown at Stanhill grows fruit including By 1981 Kent Salads were time that Bob Thomas Farm. These include: Summer, raspberries, strawberries, producing 1000 acres of Iceberg engineered a management buy- winter and pointed cabbage, blackberries, redcurrants, and on nine rigs. The finished out. Bob believes this has been purple sprouting broccoli, blackcurrants. The arable product was packed in either very successful and he is Brussels sprouts, runner beans, acreage consists mainly of 18’s, 24’s or 36’s. The price for delighted that Intercrop is Tuscan kale, calabrese and winter and spring wheat and a box of 24 icebergs was £12! going from strength to spring greens. field peas. Bob Thomas and Howard Carr strength. He maintains that he The breakdown of the various continued to visit the States is finally retiring - but one thing vegetables grown and their Farm Shop and Veg every year to keep up-to- date is pretty certain - he will acreage is: Garden Peas and Boxes with the latest varieties and maintain a deep interest in the Broad Beans (2 acres); Sweet “Our Farm Shop opened in harvesting techniques. They business he helped to found. Corn (6.75); Runner Beans October 2009,” explains Toby. It
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•FARM VISIT• 25 stocks a cross section of Halloween in November. responsibility for Vegetable boxes associations. “In today’s business vegetables with much of the Opening times for PYO and provides Farm Shop input as environment, social responsibility produce coming from Stanhill enthusiasts are Monday to required. “We also employ has an important role to play Farm. To meet overall demand Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm additional part time, local alongside good, bottom line some is sourced from local and Sundays 10.00am to support staff at seasonal peak results,” says Toby. farms with the balance coming 4.00pm. Last entries to all PYO times and particularly so during The business has been involved from London wholesale units is 45 minutes before some of our busiest times on with the Schools to Market markets. “Our strategy is to closing time. Saturdays and Sundays.” project run by the charity School beat supermarket quality and “We have also devised and Food Matters, to improve be competitively priced when started a Maize Maze which is NFU commitment understanding by educating and wherever possible.” proving popular with all age For several years, Toby Williams children about where their food Stanhill Vegetable boxes are groups,” explains Toby. A was Branch Chairman of Dartford comes from. delivered within a ten mile printed Maize Maze map helps Farmers & North West Kent Visits to Stanhill Farm have radius of the Farm. The aim is participants meet the challenge, Growers, a specialist NFU Group, been made by pupils from to offer the same choice here as and provides a souvenir of their with offices in Meopham, near Shackwell Primary School in endeavours. “Social media and Dartford. And for the last two Hackney, and inner city children word of mouth has brought years he has been Deputy from Camden schools who had many people to the Maize Chairman of the Kent Branch of not appreciated where their food Maze,” he says. The unit has the NFU. This winter he will came from or how it was grown. provided an added business become Chairman of the county Toby Williams is also a member benefit with consumers branch, a senior position which of The Canterbury Farmers Club, spending more time at Stanhill he will hold for two years. where meetings and speakers are Farm, meaning they may buy The role will be a demanding relevant to the business and additional produce during their one, not least with Brexit networking opportunities are visit. negotiations in full flow. “The useful. future of our adaptable Stanhill Farm are members of Employees Lithuanian employees is already Southern Farmers Ltd buying “We owe a great debt of focusing my mind on a key part group and the Produced in Kent gratitude to our Lithuanian of these vital negotiations and I organisation. employees who have done vital am determined to play my part to Stanhill Farm grows 2.5 acres of work over many years for us at ensure that Kent farms, together The future runner beans. Stanhill Farm.” The team of ten with other UK agricultural and Stanhill Farm’s key marketing are in situ from July to October horticultural growing counties, asset is that it is situated in a in the Farm Shop, and on-line, covering all aspects of fruit and will have access to essential high-density population area, with the main emphasis vegetable growing and temporary migrant labour when housing many potential new wherever possible on home harvesting. At the time of my necessary, to successfully grow customers. grown produce. visit two or three Lithuanians and harvest fruit and vegetables “Currently our Farm Shop has were already on site and had for our UK consumers,” he says. a throughput of about 700 PYO been working since early March. It is likely that his NFU customers a week and we know “Our PYO has always been “Our successful Lithuanian responsibilities will take Toby to from our research that there is popular. It makes a great day Supervisor has been with us for London on a regular basis. With an excellent potential to offer out for customers who live in the last four years,” says Toby. so much at stake during his two greater choice to new and the built-up areas around The Farm Shop is managed by year term as Kent County existing customers,” says Toby. Dartford,” says Toby. The broad Alison Hines, a full-time Chairman, and with an enforced However, the current shop bean and pea PYO seasons run employee since 2005. She also but very necessary absence from would probably need to be during the months of July and has responsibility for secretarial the farm for long periods, brother expanded in size and shape to August with the sweetcorn duties within the business. Max will hold the fort. cope with the increased starting in August and finishing Debbie Bond is a part time Farm customer throughput. in October. Pumpkins are picked Shop employee, while her Political involvement “Equally important is that new, during October ready for colleague Tom Steer has full time Toby Williams is a Conservative wholesale business customers party member and has regular are approaching us direct contact with Gareth Johnson, the through existing and satisfied, Conservative MP for Dartford. “I current customers and by word have always been very interested of mouth. That has to be good in politics,” he says, “and I know for future business” he says. that Gareth finds his visits to Toby Williams, who has always Stanhill Farm very helpful in been an early riser, starting work better understanding the various at 5.30-6.00am each morning, challenges faced by growers such has built up a very successful as myself. Equally, it ensures that business with the support and I am able to raise any key points input of brother Max and a face-to-face with him. This is dedicated team. going to become doubly His considerable achievements important as the two year period to date within The National of Brexit negotiations are already Farmers at a comparatively under way in earnest.” young age suggest that he will progress even further in the Community support future both with his own The Williams brothers support business and as an industry Toby Williams (right) with his Farm Shop employees. local charities and resident’s leader.
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•WEED CONTROL• 26 SECURING CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE by Professor Geoff Dixon (pendimethalin) can be Herbicides offer an effective means of weed control, but, used on outdoor lettuce, because of adverse environmental effects and potential controlling annual meadow grass, problems for human health the spectrum of available chickweed, red dead chemicals has been severely curtailed. nettle and speedwell. There are now ubstituting non-chemical Extension of Authorisation for differing post-harvest weed control (see May Minor Uses (EAMU) which more intervals depending on SS2017 Vegetable Farmer) is closely reflects its objectives. As the dose rate when an increasingly useful alternative, Vivian Powell explained, “AHDB-H applied pre- but targeted non-residual works with consultants, panels transplanting. chemicals using minimal and grower associations Laser (cyclohexdim) quantities of active ingredients reviewing the data available for can be used in celeriac, remain an essential element of older actives; determining which horseradish, Jerusalem successful integrated crop can hopefully be retained; Joe Martin is leading SCEPTREplus. artichoke, red beet, salsify husbandry. identifying important new uses; of £1.4 million over 4 years with and turnip crops for control of and pre-empting the loss of aims of assessing new chemicals cultivated oats, wild oats, Growers’ needs actives -solving problems ahead and uses or changed volunteer barley, Canary grass, The effects of increased of their development.” applications.” Weed control is a Italian ryegrass, loose silky bent, regulation were highlighted by Vivian Powell also emphasised priority area for field vegetables perennial ryegrass, sterile brome, Janet Williams, Bayer’s Regulatory that “actives can be lost in a he added. The main contractor is volunteer wheat, black bent (red Affairs Manager, at AHDB’s 2015 relatively short space of time with Agri-foods Solutions with sub- top), onion couch (false oat Peterborough Conference. little notice.” Countering this contractors such as Warwick grass), creeping bent and Registration success for requires a reserve of materials. University Crop Centre, NIAB- common couch. There may be an agrochemicals in the 1960’s was Current details of herbicides EMR, RSK-ADAS and Stockbridge extension granted for its use in in the ratio of 1:11,000 molecules available for field vegetables can Technology Centre (STC) working root crops. tested. This escalated to be found at: with targets set by the AHDB-H Gaining EAMU approval for 1:150,000 by the 2000’s with a www.horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/ Crop Panels. Wing P (dimethenamid-P and price tag of $300 million per latest-eamus-and-updates. Control of groundsel and black pendimethalin) is considered by molecule. Consequently, Growers can also gain grass are prime objectives Vivian Powel as “one of the agrochemical companies have information from: because of their importance in Sceptre/EAMU programme’s concentrated their investments on www.pesticides.gov.uk which salads, baby leaves and sweet biggest successes.” Wing P is large acreage crops. links into the Chemical corn. Weed control trials for used on field brassicas, salad and Recognising the consequences Regulations Directorate (CRD) or carrot crops are starting in 2017 bulb onions and outdoor lettuce, of a declining chemical armoury search for further information with growers’ field days planned for control of annual weeds. resulted in the Horticultural from: for later in this season. BASF also has herbicides Development Council (now www.secure.pesticides.gov.uk/ specifically developed for use in AHDB-H) initiating the SOLA offlabels/search.asp Current provisions brassica crops of which Springbok (Specific Off-Label Approval) All the major agrochemical (dimethenamid-p and scheme. Managed by Vivian Problem solving companies are collaborating in metazachlor) has a label approval Powell and her colleague Bolette Needs for plugging gaps in the EAMU and Sceptre initiatives for a wide range of field brassica Neve this is a flagship success. available agrochemicals resulted within their commercial and crops such as cabbage, Without it, as Phillip Effingham in the Sustainable Crop and regulatory constraints. Bayer’s cauliflower, calabrese, Brussels (Chairman of the Vegetable Environment Protection Targeted vegetable herbicide offering is sprouts, kale, collards and a Consultants Association, VCA) Research for Edibles (SCEPTRE) based on a permutation of the range of oriental cabbages. commented, “many crops simply programme. During 2011 to ioxynil molecule in the now Simon Jackson Syngenta’s could not be grown.” 2014 SCEPTRE ran 21 weed trials revoked Totril. Tim Lacey (Bayer’s Vegetable Specialist in the UK The scheme is now called the for field vegetables, with special Campaign Manager for Fruit, and Eire, said; “Syngenta concern for the loss of linuron Vegetables and Biologicals) said continues its very active and working on solutions for there is an EAMU for the collaboration with AHDB-H weed control in baby leaf herbicide Buctril (bromoxynil) for developing EAMU applications spinach, rocket, swede and use on bulb onion, salad onion, and with SCEPTRE Plus project mizuna. Current major problem garlic, shallot, chive, asparagus leaders highlighting molecules weeds include: annual meadow and leek crops. for inclusion in their trials.” grass, chickweed, fat hen, He commented further that, Currently, Defy (prosulfocarb) is groundsel, mayweed, red dead “Bayer is conscious of the available for carrot, parsnip, leek, nettle and speedwell. Sceptre implications of losing linuron for transplanted bulb onion sets, ended in 2014 and AHDB-H’s carrot, pea, bean and potato direct drilled bulb onion, direct 2015 Conference confirmed the crops and these requirements are drilled garlic, direct drilled need for continued work. guiding our research effort.” shallot, celery, direct drilled and SCEPTREplus lead by Joe Martin Products available from BASF transplanted celeriac crops. Defy builds on the previous work. Joe were identified by Rob Storer is active against broad leaved said; “SCEPTREplus has a budget their Business Development weeds such as cleavers, fat hen, Vivian Powell. Manager. Currently, Stomp Aqua knotgrass mayweed and annual
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•WEED CONTROL• 27 asparagus and full label Murdoch, at the University of droplets of herbicide applied approval for use on bulb Reading School of Agriculture, via an “applicator” which onion and carrot crops. Policy and Development, APD. places them directly onto Headland/FMC’s These apply carefully targeted leaves from where the Technical Manager Gareth droplets of systemically active chemical is translocated into Jones, said their herbicide total herbicides onto the leaves the plants. Quick acting, with EAMU approval is of weeds avoiding crop foliage systemic, non-selective Gamit (clomazone). It can using the “eyeSpot” system. herbicides such as glyphosate be used on broccoli and The “eyeSpot” uses “a point or other similar molecules are other brassicas, baby leaf, and shoot approach” which essential for this technique celery, fennel, courgette, places microlitre droplets of Discrimination between crop runner beans, French herbicide with 0.1% adjuvant and weed foliage is achieved beans, asparagus, (AS 500 SL). by using information defining celeriac, spinach. “This This technique eliminates plant position in the field and Gareth Jones, Headland/FMC’s Technical herbicide is very useful herbicidal spray drift and colorimetric identifiers which Manager. against cleavers, chickweed greatly reduces run-off into discriminate between weeds and hedge mustard,” he the soil or onto crop plants and crop plants. grasses as specified on the carrot commented. and non-target organisms. Dr The need for chemical EAMU. Shark (carfenfrazone-ethyl) also Murdoch said it is “an effective herbicides for use in specialist He also pointed out that Dual has broad on-label approval for and efficient means of crops such as field vegetables Gold (S-metolachlor) has EAMU weed control one month pre- controlling weeds where few will continue into the approvals for use on bulb onion, planting of any crop and has or no post-emergence foreseeable future. AHDB-H’s garlic, shallot, red beet, swede, EAMU approval for weed control herbicide options are SCEPTRE plus and EAMU turnip, broccoli, calabrese, in asparagus. Gareth Jones possible.” programmes are currently cauliflower, Brussels sprout, reminded growers that “there is Co-funded by AHDB-H, the providing solutions although cabbage, Chinese cabbage, a stewardship scheme in place Douglas Bomford Trust and the these are far from collard, kale, dwarf French bean guiding growers in best use University, Dr Murdoch uses comprehensive and depend on and runner bean, edible podded practices for clomazone,” (see crop fields for his tests, where the continuation of funding. pea and vining pea crops. www.headland-ag.co.uk). there is already very accurate Meanwhile, Engineering Dual Gold has activity against information defining the developments such as annual grasses and broadleaved Outside the box placement of seedlings or “eyespot” offering weed weeds. Fusilade Max (fluazifop-P- New engineering approaches transplants so that these can control using non-selective butyl) has EAMU approvals for for chemical weed control are be avoided when spraying. herbicides can give growers an use on shallot, cabbage, being developed by Dr Alistair Target seedling weeds receive alternative approach.
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•ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE• 28 NEW FOUR ROW POTATO PLANTING RIG BOOTS OUPUT into a fine tilth as Cutting potato establishment costs while increasing well as bury trash output without compromising yield or quality, has been a and weeds. At planting a Baselier key focus for Lincolnshire potato grower Will Gagg of RJ with subsoiler tines and AE Godfrey’s Eastoft Grange Farm near Scunthorpe. prepares the ground straight in front of the planter to a With a responsibility for 830 number of dry days at planting. depth of 40cm, acres of maincrop potatoes As a result he approached which leaves a ‘flat grown for the pre-pack market, Grimme in 2013 to see what cultivated top no- Mr Gagg believes he is well on options were potentially bed scenario’. The course for finding the solution, available to boost output and cultivator operates with the 2017 season being the wrestle back control from the around the clock fifth since changing his planting weather, bearing in mind at the using two drivers regime. time he operated a 2-row working in 12 hour Despite average yields dipping system. It was suggested that shifts. to 16t/ac in 2015 the farm’s output could be improved by “On some of our five year average is 22t/ac. switching to a 4-row planting lighter soils we don’t Varieties include Maris Piper, system. even need to go in Nectar, Melody, Saphire, “We had also seen a 4-row with a Baselier,” says Desiree, Safari and Estima, system working in Holland Mr Gagg. “Instead which suit the predominantly which was impressive, so we we just go straight in Lincolnshire potato grower Will Gagg. silty soils with irrigation. developed our own with input with our planting rig Mr Gagg says that from Grimme,” says Mr Gagg. onto frosted plough work. A planter, adjustable from the traditionally the planting “This year will be our fourth key difference is that we are not cab, helps to keep a regular operation on the farm involved season planting potatoes based bringing up soil from deep flow of soil continually moving a six or seven pass system on a 4-row system. We have down,” he says. “We are only through it. Running the planter starting with the plough easily reduced our interested in using the top frost on the flat, un-ridged soil followed by deep ridging, two establishment costs by £150/ac moulded soil. With a lot of the means we can pull it from a passes with a bedtiller, then without compromising yields, deep ridging systems used on central position, rather than declodding and finally planting. and our output is now about farms, we feel it creates a offset. We aim for about 6.5-7 After the appalling weather 45ac/day with an average plough like environment which inches of depth.” conditions at planting in 2012 forward speed of 7kph. In 2015 is not conducive to establishing Replacing the old 2-row Mr Gagg realised that he had to we planted 450 acres with one a good crop. planter is a Grimme GL430T find a system that would mean machine which took 18 days.” “Our bedtiller/planting trailed 4-row planter fitted with he could decide when the best For the new regime to work combination produces loose soil a GR360 bedtiller/rotary time was to plant rather than land is still ploughed early when and light seedbed,” he explains. cultivator and various other being dictated to by the it is dry and left to frost mould “Hydraulic ridge pressure with appliances to provide Amistar, weather due to the limited to help break the soils down ‘Kit-Kat’ ridging hoods on the nematicide and liquid fertiliser,
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•ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE• 29 with a belt planter. The only such as for Amistar, nematicide downside is that we have to and liquid fertiliser, are all have one staff member bolted on to the main planter permanently carting seed to frame without any requirement keep the planter going. We for gas welding,” says Mr operate with two high tip Gagg. “The tillering, planting, trailers with one always in the Amistar and nematicide field.” application plus liquid fertiliser Mr Gagg also operates placement are all done in one another two Grimme GL430T pass now. It has so far proven 4-row planters. The original to be a great success.” planter with tiller and front Despite its size – easily 40ft mounted liquid fertiliser in length with full planting kit applicator plants 550 acres in and front mounted liquid North Lincolnshire, East fertiliser tank – Mr Gagg says it Yorkshire and the Isle of is still very manoeuvrable Axholme. A second GL430T rig because the GL430 has with GR360 rotary tiller plants independent steering. He also One of the farm’s Grimme GL430T trailed 4-row potato planters in action. 250 acres in the Holbeach says that there has been a area. A third GL430T planter massive fuel saving, with the which is pulled by a low ground By planting in the right without a tiller currently is used crawler using between 450- pressure John Deere 360hp conditions he says there has to plant 300 acres on rented 550l/day. crawler. been a marked decrease in land on the Wolds. “It’s a big planting rig but “The GL430T planter is simple disease incidence, especially The GR360 rotary tiller hangs the only real downside is the to use,” says Mr Gagg. “And we Rhizoctonia that can easily independently on a three point fact that the cab is like a have had very few breakdowns reduce yields by 4t/ac. Crop linkage in front of the planter spaceship inside with a host of – this is a key point when under health has also improved and can be lifted and lowered individual controls to run pressure during planting, where because potatoes are being hydraulically from the cab. If different appliances such as downtime is not an option. planted into warmer soils. the planter hits a heavy patch VC50 for the planter, a “The only testing incident we “When we switched planter in the field, the depth can be Chafer/Horstine control for have had was when an axle we opted for a cup planter adjusted accordingly. Two extra liquid fertiliser, a TMAir control broke in the morning, but by because we wanted to achieve wheels on the planter help take for nematicide, an AS120 3pm Grimme had got us up specific spacing and in our the weight of the tiller. Amistar applicator and all the and running again.” opinion this can’t be achieved “Any additional appliances, GPS electronics.”
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