farming scotland magazine (july-august 2012)

COMBINE HARVESTERS • TELEHANDLERS150th PERTH AGRICULTURAL SHOW

KIRKTOWN MACHINERY “DROVERS TALES”

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND (including the WORLD JAMPIONSHIPS) LIFESTYLE

ARABLE • POTATOES • LIVESTOCK • MACHINERYDAIRY • FINANCE • FUTURE FARMER • GADGETSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY • RENEWABLE ENERGY

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com AUGUST 2012

PUBLISHER/EDITORAthole Murray FlemingE-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ADVERTISING DIRECTORAthole Murray FlemingTel. 01738 639747

ADVERTISING MANAGERBarry TweedTel. 01738 550090Email: [email protected]

PRODUCTION DIRECTORChristina FlemingEmail: [email protected]

CON

TENTSAugust 2012

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PUBLISHER’S NOTES

COPYRIGHTThis publication has been produced and published by ATHOLE DESIGN & PUBLISHING LTD who are the copyright owners. No reproduction, copying, image scanning, storing or recording of any part of this publication without the permission of ATHOLE DESIGN & PUBLISHING LTD.

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FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE is designed, produced and published by Athole Design & Publishing Ltd.

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ISSN: 2041–918X

Food, glorious foodI saw a t-shirt a few years back with the saying, “Don’t criticise farmers with your mouth full” on the front. There was some political problems relating to agriculture at the time, but I really liked that simple statement – almost a statement of fact.

Food is what farming is all about, and in Scotland we have some of the best produce in the world. That is why we have expanded our ‘Flavour of Scotland” topic from a single page, to a section in its own right.

There is also a certain ‘Lifestyle’ when living and working on the land. This too is recognised through another new permanent section within this very issue. We will bring in more information for both of these new sections over the coming editions of course.

Back to food and farming though. The World Jampionship is our featured story in our “Flavour of Scotland” section. What a great idea that was – so we wish it every success for this, their second year.

We are always looking for new ideas for contents of the magazine, so as a general invitation, please feel free to get in touch with me if you are a quality food producer, a farmer with a good story or perhaps you may know of someone who has a hidden success on their hands?

It is all out there – great produce and a great Scottish Larder.

Athole

Main FeaturesCombine Harvesters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-19Perth Agricultural Show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-25Telehandlers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-38

Company ProfileKirktown Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

Drovers TalesThe diary of Ken Headspeath at Borland Farm . . . . . . 9

Flavour of ScotlandJampionships and a few more new items . . . . . . 20-21

HomegrownThe worst gardener in the world keeps trying!. . . 26-27

ColumnsScottish Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Let’s Eat Scotland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Scottish Wine Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Farming for the Climate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Crofting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40NFU of Scotland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45The Vet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Money Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51People on the Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

NEWS SECTIONSArable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8Renewable Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-30Science & Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39-40Potatoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-43Gadgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-49Future Farmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-60Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61-65

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ARABLE

ARABLE SHOW TIME

By Richard LochheadRural Affairs and Environment Secretary

The Scottish Government


ARABLE

6 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

ARABLE


NEXT ISSUE(3rd September till end OCTOBER)

AGRISCOT 2012 PREVIEW‘ENERGY NOW’ EXPO

PLOUGHS • MUCK SPREADERS POTATO HARVESTERS

HEDGING & PLANTING

9www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

FIRMLY ROOTED AND GROWING STEADILY


Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow. That’s a phrase that’s been used by everyone at some time or another – and most recently as an advertising slogan for a bank that wants to encourage folks to get into the habit of saving, at very little interest!

It could equally be applied to having a bright idea that you make to grow into something useful and practical, and in that context I can think of no better phrase to describe Kirktown Machinery. Based at Westerton of Pitarrow, just

off the A90, a couple of miles north of Laurencekirk, this company had its roots – so to speak – in farming and a garden centre.

The Gammie family have farmed in the Howe of the Mearns for almost a century. Then ten years ago brothers David and Jim Gammie decided to diversify their business activities and bought the Kirktown Garden Centre a short distance west of Stonehaven and again just off the A90. The Kirktown Garden Centre and Restaurant is a delight, a popular place

for lunch or a coffee, and offering for sale not just locally acclimatised plants but home grown vegetables, gifts and toys. It’s just the kind of place to include in a day’s outing in the Stonehaven area and I would recommend that if you want to know more visit their web-site which is www.kirktowngardencentre.co.uk

Very soon after they had bought the Garden Centre the Gammie brothers found that people were increasingly making requests for lawnmowers and other garden equipment so, spotting a gap in the market, they began to stock these. Then they were asked for chainsaws and for a range of other tools and equipment. Some very obvious market gaps were presenting themselves, and couldn’t be ignored.

It was decided then to set up an allied company to sell machinery and Steven Greig who had joined the company in 2004 was appointed manager at Kirktown Machinery based

at the farm of Westerton of Pitarrow, Laurencekirk. The company can rightly claim to have seen steady growth and a considerable widening of its activities since it was launched.

Anyone knowing this part of Scotland will appreciate the extraordinary variety of terrains in this area. From my earliest days – or at least since I began to notice such things – I have been impressed by the appearance of the Howe of the Mearns. On the lower ground there are imposing farmhouses, sturdy, stone-built steadings, well cared for fences and hedges and drystane dykes, and that fertile and distinctive red soil. That’s the Howe.

But it is flanked to the east by a high ridge of hills that separates and shelters it from the North Sea. To the North and Northwest rise the foothills of the Grampians, up into the Cairn o’ Mount, and beyond to Mount Keen, the most easterly of all the Munros.

It is evident that an extraordinarily wide range

( L to R) All the team - Shaun Stephen, Steven Greig, Lewis Boyd, Sarah Scott and David Gammie

D W Tomlin, Old Leake, Boston,

Lincs PE22 9JS. Tel: 01205 870535

www.longdogatv.co.uk

Trailers etc for ATV’s4x4’s and Compact Tractors


of equipment is needed to manage such diverse conditions, altitudes, weather patterns – everything, in fact, from ATVs to snowmobiles and tractors.

As Steven Greig described it to me when I met him in his office at Westerton of Pitarrow, some aspects of the progress of the company’s development have followed a near-logical pattern. For instance it seems natural to have grown from selling garden lawnmowers to supplying agricultural grassland equipment.

Quality and varietyIt seems also part and parcel of the company’s ethic to deal in the finest quality available for the job in hand. Right at the start when it was a question of dealing in lawnmowers they went straight to the top and became agents for Hayter – considered by many to be the Rolls Royce of lawnmower manufacturers. Hayter claims that 80% of their lawnmowers are bought by existing customers. And they don’t just make lawnmowers and ride-on mowers for large and small gardens but lawn scarifiers and machines for dealing with overgrown areas.

AL-Ko is a German company also manufacturing high quality lawn equipment – driven by electricity, by Honda or Briggs and Stratton

petrol engines, or in the old-fashioned sweat-of-the-brow hand-powered way. They also have garden tractors, ride-on mowers, scythe mowers, and accessories like garden rollers, and trailer barrows.

Lawnflite is yet another great name in lawn and garden management with the range of mowers, blowers, edgers, snow throwers, hedge shears and brushcutters, log splitters and wood chippers.

On the grassland management side there has been what seems to me to be a most interesting development in Kirktown Machinery’s range of products on offer. They have lately become the sole Scottish agent for ELHO, a Finnish company specialising in machines for agricultural grassland management – vital to the modern stock farming and dairying world. Steven told me that Kirktown Machinery are now identifying agents for the ELHO range which he reckons has enormous potential for success in Scotland.

“I saw the ELHO machinery first at an agricultural machinery show in Germany last year. I was very impressed by the inventiveness and very high quality of their products so we were delighted when they asked us six months ago to be their Scottish agent.”

ELHO have lately developed a mower conditioner with

a unique front cutting and rear swathing combination. Concentrating on grass care, and cropping dry hay and forage grass, ELHO have evolved a suspension system for its equipment to effect clean cutting on uneven ground. Their machinery is built to work, and last, in a climate

not dissimilar to ours and their bale shredders, round bale wrappers and landscape care machinery are likely to attract a great deal of interest amongst the livestock rearing fraternity.

Teagle, on the other hand, is a long-established British company based in Cornwall,

Steven in the showroom

Sarah Scott who runs the Parts Store and everything else!


and producing a very diverse range of grassland and livestock management equipment from mounted drum bale shredders and silage feeders to high precision single and twin rotor fertiliser broadcasters. In today’s economic climate there is surely a considerable attraction in Teagle’s 0% finance deals.

Work, fun and snowfun!ATVs have all but revolutionised hill farm management. It’s a common enough sight on higher ground to see a shepherd and his dog on the ATV working the flock in a way that neither the shepherd’s nor the dog’s ancestors could have dreamt of!

It is to be regretted but a fact that such a practical and

affordable means of getting around on all kinds of ground is sometimes, because of reported accidents, considered dangerous. With this in mind Kirktown Machinery offers courses in ATV riding. “This,” Steven Greig explained, “is for drivers of all ages and teaches the techniques of ATV safe driving. It is essential that users understand that these machines are tools not toys and safely used are a great addition to the equipment on all kinds of farms.”

Steven continued, “It was another logical part of business growth, plus the early decision to search for and deal in the very best, that led Kirktown Machinery to become A UK agent for the Bombardier range of ATVs, SSVs and snowmobiles manufactured by BRP, a Canadian company. The initials stand for Bombardier Recreational Products and the company produces equipment with names that are known the world over in all spheres of work and leisure – names such as Ski-doo, Lynx, Evinrude, Rotax and Can-am.”

Ski-doo and Lynx are associated in some folks’ minds simply with Arctic and Antarctic travel and exploration – but they are also super-charged and exciting pieces of sporting equipment

developed for racing and mountain sledging.

Steven told me, “Snow sport has grown tremendously in Scotland in recent years with qualified instructors working on the ski slopes and mountain areas taking it forward in the recent snowy winters.” He went on, “The tough multi-purpose Can-am Outlander nine model range of ATVs have proved a real winner and, given our closeness here to the mountains, we have also been involved in supplying the BRP Lynx and Ski-doo Snowmobiles to the Scottish ski centres.

There was a Can-am Commander SSV parked outside Steven’s office. It is an impressive piece of equipment evidently designed to tackle any kind of terrain with a considerable emphasis in its design being placed on driver comfort and security. It has been ergonomically designed to be an easy-to-handle workhorse capable of safely carrying heavy and awkward loads. The range of accessories is impressive.

More recently Kirktown Machinery have been appointed agents for Suzuki ATV. Steven explained that this would be a great addition to our existing Can-am range of ATVs as Suzuki can offer

Lewis and Shaun running a test in the workshop


manual transmission machines which are perfectly suited more to the traditional ATV customer.

Having mentioned equipment dealing with snow, Steven also drew my attention to the Boschung salt spreading equipment which Kirktown Machinery supplies to local authority clients. And at the other end of the anti-skidding scale they are also agents for a Swedish company manufacturing Maxigrip Screw Studs. This unique product is a hexagonal stud of various dimensions selected according to the tread depth of the tyres into which they are screwed to form a non-skid surface. They are just as easily taken out of the tyre and so there’s no need for two sets of winter and summer tyres, nor for snow chains. You can also use the studs on the soles of your shoes – again depending on the sole depth.

A century old and still going strong.McCormick is a long-established name in the world

of tractors and other farming equipment. The founder of the firm, Cyrus McCormick, took out his first patent for a reaper in 1834 and the company produced its first tractor in 1906. Now part of Argo Tractors, McCormick Tractors International have a special place in Steven’s heart!

He told me why. “As a youngster, I was brought up on Arbuthnott Home Farm where my father was estate manager. You can imagine how happy I was that my Christmas present when I was 15 was an old, broken down International McCormick B275. Not everybody’s idea of a great Christmas present, I imagine but I spent the next year working on it and restoring it. It was a great experience and confirmed my ambition to work with agricultural machinery. When I left school I worked first of all for Reekie Grampian in Laurencekirk.”

McCormick plus Landini Tractors allows Agro Tractors to supply world-wide a range from 23 to 232 horsepower, 4 to 6 cylinder machines. There

are models for use in all kinds of terrain and conditions, orchards and vineyards, and

both of the latter particularly applicable to the soft fruit industry in this part of the

PLUSWeed Wipers • Winged Eliminators

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All work and no playhas never been so easy!

SR80 Tank(80L capacity)

ATV4 QS Spray Boom(4m folding boom)

Kirktown’s stand at this year’s Angus Show in Brechin


world. They have a telescopic handler tractor with a front-mounted telescopic boom capable of safely lifting over 3 tonnes.

Kirktown Machinery has held the franchise for the McCormick range, in its distinctive red and silver livery, for two years now, supplying the east coast from Dundee and Tayside to Aberdeenshire. The power range of McCormick tractors tell in their own way how very far tractor technology has changed in the brief century and a bit since the first McCormick tractor was launched. It really isn’t so very long ago that a tractor was a tractor – and that was that! The 1906 McCormick tractor had a power rating between 10 and 20 horsepower. Almost a century later in 1954 the production of the McCormick B250 from the factory in Bradford was rated at 30hp and was, according to the McCormick historian, the first tractor in Britain to incorporate disc brakes and differential locking. It was another 16 years before the company produced tractors with synchromesh and hydrostatic transmission. It’s all a far cry from today’s comfortable, adaptable and powerful monsters.

McCormick have a training programme for all their dealers and at dealer level the engineers are trained in, and use, the latest diagnostic technology and the McCormick parts distribution network means a very efficient service to the staff on the ground.

Steven told me that at Kirktown Machinery they have two full-time engineers - Shaun Stephen and Lewis Boyne. Lewis is still doing hands-on training with periods of block

release studying agricultural engineering at Oatridge College, West Lothian.

“Learning on the job and re-training,” Steven commented, “are vital parts of the job. Engineers are regularly being retrained and updated by the companies whose products we sell. One very 21st century aspect is the web-site training given for the Can-am machines by BRP.”

Sarah Scott, a farmer’s daughter, is office manager, having undertaken college training in management. Sarah is responsible for invoicing and for updating the company’s web-site.

The web-site is an important part of the company’s publicity programme. They concentrate on direct contact with clients and potential clients. They had a stand at the Angus Show in early June and at the Royal Highland they are involved at the stands of companies whose goods they sell.

As for Steven Greig, when I asked him to define his role in Kirktown Machinery he said, smilingly, “Oh, I just get involved wherever and whenever I am needed. I just help in whatever needs doing – and in a business like this, in an area like this, that’s a year round thing. In a normal year, apart from tractor care which is year-round business, winter time used to be principally for training, re-training, meeting clients. But in recent winters with so much snow the snowmobile trade went crazy – and not just on the mountains and hills. And we have even sold a couple of snowmobiles to suppliers to Greenland!”

Steven continued, “At the lambing in the late winter and early spring there’s a lot of activity on the ATV front. The grassland and silage work is pretty well year-round depending on the weather and, as I said, there is never a season when there isn’t tractor work.”

I then asked Steven in which direction was the company looking to expand its activities. He replied, “Having grown as we have in the past few years the time seems right to concentrate on what we’ve got. Being the only Scottish agent for ELHO it is vital we get to know and understand thoroughly their product and find outlets across the country. And we will be on the lookout for other importers looking for

Sales, Service, Hire for all types of ATVs,Agricultural & Groundcare equipment

McCormick, ELHO, Teagle Centerliner, Can-Am, Suzuki, Lynx, Ski-doo,

Prinoth, Boshung

Full range of Groundcare equipment & ATV attachments

Kirktown MachineryWesterton of Pitarrow, Laurencekirk

Aberdeenshire, AB30 1RT

Telephone: 01561 377977

outlets to see where we might fit in.”

When I asked Steven how, with the evident amount of work he does, does he switch off and relax – how does he spend his spare time? He thought for a moment or two then said hesitantly, “I suppose, well…well, I’ve spent the last year building my own house – so I suppose you could call that spending my spare time.”

What I would call it is an awful lot more like hard work – but I left his office with the distinct impression that that’s what this man really enjoys!

After all, Mother Nature sees to it that mighty oaks from little acorns grow – but it takes a great deal of work and dedication to turn a bright idea into something useful and practical.


COMBINES

COMBINE HARVESTERS FOR 2012A brief look at six leading machines from the extensive range

of harvesters available right now

New combines from Case IH have more power and capacityCase IH will be using Agritechnica to unveil its latest range of Axial-Flow combines. As before, two three-model series will offer customers a wide choice of power and capacity and build upon the Axial-Flow combines’ proven ease of use and reliability. The new Axial-Flow models meet the latest Tier 4 emissions regulations and Case IH has taken the opportunity to make significant enhancements to the two series including new engines, front tracks and enhanced grain tank auger control.

The Series 130, which replaces the 88 Series, sees rated power increase to 353hp for the 7130 with an additional 34hp boost available for unloading. The Series 230 succeeds the 20 Series and is topped by a new flagship, the Axial-Flow 9230, which has up to 571hp on tap to ensure that maximum performance is always available.

New engine for Series 130All six models feature

increased power but the Series 130 also benefits from a new Fiat Powertrain Technology (FPT) engine that offers better performance and lower emissions, and has seen proven service in the latest Puma, Magnum and Steiger/Quadtrac tractors.

New tracks and tyres keep the pressure off

The Series 230 is now available with a choice of specially developed tracks or tyres. The new rubber tracks are available in 61cm (24”) or 76cm (30”) widths and give an overall machine width of 3.48m and 3.8m respectively.

“Case IH has more than 10 years experience of developing track technology with the renowned Quadtrac tractor. The new Axial-Flows build directly on that experience and offer minimum compaction and maximum traction, allowing the new Axial-Flow Series 230 to increase productivity in a wide range of conditions,” said Paul Freeman, Case IH Product Marketing Manager.

Claas Tucano boosts lower end outputThe five -model Tucano range,

Case Axial-Flow 230 Series

D-K-R AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD.

“We are delighted tointroduce you to our

new combines for 2012.”


COMBINES

provides output-boosting sophistication to the lower end of the Claas combine range and provides an ideal alternative for those who don’t want the sophistication of the Lexion range.

Part of the success behind the Lexion range are the features and systems used to simplify and automate many routine functions, in order to reduce downtime and make the operation of the combine far easier, hence increasing daily output.

Claas has applied the same principle in the design of the Tucano, which sees the incorporation of many features currently only available in the Lexion range, such as CEBIS and the Vario cutterbar.

Five Tucano models are available in the UK – four straw-walker machines and one Hybrid, which are designed to annually handle

between 160ha (400 acres) and 680ha (1700 acres) of crops a year.

For maximum flexibility the new Tucano range can be fitted with the full range of Claas

cutterbars and crop headers. In addition to the Contour and Auto-Contour headers, this also means the Vario adjustable cutterbar is available to smaller area growers for the first time, plus the Conspeed maize header.

Currently the Vario range only goes as small as 5.4m (18ft), so in order to accommodate the Tucano range three new smaller Contour cutterbars have been introduced, with working widths of 3.7m (12ft); 4.3m (14ft) and 4.9m (16ft). As with the rest of the cutterbar ranges, these have a hydrostatic drive reel, externally mounted tines and multi-coupler, but unlike larger cutterbars the scrapers at the back of the cutterbar can be adjusted from the rear of the cutterbar.

Deutz-Fahr 60 Series combine harvestersDeutz-Fahr’s 60 Series

Claas Tuscano 440

Deutz Fahr 60 Series


COMBINEScombine harvesters offer new styling, improved technical specification and, as a result, higher outputs.

Topping the range are the six-walker 6095 HTS and 6090 HTS models which are powered by 366hp and 310hp Deutz engines. There are then four five-walker models – the 6065 HTS, 6060 HTS, 6060 and the 6040 rated at 310hp, 250hp, 250hp and 222hp respectively.

With the exception of the 6040, all models in the range are available as Balance machines which use hydraulic rams to keep the combine level when working on cross slopes of up to 20% and 6% on fore and aft slopes. This ensures that maximum threshing efficiency is always maintained.

In terms of styling, the 60 Series benefits from a more modern look through use of rounded cowling and a dark chassis and header. This styling is also enhanced to some extent by the position of the working lights and the new straw chopper transmission cover.

Designers of these new combines have also given consideration to engine compartment access and have provided wide opening doors on both sides of the combine for this purpose.

Included in a long list of technical improvements is use of a single piece grain pan with grain pan reinforcement, larger stone trap opening, strengthened sieve box and a new chaff handling system that improves chaff flow to the spreader for a wider and more even distribution.

The 60 Series also benefits from a load sensing hydraulic

system that now provides power on demand and allows more power to be allocated to the threshing of the crop. The system also results in reduced fuel consumption and faster operation cycles.

New John Deere combines for EuropeSpecifically designed for European crops and conditions, John Deere’s new S-Series combine range for the 2012 harvest season provides new levels of grain harvesting productivity and operator comfort.

The 400hp S670, 507hp S680 and 581hp S690 combines offer maximum harvesting ouputs of 434, 557 and 631hp respectively, to provide even greater harvesting capacity in all crops and conditions. The top of the range S690 features the most powerful engine available in a combine today, and the largest grain tank, at 14,100 litres or 10 tonnes capacity,

which can be emptied in just 105 seconds.

Key features include an

integrated 66cm (26in) wide rubber track design, suitable for road speeds up to 30kph,

John Deere S690i

Forfar Tel: 01307 462281Perth Tel: 01738 583249Laurencekirk Tel: 01561 378888Dundonald Tel: 01563 851900Doune Tel: 01786 842921

Contact your nearest AGRICAR depot for thelatest offers on New Holland Combines

www.agricar.co.uk


COMBINES

with full hydraulic suspension and an overall transport width of 3.42m; a newly designed Premium cab and a new transmission; a new cleaning shoe with an active returns system plus a new high performance Variable Stream Rotor; a wider range of cutting platforms up to 10.7m (35ft), including the versatile PremiumFlow header; an enhanced residue management system; and a wider range of flotation tyre options.

These three new combines are powered by Stage IIIB compliant 9- or 13.5-litre John Deere PowerTech PSX engines to meet emissions regulations. These high-pressure common rail (HPCR) engines are equipped with two in-series turbochargers for higher boost pressures, a four-valve cylinder head for enhanced airflow, electronic engine control and

an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.

Massey Ferguson Centora Combine rangeThe latest Massey Ferguson CENTORA range, still the only eight straw-walker combine available, receives a host of new features for harvest 2012 that boost productivity and cut running costs. As well as the latest, most economical SRC engine technology, they also receive other significant upgrades.

“The MF CENTORA, with its unique eight straw-walker separation system, is renowned for being one of the largest capacity conventional combines on the market. It delivers the capacity and great straw quality many users demand, along with very cost effective operation,” says Adam Sherriff, Manager – Powered

Harvesting. “For next season both models will also benefit from the addition of advanced technology, first developed for the high capacity MF 9280 DELTA Hybrid combine.”

The latest AGCO SISU POWER engines, with Generation 2, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust after-treatment, develops a maximum power @ 1,950rpm of 379hp on the MF 7280 plus a further 25hp power boost. The MF 7282 CENTORA has a maximum power of 404hp. The MF DELTA power remains at maximum 500 hp.

By treating the exhaust gases after combustion the SCR process does not add any complexity or additional cooling packages, required by mechanical systems. The latest Generation 2 system now also employs a Diesel Oxidation

Catalyser (DOC), which includes the AdBlue dosing injector nozzle. From here exhaust gases receive further treatment by SCR Catalysers and ‘slip cats’.

A new Engine Drive plate is an important addition to both CENTORAS. Developed for the Hybrid combine 7 cylinder engine, the new unit ensures smooth and consistent power delivery. By removing shock loads, the new plate will increase driveline durability.

New Holland TC5000 and CX Series Combine HarvestersThe entry level New Holland Combine Harvester has enjoyed a resurgence this year. Changes to the capital allowances, a favourable Euro exchange rate, meaning that second user machines could readily find a home in Europe, depriving the home market of a good stock of combines and finally the recent history of poor harvest weather causing smaller farmers to look to buy to re-assert their independence from relying on contractors – all have caused a renaissance in the smaller combine sector.

New Holland’s TC5000 range has benefited from the recent changes to meet Tier 4 emissions legislation. The range now spans 4 straw walker 175hp machines through to the range topping 258hp TC5080.

Lateral slope compensation is now achieved through New Holland’s SmartSieve system and the TC5070 and TC5080 also benefit from a hydraulic reel drive system that opens the door to the use of Varifeed tables.

Massey Ferguson Centora

CASEAM Phillipwww.amphillip.co.ukConon Bridge : 01349 866021Forfar : 01307 474000Fraserburgh : 01346 541351Glenrothes : 01592 775511Huntly : 01466 799222

Ramsey & Jackson www.ramjack.co.uk Mauchline : 01290 550329

Rutherford Agricultural www.rutherford.co.uk Earlston : 01896 848404 Coldstream : 01890 840458 East Linton : 01620 860348

CLAASJ&W Tait Ltdwww.jandwtaitltd.co.uk

Kirkwall, Orkney : 01856 873003

W & A Geddes Wick : 01955 602207 Brora : 01408 621220

DEUTZ FAHRMearns Tractorswww.mearns-tractors.co.ukLaurencekirk : 01561 377762

JOHN DEEREDKR Agricultural Services www.jd-dealer.co.uk/dkagri Biggar : 01899 220897

HRN Tractorswww.hrntractors.comInsch : 01464 820661Turriff : 01888 562101Kinloss : 01343 850277

MLM Engineering www.mlmengineering.co.uk Orphir, Orkney : 01856 811282

MASSEY FERGUSONAncroft Tractorswww.ancroft-tractors.co.uk Berwick upon Tweed : 01289 331904 Kelso : 01573 225213 Macmerry : 01875 617323

Highland Tractorswww.highlandtractors.co.uk Conon Bridge : 01349 861688

Reekie Group www.reekie.co.uk Stirling : 01786 477530 Perth : 01738 622471 Cupar : 01334 652445

NEW HOLLANDAgricar www.agricar.co.uk Forfar : 01307 462281 Perth : 01738 583249 Laurencekirk : 01561 378888 Dundonald : 01563 851900Doune : 01786 842921

Ravenhill www.ravenhill.co.uk Aberdeen : 01224 772577 Dingwall : 01349 863555 Elgin : 01343 541121 Maud : 01771 613246 Turriff : 01888 563561

DEALERS KEY(Participating Dealers in this feature)


COMBINESThe Varifeed tables are

quite possibly the biggest single increase in combine capacity that we have seen over the last few years. The ability to present the crop – regardless of crop height – perfectly to the threshing components has transformed harvesting.

2012 sees the first year of the exciting new CX5000 and CX8000 ranges. Comprising a six combine range, including two Laterale chassis levelling models, CX5000 and CX6000 is firmly targeted at discerning customers requiring a versatile solution for harvesting between 200 to 600 hectares annually. New Holland TC5000


WINE


PERTH SHOW

The 150th Yearfor

PERTH AGRICULTURAL SHOW

Established in 1862, Perth Show is now in its 150th anniversary year. It has run successfully every year for the last 150 years bar two; in 1940 there was no show because the ground was being used for military purposes and in 2002 it had to be cancelled due to flooding of the Inch. In its early years, the Show did not have a set location; the first show was held in Crieff and every year after that it moved

around the county to different Perthshire locations. For a number of years, Forteviot became its permanent site until 1901 when it was moved to the Inch in the town of Perth which has been its showground ever since, with the exception of 2000 and 2001 when it had to be temporarily relocated to Scone whilst flood prevention barriers were installed along the banks of the River Tay. The setting of the show is unique in that it is the only agricultural show that is held within the actual city itself, where others are all held on the outskirts.

The main objective of the show is to bring the country to the town for a weekend and provide great entertainment for all. Competitors from near and far arrive on the Inch every year on the first weekend of August with the hope of success. An air of friendly competition throughout most aspects of the show provides an enjoyable day for both competitors and spectators. There are equestrian classes on the Friday, with competitors of all ages entering ponies and horses of all sizes into a variety of different classes. The showground begins to fill up for the light-legged horse competition early on in Friday morning to begin the programme of Horse classes in the main ring, which consists of In- Hand and Ridden Hunter and Irish Draught classes and Working Hunter and Coloured Horse classes. In other rings, the pony classes include Show Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies, Working Hunter Ponies for both Plaited and Mountain and Moorland Ponies as well as

Middle Balado, Kinross KY13 0NH

Tel: 01577 863173

Carriage driving competition


PERTH SHOW

In-Hand and Ridden M&M classes, Arabs and of course, the Perthshire Pony class. The Perthshire Pony class is a special class for which only children who live in Perthshire are eligible. The children are asked to jump a small jump

and the class is judged on dress, turnout, manner and going of the pony and rider.

The Farmhouse Kitchen competition is also held on the Friday. It is a competition which judges the skills of baking, jam making and

confectionary production, with competitors bringing a range of their finest produce to the show. Such entries include cakes, scones, marmalades, chutneys and tablet.

On the Saturday, many aspects of agriculture are

celebrated. The show is host to many breeds of Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Heavy Horse, and Donkey entered for competition on Saturday morning. In the afternoon, prize-winners from each section enter the main ring for a Grand Parade of

The overall Beef Champion owned by Cameron of Balbuthie, also went on to win ‘Champion of Champions’ trophy

(L to R) Mrs Cameron of Balbuthie receiving the Angus M Howie Champion of Champions’ trophy from Hazel England

Local BranchWest Huntingtower, PerthTel: 01738 583249

Come and visit our standat the PERTH SHOW

www.agricar.co.uk


PERTH SHOW

Livestock at 2.30. On Saturday, the show hosts the Scottish National Simmental Show, a special breed show which is held at a different show each year. The show has a great ability to host National Breed Society Shows; last year it held the Scottish National Beltex Show and this year there are

also two Scottish National Breed Shows in the sheep section; one being the Border Leicester’s and the other being the Zwartbles. The Zwartbles are a recent addition to the shows programme and were first shown at Perth Show in 2011.The breed was introduced to the UK from

Holland in 1986. This year the Perth Quaich, which rotates around the sections every year, is being presented to the Sheep section.

We hold Young Handlers classes in the Clydesdale Horse section, which is a Royal Highland Agricultural Society Competition qualifier, the Shetland Pony section, the Cattle section, a qualifier for the East of England Smithfield Festival for Young Stock Person of the Year Competition and the Sheep and Goat sections. The purpose of these classes is to encourage young people to come forward and show animals in the future.

The afternoons main ring entertainments kicks off at 12.30 with the presentation of the Long Service Medals. The award is presented to those members who have worked on a farm holding continuously

for either 30, 40 or 50 years and have been nominated by the people they work for. The certificates and medals are supplied by the Royal Highland Agricultural Society, which has nominated Perth Show to hold Long Service presentations. Long Service Medal holders are granted free entry to the showground as a symbol of the society’s appreciation of their services to agriculture. There is also a presentation of the Standing Crop Competition winners a competition judged prior to the show in three categories; winter barley, spring barley and winter wheat. The crops are judged on yield, weed control, disease control and overall field management.

There is a Heavy Horse Turnout class which can consist of up to 4 heavy horses, usually Clydesdales, pulling a

The Soap Farm - winners of the Craft Marquee Award

REEKIE GROUP

For more information contact your local branch

or visit our website www.reekie.co.uk

Perth/Aberdeen01738 622471

Stirling01786 477530

Cupar01334 652445

Coldstream01890 882098

Give us a call for acompetitive price for your

agricultural machineryrequirements


PERTH SHOWcart and a Private Driving class which can be entered by singles, pairs or multiples, as in Heavy Horse Turnout, of light-legged ponies and horses. There are different forms of Private Driving; driving can be done on obstacle tracks or purely just for demonstration and is competed in by teams of Shetland Ponies to Hackney Horses. It is a demonstration driving class that is held at Perth Show. Private Driving has been made very popular through enthusiast the Duke of Edinburgh’s enjoyment of the discipline.

By popular demand, the local Perth and District Pipe Band perform every year in the main ring and at various sites around the showground.

Another event in Saturday’s busy programme is the Pet Competition, which is always proves to be highly popular.

Main Ring entertainment is the Royal Signals White Helmets Display Team who perform feats of speed and accuracy on motorbikes. They need precise timing for their act as it can be extremely dangerous and accuracy of timing is of the utmost. This type of Main Ring entertainment always attracts and grips the attentions of a large audience.

The Young Farmers Tug-O-War, both male and female teams is a big attraction to the show and the final is always held in the main ring.

The afternoon’s entertainment concludes with the agility and horsemanship of young riders in the Pony Club Games, with the show finally closing at about 5.30. The Mounted Games is an exciting head to head competition where several Pony Club teams compete in various races such as the bending, flag and balloon races.

At the other end of the showground there is something for everybody; a vast range of

trade stands, displaying anything from large agricultural machinery and equipment to much smaller stands selling gifts and toys. This is a great opportunity for advertising and promoting local businesses. There is also a competition for the best trade stands which is each year judged by the society’s past chairman and a major sponsor of the show.

For more information: 01738 632780

Long Service Awards presented by Perthshire Agricultural Society President David Armstrong (right) for over 30 years service to farming

Long Service Awards presented by Perthshire Agricultural Society President David Armstrong (right) for over 30 years service to farming

Well it’s summer again! – and just like last year, the rain has never stopped, making my little back garden so soaked through, that I amazed that I haven’t seen any frogs jumping around!

Anyway, here we go again, so what’s new with me then I hear you ask?

Well, I got rid of my two polythene type greenhouses which were totally torn to shreds by the winter winds, replacing them with a small carbonate sheeted growhouse which seems to be doing the trick.

I have ‘grown on’ a couple of varieties of runner beans and planted them out in containers and in the ground. They are at last beginning to make a show of growth now that the ground is warming up.

My new cane pyramid and old wrought iron gate and

backed up with a couple of new containers. I am tending to look upon containers as a main way forward for me this year due to the continual dampness within the ground, so maybe that is a good lesson I have learned from last year and early this year.

I have still to dig out my main raised bed which I have delayed due to the bad weather – I hope to show this to you in the next edition. However, I did just buy two large pots for vegetable growing, and I will be planting Beetroot and Lettuce in these soon.

One of my larger pots has a few potatoes growing very well, but not enough for anything more than one meal, so for the raised bed, I plan to put in potatoes, carrots and onions this month.


My new growhouse and some containersOne of my new runner bean pyramids

Newly painted shed and iron gate for my runner beans


TomatoesI have a couple of plants growing inside doing very nicely and I will add another couple of varieties shortly.

Peas and broad beansI have just sewn seeds in two long pots beside my growhouse in a sunny spot, so I will see how these get on.Runner beansI love these, so I have them in two pots, in two grounded pyramids and with my iron gate climbing frame leaning against the garden shed.

So much more to plantI really have to crack on with the raised bedded area to get the potatoes, carrots, onions, beetroot and radishes going. And more containers too – this place might begin to look like Steptoe & Son’s backyard very soon!

Oh, and how do you stop your own cat from using every single veg bed as a place to pee?

All advice will be greatly received.

Well that’s about it for the moment. Things are a bit behind

schedule because of the cold and wet weather, but a lot of making up has to be done, so I am looking forward to that.

Next time in early September, I hope to show you some of my successes!! – after my first year last year – that would be great!

Seed potatoes and other seeds ready to go

Potatoes growing quite happily in a square pot My ‘get away’ potting shed. I need something to play with when it rains!

28 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com28

RENEWABLEENERGY


RENEWABLEENERGY

In this Olympic year the spring got off to a sprinting start but rain, low temperatures and a lack of sunshine are going to make it difficult to produce record yields. Like many other Perthshire farms, the winter wheat at Stewart Tower looks well, but low lying areas and compacted endriggs in the spring barley fields will make it more difficult to achieve high average yields.

The most important take home message from Stewart Tower this season has been the response to the 38kg/ha of nitrogen which was applied to the 1st cut of grass/clover silage. A strip down one field was left untreated and in this cold late season there has been a marked difference in growth since the start of the season. The tips of the leaves in the treated area were purple due to a reduction in the

uptake of phosphate. This made the untreated area easy to distinguish from the main road – to the slight disgust of James the dairy manager. If cut this week the untreated area will probably yield 30-40% less than the treated. Had the cutting date been delayed, the clover in this area may have bulked up to match the yield from the ryegrass and clover in the fertilised strip.

Some of the heavier spring barley fields which had an application of FYM were treated with 125kg/ha of compound fertiliser. They have coped better with the cold wet weather and given a bit of sunshine, should produce a respectable yield.

The selection of disease resistant wheat and barley varieties allowed us to cope with the very short spraying windows which resulted from the unpredictable weather. As a result, these crops are presently as clean as a whistle.

Catering for weather on a

climate change focus farm

By Sinclair Simpson,SAC Principle Consultant.

28 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com30

RENEWABLEENERGY


Two young scientists working at the James Hutton Institute have been jointly awarded the Peter Massalski Prize for meritorious research.

This year’s award panel were so impressed by the calibre of nominations that they decided to jointly award the prize to Dr Eleanor Gilroy and Dr Lionel Dupuy, who both work at the Institute’s Dundee site. They will be presented with their prize at today’s (11 June) annual

general meeting of the Scottish Society for Crop Research, who administer the award.

Dr Gilroy works in the Cell and Molecular Sciences group and her research focuses on the Oomycete Phytophthora infestans, which causes late blight in potatoes and costs the industry millions each year. Her group examines how the blight manipulates plants and exploits stresses on plants to enable infection.

Joint winners for prestigious research prize

A pioneering research project to determine the eating quality of meat is moving closer to commercial reality with the successful testing of a robot at a Scottish meat processing premises.

Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Government are co–funding the ground-breaking £1 million Integrated Measurement of Eating Quality (IMEQ) project, which is being delivered by a consortium of partners, led by SAC.

The three-year project, due for completion in spring 2013, is using cutting edge automated technology to determine carcass pH and temperature using surface-based ultrasound probes located at different positions on the carcass.

The technology also uses automatic means of measuring meat colour, carcase fat and eating and nutritional qualities. These measures are being integrated with a video image analysis (VIA) system, resulting in a new process for use on the line in abattoirs.

In the future, this could lead to the development of a system which is faster, less labour-intensive, less expensive and delivers new information.

The initial focus of the project is on beef, with the aim to extend the technology to lamb and pork at a later date. Central to the research is the use of robotic technology similar to that utilised by the high precision motor industry.

A robotic manipulator, with special end-of-arm tools, is being used to provide automated measurements at line speed at the meat plant. The camera scans the carcass allowing the robot to place the pH/temperature probe into the target muscle in the half-carcass on-line.

A number of pH/temperature electrodes have been evaluated and a suitable, robust probe has been selected for the end of arm tool on the robot. This has been combined with an ultrasound probe which allows automatic, rapid measurement of subcutaneous fat.

Pioneering IMEQ Technology Moves Closer

to Commercial Reality

Integrating the industry’s leading farming solutions

Patchwork Technology and Muddy Boots Software, both leaders in farm information technology, have integrated their respective systems, WebTrack 3 and CropWalker, to form CropWalker Mapping.

From seed procurement and assessment to the planning and application of pesticides and nutrients, through to harvest records, produce storage and dispatch, CropWalker provides full crop traceability and supports thorough compliance to relevant assurance standards.

A recent collaboration between Patchwork Technology and Muddy Boots means that

CropWalker users now have the ability to view their linked field maps online. CropWalker Mapping delivers an unrivalled solution, integrating farm, field and crop data with a web-based mapping tool.

The solution has been designed to make the use of mapping technology far simpler so that all parties can experience the benefits online mapping brings. With wide-scale compatibility with most GPS and in-cab systems, this pioneering system offers the potential to bring affordable, effective and accessible crop and map data-use to all.


Merlo’s powerful P25.6 compact telehandlersMerlo UK has launched their latest in farm handling technology – from the diminutive but powerful P25.6 up to the largest construction machines.

The P25.6 is only 1.8m wide and as low (in its low profile P25.6L build) as 1.77m. It was enthusiastically received at the recent Pig and Poultry Show at RASE and is already in use in UK poultry operations.

There are several ‘compact’ telehandlers around now, beginning to challenge skid steers in their compactness! What sets the Merlo apart from the others is the attention Merlo designers have paid to the driver.

TELEHANDLERS

REACHING THE HEIGHTSA look at some of the main Telehandlers on the market today

Many other ‘compacts’ leave the operator in a confined cab and with a highly restricted view to the offside of the machine – not a really good idea in restricted spaces!

In contrast, the P25.6 models have a cab exactly the same width as other Merlo machines – 995mm! And the boom has been set down so low that the driver has a completely unrestricted view to the right hand side. Compactness, power (75hp), comfort and safety – pretty much what we’ve come to expect from a Merlo, in fact.

For many Scottish farmers, The Highland was the first showing of Merlo’s

Merlo P25.6

revolutionary ‘state of the art’ load control system; MCDC or Dynamic Load Control. Used with Merlo’s own attachments, MCDC automatically recognises

the equipment and selects the correct load chart to ensure safe use. The inclusion of a ‘free zone’ maintains full digging capacity.

DEALERS IN SCOTLAND

[email protected]: 01258 817997 Fax:01258 817908 www.dieci-telehandlers.co.uk

THOMAS MURRAY DUNDONALD : 01563 850592

JMS EQUIPMENTTURRIFF : 01888 563188

MARRS OF METHLICKMETHLICK : 01651 806910

STUART COOK GIRVAN : 01465 715093

THOMAS CAIRNIEDUMFRIES : 01387 710285

JT CORMACKCAITHNESS : 01955 611498

REID HYDRAULIC SERVICESARBROATH : 01674 820224

R. HENDERSONWICK : 01955 621338

Forfar Tel: 01307 462281Perth Tel: 01738 583249Laurencekirk Tel: 01561 378888Dundonald Tel: 01563 851900Doune Tel: 01786 842921

Contact your nearest AGRICAR depot for thelatest offers on New Holland Telehandlers

www.agricar.co.uk

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

TELEHANDLERS

New Agri Max from DieciDieci have recently launched a new telehandler to compete in the 6 ton 9 metre sector. This new Agri Max machine features the latest cab, new chassis with an option of hydrostatic or vario drive system. This new addition adds to our existing range. Currently Dieci produce 24 models for Agricultural use, 28 for construction, 9 roto machines, and 3 heavy duty telescopic handlers up to 21tons.

Dieci Telehandlers Ltd a subsidiary of Dieci S.r.l Italy have appointed 6 new Dealers in the last five months and now have just under 40 dealer outlets in the UK. Dieci Telehandlers Ltd have a dedicated parts centre based in their UK head office in Dorset.

Dieci offer a very comprehensive product support package on all their machines, offering customers up to 4 years 6000hrs peace of mind at a very competitive price together with a low cost finance programme.

Dieci Telehandlers are manufactured to a very high standard at a very modern factory with state of the art production machinery, using high quality grade steel, robotic welding and a very modern paint production facility.

The new cabs that Dieci offer have class leading space with new ergonomic controls, electric window, and cab ventilation through improved filtration with recirculation facility. There is now no need to have cold feet in a Telehandler.

Boom suspension, High stability due to excellent chassis design, increased crowd and tilt

angles, auto radiator cleaning, wet inboard brakes, limited slip differentials, and inching pedal for controlled movement are the required features of a Dieci Telehandler.

Dieci Telehandlers are manufactured in Italy using proven components by leading manufacturers and are the preferred supplier of OEM Telehandlers to some other leading manufacturers. Dieci take pride in manufacturing a machine to a high standard.

New model joins world leading JCB agricultural loadall range JCB has unveiled the 550-80 Agri Plus Loadall to its class-leading agricultural telescopic handler line-up – and it now becomes the highest capacity Loadall in the range. This new flagship model offers the same innovative approach to machine design that has seen JCB become the world’s Number One manufacturer of telescopic handlers.

The 550-80 Loadall telescopic handler, which is now in production, has an 8.1 metre lift height and 5.0 tonne maximum lift capacity. The machine has been developed in direct response to customer demand for a machine with even greater lift performance at reach.

The 550-80 Agri Plus is JCB’s highest capacity Loadall and it has been specifically designed for bulk handling operations in large scale agricultural applications such as grain and root crop handling. The high capacity features also makes the 550-80 an ideal machine

Dieci Agri Max


We manufacture a range of Material Handling Attachments to fit Telescopic Handlers, Forklifts

and Tractor Loaders - designed to give reliability and durability for handling all materials on farms today.

• Grain Buckets • Muck Forks • Silage Grabs• Stone Forks • Big Bale Handlers for Round Bales,

Square Bales or Wrapped Bales, for vertical or horizontal stacking • Push-off Silage Buckrakes

• Silage Shear grabs • Potato Box Tipplers• Hoppers to fill one tonne Potato Bags• Quick Hitch Attachments and Quick

Hitch conversion adaptors, etc.

We can also design and build individual items to customer specifications.

Dinneswood, Tarves, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 7LR

Tel: 01651 851636 Fax: 01651 851880 www.radiatorservicesscotland.co.uk

Dealers forMerlo Telehandlers

Visit our new websitewww.ramjack.co.uk

Knowehead WorksMauchline, Ayrshire, KA5 6EY

Tel: 01290 550329Fax: 01290 552508

Email: [email protected]


TELEHANDLERS

REEKIE GROUP

For more information contact your local branchCupar

01334 652445Stirling

01786 477530Perth

01738 622471or visit our website

www.reekie.co.uk

Merlo Telehandlersavailable for demonstration now...

for the biomass industry, which require high volumes of material to be handled. Powered by a 145hp (108 kW) engine as standard, the machine boasts a highly capable transmission, 145 litres/min variable flow hydraulics and Hi-flow pipework for optimised cycle times and auxiliary service performance.

With servo controls as standard, the operator benefits from low lever efforts and excellent ergonomics, all increasing efficiency. With loading operations in mind high dump and roll-back angles of

46° and 34° respectively, ensure excellent material retention and stockpiling for efficient lorry or hopper loading.

The inner boom of the 550-80 Agri Plus uses a splayed nose design to maximise structural integrity while also incorporating Z-bar linkage. This system provides 6.5 tonnes of breakout force – an increase of more than 50 per cent on the current 541-70 Agri Plus. The low boom line also contributes to excellent all-round visibility, which is essential in a rapid cycle loading situation.

The 550-80 Agri Plus offers customers the perfect materials handling machine for large scale grain/root handling and biomass operations, with high lift capacity and a powerful driveline ensuring rapid loading cycles and exceptional productivity.

UK Launch of the new MLT840 from ManitouManitou UK has launched the MLT840 farm telescopic loader which made it UK debut at the 2012 Cereals Show. The MLT840 design concept is the result of an exhaustive program of development by the Manitou R & D team to provide the modern farmer with a highly productive telehandler. Whilst incorporating the class leading technology of the JSM control for ease of operation and load sensing ultra hydraulic system which prioritises the hydraulic flow to where it is most needed, utilising a variable displacement pump with a maximum flow rate of 180 litres per minute.

Overall performance is not compromised with an impressive lift height achieved of 7m55 and maximum load capacity of 4000kg. With the natural progression to larger farming enterprises, today’s farmer demands top specification machinery to improve his efficiency and to maximise utilisation.

The MLT840 is the ideal solution for the increasing intensification of British farming.

Of particular note is the five speed Powershift M Shift Gearbox which is designed for smooth gear changing in all situations, two modes are available; automatic and manual. In automatic mode the operator shifts from one gear to another with minimum torque interruption. The gearshift program adapts to the torque and speed demanded by the job in hand and determines the optimum gear automatically.

In manual mode the

JCB 550-80

Dealer forCLAAS Telehandlers

SALES • SERVICE • BACK-UPDemonstrations available

Haston Industrial Estate,Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1RE

Tel: 01856 873003 Fax: 01856 876133www.taitorkney.co.uk


TELEHANDLERS

www.marrsofmethlick.com

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS SCHOOLBRAE GARAGE, METHLICK, ELLON, AB41 7DS

operator decides which gear to engage utilising the + and – buttons on the JSM control.

The MLT840 is fitted with a torque converter lock up function which increases the tractive effort and contributes to reduced fuel consumption.

New Holland has further extended its range of

telehandlers into the sub-six metre segmentNew Holland has extended the LM5000 range of telehandlers to include two new compact models: the LM5020 and LM5030, to suit the needs of operations that work in restricted spaces. The two new models feature productivity enhancing 360° visibility and

unsurpassed manoeuvrability, together with industry-leading levels of operator comfort, all housed in a super compact frame of not more than two metres wide and high. Distinctive New Holland styling and powerful Tier 3 compliant engines complete the package.

“The LM5020 and LM5030 complete New Holland’s range of telehandlers,” said Pierre Lahutte, Head of Tractors, Telehandlers & Precision Farming Product Management. “The LM5020 is perfect for small livestock and horticultural operations, offering high levels

Manitou MLT 840

New Holland LM5030

CLAASJ&W Tait Ltdwww.jandwtaitltd.co.ukKirkwall, Orkney : 01856 873003

DIECIJMS Equipmentwww.jmsequipment.co.ukTurriff : 01888 563188

Marrs of Methlickwww.marrsofmethlick.comEllon : 01651 806910

JCBAM Phillipwww.amphillip.co.ukConon Bridge : 01349 866021

Forfar : 01307 474000Fraserburgh : 01346 541351Glenrothes : 01592 775511Huntly : 01466 799222

John Kerr Farm Eqptwww.john-kerr.comLinlithgow : 01506 842280

MANITOUJ&W Tait Ltdwww.jandwtaitltd.co.ukKirkwall, Orkney : 01856 873003

W & A GeddesWick : 01955 602207Brora : 01408 621220

MERLOAncroft Tractorswww.ancroft-tractors.co.uk Berwick upon Tweed : 01289 331904Kelso : 01573 225213 Macmerry : 01875 617323

Reekie Group www.reekie.co.uk Stirling : 01786 477530 Perth : 01738 622471 Cupar : 01334 652445

Ramsey & Jackson www.ramjack.co.uk Mauchline : 01290 550329

Ravenhillwww.ravenhill.co.uk

Aberdeen : 01224 772577 Dingwall : 01349 863555 Elgin : 01343 541121 Maud : 01771 613246 Turriff : 01888 563561

NEW HOLLANDAgricar www.agricar.co.uk Forfar : 01307 462281 Perth : 01738 583249 Laurencekirk : 01561 378888 Dundonald : 01563 851900Doune : 01786 842921

George Colliarwww.georgecolliar.comKinross : 01577 863173

DEALERS KEY(Participating Dealers in this feature)


TELEHANDLERS

of lifting performance in an overall compact package. The LM5030 is the natural choice for more demanding farmers, working in hilly conditions or for silage applications, or even for light industrial businesses, thanks to the 101hp engine.”

The LM5020 and LM5030 are set to become the default choice for height sensitive operations. The machines’ overall compact dimensions

ensure they offer ‘access all areas’ manoeuvrability, while maintaining the power to perform. The LM5020 is equipped with the powerful and efficient Tier 3 Common Rail turbo charged engine, whereas the LM5030 offers mechanical injection for economical efficiency. The LM5020’s overall dimensions of 4.1 metres x 1.8 metres x 1.95 metres (length x width x height)

mean that even the lowest chicken sheds can be accessed with ease. When combined with a 2.5 tonne lift capacity at 5.78 metres, performance and accessibility are a given. The LM5030 also guarantees easy-access, together with a beefed-up lift capacity of 2.8 tonnes at 6.35 metres, in a petite framer of 4.67 metres x 2 metres x 2 metres (length x width x height).

New Claas “Smart Handling” prevents Scorpion overloadIn order to comply with the EN15000 longitudinal stability technical standard, all Claas Scorpion telescopic handlers will feature as standard the new Smart Handling overload control system.

Unlike some Longitudinal Load Moment Control (LLMC) overload systems that rely on the boom hydraulics locking out when safe limits are reached, the new “Smart Handling” overload system on the Scorpion limits boom extension

automatically as the safe load limit is reached. Whilst further extension may be limited, retraction, lifting or lowering are all still possible provided it is safe to do so, making the whole system far less restrictive to the operator.

EN15000 requires that telescopic handlers should be fitted with an LLMC to ensure that a machine can safely reach forward without tipping-up. However, this does have drawbacks where a machine is being used for agricultural work, for instance to push up grain or muck, or for digging, where a temporary overload results in the hydraulics being locked-out impairing performance.

How does “Smart Handling” work? The Smart Handling system is far more than just an overload protection system. CLAAS has taken the opportunity to extend the functionality of the system, so that it can be used to automate certain work sequences and hence actually benefit the operator.

Claas Scorpion


DAIRY

POTATOES


PACKAGEDPOTATO &VEGETABLECOOLINGSYSTEMS

WITH OPTIONAL‘AUTO SWIVEL-HEAD AIR DISTRIBUTION

WILL FIT MOST EXISTING SYSTEMSPatent Application No 9320628.2


POTATOES

John Deere’s proven multi-brand satellite guidance system is now available as a more fully integrated solution for other makes of tractor and older John Deere models.

New AutoTrac Controller will be featured on the John Deere stand at Cereals 2012 in June, as part

AutoTrac Controller

widensthe net

of the company’s AMS (Agricultural Management Solutions) precision farming display. It provides non-John Deere and mixed fleet users in particular with the same benefits and advantages as the established AutoTrac automatic steering system.

Beginning today, Case IH Advanced Farming

Case IH launches AFS support centre

with 24/7/365 service

Systems® (AFS) customers will see an added level of support for their precision farming investment. The new AFS Support Centre provides 24/7/365 access to service and support for everything from monitors, to guidance technology, to receivers, to section control. This additional support will help Case IH customers stay on the leading edge of technology while also minimizing downtime and offering solutions around the clock.

Ascot, a leading Wiltshire based supplier of animal feeds, agricultural supplies and horticultural products is looking to nurture its business in 2012 by targeting growth through mobile markets. The company has recently launched a mobile friendly version of its website specifically optimised for users with mobile devices, such as Smartphones.

Agricultural Supplier Aiming to Nurture Growth in Mobile Market

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FUTUREfarmer

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents 2,500 landowners across Scotland, has called upon the Government during National Apprenticeship Week to back their proposals to make rural modern apprenticeships fit for purpose for today’s rural business sector.

Following strong demand from its members, Scottish Land & Estates asked Education Secretary Mike Russell to recognise the current constraints faced by rural businesses in taking on and retaining apprentices. The Cabinet

Landowners seek government backing for rural modern apprenticeships scheme

Secretary asked Scottish Land & Estates to come up with suggestions for improvement in late 2011. Today (Friday), the organisation issued a series of straightforward suggestions to improve the attractiveness, uptake and delivery of apprenticeships in the Scottish countryside, which is often overlooked as a place for exciting career opportunities.

Former teacher Daye Tucker, Director of Scottish Land & Estates and Chairman of the working group on apprenticeships, has

presented the findings and recommendations of her team to Mike Russell. She said:

“The current system of apprenticeships does not work well for many land-based rural businesses. Bureaucratic obstacles such as legal or training costs and health & safety constraints on top of essential elements like college attendance and employee mentoring are relatively inflexible. We were delighted when Mr Russell asked us to look at a scheme which would really deliver for both rural

businesses and our young people looking to work in the sector.

“While the demand for a skilled rural workforce is evident amongst our members there is a clear need to encourage more young people, or those seeking a career change, into the sector. One obvious way to help make this happen is to create a modern apprenticeship scheme which will cater for the specialist needs of both employers and those looking for a career in the rural sector.”


Scottish Land & Estates, which represents 2,500 landowners across Scotland, has called upon the Government during National Apprenticeship Week to back their proposals to make rural modern apprenticeships fit for purpose for today’s rural business sector.

Following strong demand from its members, Scottish Land & Estates asked Education Secretary Mike Russell to recognise the current constraints faced by rural businesses in taking on and retaining apprentices. The Cabinet Secretary asked Scottish Land & Estates to come up with suggestions for improvement in late 2011. Today (Friday), the organisation issued a series of straightforward suggestions to improve the attractiveness, uptake and delivery of apprenticeships in the Scottish countryside, which

Manitou UK Limited is pleased to appoint Mentor Training as the official training provider for their range of

materials handling and powered access machineryis often overlooked as a place for exciting career opportunities.

Former teacher Daye Tucker, Director of Scottish Land & Estates

and Chairman of the working group on apprenticeships, has presented the findings and recommendations of her team

to Mike Russell. She said: “The current system of apprenticeships does not work well for many land-based

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“The Ultimate Flying Experience”Experience Flights and Pilot Tuition*GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

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REDSHANK traditional kiltmakers offer a unique, bespoke and unrivalled service if you wish to make an investment in a truly Scottish heirloom kilt. They source 100% wool and silk fabrics from Scotland’s finest weavers and commission kiltpins, belts and sporrans from Scottish craft businesses to make sure that your outfit is as special as the celebrations you will attend in it. Exclusive to Redshank are sghian dubhs with walnut safety blades and leather plaited sporran straps.

As an independent kiltmaker, Redshank can buy from all the Scottish weavers and have access to a wide range or they can have a rare tartan woven or design a tartan or tweed specially for you.

After long, enjoyable research, the rich and robust Inveraray Tweed is now woven to Redshank’s commission in Scottish Cheviot in Selkirk. It is complimented in their collections

by locally sourced deerhide and sheephide, organically tanned and dyed to a breathtaking touch and burnish. Last known to be woven in 1872, designer

unknown, the tweed is a deeply textured basket weave in rust and corn with an extravagant Glenurqhart overcheck in blood - visceral colours potently

conjuring a sense of the elemental awareness of life and living held by those who worked with these fine materials and designs.

Bespoke designs from Redshank

Newton, Inveraray, PA32 8UH Tel: 01499 302525

www.redshankkilts.co.uk


With an extensive stock of tweeds including Harris Tweed, they also make field coats, shooting jackets, breeks, plus 4s, coats, skirts. This cape and dress is in Inveraray Tweed and deerhide. The waistcoat features staghorn buttons from Sutherland.

Moorland from Barbour - the most rugged segment of the Lifestyle collection, Moorland jackets are tough and waterproof, equestrian in styling. The Moorland line is for summer adventurers, beating their own path, pitching their own tent – communing with the wild countryside.

Jackets include the Catterick, a resilient hiker jacket in 6oz unlined waxed cotton, which looks terrific in racing green or cobalt blue. The Helvelyn and Tartan Liddesdale lighten the quilt into summer weight jackets. Zipped cardigans, a crew neck jumper and a hooded

sweater come in dense, flat cashwool. Colours hew to the classic palette of olive, navy and sandstone, but pique cotton polo shirts bring a lightning strike of orange, yellow or acid green.

Are you into DIY? Webster Building Supplies can provide all the building materials, timber, tools, small plant hire and now plumbing and heating materials you need. They carry a large range of stock - everything from chips to chimneys and from screwdrivers to Stihl saws. You name it – Webster’s sell it. Need something a bit different? Just ask.

Webster’s take pride in providing a high quality, professional service to all their customers - from expert advice on choosing the right materials to fast and friendly delivery.

Have a look for yourself. Talk with their experienced staff.

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Ellis Partnership Limited

Think joinery, think DGR Joinery Services - it’s as simple as that! If it’s anything to do with wood, they’ll do it. Established since 1983, DGR Joinery cover a wide area of Scotland including Angus, Perth, Kinross and Fife. DGR always promise competitive prices backed up with a prompt and reliable service. All work is carried out by competent qualified tradesmen with expertise and experience. They offer all trade contracts and look after your job from design to completion. DGR Joinery have over 35 years experience in construction.

Most of their work comes from personal recommendation and referrals, so they must be doing something right! Here’s what DGR offer:

EXTENSIONS, RENOVATIONS, ATTIC CONVERSIONS, NEW BUILD, BESPOKE JOINERY, MANUFACTURING, WINDOWS, DOORS AND FLOORING.

New Tyres fitted by D&G Autocare – wherever you are!

D&G Autocare has launched a new mobile tyre fitting service which can fit your new tyres at your home or work, adding to the great value service and convenience for which D&G is now known!

“This is a new service from us which we are very pleased to announce. We are confident it will complement our Perth garage and be popular. Customers are so busy nowadays that they can’t always get out to our garages and fitting the tyres at their home or work

is the ultimate convenience. Our new mobile fitting van will come along and do the job with no hassle whatsoever, ensuring they can get back on the road straightway,” said Pete Wood of D&G.

“We are also pleased to announce that we are on the

back of many local buses publicising our ever popular £25 MOT. Look out for it the next time you’re behind a bus. We have already had a lot of comments about it – it’s a great way to spread the word and build our brand even more,” he added.

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Fancy a flight in a Gyrocopter? Well now you can. Situated in the gateway to the Highlands, just three miles to the North East of the “The Fair City” along the A94 towards Coupar Angus, Perth Airport and the Scottish Aero Club now host the latest addition to the Gyrocopter Experience network of flying schools.

From Monday to Friday the Gyrocopter Experience offers intensive training courses for potential pilots, and at weekends we offer Air Experience Flights to the general public and private groups. Their aim is to get as many people as possible to experience the thrill of Gyrocopter flying for themselves. Don’t take their word for it – book a trial flight and have a go yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Take control of your utility costs - Farmers are renowned for their business acumen and ability to control costs. Nevertheless, we know from experience that many are too busy running their business to deal with utilities. In fact, over 50% of small businesses do not effectively manage their utility costs losing £1000’s in the process.

Why not let Ellis Partnership Limited, with many years experience in this area, deal with these matters on your behalf? We offer clients a totally unbiased comprehensive utility management service leaving you free to work on your business. We assess your bills, ensure contract termination letters are issued correctly, obtain the best market rates for your particular service(s) and

arrange for your new contracts. You are only required to sign the forms, we do all the time consuming bits.

British sausages (you can make your own you

know?) - have undergone a huge revival in interest and fortunes in recent years with many Quality Butchers producing speciality sausages from the finest ingredients and commanding prices to reflect.

To make sausages you first need to able to mince the meat and Weschenfelders have mincers ranging from the type

Do you fancy a Gyrocopter Experience?


of mincer our grandmothers all used to have but now made in quality stainless steel up to electric mincers that make light workout of larger batches.

In the past year Weschenfelder’s have added a new professional Salami Cabinet to their range of sausage making equipment. The Stagionello Salami Cabinet is imported from Italy and gives the Artisan Butcher the ability to create the perfect climate within the stainless steel cabinet to produce superb Italian style Salami. Butchers are not just restricted to making Milano or Felino Salami but can branch out and make there own recipes and produce something unique ... perhaps a Perthshire Salami will soon be in the making? There is growing interest in British Charcuterie and whilst we don’t have a big tradition

of making our own cured meats and salami this new technology means we can produce salami safely whatever the weather outside and tap into this growing market.

Get yourself a great smile. Dental Care Perth has one aim. That is to provide high quality dental care in a relaxed environment. Perth Care Dental focus on you and your treatment needs. They take the time to get to know you, listen to you, understand your needs and then tailor the treatment for you. Their clinical team consists of dental surgeons and hygienists who have a wealth of experience and the clinical skills to carry out a full range of procedures including:

Routine Oral Health Screening, Gum Disease Treatment, Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Crowns, Veneers, Bridges, Facial Aesthetics and Wrinkle relaxing Injections.

Perth Care Dental patients can choose from a variety of payment plans whether its

Denplan, DPAS, or simply paying as you go. They can also offer interest free finance plans and NHS appointments.

Creating your own sausages are easy with a Weschenfelder mincer

PEO

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ON

THE

MO

VE John SleighNFU Scotland has strengthened its policy team with the appointment of Aberdeenshire farmer’s son, John Sleigh (27) to the position of Livestock Policy Manager.

The appointment of John, whose family farms at Newseat of Tolquhon, Tarves, will see current policy manager Penny Johnston

focus on animal health and welfare issues for the Union. As well as working on the family beef unit, John comes to

NFUS with some parliamentary experience, having worked for Nicol Stephen MSP as a researcher. John also helped to establish ‘Friends of Doonies’, a group set up to save the rare breeds community farm in Aberdeen.

Mike BlairMike Blair, one of the leading lawyers specialising in land and rural business issues in Scotland, is joining Gillespie Macandrew as partner. He was formerly a partner with Thorntons, based in their Perth office as head of their rural legal business section.

Ian Turnbull, Gillespie Macandrew Managing Partner, states: “This is a watershed appointment for us as it means we now have two of the four solicitors in Scotland rated Band 1 Agricultural & Rural Affairs lawyers by Chambers UK. Bringing Mike on board to join the team led by Robert Scott-Dempster, also rated Band 1, adds significant experience to an already highly qualified and knowledgeable department. With the opening of our Perth office scheduled for early August, on-going investment in our land and rural business service continues to be a major objective for the firm.”

David RhindSBC have added a new senior agriculture manager to its agriculture division, as the bank develops its reach across Scotland in response to rising demand.

David Rhind joins from Bank of Scotland where he latterly held the position of agriculture business manager. In the new

role, David will be responsible for developing HSBC’s profile with farming and agriculture businesses in Lothian, the Borders and Fife.

Since the launch of the Scottish agriculture division in June 2011, seven businesses have moved their banking requirements to HSBC, including major farming enterprise James C Innes of Dunscroft in Huntly.

David will work alongside John Hamilton, senior agriculture manager for the north-east of Scotland, and newly appointed John Robertson, responsible for Angus, Dundee and Tayside to extend the bank’s coverage and help support viable agriculture businesses across Scotland.

Ian BowieFollowing the recent appointment of Ben Bailey to the post of Managing Director, Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers, a leading provider of insurance to the agricultural and landowning sector, also announced that Ian Bowie has been appointed Chairman, taking over from the

founder John Clark. “The Company has grown significantly over recent years

and these appointments are a strategic investment in our future” said John Clark, who remains Chairman of holding company Mountlodge Ltd. This announcement follows a recent acquisition in Scotland by the company which supports its continuing strategy of achieving break-out growth through further acquisitions and organic means. The Company, with offices across Scotland, now has a gross turnover in excess of £40m annually.

Derek Barnes, the previous Managing Director, has stepped down as part of a phased retirement plan and remains on the Company Board.


farming scotland magazine (july-august 2012)

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