< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFAIRTRADEThe growing interest in aromatherapy,homeopathy and other natural productsmeans that Fairtrade products,previously out of the ordinary, can nowprobably be found in the vast majorityof homes in Lincolnshire. Indeed in2011, £1.32 billion was spent onFairtrade products in the UK in 2011 – a12% increase on the previous year, soit’s definitely making a difference.This month’s Fairtrade Fortnight,which runs from 25th February to 10thMarch, illustrates the huge variety ofFairtrade products that are nowavailable. That includes one in three ofthe bananas sold in the UK, 10% of alltea and more than six and half millionlitres of wine – and thanks to that,farmers and workers in some of theworld’s poorest countries were able toinvest over £55 million of FairtradePremium into business, social andenvironmental projects.When it comes to hair and beauty,many products now emphasise theirnatural and ethical qualities. Companiessuch as Pure Health, for example, aresourcing pure, unrefined shea butterfrom women’s cooperatives in WestAfrica. As well as ensuring an ethicalapproach, there are other advantageshere – the Skin Food produced is freefrom parabens, paraffin and otherpetrochemicals.Beauty brand evolve, meanwhile, useargan oil which is certified organic andethically sourced from a women’s Berbergroup run by a Targanine cooperativenetwork on a UNESCO World HeritageSite overseen by Yamana in Morocco.Argan oil has long been used byMoroccans in their beauty regimes. It isrich in linoleic acid, omega-6 andtocopherols, which means when usedthe skin is nourished, renewed andprotected against free radical damage.Using ethical and Fairtrade productssuch as these, therefore, ensures that notonly are you helping people overseas geta fair price for a day’s work, but you’realso making use of fabulous naturalproducts that offer your skin and bodythe world of good, usually completelyfree of chemicals.Celebrities such as Katie Holmes arepromoting the benefits of eco-friendly,natural products. Katie is now co-ownerof Alterna Haircare and she is helping topromote their new range of productsthat that are free of harsh chemicals andformulated with globally sourced, oftensustainable and organic ingredients. It’sclear that natural and ethical productsare now very much in the mainstream –and by making use of them, you’rehelping those in developing countriesbenefit from a fair deal.Katie Holmes is promotingAlterna Haircare’s newrange of products that thatare free of harshchemicals and formulatedwith globally sourced,often sustainable andorganic ingredients SetFAIRFairtrade and naturalproducts not only benefitdeveloping countries – theydo your skin and hair theworld of good tooIt’s clearthat natural and ethicalproducts are now very much in themainstream070:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:20 Page 1FARMING NEWSEQUINEAGRICULTURALBUSINESSBURTON HUNTEVENTSFARMING NEWSEQUINEAGRICULTURALBUSINESSBURTON HUNTEVENTSFARM COUNTRYFARM COUNTRYLinkLink&&Forfarmersthroughthecounty071:Layout 1 15/2/13 12:35 Page 1Dalehead Foods opens “worldclass” Spalding facilityDalehead Foodsunveiled its newlyrefurbished Spaldingabattoir and productionfacility at a ceremonyattended byrepresentatives fromEast Midlands PorkProducers and BPEX.The multi millionpound project, partfunded by Defra,the EU and inpartnership withEMPP, is the culmination of eighteen months’ work that will ensurethe company’s Spalding facility is truly “world class”.Seamus Rooney, Managing Director of Dalehead Foods, says,“The refurbishment of our Spalding facility reaffirms Dalehead Foods’commitment to invest in the British Pork industry. The site now has anew colleague amenity building, upgraded changing areas, as well asa high-tech lorry wash, a state of the art carcass grading system and anew 500 sq metre pre chill extension which will help reduce ‘drip loss’,directly benefiting farmers who are part of the EMPP.“The upgrade should also enable us to secure US Department ofAgriculture approval which in the long run could boost pork exports to theUS and ultimately improve the economic outlook for British pig farmers”.Act now to stopanother stormsurge tragedy, saysCLA Sixty years ago, over three hundred people were killed bythe great flood of 1953, and since then a major programmeof rebuilding and heightening of East Coast flood walls haveensured no repeat - but many miles of those sea walls are nowin need of major maintenance.CLA East rural adviser Tim Woodward says, “It would befoolish of us to believe nothing like the horror of six decadesago could happen again. However, flood defence projectsoften appear not to be viable because financial tests fail totake into account the true value of farmland, rural communities, and the need for food and economic security. “The CLA is lobbying for a constructive review of coastal defence policy for rural areas to involve new ways of working andencourage innovation. For example, we need to cut red tape to ensure that the system makes it easier for landowners to apply tomaintain their own defences. Revenue from offshore wind farms might be used to help providefunding, with coastal defence work being made a condition of planning consent.”FARM & COUNTRY LINK - NEWSFarming faces‘tsunami ofretirement’Agriculture will have to attract at least five thousand newentrants every year for the next decade if it is to handle a ‘tsunamiof retirement’, says a recruitment expert. Martin Thorley of Merston Peters Recruitment Consultants says thesector’s 110,000 businesses could expect 146,000 of its 444,600employees to pass retirement age in the next ten years, even thoughsome were already working well beyond that. Graduate recruitmentpackages in other sectors could make farming less attractive than theindustry’s potential in coming years might suggest.Martin Thorley says, “Attracting, keeping and developing talent inthe industry would therefore be vital. Figures suggest half ofemployees who left jobs did so because of poor management, somiddle management could be just as important in keeping employeesin the sector as more senior figures. You need to be prepared tosucceed. The best candidates have choices.”072-074:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:45 Page 1£11 million foodtechnology funding putsinnovation on menuOver thirty major collaborative business-led food processing andmanufacturing development projects have received more than £11million worth of government funding, securing the UK’s future as aleader in food technology. Including investment by the participatingcompanies the total value of the projects is in excess of £23 million.The work will lead to the development of new technologies andprocesses that will, for example, increase efficiency and reduce wastein the beef supply chain, increase bread manufacturing efficiency andsustainability and introduce more energy efficient air distributionsystems for cooling food factories.Food and Farming Minister David Heath says, “In an increasinglyhungry world these new technologies and manufacturing techniqueswill help the UK’s food processing sector use fewer natural resourcesand be more efficient. It will enable the sector to fully explore itspotential as a real engine for economic growth.”The research and development activity supported by thisgovernment funding will stimulate more efficient food processing,packaging and distribution in the retail and food service sectors andthe efficient recycling of manufacturing by-products and waste.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73HSBC and Syngenta renewCereals Event agreementsTwo of the Cereals Event’s key partners have renewed their agreements with the show’sorganisers, firmly cementing Cereals’ future as the UK’s leading technical event for thearable sector.HSBC Bank will continue as principal sponsor of Cereals forthe next three years. Head of Agriculture Allan Wilkinson says,“Cereals has grown in stature over the past decade to becomethe UK’s pre-eminent agricultural show. Our continuingsponsorship reflects our commitment to the sector and ourdetermination to help farmers take advantage of the long-termopportunities we know exist.” Ten years after Sprays andSprayers’ incorporation into the Cereals event, Syngenta hasalso agreed a further five-year term. Event director Jon Day says, “The Cereals Event offersfarmers a unique opportunity to gather the latest technicaland business advice through livedemonstrations such as the SyngentaSprays and Sprayers Arena and a widerange of individual crop plots.”Exhibitors were already drawing up plansfor what promised to be another hugelysuccessful show, to be held at BoothbyGraffoe on 12th and 13th June. For furtherinformation go to www.cerealsevent.co.uk.Fire to drive back invasive coastal plantsNew work to control nature has begun at Cleethorpes, whereencroaching sea buckthorn is to be driven back by burning. The work formspart of the Cleethorpes Habitat Management Plan that was adopted twoyears ago in response to public concerns over the effect that a growingsaltmarsh would have on the resort.North East Lincolnshire Councillor Mick Burnett says, “As well as havingthe powers to stop the saltmarsh encroaching on the pleasure beach, themanagement plan also sets out measures to improve the quality of the area.“This year, we’ve responded to feedback from the public and will betackling the buckthorn in front of the day chalets on St. Anthony’s Bank.The buckthorn has long blocked the view of the estuary for those whocome to the area for recreation and enjoyment, so this work will bring areal and noticeable difference.”Burning the sea buckthorn is a cost-effective method for disposal of largevolumes of vegetation. The timing of the burn will be carefully andconsiderately planned and scheduled to ensure that there willbe minimal nuisance to residents.S•M•RANBY AGRICULTURE• Hay & Straw Baling• Stubble to stubble contracts• Maize drilling• Straw Laying• All aspects of farm workundertakenSM Ranby AgriculturePear Tree Farmhouse, Marsh Lane, Saunby, RetfordNotts DN22 9ESTel/Fax: 01427 848170 Mobile: 07860 496250072-074:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:45 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - NEWSFarmers’ leader callsfor fresh thinking inwake of financial‘black hole’NFU President Peter Kendall has called for freshthinking from government on farm policy asfarmers and growers enter 2013 reeling from theconsequences of extreme weather events around the world. He says, “We know drought in the key production regions across the globe is the maindriver for rocketing animal feed costs while in stark contrast, at home, a wash-out summerfurther compounded by a sodden autumn and winter has hammered production.“Climate change scientists have long predicted that agriculture will face majorchallenges from global warming. However 2012 has starkly demonstrated the cost thatextreme weather events can wreak on farmers and the food supply chain. The NFUestimates the appaling weather of 2012 has led to a financial black hole on Britain’sfarms amounting to a staggering £1.3 billion.“The appointment of the Grocery Supply Code of Practice Adjudicator in early2013 will be a really positive move, helping to root out bad practice in thesupply chain. And we’re seeing evidence of positive moves by retailersto create meaningful long-term relationships with farmers. Both willhelp provide much greater security of supply to consumers.”The countyʼs largest stockists of Stihl machinesEstablished over 45 yearsSALES - SERVICE - PARTSCall us today on01526 388281or visit ourwebsitewww.charles-h-hill.co.ukMoor Lane, Horsington, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 5HHSTIHL Cordless Power SystemMobile. Silent. Powerful. Typical STIHL.They have arrived! Cordless powerhouses from STIHL designed to operate innoise-sensive areas as well as around the house and garden. The new 36 Vcordless machines combine innovave motor and baery technology withfirst-class machine engineering to produce a brushless, electronically controlled electric motor (EC). The power fromthe lithium-ion baery packs is opmised toachieve a high degree of efficiency and enhancethe performance of the machine. The powerfullithium-ion baery pack is compable with allother STIHL cordless machines.Fuel prices could changethe way people driveThe colossal cost ofrunning a car couldprove too much of aburden on householdbudgets, and mightforce drivers to cut backon the amount theydrive, according to theCLA. Lincolnshire’s ruralbusiness membershipbody is concernedanother increase in fuelprices could change theway people drive. Tim Barnes-Clay, CLA spokesman, says, “Keeping a caron the road is a necessity, especially for families andbusinesses based in the countryside. But people can fightback against exorbitant fuel prices as there are ways tosave cash, helping ease the pressure on their finances.“Shop around for the best deal on the forecourt tomake sure you aren’t paying over the odds for your fuel.Supermarkets tend to have competitively priced fuel, soit could be worth driving a few extra miles to get thebest price. Look out for the discounted fuel offers thatarise regularly if you spend above a certain amount atthe supermarket.”Neil Vessey (Storage Tanks) Ltdtel. 01724 850224fax. 01724 289317NEW TOTALLYENCLOSED / FULLYBUNDED STORAGE TANKSFrom 500 galls.(2500 litres)up to 22,000 galls.(110,000 litres)capacity.Pump Cabinets with Roller Shutter door and all equipmentPumps and Fuel Flow Monitors supplied and fitted.Tanks manufactured at our SCUNTHORPE factory.www.neilvessey.comsales@neilvessey.comTop Quality Storage TanksNeil Vessey (Storage Tanks) Ltd Flixborough Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire DN15 8SH072-074:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:45 Page 3FARM & COUNTRY LINK - EQUINEHorse owners must have shudderedsomewhat when the recent scandalregarding horsemeat in food broke.Certainly for many the idea of horsemeat is completely abhorrent, althoughof course it is more familiar elsewhere inEurope. It has certainly brought issues ofhorse welfare into sharp focus.As the British Horse Society points out,much of the horse meat produced in theUK doesn’t come from animals ethicallyraised specifically for the purpose, butfrom horses that are surplus torequirements – a direct result of Britain’sequine overpopulation problem.Unchecked indiscriminate breeding hasmeant that there are literally thousandsof horses without responsible andknowledgeable owners willing to care forthem. Frequently, these are the animalsthat end up at the abattoir and the BHSbelieves that tackling overpopulationshould be the focus. Indeed, the BHS hasbeen campaigning for a number of yearsto encourage horse owners to “ThinkBefore You Breed”.All horses, of course, should nowhave a passport which includes arecord of any medication the horse hasreceived over its lifetime. The intentionis that if a horse is ever considered forfood, the passport will make it clear if itsmeat is unfit for human consumptionand it won’t be used. The NationalEquine Database used to include arecord of each horse and its passport butthe withdrawal of funding means this nolonger exists, and it could be possible fora horse to have two passports to enableits records to be inaccurate.Of course, a horse’s final moments cancertainly be an emotional time and thewelfare of the animal has to be the toppriority. Yet when that time comes, theoptions can be limited. It’s usually notpossible to bury a horse (in many casesit isn’t permitted) so most turn to thehunt or horse cremation services. Thiswould certainly provide the dignity thathorse owners would desire – and wouldcertainly ensure it cannotbe used for anyother purpose.As the British Horse Society points out,the welfare of horses is a top priority andthinking before you embark on breedingwill ensure that there are enough caringand knowledgeable owners to givehorses a happy and healthy life.Look after your horseSpeedi-Beet from British Horse Feeds is a unique sugarbeet feed which can be soaked in warm or cold waterand ready to feed in just ten minutes. It will help horsesto regain condition without the need to over feedconcentrates, which can result in an over exuberanthorse. It is unmolassed 95% sugar free and therefore lesslikely to cause excitable behaviour in some horses. Thelow starch and sugar content also gives Speedi-Beetapproval from the Laminitis Trust.Available in 20kg bags, Speedi-Beet has a RRP ofaround £10.25 and for more information, visitwww.britishhorsefeeds.com – and we have three bagsto give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simplysend your name, address and telephone number toEquine Competition, Lincolnshire Today, ArmstrongHouse, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE or emailcompetitions@blmgroup.co.uk by Friday 29th March.Think beforeYOU BREEDThe recent horsemeat scandal has emphasised theimportance of welfare075:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:21 Page 176 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSThe recent food scare regardinghorsemeat has been a further reminderto everyone of the importance ofreaching the highest standards in theagricultural sector. As a huge contributorto the nation’s food and drinkproduction, Lincolnshire is certainly well-placed to benefit from the public’sunease with imported meat productsand could therefore enjoyunprecedented success in 2013.This is, however, an example of howthe farm and country business sector isvery much at the mercy of circumstancesbeyond its control. Few could havepredicted that 2012 would end up beingthe wettest year on record – especially assigns at the beginning of the year werepointing to drought – and thereforeseriously affecting the quantity andquality of the crops produced. Inaddition, the weather also cost the ruraleconomy more than £240 million after astring of countryside events – mostfamously The Great Yorkshire Show –were cancelled. It’s with fingers crossedthat many companies are lookingtowards the rest of 2013 in the hopethat the weather is substantially kinder.The sector does appear to be enjoyingmore confidence than in previous years.The latest CLA/Smiths Gore RuralEconomy Index shows that optimism fornon-agricultural rural businesses is up –with sales, profits, investment andemployment expected to be higher in2013. It’s not all good news, however.CLA President Harry Cotterell says,“The outlook from the REI is positive fornon-agricultural businesses. However,55% of rural businesses that use lendingreport that borrowing rates haveworsened, which of course could slowtheir economic recovery. In contrast,confidence and sales in the agriculturalsector are significantly down on the startof 2012 due to adverse weatherconditions.”So what’s the good news foragricultural businesses? From Januarythis year, the Annual InvestmentAllowance for plant and machinery hasbeen increased tenfold by theChancellor, from £25.000 to £250,000.This means farmers will be able to claim100% capital allowances against theirearnings on up to a quarter of a millionpounds of equipment a year, for thenext two years. This could kick-startinvestment in farm machinery,renewable energy projects and otherdiversification projects.As CLA East director Nicola Curriepoints out, though, this is not a panaceato all problems. She says, “It’s importantto avoid the temptation to allow taxationpolicy to dictate investment plans.Farmers need to carefully consider themachinery requirements of their businessover the next five to ten years, takinginto account the inevitable advances inprecision technology and continuedpressure to expand operations, togetherwith fluctuations in exchange rates.”Certainly for many farm andagricultural businesses, purchasing plantand machinery is of less importance thanfinding the talent to operate them.Many businesses report a huge problemin finding appropriately trained staff –declining numbers are entering theindustry, certainly not enough to coverthe churn of older workers retiring, andwork needs to be done to ensureexisting staff remain up to date with thechanges to the industry.To this end, the Department for Foodand Rural Affairs is to pump £490,000into a training programme – andsupported by industry match funding,the grant offers a possible a cash injectionGreen shoots of RECOVERYAgricultural businessesare looking ahead to therest of 2013 withcautious optimismCLA East director Nicola Currie says it’simportant to avoid the temptation to allowtaxation policy to dictate investment plans076-077:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:22 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77of over £700,000 for new skillstraining in crops. The money is to beused to ensure advanced technical skillsin crops including horticulture and thetree fruit sectors become farm-levelpractice. 25,000 hours of training formore than two thousand farmers andgrowers across England will be fundedbetween now and March next year. The training programme will be keptflexible to respond quickly to industrydemand and will include aprogramme of practical workshops andseminars featuring industry experts andtop scientists. Project leader Tess Howesays, “With increasing demands placedon resources, it’s vital farm businessesget all the latest knowledge they’reIt’s with fingerscrossed that manycompanies arelooking towards therest of 2013 in thehope that theweather issubstantially kindergoing to need to stay competitive in aglobal market.”Lincolnshire’s agricultural businesseshave proven themselves to be highlycompetitive in recent years – andschemes such as this can ensure theycontinue to excel.Sue Kitchen | Managing Partner23 Algitha Road, Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 2AGTel: 01754 766 991 |Fax: 01754 769 318skegness@hwca.com |www.hwca.com/skegnessWe provide high quality financial advice to local businesses and individuals. Being part of Haines Watts places us in a unique position - allowing us to offer our national range of services without losing the local personal attention to detail. Being in Skegness we are always close by to pop in and have a chat and help and advise you.We specialise in Accountancy, Book Keeping, Tax Planning, VAT and Financial Services.Corporate Finance Taxaon VAT I.T & Accountancy soware support Expenses Asset Finance076-077:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:22 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - SHOW GUIDEYOUʼLL REMEMBERDAYS LIKETHESE11 & 12 MAYSCHEDULES NOW AVAILABLET: 01636 705796E:show@newarkshowground.comLast year’s calendar was somewhattruncated by the appalling weather wesuffered during the summer. But, wheremany counties had to cancel theirsummer shows, Lincolnshire managed tostage more than its fair share. Visitors to the Lincolnshire Show wereblessed with glorious bright sunshine onday one while the next day wellingtonboots and waterproofs were de rigueur.But the dedication and determination ofthe organisers of many of thecountryside shows meant that, whateverthe weather, many went ahead.Inclement weather of a different kindalmost blighted the LAMMA Show at thestart of the year as the region wasblanketed with snow in the days leadingup to the event. However the gritterswere out in force and the show wentahead as planned, with around fortythousand people attending. Howeverthis was the last LAMMA Show to beheld at the Newark Showground, asnext year it’s planned to relocate toPeterborough, where traffic congestionwill be minimised and the organisers saythere will be more room for exhibitorsand visitors.The other major agricultural event ofthe year in our part of the world is theCereals event which takes place atBoothby Graffoe on 12th and 13th June.HSBC and Syngeta have both renewedtheir sponsorship deals with the showwhich illustrate its importance to thesector. Among the topics covered will bedriving business efficiencies, adoptingnew technologies, meeting customerdemands and adapting to CAP reform –as well as, of course, mitigating theeffects of the awful weather.As well as these events aimed atbusinesses, a number of popular eventsattended by the general public also playa major role in the agriculturalcommunity. For example, it’s estimatedthat for every pound spent at theLincolnshire Show, another £20 is spentGetting the showson the roadThe recent LAMMA Show kicked off a year of vibrant andinformative countryside events – and with fingers crossed for somebetter weather, there should be plenty going on throughout 2013BROCKLESBY ESTATEBrocklesby Park, Lincolnshire DN41 8PNwww.brocklesby.co.uk/country-fairSunday 23rd June 2013Join in & enjoy.BSLFU1MBDFt$PVOUSZ-JWJOH A)BWFB(P$PVOUSZ4QPSUT.BJOSJOHBUUSBDUJPOTJODMVEFBen Potter Falconry Everyone’s racing to BROCKLESBYCountryFAIRNew this year A5IF4UBNQFEF4UVOU$PNQBOZ1-64PVSXPSMEGBNPVT5FSSJFS3BDJOH078-079:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:24 Page 1businesses, tointroduce themselvesto potential clients.The shows are also avaluable shop windowand networkingopportunity for small,innovative businesses.As in previous years, youcan watch out for theLincolnshire Today team atmany of this year’s countrysideevents. Watch out too for ourspecial reports from these fantasticevents in future issues of the magazine,on www.lincolnshiretoday.net, and onFacebook and Twitter!LINCOLNSHIRETODAY79FARM & COUNTRY LINK - SHOW GUIDESunday 23rd June 2013The Showground, Elvaston,Near Derby - Showgroundopens at 8amTraditional Family CountyShow- not to be missed!For further information call 01332 793068or visit our website www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.ukRIPLEY SHOWRIPLEY CASTLE PARK HARROGATE - 11TH AUGUST 2013Horses, Pigs, Cattle, Sheep, Baking, Horticulture, Rare Breed Cattle, Gundog Retrieve,Sheep Dog Trials, Craft Marquee, Trade Stands.‘FALCONARY LIFE’ FLYING DISPLAYTHE SHEEP SHOW Schedules online from May or 5 Bank Parade, Otley, LS21 3DY Tel: 01943 466654Trade Standʼs - The Blacksmiths Arms, North Cowton, Northallerton, DL7 0ETTel: 01325 378310 or www.ripleyshow.co.ukReg. Charity No 225059Penistone Agricultural Society LtdSaturday 14th September 2013Schedule and entry forms will be available online from April at www.penistoneshow.org.ukEnquiries: Trade Mrs D Clegg 01484 606458A Good Family Day OutEmail: jackieclegg23@googlemail.comin the local economy, while thenumerous trade exhibitors and localcompanies get the opportunity todisplay their wares to a wide audience.The TV and radio crews that descend onthe event also help promote Lincolnshireto the wider world.The other countryside shows includingevents like the Brocklesby Fair include amassive presence by local businesses – asdo the Heckington Show and theRevesby Show. Most devote plenty ofspace to independent companiesoffering local produce, traditional andcontemporary crafts, homeware andmuch else besides. As well as proving apotentially lucrative opportunity for localAbove: LAMMA is moving to a new location for itsnext showRight: Lincolnshire Today will be present at many ofthis year’s eventsFor your diary4th May - Spalding Flower Festival11th and 12th May - Nottinghamshire County Show12th and 13th June - Cereals, Boothby Graffoe19th and 20th June - Lincolnshire Show23rd June - Brocklesby Country Fair23rd June - Derbyshire County Show6th and 7th July - Waddington Air Show9th to 11th July - Great Yorkshire Show27th and 28th July - Heckington Show4th August - Revesby Show7th and 8th August - Bakewell Show11th August - Ripley Show1st September - Wragby Show14th September - Penistone Show078-079:Layout 1 15/2/13 11:24 Page 2Next >