< Previous90 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - NEWSTaking food and farming into theclassroomFarming expertsand teachersswapped notes aspart of aninitiative aimed atensuring today’sschoolchildren arefully aware of thekey role thatagriculture playsin putting foodonto their plates.The Lincolnshire & Rutland Education Business Partnership brought peoplefrom different walks of life together at its Embedding Food and Farming intothe Curriculum event at the Lincolnshire Showground. Everyone claimed it was a real success and said that it should result in somefantastic entries in the Lincolnshire Show Schools’ Challenge, which will offera mix of 35 secondary, primary and special schools the chance to fight it outfor the title of Schools’ Challenge Champions. Lincolnshire Showground chairman Charles Welby says, “We have a keyrole to play in helping young people to understand where their food comesfrom. In addition to hosting the Challenge, we offer grants to enable schoolsto visit farms within Lincolnshire. We also give grants to schools which aretrying to start a school garden. Anyone interested in these should contact meat the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society.”Rural drivers‘ripped off’ byfuel pricesMotorists living in ruralLincolnshire are struggling tocope with the rising cost offuel, but have no choice but tocontinue driving becausecountryside public transport isso lacking, the CLA hasclaimed.CLA assistant regionaldirector Tim Isaac says, “Ruraldwellers are being ripped off by huge fuel costs, but because of a lack ofpublic transport in many rural areas of Lincolnshire, farmers, otherbusinesspeople and individuals have no alternative.”Tim also points out that although many rural residents own 4x4s as amatter of necessity, they are still taxed over and above what most otherdrivers pay.Thousand acres offarm land to let atSotbyOver a thousand acres of predominantlyGrade 2 land is available to rent withSavills.Sotby Farm has been owned by theLawson family for over twenty years, whowere previously tenants of the Mercantile &General Reinsurance Company. Mr and MrsLawson are now looking to concentrate onother business opportunities and areseeking to engage tenants to take on thefive year agreement starting after the 2012harvest.The farm totals approximately 1021 acresand is being lotted in three lots, ring fencedwith lot sizes ranging from Lot 1 at 207acres to Lot 3 of 481 acres. It’s proposedthat Lot 3 is available to include 1100tonnes of grain storage and general purposestorage.Johnny Dudgeon, Head of Savills Lincolnoffice, says, “This is a cracking opportunityto rent a significant holding in one block.Given the size of the farm, flexibility of thelotting and availability of irrigation meanswe anticipate sound interest both locallyand nationally.”90-91:Layout 1 11/5/12 10:17 Page 1Free advice on growing your ownvegA nationally successful programme, driven by leading national charityGarden Organic, alongside North Kesteven District Council, is offeringresidents the opportunity of twelve months free support and advice infood growing.If you have thought about growing your own food but don’t knowwhere to begin, or if you have tried and failed, then contact your localMaster Gardener. This popular service is open to individuals, couples,families and community groups, subject to availability of MasterGardeners and location, to help fledgling food-growers off the ground.Every effort is made to match a household or group to a Master Gardenerwith suitable experience.If you would like to find out more about the service they provide, theadvice they offer and how to register, visitwww.lincolnshire.mastergardeners.org.uk or contact Rick Aron on 07584474779.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY91FARM & COUNTRY LINK - NEWSHealthy number of visitorsexpected at Cereals EventThe Cereals Event returns to Boothby Graffoe inLincolnshire this summer as the organisers look to buildon the success of last year’s event. Cereals 2012 is set tobe an even bigger draw than last year, when a record27,000 visitors flooded through the gates to catch thelatest technical and business advice.Event director Jon Day says, “Grain prices may not be quite as high as last year but they remainstrong, helped in no short measure by the lack of rainfall in the UK and across Europe. However,coaxing more yield from crops to make the most of those prices in this drier environment whilstcontrolling costs is a real challenge. And it is something that more UK growers may have to face ifthese long, droughty spells become more common.“Whether you are looking for the latest varieties, the most up-to-date advice on blackgrass control or how to minimiseestablishment costs, the answers will all be found at Cereals 2012.”Over 470 exhibitors will attend the event on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th June, turning the 64ha site into an unparalleledcollection of arable expertise. Visitors qualify for 2 NRoSO points and 4 BASIS points for attending either day, plus there are otheropportunities within the event to earn extra points. To book tickets, visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk.Work starts on Co-op’s‘Farm to Fork’ projectAn award-winning outdoor learning experience,called “From Farm to Fork”, is to be launched inLouth. Work is underway on the project, which willbe run by The Co-operative Farms in partnershipwith Lincolnshire Co-operative, following aninvestment of £60,000.From Farm to Fork is an award-winning initiativeaimed at schoolchildren to give them a greaterappreciation of the outdoors and an understandingof farming, both in supplying food and protectingwildlife within its natural habitat.Louth-based M&M Grantham BuildingContractors have started clearing the ground for aclassroom, kitchen and an outside learning area atThe Co-operative Farms’ Louth Park Farms, whichwill run the From Farm to Fork project. Visitingchildren will get hands-on experience in makinghealthy foods from scratch, such as vegetable soupand muesli, as well as growing their own crops inthe garden space.Ian Watson, Manager at Louth Park Farms, says,“This is an exciting scheme which aims to inspirechildren to get passionate about food and farming,help them make healthier life choices and give theman understanding of food and where it comes from.It will not only give children an experience of thegreat outdoors, but it will also provide a significantinvestment in the Louth area and create two newjobs.”90-91:Layout 1 11/5/12 10:17 Page 2The new planning rules should make developing farmland much easier92 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - FARM MANAGEMENTDespite notoriously poor economic conditions, thereremains potential for agricultural businesses in Lincolnshireto prosper. Indeed, Stephen Hall of Savills Lincoln suggests,“While alternative investments underperform, UK landremains resilient with a total income from UK farmingalready more than double what it was at the beginning of thecentury.”Indeed, the recent Agricultural Land Market Survey showshow the average value of grade 3 arable land in Englandincreased by 7.3% to just under £6,000 per acre in 2011.However, the price paid for farmland varied significantly lastyear, with values of over £8,500 per acre in England achieved.The potential for further growth in 2012 will doubtless beaffected by the new National Planning Policy Framework,which has been greeted with a tentative thumbs up by theagricultural community.One of the most important aspects, considering thegrowing importance of the sector for our part of the world isthe new simplified planning system that allows on-farmrenewable projects to be built without planning permission.This will help farmers find alternative sources of income fromfarm and forestry waste products.Nicola Currie, regional director of rural affairs body theCountry Land and Business Association, says, “This isfantastic news for the rural economy. The CLA has lobbiedfor permitted development rights for five years so that landmanagers can use farm and forestry buildings to houseforestry biomass burners, on-farm anaerobic digesters andhydro turbines without applying for complex and costlyplanning permission. The Government has encouragedfarmers to diversify since 2007. It has now removed thebarriers of planning permissions and has delivered a greenpolicy that really benefits the rural economy.”There are other benefits of the new policy. Many in ourregion have long lobbied for a boost in rural housing, andthe new framework which should allow more property to bebuilt on the edge of villages. It should also make it easier forthose involved with farming as their livelihood to buildretirement dwellings.With strategic land values rising in medium and long termdevelopment locations, the new planning rules should makeit much easier for farm owners to diversify without having towork through the long-winded planning process. Withrenewable energy offering huge potential in Lincolnshire, theability to move fast will be highly valuable.New frontiersin farmingThe Fenmore Estate at NorthKyme, South Kyme andSwineshead Bridge sold for farmore than its guide price of£10.275 million – testament tothe huge interest in farmlandThe new planning rules should make developing farmland much easierNew frontiersin farmingS•M•RANBY AGRICULTURE• Hay & Straw Bailing• Stubble to stubble contracts• Combining• Straw Laying• All aspects of farm workundertakenSM Ranby AgriculturePear Tree Farmhouse, Marsh Lane, Saunby, RetfordNotts DN22 9ESTel/Fax: 01427 848170 Mobile: 07860 496250092:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:48 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY93FARM & COUNTRY LINK - FARM MANAGEMENTSue 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 FinanceDespite the changes to some stagingdates, the Government is pushingahead with compulsory autoenrolment of employees into aworkplace pension, with significantresponsibilities falling on employers.We here consider the implications ofthis for you and your business.First employers will have to choose apension scheme. This could be anexisting scheme, a NationalEmployment Savings Trust (NEST) orone set up with a pension provide.There will be information availablefrom The Pensions Regulator later thisyear, to help companies make thedecision, but the Regulator’s role is toinform only, not to advise whichoption is best for your firm.Employers will need to assess theirworkforce to see what their duties willbe in relation to each of their workers,and provide employees withinformation, in writing, specific totheir circumstances about how thechange will affect them. Any employee’s decision to opt outof a scheme should be taken freely andwithout influence by their employerand you may be asked to demonstratethis. Workplace pension reform canseem a confusing subject, and thegovernment policy is that employers“should not need advice.” The reformsmay require a dedicated manager todeal with the initial obligations andthen ensure the duty to provide theright information to the rightindividual at the right time is fulfilled. For those employers who feel thattheir time is better spent running acompany rather than researchingpensions, the pension changes allowan Independent Financial Advisor (IFA)to provide information remains withthe employer, an IFA can advise on thebest pension scheme for your firm, andanswer your employee’s questions,avoiding any potential conflict ofinterest regarding opting out. Towards agolden nest eggSo the Government’s media campaign around autoenrolment has started, and the message is“workplace pension reform is coming.”093:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:49 Page 194 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYNRH EngineeringManufacturer of High QualityAgricultural MachineryWe are manufacturers of the NRH rangeof British built agricultural farm machineryWe now also carry out general fabrication and manufacture bespoke machineryVisit us at www.nrh-engineering.co.ukWhatever your requirements, call us, we will be happy to help...Call us now on 01759 318 775 Come and see us at The Airfield, Seaton Ross, York YO42 4NFPLANT HIRE SPECIALISTEARTHWORKS AND DEMOLITION CONTRACTORSHAULAGE AND TIPPING FACILITIESCIVIL ENGINEERSAGGREGATE AND RECYCLED MATERIAL SUPPLIERSWASTE MANAGEMENTSKIP HIREBRIANPLANT (HUMBERSIDE) LTDEstate Road No. 2, South Humberside Ind. Est.,Grimsby, N. E. Lincolnshire DN31 2TGTelephone: (01472) 341499(24hours) Fax: (01472) 268406www.brianplant.comPAGE AGRICULTURALCote House, Susworth, Scunthorpe DN17 3ATT: 01724 783440 M: 07889 902420New & Secondhand MachineryPAGE AGRICULTURALTel: 07889 902420RC. HASARDPORTACABINCaistorA.R.N SERVICINGFEED SILOSKirton Lindsey07850 085533094:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:50 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY95FARM & COUNTRY LINK - FARM MACHINERYThe move towards innovation in thefarm machinery sector comes at a timewhen rising petrol prices are eatinginto farming budgets to a huge extent.Certainly the recent fuel panicreminds us of how much we rely on it,and why we need to look at moreadvanced ways of farming – which hasled to the recent launch of EARN, theEuro Agri Robotics Network. The newnetwork is attempting to discover newways to introduce automation intoagriculture, as previous experimentshave often led to robots too slow, tooexpensive and too fragile for theheavy-duty work they’re expected tocarry out.Professor Simon Blackmore, head ofEngineering at Harper AdamsUniversity College, is heading up thenew Network, and he says, “Untilnow, the routine deployment ofrobotics has been confined to a smallnumber of specific tasks, such asmilking, feed distribution and farmcleaning. Now we’re re-evaluating thewhole approach to agriculture. At themoment, crops are drilled in straightrows to suit machines, but what ifthey were drilled to follow thecontours of the land, or to takeaccount of the micro levelenvironmental conditions within aportion of a field? The potential boostto production we could generate ifharvests were staggered to suit thecrop rather than mechanisation isimmense.”At the recent European RoboticsForum, one of the most popularexhibits was the Crop Scout, amonitoring platform capable ofmeasuring crops and checking fordisease. At the moment, farmers spraytheir crops regardless of whether pestsor disease are present, but the RoboticSprayer in the Crop Scout treats onlythe small area affected by disease orpests – thus cutting down the amountof spray being used by up to 98%.Robots can also be of great benefitelsewhere, such as for tractoroperations. The new lightweightrobots being developed move on wide,low pressure tyres and only cultivatethe minimum volume of soil to createthe required seed environment. Seedswill be precisely placed according tosoil moisture levels and routes will beplanned via Google Earth. It’sestimated that about 90% ofcultivation energy is actuallyexpended on repairing damage causedby tractors so the much lighter robotscould save a lot of time, money andeffort.These advances in robots may seembeyond the reach of the average farmin Lincolnshire at the moment butwith development progressing swiftly,it surely won’t be long before we seethe technology become commonplaceacross the sector.The recent LAMMA show allowed the industry toreview the latest innovations in machineryInnovation countsFresh thinking in automation could have a huge impact on the efficiency of our region’s farms095:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:50 Page 196 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - LOCAL PRODUCEAs well as the staples of Lincolnshirefood, the Lincolnshire sausage, thepork pie, the plumbread and the rangeof cheese produced in the county, wehave some of the best places to eat inthe country. Every other village seemsto have some form of eaterie, from thetraditional pub lunch to more unusualtastes. As soon as you think you’vetried everything, something new popsup. With international chefs makingthe county their home, it’s no surpriseto find just about everything ispossible to try.Recent trends for organic and localproduce have meant that Lincolnshiregrowers have stepped in to themarketplace with a new sense ofpurpose. More than that, specific foodmarkets seem to have taken off withsome force.Caistor now holds regular markets,offering the best in local food anddrink. This not only offers foodiessomething new to devour, but alsogives producers a direct, face-to-faceopportunity of contact with thebuying public. Fresh fruit andvegetables, having not travelled veryfar at all, taste that little bit betterfrom local producers. We could all dowith a bit more fruit and vegetables inour diets and these events are a greatreason to add to your pantry. range oflocally-produced cakes, preserves, jamsand bespoke ingredients are alwaysavailable too, so delving into artisanfood fairs is always worth it.Learning to be adventurous withfood and drink is also important whenit comes to cooking. Why not lookinto buying locally-sourced vegetablesa bit more and looking down a moreunusual route? Purple-headedsprouting broccoli is a local specialityand goes incredibly well with fishdishes, which is also becoming a morepopular dish these days as healthbenefits of foods rich in omega 3 fattyacids gains precedence. Kale is also grown on a vast scale inthe county, so why not look intocabbage’s much-maligned cousin?Excellent cooked as part of a Sundaylunch, it can also add some much-needed greenery to a curry, stir-fry orThai dish, it has a sharp, but organictaste and is rich in anti-oxidants.Often a great alternative to spinach orcabbage, it is also packed with iron aswell as flavour. Locally grown herbsand spices can always add to yourmeals too. Why not add some freshrosemary to your lamb dinners or addchopped, fresh chives to more spicydishes?Speaking of meat, for those who liketheirs locally-sourced and of thehighest quality, your local butchershould have an excellent selection ofcuts. Lincolnshire has managed tohold on to a respectable and enviableLINCOLNSHIREis delicious!Our county is packedwith local produce thatis both a product of ourgreat farming heritageand the talented chefswho work here, so whynot stay local for food?096-097:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:51 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY97FARM & COUNTRY LINK - LOCAL PRODUCEamount of good local butchers, whose knowledge will have beenpassed down through generations. Queues outside on a morningare always a good indicator of a top quality butcher, but the proofis always in the tasting. Enquire as to what your butcher considerstheir speciality, they could produce their own line of sausages orcure bacon in a particular way. Supporting your local food producers is always worth it as youcan find some excellent hidden gems. That’s not forgetting, ofcourse the county’s reputation for traditional fish and chips.Whether from a coastal resort such as Skegness or Cleethorpes, orone of the many more inland chippies supplied by the likes ofGrimsby, the taste just isn’t the same elsewhere, and that’s a fact.Of course, there is plenty on offer all over the county, but whatabout growing your own? Land is in abundance in this area, andwhether its a patch of your lawn or an allotment, it could be theperfect time to grow your own. With some seeds, some enthusiasmand a bit of hard work, you could be selling your wares at the nextfarmer’s market, or at least enjoying the fruits of your labour whenit comes to cooking meals at home. Lincolnshire is also blessedwith a broad range of nurseries and garden centres, so next timeyou find yourself driving past one, pull in and get inspired, startsmall and build from there, you’ll be glad you did.Marron Liqueur'sPersonalisedGiftsIdeal for theJubileeMarron Liqueur's is a small family business based in Lincolnshireproducing unique fruit, floral and chocolate liqueursbottled with personalised labelsfor that special giftfor all occasions. Select your label, write your special message.Visit our on-line shopfor gift ideas and product detailswww.marronliqueurs.co.ukor call Margaret or Ron for that personal serviceTel: 01673 818478A. R. ThompsonButchersPelham Road, Immingham, Top Town Market Stall D5• Consistent quality assured• Free range meat and poultry• Homemade cakes • Homemade pies• View or meat packs on offer• Serving community for 30 yearsTelephone:01469 572806096-097:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:51 Page 2Find us here atfacebook.com/elsfalcycleswww.elsfalcycles.co.ukLong JumpDown Hill Jump98 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - OUTDOOR PURSUITSLincolnshire has an array ofdiverse activities to tickle the fancyof readers young, old orsomewhere inbetween…OK, so spring was a bit of a washout – though the torrentialdownpours weren’t enough to reverse the effects of theexceptionally dry months before. But, with fingers crossed, weshould be able to look forward to a very pleasant summer,and the chance to explore all the county has to offer.Such is the size of Lincolnshire that there’s bound to besomewhere you’ve yet to discover, and throughout the countya host of new initiatives are making it easier than ever to getup close and personal with the great outdoors. One of themost obvious is the new Lindsey Trial, a 69 mile circular routethat goes through the Lincolnshire Wolds Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty. The actual route is fairly familiarand most of the quiet lanes and paths it travels down havelong been in existence, but what is new is the idea ofsignposting and highlighting the route to make it easier forcyclists, walkers and riders to find their way around.Likely to particularly benefit are riders, and indeed localcarriage drivers have been hugely involved in the creation anddevelopment of the route. They’ve been assisted by theForestry Commission’s permission to allow more than twoand a half miles of forest tracks through Willingham Woodsto be part of the route.A real opportunity to look closer at the county comes withthe Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival, which should just begetting underway at the time you read this. The Festival,which takes place for the eighth time this year, benefits fromthe extra Jubilee holiday and will offer walks to suit all agesand abilities between 26th May and 10th June.It all kicks off at Gunby Hall on Saturday 26th May with afun day including craft stalls, nature trails, tours of thegardens and, of course, a walk to the Hall itself, while otherwalks include a trip to the Ramblers’ Church in Walesbyincluding a service on Sunday 3rd June, and the lighting of abeacon to mark the Jubilee on the Scrivelsby Estate onMonday 4th June. A host of other walks are also planned andmany businesses on the route will be taking part with specialThe great outdoorsThe great outdoors098-099:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:53 Page 1offers and events.The Festival comes to an end onSunday 10th June in Caistor, a townthat has just been awarded “Walkers areWelcome” status. The scheme pointsout that it’s a particularly great placefor visitors to come to enjoy theoutdoors, and helps to ensure footpathsand facilities for walkers are maintainedin good condition, benefiting local people as well as visitors.It also allows communities to benefit from the regularnetworking opportunities with other Walkers are Welcometowns, which includes Market Rasen, when experiences areshared informally and new ideas discussed.If you want something a bit more active, there’s somethingfor you in Lincolnshire as well. Indeed, with the OlympicGames on the horizon, it’s no surprise there’s plenty ofactivities in the pipeline. Much of this has been helped by theSportivate initiative that was created by Sport England tomeet the challenge Lord Coe set when London was handedthe Games to get as many of those aged between fourteen and25 not currently playing sport to take one up. LincolnshireSports Partnership is running Sportivate in all seven districtsof the county, including rowing in Boston, dance in Lincoln,climbing in North Kesteven, badminton in East Lindsey,swimming in South Holland, cricket in West Lindsey andsquash in South Kesteven and, since the initiative began lastJuly, some two thousand young people have taken part in thesessions.This is an addition to a host of other events, including theseries of Shots Days run by the British Association forShooting and Conservation, in association with LincolnshireActive Community Network. The most recent was held atLINCOLNSHIRETODAY99FARM & COUNTRY LINK - OUTDOOR PURSUITSSoutherton GunsREGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER, HUM 165SECTION 5 REGISTERED DEALER, 2011-17-41-11Stockists of:shotguns, rifles, air rifles, air pistols, BB pistols, ammunition, cartridges,pellets, reloading accessories, clothing,gun transfers and small gun repairs1b Station Road, Habrough, Nr ImminghamNorth East Lincolnshire DN40 3APwww.southertonguns.comTel:07957 279021 or 01469 575758PLASKETTSCONDORSUPPLIESCONDOR SUPPLIES / PLASKETTS10 ROBERT STREET, SCUNTHORPE DN15 6LUTEL / FAX : 01724 (874941)E: PLASKETTS2000@HOTMAIL.CO.UKWWW.CONDORSUPPLIESPLASKETTS.CO.UKOUR SHOP IS BASED IN SCUNTHORPE JUST OFF THE HIGH STREET IN THE TOWN CENTRE. WE SELL OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT: COATS, HATS, HOODIES, BOOTS (WALKING, STEEL TOE CAPPED,PATROL), WELLINGTON BOOTS AND CAMPING ACCESSORIES. WE ALSO SELL ARMY SURPLUS CLOTHING, WORK WEAR, KIDSCLOTHING, WATERPROOFS (JACKETS AND TROUSERS), WEB-TEX, JACK PYKE, AND MUCH MUCH MORE. FEEL FREE TO BROWSE OUR SITE OR POP IN STORE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF EXACTLY WHAT WE DO SELL. !Riseholme College and gave those attending the chance totry fly fishing, archery and clay shooting, as well as othercountryside activities, while Lincolnshire Police also gaveadvice on the legal side of the sport. Further events areplanned, including a special ladies’ day on Thursday 12thJuly and a kids’ day in September.These events illustrate the huge range of activities thatoffer excitement outdoors in Lincolnshire this summer –and, of course, there’s nothing to stop you exploring thecounty under your own steam.Events such as the Shots Daysorganised by BASC help connectpeople with outdoor activities098-099:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:53 Page 2Next >