< Previousalk into the Bentley andwhat you’ll noticeimmediately is the welcomingair that meets you. Bothtraditional and modern looking, it strikesthat balance between grandiose comfortand modern style and that extends to therooms too.With a refurbishment in the past year,the hotel’s corridors carpets and roomshave all undergone a change, but it stillretains the charm of the Bentley’seffortless style. There’s now the option offour-poster beds in certain rooms,certainly something to investigate if youwant that step up in luxury.With a location perfect for a range offunctions, it’s a place that’s teeming withconferences and business customersduring the week, with bar meals availablefor those not wanting to make an eventof dinner and a restaurant offering a lacarte options for those that do!A recent change in the menu hasmeant that amazing dishes are availablenow including starter sharing platters andmain courses to die for. These includeking prawns in tempura batter andLincolnshire duck with hoi sin filo springrolls and much more besides.The Best WesternPlus Bentley HotelLeisure Club &Spa, LincolnWith a fantastic reputation and a forward-thinkingmanagement, The Bentley Hotel is one of Lincoln’sgems when it comes to the city’s hotel offerings. We paythem a visit to see what’s new.90 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYTHE BENTLEY HOTELW090-091:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:33 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY91THE BENTLEY HOTELClassic dishes retained from previousmenus include prime roasted lamb shank,surf and turf and chargrilled rib eye steak.For those who love a slab of steak inparticular, Friday nights are perfect, witha steak night taking place from 7pm.Costing just £12.95, it is already provingpopular and booking is advised in orderto get a table!Tying the knot in styleFor weddings, the advantage here isThe Best Western Plus Bentley Leisure Club & Spa is on Newark Road, South Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 9NH. To find out more or to book a table, call 01522 878000 or visit www.bentleyhotellincoln.co.ukthe fact that the whole process can takeplace under one roof from ceremony, toreception, to the party afterwards!Sitting with hotel director Michael Bestin the hotel’s cosy bar, he explains, “Thegreat thing about having your weddinghere is that it’s all self-contained. We havethe restaurant, bar, pool, leisure facilitiesand the beauty spa all in one place. “We often encourage brides-to-be tospend their last night of freedom herethe night before the big day. That waythey can have their hair done, relax inthe spa and have a few drinks knowingthey don’t have to go into town foranything, making the night before theirwedding a bit less stressful and morerelaxing!”We couldn’t agree more, the hotel is aluxurious delight. Whatever you are after,a meal with friends and family, a stay forthe Lincoln Christmas Market or thatwedding you’ve been dreaming about,it’s the place to be.090-091:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:33 Page 292 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYRENEWABLESwowheating.co.ukRENEWABLE ENERGYTEL:01472 882363Heating, hot water and cooling solutions“We truly believe heating your home shouldn’t - cost the earth”Lincolnshires award winning heating specialistsWhile the UK is by no means behindtechnologically when it comes torenewables, investment has been slow. Inthe last few years, however, a markedimprovement in awareness and thefinancial planning involved has meant keyprojects have taken off in a big way andin our county, the potential is huge.With our food prowess, Lincolnshire iswell placed to play its part. Anaerobicdigestion projects are springing up all overour part of the world.The government-sponsored WasteResources Action Programme, WRAP,recently announced that the hospitalityindustry faces an annual bill in excess of£2.5 billion for food waste and warnedthat this could top £3 billion by 2016unless action is taken. This equates toalmost 1.3 billion meals wasted annuallywith an average cost to each outlet of£10,000 each year. The report, one of the mostcomprehensive produced yet, revealedthat 920,000 tonnes of food is wastedeach year, with only 46% currently beingrecycled, sent for Anaerobic Digestion orcomposted, with an estimated cost to theindustry of £2800 per tonne. Perhaps thiswill signal the start of more anaerobicdigestion uptake across the county. WithLincolnshire’s rich farming heritage andThe UK is playing catch-up withthe rest of Europe when it comesto some aspects of renewableenergy, but the headway beingmade in Lincolnshire inparticular is incredible. So whatdoes the future hold for thecounty?Digestingthe facts092-094:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:54 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY93RENEWABLESInstallers of Renewable Energy Solutions for both Domestic and Commercial marketsContact us for a free consultation:01636 642 790 jlphillips.co.uk info@jlphillips.co.ukthe potential for food and animal waste facilities very prevalent,we’d vouch that these kind of facilities will become a commonsight across our county. Potential for BiomethaneDevelopments don’t stop there The Environment Agency, withsupport from WRAP, industry representatives including ADBA andfunding from LIFE +, has recently developed a Quality Protocol forBiomethane.The Quality Protocol sets out end of waste criteria for theproduction and use of biomethane arising from the degradation oforganic wastes in a landfill site or anaerobic digestion plant. The94 PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LORAKS092-094:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:54 Page 294 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYRENEWABLESQP enables the injection of the gas intothe grid or use in an appliance suitablydesigned and operated for natural gas,without the need for waste regulatorycontrols.EA Environment & Business ManagerRoger Hoare, says, “Biomethane to grid isan embryonic sector in the UK at present,with only a handful of trial projects inoperation. This is largely due to cost andregulatory barriers that exist, one ofwhich is the waste status of biogas fromlandfill and AD. This QP provides a routeto overcoming this barrier.” The QualityProtocol is applicable immediately inEngland and Wales, and is available todownload from the ADBA website.Matt Hindle, Policy Manager of theAnaerobic Digestion and BiogasAssociation, says, “Biomethane has hugepotential as a form of renewable energywhich can decarbonise hard-to-reachPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/G215areas such as industrial processes, heatingand road transport. The Quality Protocolwill help developers and operators bygiving greater certainty around wastecontrols, so ADBA welcomes itspublication. On behalf of the industry wewould also to thank the EnvironmentAgency and all the other bodies involvedin developing the QP for their work.”It seems there’s an air of optimismpervading the renewables sphere andwe’re glad to be a part of it. What is tofollow is uncertain, but the prevalence ofdealing with food waste in particular isset to take centre stage in Lincolnshire foryears to come.092-094:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:54 Page 3WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETFarm&CountryFarmingnewsFarmManagementFarmMachineryCountyShowsEquineFarmingnewsFarmManagementFarmMachineryCountyShowsEquineFarm&CountryWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETLinkLinkPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/CHRISTOPHER ELWELLForfarmersthrough thecounty095:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:12 Page 1New look hallproposed forGreat YorkshireShowgroundThe Great Yorkshire Showground is poised to enter a new eraas owners the Yorkshire Agricultural Society unveil plans toreplace its original exhibition hall, Hall 1.The Society is applying for planning permission to replace theoriginal hall with a more modern and visually pleasing building,so it can continue to use this for its own events and all theother events that come to the Showground. The £10 millionproject will be the largest ever undertaken by the Society.The Great Yorkshire Showground has 5372 sq m of lettableevent space in the current Hall 1 and adjacent Hall 2 which, ifthe application is approved, would increase to 6270 sq m. Theproposed new Hall would comprise 4320 sq m compared withexisting building which is 3422 sq m. An independent surveylast year by Genecon revealed that the Showground adds £47million per annum to the local economy.Heather Parry, Deputy Chief Executive, says, “Hall 1 wasoriginally constructed in the sixties and expected to last fortwenty years so it has been a good Yorkshire investment!Today’s visitors expect higher standards and better facilitiesthan those of fifty years ago so we are adding a large foyerarea, a café and improved toilet facilities.”96 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSurvey finds contract farmingincomes slipped last yearIncome from contract farming fell 10% lastyear, but the results could have been worseafter an extended period of cold and wetweather. That’s the key finding of an annualsurvey of agricultural businesses carried outby Duncan & Toplis.Coupled with an increase in most costs,the profits earned by contract farmers fellfrom £94 per acre to £69 per acre – a dropof 26%. There was an increase in labour,depreciation and repairs costs but a smalldecrease in fuel costs as the price of dieselprice fell from its record levels in 2012.Mark Chatterton, a Partner at Duncan andToplis who specialises in agricultural work,says, “The results of our survey were not asbad as some people were expecting after the appalling weatherfarmers have experienced. Prolonged cold and wet conditions led tothe failure of some winter crops and an increase in spring cropping,which in turn mean a lower gross margin achieved.”“However, results from dairy and beef farmers did improve during2013. Profits range from £200 down to £10 per acre for similar sizes,enterprises and land type. We find that it is often management skillthat is the key ingredient for generating higher profits.”FARM & COUNTRY LINK - NEWSNFU preserves anonymitywith online reporting schemeA newscheme hasbeenlaunchedwhich willallow farmersand growersto makeanonymousreports of retailers suspected of breaching the Groceries SupplyCode of Practice.Members of the National Farmers’ Union can provideinformation and evidence through the union using a simple onlineform, protecting their anonymity when disclosing information toGroceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon, pictured. NFU head of food and farming Phil Hudson says, “NFUmembers have been telling us for some time that breaches ofthe GSCOP code continue to take place, which is why welobbied so hard for the introduction of an adjudicator. “Christine Tacon’s appointment last year opens up theopportunity to raise our concerns and complaints through anindependent adjudicator who is able to carry out investigationsand apply sanctions to offending retailers. With this new onlineform, NFU members are now able to submit their evidenceanonymously through their representative body.”096-097:Layout 1 16/5/14 14:20 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY97FARM & COUNTRY LINK - NEWSFailure to consultfarmers over HS2 isserious oversight, says NFUConsultation on Phase Two of the HS2 high-speed rail project has failed toconsider the fundamental question of whether farming businesses will besustainable through the disruption and uncertainty caused by itsconstruction, says the NFU.After the NFU submitted its evidence to the latest part of the consultationover the project, Head of Policy Dr Andrew Clark says big question marks stillremained about the cost-effectiveness of the project and the benefits it wouldbring.He says, “We are worried that there has been a distinct lack of engagementwith farmers and landowners who will be directly affected by the proposedroute. HS2 must carry out far more one-to-one meetings to gain informationabout the likely impact before any final decision can be made on the route.“Not consulting with key landowners and farmers who will be affected, because theirland will be compulsorily acquired, is a serious oversight. It is vital that no more landthan is absolutely necessary is taken away from farmers to construct this lineand that the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land is keptto an absolute minimum.”Major interest as life onthe farm gets uploaded toTwitterThe UK’s farmers have taken to Twitter with a newaccount that’s proving popular inside and outside theagricultural community.@FarmersOfTheUK features the life of a different farmerevery week. The account was started back in January andhas already accumulated a following of nearly six thousand,reports the National Farmers’ Union.It was the brainchild of social media expert and@AgrichatUK host Simon Haley, who says, “I set up theaccount at the start of the year as I wanted more of thepublic to see the wide variety of challenges within farmingand the types of things that happen on a daily basis. Theresponse from both those within the farming communityon Twitter and from consumers has been amazing. I havealready booked up every week on the account with adifferent farmer for the rest of the year.“This is fantastic as it shows farmers are realising what agreat platform it is to not only promote the industry butalso to showcase their business.”Enjoy the best of LincolnshireYou could be treated like an A-lister when you visit the Lincolnshire Show thissummer, as a member of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Members enjoy VIPtreatment including Pimm’s on the lawn, priority parking, exclusiveentertainment and discounts throughout the Showground.By supporting the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, members are supportingthe historic Lincolnshire Show and its work with schools around the county toeducate students about food, farming and renewable energy. As well as theadvantages during Show days, there are many other benefits for members toenjoy throughout the year at the Showground.Karen Shead, marketing director at Bishop Burton College, says, “BishopBurton College is pleased to support the Lincolnshire Agriculture Society and toencourage students to consider the benefits that come with membership. TheLincolnshire Show is one of the highlights of the county’s farming calendar andwe welcome the opportunity for our students to be actively involved in theevent.”PHOTO: WWW.KAMARAPHOTO.COM096-097:Layout 1 16/5/14 14:20 Page 298 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINK - FARM MACHINERYDespite using techniques that dateback through generations, the agriculturesector has always benefitted from theintroduction of new technology andmachinery. It’s unsurprising as farms arenow often required by their customers towork faster and more efficiently than everbefore, as well as ensuring they meettough legislation regarding health andsafety.Much of the latest machinery will beexhibited this month at the CerealsEvent. Though the event has moved fromLincolnshire this year, to ruralCambridgeshire, many local farmers willbe attending the arable industry’s majortechnical event to review the innovationthat is illuminating the sector.Indeed, one of the main attractions atthe event, held at Chrisall Grange atDuxford on 11th and 12th June, will bethe International MachineryManufacturers’ Awards. Supported by theAEA, The Institution of AgriculturalEngineers and The Royal AgriculturalUniversity, they are open to any companythat sells farm machinery in the UK,wherever the kit was made, with specialawards for cultivations equipment,harvest machinery, sprayers and tractors.Cultivation equipment can range fromploughs to power harrows, or from rollersto strip-till drills, while harvest machinerycan include anything from combines tochaser bins, or trailers to grain dryers.Sprayers can be mounted, trailed or self-propelled, or any equipment related tothem such as nozzles, bowsers and nursetanks. The lucky winners will be ondisplay at the site during the event andare bound to attract a lot of attention.Of all these sectors, sprayers areperhaps the most interesting, and indeedat the event, over forty exhibitors willshow the latest developments in thespecialist Sprays & Sprayers feature, whilefifty of the latest self-propelled, mountedand trailed machines can be seenrunning in the Sprays & Sprayers Arena,in association with Syngenta.Ben Magri, Syngenta’s applicationspecialist, says as well as new machines,there is a mass of innovation designed toimprove spraying results. He says,“Comfort, ease, efficiency and accuracyare just some of the watchwords.Automated record keeping using thesprayer’s computer is moving on apace,and look out for improved quality ofsprayer cabs and rinsing systems onsprayers. Variable rate application is nowtaking off, so it is well worth looking outfor features which facilitate this.”Among the new sprayers that will beon display at the event is Amazone’sPantera 4502 self-propelled sprayer,which will be seen for the first time. Itoffers increased output and drivercomfort with Category IV cab filtration tokeep even aerosol-sized particles out ofthe cab. A larger 4800 litre tank and thenew 218hp, emissions-friendly Deutzengine offer increased performance. Itoffers self-steering, and cleaning, filling,washing and mixing is simplified orautomated using electronics. Datatransfer for documentation, fieldboundaries and variable rate applicationis via ISO-XML files to a USB stick.John Deere’s new mid-specification M-Where speedmeets securityFarm machinery is now allowing farm production to move faster,and more effectively, than ever before and Lincolnshire is famedfor its innovation in this area…098-100:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:43 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY99FARM & COUNTRY LINK - FARM MACHINERYSeries trailed sprayer range will also bemaking its working debut in the arena.M700 sprayers have 2400, 3200 or 4000-litre tanks, and are equipped with a triple-folding 30m boom, to match 6m seeders ordrills. The larger M900 sprayers share manyfeatures with the existing R900i trailedmachines, including high-capacity fillingperformance using the PowrFill chemicalinductor, 5200 or 6200-litre tank capacitiesand steel booms from 24m to 40m.Nozzle technology is also making adifference, and Pentair Hypro is showing itsnew pneumatic twin-valve nozzle body to fitnew crop sprayers. Called Duo React, thesystem combines a single outlet and a four-way turret in one compact unit, allowingeasy in-cab nozzle switching for differentspray characteristics or application rates.This, says the company, provides thesimplicity of a single sprayline with theversatility of twin spraylines. In addition,several manufacturers will have sprayersfitted with the system.These examples of innovation illustrate thefast-moving nature of the industry but thechallenge for many farmers and agriculturalbusinesses is to be able to afford them.This year’s Budget was at least of someassistance as the rate of the AnnualInvestment Allowance was double to£500,000 and extended until 2016 –some good news, although many in theindustry consider the extension less thanwelcome when it could have been madepermanent to allow for more effective longPHOTOS: CEREALS EVENT100 For manyfarms it looks as ifsome short term pain,in terms of investmentin new technology, willbe required to enjoythe long termbenefitsSCUNTHORPE LAWNMOWERS187 Cottage Beck Road ScuntorpeTel 01724 866581 www.scunthorpelawnmowers.co.ukWe have the tools to tackleSUMMERSUMMERSUMMERSUMMERSUMMERStihllHondalStigaCountaxlMountfieldlAtcolBoschlAlkolLawnflitelHayterlToroNew extended showroom openAll models at Discounted Prices098-100:Layout 1 16/5/14 13:43 Page 2Next >