< PreviousLincolnshire digital sectorworth £779 millionAccording to research commissioned by the BusinessLincolnshire Growth Hub, Lincolnshire has a new emergingindustry, and one worth £779 million. This industry is thedigital one, and includes services such as telecommunications,digital marketing, software and app development, gamingproducts, healthcare, education and aerospace technology.Over 16,000 Lincolnshire residents are employed in a digital role – 7045 withinthe digital sector itself. Employment in the digital tech sector appears to bemost highly concentrated in the Greater Lincoln area and along the A1 corridorto the south west of the county.Daniel Westlake, Managing Director of Cursor and founder of Digital Lincoln,says; “The digital sector here in Lincolnshire is growing both in value and thenumbers of jobs. Although it’s clearly early days, the growth of digital businesseshere is outstripping many other regions – a fact made more remarkableconsidering Lincolnshire’s large are and low population density.”90 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEastwoodAccounting ServicesBook-keeping •Accounting •VAT •Income Tax •Corporation TaxRing David for a more personal, professional approachwww.eastwoodaccounting.co.uk l david@eastwoodaccounting.co.ukPhone/Fax: 01472 276036Lincolnshire Co-op enjoys stellarfirst halfStrong performances by foodstores and travel branches havehelped Lincolnshire Co-op record a4.2% sales growth in its half yearresults.Total sales went up by £6.2million to £153 million in the halfyear to March 4th 2017 compared to the same period last year.Sales rose in food stores by 7%, helped by a busy investmentprogramme which has seen outlets revamped, new food ranges introducedwith more focus on chilled products and meal solutions, plus new serviceslike Costa Coffee machines, in-store bakeries and hot food-to-go.World events and uncertainties about restrictions on holiday destinationsmeant travellers sought the expert, independent advice and financial peaceof mind that Lincolnshire Co-op’s 13 travel branches provide. Sales went upby 14%.Multi-million Lincoln tech complexattracting high-flyersNine weeks after opening itsdoors, a £6.8 million tech complexis Lincoln is already more than athird let.The Boole Technology Centre,which is at the heart of theLincoln Science and InnovationPark, is attracting strong interest.Four of its 22 units have alreadybeen snapped-up, with five moredue to move in shortly.The purpose-built centre – tailored to the needs of established and growingtechnology businesses – is already proving its value, promising to superchargeLincolnshire’s growth.Units, which average 800 square feet in size, are attracting a variety ofinnovative, laboratory-based, aerospace, IT, digital, pharmaceutical and relatedbusinesses. They also have the opportunity to tap into high-end researchfacilities in the neighbouring Joseph Banks laboratories.Lincolnshire housebuilderbolsters office team withfresh quartetLincolnshire housebuilder Chestnut Homes has madefour key additions to its expanding head office team.Simon Eyley has been promoted to the position ofConstruction Manager after three years working on sitefor the developer, while Rob Beeson has returned to thefold in a new role as Senior Architectural Technologistfollowing a year’s sabbatical.Joining them at Chestnut Homes HQ in Langworth,near Lincoln, are new recruits Steph Tilley and ChrissyDodman, who have been taken on as MarketingManagers.The new appointments come on the back of theprivately-owned housebuilder’s most successful everyear, in which legal completions on new homes rose by61% compared to the previous year.LINCSBusiness90_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:16 Page 1Farm&CountryFarming NewsCounty Shows EquineRenewablesMachinery & EquipmentWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETFarm&CountryLinkLink© Shutterstock / smereka Supportingthe ruralcommunity91_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:17 Page 192 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY NEWSPIONEERS IN SERVICE SINCE 1870Your worldwide freight and logistics partnerT: 01709 529709 • www.daviesturner.comLincolnshirepolice to invest£100,000 tohelp fight ruralcrimeLincolnshire Police have sent a strong message togangs in South Holland with a £100,000 investment ina fleet of 4v4 Ford Kugas, specifically designed to helpthem combat rural crime. This will be in addition tomore Special Constables and volunteers working inrural communities, crime prevention advice for farmersand better protection for victims of hare coursing andother rural crime.Farms are still major victims of theft and burglary,and one of the most affected groups in the UK. InSouth Holland specifically, hare coursing has led toseveral families being terrorised, and this unit intendsto deal with both problems. © Shutterstock / Nikolay Gyngazov© Shutterstock / Olha RohulyaDairy prices rise 3.6%Positive news for dairy farmers was revealed recently, as the price of dairy rose 3.6%at the Global Dairy Trade auction overnight, against expectations and rising for thefourth time in a row. The recent gains have been highlighted as being due to increasedoutput from Italy, Poland France along with the UK, and show potential for a recoverymany fairy farmers have been praying for.Prices of whole milk powder were particularly strong, with an increase of 5.2%. Inthe auction itself, strong participation was shown from buyers in North Asia, whichmay have followed a lack of profitability in China’s own dairy sector.Either way, it is good news for British farmers – and those in Lincolnshire – whospecialise in the dairy industry. 92-93_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:36 Page 1-08003285492:sales@allertonuk.comwww.allertonuk.comSEWAGE&EFFLUENTTREATMENTSYSTEMSnrnssaediurooenityDrainpossehollPumpinnsforSraTheaIreassin,ahereictanieirestans,AaniTradine19leifficienr.rihemso,apptoisofngane.ThnCoistineeaaLINCOLNSHIRETODAY93FARM & COUNTRY NEWSWaste scam targetingLincolnshire farmersThe EnvironmentAgency’s environmentalcrime team have beenforced to deal with twoincidents now whereLincolnshire farmerswere paid to storetarmac road planings foruse in road repairs ontheir land. Afteraccepting, the farmersfound large mounds ofbaled waste dumped ontheir land. One nowfaces a clean-up bill of£300,000 to remove the2,500 bales.Farmers are being warned to be vigilant and that these criminals arepreying on the desire to make some quick money. Only use reputableagents as brokers and beware of any company which approaches you onyour land. Also inform the seller that the EA will be contacted about thetransaction. Peter Stark, senior enforcement officer for the EA says; “Criminalsoperating in and around the waste industry can be very convincing andpersuasive, sometimes offering thousands of pounds in cash up front.Don’t be tempted by quick money, you could end up with anenvironmental risk, flies, polluting liquids running out of bales of wasteand even fire risks alongside the massive disposal bill.”© Shutterstock / Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH A rise in cases of young lambs killed by ravens is causing alarm acrossthe UK. The not-unheard of phenomenon is due to ravens beingopportunistic feeders, and the relative inability of a new-born lamb todefend itself.The birds are a protected species under UK law, so farmers are warnedthat they will need a special license to kill one, therefore think twicebefore opening fire. If any farmers in Lincolnshire do have problems,they are advised to apply to Natural England, the Government’s wildlifeadvisors, for a license to kill the birds.Experts are baffled at the increased attacks, but some maintain it maybe due to decreased food opportunities for the birds themselves, ratherthan any evolutionary trait.Farmers warned aboutincrease in ravenskilling new-born lambs© Shutterstock / Szczepan Klejbuk A large and very active training groupserving the whole of North Lincolnshire andthe beautiful Lincolnshire WoldsCOURSES AVAILABLE FOR 2017 INCLUDE:3Agronomy and livestock group meetings3Health and safety courses including first aid3Chainsaw and arboriculture3Forklift and machinery, ATVs and tractors3Vermin control for all rodents3All FEPA pesticide modules covered with lifetime qualificationTraining Organiser: CAROLYN VICKERS-LINGARD2 Stone Farm Cottages, Thoresway,Market Rasen, LN8 3UXTelephone: 01472 399889Mobile: 07879 696446E-mail: carolyn@nlrt.co.ukwww. nlrt.co.uk92-93_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:36 Page 2Range RoverAll models inc EvoqueDiscoveryFreelanderDefender Parts service for Triumph, MG Rover and Jaguar also availablefrom 1998 onAll the parts and accessories you will ever needVisit our website for prices and availability:www.rimmerbros.co.uktel:01522 568000fax:01522 567600email:lrsales@rimmerbros.co.ukTriumph House, Sleaford Road, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, LN4 2NA. EnglandThe Classic Parts ServiceFree Catalogues94-97_Layout 1 22/05/2017 13:01 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY95FARM & COUNTRY LINK - MACHINERY & EQUIPMENTWhen you think of Lincolnshire youimmediately think of the rolling fields andfarms that dot our countryside. Farminghas always played a major part in theregion and this heritage is clear to theeye. In Lincolnshire, the food sectorcontributes £2.5 billion to the area’seconomy, and the Lincolnshire LEP has inthe past, mentioned a desire to doublethis by 2030. That’s not to say the industry hasn’tsuffered its own problems, from difficultand often random weather occurrences tovarious farming crises, crop disease andeven economic turbulence. When it comes to farm machinery it’s analmost ironic thing. The agricultural sectorhas always had something of a reputationfor adapting to changes, much like thecrops they harvest. Put a new piece ofmachinery on the market, especially onethat can make the job more efficient – andfarmers will snap it up in a heartbeat. It’sthat pro-active attitude towards makingthings work more effectively that ensuresthe UK market can still compete with ourEuropean neighbours, who often pay lessin terms of wages and other associatedcosts.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. It’s never a single piece of kit andthe costs can spiral out of control if you’renot careful. And that is a very real problem in themarket right now, mostly as a result ofhow much supermarkets are payingfarmers. The constant price squeezes,which might become even worse as aresult of the national living wage, do puta damper on the market as a whole. Atleast, that is how it seems on the surface.More difficult farming economies willforce people to find efficiencies whereverthey can, and there’s nothing moreThe cutting edge© Shutterstock / My Portfolio 97 ÁThe farm industry is under stress from many sources,but competition remains strong and advantages needto be taken wherever they can be found. 94-97_Layout 1 22/05/2017 13:01 Page 2GLC REPAIRS LTDGLC REPAIRS LTDGLGLGLCommercialsGLC REPAIRS LTDEUROPA WAY, STALLINGBOROUGH, N. E. LINCSEuropa Way, Grimsby, N E Lincolnshire DN41 8DSTelephone: 01469 574239 Mobile: 07711 496138Email: glcommercials@btinternet.comwww.glcommercials.co.ukRELIABLETRAILER HIRE• Flat Bed Trailers• Skeletal Trailers• Taut LinersTRAILER REPAIRS &SERVICING EXPERTS• 30+ Years of Experience• Trailer Servicing Bay• Breakdown Call-out Service• MOTPreparationsOil Fired Boiler EngineerOFTEC RegisteredSteve Russell Plumbing• Oil Tank Replacement Service • Installation • Commissioning • Repairs • 24 Hour Call Out • Servicing & General PlumbingCall Steve on07840 531403SKIPS - HOUSEHOLD & COMMERCIALMINIS MIDIS BUILDERS & ROROFAST RELIABLE SERVICELICENSED WASTE TRANSFER STATION & TIPPING FACILITYSKIP HIRE/WASTE TRANSFER STATION:Tel:01472 241342Email: waste@brianplant.comPLANT/HAULAGE/AGGREGATES/EARTHWORKS:Tel: 01472 341499Email:info@brianplant.com www.brianplant.comSKIPS - HOUSEHOLD & COMMERCIALMINIS MIDIS BUILDERS & ROROFAST RELIABLE SERVICELICENSED WASTE TRANSFER STATION & TIPPING FACILITYKEVIN JOHNSON - AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORSLime spreading (Lime stone and Lime x70) and can arrange soiltesting with GPS. Also Fertilizer spread including variable rates.Drilling with 6 metre tine drill. Maize Drilling with 8 row drill.Also 220 hp tractor and driver.4 Church Road, Wittering, PeterboroughTel: 01780 782924 Mobile: 07860 608825enquiries@kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.ukwww.kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk“For those times when you need ahelping hand on farm or on land”94-97_Layout 1 22/05/2017 13:01 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY97FARM & COUNTRY LINK - MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT© Shutterstock / smereka 18 Park Farm Road, Foxhills Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8QPTel: 01724 280440 www.stuartbrumby.co.uk Email: sbrumby05@aol.comWe are a complete manufacture and repair service of alltypes of waterproof covers to industry, agriculture, haulageand leisure. We make covers of all sizes from small cartrailers to heavy goods vehicles.important than keeping agriculturalmachinery running efficiently. No numberof men or women can work the sameland faster, nor more accurately. It maybe that the only way to survive is to dowhat we can to squeeze every last bit outof the system – and that’s going torequire some high quality machinery.This demand hasn’t gone unnoticed byfarmers, manufacturers; or criminals. Inrecent months the county’s farmers andsmall holders have suffered many thefts.There has even been a fraudulent scamhighlighted in which farm machinery wasadvertised at half, or less, the marketvalue. While the adverts claim the pricecuts are due to cheaper manufacturingoutside of the country, the reality is thatno products are delivered and thethousands of pounds paid disappearalong with the criminals. Advice fromthe police and the industry is to neverconsider a purchase unless you caninspect the equipment yourself, often byvisiting the premises and confirming itsexistence in person. The truth of the matter is often thatthe margins on farm machinery,particularly from sellers is not as high assome farmers might feel. The difficultiesfaced by those in the agricultural sectorare felt by all, even when it’s thefarmers themselves who are out ofpocket. Less money for farmers meansless profit for farm machinery sellers,which means a drop in prices. Whilenow might not be a convenient time toinvest in farm machinery, it certainly isone of the best. Once the industryrecovers, and it must because thecountry itself cannot survive withoutfood grown, the price of farmmachinery could very well increase. Better perhaps to invest now with aview to not only improving efficiency ina lean and difficult environment, but alsoto giving a farm the cutting edge whenthe market eases up.94-97_Layout 1 22/05/2017 13:01 Page 498 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTY LINK - RENEWABLESRenewable energy may be the way forward, butinvesting has not always been easy for the financiallysqueezed agricultural sector. While farmers and those inthe agricultural industry will be acutely aware of theeffects of the environment on their crops and herds,they will also be more aware of the effect supermarketshave on prices of their produce, and the difficulty theyface in turning a profit. The problem is and likely will always be the cost andcomplexity around the renewables industry. Howaffordable is it, how long is it going to take to pay foritself, how much is it going to interfere, will it provideenough energy? The answer to all these questionshasn’t ever been clear, and that hasn’t helped pushfarmers towards it. Renewable technology is still relatively new, and alsostill evolving. Investment carried a lot of cost initiallybecause there were so few people doing it, and theparts were expensive – the issue of confusion was thesame, because the industry was still seeing what didand didn’t work.Countryside areas like Lincolnshire are a good fit forrenewable energy for a variety of reasons. Rural homes,particularly those on farmland, almost always comewith good garden space, which means technology likeground source heat pumps can be installed. You can’teasily do the same in a city, where there’s little groundspace to put it, but out here where we have more roomit’s an attractive option for reducing energy bills. Theprocess is a fairly simple one. Temperature is taken fromthe ground outside your home, usually from the sunheating the grass and soil, and then is transferred intoenergy that helps to power your home. Everything isunderground, so there’s no worry about it damagingyour garden or being an eye-sore.One of the more common agricultural methods ofrenewable energy has to be Anaerobic Digestion. Thisworks to convert food waste, either rejected or damagedcrops (or even manure) into energy through anaerobicdigestion. This requires a bit more of an initial investmentbut is perfect for farmers who have a lot of waste theyneed to get rid of. Why not turn it into profit, especiallywhen you can sell what you don’t use back to the grid. Anaerobic digestion does require some space, as it isessentially a process which takes place in silos or a smallplant, though the process isn’t one that requiresemployees or any huge technical expertise. There is aninitial capital investment in the building of the plant, butthere are many suppliers across Lincolnshire who canprovide the service, so there is clearly a demand for it –meaning that it must produce some level of return oninvestment. Solar panels and wind turbines are also seeingincreasing use on farmland. Sometimes it’s in the use ofconverting entire fields into solar farms, though thatpractice has become a little more difficult to sourceapproval for. In more low-key examples there are solarpanels appearing atop barns and farm buildings, thesebeing particularly good locations due to the lack of anytaller buildings limiting access to sunlight. Individualturbines have also started to appear nearby, less to poweran entire site, but more to take the edge off the energybill. At the end of the day, renewables is only going to beviable so long as it is beneficial to us, as mercenary asthat may sound. Thankfully the industry has progressedin leaps and bounds from what it once was, and you canexpect to see many renewables suppliers at theLincolnshire Show this month, plying their wares to thefarming market. We’d advise giving them the time for aconversation. You might be surprised at how much theprices have changed. Green farmingEveryone wants to do their bit for the environment but it has to beeconomically viable. How does renewable energy fare in the farming industry?© Shutterstock / Stockr98-99_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:32 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY99FARM & COUNTY LINK - RENEWABLESLincolnshire’s award winningheating specialistsBoilers from only £150.00 per month (10 months interest free payments)Call now for a free no obligation quotation 01472 882363UP TOGUARANTEE12YEAR© Shutterstock / thka© Shutterstock / Rudmer Zwerver98-99_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:32 Page 2Next >