12th January 2024
With increasing expectations placed on the agricultural industry to deliver both economically and environmentally, experts from Frontier Agriculture will be at LAMMA 2024 to link farmers with new opportunities and services designed to help future-proof farm businesses.
“Farmers have a lot to think about at the moment and for many it will feel quite overwhelming,” says Frontier head of commercial, Russell Dean. “There’s so much to consider when it comes to forward planning.”
Significant changes to the UK’s farming schemes, most notably the Sustainable Farming Incentive, were recently announced by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, at the Oxford Farming Conference. In his address he said the updated policy aimed to “bring a clearer focus on enabling food production in our environmental land management schemes, because food production can and should go hand in hand with preserving the diversity and abundance of nature.”
The SFI now comprises several new actions alongside increased payments and, while the news was welcomed, for many farmers the challenge of knowing how to make the most of the scheme will be even greater.
Russell continues: “LAMMA is primarily a show for agricultural innovation and technology, so it’s a great platform for sharing the services we have to help growers make evidence-based decisions when implementing more sustainable farming practices.
“Our sustainability specialists will be on hand to discuss what the new SFI options could mean for business planning and wider crop production and land management strategies. They’ll also be joined by advisors from our Kings and SOYL divisions, as well as leading technical, agronomy, trading and digital experts who can demonstrate the tools we have available to help.”
Alongside SFI advice, visitors to the Frontier stand can also hear variable rate technology recommendations to optimise inputs, discover how to benchmark farm business performance through tools such as MyFarm Analytics and find out how to use mapping technology to record environmental assets on farm.
Frontier’s closed transfer system to feature at LAMMA Live
At this year’s show, Frontier’s crop production technical lead, Dr Paul Fogg, and closed transfer specialist, Nick Badger, will also take to the floor at LAMMA Live to discuss the technology and benefits behind the business’ closed transfer system (CTS).
Developed in collaboration with Richard Garnett of Wisdom Systems – who will also join Paul and Nick for the demonstration - the equipment makes sprayer applications safer while ensuring crop protection products are used in a more sustainable way. An example of innovation developed by Frontier as part of the business’ wider sustainability strategy, ‘The Responsible Choice’, the closed transfer system protects the environment and operators from exposure,
optimises operations and reduces the use of plastic on farm.
“Alongside Richard Garnett of Wisdom Systems, we’ve developed this technology and have had fantastic feedback from those using it,” says Nick.
“Growers are seeing enhanced operator and environmental safety thanks to reduced manual handling and lower risks of exposure, as well as more efficient tank loading while minimising single-use plastic and waste management costs.
“Farmers and agricultural supply chains are exploring how and where crop production practices can be more sustainable, but on-farm safety is equally important too. The closed transfer system can deliver against all of these objectives and we’re excited to demonstrate that at LAMMA.”
Visitors can hear from Paul, Nick and Richard in the LAMMA Live Theatre at the following times:
- Wednesday 17th January – 2.00pm
- Thursday 18th January – 10.00am
LAMMA 2024 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 17th – 18th January. Visitors can find the teams from Frontier Agriculture, Kings Crops and SOYL on stand 520 in Hall 11.
Registration to attend the event is free and can be done at www.lammashow.com
