About Top Link

Editor: Chris Thomas

County Organisers Office
Tunbeck Farm
Wortwell
Harleston
IP20 0HP

Tel/Fax: 01986 788209
Email: chris@normac.uk.com

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Editorial

With the farming world turned up-side down since the last issue of Top Link, - where do I start.

Well firstly our thoughts and prayers for our friends in areas caught up in the F&M fiasco. Parts of Cumbria and Devon must be lonely places now they are devoid of livestock, and it will take many years for the agricultural economy to recover to anything like their former years. There are now several charities helping the farming community in these affected areas. If you think you could give a little help, I am sure however small, it will be gratefully received.

Closer to home, it has been a little extra rain this year that has caused a few problems ! It is now the first week of May, and farmers round here are still drilling barley and sugar beet. As I write this, we have had several days of warm, sunny weather, but I went to look over some winter wheat last night, and although it was dry and crusty on top, no more than an inch or two below the surface the ground was like mud. If you stamped your feet, then the ground shook like jelly. I am told that trace element deficiencies are now starting to show up in certain types of soil.

After the F&M issue has died out, our agricultural minister has promised a fundamental review of British agriculture. Be on your guard and speak up for your way of life. Judging by the quite appalling debates I have seen and heard on the media lately, the environmentalists, greens, vegetarians and other "outside" bodies who make a lot of noise, but don't actually have to make a living from farming, will be pushing for us to return to the "good old days" of dog and stick farming, where sprayers will be banned (sorry - recycled !) and we must "return" the countryside to a picture post card image. Speak up and tell them the true facts of life of farming and feeding the nation. British agriculture has a future, but only if you speak up for it.

Now to matters closer to us. After 11 years as treasurer to NORMAC, Cliff Vertigan has decided to retire. Cliff has been suffering from ill-health for a while now, and has lately spent a short time in hospital. I am sure you will join me in wishing Cliff a speedy recovery, and record our thanks for looking after the books for such a long time. Cliff has a long association with NORMAC, and was chairman of Holt Centre for a number of years. Stephen Mitchell has agreed to take over as treasurer, as we wish him well as he takes on this task.

Again this year, paid up membership to NORMAC has dropped quite considerably. If you know of anyone who you think may be interested in joining, or even rejoining a centre near you, please do all you can to drag them in to the organisation ! Some of the centres have some really good speakers this year, and they need support (click to see the 2001/2002 events diary).

We were really saddened at the cancellation of both the Suffolk and Norfolk Shows this year. Our President, Ben Turner told us of the agonising that the committee of the RNAA went through, but for the common good of all in Norfolk agriculture, I am sure they did the right thing, although it will cost the RNAA dearly in lost deposits and money spent on the showground. We will really have to work hard at promoting the 2002 show so as to support RNAA, stand holders, exhibitors and helpers. That doesn't mean you can have a rest from coming up with new ideas though ! We will expect double the amount next year.

For all their problems over this years show, the RNAA committee have been extremely kind to NORMAC, and have generously offered to replace many of our club signs that have become damaged or missing over the years. For this kind offer I am very grateful. It means that we can update our show stand signs for ploughing matches etc, as well as direction signs for the Demo and other outside events. May I take this opportunity to thank them very much for their offer.

Our own programme of events has been drastically cut back this year. Some of your centre secretaries have had a torrid time arranging speakers and visits, only to have to cancel them at a later date. Some people have suggested that NORMAC should have operated a blanket ban of all events during the F&M crisis, like the Young Farmers did. Chairman and myself did discuss this, but decided that as each centre is so different in its make up of members, it would be up to each centre to make its own mind up, rather than dictate to them.

Things are however, looking good for next winters round of speakers and visits. See Club Events Diary for more immediate events. There is a lot more to come ! Again, I ask, do support them. Please note the ploughing matches arranged around the county, and particularly our own, to be held on Sunday 14th October at Salle Park by kind permission of Sir John White and his Farm manager P.Hoveson. You have plenty of time to get that old plough out of the nettles and polished up ready !

That just about sums it up for the moment. Lets hope things settle down a bit and we can look forward to some kind weather to pull the crops through to a reasonable harvest.
Chris Thomas

Club News

Changes at North Walsham Centre
Evening meetings will now be held on Wednesdays at Rossies Sports & Leisure Club, Aylsham Road, North Walsham.

The trip to ERF Trucks has been cancelled, however an afternoon visit to Konskilde UK at Holt has been arranged for Thursday 14th June at 2:00pm.

Diss Centre
Would Diss Centre members please note that the visit to the Quarrying & Construction Show at Hillhead on June 25th has been cancelled due to the F&M problem.

Wymondham Centre
At the centre's annual meeting in February this year, all the officers agreed to continue for another year. Treasurer David Hastings said that the proceeds from raffles on coach trips and money left over from the Christmas Dinner, £340 in all would be donated to Quidenham Childrens Hospice. After the AGM, Cranworth Farm Services gave a presentation on turf and ground care equipment. This division of CFS has been set up to promote the Japanese Shibaura (IHI) equipment in the UK. The Company is also intending to promote a range of Orsi hedgecutters as well as marketing the range of Suton equipment made by Gurney Reeve at Wymondham. Due to the F&M outbreak, trips to Hugh Crane at Acle were cancelled, as was a talk from J S Tyres. An evening visit was made however, to Folliard Hydraulics at Spooner Row.

Holt Centre
Are holding their Ploughing Marathon on September 21st, 22nd and 23rd at Church Farm, Hindringham, by kind permission of David Loads (Farms) Ltd. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Bystagmus Network and Myasthenia Gravis Association. Please give Holt centre a bit of support sometime over the 3 days. They would be delighted to see you, and perhaps tell you a bit about the last 2 good causes, to which I urge you to give generously !

Outing to Yarmouth - When we invited J & H Bunn to talk to the Club in December, the thinking was that a talk on the bulk blending of fertiliser would not last very long and as it was our pre-Christmas meeting we would very soon be in the bar for a glass of lemonade. Bunns had other ideas which meant putting back the date to January 15th and for us to visit them as opposed to the reverse. So the bus was booked, lunch was included, but this was still not a big enough temptation to encourage folks to have a day in Yarmouth rather than go sugar beeting, lambing, carting barley and a whole variety of other tales. How times have changed, I can remember some 40 years ago it would have been the highlight of the year. However for the 15 or so of us who did go it was a splendid day. Coffee on arrival followed by a tour of the quayside where the raw materials are unloaded - this included going aboard a Polish registered ship that was discharging a 1000 ton consignment of Phosphate that had been loaded in Middlesborough having been mined under the North Sea. Having worked up an appetite in the fresh air it was across the road to the hotel for lunch (liquid and solid) and a very good lunch it was too. After lunch we went by bus, first to the former Birds Eye factory which will soon become the bagging plant for Bunns and then to Gorleston where the present bagging plant is situated. It was fascinating to see the bulk raw materials being loaded via a weigh-cell into a static Ready-mix type mixer and then weighted into 1 ton bags. Finally we returned to base for a cup of tea and a vote of thanks that was richly deserved. A good day with a good company.

Nostalgia in the Fens - Through a very good friend of mine who farms at Whittlesey, I had an introduction to Mr Gordon Easton who as well as farming around 2000 acres in the area, has a very extensive collection of vintage tractors, carts, lorries and many other items of agricultural memorabilia. When I hinted that our members would like to see his collection, the "Easton" machine flew into action with his helpers engaged in laying out machines and polishing. Being an evening visit it was much easier to make the numbers and I think the party was close to 40 members and friends. To do justice to such an extensive and varied collection we really should have allocated at least a half day, for at 9:00pm when it was time to enjoy the bacon rolls we had really only skirted round the basics - I am sure many would have liked to have fondled the Series I Marshall or sprawled across the bonnet of the Series II or maybe even tried their hand at swinging-over the Series III. What is always fascinating when in the company of vintage enthusiasts is to hear them referring to the gleaming model in front of them as a "she", never a "he". Is it that rare feeling of being in charge of that which is before them, a feeling of obedience when at the turn of the key or the swinging of the handle the engine fires up. Certainly a good feeling I guess.

I know I speak for everyone who was on that trip, that when at 10:00pm we left Mr Easton we could look back on a thoroughly enjoyable evening. If you would like contact information, please give me a call.
Malcolm Greves, Secretary Holt Centre - Tel: 01263 860608

John Deere Buys Vapormatic

John Deere have announced the acquisition of the Exeter based parts company Vapormatic, a leading distributor of replacement parts for agricultural equipment. Vapormatic will continue to market their products through existing parts dealers as well as to John Deere dealers.

Portuguese Order For Carrot Line

Tong Engineering at Spilsby, Lincs has won an order worth almost £450,000 to provide a compete carrot washing, grading and packing line for a farmers co-operative based near Lisbon, Portugal.

Due to be delivered in early April, this equipment is manufactured in stainless steel to meet high food hygiene standards and incorporates a Hydro cooling unit which uses refrigerated water to take the field heat out of the carrots. The grading and packing line will run at 20 tonnes/hour, putting the carrots in either 1 tonne big bags or pre-packed ready for the supermarket.

New Dropleg Sprayer System

Benest Technologies' Dropleg Application Distribution System for underleaf spraying of dense canopy row crops is now more flexible, thanks to a redesigned leg folding system. In certain circumstances, and depending on the type of sprayer, the new system allows the operator to switch from say, spraying under the leaf canopy of potatoes, to conventional top spraying of cereals, without having to remove the legs.

Claas Introduce Own Brand Lubricants

Claas have introduced a complete new range of lubricants specifically designed to meet the needs of all Claas Challenger tractors, combines, S.P. forage harvesters and material handlers. In addition to universal tractor oils, and universal heavy duty Contractor plant oils, the range of lubricants includes oils specifically designed for the engine, transmission, final drive and hydraulics.

Tillage Equipment

From the Vogel & Noot stable comes a couple of new developments. Firstly, heavy duty pig tail tines can now be fitted to the Franquet Synchrogerm steel coil cultivator, extending the use of this trailed implement from seedbed to minimum tillage operations. In its original form, the Synchrogerm comes with spring tines and two levelling bars, all positioned between two pairs of Synchropire steel coils. This has proved an effective combination for working down ploughed land to a fine, firm seedbed. For work in more robust conditions, Franquet now offers a toolbar carrying three rows of heavy duty pig tail tines, each equipped with a broad sweep point. This gives the implement the ability to work straight on to stubbles or after rough cultivations. The tines move all the soil within the width of the implement, while the coils consolidate the base of the seedbed. The coils are unique in being arranged in interlocking pairs. They self clean without using scrapers. Because their axles are linked by chain and sprockets, the coils do not rub against each other. Positioning the coils either end of the implement, with the tines in the middle, provides great stability and even depth control. Six sizes are available from 4 to 6.4m, with a central backbone chassis carrying hydraulically folded frames.

The hassle of plugged crumbler rollers commonly used on power harrows and other cultivators should be a thing of the past, thanks to a new devise from Vogel & Noot. Called the Terraclean, this crumbler roller has a scraper system inside to help prevent the build-up of mud, and also helps break down any clods forming inside the roller itself. A full length scraper is attached to the central tube, which in turn is attached to the mounting frame, so it does not rotate. The crumbler revolves around it. Spring loaded pivots on the scraper allows it to deflect away from large stones. Terraclean rollers can be bought with any of Vogel & Noot's range of seedbed cultivators, or bought separately for fitting onto other makes of machine.

Meanwhile, Flexi-coil have announced a new trailed cultivator which, following ploughing, enables a finely worked seedbed to be prepared quickly and economically in a single pass. The machine, known as the Flexi-Onepass, has a front row of rigid tines at 300mm spacing which can be individually adjusted for depth, and are shearbolt protected. These are followed by a row of paddle tines at 170mm spacings which are hydraulically adjusted for angle. Bringing up the rear are two rows of 700mm diameter, 45 degree angle interlinked cast rings, fitted with a scraper bar.

New Laforge Front Hitches for John Deere Tractors

John Deere has introduced two new Laforge front hitches for all 6010 and 7010 Series 4 and 6 cylinder tractors, as well as older 6000 and 7000 Series models. They are compatible with triple link suspension, mechanical 4-wheel drive and 2-wheel drive front axles, the front PTO on 6000/6010 Series tractors, and JD's front loader range.

Both these category 3N hitches have a lift capacity of 4000kg, and a 730mm lift range. The foldable lower links can be locked or fully floating to follow ground contours, and the centre link can be stowed where it will not interfere with front end loaders. There is also an exclusive parallel lift position on the centre link for use with PTO driven implements. This avoids driveline vibrations and increases lift capacity by 30.

Meanwhile, JD's Mannheim factory has just produced its 200,000 tractor, a 140hp 6910 model. Now in its 80th year of tractor production, the Mannheim factory has produced a total of over 1.2 million machines since the Lanz Bulldog was unveiled back in 1921.

Oilseed Rape - An Alternative Approach

Although to most people it would be considered a minority crop in Norfolk, one only has to fly over the county during May to realise that the area devoted to the crop is quite considerable. For a farmer with heavy land looking for a break crop as an alternative to a pulse, oilseed rape still has a lot of merit. When the value of crop was above £200/ton the growing costs were never that closely scrutinised, however, those days are gone and for the crop to be able to still maintain a margin certain establishment and growing techniques need looking at.

As already stated, oilseed rape is a good break crop on some of our stronger soils and it goes without saying that ploughing on these soil types is expensive and generally will result in considerable moisture loss during the latter part of August. Having ploughed, a lot of energy is consumed in trying to create a fine seedbed so necessary for the germination of such a small seed and further moisture loss results. In the past farmers have sometimes spun the seed into the standing crop of cereals where in the base of the crop it was moist and humid resulting in a rapid chitting of the seed only be to exposed a few days later when the grain was combined with the result that many of the newly chitted seed shrivel and die. It was then realised that at the time of combining there would still be a certain amount of moisture in the base of the stubble, but there was the need to protect the seed from the drying effect of the sun. By broadcasting the seed at the same time as combining and covering it with a carpet of chopped straw the germination could commence without suffering under the August sun. It was at this point that Autocast was conceived by an inventive Cambridgeshire farmer. Now while this is a short cut to establishing oilseed rape, it has to be stressed that the system has to be managed properly in order to realise the full cost savings and at the same time produce the required number of plants per sq m. The first operation post combining/seeding is to roll the stubble - this will ensure that the straw mulch is in close contact with the seed to maximise the germination. So as to provide immediate nutrients for the rape seedlings it is then a good idea to apply some Nitrogen; around 50kg/ha is generally considered sufficient followed immediately by an application of slug pellets. Repeat applicators of slug pellets would be necessary if moist conditions prevail or bait traps confirm slug numbers exceed a certain threshold. It is not uncommon for the seed to remain on the surface, unchitted for some weeks in a dry season, but as soon as moisture is available the seed germinates with no long term detriment to the resultant crop. One of the spin-off benefits of this system is the fact that the small rape plants are concealed at the base of the stubble for most if not the whole of the winter. Not only does it make it less obvious to the passing pigeon, but even if visible they are not fond of landing on the prickly stubble.

While the above approach has been used successfully by around 200 farmers over the past 4 seasons, one has to accept that not everyone has the discipline or time to manage that approach and it was for the group of customers that the next build of seeder was developed. It was felt that to take advantage of limited moisture and yet still offer real cost savings over a traditional plough based approach, the seeder should be joined with a shallow cultivation machine capable of creating a mini-tilth sufficient to cover the seed without the risk of moisture loss. The result of further research is the Terra-cast which meters the seed from one central hopper into a venturi and via a distributor head to spreader plates mounted on the chosen cultivation machine. These would be positioned at 1m intervals to ensure the correct spread pattern. The metering unit is electrically driven which offers 2 distinct advantages; on the move variable seed rate and no land wheel drive which facilitates easy mounting on 6 and 8m folding machines. It is important that having incorporated the rape seed into a mini-tilth, consolidation is carried out immediately and for that reason the Vaderated Rexius C or Simba Culti-press appear to be ideally suited to this establishment system.

The whole thinking behind this article has been aimed at improved margins for oilseed rape producers and in particular the establishment thereof. However, the potential cost savings do not end with seeding and should be looked at again at harvest when the ability to allow the crop to die naturally and direct cut not only saves the cost of swathing (around £35/ha) but can considerably reduce drying costs. For direct cutting the BISO extension header and side knife not only allows combining to proceed at a good forward speed, but the design of the platform prevents seed loss. These header extensions are available up to 9m in width and can be supplied with either electric or hydraulic side knives.

For further information on Auto-cast, Terra-cast, BISO Rape extension headers, contact Abrey & Son Ltd - Tel: 01799 543208 or Toby Abrey 07850 485135 or Malcolm Greves on 07788 580228.

McConnel team up with Fendt

For Local Authorities and verge mowing contractors in mind, McConnel have adapted their Power Arm 93 hedge cutter to fit the front mounting positions of the Fendt Zylon series of tractors.

The new unit has a reach of 5m (16'5"), and is fitted with a Hy-Power totally independent hydraulic system that can supply up to 20% extra power to the flail head. The front PTO of the Zylon powers the 54hp hydraulic system on the PA93, which delivers maximum power to the 1.2m flailhead. A built-in wire trap and rubber flaps help to prevent material being thrown onto the tractor. A front flap kit is an option.

From inside the 2-man cab of the Zylon, visibility to the flail head is superb, with 100% forward vision. The absence of a bonnet offers an uninterrupted view of the power Arm unit both in work and in transport, and the generous window area of the cab provides all round vision. With a powershift transmission and suspension, speeds of up to 50kph can be obtained.

The operator controls the front mounted PA93 by using the electric control box, and will allow simultaneous operation of all functions. Digital proportional armrest controls are also available.

... and now for something a little different

British dairy equipment specialist, Fullwood, has produced its 100th Automatic Milking System for a commercial dairy farm in County Down, NI. Fullwood's "Merlin" is the only British made robotic milker on the market. The company has installed several on British farms, as well as exporting to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and the USA. The Merlin is also the first automatic milking system of any kind to be installed in New Zealand.

The system includes automatic cow identification and will be integrated with the farm's computer, which runs sophisticated herd management software to help the farmer monitor production, herd health and fertility. Cows can present themselves at any time of day or night to be milked. The unit "decides" if each animal is to be milked or not, depending on when she was last milked and her expected yield. At the start of milking, the cow's teats are cleaned automatically and the foremilk is drawn off and diverted. The robotic arm moves the teat cups towards the udder, where they are attached one by one. Each cow's teat co-ordinates are stored in the computer, and every time she enters for milking, the laser optic makes minute alterations to take account of any changes to the cow's udder.

As a footnote, Fullwood gained the Royal Warrant after installing a milking parlour for Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor.

Keeping Up in Times of Change
In these days of great technical advances, Norfolk farmers have for many years turned to the Norfolk Farm Machinery Club for informal help in deciding on equipment purchases and machinery policy.

As far back as 1946, when the club was formed by a group of Norfolk farmers, machinery dealers and the then National Agricultural Advisory Service, when horses were being replaced by tractors in the great push for the country to feed itself immediately after the war.

The first chairman of the club was Mr Newcombe-Baker, who chaired the first meeting in Norwich, where 30 members were enrolled. One of the first demonstrations the club held was for tractor hoes at a site near Kings Lynn, and practical demonstrations have been a feature in NORMAC's calendar ever since.

As membership grew, meetings were held in both Norwich and Kings Lynn, and by 1952, there were 10 clubs scattered around the country. In 1948, the club started its own newsletter, which continues today as "Top Link", informing members of the latest developments in farm machinery and technical features of various bits of new machinery.

NORMAC has grown over the years with a membership of around 450 and 12 centres in the county. Members meet on a monthly basis between October and March. There are a number of visits to farms and manufacturing plants over the summer, and NORMAC has quite a presence at the Royal Norfolk Show, where a particularly good relationship has been built up with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.

Each centre appoints its own committee and organisers, its own programme of speakers. Centres operate in Dereham, Diss, Docking, Downham Market, Fakenham, Flegg, Holt, Kings Lynn, Loddon, North Walsham, Swaffham and Wymondham

Two organisers assigned from NAAS originally administered the club. Some time afterwards, Norfolk Education Committee took over and appointed an organiser from its staff at Easton College until 1987 when NORMAC appointed its own organiser.

The most important event for NORMAC is the biennial Cultivations Demonstration, but other demonstrations and technical days are organised to cover subjects like sprayers, irrigation, muck spreading, fertiliser spreading and combines. Many of today's big demonstrations can trace their origins from a NORMAC event, and manufacturers are always eager to attend.

The Rotherham Plough
Ever since earliest times, man has been tilling the land, and at the forefront of his tools have been a plough of some sort. Indeed, the Egyptians over 4000 years ago had a digging tool, drawn by oxen. Using a suitably shaped branch from a tree, with a digging point made from ox horn, flint, bronze or iron. These implements merely stirred the soil rather than turn a furrow.

In the country, the Romans used a similar tool. It was the Saxons and later the Medieval farmers who made a plough that actually turned a furrow. These ploughs were quite heavy, often wheeled, and drawn by up to 8 oxen. It was for this implement that the strip system of agriculture was used. Each strip was 1 furrow long (furlong-220yds), and 22yds wide. In a good day, and if conditions were good, 1 acre could be ploughed.

As time went on, many different typed of plough were developed, often in a regional basis, to take account of local types of soil and farming practices. Made of wood, with a wooden mouldboard, shod with iron. In Norfolk and Suffolk a "light" plough with 2 wheels was used during the early 1700's. With 2 horses, up to 2 acres a day could be ploughed. A writer of early farming and countryside matters, a man called Mortimer noticed that at Colchester, farmers were using an East Anglian plough "which was very perculiar, for its Earth-board was made intirely of iron, by which means they make it rounding, which helps to turn the earth or turf much better than any other sort of plough". This is the first reference I have seen of an iron mouldboard. Up to this time, the mouldboard tended to be very long and twisted, allowing the furrow slice to pivot on an unbroken piece of ground as it forced the furrow over. A man named James Small developed mathematical principles in mouldboard design to allow the whole furrow slice to be cut, lifted and turned over, leaving the ground completely cut.

The first definite step towards modern factory plough production was made when the Rotherham plough was introduced around 1730. Designed by Joseph Foljambe, it was an iron plough incorporating many improvements and developments made over the preceding years, and incorporating Small's mathematical principles. A factory was developed in Rotherham and output was in reasonable numbers for a number of years. In fact 40 years after production started, it was still considered the "lightest for draught and cheapest for general use of any then made."

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