Netled Oy, Finnish specialists in vertical farming systems and greenhouse lighting solutions, have signed a long-term framework agreement with Astwood Infrastructure to supply equipment for industrial-scale vertical farms. Read what this means for vertical farming here. 

Vertical farming; agriculture’s latest innovative solution to helping producers provide crops regardless of land reduction and stock demand. Here you can read how vertical farming can be used in farm diversification for the production of beer.

Barry Crackett, from cleaning brushware retailer Brushtec, tells us why cleaning our farm flooring is important and what we can use to clean our floors effectively.

Leading lawnmower manufacturer Cub Cadet is expanding its UK dealership network by welcoming a new dealer on board.

The latest addition to the 200+ strong network, Stubbings Bros, will stock Cub Cadet at its dealership based in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

Owner and director Andy Stubbings said “We are thrilled to be the latest business joining Cub Cadet’s strong dealership network. We are a family-run company built on 35-years of successful history and by joining forces with this well-respected brand, we are broadening our offering of garden machinery, while simultaneously growing our business connections.

The electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine fitted to the Cub Cadet Enduro Series lawn tractors provides greatly reduced fuel use and lower emissions allied to significantly improved power performance.

Electronic fuel injection replaces the need for a carburettor that mixes air and fuel. The engine control unit monitors the engine sensors and determines the precise amount of fuel that needs to be delivered to meet the power demand. The EFI injects fuel directly into the engine’s manifold or cylinder using electronic controls. This spraying action is more effective at mixing the fuel for improved efficiency. The engine on the Cub Cadet lawn tractors uses up to 25% less fuel than carburettor engines that deliver comparable results. This will save you money on fuel, and time on having to refill the tank – reducing interruptions to your mowing.

As the spring rain continues to fall, many of us might be missing the glorious sunshine of the UK summer heatwave. May businesses also enjoyed a boost from the weather, with retailers witnessing the largest revenue rise in four years, with a 4% rise compared to June 2017.

But for some, the heatwave was a nightmare for their livelihoods — farmers struggled with everything from burnt fields under the scorching sun to droughts putting livestock at risk.

Just how far did the damage spread, and how long will the effects last?

Whether you’re looking to tackle overgrow bushes and fields, needing to clear meadows or cut pathways quickly and easily, landowners and farmers will find the Billy Goat brushcutters are the answer.

With a choice of five machines in the range, these heavy-duty machines dramatically improve productivity and profitability, as they cut away and clear shrubbery effortlessly.

The BC2600HH and BC2600HEBH, have a 26"/ 66 cm wide pivoting deck with higher tip speed for improved speed and cut quality, no job is too tough.

Engineered to glide over uneven terrain, the pivoting brush deck hugs the ground for a better cut. This minimises scalping and improves traction by keeping the weight of the machine on its drive wheels.

Kubota UK, a leading provider of groundcare, farm machinery and construction machinery, has announced it is set to introduce the supply of agriculture tractors and equipment to Colchester-based supplier HOSPLANT Sales.

HOSPLANT Sales, an exclusive Kubota dealership based in Peldon, near Colchester, was founded 15 years ago by Gary Mold and Adrian Mays who have more than 40 years’ combined experience selling construction and agricultural equipment throughout Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. The dealership stocks the Kubota KX and the Kubota U Series of tracked excavators, and has now expanded its range to include the Kubota RTV range of utility vehicles and the L and M series of tractors up to 170hp.

Not surprisingly, there are various legal issues that need to be considered by landowners before embarking upon your diversification scheme. Johanne Spittle FALA and head of litigation at Ware & Kay solicitors explains that top of your list should be checking whether there are any restrictions that might limit possible use of your land and access to it.  

Access

It is common for farms and agricultural land to be accessed along private roads or tracks. If use of his road is required for the diversification project, for example to access the proposed farm shop or your commercial development, it will be necessary to establish ownership of the road or rights granted over it at the outset.

If access is required over a road or track that is owned by a neighbouring landowner and over which you have been granted a right of way you will need to ascertain whether there are any limitations on use, for example if use is restricted to agricultural use, and whether there are any other obligations that apply such as maintenance or an obligation not to cause nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to that neighbouring landowner. Similarly, you may own the road but others may have rights over it that might be affected by your increased use.