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LEAFY SALADS CONFERENCE
•
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POTATO SCIENCE LIVE
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THE
VEGETABLE
FARMER •
MARCH 2017
actual production area remains
the same. Demand is mainly for
bespokemachines; fortunately,
we have the flexibility to tailor
production to the specific needs
of UK growers.”
“The level of technology and
expectation is increasing - we
are not simply sellingmachinery
but a complete package –
including training and aftersales
services,” explained Russell.
“Training is key - we have about
300 customer technicians
through the door each year
taking part in courses. There is
no point spending £300,000
plus on newmachinery if
operators and support staff are
not properly trained.”
New for 2017 is an addition
to the company’s proven range
of high quality GF Tillers. The
GF600 hydraulic folding Tiller
features a heavy duty CAT 3
linkage, spring loaded hoods
and a workingwidth of 5.4
metres (three beds). It comes
equipped as standardwith a
drive designed for tractors of up
to 325 HP, or with an optional
heavy duty drive for tractors up
to 500 HP. The two ‘speed
blade’ rotors are driven through
250 HP rated end gearboxes.
Growers have the choice
between BF BedForma or
Shapeforma ridging bodies.
2017 also sees the launch of
the latest addition to the
Grimme Platinum range of self-
propelled Potato Harvesters –
the powerful new Varitron 220
Platinum. The new high torque,
7.7litre, 6-cylinder Mercedes
Benz engine now produces 354
HP. The engine runs at 1,300
rpm during road travel and
1,500 rpm during digging.
The comfortable cab offers a
panoramic view and up to 77
different functions can be
programmed into the ErgoDrive
armrest via the joystick and
rotary or touch keys.
With Clean Control, settings
and adjustments made by the
driver can be saved and recalled
easily when in similar digging
conditions. Visual Protect
automatically calls up images
from on board cameras where
potential critical situations are
identified, such as the risk of a
separator blockage. This enables
operators to react faster. Further
details can be found on
Grimme’s website.
D
r Tina Barsby, CEO of
NIAB EMR gave an
overview of the
organisations history and
stressed that it was well
placed to increase its work in
the field vegetable sector. “We
run technical events, but we
don’t have the close working
relationship that we have in
other sectors,” she said.
However, NIAB EMR is
working hard to address this.
It is involved in the new AHDB
Horticulture project FV454
looking at lettuce irrigation
and has recently opened its
new Innovation Hub in the
heart of the Fens, featuring
laboratories and collaborative
space to focus on fresh
produce research.
“We are a very technical
organisation, but we need to
better understand the
economics of production,”
she added. “Membership is
very important to NIAB and
about a third of membership
subscriptions go into research
chosen by themembers. Defra
and AHDB income now only
accounts for around 10 per
cent of our turnover.”
An increasing focus of
vegetable research is the use
of biologicals. Dr Tim Lacey of
Bayer CropScience explained
that there are currently
around 250 biologically active
substances registered for crop
protection use around the
world, with 79 biological
actives registered in the EU.
“Nearly half the registrations
currently pending in Europe
are for biologicals,” he added.
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Rubber grading screens
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Rubberweb covers
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Sample riddles
•
Perforatedwasher belts
Tel: +44 (0)28 91275913
Fax: +44 (0)28 91 275563
Web:
E-mail:
Grimme aftersales manager Russell Button (left) and Adam Johnson at the
company’s impressive new training facilities.
TACKLING PESTS
AND THE GLOBAL
ECONOMY
With no shortage of issues facing the industry, this year’s
UK Brassica & Leafy Salads Conference in Peterborough
attracted around 300 delegates. With a packed agenda
featuring political, technical and commercial
presentations, there was something for everyone, writes
Richard Crowhurst
.
Tim Lacey of Bayer.
As well as the conference session, therewas plenty of time for networking.
