For the first time since 2019, the Cereals Event is back without any restrictions and ready to engage visitors with both the familiar and the new. CPM gets the inside scoop on what’s in store.
Farmers are right to be cautious because we’re all learning as we go.
By Melanie Jenkins
Summer isn’t far away and with it comes the opportunity to visit a range of in-person outdoor events, with 8-9 June seeing the return of the Cereals Event to Duxford, Cambridgeshire.
The event will feature firm favourites such as demonstrations in the Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena and the Drone Zone, as well as the opportunity to see the latest varieties from AHDB’s winter wheat and winter barley Recommended List. With numerous exhibitors in the crop plots, a chance to be submerged in the NIAB Soil Hole and to visit the NAAC Land Drainage Hub, the event looks to be brimming with something for everyone.
Dreaming of machines
For those who walk through the gates straight to their favourite machinery manufacturer to see the latest in new kit and technology, the Cereals Event has showcases and demonstrations from some of the biggest and most expert players in the field.
John Deere
John Deere is planning to bring the company’s largest ever sprayer to the event for the first time this year. In its debut UK outing, the new R975i sprayer, with boom widths of 24-40m and a 7,500-litre capacity tank that tops the R900i Series line-up, will be hard to miss.
Over the two days, John Deere will be taking part in the Sprays and Sprayers Arena, demonstrating both the new R975i and the smaller R740i, as well as the latest model year Mazzotti MAF self-propelled sprayer.
Last November John Deere announced four new models to its 6R range, including the 6R 150 and the six-cylinder 185. Cereals will be the first time many farmers have seen John Deere’s new models up close.
Another major technological breakthrough farmers can learn about at the show is the new eAutoPowr option available on the John Deere 8R 410. It’s the world’s first electric infinitely variable transmission with electro-mechanical power split.
The future of efficient, profitable agricultural production is going to be heavily dependent on boundary-pushing technological advances, says the company’s Chris Wiltshire. “This year’s John Deere Cereals stand is packed full of examples of fantastic machinery that can make a big difference to farm businesses.”
Amazone
Crop establishment techniques have evolved immensely over the past few years with a huge emphasis now on seed nutrition at drilling time and a change in cultivation intensity to either much less or nothing at all, according to the company.
In light of these trends, Amazone will be keeping tradition alive by using this year’s Cereals Event as the springboard for all things new in regard to crop establishment. On show will be new additions to the drill combination range in the shape of the Centaya-C 3000 Super along with the new shallow tine cultivator, the Cobra 6000-2TX, the Ceus 3000 trailed disc and tine combination cultivator.
Amazone will be demonstrating its Primera DMC 6000-2 large area seed drill and Condor 12m direct drill, says managing director Simon Brown.
In the Sprays and Sprayer Arena will be the big capacity UX 8601 Super trailed sprayer along with the recently introduced Pantera 4504 and the 3,500 litre wrap around, fully-integrated front and back tank, UF 2002.
Claydon
Claydon, the specialist in direct strip seeding technology with its Claydon Opti-Till System, will exhibit 4.8m and 3m seed and fertiliser models from its new range of Evolution mounted drills, together with a new 9m Straw Harrow and 4m TerraBlade inter-row hoe at Cereals.
It’s been 20 years since Claydon invented its direct strip till drill and growers will be able to see where two decades of experience and innovation has taken the company. With working widths of 3m, 4m, 4.5m, 4.8m, 5m and 6m, the Evolution models incorporate 9, 13, 15 or 19 tines and most feature a 1910-litre hopper. The 3m Evolution 3MF and 4m 4MRF have a 2700-litre tank, an increase of 600 litres, which is split 50:50 between seed and fertiliser.
New Holland
New Holland plans to use its stand at Cereals to promote emissions reduction in the industry by presenting the world’s first methane powered tractor – the T6.180. The T6 can result in an overall reduction of 80% of emissions, while delivering the same power and torque as a diesel equivalent.
The company will also be showing its recently launched T7HD with PLM Intelligence tractor and its new Pro-Belt baler – due to be launched at Scottgrass in May. It has a capacity of up to 30t/hr and 140kg/m³ in straw, with a heavy-duty 520 mm-diameter rotor in combination with the active drop floor provides constant feedback to the operator.
Horsch
Horsch will be presenting visitors to Cereals with the new Leeb CS mounted sprayer. Launched at Agritechnica last year, the CS is a compact sprayer aimed at being manoeuvrable for smaller fields.
The CS models are available with three different tank sizes; 1400, 1800 and 2200 litres, and an additional front tank will be available soon. Available with the technical innovations of its largest siblings, such as the active boom control system BoomControl, the Leeb CS be easily adapted and specified to each customer’s requirements.
The 25cm nozzle layout, that is now widely used, is also available for the new Leeb CS. The optimised centre of gravity makes the Leeb CS easy and safe to operate. A newly developed coupling triangle and hydraulic drive of the pumps allows the Leeb CS to be mounted easily and quickly. All functions are controlled via the Horsch user interface that customers already know from the Leeb LT and advanced Leeb GS.
Kuhn
Kuhn will be demonstrating its Striger strip-till range at this year’s event and showing its Aero GT fertiliser spreader.
Available from 4-12 rows, the Striger 100 is designed around a parallelogram system that allows all elements to operate independently, ensuring ground following characteristics.
The Striger 100 can be adapted to work effectively in all conditions and can accommodate liquid, solid or slurry fertiliser applications. It can be used with varying inter-row widths and with a wide choice of working parts and equipment. It’s available in 3m, 3.50m, 4.40m and 6m formats.
Kuhn’s Aero GT 60.1 is a trailed pneumatic boom spreader, available in 30m, 32m and 36m formats and boasts a 25% increase in maximum application rate on its predecessor. Higher application rates are possible due to increased mass flow characteristics brought about by a bigger air intake and larger capacity pipes.
A new metering system on the Aero GT incorporates six individual units that can be shut off independently when using automatic section control. When used in combination with a variable rate map, each individual unit can also apply a different fertiliser rate.
McCormick
McCormick plans to present its range of new stage five tractors, dressed in the firm’s updated livery at Cereals. Over the past three years the firm has worked towards launching a whole new model family, has expanded its dealer network and invested across the board.
The company plans for the new X6HD to take centre stage. Part of the brand-new range, the X6HD features an Argo-designed and built powershift transmission.
Visitors should also be able to see the new X7 short wheelbase range, which comprises four semi-powershift P6-Drive transmission models and two VT-Drive CVT tractors.
Last year, visitors to the event will have seen McCormick’s new colours but not its new machines, so Cereals will offer an opportunity to see the beginning of its new product range.
McHale
McHale will be exhibiting a wide range of machines which will include the Pro Glide Mower Range, the R Centre Delivery Rake Range, the new V8 and V6 Variable Chamber balers and the Fusion 3 Plus with ISOBUS. A number of round and square bale wrappers will be displayed along with the McHale C4 Straw Blower & Silage Feeder.
Aitchison
Showing the way with zero till is Aitchison, demoing a three-metre trailed zero till drill – the Seedmatic 4024CT, says director Neil Ford. “We will be demonstrating the drill’s versatility. It can drill various seeds like mustard or clover and grass in the same mix. The gentle sponge roller system can manage anything – like peas and oats in the same seed box. Because it’s zero till, it causes minimum destruction and ground disturbance. It’s also popular for planting a whole range of crops from cover and grass to wheat and barley.”
Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena
Sprayer technology is moving on apace and visitors to Cereals will be able to compare the latest kit being demonstrated in the central Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena.
“The Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena is a key highlight for many Cereals attendees and we’re excited to showcase the latest in application technology and innovation for 2022,” says Scott Cockburn of Syngenta.
“The arena will also host the awards ceremony for the Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year competition where we will crown the winner from our six finalists. We look forward to seeing everyone and sharing knowledge on practical application tips and techniques.”
Househam Sprayers, a regular exhibitor at the event, plans to demo two self-propelled models; the flagship Harrier and the new lightweight Spirit, says the firm’s Barry Harness.
“We’ve relaunched the Spirit with the latest generation features. It’s fitted with a Claas Jaguar X10 Cabin with excellent panoramic visibility, air suspended seat, 27 litre fridge and full climate control.
“At just over six tonnes dry weight and perfect front to rear weight distribution, we have also lowered the machine to just under one metre ground clearance, making it a more stable, more nimble, light-weight sprayer. We have also switched to Bosch Rexroth wheel motors for higher road speeds and improved torque for hill climbing.”
The Harrier is the largest machine in Househam’s range with booms up to 36m and up to a 6000-litre tank capacity.
John Deere will be demonstrating several trailed and self-propelled machines including the R740i and R975i and the latest Mazzotti MAF.
Chandler Fendt will be demonstrating the self-propelled RG600 Rogator sprayer, which is unique in offering variable ride height, explains the company’s Gavin Pell. “For a large part of the season crops are short so the ground clearance can be low. This makes the sprayer more stable – its lower centre of gravity also makes it much safer for road transport.”
Also gracing the Sprays and Sprayers Arena will be the trailed Chafer Sentry, says Joe Allen of Chafer. “It has a 30m boom with 5000-litre stainless steel spray tank; Chafer plumbing liquid control; Raven Hawkeye pulse width modulation and Norac UC7 Active Roll boom levelling.”
Crop plots and NIAB Soil Hole
Crop plots are back centre stage at the Cereals Event, meaning visitors can compare top varieties side by side.
The winter wheat and barley feature is showcasing new and popular AHDB Recommended List varieties, says arable project manager Jonathan Backhouse, who has curated 26 winter wheat and 14 winter barley varieties. “We’ve worked with seed breeders to find out what they feel are the most popular, in-demand varieties that we should be showcasing.
“While many of these varieties are also on display elsewhere in the show, this central feature gives growers the opportunity to walk among them in one place for side-by-side comparison.”
Wheat varieties from Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be represented and malting, 2-row feed, and 6-row hybrid barleys will also be on show. “There’s at least one variety from every breeder on the list.”
This includes varieties from KWS, RAGT, Limagrain, DSV, Syngenta, Senova and Elsoms.
LSPB is exhibiting for the first time at Cereals, seeing it as an opportunity to talk directly to farmers, says the firm’s Michael Shuldham. “We have crop plots with a wide range of varieties. Highlights include new oilseed rape varieties with phoma resistance gene, RlmS.”
There will also be a new spring wheat variety, WPB Escape, on LSPB’s stand. “This is a good, solid spring wheat – the second highest yielding spring variety on the RL at 105% of controls. It’s a hard Group 4 and is likely to prove popular with farmers who have blackgrass problems or as a crop to follow sugar beet.”
For visitors interested in pulses, there is also a new winter bean variety Pantani from LSPB on display. “It’s an early maturing variety and its shortness helps reduce lodging risk,” says Michael.
Back at the event for the first time since 2019, KWS will be showcasing its main portfolio of 16 wheat and barley varieties, including popular winter wheats KWS Zyatt, KWS Extase and Group 2 candidate, KWS Ultimatum. BYDV-tolerant winter barley KWS Feeris will be on display alongside spring malting candidate KWS Curtis. KWS is also exhibiting a number of its OSR, hybrid rye, pea, oat and sugar beet varieties.
On the agronomy side, Corteva has an OSR plot demonstrating the performance of its herbicide Belkar (halauxifen-methyl+ picloram) against cranesbill, cleavers and poppy. There are also plots showcasing the effect of biological products from Soil Fertility Services and Amino-A, says Ceres Rural agronomist, Will Cobley, who advises on agronomy at the event.
The NIAB Soil Hole will once again feature at the Cereals Event, giving a unique insight into crop growth below ground, with a focus on different soil monitoring approaches.
“This year we will be demonstrating soil monitoring – what, how, when and why,” explains NIAB’s Dr Elizabeth Stockdale. “This includes a demonstration of an automated soil sampling robot from the Small Robot Company, working with a consortium led by PES Technologies, including NIAB, alongside a working soil sequencing display.
“We will be highlighting how to use collected data to inform decisions. It’s not just a question of gathering data – we need to make good choices based on it.”
Some soil parameters will be measured in the Soil Hole during the event. “These include physical structure, water management and biological activity,” says Elizabeth. “Other samples will have been taken in advance of the show.”
With blackgrass still a major problem, and continuing issues with OSR and cabbage stem flea beetle, rotations designed around cover crops and spring cropping are increasing in popularity. The Soil Hole will offer a look at what is happening underground with these crops, she adds.
“Sometimes spring crops get away slowly because they take time to build roots. The Soil Hole offers an opportunity to see the number of roots in different crops. In some crops they will be quite near the surface and for others, deeper.
“We have a superb diversity of crops lining the pit, including spring linseed, lupins, clover, beans and spring barley,” says Elizabeth. “We have also compacted some tramlines and will cut the wheat plots a couple of weeks before the event to give us a stubble field, so we can demonstrate the recommended sampling point for general rotational soil health sampling.”
NAAC Drainage Hub
Also focusing on matters underground will be the NAAC Drainage Hub, featuring lively, informative seminars and offering an opportunity to meet exhibitors from this important sector.
Philip Wright, of Wright Resolutions, will be covering ‘soil structure, carbon, and the pathway to a more regenerative approach – it all relies on drainage’. Offering a farmer viewpoint, Jake Freestone of Overbury Estates will talk about ‘how land drainage improved my farm’, with Richard Price of Tetworth Hall Estate covering this topic on day two.
For those wishing to gain a handle on the cost/benefit of drainage, Harry Henderson at AHDB will cover the ‘economics of land drainage’. And for those unsure where to begin, Farm Services’ director Rob Burtonshaw, land drainage contractor and Nuffield Scholar, will give some pointers in his presentation – ‘thinking of drainage – where to start’.
There will be plenty of opportunity for visitors to pose questions to the panellists and go home fully armed with information on how to improve farm productivity through better drainage.
Around the stands in the NAAC Drainage Hub will be East Anglia-based Miles Drainage which offers a GPS-based land drainage design and installation service, according to the company’s Andrew Wright. “We will also be exhibiting the Miles single leg mole plough.”
Trencher manufacturer Mastenbroek will focus on the relatively new concept of land forming and land levelling, says commercial director Christopher Pett. This involves scraping ridges and moving soil into divots or lower areas of a field. “Land forming, which is commonplace in the United States and Europe but is yet to take off in the UK, creates more productive land, leading to better yields for farmers.”
Mitchell-Rowlands will exhibit a full specification professional Drainjetter for cleaning out land drains, says managing director Graham Mitchell-Rowlands. “It can hold up to 700m of hose. The twin hydraulically-driven drive system has enough power to cope with this hose length. The latest feature is a double hydraulic telescopic arm which can easily reach the opposite side of a dyke.”
Cotterill Civils will be showing and discussing a wide range of land drainage solutions, culvert pipes, rainwater harvesting tanks, sewage treatment solutions, water tanks and more, says group marketing executive Izzie Smith. “We are at Cereals to connect with existing and new customers and promote the benefits of land drainage.”
Murray Peat, associate at Fisher German, manages the company’s Linewatch, a safety organisation which raises awareness of oil and gas pipelines around the UK and encourages people to work around them safely. “Breaches to pipelines can damage the environment and cause death or injury to those working nearby,” he says.
Other companies exhibiting at the NAAC Drainage Hub include: DMJ Drainage, Naylor Drainage, the Fen Group and William Morfoot.
Education station
Business restructuring, whether to financially future proof a farm business or move in a different direction, is a key focus for many, if not all, farms as they prepare for life post-BPS.
Topics such as how to make the environment pay, how to cut costs while maintaining productivity and how to deal with current global market uncertainty will form the bedrock of Cereals AHDB Theatre seminar topics, as growers seek to find answers to these thorny questions.
Spanning two days, the programme themed ‘Code Green for Farming, Can Farming be the Answer?’ is packed with seminars. These cover how legislation, incentives, innovations, skills and partnership support the continued delivery of high-quality food, beverage and feed – all while meeting the environmental needs of society and financial requirements of the arable farming sector.
The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will be eradicated in the next five years, and for most cereal farmers, environmental schemes will not cover that loss. Steve Dunkley, head of business resilience at AHDB will cover ‘Practical ways to manage the transition’ in his presentation.
Kate Russell, of Tellus Natural Capital, will chair a session on ‘Making the environment pay’. Policy makers and big industry are increasingly focused on environmental improvement, but how can farmers secure an income from this emerging market involving both public and private investment?
“At the moment there’s a lot of information being generated and discussion going on, but it can be hard to see the wood for the trees,” says Kate. “Environmental markets are still in the developmental phase, but there’s an urgent need for financially sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
“Farmers are right to be cautious because we’re all learning as we go, but we need to give people the tools to understand where they’re heading. This seminar will help to show where there are clear pathways to markets for environmental goods and services.”
While farmers have a degree of choice over what steps they take in their business, world events like the Russian/Ukrainian war, which are out of their control, are having dramatic effects on commodity prices. While grain prices are up, so are input costs and it can be difficult to predict profits and losses.
James Webster of the Andersons Centre will cover the degree of impact of fuel and fertiliser prices as well as grain prices on arable enterprise profits. “The 2022 harvest year should be reasonable, however, for the 2023 crop we will see significant challenges to cashflow required to buy inputs.
“Two years ago, 100t of fertiliser cost £24,500, now it costs £90,000. While there’s still money to be made from the 2023 crop if grain prices stay firm, it’s about having the cash available to buy inputs that are three times as expensive. Also, a large proportion of tenant farmers won’t have the assets to borrow against.”
Not all farms are the same and the session will look at ways risk can be managed, he adds.
Cereals event director Alli McEntyre is delighted with the comprehensive seminar programme. “The seminars provide an unrivalled opportunity for farmers and the wider industry to share their views and shape the future at a time of unprecedented change.”
Also exhibiting
In addition to the manufacturers above, visitors can also find the following firms on stands at this year’s event:
- Agxeed
- Altek-Lechler
- Bateman
- DroneAg
- He-Va
- Izona
- Lemken
- Mastenbroek
- Mzuri
- Opico
- Sky Agriculture
- Team sprayers
- Väderstad
- Zurn Harvesting
Event information
The Cereals Event will be held in Cambridgeshire on 8-9 June 2022. Car parks open at 6:00am. Gates open at 7:30am when caterers open for breakfast. Stands and features open at 8:00am. Caravan parking is available on 29 June to 2 July. Location: Chrishall Grange, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, SG8 7NT. Tickets are still available online at www.cerealsevent.co.uk
