We turn the spotlight on the most popular models in the Honda ATV and UTV ranges… 

Honda entry level TRX250TM/TE Fourtrax

The 2wd TRX250 is the lightest weight model in the range, both agile and economical,  perfect for light duties and rounding up livestock. Choose either manual foot gearchange or easy push-button electric shift, backed by a Honda two year warranty. From £4,350.00 + vat

Honda entry level TRX420FM and FM2 Fourtrax all round 4wd

A tough performer in all conditions, 2/4wd on demand, 385kg towing ability and straightforward 5 speed foot gearchange. Ideal for , equestrian yard and farm work. Choose the TRX420FM2 in either green or red if you would like the benefit of power steering, which is less tiring and makes reversing incredibly easy, especially with a trailer. The TRX420 Manual range starts from £6,425.00 + vat

Honda TRX420FA2 and FA6 Fourtrax for heavier work

With additional electric gearchange and full automatic option, the DCT transmission on the FA models give you more gear options than any other ATV on the market. For 2020 the advanced new ‘Skip Switch’ enables you to select reverse as you come to rest with virtually no delay – all at the press of a button. Choosing the TRX40FA6 model gives the rider the benefit of comfortable and robust independent rear suspension for grip and stability along with a rear hydraulic disc brake. From £7,325.00 + vat

Honda TRX500FM6 and FA6 Foreman

These are the top of the range heavy duty models with 600kg towing ability, strong independent suspension and an 85kg rear rack capacity. Power steering, 2/4wd and difflock are standard features. Choose from the FM6 with manual foot gearchange or the FA6 with high and low range, DCT auto and electric shift transmission with the fast ‘Skip Switch”’ reverse button. From £8,300.00 + vat

Honda Pioneer 700

A lightweight, versatile two seater UTV, that’s as economical and agile as an ATV. Weighing only 574kg dry and the ability to tow 680kg the Pioneer is a brilliant performer, especially off road in wet conditions. Powered by a reliable 680cc engine with a torque converter, the transmission seamlessly shifts automatically. Features include 2/4wd and difflock, independent suspension, fantastic ground clearance and brisk performance. Options include half cab or full cab. From £11,500 + vat.

All Honda ATV and UTV products carry a two year minimum warranty (subject to offers) and each is provided with an optional free Datatool tracking device and EASI rider operator training.

For more information and to find out about our current offers please contact Tim Rochfort 07973 911934, Toddington, who will put you in touch with your local Honda specialist at Frome, Knockdown or Marlborough.

In 2020 T H WHITE Pro Agri is operating a Case IH tractor hire fleet with machines from the Farmall, Maxxum and Puma ranges available for everything from demanding arable and silage tasks and grass and hay work, to amenity applications. It is expected that the new Hire fleet will land at T H WHITE in late February, but based on the experience of previous years demand will be high, so please do contact us now to stake your claim and be sure of getting the kit you need in 2020!

We can accommodate short or long-term hire, so whether you are planning to hire for a week, a month, or even a year, we can put together the right contract. And if you are looking for multiple machines or even a small fleet, we will pull out the stops to make sure you have exactly what you need – just let us know as soon as possible.

All our Case IH hire contracts are backed by Service Support from our team of qualified engineers. 

You can register your interest with T H WHITE Pro Agri now on 01264 811260 (Stockbridge), or 01373 465941 (Frome).

Andrew Collier has been awarded Master Technician status in two New Holland categories by Oliver James, New Holland After Sales Area Manager. The recognition came for Andrew’s knowledge of both Tractors and Precision Land Management (PLM). 

A TNA (training needs analysis) is conducted at the beginning of an engineer’s development cycle to assess learning gaps and performance. Progressing through these courses allows an engineer to qualify as a Professional Technician. But achieving Master Technician status takes this to another level. 

Andrew joins three other T H WHITE colleagues who hold Master Technician status (Lawrence Fisher, Nathan Reeves and Pete Francis), but he is the only one in-house to hold two categories. In fact, there are fewer than 10 technicians nationally who hold this accolade. Qualifying Master Technicians are invited to New Holland’s Zedelgem factory just outside Bruges for the annual tractor update meeting, enabling even more in-depth knowledge to be acquired.

  Andrew will also have the honour of his photograph being displayed in the CNH training centre in Basildon. Well done Andrew – thank you for your provision of excellence to our customers.

Request a service for your agricultural equipment before 14 FEBRUARY 2020 and receive a 10% DISCOUNT on labour and in-stock parts with our great service offer!

To qualify for this great saving request your service slot online NOW at: www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/get-in-touch. To qualify, bookings must be placed by 14 February 2020 and must include parts and service work.

Remember, we can service machines of any make, model and any age, so get in touch today.

Extended payment terms are available subject to credit approval. T H White Terms & Conditions apply to all Winter Service packages.

Request a service for your agricultural equipment before 30 December 2019 and receive a 15% DISCOUNT on labour and in-stock parts with our great SILVER SERVICE OFFER!

To qualify for this great saving request your service slot online NOW at: www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/get-in-touch. To qualify, bookings must be placed by 30 December 2019 and must include parts and service work.

Remember, we can service machines of any make, model and any age, so get in touch today.

Extended payment terms are available subject to credit approval. T H White Terms & Conditions apply to all Winter Service packages.

Until 31 December we can offer you most products in the Kuhn farm machinery range at 0% finance with years to pay.

Kuhn makes some of the best ploughing, tillage, seeding, fertilising and feeding equipment on the market – plus much else besides – and until New Year’s Eve you can purchase almost any of it with a 0% finance deal, spreading the cost with either 2+22 monthly payments, or 1+2 annual payments.

This could be one of the best investments you make this year, so for all the details, terms and conditions just contact your Agricultural rep or one of our branches.

Back in 2016 T H WHITE partnered New Holland in trials of the second generation T6.180 methane powered tractor (see White’s World 265). The experience gained in those trials, plus further development has led to the launch of the world’s first production T6 Methane Power Tractor which made its debut at Agritechnica 2019.

This completely sustainable tractor solution offers the same performance as diesel with 30% lower running costs and – crucially – produces 99% less particulate matter than an equivalent diesel, and reduces CO2 emissions by a minimum of 10%, and overall emissions by 80%.

The T6 Methane Power tractor will be of special interest to biogas plant operators and farmers who grow energy crops and use agricultural waste to generate biomethane, achieving near-zero CO2 emissions. Livestock and dairy farmers can take this even further by producing biomethane from manure, which subtracts CO2 from the environment resulting in a carbon-negative footprint.

On the T6 Methane Power, the gas tanks are mounted in the same position as the diesel tanks on the standard T6 model. Clever design means that cab access and visibility are unimpeded. For users who need to extend their working hours, a ‘Range Extender’ is available as an option which can be mounted on the front linkage or weight carrier, or on the rear linkage for loader work.

The capabilities of the methane-powered T6 are similar to the standard T6, retaining production tyre sizes and track width settings. Additional options such as mid-mount valves are also still available.

The T6 Methane Power will be available to customers during 2020. To keep abreast of the introduction and to hear more about ways in which it could save money specific to your operation, contact the New Holland specialists at our Agricultural branches.

Third generation dairy farmer Austin Russell  is pictured here, with two of the things he appreciates most – his Pedigree Holsteins and his Honda Pioneer!

Austin runs an 870 acre mixed farm where he milks 200 Holsteins, in the Cotswold village of Barnsley. Having owned Honda ATVs over the years, another Honda was the natural choice when he was looking to buy a UTV. Following a demonstration from Tim Rochfort at our Toddington branch, Austin decided on the Pioneer petrol 700 with two and four wheel drive and automatic transmission and driven by a torque converter.

Austin usually begins his winter working day at 4am, heading off to the dairy for milking in the Pioneer and then he’ll use it to tow the feed trailer, check and move stock, transport staff around, carry feed and so on. The Honda Pioneer works hard in the summer too, towing the fuel bowser out to the combine and, more recently, ferrying supplies to the farm’s new ‘glamping’ site.

Austin has been impressed by the reliability of the new Pioneer. “It’s also safe for two people, stable, economical – and it pulls like a train when required! Even in the unrelentingly wet weather recently, the Pioneer  finds grip,  but it doesn’t get bogged down or mark the ground too much, ” he says.

The fact that the Pioneer 700 is a petrol model is seen by Austin as another plus. It’s quiet around livestock and is as economical as a similarly powered ATV. Its lightness adds to its agility and means it can go almost anywhere around the farm without churning up the ground and causing a mess in the winter.

Uniquely, Honda uses a torque converter transmission (no belts) which gives fantastic engine braking downhill, something that Austin likes, especially when towing.

If you think the Honda Pioneer 700 could be the UTV for you, check out Honda’s 333 offer – 3 Years 0%, 3 years Tracking subscription and 3 Years warranty.

For more information call Tim Rochfort on 07973 911934 or email tim.rochfort@thwhite.co.uk to arrange a demo.

A star at Agritechnica 2019 was the New Holland T5 Dynamic Command tractor range which has been configured to deliver maximum productivity in mixed and dairy farms.

The new tractors are ideal where loader work and transport are key aspects of daily operations, as well as high-PTO work, such as mowing, baling, light tillage and ground preparation.

Building on the reputation of the T5 series for versatility, the four new T5 DC models are rated from 100 to 130hp and feature Dynamic Command eight-step semi-powershift transmission. This offers a wide spread of speeds within the three ranges, which correspond to those most frequently used when conducting in-field or on-road activities. The operator can thus match the speed of the tractor to the job with precision, without changing the range. There are dedicated clutches for forward and reverse to ensure a controlled power shuttle, even on steep gradients, while the range shifting is all automated.

The T5 DC’s compact dimensions – just 2,695mm tall, with a 2,490mm wheelbase and a tight turning angle of 55° – greatly simplify yard and dairy farm work, while the ultra-quiet Horizon cab offers the best operator environment in its class with the superior ergonomics and the intuitive features of the SideWinder armrest. The new super high visibility panel, together with a single-piece front screen and ample glazed areas deliver seamless visibility all round – perfect for loader work.

The power output of the proven NEF four-cylinder, 4.5 litre engine is calibrated to minimise fuel consumption while also meeting Stage V emissions standards.

For many farmers, the New Holland T5 Dynamic Control will provide the perfect solution for a wide range of applications. Our New Holland experts will be pleased to give you the full picture – contact any of our branches or enquire online at www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/get-in-touch

New Holland is so confident of the superior quality and longevity of its products that it has launched a standard three-year, zero-cost extended warranty package for its CR and CX 7/8 flagship combine harvester ranges.

The warranty applies to all new CR and CX 7/8 combines sold in the UK and covers engine, driveline and after-treatment system for three years or 1,200 engine hours (whichever comes first). New Holland is the first brand in Europe to offer as standard such an in-house comprehensive warranty package, testament to its commitment to meeting customers’ demand for a clear ‘total cost of ownership’ of their equipment.

The final of the T H WHITE customer mixed skittles tournament was held at the Old Royal Ship, Luckington on Monday 7 October 2019. The finalists were the Deverill Boyz ’n’ Girlz from Horningsham, captained by Eric Down and the Cavaliers from Great Somerford, captained by Richard Greenhill. 

In the match, the Deverill Boyz ’n’ Girlz took victory, winning by 8 points to 4 and by 2 pins. The team has dedicated the game to Graham Few who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Petronas sponsored the event this year and Adrian Lovegrove presented the prizes. The male players were presented with engraved glass tankards and the ladies were presented with engraved wine goblets.

This year the highest individual score was won by Andrew Day who plays for Deverill Boyz ’n’ Girls with a top score of 46 pins.

I would like to thank James Minty for keeping the score and to Helen and her team of Staff at the Old Royal Ship, for a good night, which was enjoyed by everyone.

Sharon Minty, Skittles Organizer

Next year’s hedge cutting season might seem a long way off, but by ordering any Kuhn hedge cutter before the end of December you can spread the cost over four years – and there’s nothing to pay until 1 May 2020!

This unmissable 0+4 @ 0% offer is on now, so talk to any of our Agricultural branches for all the details, terms and conditions.

Honda’s hugely popular Pioneer UTV can be yours on a very special 3-point purchase plan – if you order by 2 January 2020.

• With a minimum deposit of 20% the balance can be paid over 3 years @ 0%

• Purchases will qualify for a 3 year Datatool GPS tracking subscription

• Honda’s excellent 2-year warranty will be extended to 3 years!

Bag your Honda 3-3-3 deal by calling our UTV/ATV specialist Tim Rochfort on 07973 911934.

Buying ahead of next year’s season is always a great way to save money and we are pleased to offer you some great finance packages on new Väderstad equipment. 

If you place your Väderstad order with T H WHITE before 30 November this year, you can either: Pay nothing for 3 months followed by 3 annual payments @ 1% fpa, or 2 annual payments (1+1 @ 0% fpa, or 4 annual payments (1+3 @ 1% fpa).

What are you waiting for?!

T H WHITE’s brands will enjoy a strong showing at the biennial Agritechnica show, being held in Hanover from 10 to 16 November.

Several of our manufacturers won Agritechnica awards this year so we are bringing you the planned Agritechnica messages as the latest machines and technologies are unveiled at the show, all set to transform your farming in the years ahead…

CASE IH

Among the most impressive exhibits is the seventh generation of Case IH’s flagship conventional tractor, the Magnum AFS Connect available in variants from 351hp to 435hp. A new design with a full-length door and a superbly-appointed comfort cab is twinned with remarkable connectivity. Based on the proven Case IH

Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) technology, the tractor incorporates a refined data system which takes the concept to new levels. With entirely new hardware and software – including a new display – the system offers real-time presentations not only of ‘standard’ data such as the location and performance of machines, but also data including field records, area worked and rates of application.

Using the online Case IH AFS Connect portal, farm managers can access the data from their office or mobile device, monitoring current field operations, fleet information, agronomic data and more. Although we can’t cover all the options in this brief overview, the T H WHITE Pro Agri team will be delighted to give you all the details. Call them on 01373 465941 (Frome) or 01264 811260 (Stockbridge).

VÄDERSTAD

Innovative new equipment solutions and technological advances star in Väderstad’s Agritechnica line-up. 

The show will give visitors the first opportunity to see the all-new heavy-duty tine harrow NZ Extreme 1250-1425. This 12.5 to 14.25 metre machine is Väderstad’s widest harrow to date for the European market and will be placed in a variety of challenging locations for ‘real-world’ testing before full manufacture and delivery begins in 2021.  Väderstad has really gone the extra mile with the NZ Extreme which is built from a 5-section frame, able to adapt to the field surface and maintain the selected depth. This capability is augmented by an innovative weight transfer system and ingenious wheel set-up. Swedish quality steel, a strong and unique tine mounting plus an intense vibrating tine action is combined with extreme stiffness and durability for real heavy duty work. The Extreme tine will crush clods, maintain its exact depth and completely level the field.

Also being launched at Agritechnica 2019 with an Innovation Award is the Väderstad Tempo WideLining system. This is the world’s first tramlining system that will enable farmers to spread liquid manure in a standing silage maize crop, without compromising yield potential. Instead of shutting off row units to create tramlines, WideLining automatically changes the row spacing on the planter hydraulically to create two 1,050mm tyre tracks, thereby ensuring all row units plant at full capacity. The row spacing between the tyre tracks can be varied 750-600mm.

WideLining is fully automatic and integrated in the iPad-based control system Väderstad E-Control. When the function is activated, the machine will calculate the field and automatically adjust the row units to create tramlines based on the working width of the liquid manure spreader. In practise, this is likely to result in 8.3% more seeds in the field compared to alternative technology.

Väderstad WideLining will be available on Tempo V 6-12 from the second half of 2020.

Väderstad has offered wireless machine control, via its iPad-based control system Väderstad E-Control since 2013, but now the technology has been extended to phones. By downloading the E-Control Mobile app to a smartphone, the farmer can now calibrate his seed drill or planter direct from the phone, connecting wirelessly to the Väderstad machine and thereby maintaining full control flexibility and mobility in the field.

NEW HOLLAND

New Holland’s continual push towards enhanced farming technology has earnt it three Agritechnica Innovation Awards this year. There’s a new driveline for the high intensity BigBaler which delivers a 79% increase in torque; further developments to the CX threshing system; and a baler control system for the T7 tractor.

A major launch is the T8 GENESIS^® Series tractor with Precision Land Management (PLM) Intelligence. Packed with new features and technology, it features a completely redesigned cab and delivers a fully customisable ‘jump on and drive’ operator experience. Hydraulic remote valves can be assigned to the paddles or joystick of the driver’s choice and individual tractor settings can be stored against an implement name and recalled instantly when switching between tasks.

During 2020, New Holland will extend the T8 GENESIS^® range with a new 400hp full-powershift model. This new powershift will feature a 21Fx5R speed transmission and will only be available on the flagship T8.435 Ultra Command in either wheeled or SmartTrax versions. With this new addition, customers can choose at every power level the transmission technology most suitable for their business.

New Holland’s CR Revelation combine range has been given a 5% power upgrade across most of the range and now introduces the industry-leading ECOBlue HI-eSCR 2 technology to comply with Stage V emissions standards.

Of great interest to many farmers will be the introduction of the new patented Loop Master knotter on all BigBaler models. This sets new standards by eliminating offcuts left loose on the bale and in the field. It’s estimated that a season’s production of 10,000 bales can result in close to 6 kilometers’ worth of twine offcuts which can contaminate feed and be ingested, or which are left to pollute the ground. As well as doing away with loose twine offcuts, the Loop Master enables the twine to retain 15% more strength – equating to more efficient and secure baling, higher productivity and lower costs.

KUHN

Kuhn’s MDS .2 fertilizer spreaders offer many features and options suitable for specialised crops, such as vineyards, orchards and vegetables, as well as row crop and small grain farms. A simple PTO drive and rugged low-maintenance gearbox operates twin spreading discs that offer working widths up to 80ft.

The company’s new Maxima 3 seed drill has its own 48v electric drive system which means there’s no need to use the electric power of the tractor, while also ensuring smooth and continuous rotation for high precision, even on acceleration and deceleration on headlands, in vertical accelerations or in dusty environments.

MANITOU

Among Manitou’s popular range of telehandlers and forklifts, the company is showing its new MC18-2/4 forklifts. With an overall width of just 1,450mm the new machines are designed for easy manoeuvring in restricted spaces. Extra power and torque comes from the four motors integrated in the wheels giving it the ability to climb slopes with ease. It’s possible to switch from four-wheel to two-wheel drive at the touch of a button and 30cm ground clearance (the highest on the market) means it can be used in challenging conditions such as on mud and sand.

Visitors to Agritechnica will also have a preview of the comfort-orientated Manitou MLT 741-140 V+ telehandler.

KVERNELAND

Kverneland’s new Enduro cultivator promises to be the right choice for both, shallow stubble and deeper working depths. The Enduro carries out tillage of the soil, levelling and consolidating in one pass reducing costs and the risk of lost moisture to promote the weed regrowth.

Another great innovation is Kverneland’s Turbo i-Tiller, a cultivator that has depth and level adjustments which are controlled directly from the tractor cab. This is also linked to On-The-Go Dynamic Traction Control for maximum economy.

Not going to Agritechnica? NO PROBLEM! We can give you all the details of the new machines and technologies, as well as arranging demonstrations as they become available.

Just contact your T H WHITE Agricultural branch

0% FINANCE OVER 4 YEARS ON A New Holland T7 LWB

For a limited period only we are offering very special finance terms on ‘in stock’ New Holland T7 long wheelbase (LWB) tractors.

We are proud to be able to offer you this tough, versatile tractor on terms of 1+3 @ 0%. That means one payment down and three annual payments thereafter at zero percent interest*. Or, to put it another way, a one year extension to our usual finance terms.

There’s no doubt that this tough and versatile tractor also has head turning styling features, including new ‘cat-eye’ lights, gill-like side vents and a gull wing profile roof, jam-packed with up to 16 LED cab lights, including automotive-style signature lights, for true round the clock farming. 

The ECOBlue HI-eSCR Nef engines are fully compliant with the even more stringent Tier 4B emission standards and develop between 225-270hp (CV) whilst maintaining the outstanding fuel economy you’ve come to expect of the T7 range. The new semi-active, ventilated seat makes day-long farming even more comfortable.

This opportunity to take advantage of such favourable terms is sure to be popular, so don’t miss out! Contact any 

T H WHITE Agricultural branch today.

* Full terms and conditions on request. Subject to status. Maximum 50% of RRP or balance to finance.

Kverneland precision drills and disc spreaders – some of the best in the business –  are now available on highly advantageous finance terms for a limited period from T H WHITE’s Hereford branch. 

Depending on when you place your order, the cost of these important purchases can be spread over periods up to three years at 0% interest, plus deferred first payments.

For example, if you order a Kverneland Optima precision drill by the end of October, the first payment will not be due until May next year, or if you order by the end of November the first payment would be due next April. For a Monopill or Miniair precision drill you can order by the end of December and not pay anything until June 2020, or order by the end of January 2020 and make the first payment in May. Those options are based on either two payments a year apart (0+2), or 24 payments (0+24), all at 0% flat rate p.a. If you don’t want to defer payments you can opt for 1 payment upfront and one two years later (1+2), or 3 payments upfront followed by 33 monthly payments (3+33) again at 0% flat rate p.a.  All deals are based on 50% of the RRP or balance to finance, whichever is lower.

Exactly the same finance options at 0% flat rate p.a. are available on all Kverneland disc spreaders, but with slightly different order deadlines. Order by the end of October with first payment due July 2020; order by end of November, first payment due June 2020; or order by end of December with first payment in May 2020.

Contact our Hereford branch on 01432 352333 for all the details, terms and conditions. We can also tailor a number of other finance plans to suit your needs – talk to us today!

New Holland is gearing up for the tractors, combines and other equipment that needs to be  delivered for 2020. By placing an early order you can benefit from generous discounts.

Additionally, T H WHITE can offer finance deals on new purchases of New Holland  machinery, including 1+2 @ 0% or 1+3 @ 1%.

For all the details, savings and timings of various offers, just contact any T H WHITE Agriculture branch.

T H WHITE took an active role in the Gloucestershire Root, Fruit & Grain Society’s biennial tillage event which was held this year on 11 September at the Boddington Estate near Cheltenham. 

The timing was ideal with what appears to have been a good harvest largely completed and many farmers already being well into cultivation work. With ideal ground conditions the 

T H WHITE team led by Colin Davies was able to demonstrate equipment from Väderstad and HeVa alongside the latest Honda and Kawasaki ATVs and four tractors that were demonstrated by New Holland staff.

“Highlights for our customers were the Väderstad Carrier 650 and the 4-metre TopDown cultivator,” says Colin. “In fact Robin Smith from the Vineyards near Ledbury was able to benefit from a demonstration of the TopDown 400 straight after the show with the help of Väderstad area sales manager Simon Griffiths.”

For your own demo, just call any of our agriculture reps.

David Rapkins is T H WHITE’s new divisional director for Agriculture, having joined the company after 13 years with CNHi where he attained the position of Senior Director – Global Product Management. 

During his time at CNHi David worked on both New Holland and Case IH – key brands for T H WHITE –  although his agricultural experience stretches far beyond the corporate world and embraces a strong element of hands-on experience. 

From a young age David grew up around mixed farms, helping out on evenings and weekends when not at school. His formal agricultural education began at Wiltshire College, Lackham, and culminated in an honours degree from the Royal Agricultural University in Farm Mechanisation and Business Management. 

But to really come to grips with agriculture David believes you need to get involved at the sharp end. Right through his higher education he continued working on farms, developing his skills and moving on to work for agricultural contractors. For harvest 2005 he worked for Frank Dakin & Son in Shropshire, followed by a brief spell as a service engineer for local agricultural dealerships. Then, in 2006, he travelled to Austraila where he managed the harvest machinery on the huge McLean’s Farm. From there he visited 10 different countries in 12 months, broadening his agricultural experience as he went.

At T H WHITE, David now heads a restructured team comprising Operations Director Adrian Lovegrove, Sales Director Ray Bennett and Commercial Director James Ashworth. From CNHi he brings particular expertise in after-sales, technical support and customer care.

Fundamentally, David is a ‘people person’, his successes at CNHi having been driven by fostering a positive team culture, recognising effort and performance and celebrating success – strategies he plans to develop at T H WHITE. “The business already has a strong customer service profile largely due to the dedication, knowledge and long-term commitment of our staff. But in this business you can’t afford to stand still – we must continue to invest in understanding what our customers want and need, helping them get the best from their machinery, land and buildings over generations. With our great people and many terrific customer relationships we have all the tools in the tool box to further improve our best-in-class sales, service and parts service.”

These aren’t just hollow words either. While at CNHi David established customer focus groups, placed products on test with customers to monitor performance in real life settings and flew customers to factories to critique new concepts and developments. “Feeding back the voice of customers to suppliers is a vital part of delivering what farmers actually need and I fully intend to use my connections with CNHi to lobby for T H WHITE customer involvement in trials of machines and new technologies.”

David is based at Knockdown (Tetbury) but is responsible for all eight T H WHITE agricultural branches offering machinery sales, service and parts for our key franchises of New Holland, Case IH, Manitou, Kuhn, Väderstad, Pöttinger, McConnel and more…

With all that going on you might well think that David wouldn’t have much room for other interests in his personal life, but you would be wrong. He enjoys flying light aircraft and holds a Private Pilot’s Licence, he project-manages property renovations and also finds the time to be an active member of the Institute of Agricultural Engineers.

If you are a customer of our Agriculture Division you may well meet David Rapkins sometime soon, so please do tell him about your business and how T H WHITE could help you achieve your goals – he’s listening. You can email David david.rapkins@thwhite.co.uk, or call him on 07831 582731.

Honda UK has launched its new flagship ATV, the exciting new 2020 TRX520 Foreman.

Following a research visit to the UK two years ago, the R&D team from Honda in Ohio listened carefully to what our customers wanted and went away to make it happen. The result is the excellent new TRX520FA6 Foreman.

The earlier version of this ATV first appeared in 2015 and this new model retains many of the same excellent features including independent suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, high/low range, power steering, difflock, 2/4 wheel drive, superb rider comfort and automatic transmission with optional electric shift (ESP) – using no belts – with the ability to tow 600kg

So what’s new about the 2020 model? Well, firstly engine capacity has been increased from 475cc to 518cc, for more power, torque and cleaner emissions. The luggage racks are better designed with new features and a 1.9 litre storage container with lid is now mounted within the front rack. There are improved brush guards and an all new front bumper. Added to that, the lighting has been improved.

Most significant of all though is the new reverse shift operation. On this model and 2020 TRX420 automatics, reverse is now engaged with a simple, finger operated button; the response is instant, it can be selected at speeds of up to 3kph and it’s so easy to use – especially on a cold morning with gloves on!

Another upgrade to the transmission mapping is the ability to override, shifting manually in auto without selecting ESP. The transmission drops back to auto after a few minutes.

We have ridden the new 520 and found it more responsive than the 2019 model with plenty of torque for towing. The all-important engine braking is really impressive too for safer downhill riding and  we liked the new more purposeful look resulting from the subtle front bumper change.

If you are considering upgrading your ATV this year, please do contact one of us to arrange a test ride before you decide, we hope you’ll be as impressed as we are!

Currently available in green or red livery, list price of the TRX520FA6 Foreman is £8,600 plus VAT with two-year warranty, FREE GPS tracker and EASI training package. All-in-all a fantastic package.

For more information please contact your nearest T H WHITE Agricultural branch or representative.

We have a very special bonus for the first 15 customers who order a Case IH Axial-Flow combine harvester for delivery in time for the 2020 season. 

If you are one of the first 15 to enter into a retail contract to buy a Case IH combine you will be taken on a two-centre trip to the USA, visiting the Case IH combine harvester manufacturing plant at Grand Island, Nebraska, as well as the company’s worldwide headquarters at Racine, Wisconsin, where many of the famous red tractors are made.

At Grand Island you will be given a tour one of the most modern agricultural machinery manufacturing plants in the world to see how the industry-leading Axial-Flow combines are made. You will also visit Racine, 650 miles away on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the business was founded in 1842 by Jerome Increase Case.

In addition to this great incentive, T H WHITE Pro Agri also has a finance offer of 1+3 at 0% on Case IH equipment ordered by 30 November. 

Case IH offers three series of Axial-Flow camobine harvesters. At the entry level is the Axial-Flow 140 series with three models from 312 to 449hp, perfect for mid-sized arable operations. Stepping up in spec, the Axial-Flow 150 series combines are the perfect combination of simplicity, productivity and reliability. Equipped with single-rotor technology combined with the Cross Flow cleaning system, the 5150, 6150 and 7150 models (312 to 460hp) deliver high output, minimum loss and low set-up times.

For the most demanding applications  the Axial-Flow 250 series provides raw power from 498 to 634hp, offering high-speed harvesting, increased threshing capability and ultimate grain quality, even under the most challenging conditions. Take your pick.

So, will you be on your way to the USA? Visit T H WHITE Pro Agri today at Frome or Stockbridge, or call 01373 465941.

The expertise of T H WHITE Pro Agri technician Matt Whitehorn has been recognised with the award of his AFS Master Technician certificate.

This recognition, the first in our company, was presented to Matt by Case IH Service Zone Manager Owen Kemp, and is testament to Matt’s expert knowledge in precision farming, as well as T H WHITE Pro Agri’s commitment to ensure it is at the forefront of farming innovation.

By booking your equipment in for service during the winter months when our workshops are less busy, you can make incredible savings UP TO 20% on labour and in-stock parts. 

All winter service bookings which include labour and parts and are invoiced by given dates will qualify for discounts – the earlier you book, the more you save.

All the details are included in a flyer included with this issue of White’s World with a reply-paid response form to request your service. Or, to make things even easier, just request your service quickly and easily online at www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/get-in-touch/

As well as our Winter Service discounts we have these great special offers too:

With agricultural crime on the rise it’s more important than ever for farmers to be able to keep tabs on equipment – especially when it comes to unpowered items. 

The new EasyTRACK asset tracker from Manitou provides a discreet and simple answer. This robust, weatherproof module and be installed easily on any item of equipment and is simple to activate. 

Using the EasyMANAGER app, assets can be located instantly in the case of a theft attempt, while the ‘ping-as-you-like’ feature allows you to set any number of pings per day so that you can be alerted to any unexpected movements. At one ping per day the batteries can be expected to last 5½ years, while at five pings per day the battery life will be approximately one year.

The Manitou EasyTRACK is available from T H WHITE Agricultural parts stores at £504, with replacement batteries at £102.

It all started when Robert Banwell needed a new baler at Mill Farm, Wedmore, on the Somerset levels. After looking at the market and talking with T H WHITE’s Stuart Crook, he decided on a Case IH RB455 round baler – but he wanted his new baler to be a little different!

A member of Robert’s family had been receiving treatment for breast cancer and in recognition of the help she had been given Robert decided that the baler should be finished in the pink shade that has come to symbolise breast cancer awareness.

The T H WHITE Pro Agri team were delighted to co-operate with Robert’s request and the new baler was duly despatched to Barnes Coachworks in Frome who completed a superb spray paint transformation. As soon as it was delivered to the farm the baler was put to work to produce the extensive stock of hay bales that Robert needs for his popular livery yard. The Case IH BR455 was more than equal to the job, making hundreds of tight and dense bales ready for the year ahead, but Robert’s poor old tractor was struggling. The new baler was altogether bigger and heavier than Robert’s old one so he decided the time was probably right for a new tractor as well. Of course, it would have to be pink..!

After further discussion with Stuart Crook, Robert Banwell decided on a Case IH Luxxum 110. “The Luxxum is perfect for the job,” he says. “While being modestly sized and economic, it has plenty of power to drive the baler and the rear end is built to cope with the extra weight. The 110 sits in the middle of the range and its specification is outstanding for a tractor of this size, making it a pleasure to use.”

T H WHITE again arranged for the new tractor also to be sent to Barnes Coachworks and when it returned not only was Case IH insignia applied, but also the pink ribbon breast cancer logo. The finished tractor was delivered to Mill Farm at the end of July so missed this year’s baling, but Robert is looking forward to using the combo in 2020.

One thing is certain – if you are around the Wedmore area and you see a pink tractor on the road, you’ll know who’s driving it!

Robert Banwell (left) takes delivery of the pink Case IH Luxxum 110 from Stuart Crook of T H WHITE Pro Agri

One of the things we are most proud of at T H WHITE Agriculture is the depth of knowledge and personal experience among members of our team. 

That’s particularly true at our Frome branch where all our sales representatives have a farming background and have often learnt the best way to tackle a task or solve a problem by doing it themselves the hard way.

Our reps are not just going to come in to try and sell you something – they will actually look at what you are trying to achieve, talk through the options and spec-up the right machinery to give you the best solutions at the best price. The whole team at T H WHITE understands the importance of long term relationships, helping our customers to thrive through generations, advising on challenges and developments. On a day-to-day basis, the team will often be able to carry out on-farm fixes on-the-fly where farmers encounter problems with equipment.

As it’s now 18 months since the branch relocated from the old Vallis Road site to new premises on the western edge of Frome, we felt it would be an appropriate moment to profile the operation. Probably the most modern premises in the T H WHITE group, it serves a vast area spanning Somerset, North Devon as well as parts of Wiltshire & Dorset. The area is strong in mixed farming, with many small to medium-sized family farms with an emphasis on beef and dairy, but with less dedicated arable farming than some of the other regions served by T H WHITE.

Much of the equipment we supply from Frome tends to be small to mid-range New Holland and Case IH tractors, telehandlers, grassland equipment, slurry equipment, agricultural trailers, a range of implements and our big baler flagship product.  We also carry an extensive selection of used equipment.

Frome is also home to our Dairy Department managed by Nigel Ellis, who has been working closely with Agricultural Sales Director Ray Bennett to deliver a seamless and unified offering to dairy farmers. We will be looking at the Dairy Department in more detail in a future issue of White’s World.

The sales team is fully supported by our sales administration colleagues – Dave Comer and Charlotte Osborne whose responsibilities include stock management and stock orders, processing sales orders, invoicing, warranty and delivery documentation across our wide range of machine franchises – together with Finance Specialist Faye Parsons.

A key part of our customer offering are our aftersales functions. The service  workshop at Frome has been run by Dave Rideout for over 15 years with his team of experienced technicians and several apprentices. Like all T H WHITE workshops it is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment and run by accredited, manufacturer-trained technicians. The Frome Parts Store is run by Steve Marshman and his team who keep a large stock of agricultural and dairy parts with thousands of genuine lines in stock, all with guarantees and ready for collection.

Our Frome Sales team is made up of Stuart Crook, our T H WHITE Pro Agri specialist for Case IH, Joe Woolley and Jamie Harraway specialising in New Holland kit, and Bob Gallop our Slurry specialist. We thought the best way to help you get to know them would be to let them introduce themselves in their own words…

BOB GALLOP Slurry specialist

Working at the mucky end of agriculture as T H WHITE’s Slurry Specialist may not be everyone’s idea of a dream job, but it’s a very necessary part of the cycle that delivers real benefits to our customers.

Landing this plumb role didn’t happen overnight – it seems almost unbelievable to me now that it’s 45 years since I first joined T H WHITE as a mechanic, working my way up the tree over the ensuing 13 years to become Workshop Foreman. In 1989 I left for a two year spell at a Deutz tractor and RABI equipment dealership in Westbury, before embarking on a wonderful adventure running a Ford tractor dealership workshop in Tanzania. Exciting as that was, it played havoc with family life so I returned to T H WHITE in Frome as an Area Sales Representative. In 2013 the company decided to appoint a Slurry Specialist and I have been doing that job since then. 

T H WHITE is a dealer for a select group of slurry equipment suppliers – Bauer for all fixed equipment, Hi Spec for tankers, Tramspread for umbilical equipment, Storth for auto scrapers and mixers and Vogelsang for applicators. Being able to represent them in this small sector of the vast agricultural industry means that I can offer a comprehensive and professional service. The territory I cover stretches from Hereford to Weymouth – with customers in all areas of livestock farming.

One of the most interesting innovations to have arisen in my time as Slurry Specialist has been the advent of the green bedding system in which cow slurry is recycled to produce bedding. It’s still controversial among farmers who have not yet experienced the quality of this odour-free and sterile product, but I now have more than a dozen very satisfied farmers using the system.

When away from the muck I enjoy delving in another kind of mud – as an avid gardener!

Stuart Crook T H WHITE Pro Agri

My introduction to agriculture came the hard way, with back-breaking work on the family pig farm with over 2,000 pigs. You can imagine my delight when I ‘escaped’ to Bath college to study building and construction, a booming industry at the time offering good money. A few fierce cold winters on construction sites soon changed my view of that and the warm, welcoming agricultural sector lured me back!

I started at a small Case IH agency – C E Davis & Co at Marshfield – and then moved to Boulters of Banwell where I spent several years as a sales representative.

Now, with more than 30 years in the industry and at T H WHITE for 12 of them, I have been able to develop and use my knowledge of the full Case IH product line-up as a specialist at T H WHITE Pro Agri in Frome.

There’s nothing like first-hand knowledge of what goes into the products you are dealing with so I attend as many supplier factory tours as I can to learn about engines, drivetrains, hydraulics and, of course, new products.

When I’m out talking to customers I know I’m not just there to sell something – I am bringing them the whole 

T H WHITE infrastructure which extends from the service and parts back-up at their local branch, right through to the functions provided by Group support to ensure that they always benefit from the latest knowledge and information, the best offers and health & safety aspects. The company has a long history and a solid future – and there aren’t so many you can say that about in these challenging times.

I take pride in many of the great business relationships I have been able to establish – not least the one with Bristol and South Gloucestershire Council. Whenever I see one of the red T H WHITE 

Pro Agri tractors at work in their neighbourhood it brings a smile to my face.

JAMIE HARRAWAY New Holland

I grew up on the family farm in Wrington which specialises in beef and sheep, as well as operating a livestock haulage business. I always knew that agriculture was where my future lay and I took a 3-year National Diploma in Agriculture at Cannington College before joining a farm near Bristol where I spent eight years gaining hands-on experience of dairy and arable activities.

After that I moved to Boulter Mead trailer centre where my daily tasks included sales administration, parts ordering and running the trailer workshop.

Eight months ago I took a step up by joining T H WHITE at Frome as a sales representative, becoming the newest member of the team there. 

A typical day will find me either at the dealership configuring new machinery, or out on farm meeting customers. 

And, if you would like a demo of a combine, baler, telehandler, tractor, drill, cultivator or any other piece of equipment, just give me a call.

JOE WOOLLEY New Holland

My dad managed a farm in Devizes where I grew up surrounded by farmers and farm machinery.  I suppose I never really doubted that my career would be in agriculture and after leaving school I studied for an agricultural engineering degree at Harper Adams university. As part of that I spent a placement year working for New Holland aftersales at Basildon, covering UK & Europe. That was a tremendous year, working as part of a large team, learning how machines are built and  – even more importantly – which parts are most subject to wear and eventual failure, and how to fix them! That training was invaluable, giving me a solutions-oriented attitude – fixing things, keeping them running and helping people.

Following university I became a fitter in T H WHITE’s Marlborough workshop, initially specialising in combines, subsequently moving to Frome where I gained experience on tractors. In 2015 I was successful in applying for a sales role, which I’ve been doing ever since. Being fully trained in both sales and service has proved extremely useful – I have been able to make quite a few impromptu fixes on farms!

A high that I’ll always remember was the sale of two combines to Josh Stratton at J M Stratton & Co, Codford, which placed me in the top New Holland UK sales tier that year, winning an all-expenses paid trip to Barcelona to watch Spanish Grand Prix.

I love the buzz of big sales, meeting people, together with all the coffee and chat. Things have been so busy lately that I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies, but I have just bought a house so there’s plenty of DIY to do – and I’m passionate about shooting.

Could it be that this year’s harvest has made you start thinking about new kit ready for next year?

Although it’s a bit of a cliché to say that big kit has long lead times, it’s actually true. Not only is it important to think ahead to be sure that the machinery you need is built and delivered on time, but ordering early will allow you to specify all the exact options that you want.

And, because early orders also help our business planning, we are able to offer some great discounts, finance plans and other incentives that won’t be available later.

We are currently finalising our 2020 harvest deals for both New Holland and Case IH machinery and the details will be in next month’s White’s World, but if you want to be at the head of the queue talk to our specialists in any T H WHITE Agriculture branch now who will be happy to advise and ensure your machinery is reserved on the very best terms.

T H WHITE September special offers from Agricultural Parts Departments.

Until 30 September you can benefit from special prices on genuine Väderstad cultivation parts…

CROSSCUTTER DISC

By opening up the possibility to perform an intensive full tillage at ultra-shallow working depth, the CrossCutter disc has positioned itself as the next revolution in the disc cultivator sector. Its unique cutting intensity crushes, chops and mulches in one single pass. 

For Carrier s/n 6300>  Was £52.90.  NOW £44.00

COULTER DISC

The Väderstad discs are manufactured from high quality V-55 Swedish steel at the fully-owned Väderstad genuine parts manufacturing SPH (Svensk Presshärdning), located close to the factory and head office in Sweden. The production reflects the same top-of-the-line product philosophy as all Väderstad products, which altogether guarantees the best value available in the market place. 

For Rapid s/n 1500 – 16000  Was £24.90.  NOW £20.50

MARATHON POINT 50/80mm. Was £64.90.  NOW £55.00

Reinforced hard metal in Wolfram carbide gives Marathon a lifetime 8 – 10 times longer than a standard point. Preserved sharpness ensures correct attack angle and working depth, which provides optimal soil quality across the whole surface.

MARATHON POINT 80mm. Was £67.90.  NOW £58.00

MARATHON BREAKMIX POINT

The BreakMix point combines the advantages of breaking compactions with a very intensive mixing. BreakMix adds versatility, lowers input cost and more importantly improves the agronomical working results. The BreakMix point is intended for primary or secondary tillage, on farms with heavier soils with risks of compaction. 

For Cultus, Opus and TopDown. Was £68.90.  NOW £60.00

COULTER

Recurrent tests demonstrate that Väderstad’s specially hardened coulters with hard metal plates in wolfram carbide generate the best drilling precision and work results across their entire service life. 

For Rapid s/n 899 >. Was £35.90.  NOW £30.00

ALL PRICES QUOTED EX-VAT

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VÄDERSTAD PARTS, DEMO EQUIPMENT AND ADVANCED TECHNIQUES TO TACKLE BLACK GRASS.

This year’s summer weather has provided ideal growing conditions for hedgerows and verges, meaning that the hedgecutting season is currently at its peak.

T H WHITE is a major UK stockist of McConnel hedgecutting equipment, and we can supply the full range of power arms suited to all applications.

But have you considered a pre-owned power arm? McConnel equipment is built to last, so buying a used power arm could be a smart move, saving you money and giving you a machine that still has a long life ahead of it.

At the time of publication we have two pre-owned McConnel PA 6565T power arms available. This model offers a 6.5m reach to tackle intensive verge mowing and hedge cutting, XTC control, a 65hp pump and electric rotor control and oil. 

The first, at just £11,500+VAT,  has a 1.2m MultiCut head and is in very good condition. For details call Paul Churches on 07702 724308.

The second, in outstanding condition, features the world’s first 1.2m dual rotor flailhead and is offered at £13,500+VAT. You can see photos of this at thwhiteused.co.uk, or call Joe Woolley on 07818 077591.

T H WHITE’s 2019 season Demonstration Fleet includes the Väderstad TD400 TopDown cultivator and the Rapid RDA600S seed drill.

SEE FOR YOURSELF JUST WHAT THEY CAN DO. YOU CAN REQUEST A DEMO ONLINE AT www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/get-in-touch OR BY CALLING YOUR AGRICULTURAL REP.

We are celebrating the busiest season of the year with some great offers on New Holland tractors and telehandlers which will help you to save money, benefit from some great finance plans and enjoy extras at no additional cost.

Topping the offers is the new T7 LWB range with Stage V emission compliant engines. Fitted with PLMConnect telematics as standard from the factory, this offer includes twelve months subscription FREE OF CHARGE. PLMConnect allows you to manage your fleet  from the comfort of your office using a mobile network. You can stay in touch with your machines at all times, and you can even send and receive real-time information to save time and enhance productivity.

The T7 LWB is available in four models from 225-270hp. Head-turning styling includes new ‘cat-eye’ lights, while the ‘gull wing’ profile roof is packed with LED cab lights for true round the clock farming. The new Nef engines are fully compliant with the even more stringent Stage V emission standards and  develop between 225-270hp(CV) whilst maintaining outstanding fuel economy. 

5+55 at 0% FINANCE is now available on the TH range of telehandlers. Easily tailored to suit individual profiles, this finance offer is an industry leader. Based on a maximum subsidy of 50% of the retail price or the balance to finance, whichever is lower.*

Finally we are delighted to announce the new T6.160 Electro Command – the only six cylinder tractor in its power segment – with a special introductory discount. Details from your rep.

*Terms  and conditions apply – please contact T H WHITE for full details.

These offers are valid until 30 September 2019.

Although maize is traditionally one of the last crops to be harvested, now is the time to be thinking about the kit needed to make this year’s harvest as efficient and profitable as possible.

New Holland has been busy developing an all-new maize header range embracing rigid and flip-up versions in various sizes. The stalk rolls now have four knives for aggressive pulling down of stalks of any size, and the deck plates are electronically adjustable from the cab to adapt to changing stalk and cob size.

Optional rotary dividers further enhance the already smooth crop intake in laid maize crops. The front profile has been redesigned to expose the gathering chains, ideal when working in laid maize, as the stalks are actively ratcheted into the header to ensure they are all collected, as well as speeding up harvesting.

For fine chopping and superb spreading of mulched material, integrated stalk choppers can be fitted. This is perfect for minimum or zero tillage operations. Two in-built header adjustment settings have been developed to ensure your maize header always works at the most efficient setting for you. The rugged lynch pin enables overall point adjustment and this can be further fine-tuned by altering the bolt to achieve specific cutting heights.

The 980CR rigid maize header is available with 5, 6, 8, 12 or 16 rows, while the 980CF flip-up version can be ordered with 6, 8 or 12 rows.

Don’t delay – talk to us today! Just contact your T H WHITE Agricultural sales rep for all the details.

Black grass – Alopecurus Myosuroides Huds – is one of the biggest agronomic challenges facing UK arable farmers today.

This invasive weed thrives on heavy soil, particularly where drainage is poor. On light soils it’s a problem in wetter areas. About 80 per cent of seeds germinate in the autumn – hot, dry summers see strong early autumn-germination, while cool, wet autumns usually result in increased dormancy and delayed germination. The seeds can remain dormant for up to 20 years and the plant is becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides.

If left untreated, black grass will vigorously compete with the crop, contaminating it and reducing yield. Effective control is therefore a must and Väderstad has developed a unique ultra-shallow tillage system to help combat it.

The first step in identifying and removing black grass is to encourage it to germinate. More than 90 per cent of the seeds germinate at a depth of 2 to 2.5cm and germination is triggered by light, so to bring the seeds to the optimum depth, as well as ensuring good seed-to-soil contact, Väderstad has designed the CrossCutter Disc which provides full cut-out at only 2-3cm working depth over the full working width.

Each CrossCutter Disc has an 11.5cm wide contact area to the soil and is individually mounted on its own rubber suspended disc arm which enables the discs to follow the ground contour accurately, thus ensuring very even results. The Cross Cutter discs can be fitted to the Väderstad Carrier disc cultivator which is available in 3 to 12m working widths. 

This ultra-shallow tillage ensures the seeds will germinate into a stale seedbed when you want them to. The CrossCutter disc’s unique cutting intensity crushes, chops and mulches in one single pass and any residual black grass can then be treated easily with herbicides. 

The CrossCutter Disc is excellent in oilseed rape stubble and in cover crops, while also enabling great advantages in grain stubble and on cultivated land, encouraging fast residue breakdown and providing great conditions for the next crop.

It has also been proven that the optional straw harrow fitted to the front of a Carrier with CrossCutter discs will germinate more black grass. 

Because CrossCutter Discs move substantially less soil than conventional discs, it also means that less fuel is used, but that doesn’t mean it’s slow – far from it – the recommended working speed is 15-20km/h.

For full details of black grass control methods and the full range of Väderstad machinery, please contact your T H WHITE Agriculture rep or your local branch.

Case IH and T H WHITE Pro Agri are hosting a High Horse Power Tillage Event on Thursday 29 August 2019, from 10am to 4pm.

The free-to-attend event is being held on a 180-acre field at Norman Count Velcourt Farm, East of Salisbury, just off A30, postcode SP5 1SU.

There will be working demonstrations of a Case IH Quadrac 540 with CVX transmission (a combo unique to T H WHITE), Magnum 380 Roadtrac CVX, as well as a selection of Optum and Puma tractors, together with Pottinger tillage equipment including a 10m set of terra discs. Many other items will also be on display.

Refreshments will be available, but we would like to know how many guests to expect so please RSVP to Chris Martin on 07919 044389 or email chris.martin@thwhite.co.uk

The Avebury Ploughing Association will be holding its celebrated Annual Ploughing Match this year on Saturday 28 September. 

The Ploughing Association has been running annual competitions since the days of horse ploughs and must be one of the oldest in the country. It is still going strong thanks to the tremendous local support which it receives from both farmers and ploughmen in the area.

  This year the match will take place at Rabson Manor Farm, Winterbourne Bassett, by kind permission of Messrs W K Horton and Sons.

There is a broad range of categories, so if you would like to compete please visit aveburyploughingassociation.co.uk where you will be able to download an entry form.

It may seem strange to be talking about winter servicing while we are still in the middle of summer, but the biggest savings await those who book early.

In fact, by booking straight after the season for a winter period service with T H WHITE you can save a massive 20% on servicing and in-stock parts.

What makes this great deal even better is the fact that T H WHITE will service ANY MAKE, ANY MODEL and ANY AGE of equipment. Our technicians are manufacturer-trained and our workshops house state-of the art diagnostic equipment. You couldn’t put your trust in better hands. 

So make a note to treat your kit to the professional treatment to ensure it’s in good running order well in time for next season and save money at the same time.

Booking early will ensure you receive the highest level of discount. Bookings open on 1 September and, as strict booking deadlines apply, don’t be late! 

Black grass is a serious issue for British arable farmers. As well as being tenacious once established, the weed is being introduced onto ‘clean farms’ across the UK via straw, imported manures, machinery, or even through purchased seed.

Fortunately there are a number of ways in which farmers can tackle this challenging weed and the most successful regimes usually involve a combination of cultivation and chemical control. The need to avoid these plants building-up herbicide resistance is important and so in the Väderstad supplement with this issue of White’s World we have looked at new cultivation techniques which can minimise chemical application.

But one of the difficulties facing farmers is that 80% of black-grass emergence occurs from August through to October. That would be the time when it could be destroyed most easily, but more than half winter cereal and most oilseed rape crops will have been sown before the end of September, meaning that the majority of black grass plants now emerge within crops.

Logic’s CTM600 Contact 2000 weed wiper provides an innovative answer, being designed to apply glyphosate direct to the target species during the active growing period in May to July when there is an adequate height differential between the main crop and black grass. By accurately setting  the working height of the machine’s unique, contra-rotating brush, only the weed plants are targetted with a liberal coating of chemical, ensuring rapid and effective weed control while eliminating chemical wastage and leaving non-targeted plants untouched.

Designed for mounting on a tractor’s three point linkage, the Logic CTM600 has a 6m working width and a 270-litre on-board chemical tank to sustain work rates of between 13 acres (5Ha) and 20 acres (8Ha) per hour. Not only does this method achieve significant chemical savings, it also minimises unwanted environmental effects.

The Logic CTM600 requires 2 double acting spool valves with a minimum hydraulic oil flow rate of 50 litres per minute.  One pair of spool valves is used to drive the brush rotation motors and the second is split using the hydraulic function controller to operate the outer boom, break back and raise/lower features. A 12v electric pump supplies the chemical at a controlled rate via an in-cab control unit, ensuring the correct saturation of chemical on the brush, depending on weed density. An override button can be used at any point to deliver extra chemical to the brush for treating more dense area of weeds.

CTM600 IS EFFECTIVE ON THE FARM

Farm manager Luke Hargrave is responsible for 1,000ha of arable land W H Strawson (Farms) Ltd, where black grass has become a major problem. As part of his strategy to keep on top of it he took delivery of a Logic CTM600W in May 2018 and put it straight to work.

“It’s superb,” he says. “The effective brush design ensures maximum herbicide take up by the weeds and the hydraulic nozzle application to the brush makes it fully controllable. It kills 95 per cent of any black grass in a single pass, with minimal chemical used.“We wait until the black-grass is just above the wheat with enough leaf exposed to guarantee positive contact, but before seeds are viable.”

Treatment areas range from patches to whole fields and the farm’s RTK network ensures accurate coverage. The 6m working width means additional wheelings are created where treatments have to be made, but according to Luke the benefitsfar outweigh any additional costs.

“We calculated the additional crop area run over by the tractor on rowcrop wheels and it’s minimal compared either to the risk of black grass maturing and spreading its seeds, or sacrificing affected crop areas by spraying it off with a conventional sprayer.”

Using the contact fits in well with the farm’s environmental policies, significantly reducing chemical use. “We comply with label and manufacturer dilution rates and the on-board 270-litre tank lasts more than a day. It doesn’t drip, we can accurately match the application rate to suit the weed population and we know exactly what we are putting on. The tractor runs at tick-over most of the time so fuel use is negligible. The Logic CTM600W has given us an opportunity to tackle our biggest weed problem effectively with minimal chemical use while saving the crop.”

Want to know more? Just contact your Agriculture rep or any T H WHITE Agriculture branch.

The Government has re-opened its Countryside Productivity Small Grants (CPSG) scheme enabling farm businesses to apply for new grants for investments in new technology, such as precision land management and dairy herd management.

A total pot of £15 million (grants between £3,000 and £12,000) is available for all farm types, including livestock, horticulture, dairy and arable businesses.

Many new items have been added to the list of equipment covered by the grants, so speak to T H WHITE Agriculture or T H WHITE Dairy today to see if your planned investment qualifies, or go to www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/cpsg-grants where you will find a link to the Government Handbook listing eligibility criteria.

Even if you received a grant up to £9,000 in Round 1 of the scheme, or your application was withdrawn or rejected, you can still apply in Round 2. The grants are designed to support investments which will help achieve improvements in technical efficiency, animal health and welfare, resource efficiency or nutrient management. The scheme is open for applications until midday on 3 September 2019 which can be made at www.cpsmall.org.uk