Essential Farm Machinery June 2026

Farmer-led ADOPT trial tackles manure management challenge

Afarmer-led project to improve on-farm composting is set to make farmyard manure (FYM) management more efficient.

Managing FYM remains one of the most complex and costly challenges facing UK farms, with Nitrogen Vulnerable Zone regulations and Farming Rules for Water limiting when and how manure can be spread.

While composting potentially offers a more controlled and efficient approach, a lack of affordable, highthroughput machinery suited to UK farm conditions has limited uptake among farmers and contractors.

That could change following a twoyear field trial using a British-built compost turner capable of processing up to 50% more material than comparable machines. The trial is being funded through Defra’s ADOPT programme.

The project involves Lincolnshire farmers Will Grant and Phil Gilbert; and Essex-based composting expert and arable farmer Simon Cowell. They are working with facilitator Daniel Kindred of the Agronomy Research Circle (ARC).

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Will and Phil currently operate a closed loop muck-for-straw system. But raw manure can lead to nutrient losses through volatilisation and runoff, while also increasing the risk of weed spread, pathogens, odour and inconsistent application rates.

Storage requirements and compliance burdens further add to the pressure. So the two men initiated the project by securing ADOPT funding to investigate how best to process FYM into compost and apply it

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“Potential benefits include lower costs

to arable land.

“By composting it, you are stabilising it so when you put it on the soil you are literally raising the organic matter levels,” says Simon. “It also provides biological inoculation to rejuvenate the biology of the soil.”

Wider outcomes

Alongside the potential agronomic and soil benefits, the ADOPT project is assessing wider economic outcomes –including labour, fuel, spreading costs and overall return on investment.

Potential benefits include lower spreading costs compared with raw manure; improved soil structure and biological activity; reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers; and lower emissions and improved regulatory compliance.

Although these benefits are already widely acknowledged, the project aims to generate robust on-farm evidence to demonstrate whether composting can provide a practical, scalable solution for UK farms.

Big-scale kit sold off by Velcourt

Two major machinery auctions will take place this summer fol lowing a strategic restructur ing by Britain’s biggest farm manage ment business.

Velcourt – which manages more than 51,000ha on behalf of landown ers – announced a 20% reduction in its contracting operations across the Cotswolds, Midlands and East Anglia in September 2025.

The move forms part of a wider plan to release capital and refocus invest ment into other areas of the farming business. The decision means a signifi cant volume of quality machinery will be brought to market.

Substantial offering

Agricultural machinery auctioneer Cheffins Cheffins will now oversee two dedicated auctions: a June sale fo cusing on cultivation equipment, fol lowed by a September sale featuring harvest and application machinery.

Together, the sales will comprise a substantial offering of arable equipment and high-capacity machinery, all maintained to a high standard from within Velcourt’s professional farming operation.

Velcourt chief executive Nick Shorter said: “We undertook a strategic review across the business and identified the need to release capital from machinery in order to reinvest for the future.

“Changes to farm support mechanisms, alongside inflationary pressures, have altered the risk profile of some of our contracting and combinable crop agreements. This restructure allows us to reposition the business.

Highlights include a number of Horsch drills and other equipment

We undertook a strategic review “

ations on around 6,500ha following harvest, the company has taken on a further 4,500ha.

Mr Shorter said: “These new operations see different business models and focuses, and we will be looking to maximise these opportunities and use the proceeds of these two auctions to refocus on other parts of our business.”

Highlights in the June sale include a 2025 Horsch Avata 6SL drill; 2022 Vaderstad NZ600 cultivator; 2022 Horsh Terrano 4mt cultivator; 2024 Amazone AZ-TS 4200Profis Pro fertiliser spreader; and 2016 Horsch Sprinter 8ST drill.

Cheffins director Charles Wadsley, who is handling the auctions, said: “This machinery comes from the one of the most well-regarded businesses in farming. This is big-scale kit that’s been out doing the job.

All machines have been well maintained, says Cheffins

“It comes from the centre of a professional farming operation where reliability and maintenance are a significant part of day-to-day farming. There’s no room in a business like this

for substandard equipment and that really shows.

Opportunity

“This is a great opportunity for farmers and contractors to reinvest in their own machinery. Auctions remain one of the most cost-effective ways to secure high-quality machinery and keep businesses moving forward.

“All of the equipment has been well maintained and is ready to go straight to work, so buyers can bid with confidence.”

Mr Shorter echoed that sentiment. He added: “The equipment on offer is all large scale and comes from the heart of our professional farming business. Keeping it well maintained is part and parcel of what we do.

“Looking ahead, the industry is entering a period of structural change, but that brings opportunity. Our focus is on investing in the future of farming, as well as developing the people and skills needed so we can continue to deliver for landowners.”

About the Velcourt machinery sales

The auctions will be operated across five main sites in Cirencester, Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, Nuneaton and North Yorkshire, with individual lot descriptions detailing item locations for inspection and collection.

The first auction will commence on 4th June 2026 closing on Thursday 18th June 2026 from 10.00am. The following auction will begin on Thursday 10th September 2026 and close on Thursday 24th September. For details, visit www.cheffins.co.uk

Robustness meets comfort

• Compact and easy to handle with a length of 4.3m and weighing 1,500kg

• Features 3D rotor design for unbeatable ground following and clean raking

• Superior reliability with the KUHN Exclusive Master Drive III maintenance free drive

We’re attending with an impressive lineup: Join us at Stand 634 at Diddly Squat Farm

• KARAN TRAILED SPRAYER

• AXIS 50.2

• ESPRO 4002R

• SH 402

• OPTIMER XL6000

• VARI-MASTER M

• CULTIMER L300

Mounted twin-rotor rake increases versatility

Kuhn Farm Machinery has introduced a 7.4m mounted twin-rotor rake for small and medium-sized farms where a single-rotor rake has reached its output limit.

The GA7631P has a standard hydraulic working width adjustment to create central swaths from 1.3m to 2.2m in a wide range of forage types, says Kuhn Grassland specialist Sam Alford.

For transport, users can swiftly transition between field and road as all tine arms can remain in place, with the rake measuring 2.8m wide and 4m long, says Mr Alford.

Good access

“Mounted twin-rotor rakes might not be as popular as their trailed equivalents in the UK, but the manoeuvrability allows users to access hard to reach fields with a machine that offers output to match a trailed rake.”

The GA7631P joins Kuhn’s extensive range of twin-rotor rakes and features several well-established components, such as the Masterdrive GII maintenance-free gearbox for reduced regular maintenance requirements.

Tine arm bearings have greasing intervals every 200 hours. To lower contamination, the rake’s rotors offer 3D articulation in all directions to follow ground contours accurately and collect all cut crop.

Standard working height adjustment is manual via a crank arm but is also available as a hydraulic feature. Other regular rake adjustments, such as folding, unfolding and individual rotor lift, can be done from the cab.

Weighing 1.5 tonnes, the GA7631P can be operated on medium-sized tractors of 140hp because the centre of gravity is positioned closer to the tractor, explains Mr Alford.

“The GA7631P is the ideal rake for users requiring a compact design but requiring output similar to trailed twin-rotor models. It uses renowned features proven on other Kuhn GA models, providing longevity and ease of use for operators.” The mounted twin rotor rake can create swaths in a range of forage types

Aimed at farmers and contractors, the Muck Managment event combined machinery demonstrations, technical sessions and exhibits focused on slurry and manure. It was held on 3-4 June near Rhyl, north Wales.

Nutrient handling specialists Bauer used the two-day showcase to shine the spotlight on slurry separation, pumping and application systems designed to improve efficiency and reduce handling costs.

The event reflected growing demand for equipment capable of helping farms comply with anti-pollution regulations while extracting greater value from livestock manures.

Bauer’s display centred on slurry separation technology.

Slurry systems

The company demonstrated its separator screw press machines, which divide

slurry into liquid and fibrous fractions for easier storage, transport and application – making optimum use of both nutrients and organic matter.

The company’s separators compress slurry against a slotted screen, allowing liquid to drain into lagoons or storage tanks while solids were discharged separately. Models ranged from units capable of handling 16m3 to 150 m3 per hour.

As well as separators, examples of Bauer’s above-ground and submerged slurry pumps were also shown – along with a slurry agitator/mixer, while a 20m3 Bauer poly tanker took part in the working machine programme.

Lower impact

Unlike most slurry tankers with their steel containers, the poly tanker is made from hand-layered woven polyester sheets finished on the outside with a Gelcoat layer that protects against the tank’s corrosive contents as well as the weather.

“Together with the corrosion-resistant galvanised chassis, the Gelcoat

Bauer brought slurry applicators (above) and separators (below) to the event

results in Bauer poly tankers cleaning up really well, looking like new even after a lot of use and resulting in strong re-sale values,” says Bauer UK and Ireland sales manager Rob Jackson. The tank is lighter its steel equivalent and its heart-shape contributes to a low centre of gravity for good stability, even on advanced suspension running gear with wide and large diameter flotation tyres for lower impact on the soil.

Full remapping service offered at Cereals

Aremapped New Holland T5 tractor will be displayed at Cereals - highlighting the performance benefits and potential fuel savings the technology can bring agricultural machinery, cars, trucks and vans.

Avon Tuning HD (ATHD) and automotive division Avon Tuning use the tractor to train new and existing agents on remapping agricultural machinery. Also on the stand will be a selection of vehicles remapped by the automotive team.

These will include a modified

car, along with some of the latest generation of Land Rovers – Defender, Discovery and Range Rover – that can now be remapped by the Avon Tuning engineers.

“The ECUs on the latest generation Land Rover models have just been cracked so we’re carrying out extensive research and developing maps on these vehicles as we speak,” says Avon director Gareth Jones.

“These models are popular in the agricultural world and spend a lot of time towing trailers. If we can apply a new map to these vehicles that provides greater performance

and efficiency when towing, then this will be of great benefit to farmers.”

Avon says it now has more than 175 agents in its network, with more dealers and engineers offering remapping and diagnostic services to customers. It will demonstrate the software at Cereals.

“We’ve also sponsored every lanyard at the show and our stand position on the main avenue puts us in prime position to talk to farmers and growers about increasing machine efficiency through professional remapping,” says Mr Jones.

CE Projects have a great customer base ranging from Aberdeen to Lands end and anywhere in between. Elaine said, we have some lovely loyal customers who tell us regularly how happy they are with our systems and that means so much to us.

The great thing about our Evolution Separator is, it uses very little energy and is simple to operate, completely stainless steel and it blows any others clean out of the market.

If you require any information please contact them on 01630

Special offers on workshop supplies at Cereals

The distributor of one of the UK’s most popular biostimulants will have four special offers on its stand at Cereals 2026 on 10-11 June.

MJP Supplies will mark its fourth appearance at Cereals with special show offers on Algifol, tanks, heavy-duty pressure washers and vacuum cleaners, and selected Portek products.

“We are really looking forward to our trip to Diddly Squat Farm which will be our fourth time of attending Cereals,” says Marcus Palmer, owner of MJP Supplies.

our Fantastic Four special offers.”

Products

The company will showcase the latest Portek products, including bird scarers, sprayers, wood processing and workshop tools, along side rainwater harvesting tanks, agricultur al diesel and AdBlue dispensing tanks from

Enduramaax, Tuffa and Atlantis.

Established in 2005, MJP Supplies is a family-run company that has represented Algifol in the UK for 25 years. Developed in Germany by Neo-Med Pharma, Algifol is concentrated brown algae gathered from the North Atlantic.

The algae is dried and refined to maxim ise its wealth of trace elements, vitamins, en zymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, polyuro nides and growth-regulating plant hormones.

“Algifol has grown in popularity, particu larly in the last six years,” says Mr Palmer.

“I think this is partly down to the impact that the pandemic, war in Ukraine and now the situation in the Middle East have had on

“Growers are looking for the most costeffective way to give their crops the best chance, and Algifol is proving to deliver ex cellent rooting, growth and stress resistance

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Groundswell highlights machinery for lower-input farming

• Machinery working in the field

• Cost and benefit comparison

• Growers seek efficient farming

Machinery makers will showcase the latest low-impact equipment at Groundswell this year – as growers reassess cultivation costs, soil management and crop establishment methods.

The two-day event at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire, on 1-2 July has become a significant date in the arable calendar, attracting farmers, agronomists, contractors and machinery businesses from across the UK.

Although best known for its focus on regenerative agriculture, working machinery demonstrations continue to be a key part of the event. Groundswell provides an opportunity to see different systems operating under field conditions.

Direct drills, low-disturbance culti vation equipment and precision farm ing technologies are expected to fea ture prominently – with the focus on machinery reflecting wider changes across the arable sector.

Rising fuel, labour and machin ery costs have increased interest in re duced cultivation systems and more targeted field operations. Many busi nesses are reviewing machinery in vestment decisions alongside wider questions around crop establishment, soil resilience and input efficiency.

Live demonstrations are expected to include direct drills, strip-till equip ment and low-disturbance cultivation systems working in crop residues and cover crops.

This year’s Groundswell event takes place on 1-2 July in Hertfordshire.

Manufacturers will also exhibit precision technologies designed to support variable-rate applications and reduced input use. Contractors offering direct drilling and low-disturbance services are expected to attend in significant numbers.

A wide range of machinery companies will also be in attendance – from established manufacturers to specialist engineering firms focused on regenerative farming systems. The event has also become increasingly relevant for contractors.

Specialist establishment equipment can require substantial capital investment, leading some growers to use contractors instead of purchasing machinery outright. These issues will be unpicked at Groundswell too.

Practical debate

Alongside machinery demonstrations, the event programme includes seminars covering soil management, cover crops,

livestock integration, water management and farm business resilience.

Organisers say the two-day regenerative showcase is designed to encourage practical discussion between farmers, advisers, researchers and suppliers – with knowledge exchange a key feature of the event.

For machinery manufacturers, this will include access to a concentrated audience of growers actively reviewing establishment systems and cultivation strategies. For farmers, it offers the chance to compare machinery performance.

Reducing soil disturbance and improving long-term efficiency will be a primary focus. But so too will be commercial pressures across the sector, with growers increasingly focused on balancing productivity, input costs and environmental requirements. For full details, including tickets and accommodation, please visit groundswellag.com.

Come and visit us at The Royal Norfolk Show 2026 at Stand 345 on Avenue 1 in the Health Village on the 24 and 25 June. This year we have invited Revolution Labs to join us to showcase their VR headsets and give you an insight into what Robotic Surgery looks like in real life. We will also have information and activities that showcase Innovation in Healthcare as part of our Robotic Surgery appeal.

We are also excited to have our Complementary Therapies team joining us this year who will be offering free calming light touch hand massages and talking about their work with cancer and palliative care patients.

We look forward to seeing you there! Can’t make it? Not to worry, scan the QR code below to support our Robotic Surgery Appeal and find out more about us.