Midlands Machinery Show returns with sustainability in the spotlight

Stock photo for illustration purposes only.

Alongside exhibitors showcasing the latest green technologies, the event will also be hosting the NFU’s East Midlands Environment Conference on the first day.

Emily Wood, NFU Midlands land use and environment adviser, says the NFU is delighted to once again be holding its event at the show, and will be shining a spotlight on competing land uses.

“With such significant change in the industry and a focus on the environment playing a key part alongside food production, we have an excellent line up of NFU and external speakers, who will navigate the audience through these changing times and how to balance land use pressures,” she said.

“We can’t wait to welcome people to the showground’s Cedric Ford Pavilion for what we’re sure will be a fascinating conference, complete with a delicious hot lunch for ticketholders.”

With the conference taking place at the start of the two-day show, attendees will have plenty of time to browse exhibits that continue the ‘green’ theme.

This year’s show will feature electric vehicles, minimum tillage and precision application technology, nutrient and water management, energy generation, waste reduction, and monetising carbon and biodiversity net gain.

For example, camera-guided mechanical weeders – a technology attracting increased interest – will be on display on the Keith Rennie Machinery stand.

Managing director Mike Britton said that while it’s common to hoe vegetable crops and sugar beet, he’s seeing growing interest for maize – and even cereals – now row spacings are increasing to 16, 20 or even 25cm.

“Uptake over the past two to three years has been helped by government grant funding,” he remarked. “Plus, farmers are looking at regimes where they can integrate sprays with mechanical methods to reduce inputs and impact, and provide other benefits like aerating the soil and breaking up any capping.”

Meanwhile, Nitrasol liquid fertilisers, exhibiting for the first time this year, will be reporting trials that show use of its products can reduce nitrogen leaching by a quarter, halve ammonia volatilisation, and safeguard soil organisms.

Also making its debut at the show is CSX Carbon, which will be demonstrating how farmers can access natural capital markets while receiving a fair financial return for environmental land management practices.

Renewable energy is another way farm businesses can cut energy use and costs. Darren Wells from Lincs Solar Solutions reports a dramatic increase in enquiries for solar PV over the past 12 months due to energy price rises. “However, this also means customers are experiencing a shorter return on investment as a result,” he noted.

The Midlands Machinery Show runs throughout November 8-9^th at the Newark Showground on Lincoln Road, Newark, with the NFU conference held on the morning of the first day, starting at 10am.

Registration and parking at the event is free, but pre-registration is required. NRoSO and BASIS points are also available for attendees.

For more information, visit www.midlandsmachineryshow.com.