| Energy Growth for Agbag
David Wynne of A B Systems reports a record year showing a 25 % growth for Agbag in the UK , following the addition of the new LX1214 Ag Bagger to the contracting fleet the first 14ft machine in Europe giving the throughput of 12 tonnes per minute .
T he company has had record machine sales this year , there are now four 12ft machines in the UK the first coming in only three years ago .
“ SILO2BLOCK is the best silage sheet we have used - it is very strong but also flexible , so follows the contours of the clamp keeping out all the Oxygen ”
The performance being achieved by the forage coming out of the bags continues to surprise and please our clients some Biogas plants are seeing a 30 % increase in gas yield .
More farmers are seeing the benefit of storing the forage in the field in ag bags saving haulage at the busy time of the year ( and the resulting mud on the road ) and hauling when required throughout the year . I am grateful that we have been able to find good hard working staff that have made this growth possible we are always on the lookout for more operators , that are prepared to travel and work away from home .
We are also pleased with the first year selling the SILO2BLOCK silage sheet .
A typical response from our customers was given by Paul Bruna , a dairy farmer from Cornwal :
“ SILO2BLOCK is the best silage sheet we have used - it is very strong but also flexible , so follows the contours of the clamp keeping out all the Oxygen . This has been seen in the quality of the forage in the clamp and we have had the best results ever with this years Maize .”
Wishing all a Merry Christmas and thanking God for all his good gifts .
Impact of Brexit on UK renew at leading agricultural event
The effect of Brexit on the UK ’ s renewable and low carbon energy chairman of the committee on climate change , at the Energy Now
A key note speaker at the event , Lord Deben was the former minister for agriculture , fisheries and food between 1989 and 1993 and was the UK ’ s longest serving secretary of state for the environment . His sixteen years of top-level ministerial experience also includes minister for London , employment minister and paymaster general in HM Treasury .
He has consistently championed an identity between environmental concerns and business sense , and will give insight into the impact of Brexit , as well as the latest developments in the renewable energy industry and what this means for British farmers .
The renewable energy sector , while maturing , is in flux , as the industry at large awaits the government ’ s decisions on subsidy . Currently experts can only predict what will happen , but at the Energy Now Expo , farmers will be able to access the most up to date information on government support .
As the renewable energy industry has developed , a corresponding drop in government support was always predicted , as initiatives become self-financing . But the speed at which subsidy has been reduced has cast some doubt over the government ’ s stance .
“ While there ’ s still uncertainty around subsidy , by the Expo next February , we will have more insight ,” says Energy Now Expo director , David Jacobmeyer . “ We ’ re honoured to have Lord Deben speaking at the event . His experience and vast knowledge will give visitors a detailed insight into policy ,” he says .
The theme of Energy Now Expo 2017 is ‘ renewable energy in a post subsidy world ’ and over 80 speakers will cover a range of topics , to inform on present and future opportunities for farmers . Conference highlights include :
A dedicated energy storage session , on each day of the event , offering a practical guide to the opportunities , risks and the rewards , including a focus on ‘ behind the meter ’ developments . The sessions will be chaired by Ray Noble from the REA , with contributions from Jonathan Scurlock , NFU ’ s chief adviser on renewable energy , and Adam Simms from the national grid who will talk about the future of grid services and the role storage has to play . Mark Newton from Fisher German will also provide a practical guide to energy storage A ‘ question time ’ session on the continued opportunities within the Welsh renewables sector
36 | Farming Monthly | January 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk