TECHNOLOGY is a key theme , from crop breeding breakthroughs in the plots to the latest agricultural drone developments . And exhibitors , especially those not attending last year , are keen to take up the opportunity of getting in front of farmers .

New Holland plans to pack its stand with the latest technology including the first methane powered tractor ; T6.180 , the new T7HD tractor with PLM Intelligence , and a new range of utility tractors , says marketing manager Mark Crosby . “ We have missed seeing our customers face to face during the pandemic years but this year blue and yellow are back and we ’ re excited to meet everyone in person again .”

Senova will be back alongside the Just Oats stand , which covers the whole supply chain from breeder to product - through companies like Morning Foods .

There will be more than 30 new exhibitors at this year ’ s event , including LSPB ,

Nitrasol , Crop Angel , Fisher German , Spreadwise and Limex .

Agricultural drone company , Crop Angel , is exhibiting for the first time in its own right , with a new small 10 litre drone on display . “ As well as drone sprayers there will also be one with a pellet applicator - suitable for sowing a cover crop in a standing crop of wheat , for example ,” says director Chris Eglington .

And with the agricultural use of drones now permitted by the Civil Aviation

Authority ( CAA ) under a £ 9 licence , visitors can gain valuable insight from the experts . Spraying chemicals remains illegal , however , gaining permission ‘ is looking more promising than ever ’, says Mr Eglington .

Looking ahead , if spraying is allowed , drones could play a key role in allowing chemicals to be applied at the right timing , even though the ground may be too wet to travel , he adds .

Crop breeding company LSPB is also exhibiting for the first time . Although many of its varieties are well known by farmers , such as spring bean Lynx , LSPB itself is less well recognised , says key account and product manager Michael Shuldham .

“ It is an opportunity to showcase our varieties in front of farmers and talk to them directly . We have some crop plots with a wide range of varieties . We will have two clubroot resistant hybrid oilseed rape varieties and new varieties with phoma gene resistance – RLMS .”

There will also be a new spring wheat variety on LSPB ’ s stand , likely to prove popular with farmers who have blackgrass problems or as a crop to follow sugar beet , he adds .

And with growers looking to reduce nitrogen use and move away from imported soya , LSPB has a strong spring bean portfolio . “ It is an exciting time to be growing pulses .”

Cereals event director Alli McEntyre says the event has a lot to offer farmers keen to get an insight into the latest technology . “ There will be a wide range of technology and practical advice on offer that will help boost returns on visitors ’ own farms .

“ At a time of great change in the industry , staying ahead will be increasingly important ,” she adds .

The Cereals Event will be held near Duxford , Cambridgeshire on 8-9 June 2022 . For more information or to purchase tickets visit the relaunched website at www . cerealsevent . co . uk .

Fundraising photoshoot for Air Ambulance in 2004

Cheque presentation 2008

Geoff Bottom & Alan Smith Fundraising Air Ambulance 2000

WITHAM Group , with its headquarters on Outer Circle Road in Lincoln , has announced the total raised at its latest fundraising ball as they celebrate their 100th year of business .

The anniversary ball , held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln in November , saw prizes auctioned off to the value of £ 15,000 . The brings the total raised during their long history to over £ 100,000 for a number of worthy causes .

The four charities benefitting from the latest ball ’ s generous attendees include Myeloma UK , St Barnabas Hospice , the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network ( LRSN ) and the Duke of Edinburgh ’ s Award ( DofE ), all of which will receive a donation of £ 3,750 each to continue their important work .

From support for patients of a rare blood cancer to compassionate end-of-life care ,

St Barnabas Cheque Presentation

pastoral and practical support for the farming community to empowering young people , all four causes were suggested by Witham Group ’ s employees .

Witham Group has a long history of putting something back with their charitable events , from lawnmower races to driving challenges , and coffee mornings to their flagship annual ball . Alongside this , they regularly sponsor customers and projects with their oil and paint

products , as well as volunteering on a variety of local committees , charities and societies .

When making the announcement , Nigel R Bottom , Managing Director of the Witham Group said , “ This is an incredible amount to raise in such a milestone year for us . We ’ re so grateful and extend our most sincere thank you to our kind suppliers and friends who donated the auction prizes .

We certainly celebrated our 100th year in style at our

Lawnmower racing event

Anniversary Ball last year and again must offer thanks to the venue and everyone involved in the evening . Here ’ s to another 100 years !”