LEADING agronomy firm ProCam has strengthened its UK technical team with the appointment of Rebecca Tunnicliffe as trials officer responsible for farmer-focused research .

With four years ’ experience in agricultural field trials , Rebecca , who is based near Pickering in Yorkshire , and who was raised on a mixed farm near Pickering , also has a degree in biology from The University of Lincoln .

At ProCam , Rebecca will be responsible for managing fieldbased research into areas such as safeguarding crop output and soil health . She will work

Rebecca Tunnicliffe / ProCam trial plots

on crops including cereals , root crops , forage maize and cover crops , and in areas such as crop nutrition , disease and weed control , and the evaluation of

varieties and other agronomic techniques .

As well as managing research at the company ’ s main trials hub at the Stockbridge Technology

Centre , Cawood in Yorkshire , Rebecca will also oversee ProCam ’ s network of on-farm trials around the UK .

“ Results from our trials are used to equip our UK-wide agronomist team with the latest technical knowledge to help them when advising farmers ,” Rebecca explains .

“ Part of our research includes trials to gain a first-hand insight into how new crop protection and other inputs perform before they come onto the market . In this way , our agronomists can help growers to get the best from them as soon as they are launched .

“ In addition to this , we are also looking into other ways of providing solutions to real-life farming challenges . I get to carry out trials that are catered directly to farmers ’ needs .”

Commenting on Rebecca ’ s appointment , ProCam UK managing director Diane Heath said : “ Farming faces undoubted challenges , but also multiple opportunities . In both cases , research is a key part of being able to maintain top-level agronomic advice , and Rebecca ’ s appointment underlines our ongoing commitment to this .”

THE National Sheep Association ( NSA ) is delighted to have been a recent partner in the delivery of the highest farmland bird count since the launch of the scheme back in 2014 by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust . The results demonstrate the commitment to conservation efforts integrated into everyday farming methods practiced by British farmers .

The farmland bird count was completed in February this year with a 65 % increase in actual individual counts submitted compared to 2020 , which in itself was

a record year . The area covered by the count was more than twice the area in 2020 , with significantly more birds counted .

NSA Policy and Technical Officer , Sean Riches comments : “ Lamb production supports rural communities as well as being a key player in delivering environmental stewardship schemes . Sheep can be effectively used for conservation grazing in areas that would be difficult to manage otherwise due to poor land quality or terrain . The use of livestock ( particularly sheep ) for conservation grazing is commonplace in national parks and ensures

protection and access of these areas for the general public .

“ Grazing by sheep and cattle is essential for maintaining good heathland , moorland and wetland sites . Research has indicated that songbirds for example , prefer the mosaic of habitats that sheep grazing provides and are present in higher numbers in areas grazed by sheep . It is therefore evident that the sheep industry in the UK makes a significant contribution to the environment .”

Whilst previous policies have not necessarily fully rewarded farmers for the critical conservation role in managing the land on

which many species rely , many have worked to conserve biodiversity on the land , often at their own expense .

Changes in agricultural policies currently in progress , will further create more opportunities for integrating more conservation activities with livestock farming and responsible food production .

Organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB ) recognise the vital role farmers and land managers have in conserving and enhancing

wildlife habitats and thus is committed to working to improve wildlife populations across all farms .

The RSPB actually farms themselves with more than 60 of the charity ’ s nature reserves relying on farming . Through their own publications RSPB publicise success stories on work to help birds , promoting the vital conservation role of farmers and in their collaborations with the RSPB , at the same time acknowledging how many enjoy the wildlife on their farms .