The Claydon family will open their Suffolk farm and machinery manufacturing facility to visitors for a series of open days this spring – offering farmers the chance to see the company’s crop establishment kit in operation.
Taking place on 28-29 April, the events will include field demonstrations and technical discussions – and tours of the Claydon factory, where the company designs and manufactures its direct drills and stubble management equipment.
Crop walks
Claydon founder Jeff Claydon and members of the team will guide visitors around the farm – including crops growing under the Claydon system.
Specialists from Claydon will explain how the company’s Opti-Till system works and how it can reduce establishment costs compared with conventional plough-based or minimum-tillage systems.
External speakers will also take part in the programme, says Claydon sales manager David Furber.
“Lacklustre grain prices are encouraging farming businesses to move away from traditional crop establishment methods which are slow and expensive. The most important management action in farming is to control the controllables.”
Advantages
With machinery and labour accounting for up to 60% of fixed costs the need to adopt more efficient ways of working will accelerate, with direct drilling’s significant financial and ecological advantages becoming even more advantageous.
Contributors from Ceres Rural, Frontier and Soil Capital are expected to discuss farm profitability, the role of cover crops in soil health, opportunities from carbon markets and the reintroduced Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes.
Two sessions will run each day. The morning session runs from 8.15am to 1pm, including refreshments and lunch. The afternoon session runs from 12.30pm to 5.15pm, including lunch and closing refreshments.
Places must be booked in advance by Wednesday 22 April. To register, contact Rachel on 01440 820327 or email marketing@claydondrill.com, specifying the preferred session and any dietary requirements.