SEMINAR DETAILS

There will be a full programme of seminars throughout the day covering key issues for the grain business.  Details will be available shortly.

10:00 am

Farming Renewables – Renewable Energy Opportunities for Farmers and Landowners 

SmartestEnergy Limited

Tim Foster, Marketing and Sales Manager

Generating electricity yourself, from a “fuel” not linked to global oil prices, makes incredible sense given the current volatile world energy markets. This presentation will explore the options for farmers and landowners who are looking to develop renewable electricity generation schemes, giving some general rules of thumb for the suitability of wind, hydropower, anaerobic digestion and biomass applications. Indicative revenues and next steps will be set out allowing a rapid first step feasibility to be carried out.

11:00 am

Practical help for renewable energy projects on the farm

East Midlands Development Agency

Michael Stubbs, Rural Development Manager

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has a budget of £60million available to support agriculture, horticulture and forestry businesses in the East Midlands until 2013 through the Rural Development Programme for England. A wide range of activities from modernising agricultural businesses and adding value to agricultural products to water resource management, improving the economic value of forests and farm diversification can be supported with the funding available.

Farm energy and in particular renewable energy is a key priority activity in the region and therefore there are a range of opportunities available for renewable energy projects in the East Midlands through RDPE.

Michael Stubbs is Rural Development Programme Manager at East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and is responsible for the day to day implementation of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) in the region. At the Farm Energy Event, Michael will explain more about RDPE, how to apply for RDPE funding and provide practical examples and ideas of renewable energy projects that could possibly be supported.

See www.emda.org.uk/rdpe for more information on RDPE in the East Midlands.

12:00

RAINWATER – THE NEW OIL

Receau Ltd

Barrie Jackson

Rising energy costs and OFWAT’s 5 year “4.2% above inflation” water price increases have increased farmers’ needs to reduce costs wherever possible. If someone could show you a way of saving £19,000 per year [ £116,000 over 5 years] on your feed or energy costs, you could not afford to ignore it. Well, on a herd size of 1000 dairy cattle with shed roofs of an area 12000m2 this type of saving is possible. Savings of between 29%-40% on water bills, elimination of the need for costly water softeners coupled with tax incentives mean that an increasing number of farmers are turning to rainwater harvesting. In some instances investment in the technology can change a loss making year into a profit, with a “Tax Credit” and payback times can be less than 2 years.

1:00 pm

Driving down diesel costs

7Y Services

Nick Tilt and Richard Jackson

7Y Services Ltd is a long-established, respected provider of business services at the forefront of professional and technical advice, specialising in the rural sector. Six divisions contribute to the continued growth of the business, which is still largely farmer owned and farmer led.

• 7Y Energy offers independent, unbiased expertise and determines which energy strategy best fits the needs of your business.
• 7Y Technology uses leading-edge tools and technologies, delivering cost-effective trusted IT solutions.
• 7Y KnowHow is a leading training provider offering a wide range of courses some of which are eligible for DEFRA funding.
• 7Y AgriService solves logistical and supply issues minimising the cost and complexity of resourcing.
• 7Y Business incorporates strategic and business consulting, process management, risk management, health & safety consulting and a financial administration bureau.
• 7Y People offers a responsive and comprehensive package of temporary and permanent labour placement and staff recruitment services. 

2:00 pm

Energy saving tips for dairy farmers

Farm Energy Centre

Andrew Kneeshaw

FEC Services Ltd specialises in providing energy products and services for agriculture and horticulture. We provide a comprehensive range of products and services including energy contract brokering, energy auditing and energy efficiency consultancy. Our expertise extends from the optimisation of conventional energy supplies and equipment to the selection of new innovative solutions including renewables.

FEC also operate the NFU’s Climate Change Levy Discount Schemes for the pig, poultry and horticultural sectors.

3.00pm

Energy saving technologies for irrigation

UK Irrigation Association 

Melvyn Kay