P.X.FARMS LTD

We offer the complete agronomy service to maximise farm profitability. Best rotations and varieties are followed with advice on optimal nutrient (FACTS) and crop protection inputs (BASIS) within ICM so that highest margins are achieved at lowest environmental impact. All advice is based on the latest independent data.

Who are our agronomists?

• David Boothroyd

• Christina Lankford

Rotation Planning

Optimising cropping according to historical and forecast gross margins and projected machinery costs.

Variety Choice

Selection of variety, seed dressing, optimal seedrate and the use of home saved seed.  Varieties and their management for specific contracts.

• Soil Management Plans to maintain soil structure and achieve

• Cost effective cultivations  (Cross Compliance and ELS) the best establishment in the optimum sowing period.

Base Fertiliser Management Plan (Cross Compliance and ELS)

Soil sampling field by field to ascertain soil P,K,Mg levels and thereafter using nutrient balance sheet approach to maintain P and K at a minimum index of 2. Soil nutrient status checked 1 year in 5.

Nitrogen Management Plan (Cross Compliance and ELS)

These are based on soil mineral nitrogen sampling, annual rainfall and excess winter rainfall, over wintered crop dry matter accumulation and crop yield potential. Levels of N are cross checked with Planet (RB209) and eNhance software to be NVZ compliant. Satellite imagery for in field variable rate N is being evaluated. N splits are then geared to maximising utilisation of N whilst minimising lodging risk.

Sulphur and Trace element advice

S is recommended according to crop requirements. Currently 40kg/ha S oilseed rape, 30kg/ha wheat and 20kg/ha S for barley and pulse crops. Trace elements only where necessary.

Pest, Disease, Weed and PGR advice (Cross Compliance and ELS)

Regular field visits to optimise treatments and timings and to make use of tank mixing to minimise passes. Agrochemical advice cross checked for Cross Compliance by “Sentinel Active”.

• Field by field gross margin comparisons using Farmade Multicrop.

Composting

P.X. Farms use compost for fertilisation benefits and conducts trials to identify how best to reduce input costs and provide a more environmentally friendly solution.

• Maintenance of field and contract farming records using Gatekeeper

• Chemical and Fertiliser ordering

• Stock management

• Field mapping records – combine results, nutrient mapping, Drainage, ELS and HLS records

• Grain storage and sale records

• Monthly reconciliation of invoices against deliveries with confirmation to contract farming customers of invoices due for payment

• Administration of Stewardship applications and ongoing maintenance requirements

• Monitoring of SFP applications and accuracy of paperwork

• Administration of Shooting and Equestrian syndicates

P.X. Farms purchases variable and fixed costs using independent companies and buying groups by purchasing in bulk to achieve the best discounts with scale.  This means we can reduce costs and pass on savings to our customers

One example of the benefits of independent agronomy and co-operative suppliers over distributors is that in the first year of working with one farmer on a 600 acre farm, P.X. Farms saved the farmer £18,000 on input purchasing.

Various independent companies and agents we use include:

Anglia Farmers

Anglia Farmers Limited is the leading agricultural purchasing co-operative in the UK operating for the benefit of 1,700 full and 700 associate members farming over 380,000 hectares. For more information click here.

Atlas Fram

P.X. Farms uses Atlas Fram who have specialised knowledge and 40 years experience. They have a wide range of products at competitive prices and of a high quality and standard. For more information click here.

Crop Co.

P.X. Farms uses Crop Co for seed and fertiliser for their Seed + service that offer quality seeds with the highest standards and environmental sulphur fertilisers at a price lower than manufactured sulphur.

Donarbon

The soil improver produced through the windrow composting unit site meets the national accreditation standard PAS 100 and the material produced through our IVC plant is going through the accreditation process.  This compost is used as an environmentally friendly addition and reduces fertilisation costs. For more information click here.

Nutri-bio

With incorporating ‘Nutri-bio’ Cambridge Digested Cake supplied by Anglia Water spread on the land on a two year rotation and SOYL Ltd has allowed P.X. Farms to concentrate on maintaining and increasing nutrients to the soil. By incorporating these two systems this has enabled nitrogen and phosphate applications to be reduced improving gross margins.

R&T Liming

An accurate lime and fertiliser testing service, tailored specifically to a customers needs. For more information click here.

SOYL was formed in 1993 and have introduced a wide range of services that help growers implement and benefit from Precision Farming. Their most popular service is SOYL Maps – Precision Nutrient and Lime Management.

P.X. Farms now use Precision Farming Techniques working with SOYL Ltd to improve economic, agronomic and environmental performance.

We employed SOYL to look at the levels of phosphate, potash and magnesium within each field using GPS Nutrient Mapping. Nutrient Mapping provides P.X. Farms Ltd with a valuable management tool to improve yields reduce fertiliser inputs and increase farm profits as it:

• improves the understanding of the field and its resources.

• identifies areas where nutrient and PH can affect crop yield and quality

• Identifies areas where less fertiliser is needed, reducing fertiliser costs

• balances fertiliser application to crop removal in all areas of the field reduces build up of nutrients at risk to leaching or washout

• maintains nutrient levels removing the risk of soil degradation and loss by holding the soil together

• produces good soil fertility will produce healthy plants promoting soil structure

Working with SOYL gives P.X. Farms Ltd access to a wide range of services, experience and a commitment to develop a Precision Farming system that ensures sustainable production.

Yield Mapping

Claas and SOYL Ltd are working together to provide farmers with a support package that will bring real cost savings to the farmer. Claas also provide their Combine Harvester users with specialist training and software support.

P.X. Farms Ltd uses the Claas AgroCom yield mapping software as it is extremely powerful and has the ability to provide a large amount of information, with this software and the support software from SOYL, P.X. Farms Ltd can get the most out of their yield.

For more information on SOYL click here.

Please click on the images for the full size versions or here to download the PDF version.

Ensuring that you have the right Contract Farmer is a big part of risk management.

P.X Farms’ management expertise can help maximise the potential of your farm and reduces your financial risk by working from known production costs. We use Wellgrain to sell combinable crops with options to minimise the exposure to fluctuations in the world market and work with local mills to obtain premium for produce grown and choose a variety for mills requirement to minimise claims. For more information, click here

P.X. Farms is a member of Atlas Fram, a buying group based in East Anglia. It is a farmer owned procurement company, concentrating predominately on the main farm inputs forits members. Members can also benefit from specialist knowledge and experience.

There is no market bias and as they have over 200 suppliers on their accounts preferential terms are available for most products.

The main services provided by buying groups are:

Health and Safety

P.X. Farms complies with health and safety regulations no matter where our staff and equipment are working.

James says,“Here at P.X. Farms we have a serious approach to health and safety procedures and of our staff. We work with qualified consultants to continually assess and if necessary improve the procedures we have in place.”

Environmental Risk

Managed correctly soil is one of our greatest assets, environmentally and commercially. We use specialist agricultural machinery to reduce the risk of compaction and soil erosion. Crop rotation and agronomy ensure the correct nutrient balance of soil which is essential to optimise the yields and quality of crops whilst minimising pollution and water run off.

For more information on compost used and agronomy, go to our Agronomy page under Advisory services.

Commercial and Residential Lettings

Diversification for farmers and landowners has become an important part of maintaining and increasing incomes within the changing times of British agriculture.  Adrian Peck, James’ father became a pioneer of diversification in the early 1980’s by converting redundant cattle and pig buildings into 35 light industrial units and renting out 20 furnished farm cottages.

In the mid 1990’s the project of converting further buildings has resulted in a new site of commercial offices. Gaining experience and contacts, P.X. Farms has maximised earning potential for contract farming clients by producing significant incomes in converting and managing redundant agricultural buildings.

P.X. Farms will also manage and let out residential property on estates to relieve the burden on the landowner and costs of employing a third party outside of the estate.

Agricultural buildings are rented out at reasonable rates for storage, workshops and other commercial enterprises. These are leased normally over five years (other terms are available on negotiation, subject to availability).

Estate Maintenance

To complement the contract farming agreements, P.X. Farms offer landowners a reliable and cost effective management requirements on farms and estates. We manage and supply labour to undertake tasks as small as cleaning gutters, painting window frames, cutting firewood to large scale redevelopment of farmyards and estates.

Cover Crops

Cover crops provide shelter and food to many species, which otherwise would continue to decline in numbers. These wild birds are helping to increase the land’s amenity value. Drilling HLS and ELS options according to their agreement.

Drilling

We provide Agronomy and Soil Sampling services to determine indeces and PH Levels to minimise costs and usage of fertiliser and spraying. We offer cultivations using mole drain, plough, power harrow, drill and roll.  For more information, click here

Equestrian

P.X. Farms has preserved grass tracks to offer approximately eight miles of bridleways. Riders wishing to make use of these rides must complete a membership form which deals with the Code of Conduct – ensuring the safety of both horse and rider.  For more information, please contact us.