Latest version of EMA is conservation companion
Latest version of EMA is conservation companion
By Edward Long
HAVING used the original EMA for about a year, an Essex farming company will soon switch to the upgraded, expanded version.
Littlebury Farming Partnership at Audley End near Saffron Walden refers to the software to keep field records up to date.
"We bought our first copy of EMA because its CD contained a lot of vital technical reference material including all the pesticide data in the Green Book, and it was cheaper and regularly updated," says financial manager Gordon Perry.
"We farm about 800ha of chalkland." Crops include wheat, barley oilseed rape, sugar beet and beans on 76 fields. "I use Optimix for crop recording and often have to refer to the database to check a chemical or product name.
"Instead of reaching for the book, which is usually out of date by the time we need it most, I run the EMA program which is faster and more reliable."
Product names on farm manager Carl Juhls application sheets are often unfamiliar to Mr Perry. Now he can check them on screen.
EMA allows records to be kept up to date. Sometimes a product is used before its invoice reaches the office. Instead of waiting for the paperwork Mr Perry can create a stock record and make up the crop records.
The company also values having various regulations in one easily accessed source.
Warning notice
EMA recently helped create a public warning notice for a liquid fertiliser tank. The software provided the correct format and wording to ensure the company stayed on the right side of the law. Getting the information from other sources would have been time-consuming.
"EMA has proved very useful for the business and we are looking forward to getting to grips with the updated version which contains more across-the-board information."
The farm has many watercourses and EMA will help provide details of LERAP requirements and advice on permitted chemicals. Keying in a field name shows which pesticides can legally be used and where they must be avoided. This should help Mr Juhl with day-to-day running. *
EMA enthusiasts Alan Granger (left) and Graham Perry are looking forward to getting to grips with the latest version of the software.
LFP is part of the Audley End Estate. Agent Alan Granger plans to use EMA for advice on conservation strategy and tactics.
"We have a total of 7000 acres, including 3200 acres of tenanted land, 3000 acres of in-hand land farmed both by the partnership and on contract, plus 500 acres of woodland. So conservation is very important," he says.
"It will be extremely useful to see what benefits any proposed changes could have before we go ahead with a particular project. I also like the idea of being able to see how we compare with a base line standard.
"We recently submitted an application to join MAFFs Arable Stewardship Scheme. If it is successful, EMA should help us manage it properly."
LFP is part of the Audley End Estate. Agent Alan Granger plans to use EMA for advice on conservation strategy and tactics.
"We have a total of 7000 acres, including 3200 acres of tenanted land, 3000 acres of in-hand land farmed both by the partnership and on contract, plus 500 acres of woodland. So conservation is very important," he says.
"It will be extremely useful to see what benefits any proposed changes could have before we go ahead with a particular project. I also like the idea of being able to see how we compare with a base line standard.
"We recently submitted an application to join MAFFs Arable Stewardship Scheme. If it is successful, EMA should help us manage it properly."