Top-fruit and soft-fruit growers have been identified as potential new customers by Spaldings, the Lincoln-based direct distributor of agriculture and ground care machinery.
The firm already sells equipment and spares into the brassica and root-crop sectors to play a role in rotational requirements, and has an annual turnover of £20 million.
Unveiling a new range of purpose-built machines at a demonstration in Northants last week, Alastair Ramsay, marketing manager, above, was convinced that as more growers look to Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) there is big potential.
Horticulturists are becoming more aware of the need to become environment-friendly and establish buffer strips, field margins and corners on their land. “On-going research points to a potential increase in the demand for landscape and grass management machinery,” said Ramsay. “This gives growers in these schemes a marketing advantage when selling to the larger multiples by being able to prove produce is grown with the environment in mind.”
The Italian-built range, which has been adapted to UK needs, includes two flail toppers. The 2.8 metre machine is priced at £3,990 and its 2.2m counterpart is £3,700, exclusive of VAT. Both are designed for ease of cutting round obstacles such as fruit trees, or use on banking.
There is also an offset topper (£4,900); a compact topper (£1,799) and two 3m and 6m tined weeders at £1,700 and £2,900 respectively. Delivery can be within 24 hours.
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