Orion Farming Monthly Newsletter November 2025
- Orion Farming Group
- Nov 1
- 6 min read
A new layout for this months newsletter from the team at Orion Farming Group. Alternatively you can enjoy the flip book version above.
Simply click on the titles below to expand the content!
All adverts have external links accessed by clicking on images.
Regards - Stuart
BLOG TOPICS for November 2025
People in Farming
People are at the heart of every farming business — and their safety must always come first.
CXS have written a thoughtful piece on the importance of Health and Safety planning, shared in light of another heartbreaking fatality on farm, this time in Gloucestershire.
It’s a reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, a community.
Please read the article and contact CXS for advice — they’re highly regarded and work closely with our group.
Arable update
The weather has held, and most people are now drilled up, with many crops establishing well. Some of the earlier drilled cereals that stayed dry for a time have tested the effectiveness of pre-emergence treatments, so we may see some late blackgrass challenges.
As you’ll know, chemical supply has been a real issue this autumn. We’ve done our utmost to fulfil all orders and hope the impact on you has been minimal. Orders for post-emergent sprays, fungicides, and insecticides are moving quickly, and please note that Bayer will be increasing Glyphosate prices from 1st November.
Fertiliser prices have remained largely unchanged over the past month. UK suppliers are keen to get product delivered to farms before the end of January, as transport and product shortages could match — or even exceed — last spring’s situation. Nationally, far fewer farmers have placed or committed to deliveries at this stage compared with previous years.
Eleanor’s Challenge
New Orion Farming Member, Michael Kavanagh of Chadlington Farm Partnership and his wife Di and Eleanor's sister Fiona, suffered the tragic loss of their 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor on Monday 27th January 2025.
Michael and Di have worked with some amazing charities and counsellors who have supported them as a family following this tragedy.
By the time you read this Di will have completed a 350 cycle ride to Paris and Michael will have completed an 80-mile non-stop run from their home in the Cotswolds to the Church where Eleanor is laid to rest. They are aiming to raise lots of money for Child Bereavement UK, the Air Ambulance, FCN, 2Wish and St Chads Church, Eleanor’s final resting place. tIt would be great if as many of us in the Orion Farming Group can support them with a donation. Visit the fundraising page at https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/9936/the-eleanor-challenge/
I also urge to watch and listen to Michael talking through their story. They are obviously an amazing family. Michael very eloquently describes life affirming lessons we could all take.
Meet The Farmers Podcast - You Tube shortlink https://ytubl.ink/3IXN
Feed & Livestock
Compound feed update
If GLW supply your compound feed, please take a minute to read this. During the busier winter months, GLW are advising that the lead time for deliveries will be seven working days, up from the normal five working days. They do however offer a “standing order” service. The way this operates is that standing orders are placed in advance on a regular pattern and then one of their customer services team calls a few days before the load is due to be delivered, to make sure the scheduled day is still correct or if it’s not, it’s re-scheduled according to requirements. By doing this, it enables them to plan production and deliveries more efficiently and economically. If you’d like to take advantage of this service, in order to best manage your compound feed deliveries, please contact Geoff Homewood, 07974 684753, to discuss it in more detail.
Lead times for minerals
Please bear in mind when ordering palletised products that lead times are normally 3-5 working days, however with particular reference to minerals, deliveries are taking a minimum of 10 working days, up from the 7 working days the supplier quoted in their tender, (although they counter this by adding the caveat that this might change subject to market conditions) and this will inevitably increase again in the lead up to Christmas.
RumenSmart
There is currently a very tight supply of RumenSmart globally and the reasons are two-fold: Firstly, the plant that produces RumenSmart had a planned maintenance shutdown for a period of 6 weeks. On its own this would not have been a major problem as material was manufactured in advance to cover forecast tonnage. The second problem was that the uptake of the product has been far greater than predicted and the forecast volumes produced were insufficient to meet the demand. With production at capacity it is expected to take until the New Year for the supply and demand to rebalance.
Volac Milk Replacers
Following the acquisition of Volac Milk Replacers by Denkavit in December 2023, the company has decided to move all its milk replacer production to two sites in the Netherlands. This will have particular bearing on the Wynnstay range of milk powders that are manufactured by Volac. There has been considerable investment in these two sites resulting in changes to the manufacturing process, however, they guarantee even better mixability in the finished product. There are some minor visible physical changes to the end product, namely that it may look a little whiter and not quite as granular. If you require more information, please contact either Hannah Padfield 07968 260110 or Millie Birch 07717 495746, alternatively a letter outlining all the updates that have taken place is available from the office.
And finally, totally irrelevant but quite interesting facts of the month…….
In 1910, France had more aeroplanes than Germany, Britain, Italy, Russia, Japan and the US combined and the US military is America’s largest purchaser of explosives, number two is Disney World.
Joe Cobb, Feed & Livestock Manager, 01865 393 139
Welcome to CFS
CFS is now the market leader in commercial tyre fitting and fleet management, from Cars and Vans to Lorries and Trailers, Agricultural vehicles including Tractors, trailers and implements we can cater for all your needs.
We can supply and fit all types of tyres on all wheel systems from solids on Forklifts to Earthmover industrial tyres including Crane and Port work.
We have commercial fitting centres Located throughout Scotland, the Northwest, the Midlands, East Anglia, London, and the Southeast, with depots now open in Swindon Aylesbury and Avonmouth.
With a dedicated sales team we can quote for all you needs. With fully equipped service vehicles and trained technicians, we can fit and repair your tyres on site, we also offer a 24/7 breakdown service 365 days of the year to keep you mobile with minimum down time.
For all plant and agricultural quotes or new accounts please contact Andrew Frost
Phone : 07702-546301
E-Mail : andrewfrost@lodgetyre.com
Why HR Matters: Protecting Your People and Your Farm- article by CXCS
Why HR Matters: Protecting Your People and Your Farm
Farming isn’t just about crops, livestock, or machinery, it’s about people. Your team keeps your farm running, and taking care of them isn’t just good practice, it’s the law. Following basic employment rules helps protect your staff, keeps your farm compliant, and avoids costly fines or disputes.
1. Contracts for everyone
Whether seasonal pickers or full-time staff, a written statement of their terms and conditions of employment is a legal requirement. They set out duties, pay, hours, holiday, and how issues are handled. Beyond legal protection, clear agreements build trust and show your team they are valued.
2. Fair pay and working hours
Paying correctly and following working time regulations isn’t optional. National Minimum Wage, rest breaks, and holiday entitlements are all legally enforceable. Keeping accurate records protects your farm and ensures staff feel treated fairly.
3. Health and safety
Farming is one of the UK’s most dangerous industries. Legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act require risk assessments, training, and safe equipment. Prioritising safety not only keeps your team protected, but it also reduces downtime and strengthens your business.
4. Treat everyone equally
Family members, seasonal workers, or long-term employees - employment law applies to all. Ensuring correct documentation, pay, and tax treatment avoids disputes and keeps your farm compliant while fostering fairness.
5. Open communication
Legally sound disciplinary and grievance procedures are essential. A clear process for raising concerns or resolving issues protects your farm and reassures staff that problems will be handled fairly.
Whether you run a small family farm or manage a large-scale agricultural operation, getting employment law right is essential – not only to stay compliant, but to build a safe, efficient, and respectful working environment for your team.
CXCS provides farming businesses with practical HR support. They help farms manage contracts, staff issues, and changing legislation while ensuring legal requirements are met. For support, contact their HR team on 01981 590514.
NEW SUPPLIERS - Solar Technology International
We would like to introduce Solar Technology International. They are based in Gloucestershire and provide a really good range of Off Grid lighting and power products. They have products specifically aimed at the farming sector including the Arena2k which is a solar powered lighting system for yards sheds and arenas. Simon Insull, their sales person is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I have a couple of members already trialling their products and will let you know their thoughts!
