A PIONEERING Cambridgeshire farmer will showcase his 'Controlled Traffic' farming method, thought to be a UK-first, when he addresses this week’s ‘Farming Scotland Conference’ in Carnoustie.

The event, now its 17th year, will be held on Thursday February 13, sponsored by EQ Chartered Accountants, Bell Ingram, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Thorntons Solicitors.

James Peck from PX Farms has been using CTF across a range of crops, including combinable crops and sugar beet, across five counties with varying soil types. Over the last decade he has reduced soil compaction from 86% to 13% in the process. In 2019 he applied CTF to farming potatoes for the first time and claims great success in improving efficiency and yield.

PX Farms across more than 10,000 acres of combinable crops, potatoes and sugar beet on owned land, farm business tenancy, contract or vegetable licence basis. Mr Peck believes passionately in farming scale and driving forward innovation in the industry, and has built a business which provides field to mill services.

Commenting on the CTF innovation, Mr Peck said, “Our business ethos is to drive innovation and efficiency into farming practices so that the sector is fit for the future. We’ve invested heavily in state-of-the-art technology to help create new opportunities, as well as greater efficiencies and yields.”

He added: “We are delighted with the results from our first season using CTF with potatoes. It allows for a greater diversity of crops in the existing broad rotation, which in turn provides the opportunity for a better return back to landowners.”

Tickets for the Farming Scotland Conference are available from Mary Campbell on 01307 474274, email mary.campbell@eqaccountants.co.uk, or via www.farmingscotlandconference.co.uk