Ed Metcalfe (Chippenham)

On our recent FCG Summer Tour one of our visits was to machinery manufacturer Sumo. When visiting the factory, we were greeted by the managing director Steve Ridley and two of the sales reps Frankie Chalcraft and Philip Stephenson. They were all very welcoming and gave us a bit of background about the business.

We then had a tour of the factory which gave us an insight into how each machine is made and the time put into each machine making sure it is made to the highest standard.

One of the important questions we had for the Sumo team was ‘what equipment do you produce that is eligible for grant funding?’ with a particular focus on SFI – No till Farming, and the FTF Grant Schemes.  Their main drill which they have got approved for the grant is their Direct drill technology which is based on the zero till approach to farming.  Their drill causes minimum soil disturbance whilst still maintaining a high standard of seed placement.  As part of the farming and technology fund drills must be able to drill through a fully established cover crop which this drill does.  Sumo have also created a crop crimper which goes on the front of a tractor and is created to chop the stems of a cover crop helping it to decompose faster and improve the organic matter of the field.

To conclude, Sumo was a very interesting factory to visit where we were able to see the high standards that Sumo strive for making sure farmers are buying a high-end machine which is built to last whilst making sure to comply with the RPA rules allowing farmers to buy drills under a grant scheme.

For further information on the No till Farming action through SFI, please contact Edward edwardmetcalfe@fcaggric.com