BMR

PURPOSE

BMR is a Co-op owned by its members and run for their advantage - To improve member profitability by providing services which reduce costs, improve efficiency, asset utilisation and manage risk.  Our main areas of business are Machinery Hire & Contracting, Labour Supply, Training, Farm Supplies & Utilities Procurement

HISTORY

Borders Machinery Ring (BMR), the first Ring to be formed in the UK in February 1987 by 23 farmers and contractors.  Currently, there are over 1030 Full, Labour and Private members. Turnover is around £7 million.  There are now 8 rings in Scotland and 8 in England and Wales.

 

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NOTICE BOARD

COVID 19

The following office protocols are in place:

For anyone attending meetings or training events, we request you take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) before setting out. Anyone with a positive result should let the appropriate BMR member of staff know as soon as possible and do not attend your appointment. This will be re-scheduled.

Please submit timesheets via the website (button to right), alternatively email or post timesheets to the office. 

If you have timesheets to hand into the office itself please follow the guidelines: Use hand sanitiser before coming into the entrance hall and wear a face covering. Call the BMR number on the phone in the hall, this will be answered by a member of staff. 

Alternatively please post envelopes through the letterbox.

Thank you for your continued support.

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HARVEST TENDER FOR ST BOSWELLS BIOGAS PLANT 

As a result of the forthcoming retirement of the existing principal contractor, the harvesting operations for St Boswells Biogas Plant are being put out to open tender for interested parties.  There are 2 tender documents availablle by clicking on the following links. 

Closing Date : Friday 18th February 2022        

Harvest Tender - Part 1
Harvest Tender - Part 2             

                      

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SPRING CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any contract requirements for the coming season.  We have experienced members with modern reliable machinery and spare capacity.

• Ploughing & Cultivations
• Drilling Operations
• Silage Operations
• Combining
• Fertiliser Application
• Muck Spreading
• Tractor & Skilled Operators
• Labour Only

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STRAW AVAILABLE - Barley & Wheat.  (4x4 Rounds & Big Square)  - Delivery also available

ORGANIC CEREALS & PULSES WANTED- Borders or Northumberland, small or larger amounts, can collect. Mixed crops of interest. Contact the Ring office.

 

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TRAINING COURSES COMING UP -  MOLE TRAPPING, CHAINSAW, BRUSHCUTTING, ABRASIVE WHEEL & MORE..

MACHINE HIRE-We have many local hire companies supplying BMR members with exceptional rates-so give the Ring a call for any machine or equipment hire.  TELEHANDLERS AVAILABLE FOR SELF HIRE OVER HARVEST

GOOD SHEEP HAY WANTED - Contact Sarah or Michael at BMR Office

BUILDING MATERIALS - Many local building supply companies are members of BMR. You can arrange deliveries or collect goods with a BMR booking number. Call the BMR office for advice.

FERTILISER - Requirements -New Season Nitrogen -   Contact BMR for a competitive quote.   Delayed payment terms available.

FORD VEHICLE DEAL- great deals available on all Ford vehicles including commercial vans.

TELECOMS - Our telecoms tariffs provide excellent rates for busy businesses and the less frequent user. Advice on handset purchase is available. All through the AF Group. 

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ELECTRICITY CONTRACTS

Important information about your upcoming energy contract renewal

If you have an electricity contract through BMR & the AF Energy team to supply your site(s), this contract is due to expire in 2022. If you require a list of your sites and contract end dates, please ask a member of the team who will be happy to help you.

Your AF Energy auto-renewal contract
Our energy portfolio operates on an auto-renewal basis which means that we will automatically put a new contract in place for your site(s), unless you tell us that you want to opt out of our portfolio.

 If you would like to opt out, please advise AF by emailing energy@af.farm  no later than 1st January 2022. Please ensure that you include the following information:

•    Membership name
•    Membership number
•    Site name
•    MPAN number

If you choose to opt out of the AF portfolio, your site(s) will not be included for renewal and you will be responsible for ensuring you have an appropriate contract in place for when the existing AF contract expires.

 Please note that due to the large scale procurement process we go through to buy energy for our portfolio, we cannot accept any resignations after 1st January 2022.

 If you have already sent us a termination notice and received acknowledgment of this from us, please disregard this reminder.

 

Do you need energy from renewable sources?

A growing number of sites require contracts for energy from renewable sources only. If your next contract needs to include renewable energy, please ensure that you have confirmed this by emailing energy@af.farm before 1st January 2022.

As always, if you would like to discuss any aspect of your site(s), renewal please get in touch.

 

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- Important reminder for BMR members with electricity contracts through the Ring: please SUBMIT monthly meter readings as near 20th of month as possible. This helps to manage your electricity billing. If your billing contains estimated reads, please get in touch with the office and send a smart phone photo of your meter reading. Notification of termination of contract should be advised to the office by 30 December in the year prior to contract end. 

 

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BMR provides training throughout the Scottish Borders, Lothians, Lanarkshire & Northumberland.

We have a full training programme scheduled for winter 21/22. 

Forklift, ATV, Argo, tractor, chainsaw, woodchipper, garden & estate maintenance machine & equipment training is planned on a regular basis.

Pesticides courses - training and assessments will next run in February according to demand. Candidates must have their own equipment to take the relevant City & Guilds assessments.

Training can be provided through Lantra Awards, NPORS, British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA), BRITTOP or as 'inhouse' training with industry experts and highly skilled instructors.

City & Guilds assessments are arranged for Animal Transport tests, Pesticides Awards and Chainsaw Awards.

Emergency First Aid at Work courses are provided by ITC registered trainers.

Please click on the tab 'upcoming training courses' in Shortcuts to view the current Programme and call the office to register interest and for further details. 

Online training is available from Lantra Elearning and includes Rodent Control & Health & Safety on Farms. Please call the office to book your online course.

TRAINING DATES FOR JANUARY-MARCH 2022 WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY REQUESTS.

FOR ANYONE ATTENDING TRAINING COURSES WE ASK YOU TO TAKE A LFT BEFORE SETTING OUT. FOR ANYONE WITH A POSITIVE RESULT PLEASE CONTACT BMR ASAP AND DO NOT ATTEND. YOUR TRAINING WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED WHEN POSSIBLE. 

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PRE - APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

Are you looking to work in Agriculture or the Land Based Sector?   

Applications are now open for the Summer Intake of the 2022 Pre-Apprenticeship Programme -  Download application form 

(BMR are hoping to offer up to 15 places in South East Scotland subject to Scottish Government Funding being made available)

The pre-apprenticeship provides a meaningful introduction into practical working environments, giving young people an insight into the range of vocational opportunities that the sector can offer through a structured programme of work-based learning.   By following this pathway of progression, the Pre-Apprentice gains a Land-based Pre-Apprenticeship award (SCQF Level 4) and gives the candidates scope for moving into Modern Apprenticeships or full-time employment.

The work-based scheme is run in collaboration with Borders College  2 week induction which involves a range of activities and certified training. Farmer mentors play a crucial but rewarding role on the placement with a huge responsibility not only providing the young person with practical knowledge but providing an environment to encourage a good work ethic as well as social and communication skills.

Pre-Apprenticeship Format:

DEVELOPMENT: Programme starts in Mid-June with a 2 week induction at Borders College followed by 6 month work placement.

TRAINING COURSES: Up to £1500 of training including Tractor Driving, Telehandler, ATV, Emergency First Aid,  Health & Safety on Farms, Manual Handling Awareness

MENTORING: 26 weeks full-time employment, typically working 40hrs per week on a suitable rural business

HANDS ON APPROACH: Earn while you learn in the rural sector. Payment in accordance with Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB)

Ringlink Scotland: www.ringlinkscotland.co.uk/pre-apprenticeship

Lantra Podcast - An Interview with a Past Mentor  

If you are interested in finding out more about the scheme as a candidate or mentor please contact Michael at BMR for more information on 01896 758091

Candidate Application Form

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The Scottish Machinery Ring Association Retrospective Rebate Scheme provides a rebate over and above any agreement between the purchaser and their dealer. Farmers continue to negotiate with their supplier and come to their own agreement when they buy a tractor or any other Case IH machinery from a recognised CaseIH dealer. Then send a copy of all appropriate paper work to the BMR office. This paperwork must depict the relevant serial number for CaseIH auditing purposes. These copies must be dated for the year in which the claim is made. Details of what exactly is required are available from the BMR Office This annual scheme runs from the 1st December to the 30th November inclusive

Competition deadline now extended to Agriscot Event at Ingliston in November. 

Scheme Details - Click Here

Case IH Workwear - Available at your local dealer - Click Here

 

 

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Telehandler & Excavator Hire  - Group rates for BMR Members with many companies

We will find what you are looking for at the best hire rate & transport costs. 

Plant and equipment can be supplied throughout our area.  

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Tractor Self-Hire

100hp - 300 hp Available 
Short & Long Term Hire
Grain Trailers also available to suit your requirements  10 - 18t (with Full Road Kit)
 

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Invoicing your timesheets - this is done every week, so do send these in as soon as completed. Please address any invoice related query to admin@ringleader.co.uk

Automated payments through the Ring

Improve your Cash Flow - BMR carries out a weekly invoice run on behalf of members.  Invoices are collected by Direct Debit and paid into your account by credit transfer on 28 days providing funds have been received from the demander.

If you would like to discuss BMR helping out with your invoicing just give us a call at the office on 01896 758091

 

Keep calling with your requests, updated services and your availability for work

Always let us know any new contact details

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