East Anglia will host two major cultivation events featuring the very latest tackle on Tuesday and Thursday next week.The Norfolk Farm Machinery Club's demonstration at Hardingham Farms, near Hingham, has already attracted more than 40 working plots on about 180 acres.

East Anglia will host two major cultivation events featuring the very latest tackle on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

The Norfolk Farm Machinery Club's demonstration at Hardingham Farms, near Hingham, has already attracted more than 40 working plots on about 180 acres.

It is also the club's diamond jubilee, which adds a special sparkle to Thursday's demonstration. The Norfolk Farm Machinery Club, which was founded in March 1946, has held successful practical demonstrations on site across the county over the decades.

Chris Thomas, county organiser, said that there had been keen demand from exhibitors for space at the latest event, which is staged every two years.

"We've got a good site at Hardingham Farms and the conditions should provide an opportunity to test a range of machinery," he said.

Although the cultivation equipment will take pride of place, there are also static displays at the free event.

The action will start from 9.30am and continues through the day. "There should be something for everyone and we're extremely grateful to our host, William Edwards, of Hardingham Farms," he added. The site on the family's 2,600-acre estate will be sign-posted from the A11 and A47.

Tillage 2006, which takes place at Swaffham Prior, between Newmarket and Cambridge, on Tuesday, returns to the heart of East Anglia.

"Whether you're looking for ideas on how to reduce establishment costs or considering a change to autumn cultivation regimes - something bigger or just replacing like for like - Tillage 2006 is the ideal venue to see the kit in action or talk to manufacturers," said event organiser Duncan Russell, of the Agricultural Engineers' Association.

The latest and most innovative cultivation kit from all the major manufacturers will be working in large plots at the event, where their field-work can be fully assessed.

"Tillage is also a great opportunity to see many of the latest tractors in action, to help you narrow down your machinery replacement decisions," added Mr Russell.

Tillage offers the chance to talk to tyre manufacturers about effective use of horsepower, while other exhibitors will be demonstrating field mapping solutions for fertiliser and nutrient application.

A successful slug control strategy and careful early season management will be as important as getting the cultivations right if autumn 2006 plantings are to succeed, according to De Sangosse.

Tillage is the ideal event to discuss solutions to slugs, the UK's number one arable pest.

There will be a display comparing the persistence of dry process mini-pellets to wet process, pasta-based pellets.

De Sangosse commercial director Kim Christo, said: "Poor seedbeds, slug and pigeon damage or late drilling are just some of the factors that lead to backward crops and low yields."

Tillage is open from 8am to 3pm, and entry costs £10 per car or £5 for single occupancy. For full details visit the Tillage website www.tillage.uk.com