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Published by Agriconnect
Welcome note
Underspend cannot be allowed to justify cuts
NEWS of Defra’s underspend in the most recent year’s agriculture budget was in keen focus at this year’s Back British Farming event, taking place in Parliament this week.
It was good to see MPs donning their wheatsheafs at Wednesday’s PMQs and to hear Sir Keir Starmer come out in support of British farmers, although the Prime Minister was not sporting one himself.
There were warm words from Sir Keir on farmers’ contributions and his support for the industry, but actions always speak louder than words.
With farmers having faced such a difficult year, whichever sector you are in, seeing £130 million in 2023/24 remaining unspent is no doubt frustrating. With the underspend totalling more than £350m in the past three years, and the Budget looming in October, there is no doubt the agricultural coffers will be looking like a tempting fund to slash.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw called on Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner after comments in opposition that underspends in funding should be rolled over into future years to confirm how this would be done.
While Mr Zeichner had been quick to call out the previous Conservative Government on ‘broken promises to farmers’ and failing to pay out promised funds, his statement did not include any commitment on what would happen to the money.
The Government is clearly looking carefully
for opportunities to curb spending, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves consistently stating there are difficult decisions to come in the Budget. Indeed, just this week we have seen the ‘difficult’ decision on means testing Winter Fuel Payments, something which will affect pensioners living in our rural communities.
Unfortunately, while Steve Reed spoke at the NFU event, promising he was fighting farmers’ corner to the Treasury, journalists were not given the opportunity to quiz him on any plans for the underspend.
No doubt every department will be knocking on the Treasury’s door to tell them why they should have their budget protected from the incoming squeeze.
This Government, and Sir Keir, has been keen to tell people it is committed to British farming and will ‘restore confidence and stability’ for the industry. Using this underspend as an excuse to cut the farming budget would certainly not build confidence in an industry where it remains in the doldrums.
Hopefully, Mr Reed will live up to his word and convince the Chancellor of farming’s worth. As we know there is a convincing argument for more cash.
Speaking up for farming since 1844
On this week’s cover: New Holland CR10 combine, p84; Bluetongue, p4; Autumn pest control, p30; ‘It’s a game-changer’, p92; Grants special, p37; Air ambulance, p110.
With cases of bluetongue now reported as far north as Yorkshire, Rachael Brown spoke to the UK, Welsh and Scottish Chief Veterinary Officers on the current situation.
Bluetongue cases continue to increase
l Vaccine seen as a ‘necessary step’
BLUETONGUE cases have once again risen across the UK this week with the East of England continuing to be the focus of the outbreak.
In a bid to stem the spread, the Secretary of State for Defra has authorised the use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines.
The move was welcomed by the National Sheep Association with chief executive Phil Stocker saying it was a ‘necessary step’ to help control the disease.
He said: “Although the vaccines are suppressive in nature rather than preventative, they are expected to dampen symptoms, reduce suffering and mortality, and hopefully reduce the risk of further transmission.”
And with bluetongue now found on the east coast of France, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Dr Christine Middlemiss said she was ‘worried’ about the risk to farms and animal keepers in Kent and along the South Coast.
Dr Middlemiss said: “We have not seen disease there yet, but they are at risk of the disease coming over from the east of France.”
As Farmers Guardian went to print, there were 38 confirmed cases of BTV-3 across Norfolk, Suffolk,
Essex, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
When probed if she thought the virus could lead to the scale of bluetongue cases found in the Netherlands, Dr Middlemiss said she did not expect it ‘to get that bad’, pointing out the difference in livestock population density between the two locations.
Dr Middlemiss stressed the current restriction zones put in place in England were helping to tackle the disease at this current time.
She said: “I know it makes life difficult for people in the restriction zone, but it really does stop the progression of the disease.”
Concerned
It was a messaged echoed by Scotland’s CVO Sheila Voas who said she was ‘concerned’ by the risk to Scotland following the case found in East Yorkshire.
She said she felt ‘more worried’ about the virus now than she did a year ago, due to the virus ‘circulating’ among livestock in East Anglia.
When challenged about how the industry would cope if bluetongue did spread across Scotland and Wales, where there are currently no confirmed cases, Ms Voas said ‘we would have to cope’.
“The difficulty is if the disease is circulating. We can put control zones in place, but there will come a point when the controls are harder to live
[The vaccines] are expected to dampen symptoms, reduce suffering and mortality, and hopefully reduce the risk of further transmission
PHIL STOCKER
with than the disease itself,” she said, adding they would continue to talk with the industry to understand if the ‘tipping point’ comes.
Regarding administration of the vaccine, Ms Voas said the focus should be about controlling the disease in the areas where it currently is, ‘rather than having a scatter gun approach to vaccinations’.
As the vaccine is not able to stop animals being infected, she said it was a ‘balancing act’, adding it was important not to ‘mask disease which is present in vaccinated animals’.
Dr Christine Middlemiss Sheila Voas
Dr Richard Irvine
APPLE HARVEST IN FULL SWING
APPLE growers have had a head start for harvest this year, with warmer conditions in March and April bringing the season forward. Great British Apples said its growers had been picking apples this week.
It added: “The early harvest means you will be able to enjoy these crisp, flavourful British apples very soon. Keep an eye out for them in stores and support our local growers.”
Dr Middlemiss was asked whether the UK was likely to suffer an outbreak similar to that of the Netherlands, where cases have topped 5,990, she said she did not expect it ‘to get that bad’, pointing out the difference in livestock population density.
She said: “We have been learning a lot from the Netherlands. They are not having as many clinical signs and not having as many deaths on farms. They have vaccinated about 95% of their sheep flock now, but it is not stopping disease or stopping the spread.”
When asked what the cost would be to the farmer to purchase these vaccines from their local veterinary practice, Dr Middlemiss said it would
be in the ‘ballpark of other vaccinations’ which farmers use, but it would be a ‘commercial decision’ with manufacturers and the whole supply chain.
When the CVO for Wales, Dr Richard Irvine, was asked about the potential use of a bluetongue vaccine in Wales, he said it was important to first ‘weigh up the pros and cons’ and the reasons why the industry would want to use a vaccine, while also assessing the level of risk in Great Britain.
Phased approach
“It is my understanding that Defra is looking at a phased approach to the licence use, so that the availability in effect is prioritised to the high-risk areas.”
Dr Irvine said he was monitoring the threat ‘very closely’ and urged
farmers to be ‘cautious’ to ‘help keep Wales safe’.
He encouraged Welsh farmers who planned to go to sales and markets to work closely with their vets and seek advice.
Dr Irvine said: “What we do not want to do is inadvertently buy bluetongue into Wales. It is crucial farmers work closely with vets to understand what the risks are, understand where the risks are and understand what to look out for as well.”
Dr Middlemiss added with the current control zones and restrictions in place, there should not be any reason to believe any animals at the sales would be infected with bluetongue.
When probed about how much of a priority bluetongue was in light
of other animal disease threats, including African swine fever, avian influenza and bovine TB, she said that while it was important to deal with the bluetongue threat, it must not be their ‘absolute focus’.
Urgent manpower
Ms Voas said they were ‘not dropping the ball’ on other diseases, but admitted bluetongue required ‘the most urgent manpower’.
Ms Voas emphasised the importance of ‘working with the industry’, adding it is the understanding that when the ‘tipping point’ comes, it may mean things are not ‘ideal for one or two farms’, but it is a decision which has to be made for animal health and welfare and for the sector as a whole.
As MPs and industry figures gathered in Parliament for the NFU’s Back British Farming Day, concerns were raised over Defra’s underspend. Rachael Brown reports.
Budget underspend is ‘kick in the teeth’ for farming
● Defra Secretary ‘fighting’ for farmers
FINDINGS of a £358 million underspend of the agricultural budget over the past three years have been branded as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘nothing short of a kick in the teeth’ for the farming industry by NFU president Tom Bradshaw.
On the eve of the NFU’s ninth Back British Farming Day, the Farming Countryside Programme (FCP) annual report revealed a £130m underspend of the agricultural budget for 2023/2024 alone.
Mr Bradshaw said: “Let us be clear, this underspend has not happened because the investment is not needed.
“It has happened because the schemes to replace the Basic Payment Scheme [BPS] have not been completed in time and there are still many gaps and questions unanswered.
Needed
“For years, the NFU has pressed the need for the new schemes to be in place before reductions in BPS began to avoid this very issue and avoid funding being left unspent at a time when farmers needed it most.”
The CLA said the Government was building ‘a new way of working’ to deliver good outcomes for food and the environment and needed the full budget to make it work.
It has happened because the schemes to replace the Basic Payment Scheme have not been completed in time
TOM BRADSHAW
It added the ambitions were right, but could not be ‘delivered on a shoestring’.
Addressing industry stakeholders, farmers and the Defra Secretary Steve Reed at the Back British Farming Day event in Parliament on Wednesday (September 11), Mr Bradshaw warned the Chancellor’s budget at the end of next month was ‘crucial, for an industry that is genuinely at a tipping point’.
The NFU has called on the Government to take action to ‘value UK food security’ and environmental delivery by making a commitment to an enhanced multi-annual budget of £5.6m.
Mr Bradshaw said: “We must
remember this is not just money for farmers, it is a budget which is essential to give farmers the confidence to invest for the future.
“It will allow farmers to match the ambition of Government to deliver sustainable, affordable food while delivering for nature, energy security and for net zero.
“In opposition, the new Government consistently made clear its commitment to agriculture as a key driver of growth,” he said, adding they must roll over the underspend of more than £350m.
Underspend
Mr Reed did not confirm or deny whether the underspend would be carried over, but he said he was ‘fighting’ farmers’ corner.
He said: “The farming budget will be part of the spending review and an announcement will be made at that time. I am making the case to the Treasury to maximise support for farmers.
“I want to deliver a plan that works for all farmers and it will be based on transparency and co-design.”
Mr Bradshaw said it was a ‘concern’ that the Government may use the underspend to justify a cut in the farming budget.
He added: “If you are the Chancel-
lor looking to make cuts, you are now looking at this asking why does the farming industry need this money –they have not spent it.”
Mr Bradshaw urged all members to write to their MPs, adding it was important the Chancellor heard from every part of the UK about how important the budget is for rebuilding farmer confidence.
When probed if there was growing frustration over the lack of action from the Government since the General Election, Mr Bradshaw said it had only been nine weeks and was too early to know whether this Government was here to ‘enable the industry to thrive’.
“There is an element of them needing time, but there are things they can get on with, including the Farming Recovery Fund and the Seasonal Workers scheme,” he said, adding those elements would demonstrate quickly that they were on the industry’s side.
Mr Bradshaw said the budget at the end of October will be the moment when farmers find out if this Government backs the industry or not.
He said: “Environmental NGOs are just as worked-up over this as the farming industry is. They know they cannot deliver their targets if we do not have an adequate budget.”
He added: “The pressure is on.”
Steve Reed speaking at the Back British Farming Day in Parliament.
● Call to make roll bars mandatory
By Jane Thynne
SUPPORT is growing to enhance ATV safety measures following an appeal launched by prominent farmer John Geldard last week.
The National Sheep Association vice-president has formally written to Defra Secretary Steve Reed to express his concerns regarding the vehicles following a spate of fatalities.
Mr Geldard wrote: “What has spurred me to write to you today is the news of yet another death in a quad bike accident, the third in August: a young woman working in forestry in Scotland; a six-year-old child on a farm in Northern Ireland; and here in Cumbria, the 12-year-old son of farmers.
“I am well aware from my own experience that accidents will sometimes happen no matter how careful we are, but there are some areas where Government action could significantly reduce casualties. Quad bike safety is one of these.”
The Cumbrian-based farmer’s views have been supported by livestock farmer and author Hannah Jackson, who said the news of the
Support builds for ATV safety rethink
A spate of fatalities involving ATVs has prompted calls for enhanced safety measures.
a never-ending task list, not enough time in the day, exhaustion or because our mental health is taking a beating and clouding our judgement. But these cannot be excuses for not implementing safety on a daily basis.”
deaths had ‘sent a sickening feeling into the pit of my stomach’.
Ms Jackson, also known as the Red Shepherdess who farms near Carlisle, said although the industry had made real progress in terms of farm safety, she wanted to appeal to farmers to end the culture of calculated risk.
“How many lives must be lost for
CATTLE TO
our industry to take a serious look in the mirror and decide enough is enough?
“Please do not take my bluntness as a lack of understanding for the pressures in farming that often lead to these fatalities,” she said.
“We all know how easy it is to quickly [and unsafely] do a job because of
Ms Jackson pleaded with everyone to wear a helmet when using an ATV. She said: “We are our farms’ biggest asset, and we are so much more to our loved ones.”
Mr Geldard called on Defra to make roll bars mandatory on new ATVs sold in the UK from April 2025. He told the Secretary of State he believed manufacturers would have ‘no difficulty in meeting the challenge’ and suggested the retrofitting of roll bars onto existing vehicles could qualify for a grant under existing farming schemes to ‘significantly reduce the casualties in an accident’.
PICTURE: JOHN EVESON
● Calls for Gov to match measures in sheep sector
By Chris Brayford
FARMING groups have warned pig farmers across the UK they could be dealing with the risk of African swine fever (ASF) ‘within months’ if the Government does not tighten border security controls.
The National Pig Association (NPA) has called on Defra Secretary Steve Reed to remove the current 2kg allowance for personal pork imports to match measures brought in to protect the sheep and goat industries from peste des petits (PPR) ruminants.
PPR rules mean it is not permitted to bring in unpackaged sheep and goat meat and meat products, and milk and milk products from the European Union, European Free Trade Association states, Greenland and Faroe Islands, with commercially produced sheep and goat milk and milk products not permitted from Greece or Romania. It suggested the limit was ‘unnecessary and difficult’ to enforce.
Chris Dodds, executive secretary at the Livestock Auctioneers Association, said the current border system was ‘flawed’, with claims ‘huge volumes’ of illegal and legal meat had entered the UK without physical checks or controls, while the British Meat Processors Association warned of a ‘biosecurity disaster’ without immediate action.
The National Pig Association has called on Defra to remove the current 2kg allowance for personal pork imports.
Removal of personal pork allowance urged
Stephen Jordan, a pig farmer from Canterbury, said he was concerned fellow pig farmers could be facing the threat of ASF ‘within months’ if the Government does not do everything within its power to stop illegal meat from entering the UK.
NPA senior policy adviser Katie Jarvis said there should be ‘zero tolerance’ on personal imports of pork products
Baroness Rock has Defra role terminated
BARONESS Kate Rock, author of the Rock Review into tenant farming, has had her role as non-executive director at Defra terminated.
Baroness Rock expressed her ‘deep disappointment’ and ‘bewilderment’ at the news the Secretary of State Steve Reed had decided to end her role on September 30, despite her sharing her willingness to continue.
Announcing the news in the House of Lords, she told members: “It sends a worrying message to our vital tenant farming community that my sector expertise is not recognised by Steve Reed and his Ministerial team as being a useful asset.”
She promised to continue to champion tenant farmers and ensure they have a ‘fair deal from this Government’.
Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) national chair Robert Martin said the body shared Baroness Rock’s disappointment and paid tribute to her work overseeing the review.
“We have been clear with Defra that
Kate’s departure from the board must not coincide with any diminution in enthusiasm for implementing the changes that are needed to improve the resilience of the let sector of agriculture as articulated through the recommendations of the Rock Review,” he said.
Commitment
“The Government must reconfirm its commitment to the work of the Farm Tenancy Forum, including the decision to appoint a commissioner for the tenant farming sector and to take forward the legislative and fiscal recommendations which are yet to be brought into play.”
A Government spokesperson said: “It is normal practice for incoming Ministers to make decisions on their own departmental boards, including their membership.
“Appointments will be made to bring fresh scrutiny and external perspectives to departmental boards and Ministers.”
to the UK in order to minimise the risk of importing a product which may potentially be carrying ASF.
Risks
Andy McGowan, managing director of Scottish Pig Producers, said he was concerned about the risks of ASF in Europe, with cases detected in countries including Germany and Poland.
“There is still a grey area continuing to build over the UK’s border controls and there is a real concern that opportunist criminals could exploit
this situation if physical checks are not being undertaken without a deterrent,” he added.
“The last thing farmers need right now is the threat posed from this disease and the Government must ensure its border checks are watertight.”
The Government said protecting UK biosecurity has been identified as one of its key priorities, and added Border Force officials in Kent were working closely with law enforcement partners to target ‘illicit commodities’ from entering the UK.
Scottish First Minister challenged on Galloway National Park plans
THE Scottish First Minister has been called on to guarantee the Government will drop its plans for a Galloway National Park if local people reject it.
Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell challenged John Swinney to give a commitment during First Minister’s Questions, saying there
were fears it would be an example of ‘urban do-gooders imposing their sanitised overregulated idea of the countryside’ on rural communities.
Mr Swinney said the SNP Government would listen to the points put forward and encouraged anyone with views to take part in the current consultation process.
New Welsh funding scheme open
THE development phase of the new Integrated Natural Resources Scheme (INRS) has opened for applications until September 27.
The INRS forms part of a ‘preparatory phase’ of activities which the Welsh Government hopes will lead to projects ready to participate in the collaboration layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme when it is introduced.
The INRS will provide funding for ‘implementing nature-based solutions at the appropriate scale, targeting action and interventions to enhance and sustainably manage our natural resources’.
MORE INFORMATION
Find out more about further funding support in Wales in our grants special on page 45.
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● Government aims to restore UK waterways
By Jane Thynne
FARMERS will be targeted by a new ‘polluter pays’ crackdown as part of the Labour Government’s pledge to restore and protect UK waterways.
Outlining his plans for the new Water (Special Measures) Bill, Defra Secretary Steve Reed said the Government was intent on cleaning up the whole water sector and, as part of that, will ‘make the polluter pay to get that firepower back’.
Under the new rules, the Environment Agency will be given wider powers enabling it to issue onthe-spot, automatic fines not only for pollution, but also for failure to comply with information requests and reporting requirements.
Pollution
Mr Reed said the current £300 cap would be lifted to ‘reflect the scale of damage pollution is having on our waterways’.
The aim is to restore nature and make the UK waterways safe.
It will include a range of ‘common sense measures’ such as ring-fencing money for infrastructure and stringent punishments for water companies, including prison sentences, should they fail to meet their environmental responsibilities.
Mr Reed also pledged to work with farmers to combat the effects of climate change, which he said have had ‘significant impact’ on the sector. However, the focus will be on ‘agri-tech’ and helping farmers safeguard the natural environment.
He said: “We will work with farmers to reduce agricultural run-off in
Farming targeted in water crackdown
our rivers and lakes, including progressing efforts to improve slurry storage and promote regenerative models of farming.”
Speaking before Mr Reed at the Thames Rowing Club event, Richard Benwell, chief executive of the Wildlife and Countryside Link, called on the Government to do more to support water-friendly farming, including fair enforcement on those who ‘overstep the mark’ and rewarding farmers who are ‘doing a good job’.
“Helping farmers to clean up their act to turn around the state
Scots MP named as Efra chair
LIBERAL Democrat MP and farmer
Alistair Carmichael has been elected as chair of the Efra Committee after standing unopposed for the role.
Mr Carmichael represents Orkney and Shetland and was the Scottish Secretary of State under David Cameron’s Coalition Government.
“This Parliament will see the new Government make major decisions on the environment, farming, food security and rural communities that will affect us all,” he said.
“I will ensure that the committee gives a voice to rural, coastal and island communities and fully considers the interests of our fishers, farmers, food producers, processors and exporters, while holding corporate interests, such as water companies, to account.”
Mr Carmichael will take up the role once members from the House of Commons have been selected to sit on the committee.
of the river environments is going to take much more investment, much more regulation and much stronger action from Government,” he said.
NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said Britain’s farmers and growers cared passionately about the environment and much progress had already been made through regulation and voluntary measures.
She added the issue of water quality was ‘complex’.
She said: “Current and future farming schemes must support farmers and growers and enable them to change practices and
Current and future farming schemes must support farmers and growers
RACHEL HALLOS
invest in new technology and infrastructure to help tackle potential pollution issues.”
Mentoring in spotlight at new Cultivate event
MENTORSHIP has been highlighted as a key driver for growth in the agricultural sector at the first Cultivate Success event.
Held at the Lincolnshire Showground, the event brought together mentors and mentees for discussions, workshops and training.
Participants included Woldmarsh Group chief executive Heather Claridge, James Thompson from Dyson Farming and Ben Martin, a strategic farm manager.
Helen Wyman, owner of Cultivate Success, said it had ‘exceeded all expectations’.
Mr Thompson said: “It is an opportunity to give back – something I never had early in my career.”
Matt Naylor, of Naylor Flowers, said: “This initiative will transform the rural sector. I wish it had existed when I was younger. I urge everyone, at any stage in their career, to get involved.”
The next event, on December 3 in York, is open to all in the food, farming and rural sectors.
MORE INFORMATION For more and to book a spot, visit cultivate-success.com
The Environment Agency is to be given stronger powers to fine polluters.
Alistair Carmichael
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water
DEFRA’S reported cut of £100 million from England’s nature-friendly farming budget would be a huge blow to everyone striving to protect our country’s natural assets and build our food security.
While representing a 4% reduction in the overall agricultural budget, this cutback raises alarm bells over the Government’s commitment to sustainable farming and the five priorities outlined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed in July.
If this is an indication of future cuts to help address the Treasury’s disclosed £22 billion shortfall, then we urgently need increased adop-
tion of impactful solutions that can improve farmers’ resilience to extreme weather and to help mitigate the massive losses we are seeing in biodiversity.
As a defined and independently audited approach, organic farming is proven to deliver high levels of nature recovery with around 50% more abundance of wildlife and up to 34% more wildlife species, while still producing good-quality food.
It is not just biodiversity where organic triumphs.
Across the board, organic farming consistently lowers long-term environmental and economic costs. It improves water quality, lowers energy use, enhances food security and reduces soil erosion and loss.
The gains from increased uptake of organic would benefit everyone.
It is vital that farming systems which simultaneously deliver
across all Defra’s priorities are supported by the Government. By encouraging greater policy support for organic farmers and those in transition, while signalling organic’s environmental credentials to shoppers, we can serve the greater public interest.
Roger Kerr, Chief executive, Organic Farmers and Growers.
Right to Roam works both ways
EDITOR Olivia Midgley asks ‘why not add ‘respectfully’ to ‘right to roam’’ (Farmers Guardian, August 23). When surveyed, 68% of the public supports a right of responsible access to nature, with sensible ex-
clusions for things like privacy, conservation and cultivation. The figure is identical in rural and urban areas.
The Right to Roam campaign vision is based on the Scottish access model in which rights are explicitly contingent on responsibility (for one’s own actions), respect (for the livelihood and peace of mind of others), and care (for nature).
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is accompanied by extensive guidance notes for the public and for farmers and landowners, so everyone can see exactly what their respective responsibilities are.
Our postponement in March of a mass trespass event on Dartmoor when weather conditions meant a risk of damage to the fragile ecology demonstrates how people who respect land behave. But in an excluded, disconnected and infantilised society, opportunities to learn this kind of judgement are ever more restricted.
Our understanding of farming perspectives is greatly enhanced by a dedicated working group, which meets to discuss issues such as livestock security, liability, the costs of access infrastructure, but also the potential opportunities for community engagement, education and diversification, and the benefits of friendly eyes on the ground.
Our recent dog policy proposals go well beyond access to address issues of welfare, breeder registration, owner certification and licensing, the regulation of pet medicines (especially insecticidal parasite treatments) in line with those used in agriculture, and updates to the law around livestock worrying.
So, we very much agree with Olivia that ‘trust and positive behaviour […] come naturally to the majority’. That trust and positivity must work both ways. With levels of disconnection, biodiversity and mental health
Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ. For the purposes of this policy, we are the data controller of personal data provided to us. We are a UK company specialising in providing information services including news, analysis, data, pricing, insight and market intelligence to agribusiness professionals across the globe. This policy sets out how we do this and applies the use of your personal data that you disclose to us by entering into our competition to win £200 for the Stockjudging Competition or £20 Love2Shop vouchers for the weekly Crossword Competition, referred to throughout this statement as the “Competitions”. How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by filling in the form on our website www.fginsight.com OR printed form when entering the Competitions. If you have entered the Competitions via our site we may also collect some technical information about how you use our site, for example, the type of device you are using, your operating system, IP address, uniform resource locator (URL), clickstream and length of visit. How we use the information you provide: We will use your personal information: • to administer the Competitions, on the basis that the use of your personal data for this purpose will be necessary to enter you into the competitions and, if you are successful, contact you to notify you of your prize; and, • if you are new to Farmers Guardian and where you have agreed to this, to provide you with news and updates from time to time about our services; and, if at any point in the future you do not wish to receive any news and updates from us or from, you can unsubscribe from our marketing list at any time by following the steps below. To unsubscribe from any communications using the link on the email we send you or by emailing us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com. We will not use your information for any purposes except those listed in this policy without letting you know and getting your permission, if necessary, first. Who do we share your information with? We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your consent, except where: • it is necessary to enable any of our staff, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers or commercial partners to provide a service to us or to perform a function on our behalf; • we have a legal obligation to disclose your information (for example, if a court orders us to); or • there is a sale or purchase of any business assets, or where Farmers Guardian or any of its group companies are being acquired by a third party. Where we use third parties as described above to process your personal information, we will ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to safeguard your personal information. For how long do we keep your personal information? We keep your personal information for 36 months for the purposes for which it was collected or for any period for which we are required to keep personal information to comply with our legal and regulatory requirements, or until you ask us to delete your personal information. Your rights: You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information. These include the right to: • find out how we process your personal information; • request that your personal information is corrected if you believe it is incorrect or inaccurate; • obtain restriction on our,
(in both farmers and the general population) all in steep decline, the need for access to nature and mutual care has never been more pressing.
Dr Amy-Jane Beer, Right to Roam.
Labour Gov out to destroy
WAKE up, Britain. This Labour Government is out to destroy this country.
They plan to build 1.5 million houses in the next few years.
This will obviously put more pressure on our water systems – sewerage systems are causing big problems. They are planning to cover as much ground as they can to fit solar panels on good food-growing land; planting trees; rewilding and planting flowers.
Also, I would like to know how they plan to control the number of badgers.
They say vaccination will take place, but this would be out of the question because of the numbers that would be about after three or four years. If this happens, we will never be rid of bovine TB.
M. Drake, Devon.
Rachael Brown Chief Reporter – rachael.brown@agriconnect.com
Time to overhaul farm inspection language Leader
THE move to end single-word judgements in school Ofsted inspections, after headteacher Ruth Perry ended her life, has prompted conversations about whether farm inspections could benefit from a similar overhaul.
An online Farmers Guardian poll last week asked: ‘Does the language used in farm inspections need to change?’. After receiving 190 votes, an overwhelming majority of 91% agreed.
It is a view shared by Rita Poulson, the widow of farmer Rocky Poulson, who took his life days after a farm inspection.
Although Rita has always been clear she in no way blames the inspector, in her recent blog for FG, she says there are ‘clear similarities’ between the language used. For Rocky, it was being termed an ‘incompetent’ farmer; for Ms Perry, it was the verdict that her school was ‘inadequate’.
Scrolling through the comments in response to Ms Poulson’s blog demonstrated how much farmers and families are crying out for change.
Young Farmer Focus
‘Farming has the power to bring people together’
Childhood: Growing up in a farming community around cattle and sheep was where I experienced some of the happiest moments in my life, which I will always cherish.
Farming has the power to bring people together.
I have witnessed this on so many occasions throughout my life because farmers are such remarkable people who work effortlessly to provide us with food.
Inspiration: It is my dad who has had the biggest impact on me in his role as a shepherd due to him just turning up every day and being a wonderful dad. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and be a shepherdess.
But the problem for me, and something I hope other people may relate to, is that there are not enough specific farming courses.
It is why I chose to do veterinary
courses to further my knowledge and skills. But I wanted to combine the skills I had learnt from my veterinary courses and my experience of shepherding into a business idea.
With the support of my family, I started my own business, Charlotte Harris Equine and Shepherdess Services, in June. So I now spend a lot of time working with farmers and helping them with problems on-farm. It involves long hours and a huge amount of dedication, but I feel like I have found my place in farming. And what can be better than working in the beautiful countryside alongside your four-legged companion?
I believe sheepdogs play such an important role in farming and we would not be able to do the job without them.
Many pointed to a lack of emotional, practical or financial help for those trying to adhere to red tape, with some questioning whether inspectors were aware of the stress a visit brought.
As Defra gears up to unveil ‘polluter pays’ fines in the new water Bill and the review into farm assurance rumbles on, the next generation is staring into an industry gripped by fear and the unknown.
Harris
Health: One of the biggest challenges I have faced in life is living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
It means I can be very nervous and struggle with confidence in everyday life, which can affect my mental health.
Mental health struggles in farming are a really big problem.
Speaking with farmers and seeing the challenges they face every day can be really overwhelming. Talking can be a powerful tool –it helps me overcome everyday challenges, and being open and honest about how you feel can help you get through the day.
Family: Lastly, I wanted to share the importance of family. My family are really important to me and have given me so much, making me the person I am today. We are a very close-knit group and we support each other through thick and thin. They are my biggest inspiration.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Charlotte
Strathaven, South Lanarkshire
Charlotte Harris, 21, is a shepherdess from Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. She now runs her own equine and shepherdess business.
Charlotte Harris
Farmers call out ‘lack of justice’ in dog attacks
● Menial fine handed out to dog owner
A WELSH farmer has stated she can no longer keep farming after experiencing a livestock attack which led to a ‘menial’ fine for the dog owner.
Liz Nutting, from Lampeter, Ceredigion, said 10 of her pedigree Ryeland flock were killed by four dogs in April 2023.
A farmer in a neighbouring field also lost 15 sheep.
Lampeter, Aberaeron, and Llandysul Police said the owner of the dogs, Evan Jones, of Creuddyn Bridge, pleaded guilty to livestock worrying in July.
Despite causing an estimated £6,500 in damages, Mr Jones was only ordered to pay a £75 fine.
Farmers had welcomed measures in the Dogs (Protection of Livestock)
Despite causing about £6,500 in damages in a dog attack on Liz Nutting’s farm in April 2023, Evan Jones was only ordered to pay a £75 fine.
(Amendment) Bill 2023-24, a private members’ Bill from former Defra Secretary Therese Coffey, which could have empowered magistrates to issue warrants and authorise entry to search premises, take samples from a dog suspected of livestock worrying and detain dogs.
The Bill was sidelined when the General Election was called.
Rob Lewis, NFU Cymru Livestock Board chair, said the health and financial impacts of livestock attacks on farmers were ‘alarming’ and called for stronger laws and increased fines.
Outdated legislation
Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion Preseli, said current legislation was ‘outdated’ as it was created more than 70 years ago, and added he was ‘disappointed’ there had been no mention of the Bill in the King’s Speech.
In Scotland, under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021, the owner of a dog found worrying livestock could be fined up to £40,000 and receive a potential 12-month prison sentence.
Ms Nutting said she had been left ‘broken’ after three attempts to seek justice against Mr Jones in the courts.
She added: “The sleepless nights have taken their toll on my health
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and well-being. Our sheep are no longer fit for breeding because of the attack.
“With our business no longer viable, we have had to call it a day.”
A Scottish farmer also called for an overhaul after a ‘traumatic’ incident on his Roxburghshire farm.
Robert Whittaker, from Jedburgh, said nine of his pedigree Charollais ewe lambs, only six weeks old, were killed by a dog in May last year.
Mr Whittaker said it should be mandatory for all dogs to be traced back to an owner and there should be on-the-spot fines.
The Government has said its Rural Crime Strategy would increase patrols to ‘clamp down’ on sheep worrying, but has not commented on whether the Bill would be progressed.
Organic farmer appointed as First Minister’s chief comms adviser
THE First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, has appointed organic farmer Sarah Dickins as her new chief communications adviser.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Ms Morgan said she was ‘delighted to welcome’ Ms Dickins into the role and to her team.
Ms Dickins said it was ‘a very different day in a very different office’, adding it was ‘great’ to join the team. Ms Dickins runs an organic family farm on the edge of Black Mountains, Wales, which produces ‘award-winning purely pasture-fed lamb mutton in a sustainable way’.
PICTURE: JOHN EVESON
National Trust defends vegan menu increase
● No plans to shift to a full plant-based menu
By Jane Thynne
THE National Trust has defended proposals to increase its plant-based menu while insisting it remains committed to serving meat, eggs and dairy at its historic sites.
The member proposal, if voted through, would see 50% of the food across its 280 cafes sourced from a vegan or vegetarian menu. The plan was part of the charity’s commitment to reach net zero by 2030.
According to the trust, menus at its sites were already 40% plant-based.
Former MP Jacob Rees-Mogg branded the plan a ‘silly attentionseeking proposal’, while Welsh sheep farmer Gareth Wyn Jones took to social media, telling his followers it was a ‘disgrace’ an organisation such as the National Trust was considering such a move.
He said: “They should be showing their support for local, seasonal and sustainable food production, and for those farmers who are there on their land producing top-quality meat and dairy. Why should they think that by going vegan it is going to save the planet? I think it is disingenuous and very, very wrong.”
Land
The National Trust owns more than 249,691 hectares of land in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of heritage merit in perpetuity. Of this, almost 220,553ha is agricultural land. About 80% of this land is managed by more than 1,700 tenant farmers.
In response, a spokesperson for the National Trust said it did not have plans to shift to a full plant-based offer.
“We will be keeping dairy, eggs and meat on the menu and continuing to work closely with farmers,” the spokesperson said.
“We want our cafes to be more sustainable and we want to keep serving a great variety of food while meeting the changing preferences of our visitors.
“We are supporting this resolution brought by one of our members. We estimate two-fifths of our menu is cur-
rently plant-based and we can move to half being so in the next two years.”
Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn said the body had been consulted on the issue and welcomed the National Trust’s con-
The National Trust said it would continue to work closely with farmers.
tinued support at its food outlets to provide the full range of products, including meat, egg, dairy and plantbased items, in order to maximise choice for visitors.
“Healthy diets and sustainable environmental management are underpinned by a balance in the consumption of meat, egg, dairy and plant-based foods,” added Mr Dunn.
Alpego design and manufacture a wide range of seed drill options from the Jet M and Jet X rear mounted combinations to the ASPRO and ASMAX front tanks working in combination with rear power harrow and seeding toolbars.
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PICTURE: ALAMY
How marketing campaigns are
AHDB’s Let’s Eat Balanced is back in September!
Let’s Eat Balanced is back from 27 August until 30 September championing the delicious taste and nutritional benefits of lean British meat and dairy.
The This & That TV advertisements for beef, lamb and dairy will run on YouTube, broadcast streaming services like ITVX, Channel 4, Sky Go, Disney+, and on social media – Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. They colourfully promote the benefits of eating a balanced and healthy diet, encouraging consumers to view their
dietary choices and different healthy food groups as being in harmony and ultimately promoting overall health and well being.
Culinary creations and influencer partnerships.
Current and upcoming Let’s Eat Balanced campaign activities feature collaborations with influential personalities including land manager, conservationist and author, Jake Fiennes. His videos discussing environmentally friendlier farming practices will be shared in October. Our partnership with Tasty UK will
include influencers creating ‘Balanced Bites’ videos, encouraging the younger (18–25 years) audience to create healthy dishes using British red meat and dairy. Activities will feature in five retail stores, with stickers on milk, beef and lamb packs.
Telling farming stories
As part of AHDB’s Let’s Eat Balanced campaign, a group of British farmers has virtually opened their farm gates to the public, showcasing their environmentally friendlier practices, and offering a glimpse into their dedication to producing food of world-class standard.
Ian Horsely a mixed livestock farmer from Worcester, working in harmony with nature. “If you feed the soil, you feed the grass. You feed the grass, you feed the animals, they re-feed the soil. Everything works to support each other,” Ian shares in his video.
Emily Padfield, runs a 160-hectare farm with her husband. She discusses how they ensure their cattle are healthy and happy, which translates to the rich, nutritious milk. “Basically, our ethos is to have healthy pastures with healthy animals grazing them.”
The campaign champions the nutritional benefits of lean red meat and dairy, such as protein and vitamin B12 when consumed as part of a balanced diet. Vitamin B12 helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Meet the farmers: Silas, Ian and Emily
In videos shared on social media, consumers will see:
Silas HedleyLawrence, a farmer from Oxford, standing among his herd of cattle and reflecting on a lightbulb moment when he embraced a new mindset. “I figured if you work with nature and you treat your farm as an ecosystem, you’ve got more carbon and energy and water and minerals going through your system. You start to improve soil health. And when you do that, your pasture gets more productive, it gets more diverse, and your cattle benefit from that, you can spend less on inputs, and you get more production out of your farm just by working with nature in that way.”
championing red meat and dairy
*TV and social analytics **Independent Quantitative Research, Two Ears One Mouth, Feb 2024 ***Source: Two Ears One Mouth, Free association Feb 24 vs Aug 23
The campaign builds on the success of the New Year burst, which produced a positive shift in consumer perceptions about the role of meat and dairy in a balanced diet.
Proud about Pork!
The Feed Your Family for Less with British Pork campaign returned on 5 July to highlight the taste, affordability, versatility and health benefits of lean pork.
We’re Milking Every Moment
Advertising showcased a range of easy, tasty and healthy recipes, each under £1.50 a portion. AHDB’s successful collaboration with Tasty UK promoted engaging recipe videos targeted specifically at 18–25-year-olds (Gen Z), helping them prepare nutritious meals at home or university. The campaign will return in October, focusing on the taste, affordability and versatility of pork. Visit lovepork.co.uk for lovely recipes and more information.
While Let’s Eat Balanced is a flagship campaign, now running four times a year, AHDB has other sector-specific marketing campaigns.
and promote informed dietary choices. It presents milk as a healthier alternative to high-sugar energy drinks and milk substitutes, positioning it as a nutritious drink for athletic performance and muscle health.
Milk Every Moment is one of AHDB’s sector-specific campaigns which launched on 8 July in partnership with British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). It positions milk as a timeless fridge staple– not just a beverage but a nutritional powerhouse. It emphasises milk’s affordability and natural benefits, such as being a source of protein- and calcium-rich.
The initiative is supported by BUCS, a key body in UK higher education sports, reaching over 500,000 students across 165 institutions.
By focusing on 18–25-year-olds (Gen Z) and university students, the campaign seeks to address misconceptions about dairy milk
Carrie McDermid, AHDB Head of Domestic Marketing, said:
During the Paris Olympics, we launched Milk Every Golden Moment featuring former gold-medal-winning track and field athlete Christine Ohuruogu, and four other prospective Team GB athletes, painted head-to-toe in gold. AHDB commissioned an independent survey which revealed cow’s milk is the UK’s number-one choice in helping to achieve their health and fitness goals.
To find out more, visit milkeverymoment.co.uk
“We are pleased with the success of our marketing campaigns and how they highlight the important roles our farmers play in providing high-quality produce and their dedication to environmentally friendlier practices. We are proud and enthusiastic to be championing British meat and dairy with Let’s Eat Balanced on behalf of levy payers.”
Get involved!
For more information about AHDB’s consumer marketing campaigns and how to take part, please visit: ahdb.org.uk/marketing Looking forward
Business
Stark warning about abattoir sector decline
● Threats to food security highlighted
By Jane Thynne
FARMERS and the Government are being warned any further contraction of the abattoir sector would pose a risk to farm production and food security. Launching its first Meat Industry Manifesto, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said the move was designed to provide a wakeup call for both livestock farmers and Government.
A statement from the group said al-
though ‘contentious’, the meat processing industry would survive without British livestock, as meat could be imported if necessary, but British livestock farmers cannot survive without abattoirs.
According to recent figures, there were 186 red meat abattoirs in England in 2014. By 2020, that had dropped to 156. In total, it is estimated that one-third of UK abattoirs have been lost over the past 10 years.
A survey of more than 1,300 farming and food businesses across the UK carried out last year by the Sustainable Farming Trust and National Craft Butchers found that local abattoirs are
classed as a vital service. Of the respondents, 88% stated their closest abattoir was either essential or important to the success of their business, while 64% felt the availability, or lack of availability, of a local abattoir impacted their future business plans.
BMPA said if the closures were to continue, Britain was in danger of throwing away one of the ‘key strategically important parts of UK infrastructure and seriously jeopardising the country’s food security’.
Nick Allen, chief executive of BMPA, said: “Since we left the EU, the British meat industry has come under pressure from increased bureaucracy, tougher trade barriers and worker shortages.
“Many policy decisions have been made in a departmental vacuum, without a full understanding of the impact and unintended consequences they will have on different parts of the food chain. Often, one problem is fixed, only to create another.”
Mr Allen said what was needed to
FARMING businesses on ‘the journey to more sustainable practices’ can now receive discounts on loan fees, as part of a new HSBC UK initiative.
HSBC UK has launched its ‘Sustainable Farming Pathway’ with the farming charity Leaf as its first partner on the scheme.
Farming businesses with the Leaf Marque certification, or those that complete a Leaf Sustainable Farming Review, will be eligible for discounted loan arrangement fees on term lending amounts from £25,001. Lending in scope includes flexible business loans, commercial mortgages and property development loans.
Martin Hanson, head of agricultur-
It is estimated that one-third of UK abattoirs have been lost over the past 10 years.
ensure food security was a more joinedup approach with abattoirs providing the last piece of the puzzle. He called on the Government to take a longer-term view of subsidies to aid production and environmental benefits.
Opportunity
“We see the election of a new Labour Government as an opportunity to reset how Government and industry work together to share on-the-ground intelligence that will help shape pragmatic, workable policies that strengthen Britain’s long-term food security,” he added.
A Defra spokesperson said it knew confidence among farmers was at a record low.
It said: “It is time for change, which is why the Government will restore trust and stability in the sector by introducing a new deal for farmers to boost rural economic growth, strengthen food security – through support for abattoirs – and improve the environment.”
al banking at HSBC UK, said it was a ‘significant lender’ to farms in the UK.
“Our research shows around twothirds [70%] of farms are currently making commitments to transition to sustainable practices. By working with Leaf and future partners, we have the opportunity to directly support farmers who want to make sustainable choices.”
Phillip Wynn, chair of the board of trustees at Leaf, added: “As the first bank to offer discounted loan fees to farms certified to the Leaf Marque standard, HSBC UK is harnessing its role as a key lender in the UK agriculture sector to support environmental practices through our accredited management standard.”
● Futures prices reach high in 2024
By Alex Black
FERTILISER prices could be impacted by rising gas prices, after futures prices for October 2024 reached the highest level since December 2023.
Prices of fertiliser have historically followed natural gas prices, with AHDB warning prices may start to rise if the increase in gas prices continues.
While the price remains lower than the same point last year, Gabriel Odiase, cereals and oilseeds analyst at AHDB, said it was notable because gas prices were relatively stable before the recent steep increase.
Geopolitical tensions
“The main reason for the recent surge in gas prices is geopolitical tensions, including the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and concerns over potential supply disruptions at the Russian-Ukrainian border due to the ongoing conflict,” he said.
“These factors have heightened anxiety in the gas market, leading to more volatility.”
But Mr Odiase added fertiliser prices would also need to ‘find appeal’ with farmers.
“With relatively low grain prices and a challenging growing season in 2024, the fertiliser market finds itself between the rock of volatile gas prices
STRIKES by workers employed by Hargreaves Industrial Services at CF Fertiliser’s Billingham plant have been called off after an improved pay offer.
Most workers, who pack and load ammonium nitrate produced at the County Durham site, will see their pay increase from £11.55 to £14 an hour – a rise of 21.2%.
Geopolitical and weather challenges will likely have an impact on fertiliser prices.
Natural gas price rises could impact fertiliser
and the hard place of challenging farm cashflow,” he said.
In July, UK-produced ammonium nitrate (34.5%) for spot delivery averaged £338/tonne, which is £5/t higher than June’s price and £15/t lower than
BILLINGHAM STRIKES CALLED OFF
Higher paid roles will also receive substantial pay rises and all workers will see their shift allowance increase by 75%, according to Unite the Union.
New rates
The new rates will be back paid from April 2024 and workers with five years continuous service will gain two days extra annual leave.
the same time last year. The average price for imported AN in July was £332/t, up 0.6% from June’s figure and a 3.5% decrease year-on-year.
Mr Odiase said: “Looking forward, and with the geopolitical tensions
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the workforce had achieved a ‘fantastic deal’.
The deal, struck during the first set of negotiations since Unite signed a recognition deal with Hargreaves in June 2023, was secured without the need for industrial action.
Strikes scheduled from September 12 to 20 have now been called off.
Down on the Farm
likely to remain, weather changes are another key factor affecting gas prices in Europe that needs to be closely monitored.
Temperatures
“In the coming days, temperatures in the UK and northwest Europe are expected to fall below normal levels, which could potentially increase demand and further drive-up gas prices.”
However, he highlighted Europe had a significant reserve of natural gas reserves. Mr Odiase added the current elevated gas prices remain a key factor to monitor when planning for the new season due to the lag effect on fertiliser prices.
Proactive grassland management this September and forage budgeting
Growth rates are below average around the country and this will likely result in growth rates drop-ping below demand earlier than usual in September. Careful autumn grassland management at this point in the year can save money, and save on silage. Another key job for September on livestock farms is forage budgeting to identify any potential forage shortfall this winter and spring.
Average farm covers should be hitting 2,500 kg DM/ha by late September and most farms should be out to a 35-day rotation. This means a 35 ha milking platform would be grazing 1 ha per day. If the daily grass allowance based on this rotation length is not enough to meet demand, consider reducing stocking rate or introducing supplement. A minimum 30-day rotation needs to be maintained, to grow and utilise more grass.
Nitrogen applied now is required to grow grass for the last rotation. Where grass demand is high, we recommend YaraBela Nutri Booster at 100 kg/ha in September. Better to take advantage of grass growth now and build covers in September when the fundamentals for growth are better. Applying nitrogen from mid-October onwards is likely to be uneconomical. Apply nitrogen to paddocks that will likely give the best response. If P & K needs topping up, then a quality NPKS such as YaraMila EXTRA GRASS at 90 kg/ha should be used.
When pre-grazing yields are high, use strip-wires to maintain your target residuals. Try and graze paddocks with heavier, less free draining soil types earlier in the rotation to improve graze-outs.
with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.
● Sustainable food production in focus
NEW Environmental Farm Business Tenancies (eFBTs) will put in place an agreement which will provide the ‘guardrails’ for farmers to continue long-term sustainable food production while delivering enhanced nature recovery across the Crown Estate.
That was the message from Paul Sedgwick, deputy ranger and managing director of Windsor and rural at the Crown Estate, who added that the first new eFBTs would be issued this autumn and that they would continue to be rolled out across the estate portfolio as existing FBTs expire.
In April 2022, the Crown Estate launched a new strategy for its rural portfolio, with the intent of moving from a passive ‘hands-off’ institutional landowner to developing a more ‘collegiate relationship’ with its farmers.
Mr Sedgwick said: “We aim to take a leading position to drive forward systemic change across the let land sector to help tackle some of the key issues facing the UK today – this includes the journey to net zero, the nature and biodiversity crisis, and the need to produce food sustainably and profitably.”
He added food production remained ‘at the core of our rural strategy’.
“The key motivation behind the eFBT was to develop a new style of FBT to enable both the Crown Estate and its farmers to overcome these challenges,” he said.
When probed if tenant farmers had been consulted, Mr Sedgwick said they had been ‘working closely’ with
With a new type of tenancy being issued by the Crown Estate, Rachael Brown spoke to Paul Sedgwick about the estate’s plans.
Crown Estate launches Environmental FBTs
We are committed to the long-term future of the tenanted farming sector
PAUL SEDGWICK
focus groups of farmers across a small number of estates where the new eFBT would be piloted this year.
Mr Sedgwick said: “There is obviously some nervousness when you start making changes, but we are committed to the long-term future of the tenanted farming sector and we need a farm tenancy agreement that reflects the competing land use challenges that we face today and we will face in the future.
“This is our considered attempt at
answering these challenges – it might not be 100% right, but it is a promising start. I have no doubt that it will evolve as our farmers, their agents and the Tenant Farmers Association [TFA] provide feedback, which we will be actively seeking from them in order to deliver something that works for everybody.”
‘Fit for the future’
He said the estate wanted to understand ‘tension points’ and work through them to find an agreement which was ‘fit for the future’, adding he was under ‘no illusion’ it would be perfect from the outset but that it had to ‘start somewhere’.
When asked if tenants would be required to measure and collect data as part of an eFBT, he said there was a need to be able to ‘consistently measure the changes that [were] being made across all [the estate’s] farms’.
The estate was in discussions on how to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for both farmers and the estate.
“We envisage that setting up this data collection and the ongoing
reporting will initially be paid for by the Crown Estate,” he added.
When asked what the average length of an eFBT would be, Mr Sedgwick said it would be an initial term of 15 years.
He said that, on the whole, eFBTs were ‘flexible enough’ to cover most eventualities, but it was likely that there would be ‘some farms’ where it was ‘not appropriate due to their soil type’.
TFA chief executive George Dunn said the Crown Estate had ‘woken up’ to the fact that the rural estate provided financial returns and was at the heart of ‘achieving carbon net zero’ and nature recovery.
Partnership
“The Crown Estate has told us that it wants to reimagine and re-engineer its relationships with its farm tenants to take more of a partnership approach than has hitherto been the case.
“We are therefore working with the Crown Estate in the development of its FBT agreements to meet that goal,” said Mr Dunn.
In April 2022, the Crown Estate launched a new strategy for its rural portfolio, intending to develop a more ‘collegiate relationship’ with its farmers. Inset: Paul Sedgwick.
PICTURE: TIM SCRIVENER
Section 21’s replacement must work for rural business
● Renters’ Rights Bill to get first reading
By Alex Black
ALTERNATIVE grounds for repossession must be ‘fit for purpose’ for rural landlords, as the Government looks to end no fault evictions in its Renters’ Rights Bill. As Ministers brought forward the Renters’ Rights Bill for its first reading in the House of Commons,
CLA president Victoria Vyvyan
warned that without making assurances, it risked landlords deciding to sell up in rural areas.
The Bill was expected to bring an end to Section 21 evictions, where a landlord can oust a tenant for no reason, as well as requiring landlords to give more notice before they evict a tenant and measures to prevent bidding wars.
Ms Vyvyan said: “In the absence of Section 21 in England, it is crucial that alternative grounds for
The CLA warns that the rural rent market was shrinking and could be made worse by the ending of Section 21.
repossession are fit for purpose and the private rented sector can continue to support the efficient functioning of the rural economy.
“The court system must also be significantly improved before any such changes are introduced, so it can cope effectively with the inevitable increase in cases. The Section 21 procedure does not require a court hearing, but without it, all repossessions will,” she said.
Shrinking
She added a recent CLA survey had found the market was already shrinking.
“This would make the current shortages worse and ultimately hurt renters,” she said.
“With rented homes in rural areas in short supply, it is becoming increasingly common for employers to need to offer accommodation to employees, so new grounds for possession are required to ensure properties can be accessed fairly and flexibly when they are needed to accommodate rural workers and others within the community.”
In the absence of Section 21 in England, it is crucial that alternative grounds for repossession are fit for purpose
VICTORIA VYVYAN
She added everyone wanted to see fairness in the private rented sector.
“The majority of landlords are responsible, providing quality housing to millions of people, and the CLA will continue to work with the Government to support the rural sector.”
Freshways announces two milk price increases
FRESHWAYS has confirmed milk price increases for both October and November, with a 1ppl increase each month.
This will take the price to 41ppl for October and 42ppl for November.
The dairy said the increases reflected ‘the favourable changes in demand and overall market trends we have recently observed’.
In a letter to farmers, managing director Bali Nijjar said: “We believe that this adjustment not only rewards dairy farmers for their hard work and commitment, but
also contributes to the sustainability of our farming practices.”
Meadow has announced that it will be increasing its milk price by 1ppl from October 1, taking its standard litre milk price to 41ppl.
Positivity
It said the increase reflects continued positivity in the dairy markets. The rise follows a 1.5ppl September increase, with Jonathan Evans head of farms at Meadow, adding it would continue to closely monitor the situation.
Challenges ahead for New Zealand’s livestock farmers
● Sector sees fall in farm profits
By Jane Thynne
FARMERS in New Zealand are expected to see a 7.4% drop in profits, reducing average farm profitability to NZ$45,200 (£21,257) per farm, according to a new report.
The Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) New Season Outlook report for 2024-25 revealed livestock farmers would remain ‘under pressure’ for the coming year, although it found there were signs of ‘green shoots’ on the horizon.
Although revenue was forecast to increase slightly by 1.1%, this was offset by a projected 1.8% rise in farm expenditure. High costs, particularly interest payments, have continued to impact profit margins, with profitability remaining at levels similar to those seen in the 1980s and 1990s.
Kate Acland, chair of B+LNZ, said she remained optimistic despite the current difficulties.
She added: “It has been a tough year for many in the industry, and the upcoming season is also shaping up to be challenging. However, we are starting to see some positive signs in the market; we know our sector is strong, resilient, and will bounce back, even if it might still take some time.”
We know our sector is strong, resilient, and will bounce back, even if it might take some time
KATE ACLAND
The sheep industry was plagued by bad weather at the beginning of this year’s season, but by May lamb production began to stabilise. At that point, B+LNZ estimated a slight increase (+0.9%) in the lamb crop to 21.3 million head for 2023-24, with better scanning than expected. This increased the number of lambs available for export to 17.8m head.
However, B+LNZ said a ‘sluggish Chinese economy’ was expected to continue to weigh on sheep prices, as the country remained New Zealand’s largest mutton and single lamb market.
Price forecasts
The lamb price was projected to be NZ$130 (£61) per head, up just 1.1% from last season but still 8.2% below the five-year average. Mutton prices
The Beef + Lamb New Zealand New Season Outlook report for 2024-25 revealed livestock farmers would remain ‘under pressure’.
were expected to remain steady at NZ$60 (£28.21) per head, 46% below the five-year average.
The all-beef price was forecast to be NZ$5.35 (£2.52) per kg, 4.3% above last season and 4.8% above the fiveyear average, reflecting strong demand in the United States where the cattle herd was at its lowest level in more than 70 years. European and North American markets were also expected to remain solid.
A statement from B+LNZ said: “In the past few weeks, we have also seen a significant decrease in lamb processing in Australia. If this trend continues, coupled with less expected supply from New Zealand, the EU and UK, [we] could see global lamb prices lift higher than we are currently forecasting.
“As sheep revenue represents about 42% of average farm revenue, what
happens with these prices is key to the speed of recovery in farm profitability.” Export volumes for New Zealand red meat were expected to be lower in the coming season, with lamb down 7.2%, mutton down 7.1%, and beef down 3.3%, due to a significant decrease in sheep and cattle numbers driven by drought this year. Lamb production was also expected to be down significantly due to the fall in ewe numbers and a lower lambing percentage.
Debt relief
The report also revealed some farmers had started to see the benefit of debt relief, with a reduction in floating interest rates following the recent first cut in rates by the Reserve Bank. B+LNZ said it was ‘possible there could be faster and deeper cuts’ in interest rates than were currently built into the body’s forecasts.
NEW ENTRANTS: AGAINST THE ODDS
XHollie Blockley and George Sturla manage Sturla Agricultural Services, focusing on sheep and beef production.
With 100 Lleyn ewes crossed with home-bred Beltex rams, they primarily lamb outside in April, utilising red clover silage for feeding.
Additionally, they have 12 suckler cows which are fattened and sold in meat boxes, starting from bucket calves sourced from neighbouring dairy farms. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their forage-based feeding strategy.
The couple operates a direct-
XStarting his calf-rearing business in June 2023 at just 18 years old, Owain Wyn Lewis began with a minimal investment in hurdles, feeders and 10 calves sourced from a local dairy farm. His passion for agricultural practices, particularly youngstock, drove him to establish his own venture.
After connecting with Warrendale Wagyu, he has rapidly scaled up his operations, currently rearing about
to-consumer meat business, which began with lamb boxes and has now expanded to include beef.
They regularly participate in local farmers’ markets and have grown a loyal customer base eager to purchase quality meat directly from them.
George works full-time as a feed sales representative while also managing farm tasks, while Hollie works part-time as a maths tutor, handling daily farm chores and managing the meat business.
Over the next five years, they aim to secure more land and resources to expand their operations and set up a pop-up farm shop, offering educational tours to local schools.
Their focus on self-sufficiency and direct sales through their meat business allows them to stabilise finances and plan for growth.
Both Hollie and George have diverse backgrounds, with George studying land management and gaining practical experience in New Zealand, while Hollie worked in the NHS before transitioning to farming.
Their adaptability and willingness to learn has driven their success, as they actively engage with their community through social media and educational initiatives. They are determined to overcome challenges related to land access and cashflow, demonstrating resilience and commitment to their dream of establishing a successful farm.
150 calves annually. Owain primarily purchases Aberdeen-Angus and British Blue calves, aiming to rear them to a healthy weight before selling them as weanlings in local markets.
His collaboration with Warrendale Wagyu helped him ensure high-quality, healthy calves are supplied to subsequent farms for further growth. He emphasises calf welfare, which is evident in the quality of animals he produces.
Sponsored by
SAM &
EDWARDS EDWARDS FARMING PARTNERSHIP, DORSET
XEdwards Farming Partnership is a livestock-based business in the heart of Dorset, originally set up as a hobby with just a handful of ewes grazing small pony paddocks.
It has grown into a flock of more than 700 ewes producing prime lambs solely from a grazing and forage-based system.
With an emphasis on producing lamb as cheaply as possible while keeping margins high and output maximised, the partnership has focused on genetics to enhance business performance.
Operating entirely on grazing licences, without buildings or fixedbase tenancies, they have created a flexible business model which allows for adjustment without significantly impacting performance.
The farm benefits from being in a good arable area, particularly within the Poole Harbour catchment, which has seen increased adoption of arable cover crops.
This has been integrated into their business strategy, allowing them to graze about 304 hectares (750 acres) of cover crops, including stubble turnips, forage rapes and nitrogen-fixing clovers.
This diverse grazing strategy helps meet the varying nutritional needs of different sheep age classes.
Sam and Samantha chose to breed Highlander ewes, known for their strong genetic traits, which scan well, lamb easily and produce prime lambs on grass alone.
By switching to lambing the Dorset
ewes in April, they have improved scanning rates and increased output while reducing labour costs associated with indoor lambing. Their reputation for producing quality stock has attracted grazing opportunities from other farms, further supporting their growth. Despite initial challenges, such as limited investment and access to funding, both Sam and Samantha have committed to their partnership, complementing each other’s skills and making joint decisions. They are focused on sustainability and adaptability, with a commitment to demonstrating success as new entrants into the market.
The business is run primarily by Owain, with assistance from his father, who helps with financial management and logistics. Owain’s ambition is to secure a larger space to expand his operations further, allowing him to turn his venture into a full-time career. He also seeks to invest in equipment such as a skid steer and tractor to enhance his operational efficiency and explore contracting opportunities alongside calf rearing.
Having grown up with a strong interest in farming, inspired by his grandfather’s legacy, Owain has dedicated himself to establishing a successful business despite initial hurdles. His experience working on a local dairy farm provided him with valuable skills and insights into calf management. Owain is committed to continuous learning and adapting his practices to improve overall efficiency and productivity.
HOLLIE BLOCKLEY & GEORGE STURLA STURLA AGRICULTURAL SERVICES, FLINTSHIRE
SAMANTHA
OWAIN LEWIS OWAIN WYN LEWIS, DENBIGHSHIRE
DR ALISHA FULLER-ARMAH
DEER MANOR GOURMET MUSHROOMS, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
XDeer Manor Gourmet Mushrooms began in 2022, starting from a small farmers’ market stall to supplying organic gourmet mushrooms to major retailers and Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK.
The business operates on six hectares (14.8 acres) of land, using about 2,000sq.ft of dedicated outbuilding space.
Through innovative cultivation techniques which mimic natural growth conditions, Deer Manor produces high-quality mushrooms while prioritising sustainability and community engagement.
As the owner and chief mushroom farmer, Dr Alisha Fuller-Armah leads the family-run enterprise, with her mother, Dr Rose Fuller, playing a crucial role in daily operations and strategic planning.
The business has created local job opportunities, including employing community members, and has developed educational initiatives, such as a cookbook, virtual cookery school, and a curriculum for schools called ‘FungiUnearthed’.
This commitment to education and community involvement has helped promote the importance of fungi and local food provenance.
Deer Manor is unique in its focus on sustainability, cultivating a diverse range of mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane and Freckled Chestnut, which are not commonly found in the UK.
The journey from a self-taught kitchen operation to a significant
Owain has faced challenges related to access to land, capital and age-related perceptions within the industry. However, his determination and willingness to work hard has allowed him to build a strong foundation for his business.
He recognises the importance of establishing himself within the farming community and is eager to prove that young entrants can succeed in agriculture.
player in the organic gourmet mushroom industry exemplifies resilience and innovation.
Looking ahead, Alisha aims to expand production capacity, enhance logistical infrastructure, and explore new product lines, including medicinal mushrooms.
The potential for exporting mushrooms presents exciting growth opportunities, and the ongoing development of educational programmes ensures the cultivation of a new generation of mushroom enthusiasts. Deer Manor looks forward to continuing to grow within the agricultural and restaurant community.
HANNAH HETHERINGTON & TOM MARTIN T. & H. FARMING, NORFOLK
XHannah Hetherington and Tom Martin operate T. & H. Farming, a sheep farm in Norfolk County Council Farms Estate, which spans more than 6,800 hectares (16,803 acres) of publicly owned agricultural land.
Since taking over the farm in 2022, they have transformed it by introducing long-term herbal leys with diverse plant species, benefiting both livestock and the environment.
Their Countryside Stewardship scheme aims to improve not only enterprise performance, but also biodiversity, soil health and overall farm sustainability.
The farm is running as a sheep enterprise, alongside 0.8ha (two acres) dedicated to a pick-yourown pumpkin patch.
Hannah and Tom’s innovative approach has led to significant improvements in lamb performance, with lambs reaching slaughter weight earlier when grazing mixed swards compared to traditional ryegrass.
They are dedicated to developing biodiversity on their farm, encouraging wildlife and establishing Environmental Land Management schemes.
Both Hannah and Tom have built their farming business from the ground up. After obtaining a long-term tenancy of 47ha (115 acres), they have expanded to 140ha (345 acres) and established relationships with local farmers to
graze an additional 1,619ha (4,000 acres) of winter cover crops.
Their goal is to grow their breeding ewe flock to more than 1,000 while continuing to expand their store lamb enterprise.
The pair responded to the news that they are finalists, stating that they are ‘over the moon that our hard work, determination and pure passion for what we do is being recognised’.
Also passionate about inspiring the next generation of farmers by promoting careers in agriculture to young people, they plan to host open days during lambing season and collaborate with local schools to create educational experiences related to farming.
While facing challenges such as limited working capital, they leverage cover and catch crops grown by arable farmers to raise capital for their business. Their dedication to sustainability and innovation positions them well for future growth.
To celebrate with the finalists at the British Farming Awards, go to britishfarmingawards. co.uk to buy your tickets
Farm Profile
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
For more features, go to
farmersguardian.com/farm-life
Well known in the pedigree sheep world, the McQuistins hold the Beltex breed record with their shearling ram, Airyolland Castro, which sold for 65,000gns in 2018.
For South West Scotland farmers Neale and Janet McQuistin, the lockdown of spring 2020 provided an unexpected kick-start for their venture into the tourism market, which had always been a long-term goal. Lynsey Clark finds out more.
However, the exposed hill land of High Airyolland, their 364-hectare (900-acre) tenanted farm at New Luce, Newton Stewart, is more suited to the native Highland cattle that now provide a picturesque backdrop for their increasingly popular farm tours, which they run under the business name Kitchen Coos and Ewes.
Neale says: “We launched our farm tours and food business in the autumn of 2019, which a few months later seemed extremely bad timing.
“But during lockdown I started doing live videos from the calving field each morning and these, coupled with Janet’s ability to take really good photos, quickly built up a huge, loyal following on our social media channels.
From pedigree sheep to tourist destination
“We soon realised how big the public’s appetite was for an authentic farm tour experience and the chance to see Highland cattle in their natural environment.”
seat 25 and we finished converting the byre into a comfortable eating area for visitors,” says Neale.
With Janet now on board full-time, having retired from her teaching job, the couple are able to offer visitors a hands-on insight into their farming business, finished off with the option of delicious home-baked goods, made on-site in the farmhouse kitchen.
Experience
Highland cows are well suited to the land at High Airyolland, and the wet weather does not bother them, says Janet McQuistin.
Neale McQuistin pictured at last year’s Kelso Ram Sales with a Beltex ram which sold for 11,000gns.
With this greater understanding of public demand, the McQuistins had a ‘rethink’ of their business plan and
prepared for more visitors than they had originally anticipated.
“We had a trailer which could fit 10 people, so we ordered a larger one which was able to
Janet says: “I wanted to replicate that experience that we, as pedigree breeders, know so well – where you visit farms to see their stock and, more often than not, are invited inside to enjoy some home baking around the kitchen table. We wanted the experience here to feel authentic and welcoming to visitors.”
The McQuistins have certainly
We had no template to follow when we started doing this and the demand has been phenomenal. It is far busier than we ever imagined
JANET MCQUISTIN
Dumfries and Galloway Farm Profile
achieved that objective, as the many thousands of visitors that have booked a farm tour over the past few years will testify. The chance to get up close to the hairy Highlanders and hear first-hand stories of their antics holds huge appeal.
In fact, due to their growing social media following, many tourists travelling from abroad book the tour at High Airyolland first before organising the rest of their Scottish adventure. They also have an arrangement with organised coach tours, with many incorporating the farm tour into their itinerary.
Neale says: “Many of our visitors also book accommodation in our local area when they come to visit and we source ingredients and signage locally.
Visitors can enjoy delicious home-baked goods in the converted byre.
Inset: Janet McQuistin.
“Both our families have farmed in this area for several generations and we get a lot of satisfaction from doing something that is helping the local economy in a less-travelled part of Scotland.
“I have always wanted to do something along this line, but I was always too busy farming, and Janet worked away from the farm as a schoolteacher, but her dream was to farm full-time. The success of the farm tours has allowed us to do both.”
Through the tourism venture, the McQuistins now employ two full-time staff, Chase and Jess, and five regular part-time staff. This close-knit team works to provide a unique, personal experience for those visiting the farm.
Beltex
Livestock numbers have been reduced to a more manageable number, allowing them to make the best possible job of all aspects of the business, and now comprises 300 ewes and 40 Highland cows plus followers.
Pedigree Beltex have been a shared passion of Neale and Janet’s for three decades, since Neale first spotted the breed on a trip to France and was so impressed he organised an export of females.
The flock included up to 200 pure ewes at one point and the family has enjoyed many years of success in the show and sale rings. This is not something they are ready to give up, but the
numbers have been reduced to 80 pure Beltex ewes, with shearling rams sold each year at Carlisle and Kelso.
Janet says: “We have always been very selective with our pedigree ewes and only breed from the best. We have flushed a select few in the past – only four-crop ewes with perfect bags and mouths – but this year we are flushing gimmers for the first time.
“They are from those same lines, with longevity and no mastitis, so we are confident enough to flush them and hopefully extend those genetics.” Their particularity over family lines has resulted in them using a lot of
Farm Profile Dumfries and Galloway
Farm facts
■ 362-hectare (900-acre) tenanted farm
■ 300 ewes, including 80 pedigree Beltex
■ Rams sold at Kelso and Carlisle
■ 40 Highland cows
■ Kitchen Coos and Ewes – farm tour business which attracts thousands of visitors each year
home-bred rams over the years, and this year, they are using home-bred sons of Lurg Goliath and Todhall Hugo. The sheep are all lambed indoors for ease of management, but also due to a major challenge that they face with ravens regularly killing lambs.
Ravens
Janet says: “We have lost a lot of lambs to ravens, and we never get a chance to save a ewe that has ended up on her back – the ravens always get to them before we do.
“It has become far more of a problem in the last four years, as bird flu has wiped out a lot of the buzzards, which would previously have helped keep raven numbers down.”
With the existing sheds needed for the sheep, having a breed of cattle that can be outwintered is a must, and this is where the Highlanders come into their own.
Neale had a scenic encounter with some Highland cattle on a fishing trip to Knoydart several years ago, and decided they would be an attractive
Kitchen Coos and Ewes, the couple’s farm tour business, launched in the autumn of 2019.
The farm is situated in the hills of New Luce, Newton Stewart, in South West Scotland.
addition to the hills at High Airyolland. They were initially crossed with Whitebred Shorthorns, but the desire to breed their own replacement females and the undeniable visual appeal of the traditional Highland cattle has resulted in the herd now being bred pure. Females are currently all
kept as replacements, while they have found a market for steers as conservation grazers.
Janet says: “The Highlanders are not selective grazers, so they are great for our type of land and the weather does not bother them – they do not shelter on the wet days. We have never cancelled a tour due to the weather.”
Farming on marginal, exposed land is not easy, and turning a profit from such land is even more difficult, but the McQuistins have turned this rugged landscape to their advantage by opening their farm gates to the public, both online and in person.
It is a brave move, but both Neale and Janet appear to genuinely enjoy
meeting visitors, telling their own farming story, and showing off their beloved South West landscape – not forgetting their coos and ewes.
System
Janet says: “We had no template to follow when we started doing this and the demand has been phenomenal. It is far busier than we ever imagined, and consequently, our farming system has changed dramatically to a less intensive, lower-input system.
“We are now farming the way we have always wanted to, really. But, we still get that excitement of the pedigree sheep and cattle – I do not think we could cope without that entirely.”
The business uses a farm tour trailer which seats 25 people.
Edited by Jane Thynne – 07882 219 917 – jane.thynne@agriconnect.com
For more arable content, go to farmersguardian.com/arable-news-hub
Pest prevalence demands more rotation monitoring
● Organic growers facing slug worries
ORGANIC farmers are facing greater pest challenges this season as the wet weather has led to an increase in slug populations.
Jerry Alford, arable and soils adviser at the Soil Association, says the problem has been compounded by ongoing damp spells which have not only aided breeding conditions, but have allowed young slugs to survive.
Organic farmers are usually able to manage the pests, which tend to be more prevalent in crops such as oilseed rape and brassicas, via their rotations, but Mr Alford says this year has been particularly difficult with growers ‘finding it harder and harder to stop them’.
Farmers
“The key is environment supervision,” says Mr Alford.
“Looking through seedbeds to make sure you have not got really cloddy areas will prevent them from having somewhere to hide and at this time of year, using a grass harrow to try and disrupt eggs on the surface will help reduce the next generation coming through.”
Rolling
Mr Alford says that as well as maintaining a fine seedbed, farmers could try rolling after drilling to firm the seedbeds – which makes it harder for the ‘slugs to operate’ and enables natural predators to get to them. Although it sounds ‘counterintuitive’, farmers may consider introducing the carabid beetle to help contain slug numbers.
Checking crops, including a thorough examination of seedbeds, and a pass with a grass harrow, can help manage slugs.
“For organic farmers the key is in the whole rotation management. Using the cover crops and taking a rotational view rather than a single crop view which aims to make sure the environment is more beneficial
for the predators and less inviting to the slug,” Mr Alford adds.
SLUG IT OUT
For a further look at how to manage slugs, see page 30.
urged to consider ‘niche’ pulse market
DEMAND for pulses is increasing around the world, providing opportunities for new and old pulse market players, according to a new report.
The study published by global agri-bank Rabobank states pulses have become an important factor in making agriculture more sustainable due to their natural soil-enhancing and greenhouse gas-absorbing properties.
According to Defra figures, the overall area of pulses in 2023 was 275,000 hectares, an increase of 2.3% from 2022. The total area of field peas increased by 6.5% to 61,000ha, while the area of field beans was 1.1% higher at 214,000ha.
However, globally, the pulse sector remains a highly fragmented niche segment within the grains and oilseed space.
The report calls for more farmers to become involved and greater market transparency to bring in investment, meet the global demand and improve trade volumes.
Volatile
Vito Martielli, senior analyst grains and oilseeds at Rabobank and author of the report, says: “Prices are volatile and there is a
Plant sustainability index launched
GLOBAL genetic improvement consultancy AbacusBio has launched the world’s first sustainability index for plants to help reduce the environmental impact of growing crops.
The index is designed to enable breeding companies to create commercially-viable plant varieties that require less water to grow and produce less environmentally-damaging emissions while optimising crop yield, plant health and disease resistance.
The project is being led by AbacusBio geneticist Kathryn Grant, who says that there are two things to consider when trying to increase
the sustainability of crops – improving management practices and improving genetics.
‘Rockstar’ varieties
“We help plant breeding companies to find the ‘rockstar’ varieties,” she says.
“These may have rare but naturally occurring combinations of genes that enable lower inputs, produce less emissions, or have lower water requirements, yet retain the same yield and quality as other varieties grown under the same conditions.”
Ms Grant adds the findings also reveal further good news for farm-
ers who are struggling with the rising cost of fertiliser and other crop inputs.
“If we can select plants that use nitrogen more efficiently then the farmer has to apply less fertiliser to their crop to achieve the same yield,” she says.
“That is better for the farmer and for the environment. It is a win-win.
“There are parallels in horticulture. By selecting genes for heat or cold tolerance, growers can spend less on heating and cooling their greenhouses, which means less energy use.
“This is good for profit and good for the environment,” she adds.
lack of transparency in the price discovery process. In addition, there are few sources of data to provide market insights at a global level.
“Consequently, creating more market transparency will be the key to attracting investment to the industry, meeting the growing demand for pulses, and improving trade volumes and market functionality.”
Harvest survey
NFU Scotland is asking growers to complete its 31st consecutive annual harvest survey.
The union is seeking information on yields and crop area for barley, wheat, oats, oilseed rape and rye, to be sent in by September 23.
NFUS’ Combinable Crops Committee chair Jack Stevenson says he hopes members can find time to complete the survey after ‘a challenging growing season’.
There is an added incentive for all those who complete the survey, as they will be entered into a draw for a bottle of premium Scottish gin.
Arable Autumn Pest Control
After one of the wettest years on record, a change of tactics might be needed this autumn when it comes to slug management. Farmers Guardian finds out more.
Managing this autumn’s slug threat
● Choice of pellets will be key to control
SOUTH-eastern ProCam agronomist and regional technical manager Justin Smith is braced for high slug pressure this autumn and is ready to quickly adapt his slug control plans if necessary.
He says: “I do not think I have been in a situation where I have had to think about the sort of slug pressure that this autumn is likely to bring.
“We have had a lot of marginal crops and a lot of problems carrying over from last autumn as a result of the continual rain we had across much of the country.”
Unsurprisingly, slugs have taken advantage of the wet field conditions and have been in evidence throughout the year, to the extent that Mr Smith was finding them on the flag leaves of senescing winter wheat crops in the run-up to harvest.
“We came out of a wet winter thinking spring would surely be better. However, most spring seedbeds were poor, cold, and wet, and provided a lot of uneven and low vigour crops,” he says.
“I reached for more slug pellets this spring than I have ever done before, and that was because slugs were there in crops causing damage to levels [that needed] addressing.
“For example, I was putting pellets on forage maize – I do not often do that, because with a bit of moisture and sun maize growth is usually rapid and would not normally be troubled by slugs.”
Secondary damage
In addition to the direct damage slugs cause through seed hollowing and grazing on seedlings, high populations have also potentially led to secondary damage, adds Mr Smith.
He says: “I have seen a lot of crop
MONITORING SLUG ACTIVITY
WET and warm conditions this spring will have given slugs plenty of opportunity to breed and lay their eggs, as well as enabling a large number of young slugs to survive, says Dr Steve Ellis, entomologist and pest expert at agriculture consultant ADAS.
“In normal situations, quite a lot of young grey field slugs will not make it, because conditions were not right. The question now is whether the populations that have built up over spring have survived and are still around to cause damage to crops this winter,” he says.
Mature adult slugs lay up to 500 eggs and can live for up 18 months, which is long enough for them to persist from spring and to have an impact in autumn.
Dr Ellis says: “If you have got a lot of adults, you are potentially going to get a lot of eggs and a lot
of youngsters, although typically many eggs and young slugs die as a result of desiccation and predation, which keeps the population stable.
“But of course, slugs are only going to be damaging if they get the right weather conditions, so monitoring slug activity on the soil surface once you get close to drilling is going to be important.
Indications
“First of all, it gives you an idea of whether they are active on the soil surface. Secondly, it gives you an indication of how many are there. And thirdly, it gives you an indication of whether or not you should be considering using slug pellets.”
Cultural control options should not be overlooked, says Dr Ellis. A fine, firm seedbed will promote good seed-to-soil contact, helping to limit slug damage by
Wet weather and marginal crops provided favourable conditions for slugs during spring and summer months.
damage from birds this year and I am sure a lot of it has been because the birds have come in, attracted by the slugs, and then they see a germinating shoot and think: ‘I shall have that as well’.”
The few short spells of hot
preventing slugs getting to seeds.
“In cereals, seed hollowing is likely to be more damaging than
will have
“All the few days of hot weather have done is draw some of the moisture out of the soil from that December to May rain. They will
The question now is whether the populations that have built up over spring have survived and [will] cause damage
DR STEVE ELLIS
grazing, as
you
can lose entire plants. Once crops get to about the 4 true leaf stage, they are not really that susceptible anymore to slug damage,” adds Dr
Ellis.
encouraging seedlings to grow away quickly, as well as
weather
done little to break the slug breeding cycle, says Mr Smith.
Autumn Pest Control Arable
have had no real impact on slug populations,” he adds.
Given the likely threat this autumn, Mr Smith is expecting to make recommendations for seedbed applications of ferric phosphate slug pellets.
“In some situations, I am almost certainly going to need to put seedbed slug pellets on this year, for example: first wheats after oilseed rape.
“It is not something I have done before, but it is going be that sort of year, and changing tactics might pay in the long run,” he says.
‘Green bridge’
He is also conscious of the increasing area farmed under no-till and min-till systems, as well the associated increase in cover and companion crops, which – along with some Sustainable Farming Incentive options – can provide a ‘green bridge’ for slugs.
He says: “All these things provide a habitat for slugs. You are going to need to address that green bridge and your risk factor on a field by field and farm by farm basis.”
In some circumstances, the change of tactics needed might be to plough, says Mr Smith.
“There are times when you will come up against a weed burden or
a pest burden, like slugs, where to invert trash or green material – to produce a clean, fine and firm seedbed – is going to help,” he says.
Soil health
“I understand the concerns about carbon release and soil health, but there is a balance to be found. Whatever cultivation camp you are in, the slug threat we are about to see is going to need consideration.”
Advocating the importance of an integrated approach, he advises use of cultural control options as well as slug pellets.
These will include ensuring weed seeds have an opportunity to chit, before spraying off to break the green bridge or increasing seed rates to compensate for slug grazing.
“As the old saying goes: ‘One for the seedbed and one for the crow, one for the slug and one to grow’,” he adds.
Also, ensuring seedbeds are free from any other restricting factors, such as poor nutrition, low pH or compaction, will all help provide a stronger plant.
Slug numbers will clearly be higher where straw is chopped, and there will be fields that are known to be the ‘usual suspects’ for slug damage.
Mr Smith says: “They are the
Cereals following oilseed rape are at high risk of slug damage.
A change of tactics might be needed to achieve effective slug control this autumn, says ProCam agronomist Justin Smith.
Arable Autumn Pest Control
heavier soils, generally – the ones where you know you are going to produce a less-than-ideal seedbed.”
Slug pellets
When it comes to slug pellets, it is important to know your pellet, Mr Smith adds.
“Your choice, depending on the season and the conditions, is key, but you should always look towards a consistent and durable pellet,” he says.
“Early season, you might get away with a lower dose, but as soon as you start getting into October and November, with shorter days and heavier rainfall events, you have got to start being sensible about your choice and size of pellet.
“Application rate will be down to baiting points provided per sq.m. For example, if using Sluxx HP, my rate would be 5kg/hectare resulting in approximately 40 to 50 baiting points/sq.m.
“Sluxx HP is a reliable, uniform pellet with good spread ability and durum-based longevity. I would go up to 7kg/ha in a tough situation
I do not think I have been in a situation where I have had to think about the sort of slug pressure that this autumn is likely to bring
JUSTIN SMITH
but will always keep to a minimum of 5kg/ha as a starting point.”
A mini pellet, such as Menorexx, can be a cheaper option and a good choice if dry, settled conditions present themselves early on, adds Mr Smith.
Online help for slug pellet applicator set-up
CALIBRATION Wizard from Certis Belchim is an interactive online tool designed to help operators set up slug pellet applicators for accurate application of specific pellet products.
Developed in partnership with SCS Spreader and Sprayer Testing, Calibration Wizard is based on data created from spread pattern, flow and application rate analysis of six of the most common applicators applying each of Certis Belchim’s slug pellet products.
The tool uses information on pellet product, applicator make, spread width (from 12 metres to 36m) and target application rate (up to 7kg/hectare) to recommend motor and aperture settings and forward speeds.
Settings for optimising spread pattern are also provided, along with expected bait point density post-application.
Using the app, operators can
quickly and easily set up their applicator to achieve a uniform spread pattern and accurate dose of their chosen Certis Belchim pellet.
Calibration Wizard takes the guesswork out of applicator set-up and helps operators maintain accuracy between professional checks and when switching between products of different sizes.
This is important because Standard sized pellets flow from the hopper and spread differently to mini pellets.
Mini ferric phosphate Menorexx gives growers the flexibility to apply the same dose as Sluxx HP and increase baiting points or maintain a Sluxx HP equivalent baiting point density from a lower dose of Menorexx.
MORE INFORMATION
Find the Calibration Wizard at certisbelchim.co.uk/calibration/
Environmental margins as well as cover and companion crops can provide a ‘green bridge’ for slugs.
Calibration Wizard uses information on pellet, applicator, spread width and target application rate to recommend slug applicator settings.
Edited by Angela Calvert –
Milnbank flock tops Texels at 30,000gns
● Shearling rams realise 12,000gns high
THE Solway and Tyne Breeders Club sale of pedigree Texels at Carlisle topped at 30,000gns for Milnbank Hunter, a ram lamb by Clanfield Golden out of a Cowal Bucking Broncho dam from Robbie Wilson, Turriff. The buyers were Boden and Davies, Stockport. Next, at 22,000gns, was Duncryne Hakuna Matata, a son of Hexel Geronmino out of a Rhaeadr Equilizer-sired dam from D. Kerr Jarvie, Dunblane, which sold in a three-way split to Messrs Cockburn, Perth, Messrs Gray, Selkirk, and Messrs Hunter, Huntly. Boden and Davies then paid 10,000gns for Uppermill Highway Express, a ram lamb again by Clanfield Golden out of an Ettrick Earthquake daughter from D.J. McKerrow, Ellon. They then sold Sportsmans Honor Roll by Knap Grumpy out of a Procters El Presidente daughter for 10,000gns to Messrs Blackwood, Muirkirk, and Messrs Forsyth, Maybole, and Sports-
Dutch Texels to 2,500gns high
DUTCH Texels sold to 2,500gns at Carlisle for Woodies Texels Got Ya, a shearling ram by A Class Act from Stuart Wood, Skene, which was knocked down to Messrs Storey, Penrith. Woodies Texels Grenade from the same home sold for 2,000gns to Messrs Alsop and East, Lichfield. Next, at 2,200gns, was the second prize shearling ram and reserve champion, Spencers Farm Gaffer, a shearling ram by Turbo You Star consigned by Seth Blakey, Clitheroe. It sold went to Steven Wigham, Haltwhisle, who also topped the female trade at 900gns for a shearling gimmer by Hargill Fierce.
It sold to Messrs Wood who also paid 800gns for the winning shearling gimmer by Hargill Energy from G.R. and A. Foy and Son’s Parkside flock, Lancaster.
AVERAGES
44 shearling rams, £949.77; 7 shearling gimmers, £540; 8 flock ewes, £303.18. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
mans Hitman, a Castlecairn Doodlebug son out of a Garngour Craftsman daughter for the same money to James Amplett, Leominster.
Rams
Shearling rams topped at 12,000gns for second prize winner, Duhonw Golden Balls, a son of Wilodge Ex Factor out of a Clinterty Yuga Khan-sired dam from J.E. and S.J.L. James, Builth Wells, which sold to the partnership of Messrs Dixon, Hartley, and Messrs Scott, Brough Sowerby.
The winning shearling ram, Loose-
Ram lamb, Milnbank Hunter, from Robbie Wilson, Turriff, which sold for 30,000gns to Boden and Davies, Stockport.
beare Gizmo by Loosebeare Voomer consigned by E.W. Quick, Credition, made 6,000gns to Messrs Winsor, Beaworthy.
Females peaked at 3,000gns for the third prize shearling gimmer, a Haymount Earth Wind and Fire daughter from Mike Turner’s Okehall flock, Leek, which sold to Messrs Green, Keith.
AVERAGES
57 shearling gimmers, £928.42; 8 ewe lambs, £925.31; 146 shearling rams, £1,728.90; 235 ram lambs, £1,676.69. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Pedigree heifers to £3,180 at Gisburn
sale
A PINETREE Pursuit heifer giving 31kg from K.E. Robinson and Son’s Kilnhall herd, Carnforth, topped Gisburn’s dairy sale at £3,180.
Making £3,100 was Alliann Pepper Elegant 2, a Claremont heifer from M. and J. Bristol, Newton-inBowland.
At £2,880 was a fresh heifer by Mr Sprhere Twister from G.D. Donkin’s Copdon herd, Blackburn. Then, at £2,780 was one of two heifers from D.A. Wilcock, Blackrod, and at £2,720, an OCD Renegade heifer from Longridge vendors J. Seed and Son, who also topped the pedigree cow trade at £2,320 with a second calver.
Non-pedigree
J. and B. Rowland, Haighton, led the non-pedigree fresh heifer trade at £3,000 and £2,980.
In-calvers peaked at £1,980 twice for heifers from J. and P.A. Baldwin, Chorley.
AT Barnard Castle’s show and sale, the first prize pen of 10 Mule shearlings from J.B. and G.E. Luck and Son, Bowes, sold for £325/head. The buyers were D. and P.H. Brown, Aldbrough St Johns, who also paid £300/head for the winning pen of 10 Texel cross Cheviot Mule shearlings from B. and S. Teasdale and Son, Bishop Auckland.
The second and third prize winning pens of continental shearlings were from P.C. Langstaff, Woodland, and made £300/head and £325/head respectively.
The prize for the best run of 40 or more Mule shearlings went to Lowesby Farms, Leicestershire, which averaged £231.05 for 153 head.
Shearlings
Top price was £350 for five Texel/ Leicester shearlings from P.J. Dixon, Langleydale, bought by M. Pickering, Melsonby.
Continental ewes sold to £240
for P. and M. Hennessy, Westgate, with Mule ewes to £168 from the same home.
Rams topped at 2,000gns for a Texel from Fletcher and Coates, Weardale, which sold to J.W. Teward, Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Champion ram was a Texel from J.W. Dent and Sons, Lartington,
Auctioneers: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Farmers Auction Mart Co.
From left: Judges Ian Hedley and Michael and Andrew McClurg with vendor Gary Luck and his first prize pen of Mule shearlings.
PICTURE: ISLA CAMPBELL
Champions top Leyburn shearlings
THE show and sale of Mule and continental gimmer shearlings at Leyburn peaked at £290/head for the winning pen from Robert and Julie Myers, Kirkbymoorside, which sold to Tom Anderson, Bedale.
Second prize shearlings from Alan Redpath, Lowesby Farms, Leicestershire, sold for £270/head to Peter Cowton, Cundall. Lowesby’s run of 187 Mule shearlings averaged £259. Barbara Orkney, Carperby, took third place with a pen selling for £240/head.
The continental shearling winners were Texel crosses from Brian and Paul Phillips, Northallerton, which made £250/head to the judge, Stephen Doney, Ripon.
Matthew Bainbridge, Caldwell, was awarded second prize with his Texel cross Cheviot Mules, which made £240/head. Glen and Myles Mortimer, Glaisdale, collected third prize with Texel cross Beltex shearlings, which sold for £235/head.
AVERAGES
Mule shearlings, £240 (+£63 on 2023); continental shearlings, £227 (+£22).
Auctioneers: Leyburn Auction Mart.
Woodhouse flock leads Ludlow Kerry Hill sale at 5,500gns
l First prize ewe lamb achieves 1,700gns
SHEARLING rams were a flying trade at Ludlow for the Kerry Hill sale, which saw a top price of 5,500gns for the Owens, Presteigne, Herefordshire.
This was for the pre-sale show champion, Woodhouse 2 Defender, which was reserve male champion at this year’s Royal Welsh Show. By Dalwyne Avici and out of a home-bred ewe, it sold to the judge, Will Evans, for his and J. Etheridge’s Lowlands flock, Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
The Woodhouse team sold another shearling ram, Woodhouse 2 Dare Devil, for 3,800gns. By Fronarth Champ and out of a Clayfield-sired home-bred female, it was knocked down to Ed Simmons and Kate Esler, Clevedon.
High of 2,000gns at Worcester multi-breed
THE multi-breed sale of Blue Texel, Badger Face Texels, Beltex and Rouge sheep at Worcester saw a top call of 2,000gns for the champion, a Blue Texel ram lamb.
This was Brutey’s Blues Jackpot from Paul and Delyth Brute, Brecon. By Mullygarrow Grey Goose and out of a home-bred female by Whatmore Chaos, it sold to Angus Brisbane, Stranraer.
Next, at 1,300gns, was the Blue Texel ram lamb, Beaconsview Jack
The Lad by Beaconsview Goldmine, from Chris Davies, Brecon, which was the pick of R. Partridge, Ipswich.
The top priced shearling ram, Beaconsview Harvey by Beaconsview de Niro, came from the same home and sold for 1,000gns G.A. and H.M. Francis, Carmarthen.
Female champion
Chris Davies also took the female and reserve overall championship with a ewe lamb that topped female
Sale champion, Brutey’s Blues Jackpot, a Blue Texel ram lamb from Paul and Delyth Brute, Brecon, which sold for the top price of 2,000gns.
Next, at 3,500gns, again from the Owens, was Woodhouse 2 Derrick by Dalwyne Avici, which had been reserve champion at Burwarton and Tenbury Shows. It sold to A.T. Probert, Ludlow.
Next up, at 3,200gns, was Birsca Dark Magic from Jack Graham, Lockerbie. By Birsca Black Magic, it was knocked down to D. Brown, Dumfries and Galloway.
Aged rams
Aged rams topped at 2,750gns for Woodhouse 2 Chaos from A. McConnell, Co Antrim, which was the pick of S. Lane, Newtown, Powys.
Ram lambs sold to 1,750gns for first prize winner, reserve male and reserve overall champion, Top Spot
trade at 1,300gns. This was Beaconsview Jet by Pollyannas Hunter, which sold to S.A. Norman, Taunton.
Beltex topped at 1,000gns for the pre-sale champion, Dooley Jazzy, a shearling ewe by Clary Cosmos, from David Thornley, Diseworth, which sold to the Clatworthy family, Highbridge.
Next, at 880gns, was the aged ram, Frongoy Hari by Faughill Elephant in the Room, from Robert Pritchard, Redmarley, which was knocked down to David Wadland, Daventry.
Badger Face Texels
Topping trade for the Badger Face Texels at 950gns was the ram lamb, Evelyn Frost, from Caitlyn and Eva Howells, Port Talbot. By Knockmult Eay On, it sold to the James family, Llandrindod Wells.
Making 650gns was a ram lamb
Pre-sale show champion, Woodhouse 2 Defender, a shearling ram from the Owens, Presteigne, Herefordshire, which sold for the top price of 5,500gns.
Evoque by Pentrenant Choir Boy, from Angie Burgess, New Abbey. The buyer was Anna Wilson, Middlesborough. Females topped at 1,700gns for the first prize ewe lamb and reserve female champion, Pentrenant Cracker, from R.F. and D.J. Price, Churchstoke, which sold to Angie Burgess. Next, at 1,600gns, was the female champion, a shearling ewe by Dalwyne Zeus from the Woodhouse team, which was knocked down to Thomas Peters, Dumfries.
by Whatmore Chester, from Richard and Jade Bett’s Yarburgh flock, Louth, which went home with Matt Prince, Chesterfield.
Rouge topped at 600gns for Kestle B-alright, a shearling ewe by Glenkeen Warlock, from Richard Rundle, Cornwall. It sold, having run with Meghans Bojangles, to E.D. Jones, Cottenham.
Badger Face Welsh Mountain records smashed at Brecon
● Torddu ewe lambs average £249.87
NEW records were set at the Badger Face Welsh Mountain Society sale at Brecon for both Torddu ram lambs and ewe lambs.
Setting the new Torddu ram lamb record and highest price of the day at 2,250gns was a ram lamb from Gareth Jones, Felingwm, Carmarthen.
By the ram lamb record-holder from last year’s sale, it was a class winner at this year’s Royal Welsh. The buyer was Aron Hemmings, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen.
Next, at 2,100gns, was a yearling ram from Aled Groucott, Crumlin, Gwent. Having stood reserve champion at this year’s Royal Three Counties, it sold to Julie Tamplin, Caerphilly.
Aron Hemmings sold the champion from this year’s Royal Welsh Show and reserve champion in the pre-sale show, a yearling ram by the same sire
as the sale topper, for £2,000 to C. Roscoe, Newport.
Torddu females topped at 1,000gns, setting a new breed record for a ewe lamb for Matthew and Donna Evans, Abergavenny.
A half-sister to the family’s reserve breed champion at this year’s Royal Welsh Show, it sold to judge Neil Dillon, Llangadog.
Torwen trade
Torwen trade topped at 1,050gns twice. Firstly, for Llewellyn Evans, Abergavenny, with a home-bred yearling ram which was male and reserve breed champion at this year’s Royal Three Counties and second at the Royal Welsh and Brecon Show. It sold to Jenny Langford, Chester.
The next at this money was the pre-sale show champion, a yearling from the Davies family, Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire, which sold to E. Morgan, Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan.
Then, at 920gns, came the highest priced ram lamb from Eirian and
Jasmine Jones, Llandeilo, which was a winner at the Royal Welsh and was the pick of C Jones, Llandeilo.
Torwen females sold to 480gns for Messrs King and Jeffrey’s yearling ewe by a Cothi sire, which was a class winner in the pre-sale show.
Ewe lambs topped at 450gns twice. The first for Malcolm Evans, Llandysul, was the choice of S. Hermanis, Swansea. Also at that money was the first placed lamb from this year’s Royal Welsh Show and the pre-sale
Torddu ram lamb record and highest price of the day, a ram lamb from Gareth Jones, Felingwm, Carmarthen, which sold for 2,250gns.
reserve champion from Gareth Jones, which went to G. Lloyd, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.
Lads Night Out sale peaks at £2,000 Warnelview herd leads dairy bulls
TOPPING the Lads Night Out sale of rams at J36 at £2,000 was the second prize winning Texel shearling from J. Woodburn and Partners, Mansrigg.
Other Texels sold to £1,900 for Bambers Farms, Thurnham, and W.J. and V.S. Case, Ulverston. Texel ram lambs sold to £1,050 for the first prize winner from Harry and Bradley Wharton, Tebay.
Cross-bred rams topped at £1,900 for a Charollais cross Beltex from J.A. and R. Geldard, Kendal.
Suffolk ram lambs sold to £1,000 for T.A. Blair, Thornton Cleveleys, and
Suffolk shearlings sold to £1,500 from the same vendor.
The consignment from J.H. Towers, Tunstall, sold to £1,400. Twoshear Suffolks sold to £1,350 for A.R. Edmondson, Ulverston.
Charollais ram lambs topped at £500 for S. Cummings, Millom, with Charollais shearlings to £550 for M.S. and A.P. Lee, Arkholme.
Millennium Bleu shearlings sold to £450 twice for B. and A. Crane, Tockholes, with Dutch Spotted shearlings to £600 for O. Marrs, Carlisle. Auctioneers: North West Auctions.
Top price and second prize winning Texel shearling, from J. Woodburn and Partners, Mansrigg, which sold for £2,000.
THE Border and Lakeland sale of dairy bulls at Carlisle topped at 6,000gns for Warnelview Franz by Willsboro Abbot, whose first three dams classified Excellent going back to the two-time Royal Show champion, Carsland Eclipse Flo. Consigned by the Wilson family, Carlisle, it sold to Messrs Metcalfe, Harrogate.
The Warnelview consignment of eight bulls averaged almost £3,500 and included Warnelview Kestrel, which sold for 4,000gns to Newhouse Farms, Dumfries, and Warnelview Real Deal, which sold for the same money.
Annandale Popper
Making 4,800gns was Annandale Popper by Annandale Finally from W. and J. Armour, Moffat, which was knocked down to Messrs Meredith, Aberdeen.
The champion bull and production champion from the Wilsons was Warnelview Newport by Renegade and a grandson, Warnelview Final Cut Nita,
which sold for 3,000gns to Messrs Jones, Chester.
Reserve champion, Wormanby Ally by Comestar Loyall from the Hodgson family, Carlisle, made 3,000gns to Messrs Dalling, Lanarkshire.
British Friesians topped at 4,200gns for the reserve champion, Nerewater Reliant Gallant by Nerewater Reliant from Richard Bell, Wigton, which went to Messrs Howat, Ayrshire. Nerewater Reliant Missile from the same vendor made 4,000gns to Messrs Gratton, Harrogate.
The British Friesian championship went to Winnoch Optimum, a son of Goonhilly Perran from Ian Brocket, Glasgow, which made 3,000gns to Messrs Taylor, Edinburgh. Winnoch Omaha from the same home also sold for 3,000gns.
AN overall average of £152.54/head, a rise of £22.49 on the year, was recorded at the opening North of England Mule gimmer lamb show and sale at Skipton.
Francis and James Caton, Weston, were crowned champions in both show classes, winning the pen of 10 class for the first time and following up on past title wins with their 20s. Their pen of 10 sold for £330/head, with their pen of 20 making a section top of £190/head.
The Walker family, Dunsop Bridge, topped the prices at £350/head for
their second prize winning pen of 10, and also sold the sixth prize pen of 20 for £250/head.
Stronger pens
One-third of the sale sold in the £160£195 bracket, which was needed to secure most of the stronger pens. Medium lambs sold in the £140s and £150s, with just a few smaller lambs selling from £130 to £138, with £130 being the lowest price on the day.
Heading the flock averages for 100 or more lambs were the Catons who sold 200 to average £173.71,
The leading average for under 100 lambs went to the Fawcetts, Drebley, with 20 averaging £230. Auctioneers: CCM.
Sheepdogs realise high price of £9,800 online
THE online sale of sheepdogs hosted by Farmers Marts (R.G. Jones) Dolgellau topped at £9,800 for Drift, a fully trained farm or trials bitch from J. Shanks, Morvern, which sold to a Cumbrian buyer.
Making £6,900 was Mainstay Meg from M. Edwards, Swansea, which will be heading to the Faroe Islands. Ted, a 22-month-old dog from R. Owen, Brecon, made £6,700 and will be going to the Isle of Skye, and Clyde, a two-year-old dog from D. Davies, Eisteddfa Fawr, made £6,500 to a buyer from Powys. Dai, a fully trained dog from R. Games, Brecon, sold for £6,200 and will be going to Mayo, Ireland.
In demand
Huntaways were in demand with Beau, a 10-month-old dog by the im-
ported New Zealand dog, Tone, from E. Ress, Rhayader, selling for £7,600. Fern, a Huntaway bitch from the same litter consigned by O. Jenkins, Trefeglwys, sold for £7,500.
Partly trained dogs topped at £8,300 for Cefneithin Gypsy, from S.C. Jones, Corwen, which will head to Sweden. Sidan Zarah, from D. Howells, Port Talbot, sold for £6,500. Peggy from John Bell, Howden, sold for £5,350 and Gus, a New Zealand heading dog from E. Jones, Gwynedd, made £5,200.
Pups topped at £2,550 for Nell, from Kevin Evans, Brecon.
MATT Burleigh, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, claimed the championship at the sale of pedigree Beltex at Skipton with his shearling ram, Matt’s Jackson. By Muirton High and Mighty out of a Hackney ewe, it sold for the top price of 4,000gns to the judge, Paul Slater, Macclesfield.
Next best at 3,800gns was the third prize shearling ram from Gary Scott, Co Tyrone. This was Bessy Bell Jigalo by Tullyagan Figo which joined Frank and Sue Towers, Lancaster.
Mr Slater also paid 2,600gns for Greenall Juggernaut from John Green, Lilliesleaf.
Millside
Also making 2,600gns was Buckles Jaguar from Jack, Tom and Kevin Buckle, Kirkby Stephen, which sold to A.R. Rigby, Slaidburn.
Champion
Females topped at 1,200gns for the champion, a shearling ewe from David Brown, Co Down, which was knocked down to Boden and Davies, Stockport.
Becki Dakin’s Rathbone flock, Eldroth, claimed both male and female Badger Face Texel championships.
The supreme award went to her shearling ewe by Cleenagh Darcy which sold for 600gns to Stuart Wood, Skene.
Reserve overall
THE pedigree Blue Texel and Badger Face Texel show and sale saw a top price of 1,100gns for an unshown shearling ewe by Walston Fireboy out of a home-bred ewe from David Alexander, Galston. It sold to T. and A.C. Patchett, Leeming Bar, who also paid 1,000gns for Silver Birch Hop, the third prize shearling ewe by Glenrock Franco from Elsa McKechnie, Wigglesworth.
Drift, a fully trained farm or trials bitch from J. Shanks, Morvern, which sold for £9,800 to a Cumbrian buyer.
The female and overall champion was the shearling ewe, Arn Gill Hazel from Patrick Wilson, Barnard Castle, which went to Stuart Rhodes, Brompton, at 500gns. He then paid 600gns for the reserve female champion, a shearling ewe Joe’s Heidi from Joe Thornley, Diseworth.
Shearling rams topped at 700gns for Towerview Hells Bells from Caroline Cochran, Darwen, which sold to John Stephenson and Jill Perrings, Bordley.
Her male and reserve overall champion, a shearling ram by the same sire made 650gns to New York Farms, Silsden. Top price of 800gns went to Ben Hyde, Ripponden, with Fredbelles Eldorado, a ram lamb by Cleenagh de la Cruise which sold to R. and S.A. Rawsthron, Grange-over-Sands.
Champion pen of 10, from F. and J. Caton, Weston, which sold for £330/head.
PICTURE: ADRIAN LEGGE
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Key changes in SFI options to look out for
Earlier in the summer, the Rural Payments Agency temporarily closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme to new applications pending a further re-vamp.
David Morley, head of conservation and environment at H&H Land and Estates, said the scheme was now going through a ‘controlled rollout’ so applicants who have submitted an ‘Expression of Interest’ can apply.
The revised scheme effectively combines the 2023 SFI offering with Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship, plus some new actions, into one expanded scheme.
Mr Morley outlines the key changes to the options available in the following panels.
KEEPING on top of the range of available grant funding opportunities can ‘pose a challenge , but CLA senior land use policy adviser Cameron Hughes said some schemes hold ‘broader appeal than others’, with the range of Capital Grants being ‘particularly worth investigating’.
The Capital Grants differ from schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive or Countryside Stewardship, in that they contribute towards the costs of particular items, ‘rather than funding land management interventions in exchange for a £/hectare payments’.
Mr Hughes said: “Some members have ended up fully funding works to only then realise there could have been funding support their hedge planting or fencing projects.”
He said Defra said there were now 108 different Capital Grants available, split into five categories: Capital Grants; Protection and Infrastructure grants; Woodland Tree Health grants; Capital Grants plans and Higher-Tier Capital Grants.
Mr Hughes added the Capital Grants included a long list of everyday capital infrastructure found on many farms, such as fences, gates and troughs and more niche items such as leaky wooden dams.
Some new items announced earlier this summer include those to fund the creation of in-field agroforestry systems. Some of the ‘more popular items’ include:
■ Fencing (£6.34/metre).
■ Sheep netting (£7.47/m).
■ Planting new hedges (£22.97/m).
■ Wooden field gate (£489.90/ gate).
Mr Hughes said the grant funding contributions are ‘not designed to fund the entire cost of each capital item but do offer a meaningful contribution’.
Hedge planting grants come in at £22.97/metre.
“Clearly farmers should be wary of falling into the trap of chasing funding just because it is there.
“There should be firm rationale for selecting any items included in an application,” he said.
Defra needs to maintain support for local abattoirs
FUNDING for the creation of new and mobile abattoirs through the Farming Investment Fund must be rolled out and treated as ‘equal priority’ along with continued investment for existing abattoirs, chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Christopher Price said.
He added that he was concerned by the lack of updates from the current Government.
Mr Price said: “The introduction of the Smaller Abattoir Fund, launched last December to provide £4 million investment in the maintenance and improvement of the local abattoir network, was great news for sustainable livestock farmers.
Farmers in England who have been shortlisted for Defra’s second round of Slurry Infrastructure grant funding must complete a slurry store location and design assessment form before September 30, 2024, and submit these to the Rural Payment Agency for approval, to be eligible to access the funds.
This is the advice from Severn Trent’s senior catchment management scientist, Dr Adam Freer, who stressed the value of these grants in protecting water quality and improving farm management.
Mr Freer said: “As a water company, we welcome the Government support for farmers, but for those not eligible, there is a variety of alternative funding options available to support investments in slurry management on dairy, beef and pig farms.
Invest
“With winter fast approaching I would urge all farmers to invest in best practice manure handling and storage techniques to ensure compliance with the Farming Rules for Water and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, to help protect the environment and make the best use of homegrown nutrient sources.”
For those farmers who have missed the opportunity to apply for Defra funding to help improve, expand or cover their slurry storage, Mr Freer said a third round of the Slurry Infrastructure grant was expected to open later in 2024.
“In the meantime, there are also Countryside Stewardship options available with support from Catchment Sensitive Farming, as part of
“Without a network of local abattoirs, capable of processing small numbers of different breeds, they cannot run their businesses, so it is vital that Defra keeps it.
“But it is not just about existing abattoirs, we also need new abattoirs.
Support
“In May, the previous Government promised £3m to support the creation of new and mobile abattoirs though the Farming Investment Fund.
“Since then we have heard nothing. The rollout of this needs to be given equal priority.”
Cumbrian farmer and RBST chair John Atkinson said the loss of
any more abattoirs in Cumbria would ‘devastate the area’s livestock farming’.
He said: “Many of our farmers provide high value meat, using local breeds, bred for Cumbria’s landscape and habitats and with that lo-
cal connection being a significant part of their brand.
“The more intensive industrial processors simply can not provide the necessary service, even if they are within a reasonable distance, which is not often the case,” he added.
Alternative funding options available for slurry management
Farmers need to invest in best practice manure handling, says Dr Adam Freer, of Severn Trent.
the Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants schemes.
“This includes funding for roofing slurry stores and installing drainage systems in specified areas,” Dr Freer said.
He also advised farmers to explore the funding schemes on offer from water companies across the UK, which are tailored to regional
needs and aimed at supporting producers to protect water quality and improve on-farm efficiencies.
“For example, our popular Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme [STEPS] scheme includes several funding options to help farmers improve slurry storage and management in our crypto priority catchments.
“This ranges from funding to cover manure stores, which excludes rainwater and reduces storage pressure, to clean and dirty water separation equipment, concreting and precision-spreading equipment.”
Mr Freer added that all options within STEPS come with expert advice and support, to ensure environmental-focused projects are suited to the needs of the individual farm business.
Guide
He said: “We can help guide farmers to any grants they may be eligible for – including options funded by the Government and private organisations.”
For this year’s round of STEPS funding, applications are open until November 30, 2024, however Mr Freer said work must be completed and funding claimed by December 31, 2024.
Sustainable farms in areas such as Cumbria rely on local abattoirs.
Improving Farm Productivity Grant Round 2
Important Dates:
The eligibility checker application closed on 21 March 2024
Successful applicants have until 31 July 2025 to submit their full applications
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‘Transformative effect’ of Government grant support
Government grant support enabled Paul Temple, a Church Commissioners for England tenant at Wold Farm on the East Riding Estate, to invest in a mobile cattle handling system for his family’s beef cattle.
He has applied for a few grants over the past four years, including the former Countryside Productivity Grant, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and the Farming Resilience Fund, which he said has had a ‘transformative effect’ on his business.
Mr Temple said: “Better cattle handling facilities come with major improvements in terms of both speed and safety, and there has been a noticeable impact on our productivity.”
When questioned how he found the overall application process for grants and farming support schemes, he said it was not too complicated, but that getting the grant verified was the most difficult part, adding due to the complexity involved there was often no other option but to pay someone to navigate the process for him.
Complex
He said: “The new environmental schemes, in particular, are so complex and change so often, that we are having to pay someone to help us through it.
“Farmers are already time-poor and under a lot of competing pressures, so there is a need to streamline these processes to ensure those who
need them are not deterred by very technical, detailed requirements.”
Mr Temple said he believed grant opportunities were ‘absolutely critical’ for tenant farmers.
“They are usually used for longterm investments that many would not have the confidence to pursue otherwise, but which make an immense difference to productivity and environmental sustainability,” he said.
“In the context of how much the cost of often necessary equipment like
machinery has risen in recent years, and the impact one of the wettest years on record has had on output, grants can provide a lifeline.”
But he acknowledged that for farmers on shorter lets, there was a ‘heavier administrative burden’.
He said: “Having multiple landlords can also add to that complexity, which has made the strong working relationship we have with the Church Commissioners for England invaluable.”
Looking ahead to future grant
Paul Temple said it would be good for future grants to be available for land drainage.
opportunities which should be made available to farmers, including tenants, under the new Labour Government, Mr Temple said it would be good to see a grant that assisted farmers in land drainage.
“After this year’s continuous wet weather, the value and necessity of drainage to any farm has never been so apparent. Wet land simply does not function on any level, making a good drainage system the bedrock of any farm,” he said.
Local authority grants available for rural businesses
OUTSIDE of the productivity and environmental grants offered by Defra, consultant and founder of SRH Agribusiness, Simon Haley, said there were other funds available via local authorities and the Shared Prosperity Fund which could still be accessed by farms and rural businesses.
Mr Haley said these opportunities could help with ‘resilience planning, strategic advice and business growth’, but current availability of funds must be checked on the relevant council website as per the applicant’s business location.
He said that in Cumbria, both Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council were offering
‘advice vouchers’ worth £500 to rural businesses towards the cost of a wide range of professional support.
“No match funding is needed, the voucher is paid directly to the business and only one quote is needed if the cost of the work is below £2,000, with two quotes if over this amount,” he said.
Offered
“Vouchers are offered on a first-comefirst-served basis until all available funds are allocated, with all activity to have been completed by January 31, 2025.”
He said the vouchers could contribute towards ‘accountancy advice, for legal matters, insurance risk assess-
ments, planning and architectural services, marketing campaigns or agricultural consultancy support’.
“So, for farms that have not yet considered entering the Sustainable Farming Incentive and are not sure where to start with understanding the various scheme options, or would like assistance working up their Farming Transformation Fund grant application, combining one of these vouchers with access to the Farming Resilience Fund could be worth close to £2,000 per farm in free professional advice,”
Mr Haley added.
In addition, he said Cumberland Council was also offering revenue grants to a higher amount of up to
£7,500 for similar projects and professional support, but said this came with a requirement of being 50% match funded.
He said: “Separately, the West Yorkshire combined authority has a business growth grant offered by the Adventure programme, targeted at young businesses up to three years old on their growth journey, with the grant covering 50% of total project costs and available between £1,500 and £10,000.
“This can be used to fund costs that support growth and job creation. For example, it could be production equipment, website development, office furniture, or marketing collateral.”
The Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS), a £6 million fund which supports sheep production in Scotland’s hills and uplands, is now open, providing what has been described as ‘critical’ funding for ‘the whole rural infrastructure’.
Upland farmer Sybil MacPherson farms 1,800 ewes and 50 hill cows in north west Scotland and has been part of the scheme since the beginning.
Ms MacPherson said without the help of the scheme, livestock grazing would come off the hills, which would have a ‘huge’ impact on biodiversity and the surrounding environment.
She added the upland sheep farms played an important role in the ‘whole stratified sheep industry’.
“The low ground farmers come up to the north and west, buy our draft ewes and use them to then cross with a lower land breed,” she said, adding that without hill farming there would be ‘knock-on effects’ elsewhere.
Sustain
Ms MacPherson said it was also important to consider how the scheme helps to sustain the ‘rural fabric’ of the upland communities.
Robert MacDonald, an upland farmer on the Isle of Skye, who runs 850 Cheviot ewes and 40 head of cattle, has applied for the support scheme for the last few years.
He said: “The livestock industry in
Without the SUSSS, livestock grazing would come off the hills, according to upland farmer Sybil MacPherson.
Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme vital to rural infrastructure
the Highlands and the crofting industry sustains our rural communities that we live in. It is so important that we are able to keep them going.
“We cannot put a price on that, we need to be helped.”
Applications to the scheme close at midnight on November 30.
According to NFU Scotland, payment rates on eligible ewe hoggs were £61.38
Scots farmers and crofters urged to get ‘Whole Farm Plans’ ready
FARMERS and crofters in Scotland are reminded they may need to take certain steps over the coming months to make sure they meet the new rules for ‘Whole Farm Plans’ by May 15, 2025, and remain eligible for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support.
Stephen Whiteford, a farming consultant at Strutt and Parker, said Scottish farmers and crofters will continue to receive BPS in 2025, but some of the actions they need to take to ‘qualify’ for their agricultural support payments are ‘changing’. One of these is the introduction of ‘Whole Farm Plan’ conditions.
He said farmers will have to confirm on their Single Application Form that they have completed at least two of the following actions by May 15:
■ Carbon audit.
■ Biodiversity audit.
■ Soil analysis.
■ Animal health and welfare plan.
■ Integrated pest management plan. He said: “There will be many farmers who can tick at least two boxes for the Whole Farm Plan already, but
there will be just as many who will need to act between now and next spring in order to receive their BPS in full. So now is the time to start planning for it so everything is in place before the May 15.”
Five-year period
Mr Whiteford said farmers must complete the carbon audit, biodiversity audit and soil analysis within the five-year period before the claim – so to be eligible for 2025 they must have been completed after May 16, 2020.
He added that the animal health and integrated pest management plans need to be renewed annually, so must be dated after May 16, 2024.
Mr Whiteford said a £500 grant is available to help pay for a carbon audit through the ‘Preparing for Sustainable Farming Scheme’, as well as support for soil testing.
Soil analysis is only applicable to businesses that apply artificial fertilisers and organic manures to permanently managed region 1 land.
in 2023 and £61.25 in 2022, with about 1,150 farming and crofting businesses submitting applications annually.
NFUS said the Scottish Govern-
ment has committed to SUSSS until at least 2026 and was ‘engaging’ with the industry on the scheme’s future beyond that.
Industry ‘uncertain’ about availability of future grants
Prior to the General Election, there were various rounds of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund which ‘cropped up seemingly as a way to mop up some of the unspent budget’ resulting from the then ‘stuttering progress of Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes’.
That was the message from Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) chief executive George Dunn, who said Capital Grants, which demand a financial top-up, should not be considered as a replacement for the previous revenue stream coming via the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
Mr Dunn acknowledged the new Labour Government was ‘pressing ahead’ with the move to delinked payments; the phasing out of direct payments by 2027 with the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) element of ELM expected to continue, as well as the Countryside Stewardship, both Mid and Higher Tiers and the Landscape Recovery.
But Mr Dunn, like many in the industry, has been left questioning what will happen to the various grant schemes going forward. That, he said, was more ‘uncertain’.
Mr Dunn said previously the grants regime was focused on meeting two targets – improving farm prosperity to feed into the ‘growth agenda for the economy’ and supporting farmers to ‘comply with statutory obligations’.
There is a definite need to provide a financial framework within which farm businesses can invest in the necessary fixed equipment they need to comply with regulatory standards
GEORGE DUNN
He said: “There is a definite need to provide a financial framework within which farm businesses can invest in the necessary fixed equipment they need to comply with regulatory standards.”
He added that profitability within the dairy and wider livestock sector was not there to fund the huge levels of investments needed.
But he said with the public purse ‘strapped for cash’, a more ‘pragmatic approach’ was needed heading into the next phase of the agricultural transition.
“There are many farms with fixed equipment which might not meet the regulatory standards, but where they are neither polluting nor at significant risk of polluting,” he said.
“On a risk-assessed basis, these units could be left until a later date for their fixed equipment to be up-
dated while we focus on those units at a higher pollution risk.”
Mr Dunn believed there were also legitimate questions to be asked about the extent to which these schemes ‘truly drive productivity, profitability and resilience.’
He said: “With the grants taking a list-based approach, it is often the case that grants have an inflationary pressure on items identified on the list, while non-listed items become difficult to find because suppliers are focusing on the grant-aided pieces of kit.”
Plans
The TFA believes farmers instead should be encouraged to consider what investment they need in their businesses over a three-year period and then use those plans to apply for a level of annual grant to support those goals, which would be subjected to some form of annual evaluation of progress.
“In that way, we can take a more bespoke and targeted approach to develop the productivity, profitabil-
ity and resilience we all agree we need,” Mr Dunn said.
Andrew Teanby, associate director of Savills research, said many in the sector were feeling ‘anxious’ around the lack of clarity on the future farming budget.
Mr Teanby said: “The previous Government had an annual support budget of £2.4 billion per year for farming, which provided funding for BPS, SFI, legacy agri-environment schemes and Capital Grants. The new Government, however, has yet to confirm its Budget.”
He said Savills had seen a recent increase in uptake in Capital Grants for fencing and hedgerows.
“This payment makes a difference not only for farm operations, but also for the environment, an example of policy meeting multiple goals through one action,” he said.
“The incoming Budget should prioritise more options like this, but, of course, this all depends on one thing: how much money will be placed into the agricultural piggy bank on October 30.”
Farmers will be looking for certainty around agricultural support from Labour’s October 30 Budget.
Interim support schemes for Wales are expected to be announced over the coming months.
Welsh Gov focuses on SFS 26
As we move into autumn, Welsh Government farming support will be focused on preparing for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) which is expected to launch in 2026.
Farmers’ Union of Wales senior policy adviser Rebecca Voyle said further announcements about additional interim schemes which could run during 2025 are expected to be shared ‘over the coming months’.
Ms Voyle said: “These will be dependent upon the budget allocation received from Westminster and used by the Welsh Government to support agriculture and rural development across Wales, so our lobbying will continue at all levels over the coming months to ensure a fair and secure budget settlement for Welsh agriculture.”
Currently available
Ms Voyle outlined what is available currently and over the next few months for farmers in Wales:
■ The Habitat Wales Scheme (HWS) will be open for applications in 2025 to all farmers with habitat on their land. For 2025, the application process will be via the 2025 Single Application Form (SAF) rather than a separate application process as in 2024.
■ Existing Habitat Wales Scheme Commons agreement holders will be given the option to extend their agreement until December 31, 2025.
■ The Organic Support Payment will be maintained for next year,
with claims being made via the 2025 SAF.
■ The SFS data confirmation exercise 2024 is currently open to Welsh farmers until December 6, 2024.
Ms Voyle said the aim of this exercise is to ‘update Rural Payments Wales (RPW) mapping systems with the correct habitat and tree canopy areas for farms across Wales in advance of the HWS in 2025 and the introduction of the SFS in 2026’.
She said: “While completion of the form – via RPW Online – is not compulsory, farmers intending to apply for HWS in 2025 are encouraged to review and, if necessary, amend the data provided as this will be used as the basis for applications.
“The Welsh Government has emphasised that confirming or amending the data is not a scheme declaration or commitment to manage land in line with any future scheme prescription; it is about giving farmers the opportunity to ensure that RPW holds the correct data on individual farms.”
■ The Small Grants Environment Water scheme is open for applications until September 20, 2024, and provides funding for actions such as hedgerow restoration, pond restoration, maintenance of gateways and cross drains.
■ The Integrated Natural Resources Scheme is a new scheme which is open for applications until September 27, 2024, from groups of farmers who want to work together to deliver nature-based solutions across a landscape, catchment or nationwide area.
■ The Woodland Creation Plan-
ning Scheme and Woodland Creation Grant are both still open for applications for large woodland
planting areas or areas not suitable for the Small Grants Woodland Creation Scheme.
Finance
24
Competitive
Deal Sizes £15K Upwards
New & Used Machinery / Vehicles
Quick Decisions
CCJ’s Defaults, Poor Accounts, All considered
England & Wales Only
Raise Capital Against Existing Farm Plant & Machinery
Older Equipment Considered Quick Decisions
Deal Sizes £20K Upwards
Competitive Market Interest Rates Available
CCJ’s, Current Trading Difficulties, All Considered Tenant Farmers Welcome
THIS SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER – Sale of Store Pigs & Goats
Fully Catalogued Sale from some of the Leading Herds in the Midlands and Surrounding Counties. A TREMENDOUS ENTRY already received from: Braemarhouse (7), Broomhouse (9), Honeycroft (2), Meldamar (4), Shieldhouse (2), Sternmoor (2), Tissington (2) Incl a Pedigree Limousin Stock Bull (17mths)
TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2024 11AM
For Further Details & Catalogues Contact (01889) 562811 Ref: MEE
Forthcoming Dairy Sales
On behalf of D R Wrench, Brookside Farm, Marton, Macclesfield, Cheshire 174 HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS
Nearly ALL NEWLY CALVED Averaging 27kg Daily. 46 Heifers, 32 2nd, 30 3rd & 24 4th Calvers Strong well bred milky cows, Average 7300kg 4.91%F 3.80%P cc120 Herd Cubicles & Herringbone, Management based on milk from forage, Homebred, BVD, Lepto & IBR Vaccinated TUESDAY 17TH SEPTMBER 2024
On behalf of R H Bates & Son, Cocksmoss Farm, Marton, Macclesfield, Cheshire 143 HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS
TUESDAY 24TH SEPTMBER 2024
PURE BRED
POULTRY SALE
Tomorrow Saturday 14th
September Sale 10am360 Cages of poultry plus 200 lots of deadstock & hatching eggs.
WEEKLY STORE LAMB SALE
Monday 16th September 11am - Further entries accepted on the day.
Tuesday 17th September
12.30pm - Prime Lambs & Cull Ewes
FORTNIGHTLY
STORE CATTLE SALE + CALVES/ STIRKS
Thursday 19th September
12.30pm - Sale of Young Bulls, Store Heifers & Steers. Rearing calves 12 noon
Thurs 19th – Sat 21st September
Viewing of items Thurs 19th, Fri 20th 9am-4pm & Sat 21st September 9am-12noon
Saturday 21st September Judging 9.15am, Sale 10.30am
SUNDRIESJohn Deere 6520 Reg Q772 PCY, JCB JS131 Yr 20 Manitou 526 4 Meter,CRX 816 Loadall 942 Hours Year 2022,JCB 526 Loadall 8900 Hours, DAF 45.140 285,000km, BMW X1 62 Reg, 1 Tonne Mini Digger & Buckets, Lazer Compact Tractor, Yamaha Grizzly Quad 2015,Ifor Williams 14ft Tri Axle Trailer C/W Decks 14x6,Ifor Williams Plant Trailer CX84,Herbst Plant Trailer 18Tonne,Loadall Bucket, Rotor Spreader, Ballast Roller, Karcher Professional Power Washer, Quad Spreader, Large Tipping Trailer, Cold Water Power Washer 30 Meter Lead, Nilfisk Auto 3 Phase Hot/ Cold, Self Compact Pellet Boiler ,Cattle Race, IAE Sheep Scale, Sheep/ Quad Trailer, Daxara 107 Trailer, Manitou Bucket, Qty Sheep Hurdles, IAE Sheep Race, Qty Sheep Troughs, Qty 9ft Farm Gates, Qty Heavy Duty Farm Gates, Bale Squeeze, Chain Harrow, Qty Water Bowls Foot Trimming Crush, Hay Rack, Calf Creep Feeder, Qty Ring Feeders Cattle/Sheep, Muck Grab, Bale Spike, Sheep Turnover Crate, Pig Weigh Scale, Plus the usual selection of sundries. Caterers in attendance
150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11.15am 300 STORE CATTLE
Saturday 5th October HIIL FAIR DAY
Sale of all classes of Breeding Ewes, Gimmer Shearlings, Breeding Rams & Gimmer Lambs.
Plus special sale of Store Lambs
Catalogue Entries by Friday 27th September
Monday 28th October - CLAIMING DATE Dairy Dispersal Sale on behalf of DJ A & L Sutcliffe, Throstle Nest Farm, Winmarleigh
Saturday 14th September 10am ANNUAL SALE OF 6500 NORTH OF ENGLAND MULE GIMMER LAMBS
Tuesday 17th September 1pm PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP
LEYBURN MART
Friday 20th September
1100 NEMSA Mule & 200 Continental Gimmer Lambs. Sale 10.30am with Mules followed by Continentals. 120/140 Rearing Calves & Stirks at 11.00am.
25 suckler bred stirks 5/10 months.
Also, 1000 Store Lambs at 12.30pm.
Friday 27th September: LEYBURN LADS DAY
150 Suffolk & Continental Rams (Show & Sale)
Swaledale Breeding Sheep Show & Sale with dispersal of 100 Ewes (2/5 shear) for AG Dent, West Scrafton. Shearlings & Ewes of all breeds Dispersal of 100 Mule & Texel ewes from the late R Watson. Ram and Female entries (other than Swaledale) by noon Mon 23rd Sept.
Society Sales on Behalf of Northern Beltex Club, Blue Texel, Badger Face & Dutch Spotted. Plus Second Sale of 2000 Breeding Sheep
Thursday 26th September 10.30am Fortnightly Sale of 5000 STORE LAMBS
Friday 27th September – DRAFT EWE DAY
Great Annual Show & Sale of 6,000 Hill Bred Draft Ewes, Gimmer Shearlings & Gimmer Lambs To Include The Rough Fell Sheep Breeders Association Annual Prize Show & Sale of Breeding Females
Tuesday 1st October ‘BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN’
Evening Sale of Terminal Sired Breeding Rams Catalogue Entries by Wednesday 18th September
Monday 7th October
Show & Sale of Registered & Unregistered Bluefaced Leicester Rams & Females
Delivery: Monday 30th & Tuesday 1st (9am-4.30pm)
Sale to Commence: Friday 4th October
Viewing: Friday 4th (9am-4:30pm),Saturday 5th (am only) & Monday 7th October (9am-4:30pm) Sale Concludes: Tuesday 8th October
Reduction of 261 Correct Mule Ewes & 69 Mule Shearlings Saturday 21st September at 10.30am Machinery & Sundries Items Accepted Friday 12noon till 2.30 Or sale
PRIME LAMBS - Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES, RAMS & GOATS
Tuesday 17th September
1996 BREEDING SHEEP
Sale of all Classes of BREEDING SHEEP + 2nd Show & Sale of SHEARLING GIMMERS
Sale 10.00am
Wednesday 18th September
Sale of 8889 STORE LAMBS
2nd Sale of 1120 Drawn Suffolk, Cont x & Cheviot Mule Gimmer Lambs
Prize Show & Sale of Horned Wether Lambs
Sale 10.00am
Thursday 19th & Friday 20th September
427 PEDIGREE TEXEL RAMS & FEMALES
On behalf of the Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders Club Members
Thursday - Show 2.00pm, Sale of 130 Females at 6.00pm
Friday – Sale of 297 Rams at 10.30am
Saturday 21st September
Sale of STIRKS, WEANED/SUCKLED CALVES, BREEDING & CULL GOATS & SHEEP
(Entries close Monday 16th September)
Wednesday 25th September
Sale of FEEDING BULLS, BEEF FEEDING COWS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE
(Entries close Wednesday 18th September)
Monday 23rd September
SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY CATTLE Inc AUTUMN JERSEY & COLOURED BREEDS
Monday 14th October
SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY CATTLE
Entries & Enquiries to Sarah 07710 795585
Working Sheep Dog Sale
Friday 11th October
Autumn Field Sale of WORKING SHEEPDOGS (entries close Wednesday 25th September)
Horse Sale
Saturday 19th October
110 COBS, HORSES & PONIES at Upper Austby Farm, Langbar, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 0EQ
Incl. Mares and Foals, Horses and Ponies broken and unbroken.
On instructions from BH Gray&Sons.
Breeding Sheep Sales
Tuesday 24th September
2nd Show & Sale of NEMSA MULE GIMMER LAMBS
Tuesday 1st October
Fortnightly Sale of
BREEDING EWES & SHEARLINGS
Special Pennines Sale of CHEVIOT, LONK, GRITSTONE & WHITE FACED WOODLAND EWES & SHEARLINGS
(Entries close Monday 23rd September)
Saturday 5th October
Annual Show & Sale of SWALEDALE EWES & SHEARLINGS
(Entries close Monday 23rd September)
Monday 7th October Evening
Special Sale of SWALEDALE RAMS
(Entries close Monday 30th September)
Pedigree Sheep Sales
Tuesday 1st October Evening
Fortnightly Sale of BREEDING EWES & SHEARLINGS
Special Pennines Sale of CHEVIOT, LONK, GRITSTONE & WHITE FACED WOODLAND EWES & SHEARLINGS & Annual Sale of BROKEN MOUTHED & DRAFT EWES
(Entries close Monday 23rd September)
Thursday 3rd October
REGISTERED LLEYN BREEDING SHEEP Entries to the Society
Friday 4th October
Annual MULTI BREED RAM SALE
(Entries close Friday 20th September)
Farm Sales
Saturday 28th September
Complete on farm dispersal of Tractors, Machinery & Equipment on behalf of DG Boothman – Halton East
Details on www.ccmauctions.com
Thursday 10th October – Claiming Date Farm Sale on behalf of W, J & E Harker & Son, Patley Bridge – Listing
To celebrate 4 years at our Humbleton site please join us for the following sales;
Monday 23rd September
Show and sale of suckled calves
Tuesday 24th September
Show and sale of mule gimmer lambs & breeding sheep plus 2nd sale of breeding rams. No MV section in place.
Wednesday 25th September
Mark Dent Chairman 07711 198641 Scott Ferrie Auctioneer/Director 07557 260653 Daniel Lynn Auctioneer 07887 653442
Show and sale of prime stock (Catalogues for Monday and Tuesday are available on our website)
Tuesday 8th October
Special sale of breeding sheep and show of gimmer lambs. Plus 3rd sale of breeding rams. Incorporating the annual ‘Hill Of A Day’ bred sheep. No MV section in place.
(Entries close noon Wednesday 27th September)
Saturday 12th October
Autumn collective sale of tractors, implements and machinery. (Entries close Friday 6th October)
14th December Agricultural Themed BORDER FINE ARTS & BESWICK PIECES & New Sale of AGRICULTURAL THEMED TOYS & COLLECTABLES
More details & entry forms available soon
John Wharton Auctioneer 07912 946549
SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE
Upcoming Dates for September
Wednesday 18th September at 10am
Prize Show & Sale of 4000 Mule, Texel, Suffolk & Other Gimmers
Thursday 19th September at 2pm
Hexham’ Prize Show & Sale 2000 of Ewe Lambs.
Prize Show & Sale of Mule and Cheviot Mule Ewe Lambs
Friday 20th September at 9am
Sale of 1500 Cast Sheep & 6000 Store Lambs Including Special Show of Cheviot Store Lambs
Sale of 500 Store Cattle & Suckled Calves
Sale of Breeding Cattle
To include dispersal sale on behalf of Messrs Dodd & Wise, Sillywrea, 14 Beef Shorthorn Cows with spring born calves, 4 Beef Shorthorn heifers and 1 Pedigree Beef Shorthorn Bull (4 year old)
Entries close Monday 16th September at 10am.
Wednesday 25th September at 10am
Prize Show & Sale of 800 Texel, Suffolk & Other Continental Rams & Ram Lambs. Entries close Tuesday 17th September.
Association Sale of Bluefaced Leicester Rams & Ram Lambs
Wednesday 26th September at 10am
Annual ‘Tow Law’ Prize Show & Sale of 6000 Mule Gimmer Lambs
Entries close Wednesday 18th September
Friday 27th September at 9am
Sale of 1500 Cast Sheep & 6000 Store Lambs Including Show & Sale of Hill Bred Store Lambs
Sale of 500 Store Cattle
Entries close 10am Monday 23rd September
01278 410250 | livestock@gth.net, NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF
SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE
Thursday 19th September at 10.30am with the Heifer Calves
01278 410250 | livestock@gth.net, NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF
To include: The Dispersal Sale of Summer Calving Portion of the NMR Herd being 50 Pedigree Holsteins being the “Ottinge” Herd for WF Farms (Removed from Ottinge Court Farm, Canterbury, Kent). NMR Herd Av: 9,528 kgs, 4.63%BF, 3.54%P, SCC=187.
✰ The Dispersal Sale of 97 Pedigree Holsteins being the “Newmead” Herd for PC Pocock & Son together with Standing Maize (removed from Westover Farm, Langport, Somerset). CIS Herd Av: 10,280 kgs, 4.11%BF, 3.36%P, SCC=143.
✰ 15 INCALF COWS from B & MJ Richards
✰ 94 INCALF HEIFERS from Astrop, PD & JL Biss (Dispersal), W Dale & Sons (Dispersal), Ottinge (Dispersal), Newmead (Dispersal), J Northover, P & N Tapp (Dispersal), Skinner & Son, Waldegrave Farms Ltd & AJ Willcox & Son (Dispersal)
✰ 82 MAIDEN HEIFERS from Chiselborough, J Northover, Pinksmoor, P & N Tapp (Dispersal), RG & JM Thornton & AJ Willcox & Son (Dispersal)
✰ 10 HEIFER CALVES from GJ Dalton
** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **
280 NMR RECORDED HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS On behalf of R.G.Nash & Sons Brighthams Farm, Horsham, West Sussex
The Sale comprises:
260 In Milk and/or In Calf Cows & Heifers & 18 In Calf Heifers
D Herd Average 10,818Kgs 4.02%BF 3.35%P cc173
D All year-round calving to Sexed Holstein or Beef
D Cubicle Housed, Herringbone Parlour milked (2 x daily)
D Lepto, BVD & IBR vaccinated and Johnes Monitored Sale Announcements
Friday 11th October - 11am
Exeter Livestock Centre, Devon EX2 8FD
Dispersal Sale of the entire well classified ‘Loford’ herd of Pedigree Holsteins on behalf of M Wade of Bideford, Devon - In conjunction with Norton & Brooksbank
Tuesday 15th October - 11am
Exeter Livestock Centre, Devon EX2 8FD
Dispersal Sale of the Master Breeder awarded ‘Hollafrench’ herd of Pedigree Holsteins on behalf of Messrs WS Jose & Son, Holsworthy, Devon - In conjunction with Norton & Brooksbank
ONLINE BIDDING AVAILABLE FOR ALL DAIRY SALES VIA Full details & Catalogues available on www.kivells.com For further information on
above sale please contact: Mark Davis 07773371774 or Catalogues from 01392 251261
FGBuyandSell.com
FARMSTOCK AUCTIONEERS, BROKERS & VALUERS
BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE
Tel: 01228 406200
Special show for STORE LAMBS
Monday 16th September
Show 10.00am Sale 11.00am
Classes for Pens of 5 -Texel, Beltex, Dutch Texel Pens of 10 – Mules, Suffolks , Hill lambs also BREEDING SHEEP
Please advise entries –
Rory Livesey 07535 0015441 or Joe Bowman 07736 883670
STORE CATTLE
Wednesday 18th September-10.00am
Prize show and sale of 600 CONTINENTAL CROSS SUCKLED CALVES
Show 9.00am Sale 10.00am
Kindly sponsored by Capontree Vets & Dodd & Co
Followed by 500 STORE CATTLE
WEANERS & YOUNG BULLS – 12.00noon YOUNG CALVES – 10.00am
PEDIGREE DAIRY DAY
400 DAIRY CATTLE SELLING
Wednesday 18th September
Show 10.00am Sale 11.00am
Follow Us On Facebook To View Sale Lots Prior To Sale
146 Cows/Heifers In Milk - 71 In Calf Heifers –134 Bulling Heifers – 49 Heifer Calves Sell No.1 source for quality milkers in the UK QUALITY MILKERS
Quality milkers producing oceans of milk sell, all bred from herds with excellent health status. PREFIXES INCLUDE: Ashberry, Becklees, Belaw, Berryholme, Bluedial, Chapelhouse, Colvend, Dalserf, Denmire, Drumtall, Dunnerdale, Errolston, Espland, Holehouse, Feizor, Kepculloch, Killantrae, Kingcaird, Lomond, ,Meiklefirth, Nethervalley, Parkend/Lesmay, Ploughlands, Potstown, Stowbeck, Fenlea, Bankview, Tynevalley BREEDERS CHOICE: Several elite pedigrees are included in this catalogue and include heifers from the; FLO, ROXY, MARIE, ERLE, MARK MAUI, RICKI, PLEDGE & RHAPSODY families.
This is the FIRST Jersey Jewels Sale to be staged at Borderway and features 277 Jersey cattle consigned by several of the leading Jersey herds in the UK. Continued;
The pedigrees, production & potential in this sale is phenomenal and highlights the incredible efficiencies the Jersey cow has to offer.
30 JERSEY MILKERS sell from the LOGAN, KERRICKS, MOORHOUSE & POTSTOWN herds. 69 JERSEY IN CALF HEIFERS sell, including 24 from the KINGSBECK herd due from Sep-Nov; 13 from the LONGING herd due Dec-March; 20 from the KERRICKS herd due Feb-March. 11 from the NETHER KEIR herd due Oct-Dec; 4 from the MOORHOUSE herd due soon.
134 JERSEY BULLING HEIFERS sell all over 12 months old and ready to breed. 40 are from the KERRICKS herd all born August 2023; 33 from the CALLYMAINS herd, plus several other choice consignment.
46 JERSEY HEIFER CALVES sell all born in February & March 2024. They are consigned by the KIRVINNE herd.
Please order your catalogue today.
Latter Fair Show and sale of 3500 MULE GIMMER LAMBS
Also other breeds of ewe lambs
Thursday 19th September
Show 9.00am Sale 10.30am Kindly sponsored by Capontree Vets & Dodd & Co
Followed by
400 EURO CONTINENTAL CROSS EWE LAMBS
Thursday 19th September
Latter Fair sale of 200 RAMS
Thursday 19th September – 1.00pm
RARE & MINORITY BREEDS
Saturday 21st September
Entries close Wednesday 18th September
Ring 1: 11am Sale of Piglets, Donkeys and Goats
Ring 2: 10.00am Sale of Cattle, followed by Jacob & Kerryhill Sheep
Ring 3: 10.30am Sale of All Other Breeds of Sheep, followed by the National Shetland Show and Sale
Sale bidding starts 10.00am Wednesday 3rd October until 10.00am Thursday 4th October
Entries close Wednesday 25th September or contact David Holliday 07710 189804, or Iain Dick 07713 599791
ST BOSWELLS MART
Tel: 01835 822214
BREEDING & STORE SHEEP
Thursday 19th September
Great Annual Sale for Draft Half Bred, Suffolk Cross, Scotch Mule, Cheviot and Crossed Blackface Ewes also Sale for Half Bred, Suffolk Cross, Scotch Mule and Cheviot Gimmers and Ewe Lambs.
Also FEEDING LAMBS incl. Show and Sale of North Country Cheviot Hill Lambs
WOOLER MART
Tel: 01668
&
Tuesday 17th September – 11.00 am
Including 800 Stock Reduction of Suffolk cross and Mule Ewes from REAVELEY GREENS
Dispersal of 400 Texel Ewes from BEWICK FOLLY Reduction of 200 Suffolk cross and Mule Stock Ewes from PRENDWICK
LAZONBY MART
Tel: 01768 898313
Alston Moor sale of MULE GIMMER LAMBS
Wednesday 25th September
Show for NEMSA members Tues evening 24th Sept
LOCKERBIE MART
Tel: 01576 202332
312 North Country
CHEVIOT “PARK” RAMS
718 North Country CHEVIOT “PARK” FEMALES
Wednesday 18th September
Ram Show 8.30am - Ram Sale – 12.00noon
Female Sale – 9.30am
4,738 NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT “HILL” FEMALES
Tuesday 24th September – 11.00am
2205 NC Cheviot Hill Ewes
1364 NC Cheviot Hill Gimmers and 1169 NC Cheviot Hill Lambs
453 NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT “HILL”RAMS
Wednesday 25th September – 10.30am
SOUTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT RAMS
Monday 14th October
On behalf of Cheviot Sheep Society
Ballot drawn Tuesday 17th September Entries close Friday 13th September
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Tel: 01768 371385
Monday 16th September
380 CONTINENTAL CROSS STORE CATTLE
Also Cast/Feeding cows & OTM cattle
Judging 9.00am Sale 9:30am
Saturday 21st September
2000 BREEDING SHEEP
Show 9.30am Sale 10.00am
Sale of Mule and Cont x ewes and shearlings and Cont x gimmer lambs
To include a dispersal sales of 150 Texel & Beltex cross breeding sheep Shearlings to 4 shear & 100 Texel cross Shearlings to 4 Shear
Annual show and sale of TEXEL & CONTINENTAL RAMS & FEMALES
Also other breed rams
SWALEDALE SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
“C” District RAM SALES
Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th October
Entries direct to Secretary
MIDDLETON MART
Tel: 01833 640281
Prize show and sale of 1500 NEMSA GIMMER LAMBS
Wednesday 18th September
Show 10.00am Sale 11.00am
Prize show and sale of
4800 SWALEDALE GIMMER LAMBS
Friday 20th September
Show 9.00am Sale 10.00am
Annual prize show and sale of Uncrossed registered and unregistered SWALEDALE EWES & SHEARLINGS
Monday 30th September
Entries close 10am Monday 23rd September
SWALEDALE SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
“A” District RAM SALE
Wednesday 9th October
Entries to District Secretary
ON SITE SALE
Live auction sale with online bidding via Marteye ON FARM SALE OF FARM MACHINERY, IMPLEMENTS & SMALL TOOLS
Friday 20th September - 10.30am
At Midtown Farm, New Abbey
Viewing Saturday 14th September 11.00am - 3.00pm
On behalf of Messrs Bunting Full list available on the website
Friday 1st November
Entries close 27th September
For full details and application forms visit
www.borderwayagriexpo.uk
Ewe Lambs Show & Sale
Thursday 19th September - 2,640 Mules/Mashams
Show 9am, Sale 11am
Friday 20th September - 5,230 Any Other Breeds Show 9am, Sale 10.30am Catalogues are available at www.bagshaws.com
On Instructions from R C Setchfield Ltd
Large Array of Merlo, Manitou and JCB Handlers,
TWO FARM STOCK SALES IN ONE DAY
The Company are delighted to have been favoured with instructions from two highly regarded family farming businesses within The South Tyne Valley to conduct retirement farm stock dispersal sales on their behalf, both of which will take place on; Saturday 28th September 2024
The first at 10:30am (Please Note Time) BURN HOUSE, COANWOOD, HALTWHISTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND.
On behalf of P. H. McVittie Esq. (Retiring)
The sale will comprise of an extensive inventory of wellmaintained modern machinery typically associated with an upland livestock holding of this nature including two four-wheel drive tractors, telehandler & skidsteer loaders, mini-digger, ATV’s and a good field of machinery as well as livestock requisites, workshop items & miscellanea etc.
At the conclusion of the first sale but not before 2:30pm the second sale will commence at;
On behalf of Messrs J. Herdman & Son (Retiring). The second of these two important farm stock dispersal sales will see a modest field of one modern & one vintage tractor, ATV, grassland machinery, rural bygones, small tools & miscellanea etc. brought under the hammer.
FULL DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Please Note – No On-line Bidding. Refreshments Available. Additional Entries by Permission Contact Auctioneer Chris Armstrong on 07808 721957. Images of selected lots can be viewed at
and on our facebook page.
BUILTH WELLS NSA RAM SALE Monday 23rd September
McCartneys are pleased to offer for sale by auction
top quality Rams & Ram Lambs viz:- 426 Suffolk (RING 8), 34 Texel & Texel X (RING 9), 116 Beltex & Beltex X & Charollais X (RING 9), 16 Blueface X (Ring 9), 18 Hampshire Down, 6 Charmoise Hill, 6 Charmoise X (Ring 3), 7 Cambridge (RING 9), 4 Blue Texel & 6 Poll Dorset (Ring 3)
All Rings commence selling at 10.30am Catalogues / Enquiries Tel: 01905 769770 (Ref: JA)
Collective machinery sale on behalf of Mr A Baughan & others. Oak Farm, Upper Boddington, Nr Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 6DW. ENTRIES ARE INVITED IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
Tractors, telehandlers, diggers, trailers, vehicles, arable, grassland and livestock machinery.
Together with: Excavators, dump trucks, mini diggers, telehandler and loader attachments, bowsers, generators & agricultural requisites.
Plus: Livestock equipment, workshop equipment, agricultural equipment and rural bygones.
For an entry form or more information please contact Gilly on 07921 511852.
To be sold by auction on the premises on Saturday 21st September 2024 at 10.30am
A complete farm dispersal sale on behalf of Graham Towers & Rachael Heard
To be held at Hill House Farm, Sulby Road, Welford, Northamptonshire, NN6 6JQ.
Wednesday 18th September 11am 100-150 Rearing Calves 2.30pm 2500 Cast Ewes followed by 3000 Spring Lambs
Friday 20th September at 1pm
419 RAMS-TERMINAL SIRES
inc. 170 Texel, 151 Beltex/XBR, 75 Suffolk & 25 Misc.
Saturday 21st September at 10.30am
37 TEESWATER RAMS & 17 FEMALES
296 BLUE FACED LEICESTER RAMS & FEMALES
(246 Crossing Type & 19 Traditional)
Tuesday 24th September
Fortnightly Sale of 7000 STORE LAMBS
Wednesday 25th September at 10.30am
30 Newly Calved Dairy Cattle followed by DISPERSAL SALE OF THE HEATHWAITE HERD OF 110 PEDIGREE & CROSSBRED JERSEYS
Viz. 61 Jersey & 26 Crossbred Cows and Heifers & 25 Mainly Crossbred In-calf & Served Heifers
On behalf of JA Jenkinson & Son, Fordsyke Farm, Carlisle
To be held at Bentham Auction in conjunction with Kivells
Contact Mark Davis 07773 371 774 or Will 07590 876 849
Friday 27th/ Saturday 28th September
Two Day Show & Sale
Friday- Breeding Ewes & Gimmer Shearlings
Saturday- Gimmer Lambs
Entries for catalogue close Wednesday 18th September
Monday 30th September
2nd Special Sale of Store Bullocks & Heifers
Entries for catalogue close Friday 20th September
Tuesday 1st October
Annual Show & Sale of 5,000 Swaledale, Cheviot & Other Hill Ewes & Gimmer Shearlings
Entries for catalogue close Wednesday 18th September
RTS
Richard Turner & Son
BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART
***PLEASE NOTE***
THERE IS NO SALE OF PRIME & CAST SHEEP AT BARNARD CASTLE WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
BACK TO THE USUAL OF TIME OF 1.30PM WEDNESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER
BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART
THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF 4000 NEMSA MULE GIMMER LAMBS Sale at 11am
PATELEY BRIDGE AUCTION MART
TOMORROW SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER
Sale of 200 Cattle & 550 Store Lambs/ Feeding Ewes Sale at 11am
WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF 1400 NEMSA MULE GIMMER LAMBS (also 120 Masham Gimmer Lambs) Sale at 12 noon
ST JOHNS CHAPEL AUCTION MART
FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF 1900 NEMSA MULE GIMMER LAMBS Sale at 11am
SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER
PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF SWALEDALE EWES, GIMMER SHEARLINGS & GIMMER LAMBS Sale at 10.30am
BROUGHTON AUCTION MART
TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
Sale of Mule/Cont. Ewes/Shearling/Gimmer Lambs & Rams & Store Lambs Sale at 11am
(entries close Tuesday 17 September 10am)
MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
ANNUAL PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF HERDWICK & SWALEDALE RAMS Sale at 11am
PLEASE NOTE ENTRIES CLOSE 10AM FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
For catalogues for all the above sales visit our website
www.barnardcastleauctionmart.co.uk Tel Libby Bell Auctioneer on 07818435728
FGBuyandSell.com
Telephone: 01824 705000
FRIDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2024
4th ANNUAL SHOW & SALE OF BLACK WELSH MOUNTAIN SHEEP
On behalf of the Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Association
At The Vale of Clwyd Livestock Centre, Parc Glasdir, Ruthin, LL15 1PB Show @ 10am - Sale @ 12noon *** *** *** *** ***
SATURDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2024
SHOW & SALE OF 31 REGISTERED BLUE FACED LEICESTERS
Judging @ 10.30am and the Sale @ 12noon
Followed by approx 300 Multibreed Shearling Rams @ 12.30pm
At the Vale of Clwyd Livestock Centre, Parc Glasdir, Ruthin LL15 1PB *** *** *** *** ***
MONDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2024
Annual Show and Sale of 19 Maedi Visna Pedigree Lleyn Sheep (Held under the auspices of the Lleyn Sheep Society)
At the Royal Welsh Show Ground, Builth Wells - Ring 3 – Hall 1 (Held in conjunction with the NSA Ram Sale) Show: @ 8.30am - Sale: @ 10.30am *** *** *** *** ***
SATURDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 2024 @ 11am
CLWYD WELSH PONY & COB ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL AUTUMN FOAL SHOW & SALE OF REGISTERED WELSH PONIES, COBS & PART BREDS
Subject to Welsh Pony & Cob Society conditions
At the Vale of Clwyd Livestock Centre, Ruthin, LL15 1PB
Payment Day of Sale by Cash - Credit / Debit Card –Or Cheque (by arrangement)
Catalogues available via the website www.ruthinfarmers.co.uk
Or from the Auctioneers: 01824 705000
Penrith Auction Mart 01768 864700
Tuesday 17th September
Show 8.30am; Sale 10am
Annual Prize Show and Sale of 746 Suffolk, Texel, Beltex, Charollais & Continental Breeding Rams Comprising of 142 Suffolk Shearlings; 519 Texel, Beltex, Charollais & Continental Shearlings; 85 Ram Lambs
Wednesday 18th September
8am Cast Ewes & Rams followed at 10.30am with Prime Lambs (Ballot 10.30am)
Monday 23rd September
Michaelmas Prize Show & Sale of Store Cattle of all classes
Entries close noon Monday 16th September
Monday 23rd September
Lake District Show and Sale of Store Lambs
Entries close noon Monday 16th September
Tuesday 24th September
Prize Show & Sale of 10,000 North of England Mule Gimmer Lambs
Show open to all vendors NEMSA rosette for the highest placed NEMSA member including the Prize Show and Sale of Cheviot Mule Gimmer Lambs
Friday 27th September
Dairy Sale of Black and White & Dairy Shorthorns of all classes
Entries close 12noon Friday 20th September
Sunday 6th October
Show & Sale of Crossing Bluefaced Leicester Rams and Females
Entries close noon Monday 23rd September www.penrithauction.com
Maughan
HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP
01969 667207 www.hawesmart.co.uk
Friday 13th September 10am
Sale of 3000 Store Lambs
Please note earlier start
Mon & Tues 16th & 17th September 9am
Annual Two-Day Show & Sale of 22,500 Mule Gimmer Lambs on behalf of NEMSA
Judging 8am, Sale 9am. Sponsored by Eden Farm Supplies, Farmers Guardian, Carrs Billington, Phillip Holden (Rural) Ltd, Shearwell Data & Ash Tree Insurance.
New Sales Fixture -
Thursday 26th September 5pm
Show & Sale of Terminal Sire Breeding Rams & Leicester Rams Section for MV Accredited Rams. Show at 3:30pm, Sale at 5pm
3.30pm ON FARM PRODUCTION SALE of forage females on behalf of the Hartley Family, Old Hall Farm, Roughlee BB9 6NL alongside selection of Rams Catalogue on the INNOVIS website
Thursday 19 September
10.30am PRIME BEEF followed by CULL CATTLE
10.30am REARING CALVES
11.00am SEMEX UK with WE JAMESON FEEDS SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY entries to Eleanor by FRI 4pm
Saturday 21st September
9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS
10.00am BREEDING, FEEDING & STORE CATTLE with the dispersal of the ‘ELM’ pedigree herd of Longhorn Cattle on behalf of PJ Greenhalgh, Haslingden more details and pictures of this noteworthy herd on the Longhorn Cattle Society website and facebook
Thursday 26th September
10.30am PRIME BEEF inc MONTH END BEEF SHOW followed by CULL CATTLE
10.30am REARING CALVES
11.00am WEEKLY DAIRY entries to Eleanor
12.30pm STIRKS entries to the office by Tues 24 12noon
SEASONAL SHOW AND SALES
Sat 28 Sept – 2nd MULE & CONT GIMMER LAMBS
Sat 5 Oct – 1st SUCKLED CALF SHOW & SALE
Sat 12 Oct- OCTOBER BREEDING FAIR OF SHEEP
Sat 2 Nov – 2nd SUCKLED CALF SHOW & SALE 24-25 YOUNG HANDLERS OVERWINTERING BUYING WINDOW IS OPEN!
...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart
SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER
**Please Note Change of Sale Times**
Special Sale of STORE & BREEDING SHEEP
Inc. Shearlings, Ewes, Gimmer lambs & Rams
To Commence at 11.30am
60 TexX Store Lambs, I Swallow
30 Mule Ewes, MA Youdan
20 Mule Shearlings, Abbey Garth
24 Suffx Shlgs, 3 Beltex Shlg tups, S G Harrison & Son
11 TexX Shg, N & D Ingham
30 Mule Ewes 5 crop, R Nicholls
40 Texx Lambs, J Smith
30 Tex Gimmer Lamb, D Makin
1 Beltex Shearling Tup, S Calvert
Contact Office for Details
Together with sale of Store & Breeding Cattle at 10.30am
MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
5 Sim Bulls, 10/12mths, WJ Hollingworth
4 Limx Hfrs, 14-15mths, M & K Farrar
9 AAX & BBX, Strs / Hfrs, 21-24mths, CD & J Codd
RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535 www.selbymart.co.uk
15 Lim Hfrs, 13-23mths, J R Horn
5 CharX Hfr/Str, 20mth G Brown
Store & Breeding Pigs at 9am
WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
Dedicated Slaughter Market
350 Prime Cattle 520 Prime Sheep 175 Prime Pigs
Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am
MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535 www.selbymart.co.uk
SALE ON BEHALF OF JF & SJ HAYES PALE FENCE FARM, SHOTTLE, BELPER, DERBYSHIRE, DE56 2DP THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2024 - 10.30am to Inc - Massey Ferguson 3095 Tractor, Massey Ferguson 3635 4WD Tractor, Massey Ferguson 3075, Massey Ferguson 135, Massey Ferguson 35 Zetor 8011 4WD, Massey Ferguson 1540 Bobman Bedding Machine, Self Loading 2020 Year 2 x 2017 Portequip Bale Trailers, 2019 Teagle Tomahawk 8855 Bale Shredder, Trioliet Siloking 20 Cube Fedder Wagon 2009 2023 Krone Easy Cut F230cv Front Mower, 2018 Krone R320cv Rear Mower, 2021 Krone 6 Rotor Tedder, 2019 Krone Swardo TC880 Twin Rotor Rake
MONDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER
On Instructions from P F Charter & Partner At Chapmans Farm, Bourn, Cambridgeshire CB23 2SZ
On Thursday 26th September 2024 at 10.30am Viewing from 10am until 4pm on
Including: Combine Harvester: John Deere T660i Premium with 730x 30ft header (23); Tractors: John Deere 8360RT AutoPowr (12), John Deere 6215R AutoPowr (18), John Deere 6145R CommandPro (22), John Deere 6125R AutoQuad (15); Materials Handler and Attachments: Kramer KT407 EcoSpeed (22), Cherry Products grain bucket, Strimech grain bucket (08), Cherry Products grain pusher; Vehicle: Mitsubishi L200 pickup (10); Trailers: Marshall QM14 grain (14), Easterby ET12 grain (00); Implements: John Deere M740i 30m trailed sprayer (20), Cousins Contour 10m Cambridge rolls, Kverneland TS 6m tine drill (20), Simba Great Plains 6.6m Double Press (12), Kuhn HR6002DR power harrow, Kongskilde Vibro Till 2800 6m springtine, Sumo Multipress 4.6m, Sumo Trio 3, Kverneland LO 7f on-land/in furrow rev plough, Bomford Turner Kestrel 5.0 Evo hedgecutter (18), McConnel Twose Tornado Elite offset 2.2m flail; Miscellaneous: John Deere 900kg, 1150kg, 1550kg front weights, Enduramaxx 10,000l water tank, Qty various implement spares, Qty workshop equipment, tools etc.
NEXT TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER AT 9.00AM. MONTHLY MACHINERY SALE
Entries to date CAT 301.7D 19K hrs. JCB 801-4, 18 Trailers – 5 Flat, 2 Horse. 3 Cattle, 6 Tractor, 30’ Bale, & 1 Dump. McConnel & Mini Back Actors, Tippa Collector, 3 Toppers, 1.4M Flail Mower, 2 Cattle Crushes, Maschio 3M Power Harrow, MaAG Dispenser, 600Ltr. Crop Sprayer, Alvan Mixer. Bomford B53X Hedge Cutter, KuhnG77501 Hay Tedder, Conor Manure Spreader, Spikers, etc. Over 20 Vehicles to include Vans, Cars, etc. Yellow 4 Boat Fair Ground Swing, Monday 23rd. September - Garden Centre and House Furnishings Dispersal Sale DETAILS ON LINE at www.easyliveauction.com
98th PLOUGHING & HEDGE LAYING MATCH By kind permission of The Venables & Lea
OFF-LINE INTRODUCTIONS ‘Friends1st’ – the personal, offline and very successful introduction agency exclusively for people with a Christian faith - has members that are hoping and looking to meet farmers. Call us today on 0121 405 0941 to find out how other rural, remote and land tied farmers have met their soulmate. Or visit www.friends1st.co.uk/ christian-farmers-dating to find out how you can find success too in this part of your life.
Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday 31st August 2024.
loved wife of Joe, mum to Caroline, Jeanette and Kathleen, and Granny May to Ellie, Annabel and Bea. Funeral at Brindle St James Church, Nr Chorley on Wednesday 2nd October. Family
Tree Farm, Lower Withington Macclesfield, SK11 9DT Wednesday 25th September 2024
Agriconnect is the largest multi-platform agricultural information business in the UK. Our brands reach deeply into all the major agricultural sectorsarable, dairy, livestock, agricultural machinery, finance, and equipment.
We offer an excellent package including:
• 25 days holiday increasing to 27 after two years
• Hybrid Working (minimum 2 days in the office each week)
• Flexible working hours available
• An extra day off on your birthday
• Matched pension contribution up to 6%
• Employee assistance programme
• Long service awards and employee of the month
• Employee discount scheme
• Employee referral scheme
• Exceptional career progression. We are ever-evolving, if you work hard and do well - with our help and support there are no limits to your speed of progress
For more details on any of our vacanies, or to apply, please scan the QR code or call on 01772 799500.
Our Brands
Brand new website Visit jobs.farmersguardian.com for the latest job vacancies in agriculture
SALES CONSULTANT
Job Description
Sales Consultant required for a market-leading supplier of software to the UK rural business community. Founded in 1987, the Company delivers software products and services across the UK to a growing, loyal client base of farms, estates, land agents and property companies.
We are currently looking for an additional member to join our sales team to provide sales to existing and new clients covering Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire and surrounding areas. The candidate, ideally, will emanate from a sales background with a good knowledge of the farming sector.
Essential Skills:
- Educated to a degree level or qualified by experience
- Good farming knowledge/background
- IT literate with an interest in IT/software
- The ability to work on own initiative based from home within the designated region
The role encompasses building relationships with both existing and new customers as well as making yourself invaluable within a small team. This is a growing company with an excellent reputation for staff retention and offering excellent prospects.
If you also have a good knowledge of accounting then we are always on the lookout for talented people to expand our sales, training and support teams. Please get in touch and send your C.V to Apryl.jones@landmarksystems.co.uk
FARMSTOCK AUCTIONEERS, BROKERS & VALUERS
MARKET OPERATIONS MANAGER
Harrison & Hetherington is the UK’s leading livestock marketing company operating across the North England and South Scotland. Based at Carlisle this is an opportunity to work in the country’ s busiest auction mart, regularly handling more than 10,000 head of livestock weekly.
We are looking to speak to candidates who:
- can organise people and operations
- have a commitment to excellent customer service.
- have knowledge and experience of handling livestock.
The job includes working closely with our Health & Safety Manager to ensure the safety of employees, customers and livestock and making sure all customers feel welcome and valued.
As well as the usual benefits such as competitive salary (candidate dependent up to £50k), company pension, personal development and salary sacrifice schemes we also offer an income protection policy and private healthcare benefits.
For more details please go to https://hhgroupplc.co.uk/careers/ Closing date for applications 30th September 2024.
RE & S Baldwin Ltd based in Wigan are recruiting for a farm secretary to manage and oversee Muddy Boots farm software, Cross Compliance, Farm Accounts, SFI, Country side Stewardship and grants.
For more information please call 01942 723479 or visit JobsInAgriculture.com
We take a farmercentric approach to media. Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions
• GRANT FUNDED
• ESTIMATED PAYBACK OFTEN WITHIN 12 MONTHS
• 60% – 70% REDUCTION TO WATER HEATER RUNNING TIMES
• IMPROVEMENT TO THE COOLING UNITS PERFORMANCE
• HOT WATER AVAILABLE ALL DAY
• DOMESTIC OR OFFICE HEATING
• ALMOST ZERO MAINTENANCE
ALMOST ZERO MAINTENANCE
• HUGE REDUCTION IN YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT POWERED BY YOUR MOO POWER
HUGE REDUCTION IN YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT POWERED BY YOUR MOO POWER
For further details please call S.W Refrigeration specialising in “On Farm cooling Equipment” 01392 210344 or Paul on 07974 140949
further details please call S.W Refrigeration specialising in “On Farm cooling Equipment” 01392 210344 or Paul on 07974 140949
Milk Tanks
Second hand tanks currently available:
Mueller 8000ltr, 9000 & 12,000 ltr
Fabdec 4000ltr & 6000ltr
Packo RMIB 3800ltr & RMIB 6000 ltr
New Heat Recovery units in stock 01772 780806 www.ddcooling.co.uk
Portable Milking Machine
Complete
Livestock Supplies LTD
Ashley:
Equipment
Sheep
BRAND NEW & UNUSED Fibreglass
CALF -O-TEL
Calf Hutches. Complete with fencing. A large selection of all animal and calf feeding equipment and all other associated products also available. Massive saving on list price Livestock Supplies Ltd. Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328 www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
Sheep
Pedigree Charollais Sheep
25 breeding ewes, 17 shearlings born 2023 and 8 born 2022 by very good sires. Fully registered, Heptavac and wormed, MV accredited. Ideal for January lambing.
Tel: 07368 867068 or 01270 812208
Shropshire / Cheshire border (P)
AIRIES TEXELS
SAVERNAKE SUFFOLKS
40 Outdoor reared, grass fed, pedigree and commercial Suffolk shearling rams for sale Vigorous modern type, with some New Zealand genetics, selected for low birth weight, high growth and muscling, and balanced terminal and maternal characteristics. MV accredited. Shearling ewes also available.
Miles Wise, North Yorkshire T: 07890 135183 | E: info@suffolkrams.co.uk
TOP QUALITY
BELTEX x TEXEL, BELTEX x CHAROLLAIS & CHARMOISE x BELTEX shearling rams. Carefully bred for over 20 years, over 40 available, grass produced, no corn. The rams need to be seen. Heptavac P. No silly price.
Excellent conformation, tight skins, ready for work. Heptavac P. Naturally Reared, no corn
Contact Mr Brocklehurst on 07764 196462 or 01260 223338
DAIRY CATTLE FOR SALE
A weekly selection of freshly calved & in-calf dairy cattle sourced from the UK. All guaranteed and delivered anywhere in the UK Finance can be arranged.
HAS FOR SALE A SELECTION OF DOWN CALVING HEIFERS DUE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER TO BRITISH FRIESIAN BULL WELL GROWN, VERY GOOD CONFIRMATION, EXCELLENT PEDIGREES, BVD FREE CALL JOHN - 07768 645124
BIDLEA HERD
Holstein Freisian Bulls For Sale Black & White and some Red & White Plenty to choose from - first come first served! Tel: Ray Brown 01477 532220 or 07885 652718 Cheshire (T)
Alderville Polled
Glenericht, Wesley, Whitecliffe and Woodpark. SAC Premium Cattle Health Scheme. BVD vaccinated and johne’s level 1 accredited To be held at Carmarthen Livestock Market SA33 5DR on Monday 7th October Approx 12 noon. For more information
SEAFIELD PEDIGREE
BULLS
Ready to work, delivered direct to your farm, very quiet, easy calving. Females available.
Health monitored, grass fed, full pedigree with each animal, Red tractor. Semen Available.
• Fertility Tested
• SAC Premium Health Scheme
• From Top Bloodlines •Closed herd Telephone: 077157 64351 Call
FRESH REARING CALVES
Available in suitable batches delivered to most parts of the country Continental Bull and Heifer calves 3-5 weeks old available
FORGELAND PEDIGREE ANGUS
Elms Pedigree Longhorn Sale
at Gisburn Auction Mart, Saturday 21st September 2024.
Comprising of; 13 cows with calves at foot born 2024. 3 stock bulls; 8 year old Pedigree Wellhead QLlinan, 3 and a half year old Kirkland Victor, 2 and a half year old Burton Meadow Walter. 7 cows due December to January. 2 Heifers due September. 5 cows run with bull from May to day of sale. 3 Heifers run with bull from May to date of sale. 8 Heifers 9 months- 2 years old. Health status TB4. Further details contact David 07971 719728 Haslingden (P)
Pedigree Simmental Bulls
13 - 24 months old, Excellent confirmation, Very Quiet, Halter Trained Choice of light & dark coloredNever had a case of TB. High Health Status
Telephone
07974 419288 (Derby 3 Miles of A50)
AA ABBERTON ANGUS bulls & heifers,TB1, biobest elite health 15 years accreditation IBR, BVD, Lepto Johnes - Tel: 01386 462534 or 07592 798555 abbertonaberdeenangus.co.uk
POGHALL ANGUS BULLS FOR SALE
16 months old Ready to work
TB4 - SAC premium health schemeHigh Health Status Very high scan index, from top bloodlines. Easy Calving and very quiet
TELEPHONE STEPHEN ON 07860 615624 WEST YORKSHIRE
Functional, fertile, forage fed young bulls from our 120 cow herd reared at 1000ft suitable for pedigree, dairy and suckler heifers. Performance recorded, Fertility tested. Johnes, BVD, IBR accredited Nationwide delivery 07966 360210 Peak District, Derbyshire
Dogs & Pets
Sire - Lyn Howells tremendous young Taff dog, with brains and power to spare. Dam - is by Tanhill Alex 3rd at The International Sheepdog trial 2017. Both parent’s DNA CEA clear. Also, a litter of unregistered pups, a previous litter same way bred are all excellent workers. Telephone: 07831 140720 (P)
Parents are registered working Dogs. Top bloodlines. Two Dogs, Two Bitches, ready now.
Tel: 07890 650996
Mid Wales (P)
COLLIE PUPPIES
Good working parents. Ready to go. Tel: 01691 648750 Mid
Pilsbury Aberdeen Angus
Skim Milk Replacer Elevage Boost
Skim Milk Powder
Crude proteins: 22.5%
Crude fat: 25%
Crude fibre: 0.00%
Whey Milk Replacer
Whey Milk Powder Crude proteins: 26%
fat: 16%
0.05% Whey Milk Powder
(50%
If it’s not our name on the bag, It’s NOT our salt!
Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein /14 ME) £195 ex store
Cereal Mixture (Approx. 14% Protein /13 ME) £205 ex store
Cereal Blend (Approx. 16% Protein /13 ME) £225 ex store
Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein /13 ME) £245 ex store
NEW STORE IN CUMBRIA
One Tonne Bag Collections
Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein/13 ME) £275 ex store
Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein/14 ME) £225 ex store
** SPECIAL OFFER **
Regular Lorry loads of Fresh Stockfeed Green Beans available. Great for fattening or the herd. Terrific food for Cattle / Pigs / Sheep etc. You send the bulker lorry, we weigh it over our weighbridge and load you with stockfeed. Our address is PE321EX (just outside King’s Lynn. Norfolk). You must pre-book with us so we know what we have sold at any moment in time. We sell stockfeed all year every year. Call Carol on 01553 630689 or Sue on 01553 630768 or email admin@innisfreeinvestments.co.uk
HAY, STRAW & SHAVINGS BOUGHT AND SOLD trading for 130 years 01285 653738 abbottwessex@btinternet.com
LIQUID FEEDS to encourage forage intake. Molasses and molasses blends plus additional minerals if required. J E Morten: 01663 734621 High Peak, Derbyshire (T)
Made to order Choice of colours and thickness Nationwide Delivery Very Competitive Prices Full Range Of Accessories For Friendly Advice and a Quotation Call Tel: 01246 858222
KINGSPAN composite freezer / chiller panels. 16m x 150mm insulated. Kingspan new price £64pms our price £16pms. Tel 07836 687220 Derbys (P)
HARDCORE AVAILABLE FREE. Can be collected from our yard. Must have U1 Exemption. Ring Martlands01704 893161
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Mobilehomes,holidaychalets,loghomes. Allbuilttoyourrequirements,deliveredand erectedanywhere,weofferbuildsinround, 360mm to up log random and cavity square, thick.Housessuppliedtomeetbuilding controlregulations.
A well-equipped and productive livestock farm including a three bedroom farmhouse, a range of modern and traditional farm buildings along with approximately 110.69 acres (44.79 ha.) of meadow and pastureland together will rights for Burnmoor (Yorkshire) and Lythe Fell.
For sale by Auction as a whole or in up to 6 lots. (Subject to Conditions and unless sold previously) at Bentham Golf Club, Bentham LA2 7AG on Tuesday 15th October 2024 at 7.30 pm Guide Price for the whole £1,340,000
Contact: Paul D Dennis paul@abarnett.co.uk 01539 751993
A former RAF Airfield, producing rents in excess of £220,000 per year, with development potential.
Comprising a modern pig unit (let on a 25-year FBT), anaerobic digester, productive farmland, commercial tenants (including operations on the former runways) and six residential properties.
The Freehold of the whole is offered, subject to existing tenancies | Council Tax Band: Cherry Gables = A | EPC: Cherry Gables = D. About 242 Acres | Excess
Land, Commercial and Equestrian property available as a whole or in 8 Lots
Land, Commercial and Equestrian property available as a whole or in 8 Lots
Land, Commercial and Equestrian property available as a whole or in 8 Lots
Range
class B8 - approx. 17,400 sq.ft), approx. 77.27 acres of paddocks and manège with a grass livery enterprise and a 250kW solar PV array. Available in up to 8 lots. It is within easy reach of Wombourne and there is excellent outriding over nearby Highgate Common. The property is currently let on a number of different agreements providing a useful income.
Range of buildings (approx. 17,400 sq.ft), approx. 77.27 acres of paddocks and manège with a grass livery enterprise and a 250kW solar PV array. The property is currently let on a number of different agreements providing a useful income.
Range of buildings (approx. 17,400 sq.ft), approx. 77.27 acres of paddocks and manège with a grass livery enterprise and a 250kW solar PV array. The property is currently let on a number of different agreements providing a useful income.
Swindon, Nr. Dudley, DY3
Swindon, Nr. Dudley, DY3
Swindon, Nr. Dudley, DY3 4PP
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Sites of 1- 1000 acres required for residential development.
If you think that your land has potential for development, or you have been approached by a developer, then you will need expert advice that is not available at traditional sources. Michael Rutherford is a specialist agent acting and negotiating for landowners. Contact me for a confidential and expert consultation at no cost. All areas of the UK covered.
NEW FARMALL 55A two wheel drive, folding roll bar, Mechanical Shuttle. FROM £22,000 + VAT
CASEIH PUMA 240 CVX 50kph. Front linkage, GPS ready, 2021, 3144 hours, 710/60 x 42 tyres.
NEW FARMALL 55C
2 wheel drive, full cab, PowerShuttle FROM £29,250 + VAT
T65 CLASSIC
1.5m Direct drive head hydraulic roller Pilot controls Year 2020
NEW ISUZU DMAX DL20 Double cab pick-up truck, manual or Auto gearbox, from £31,499 + VAT
Edited by Toby Whatley
– 07583 054 831 – toby.whatley@agriconnect.com For more machinery content, go to farmersguardian.com/machinery-news-hub
Following the launch of the larger, golden- liveried CR11 at Agritechnica in November 2023, New Holland has expanded its high-capacity combine offering with the introduction of the smaller CR10.
Set to be sold alongside the
CABIN
THE cabin has been revised for the CR10 and CR11, incorporating two Intelliview 12-inch touchscreen terminals. The primary monitor on the right-hand console is used to track the combine’s key controls, with the secondary monitor on the A-pillar configured for mapping and guidance. Other cab changes include new-style brake pedals and foot pegs, a luxury steering wheel and premium cloth or leather seats, alongside multizone climate control with floor level air ducts.
New Holland says the CR10 shares less than 10% of components with former machines.
New Holland CR10: First drive
existing CR10.90 for the immediate future, the CR10 shares significant styling, mechanical and electrical technology with the larger CR11. New Holland says fewer than 10% of the machine’s components are shared between the CR10 and the current CR10.90 model.
Farmers Guardian gets in the seat of New Holland’s latest CR10 combine and takes a closer look at some of the machine’s more technical advancements. James Huyton reports.
Specification
PRICE as tested was £832,000 plus header, including following options:
The revised cabin offers a spacious and familiar operating environment.
Combines Machinery
HEADER AND TANK
THE test machine was equipped with a 13.7-metre MacDon flexible header. The MacDon headers have been specifically developed with CNH for the CR10 and CR11 using
ground following wheels and a flexible cutter bar to provide terrain following. Three header driveline options will be offered, including a CVT drive unit on the engine gearbox that
allows the header speed to be varied depending on crop and field conditions.
A 16,000-litre grain tank is supported with a 159-litre/second
pivoting spout unloading auger, which can be supplied in different lengths to accommodate the 10.6-15m header range offered across the two models.
A design link-up with MacDon allows the optional fitment of headers ranging from 10.6 to 15 metres across the two models.
THRESHING
THRESHING is carried out by a pair of 600mm diameter rotors in a design shared with the larger CR11. To increase machine throughput, New Holland has made significant changes to the size and design of the CR10 intake and threshing system, starting with larger feeder housing which can also be specified with a cabin-controlled, hydraulically operated stone trap.
The crop is transferred from the intake by the Dynamic Feed Roll system, with the crop flow being split and fed into the threshing system and its
separating rotors. The larger diameter rotors increase the threshing area with an increased length compared to the smaller models. Each rotor features a formation of 40 standard rasp bars, eight HX rasp bars and 12 spiked rasp bars.
Crop flow
The HX rasp bars take the height of spiked rasp bars and merge with the profile of the standard units, providing a greater sidewall angle which helps accelerate crop flow.
Cabin-controlled vane angle adjustments along with higher
The feeder housing can be specified with a cabin-controlled, hydraulically operated stone trap.
Threshing is provided by a pair of 600mm rotors in a design shared with the larger CR11.
vanes in the separation area allow for greater crop movement, improved separation and enhanced power efficiency, says New Holland.
The concave area comprises two sets of three lightweight threshing concaves and separation grates, and two sets of six lightweight grates.
TwinClean
New Holland has introduced the TwinClean cleaning shoe on the CR10 and CR11, claiming this improves throughput while minimising grain loss. Using a two-sieve system, each incorporates its own upper and lower sieve and clean grain auger. Based around a large grain pan,
the fall step has been increased to the first upper sieve, with airflow provided by a high-power cleaning shoe fan. The CR10 uses two sets of pressure sensors –one on the grain pan and one on the upper sieves – to continuously monitor the cleaning shoe load while checking distribution between left and right.
This layout provides a claimed 8.76sq.m cleaning area and consists of two sieve systems operating in sequence.
A side-shake mechanism provides lateral movement to the grain pan and sieves, which is claimed to even out material over the cleaning shoe and compensate for uneven feeding and side slopes of up to 28%.
Continues over the page.
Machinery Combines
DRIVELINES
DRIVELINES for UK machines will all include the manufacturer’s SmartTrax half-track drive with a two-speed hydrostatic transmission and semi-automatic differential lock.
Machines will be offered with three track belt width options of 660mm, 810mm and 910mm, with
ENGINE
POWER is supplied by a 635hp, 12.9-litre FPT Cursor engine, which has been installed in-line with the chassis and mounted at an inclined angle to match the position of the twin-rotor threshing system.
Driveline layout
New Holland says that this driveline layout significantly reduces mechanical losses as driveshafts now run parallel to the
rubber or hydraulic cushioning.
Overall machine widths are 3.49 metres, 3.79m and 3.99m respectively. Wheeled variants will not be offered to UK customers.
The CR10 and CR11 feature a twospeed hydrostatic transmission and TerraLock semi-automatic differential
rotors and directly from the gearbox mounted to the back of the engine. The machine’s twin-fan cooling pack has been repositioned between the engine and grain tank, occupying the full machine width.
The layout change allows the unit to draw air from the front of the machine and exhaust through the engine bay, which New Holland says prevents any dust or chaff building up.
lock, which is engaged manually and disengaged automatically depending on steering angle and forward speed.
Transmission
All drives are taken via a transmission connected directly to the rear of the engine, minimising
power loss. The engine oil filter is sited on the engine’s right for easy accessibility, while the air filter is located conveniently at the left side of the combine frame and can be removed from the ground without climbing to the engine deck.
THE CR10 provided a smooth and comfortable feel in operation, with the contour following ability of the MacDon header ensuring ease of operation. Operators of existing New Holland products would undoubtedly feel at home with the familiarity of the latest combine derivative.
The size and scale of the machine did not get in the way of its all-round visibility, with the CR10 also equipped with an optional 360-degree overview camera system.
In operation, the machine’s enormous capacity was quite astonishing, and yet, due to its
ability to cover the ground it was not a necessity to continually push it to its limit.
The Intelliview touchscreen terminals gave clear operator indications of harvester output and losses. The latest generation of the threshing system had phenomenal grain-cleaning capabilities when adjusted correctly.
For those who still value straw as a commodity, the rotary unit with adjustable swath width handled and placed the straw well, especially when considering the overall design of the machine and the reputation rotary machines have historically had for users looking to maintain straw quality.
Swath widths can be adjusted to suit requirements and chopper units can be specified with hydraulic engagement (see inset).
FG verdict
Power is supplied by a 635hp 12.9-litre FPT Cursor engine.
As the arable industry continues to evolve, I am excited to invite you to join us for the new era of CropTec, powered by Farmers Guardian.
Join us for CropTec 2024
Mark your calendars for November 2728, 2024, at NAEC, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, and prepare to enhance your farming practices.
This year, the event is introducing three keynote theatres focusing on Innovation, Knowledge and Profit, aimed at providing you with practical advice to future-proof your farm.
They will delve into key industry topics from crop protection to sustainable farming practices, soil health and financial planning.
At CropTec, get the opportunity to
network with farmers from across the UK who will share their experiences in adopting different farming systems.
These insights will offer invaluable lessons and best practices which can benefit us all in our own operations.
Discover the most recent advancements in machinery and sprayer technology, presented by more than 150 exhibitors.
Visiting CropTec presents an exclusive opportunity to engage with industry leaders. They will bring their extensive knowledge and experience in arable farming to the conferences and workshops, ensuring you leave with actionable insights to improve
The event will feature exciting sessions, such as ‘What does the future of arable farming look like?’, where the session will explore innovative ideas such as gene-editing for food and crops, the role of artificial intelligence and robotics in arable farming, and advancements in automated weather systems and controlled environment agriculture. Don’t miss the ‘Around the world’ session, where pioneers from key farming regions will share their best practices and experiences.
I look forward to seeing many familiar faces as well as new ones at the show.
This year, the event is introducing three keynote theatres focusing on Innovation, Knowledge and Profit
your farm and prepare for the future.
JAMES HUYTON
Machinery reporter, Farmers Guardian
Clearing fields efficiently with minimal compaction is the speciality of the bale chaser and a Yorkshire contracting operation has just invested in the latest Transtacker, 11 years after buying its first. Jane Carley reports.
BHE Agricultural Contractors has upgraded its bale collection service with the new Transtacker 4100, which can collect 16, 1.2 x 0.9m straw bales for efficient removal to the stack.
New bale chaser stacks up
Straw is an important part of the business for BHE Agricultural Contractors, based at Ampleforth, near York.
When making and supplying 10,000 square bales each year for local livestock farmers, quality and consistency of supply is key and this relies on good relationships with
the arable farms from which the straw is purchased in the swath.
Simon Dunn, who founded the business in 1980, says: “We have always been involved in baling.
“And when the Transtacker became available it allowed us to develop the service so that all bales are cleared from the field, brought to our yard and
stacked for loading on concrete. We have two customers that use us exclusively for their baling because of the bale chaser.”
He adds that in a year such as 2024 where baling has to take place in soft ground conditions, the reduction in compaction from using a bale chaser compared to loaders and trailers is significant.
“It is also a one-man, one-tractor job to clear the field and stack the bales,” he says.
“We started by hiring a Heath Superchaser, then had a Transtacker on hire for a year before purchasing our first machine in 2013.”
Most of the 25 or so customers are within three to four miles of the yard, which Mr Dunn adds is important for productivity.
The Transtacker has one particular advantage over competitive machines, however, he adds.
“If poor weather is coming in, we can stack the bales in the field so that they are protected from the elements and we then return and re-pick the stack with the Transtacker.”
If poor weather is coming, we can stack the bales in the field so they are protected from the elements and we then return and re-pick
SIMON DUNN
Baling and chasing fits in well with the rest of the workload as the bulk of the wheat does not come off North Yorkshire farms until the end of August.
In addition to the 800 hectares of straw purchased, another 400ha
Simon (left) and Will Dunn.
comes from contract farming, while the Dunn family also has 300-head of cattle and 450 ewes and a general contracting operation which includes making 15,000-20,000 bales of silage a year.
Automatic
First launched when forage specialists Big Bale Co South purchased bale chaser designs from Walton Engineering, the latest Transtacker 4100 model is now designed to automatically collect and load bales according to a pre-programmed pattern in the bed of the trailer.
Simon’s son Will says: “We had got to the point where we were starting to get niggles with the older machine – particularly metal fatigue.
“Looking at the new version, we could see it has been beefed-up a lot – the original Transtacker was designed for 400kg bales, now it has the capacity for 1,000kg bales.”
Using the latest version of the control box, the operator enters the bale size and layout, including whether it
is required to rotate a pair of bales through 90 degrees to give a ‘tie’ to secure the stack.
Approaching the bales, the operator presses ‘start’ and the collecting sequence begins. A collecting paddle meets the bale and guides it to the pick-up arm which uses gripper tines to close around it and lifts it onto a rotating platform at the front of the chaser bed.
As a second bale is lifted, this trips a paddle switch and the turntable lifts vertically to place the pair of bales on the moving floor, the side gates opening slightly.
If a third bale is lifted while the turntable is working, the arm holds it in a ‘waiting’ position until the turntable returns to the horizontal.
The 4100 has a hydraulic height-adjustable drawbar, so can collect accurately on undulating fields.
Adapting to all of the major large bale sizes is achieved by hydraulically adjusting the height of the pickup and reinserting the mechanical height stops. Depending on the size
of the bale, side clamps are used to guide the bales along.
Simon says: “This is also useful on sloping ground to prevent them falling forward, especially for fourstring bales.
“We are mainly making 1.2m by 0.9m six-string bales which weigh in at 500kg and put 16 of these on a load, but we also have an 0.8m by 0.7m baler and it will take 30 of that size.”
Once the full load function is activated, the clamps grip the bales and the turntable stays in place to secure the load as it travels to the stack.
A part load can also be picked using forks at the rear of the bed to contain the load, eliminating the need for a telehandler to clear away stray bales and allowing smaller stacks to be created on land that is too steep for a full eight-bale high stack.
“This could also allow us to collect hay bales and put them in a five- or six-high stack,” adds Simon.
At the stack, the trailer can begin to be tipped while still in motion and, once it is in position, a joystick is used
to open the turntable, side clamps and rear pads to release the bales, before simply driving away.
When road mode is engaged, the guide bar and grab arm automatically retract. Built on a tandem axle with flotation tyres, ground pressure is minimised even when full.
Easier
Operator Mark Smith says: “Once auto mode is engaged, I do not have to touch the control box until the load is full. It has made the job considerably easier; you do not feel like you have done a hard day’s work as was the case with the older machine.”
Will Dunn says that the new Transtacker is much easier to maintain, as it now has a modem which allows telematics to be used for troubleshooting.
“On the previous machine, occasionally a fuse would bounce out or a sensor would get knocked going over deep tramlines in wet years and lose functionality. Sometimes you would
The bale is gathered with a collecting paddle which guides it to the pick-up arm. This uses gripper tines to close around it and lifts it onto a rotating platform at the front of the chaser bed.
Pairs of bales are transferred to the moving floor which travels along the base of the trailer to make the stack.
Side gates help to support the bales on sloping ground, especially when collecting four-string bales.
The completed load, ready to transport back to the yard where it can be loaded on concrete.
Machinery
We have one straw supplier who will not use anyone else because of the black-grass risk and the fact that we do not make a mark on the land SIMON DUNN
have to crawl under the machine to try and find out what the problem was –now it can simply be diagnosed.”
Modern communications also helped with the purchase and installation of the machine – with Big Bale Co South based in Hampshire, it was demoed via video call and any glitches sorted by phone or WhatsApp.
“Once we have had it for a season, we will be able to iron out any issues with sensors, etc., ourselves, but Big Bale Co is always available on the phone in the meantime and have been out to commission the machine,” Will says.
Heavier
Despite its heavier construction, the business’ existing John Deere 6215 handles it well.
“We would like to use our JD 6155, but you need weight and that extra power to pull up hills,” says Simon.
Productive machinery helps with the tight timescales throughout the
Tipping the bed to unload the stack – a joystick is used to open the turntable, side clamps and rear pads to release the bales before simply driving away.
operation; after many years with Massey Ferguson balers – an MF2240 remains in the fleet for the four-band bales – a New Holland 1290 HD has become highly regarded during the three years it has been in the business for its smooth operation and consistent results.
“We aim to make a 500kg bale in straw which is very achievable with this baler,” he says.
He thinks that the Transtacker can collect 600 bales a day if travelling back to the yard, or up to 1,200 if stacking in the field.
“The season used to be a lot easier to plan as crops would ripen in sequence as you went up country; now everything is ready at the same time.”
He adds that while there is competition locally, repeat business is not based on price, but on relationships.
“We have one straw supplier who will not use anyone else because of the black-grass risk and the fact that we do not make a mark on the land when we are chasing” Simon says.
“We have to be sensitive to the market, with straw prices at £70-£80/ tonne this year compared to £35-£40/ t two years ago, but also have to look after our livestock farmers.”
A move into Agtech by Will has also helped to open doors.
“I was looking at contract management systems while at university and, during Covid-19, worked with a local app developer to build Ag-drive, which allows contractors to schedule
and record work and to invoice directly from the app,” he says.
“We launched it in June 2020 and now have customers as far afield as New Zealand, Australia and North America.”
Simon adds that being able to invoice promptly helps with a busy workload and also improves cashflow.
“We were using a double entry book-keeping system, but now it is all cloud-based so I can access it anywhere and once I have approved a job and invoice, my secretary can send it straight out to the customer.
“It also allows any queries to be dealt with promptly, and customers can even send work requests direct to the app for my approval so it helps with their workload too,” Simon says.
Stacks can be unloaded in the field if bad weather looms, and then simply re-picked for transport to the store.
Drawbar height can be adjusted hydraulically to pick bales on undulating ground.
Edited by Katie Jones – 07786
SRUC GreenShed project embraces circular farming
● System expected to cost £300,000-£400,000
By Lynsey Clark
THE initial results of a trial that could change the future of beef farming and help reduce its carbon footprint have been unveiled at the SRUC’s beef and sheep research centre at Easter Howgate Farm in Penicuik, with the launch of the GreenShed project.
Addressing the need for the livestock sector to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions without compromising productivity, the UK Governmentfunded project focuses on a circular farming approach.
The team, led by SRUC’s Dr CarolAnne Duthie, has designed a system which they propose could be retrofitted to existing straw-bedded beef finishing sheds.
It works by fitting motorised curtains that enable the shed to be completely enclosed, with a large air conditioning unit controlling the air in the shed. An anaerobic digestion plant then uses the waste cattle bedding to produce energy to run a methane capturing system.
Products from the digester can be used on the fields and, in the case of Easter Howgate, it plans to use nutrients to grow crops in a nearby polytunnel, which also uses recycled water from the shed.
The team estimates the system has the potential to remove the equivalent of 237 tonnes of carbon dioxide per farm, per year. As for its commercial viability, they expect the system would
We do not want to breed solely for reducing methane emissions – we have to take everything into account NICOLA LAMBE
cost between
£300,000-£400,000 to fit in its entirety, and that this could be paid off within six years.
Speaking at an official opening of the GreenShed facility, Dr Duthie said this figure was based on a model of a shed containing at least 100 beef finishing cattle on straw, with no grant.
“That is reliant on a premium price of at least 20p per kg for the low-carbon beef and is taking into account the reduction of fertiliser costs that would be seen, plus carbon credits and productivity of crops from the polytunnel.
“This trial is just one example of the possibilities of this system, which would work with any ruminants on straw.”
The circular method collects methane from cattle when they are at their highest methane production point and the team hopes that the trial will lead to a carbon solution that will be accessible to all beef farmers in the future.
More imminently, the work on SRUC’s GreenCow project continues to make advances, which may soon lead to information on individual cattle emissions being available. This would allow producers to identify low emitting cattle and breed specifically for that trait.
A recent investment from UKRI Biotechnical and Biological Sciences Research Council will allow upgrades to the respiration chamber facility, used in the GreenCow work, as it was first constructed in 2010.
The six chambers work like air conditioning units, with both the climate and air controlled to allow monitoring of all emissions from the animals, which can be kept in the units for up to 72 hours at a time.
Data
Cattle are monitored based on various factors, including breeding and feeding, and from that data they can identify which animals emit less methane.
The same technology is used in the GreenSheep concept, but a trailer with portable chambers allows for many more sheep to be monitored across various locations. The sheep are housed in the chambers for far shorter periods of time than the cattle (50 minutes). During that time, air samples are collected, and methane concentration can be analysed.
However, SRUC’s Nicola Lambe, who heads up the GreenSheep project, advised that as with the cattle data, findings should be used along-
side other already established breeding tools.
She said: “We do not want to breed solely for reducing methane emissions – we have to take everything into account. Through the Breed for Change research project, our aim is to use the data we are collecting to breed productive, efficient, maternal sheep with a naturally low carbon footprint.”
At a panel discussion following the tour of the facilities, all panelists agreed that collecting reliable data on livestock emissions and possible solutions was key to securing a sustainable future for agriculture, ensuring the industry receives the Government backing it needs and combating common public misconceptions surrounding livestock farming in the UK.
Steven Thomson, professor in agricultural economics and policy, said: “For beef producers, there are many factors, alongside technical efficiencies, that can make significant changes to carbon emissions, such as age of slaughter and calving intervals. Everything should be looked at, and a partner approach between the producer and finisher, with data sharing, would allow producers to make breeding decisions based on how the cattle kill out.”
The GreenShed project was unveiled at SRUC’s Easter Howgate Farm.
Rotational grazing has been a ‘game-changer’ for store lamb production on a Stirlingshire farm, while bale grazing has simplified winter ewe management. Wendy Short reports.
Maximum production for minimum effort
Colina Humphrey manages a 1,000-ewe flock at Grainston Farm, Dunblane, Stirlingshire. Their breeding is based on the Texel and Highlander and Aberfield composites. The ewes go to Texel, Aberfield and Lleyn tups to produce the type of white-faced store lamb that is popular at the two local auction marts.
After mid-April lambing, the first batch of lambs will have reached the 32kg target by July, and this year, some 60% had left the farm by early August after being presented at three separate sales.
Rotational grazing started in earnest in 2016, replacing a set stocking policy. It has brought many benefits, cutting out the need to buy in concentrate feed for all classes of stock and increasing farm profitability. It
Farm facts
■ The farm covers 216 hectares (534 acres) and comprises a 93ha (230-acre) rotational grazing platform; 37ha (91 acres) permanent pasture; 60ha (148 acres) rush pasture; and 26ha (64acres) rough ground
■ Baled silage analysis – 11ME MJ/ kg DM and 12-16% protein
has also meant that the farm has been able to support an additional 300 ewes, compared with the original 700strong flock.
Mrs Humphrey, who is a partner in the business, says: “The first venture into rotational grazing involved dividing the fields into two or three sections using polywire and electric fencing, as well as installing some water troughs.
Investment
“After the initial success, more significant investment was made in fencing divisions and there are now more than 80 paddocks, each measuring about 1.5 hectares. This is very different from the previous grazing pattern, which used 18 fields averaging 5ha in size.
Together with bale grazing over the winter, rotational grazing has also allowed a move from indoor lambing to
■ Target grass cover March 1 –1,750kg DM/ha (709kg DM/acre)
■ Target grass cover October 1 –3,000kg DM/ha (1,214kg DM/acre)
■ The land runs from 40-120 metres (131-393 feet) above sea level
■ The area has an average annual rainfall of 1,270mm
a fully outdoor regime 12 months of the year.”
Key to the system is resting the grazing ground for about 120 days, which has extended the season, says Mrs Humphrey. Regular measuring has shown that the best fields will yield more than 7,000kg of dry matter (DM)/ha (2,834kg DM/acre) annually. The long rest periods have also lifted the quantity and quality of winter grazing, which had a metabolisable energy of 11.5 MJ/kg DM and a protein percentage of 15-16 when tested.
“The new approach has addressed many of the former challenges,” says Mrs Humphrey.
“These included slow spring growth, huge summer surpluses of grass which had a tendency to go to seed in the summer, and a grazing deficit in October and November; a time when grass is needed to give a nutritional boost around tupping.”
Grazing management in the runup to the mating season is organised with precision. From 15 days pretupping, the ewes are shifted daily between paddocks, with the areas shut up until the following March. The tups are turned out with the ewes for just 21 days.
Grass silage bale grazing is operated from January until March. Produced from multiple cuts of high-quality grass, some 600 bales are laid out on their end in multiple locations in a grid format ahead of winter. Each grid is sufficient to feed a 400-ewe mob for three weeks before moving to the next area.
One bale per 40 ewes is unwrapped and a ring feeder is rolled over, with the rest of the grid protected by electric fencing. This means the 400-ewe mob will have access to 10 open bales, which will last them for four or five days.
“The practice helps to avoid damage to the soil and grassland in wet winter conditions because there is no need for a tractor. It can be managed with a four-wheeled, off-road vehicle,” says Mrs Humphrey.
“It is a simple matter of moving the electric fences and giving the ewes access to the new bales.”
The grassland is based on ryegrass and white clover.
“Herbal leys have been trialled, but they did not seem to suit the ground and the conditions proved too wet for the plaintain and chicory,” she says.
“However, a small quantity of red clover is added when re-sowing leys,
Colina Humphrey manages a 1,000-ewe flock at Grainston Farm, Dunblane, Stirlingshire.
along with Timothy, which is good for providing an early bite.”
The lamb production policy changed in 2019 from finishing some of the lambs, to selling the entire batch as forward stores. Weaning dates will depend on grass growth and quality and the lambs are sold straight off their dams, with an average weaning age of 100 days.
“It is critical to remove the lambs as soon as possible, to reduce grazing pressure,” she says.
High demand
“This has been especially critical over the past four years, when there has been high demand coinciding with some summer droughts and much of our silage has been made in late August.
“There is a greater potential margin on this farm from selling the lambs as stores, compared with trying to get them to finishing weights.
Lamb growth slows in the autumn months and it reduced the available grazing for the ewes at a time of peak requirement.”
Triplet and twin-bearing ewes will go back onto grass for a pre-lambing rotation as early in March as conditions allow, with no supplementary
I have successfully fulfilled my ambition to be able to manage the sheep in the winter with limited labour hours
COLINA HUMPHREY
feed given pre-lambing. The females are set-stocked in the five days before the expected birth date, to give them a chance to settle and ‘choose their spot’.
This year’s lambing percentage was 178, which Mrs Humphrey says is too high for outdoor lambing at the farm’s location.
She says: “I would prefer to achieve a figure of about 175, but I am not sure how to bring it down without
Regular measuring has shown that the best fields will yield more than 7,000kg of dry matter (DM)/ha (2,834kg DM/acre) annually.
The 400-ewe mob have access to 10 open bales, which will last them for four or five days.
compromising performance. It seems to be easier to lift lamb numbers per ewe than it is to lower it.
“Ideally, I would particularly like to reduce the number of ewes carrying triplets, as they create a lot of work. Genetics will have a role to play, but it is important to keep the focus on easy lambing and breeding the type of lamb
that suits the farm and meets market requirements.”
A 2016 review of ewe performance highlighted the possibility of an underlying health issue, which in turn prompted the blood testing of the entire mature flock. It revealed that about 40% of the breeding animals had confirmed positive for maedi visna
(MV),
which has now been brought under full control.
“The sheep looked reasonably fit, but the performance figures indicated that they were not reaching their potential. The scanning percentage was disappointing, the ewes lacked milk and struggled to maintain condition, with a low average number of lamb crops. It had a knock-on effect on the lambs, with high losses and a general lack of vigour.
Biosecurity
“Fortunately, this unit is made up of two neighbouring farms, so it was a fairly simple matter of splitting off the infected sheep. They were put on a staged culling programme, with strict biosecurity measures adopted when moving between the two flocks.
“Infected ewes were culled and replaced with mixed age, MV-accredited ewes from a flock dispersal. Since then, average ewe weight has gone up from 60kg to 69kg, al-
Ideally, I would particularly like to reduce the number of ewes carrying triplets, as they create a lot of work
COLINA HUMPHREY
though genetics may also have played a role in the size increase.
“To prevent the risk of further infection, all tups, as well as the teasers and ewes that have not regained condition, are screened annually for MV and also Johne’s disease.
“While the grazing and silage bale system has greatly improved flock productivity, the sheep have to be closely monitored for the iceberg diseases. They must be in good health, in order to turn kg of grass DM into kg of meat.”
She has found a system that suits the farm and her working life.
“I have successfully fulfilled my ambition to be able to manage the sheep in the winter with limited labour hours and with virtually no machinery. Lamb quality gets better every year and the rotational grazing has been a game-changer.
“My system could well be applied on some farms which are currently set-stocking their sheep and it could also be helpful for attracting and retaining staff, as well as for encouraging new entrants. It offers maximum production for minimum effort,” adds Mrs Humphrey.
Silage bales laid out ready for winter grazing.
Some of the stock and teaser tups that will be put out mid- to late November with the ewes.
Local show results round-up
Ashbourne Show
Beef
Inter-breed (all breed judges) Supreme, T. and J. Gratton, Merida (commercial); reserve, M. Hallam, Starlite Hannah (Lincoln Red).
Belted Galloway (C. Fletcher) D, Powell, Shelsleys Kwagga; res., J. and V. Clowes, Monochrome Killer Queen. Red Poll (R. Bowler) Sup., I. Leese, Chorlton Lane Issy; res., I. Leese, Chorlton Lane Lavender.
Any other pure continental (R. Lawrence) A. Sweetmore, Mere Titch (British Blue); res., Dickinson and Powdrill, Gellan Savannah (British Blue).
Any other pure native (R. Bowler) Sup., M. Hallam, Starlite Hannah (Lincoln Red); res., S. Jones, Sandflow 1 Starburst (Hereford). Longhorn (G. Towers) Sup., T. Mills, Wheatlands Wendy; res., T. Mills, Wheatlands Ursula. Limousin (R. Lawrence) Sup., J.N. and W. Nicholls, Hitchettshill Uptown Girl; res., J.N. and W. Nicholls, Hitchettshill Tinkerbell.
Commercial (S. Priestley) Sup., T. and J. Gratton, Merida (Limousin cross); res., A. Dickinson and L. Powdrill.
Dairy
Inter-breed (T. Hull and T. Saxby) Sup., T.W. Kent and Co, Fobec Jackpot Reba Red (Holstein); res., Coldeaton Jerseys, Coldeaton Stag Alison (Jersey).
Ayrshire (T. Saxby) Sup., R.T. and J.I. Adams, Bigginvale Browngirl 26; res., R.T. and J.I. Adams, Bigginvale Shirley 11.
Dairy Shorthorn (T. Hull) Sup., J. and S. Kirkham, Weavergirl Sharon Rose 27; J. and S. Kirkham, Weavergirl Sharon Rose 26. Holstein (T. Hull) Sup., T.W. Kent and Co, Fobec Jackpot Reba Red.
Jersey (T. Saxby) Sup., Coldeaton Jerseys, Coldeaton Stag Alison; res., Coldeaton Jerseys, Coldeaton Tequila Alison.
Sheep
Inter-breed (all breed judges) Sup., T. Stanley (Border Leicester); res., H. Lyons (Suffolk).
Charollais (C. Long) Sup. and res., S. and J. Talbot. Blue Texel (J. Bailey) Sup., J. Yardley; res., A. Porter. Any other pure native (D. Inman) res., M. Carter (Kerry Hill); res., K. Hardisty (North Country Cheviot – Park type).
Any other pure continental (J. Bailey) Sup., K. Clamp
(Badger Face Texel); res., K. Clamp (Beltex). Jacob (J. Fozzard) Sup., J. Cartwright; res., J. Nightingale.
Southdown (J. Long); Sup., K. Gibson; res., M. Cork. Zwartbles (V. Davies) Sup., K. Hopkins ; res., E. Burton. Suffolk (D. Inman) Sup. and res., H. Lyons.
Rare breeds (C. Muddiman) Sup., T. Stanley (Border Leicester); res., A. Boothby, (Lanwenog). Texel (B. Robinson) Sup., J. Newton; res., A. Barnes. Commercial (J. Fozzard) Sup. and res., J. and S. Kirkham.
Dutch Spotted (G. Stanford) Sup., J. Simpson; res., Webster and Hall Manor Spotties.
Garstang Show
Sheep
Inter-breed (Judge, C. Airey, Ulverston) Supreme,
K. Bachelor (Suffolk); reserve, B. Hargreaves (Swaledale). Suffolk (C. Airey) Sup. and res., K. Bachelor. Texel (K. Aiken, Wennington) Sup., F.A. Nairey; res., G. Brown. Blue Texel (J. Gargett, Carlisle) Sup. and res., J. Bailey.
Zwartbles (F. Brown, Co Durham) Sup., A. Bateman; res., G. Baker. Mixed continental (K. Foster, Leyburn) Sup., Brown and Mason (Charollais); res., J. and L. Critchley.
Traditional upland breeds (Mrs Arrowsmith, York) Sup. and sup., traditional breeds, O. Leigh (Herdwick); res., J. Eggleston (Border Leicester). Traditional breeds lowland (Mrs Arrowsmith) Sup., S. Miles; res., J. Bailey. Lonk (T. Robinson, Slaidburn) Sup., F. and J. Shorrock; res., B. Hey. Swaledale (W. Cowperthwaite, Settle) Sup., B. Hargreaves; res., J. Atkinson.
Bluefaced Leicester (D. Lawson, Carnforth) Sup., B. Hargreaves; res., C. Hewitt. Mule (D. Lawson) Sup. and res., C. Hewitt. Jacob (S. Dodsworth, Cumbria) Sup. and res., H. Walsh.
Primitive and Shetland (N. Baptiste, North Yorkshire) Sup., Tinkerblack Livestock; res., R. Weston and D. Pearson.
Hebridean (N. Baptiste) Sup. L. Tyson; res., C. Tyson.
Butchers’ lambs (K. and S. Kelsall, Preston) Sup., M. Whitaker; res., H. and F. Swarbrick.
Beef
Inter-breed (all breed judges) Supreme, T. Atkinson, Goldstar Saoirse (Charolais); reserve, E. Jackson, Eveter 1 Alan Jackson (Hereford). Hereford (K. Stevenson, Derbyshire) Sup., E. Jackson, Eveter 1 Alan Jackson; res., Taylor and Marsh, Taymar 1 Stella.
British Blue (H. Ashton, Wigan) Sup., D. Saunders, Maidenlands Summer; res., Taylor and Marsh, Sunnybank Spice Girl.
Longhorn (S. Gray, Herefordshire) Sup., J.M. Grant and P. McDonnell, Longbridge Velvet; res., J.M. Grant and P. McDonnell, Litton X-ception.
Limousin (G. Billington, Lancashire) Sup., T. Atkinson, Arradfoot Uriah; res. T. Atkinson, Arradfoot Underdog.
Aberdeen-Angus (O. Tunney, Cheshire) Sup., D. and J. Webster, Wood Moss Queen Mother; res., T. Atkinson, Oakmoor Princess Caroline X582. Any other breed (W. Rogerson, Cumbria) T. Atkinson, Goldstar Saoirse (Charolais); res., T. Atkinson, Hallfield Plato (British Blonde). Commercial (T. Greenow, Preston) Sup., D.M. and R.E. Capstick, Black Beauty; res., R. Whitfield, Queen Bee.
Dairy
Inter-breed (A. Dennison, Cumbria) Sup., J. and N. Hull, Fortland Buddleia 382 (Holstein); res., C. Heuchan, Clanel Joel Louise (Jersey). Holstein (A. Dennison) Sup., J. and N. Hull, Fortland Buddleia 382; res., J. Tomlinson, Bilsrow Argo Christina. Jersey (A. Dennison) Sup., C. Heuchan, Clanel Joel Louise.
RABDF announces appointment of new chief executive
THE Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has announced the appointment of Hayley Campbell-Gibbons as its new chief executive.
Ms Campbell-Gibbons has more
than 20 years of experience in agricultural policy, advocacy and leadership, and her background includes serving as NFU chief dairy adviser, and most recently as head of sustainability for Kite Consulting.
She has also held several non-executive director positions, including for AHDB, and is a current board member of the Food Standards Agency.
Ms Campbell-Gibbons says: “I look forward to helping reshape RABDF
and to driving positive changes that will ultimately contribute to a vibrant future for British dairy farming.”
Ms Campbell-Gibbons will officially assume her new role on November 11, 2024.
Ashbourne Show inter-breed beef and commercial champion, Merida, from T. and J. Gratton, Matlock.
Sheep farmer Owen Pritchard is focused on maximising kilos of lamb from an exceptionally low-input, organic North Wales unit. Farmers Guardian reports.
Genetics help to maximise organic farm’s production
By changing genetics within the flock, Owen Pritchard has gone from selling light Welsh Mountain lambs grading O, to finishing 95% of lambs off grass to 16.5-17kg target weight and hitting the R3L specification.
Mr Pritchard, the fourth generation of his family to farm Glanmor Isaf, near Bangor, says: “We have implemented a criss-cross strategy for over 10 years over our 250-ewe Welsh Mountain nucleus flock with performance-recorded hill-type rams and improved type rams, and they have all been bought from the Prohill group.
“The performance-recorded hilltype has maintained hardiness and a smaller ewe size. Our ewes are maturing at an ideal 45kg; any bigger and they would struggle to thrive on the mountain.
“To complement, the improved type rams have been selected to increase growth rate and muscle depth.
“Overall, we have achieved a very specific type of ewe which makes for a
great mother, she is easy to lamb and has strong maternal instincts as well as producing a fast-growing, heavy lamb.”
Joining the Welsh Hill Ram Scheme in 2019 has further contributed to success.
Mr Pritchard says: “We now have data to hand based on the flock’s genetic merit, while the scheme’s tissue sampling unit technology enables me to easily record a larger number of sheep in their natural environment.
“In turn, it has allowed us to make better judgement calls and match specific rams with specific ewes depending on their indexes. For example, I would put a ewe with a lower growth and muscle depth index to a ram recording above average for those traits,” he adds.
Nucleus flock
For six months of the year the nucleus flock is grazed up to 610 metres (2,000ft) on the Carneddau mountains and overwintered on upland fringe land where it is supplemented with grass silage, while any ewes scanning with twins are moved to lower ground and are supplemented with concentrate in the last four weeks.
“We are buying just five tonnes a year along with a couple of pallets of blocks,” says Mr Pritchard.
“We lamb them outdoors in April and they are back on the mountain as soon as possible, usually four to five weeks after lambing.”
Flock fertility is important, however, Mr Pritchard is not aiming to increase scanning percentage within the nucleus.
“It sits at 115% to 120%, which is sufficient – I prefer one very good single than twins from a younger, lighter ewe. My priority is focusing on other traits that make up the overall index including growth rate and muscle depth.”
Mr Pritchard’s policy has been to retain 150 ewe lambs annually, selected for maternal qualities. They have to be structurally sound and healthy; and the extra information from the Welsh Hill Ram Scheme now means he is able to retain only those ewe lambs above the Welsh Breeding Index’s threshold while also being able to remove any below that level and sell them as culls.
However, his strict selection criteria also include structure, feet and wool to ensure the flock can con-
tinue to thrive off a forage-based diet.
He says: “By rejecting any ewe lambs with an index lower than our average, we have seen a huge increase in our figures year on year,” he says. Ewes six tooth or older are drafted from the nucleus flock and join Glanmor Isaf’s 390-ewe commercial Welsh Mountain flock which is grazed on lower land and bred to a terminal sire.
Ram selection
“Continuing to carefully select new performance-recorded rams using estimated breeding values to improve both muscle depth and growth rate has made a huge improvement to the commercial lambs’ carcase weight and conformation,” says Mr Pritchard.
“We are now crossing to the Aberblack and achieving an exceptional crop of lambs – they are flying and improving year on year, currently finishing at an average 18kg target weight and all away within six months off grass and grading mainly Us and Rs. We use feedback on individual lamb carcase grades to help our decision-making in choice of genetics.
“Going forward, continuing to improve the flock’s performance with high index merit rams will be a new challenge, especially since there are very few breeders producing performance-recorded hill rams,” he says.
“However, continued interest in the Welsh Hill Ram Scheme and Prohill should guarantee a source.”
Welsh Mountain performance-recorded hill-type and improved type rams with cross-bred ewes.
Owen Pritchard (right) with his father, David (left), and youngest son, Wil (centre).
● Prompt treatment of lungworm is advised
FARMERS hearing any cattle, youngstock or adults coughing should take immediate action to prevent potential livestock deaths from lungworm, says vet Rob Howe and suitably qualified person Mark Pass, who are both members of the Control of Worms Sustainably group.
“Contact your vet if cattle are coughing – do not wait,” says Mr Howe.
“I am an advocate of diagnostic treatments, but lungworm can be very serious and difficult to predict.
“Getting a diagnosis and ruling out possible other causes should still be a priority, but treating early if the vet has a high degree of suspicion of lungworm can be prudent.
“Some cases may need extra help with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, which is another reason to have veterinary input.”
Mr Pass says prompt treatment of lungworm will prevent the problem from getting worse if airways become blocked with worms.
He says: “I would also advise contacting the vet and carrying out a Baermann test on faecal samples from affected animals, as this will confirm if it is lungworm and not another respiratory disease like IBR. A confirmed lungworm diagnosis can also help when devising a lung-
Act immediately on hearing cattle cough
worm control plan before next year’s grazing season.”
Cases of lungworm are now being reported across the UK. Mildly affected animals will cough intermittently, particularly after exercise; moderately affected animals will have frequent bouts of coughing at rest; and severely affected animals will have rapid and laboured breathing with a deep, harsh cough.
If no clean grazing is available, treating with a long-acting macrocyclic lactone is useful for preventing re-infection in beef and dairy youngstock. White and yellow drenches should also work well, but do not have persistent activity.
Mr Pass advises farmers to speak
with their vet about the best option, which may vary with the severity of the symptoms and historic treatments.
If the animals are milking cows, eprinomectin is the only product with a zero-milk withdrawal time.
Treatment
“Most animals will recover,” says Mr Pass.
“However, from my experience, a second treatment may be required if they are still coughing a month later. A change in anthelmintic class/group can also be beneficial.”
Treated cattle should be moved to clean pasture or housed in well-ventilated buildings, although grazing patterns have to allow for
annual exposure to confer lungworm immunity in adulthood.
Mr Howe says: “The gold standard for lungworm control on farms that have a known history of it is vaccination.
“While this can be more expensive than giving a wormer, using a preventative vaccine alongside a robust control plan can pay back in many ways, providing farmers and vets reassurance over what is arguably the most serious risk to grazing youngstock.
“Where there is no history of lungworm, regular monitoring and ensuring quarantine procedures are in place to prevent lungworm coming onto the farm are also important,” he adds.
New vaccine a game-changer for the UK pig industry
A VACCINE that could halt the development and spread of one of the most common diseases affecting the UK pig population is to be trialled through a new Government-funded research programme.
Streptococcus suis is a bacterial infection that can cause serious and often fatal disease in pigs, but can also be transferred to those working with them.
Some studies have shown it affects more than 60% of pig farms in a number of countries across Europe.
At present, there are no proven vaccines addressing the many strains
of the disease in the UK, with infected pigs being treated using a number of different antibiotics.
The new project, which brings together experts from The Vaccine Group, the University of Plymouth, and the University of Cambridge, will assess whether a vaccine candidate already shown to be effective against the most common strain of the disease can in fact protect pigs – and thereby prevent transmission to humans – against multiple, if not all, known strains.
The research is being supported by a grant of just over £1 million from
Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK.
Dr Jeremy Salt, chief executive at The Vaccine Group, says: “For pig farmers across the UK, streptococcus suis is a major cause for concern and can lead to significant losses – both in terms of animals and financially.
Goal
“Our goal in developing an effective vaccine is to stop the bacterial infection from developing in pigs and humans in the first place. By doing so, we can better protect the farmers, their animals and their liveli-
hoods. We can also make pork production more efficient, humane and sustainable, at the same time helping the sector address the global challenges of antibiotic resistance and carbon emissions.”
The project will build on previous research by The Vaccine Group and the University of Plymouth, through which the potential candidate for the streptococcus suis vaccine was identified. The vaccine works by administering a harmless virus, which in turn generates greater quantities of proteins that induce an immune response in the animals.
PICTURE: JOHN EVESON
Cases of lungworm are now being reported across the UK.
Lungworm in cattle found at post-mortem.
Livestock GrassCheck
GRASS GROWTH ACROSS THE UK
Scotland
40.5kgdrymatterperhectareperday
The
43.6kgDM/ha/day (17.6kgDM/acre/day)
The South 41.7kgDM/ha/day
Grass growth Soil moisture (cb)
Soil temperature (degC) Rainfall (mm per week)
DAILY GROWTH FORECASTS
Region Seven-day forecast 14-day forecast
North England 42.7kg DM/ha (17.3kg DM/acre) 40.7kg DM/ha (16.5kg DM/acre)
South England 56.5kg DM/ha (22.9kg DM/acre) 40.1kg DM/ha (16.2kg DM/acre)
GrassCheckGB is a collaboration between The UK Agri-Tech Centre, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Rothamsted Research, AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru, Germinal, Handley Enterprises, Sciantec Analytical, Yara, Pilgrim’s UK and Quality Meat Scotland. Regular updates will appear in Farmers Guardian.
Trials diary
WALES
September 14. LLANWARNE, contact, tel: Anna Prothero, 07795 178 451, or anna_prothero@ hotmail.com.
September 18. PENUWCH, Ceredigion, contact, tel: Anna Prothero, 07795 178 451. September 20-22. FFOS Y FRAN HILL, Carmarthen, contact, tel: Anna Prothero, 07795 178 451, or anna_prothero@hotmail.com, all proceeds to Welsh Young Handler Academy, 30 runs per day. September 21. DOLWYDDELAN, LL25 0SZ, 9am start, contact, tel: 07500 517 350. PENMACHNO, Open trial, LL24 0RT, 8am start, contact, tel: 01690 760 225. YSBYTY IFAN, Open trial, LL24 0NY, 8am start, contact, tel: 07837 723 986. DUNBIA, contact, tel: Anna Prothero, 07795 178 451, or anna_prothero@hotmail.com.
ENGLAND
September 14. TREMEER, Davidstow, PL32 9YA, off the old aerodrome, classes for open, driving, novice, entries on the field, 9.30am start, contact, John Carter, tel: 07768 725 714. BOWES SHOW, Signposted off A66 Bowes, 9am start, enter on the field before 2pm, two or more dogs before 12pm, contact, Steven Ledger, tel: 07436 532 607. INGRAM SHOW, NE66 4LT, enter on field first 35 dogs, no two dogs run after 12.30pm, contact Colin Balmbro, tel: 07786 397 030. HODDER VALLEY SHOW, BB7 3AB, Newton in Bowland, 9am start, first 40 dogs to be booked in by 3pm, spectators welcome, contact, elainehill175@btinternet.com September 14-15. CHILTERN, Roughwood Park, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AA, for more details, contact Steve Stone, tel: 07504 901 411. SUSSEX, open trial, Deanland Farm, Golden Cross, East Sussex, BN27 3RJ, entry fee £6, 9.30am start, contact and entries to Karen Gearing, karen. gearing@googlemail.com, tel: 07879 867 385 or 01273 726 771.
SEPTEMBER 15. HOLMROOK, Nursery and novice, off A595 north of Holmrook, Cumbria, nearest postcode CA19 1YD, 9.30am start, enter on field by 1pm unless dogs are still running, tel: 07713 138 528. MID SHIRES, Brington Road, East Haddon, NN6 8DS, pre-entry and further details contact, Gill Burbidge, tel: 07950 738 732. TREWIGGETTS, Davidstow, 9YA, off the old aerodrome, classes for open driving novice, open, 9.30am start, entries on the field, contact, John Carter, tel: 07768 725 714. September 21. AVON VALLEY, LE17 6DH, what3words: foster.vanish.originals., 35 dogs per session, limit of four dogs per handler per session, the same dogs can run in each session, £8 per run, hot and cold catering available throughout the day, pre-entry, contact, Caileigh, tel: 07860 716 467, entries are only accepted on receipt of payment, if you choose to withdraw your runs, a refund will be issued if we can fill your space. HEVENINGHAM HALL, Suffolk, contact, Sam, tel: 07531 145 447 or
Kath, tel: 07786 605 419, AM open and novice trial, maximum of 30 dogs, 7am start, £7.50 for members, £10 non-members, entry accepted when payment has been made, top three runs from trial qualify for the double gather on Sunday afternoon, PM open and novice trial, 1pm start.
TREWINDLES, Trewindles Farm, Breock Down, Wadebridge, PL27 7LF, what3words, collides. discouraged.hosts., classes for open driving novice and open, 9.30am start, entries on field, contact, Trevor Hopper, tel: 01872 501 886. SLAGGYFORD, CA8 7PB, enter on field by 3pm, contact V. Reed, tel: 07973 832 780. MANANNAN, Bishopscourt Farm, Isle of Man, contact, Richard Crowe, tel: 07624 241 994.
September 21-22. AVON VALLEY, LE17 6DH, what3words: foster.vanish.originals., 35 dogs per session, limit of four dogs per handler per session, the same dogs can run in each session, £8 per run, hot and cold catering available throughout the day, pre-entry contact, Caileigh, tel: 07860 716 467, entries are only accepted on receipt of payment, if you choose to withdraw your runs, a refund will be issued if we can fill your space.
September 22. ROMNEY MARSH, AM and PM trials, Tonbridge, 9am start, open and novice. DEVON CORNWALL, Venue TBC, classes for Maltese cross, driving, 9.30am start, entries on field, not accepted after 12pm, contact secretary, Trevor Hopper, tel: 01872 501 886. HARBOTTLE, NE65 7AG, enter on field, 9am start, £5 a dog, contact, S. Wallace, tel: 01670 774 600.
September 25. MID SHIRES, Lower Shuckburgh, Nr. Daventry, Northampton, pre-entry and further details contact, Gill Burbidge, tel: 07950 738 732.
SCOTLAND
September 12-14. INTERNATIONAL TRIALS, Syde Farm, Carmichael, Biggar, Lanarkshire, ML12 6NQ.
September 21. ACHARACLE, Carnoch Farm, Strontian, PH33 7AF, 8am start, open and confined classes, £5 per dog, refreshments and toilets on field, contact, Ian Michie, tel: 07483 890 736, Ian. michie4@btinternet.com. STRATHNAVER, KW11 6UA, contact, Ian Sutherland, tel: 07826 487 510. EDINBURGH, Cancelled. DRYDEN, Ashkirk, Selkirk, TD7 4NT, off A7, take the B6400, first 40 dogs, catering and toilet on field, contact, Mark Arres, tel: 07804 559 303.
September 22. MONIAIVE, Crichen Farm, Moniaive, Thornhill, DG3 4EQ, 8am start, pre-entry, first 60 dogs, £6 per dog, entry Helen Welsh, Beoch Farm, Loch Doon, Dalmellington, KA6 7QE, tel: 01292 551 869 or 07790 657 415 on WhatsApp, email, lochurr.welsh@gmail.com. LINTRATHEN, Easter Coul Farm, Balintore, Lintrathen, Angus, DD8 5JR, 8am start, enter on the field, £7 per dog, no three-dog entry after midday, catering on the field, contact, Lorraine Watt, tel: 07715 598 074 or loraine.watt1@sky.com.
Working Dogs
Eirian Morgan, winner of the South Wales Open at Cwmdauddwr.
For winning results
Welsh results
PANDY (T. Thewissen) Open national (73 ran) 1, D. Bevan, Dylan, 22; 2, T. Mallon, Valanza Taya, 30; 3, B. Morgan, Tom, 31; 4, K. Broad, Kinloch Ciaran, 32; 5, D. Evans, Jet, 33; 6, R. Cure, Bet, 37. Combined national, 1, D. Bevan, Dylan, 22; 2, T. Mallon, Valanza Taya, 30; 3, B. Morgan, Tom, 31; 4, D. Evans, Jet, 33; 5, J. Bowen, Patch, 38; 6, A. Blackmore, Charlie, 39. South Wales open, 1, A. Jenkins, Chaz, 8; 2, D. Bevan, Floss, 17; 3, T. Mallon, Valanza Taya, 32; 4, D. Evans, Jet, 36; 5, D. Evans, Kemi Gin, 37; 6, J. Garland, Snip, 39. South Wales combined, 1, D. Bevan, Floss, 17; 2, T. Mallon, Valanza Taya, 32; 3, D. Evans, Jet, 36; 4, D. Evans, Kemi Gin, 37; 5, J. Garland, Snip, 39; 6, A. Sharpe, Coalfield Griffyn, 42. CWMDAUDDWR (S. Harden) Open national (44 ran) AM, 1, Y. Abrey, Leah, 11; 2, M. Jones, Nan, 15; 3, S. Pugh, Floss, 18; 4, I. Evans, Toss, 20 OLF; 5, G. Davies, Blaimore Lad, 20; 6, E.L. Morgan, Fly, 23. Novice national, 1, Y Abrey, Leah, 11; 2, G. Davies, Nell, 26 OLF; 3, I. Jones, Spot, 26; 4, W. Jones, Maid, 33; 5, J. Davies, Tess, 34; 6, B. Howson, Grace, 41. PM (M. Jones) Open national (38 ran) 1, I. Evans, Gwnnws Jet, 11; 2, I. Jones, Erwood Ray, 13; 3, E. Morgan, Lil, 15; 4, O. Lewis, Gwen, 16 OLF; 5, O. Lewis, Genog Ruby, 16; 6, J. Price, Cap, 16. Novice national, 1, O. Lewis, Genog Ruby, 16; 2, J. Price, Ben, 17; 3, L. Owen, Bonnie, 22 OLF; 4, I. Jones, Spot, 22; 5, D. Bevan, Dylan, 29; 6, W. Jones, Maid, 34. Young handler, Lewis Bevan. Highest pointed lady, Y. Abrey.
David Bevan, second in the South Wales Open and first in the Novice.
ST HARMON (A. Price) National style open (37 ran) AM, 1, M. Williams, Bob, 15; 2, E. Morgan, Lil, 16; 3, V. Davies, Pam, 17; 4, E. Morgan, Fly, 17; 5, M. Jones, Nan, 21 OLF; 6, S. Little, Bradley, 21. Novice, 1, M. Williams, Bob, 15; 2, S. Little, Bradley, 21 OLF; 3, J. Price, Ben, 21; 4, B. Lewis, Brondrefawr Fly, 33. PM (K. Haker) Open national (35 ran) 1, E. Morgan, Blackie, 13; 2, I. Evans, Tos, 15; 3, S. Little, Tig, 21; 4, M. Williams, Liz, 22 OLFD; 5, S. Little, Floss, 22 OLF; 6, V. Davies, Pam, 22 OLF. Novice national, 1, G. Davies, Nell, 22; 2, M. Williams, Bob, 26; 3, S. Evans, Roy, 34; 4, S. Little, Bradley, 35. CWMDAUDDWR (J. Evans) South Wales Open, 1, E. Morgan, Lil, 10 OLF; 2, D. Bevan, Dylan, 10; 2, K. Haker, Chloe, 11; 3, W. Jones, Moss, 13; 4, J. Jones, Brondrefawr Sally, 20; 5, A. Andersson, App, 23. South Wales Novice, 1, D. Bevan, Dylan, 10; 2, K. Haker, Chloe, 11; 3, W. Jones, Moss, 13; 4, A. Andersson, App, 23. Local, 1, W. Jones, Moss, 13; 2, J. Jones, Brondrefawr Sally, 20; 3, R. Jones, Flash, 33.
English results
SILVERDALE, 1, W. Van Dongan, Udale Heath, 90; 2, M. Longton, Rex, 88 OLF; 3, R. Hutchinson, Chrissy, 88; 4, P. Ellis, Tanhill Nan, 87; 5, T. Birkett, Ben, 86; 6, T. Huddleston, Lidl, 85. Novice, 1, P. Ellis, Tip, 72; 2, J. Holroyd, Heslop, 56; 3, E. Hill, Jess, 54. COME BYE AND AWAY CLUB NOVICE, Driving (16 ran) 1, S. Currie, Glen, 82; 2, R. Stock, Lil, 81; 3, B. Watts, Dev, 78; 4, S. Jameson, Jam, 73 OLF; 5, M. Jones, Mac, 73; 6, C. Bonar, Meg, 67. Maltese cross (5 ran) 1, O. Dowden, Jan, 77; 2, K. Ballard, Ebbe, 43. Beginners (7 ran) 1, T. Eden, Storm, 53; 2, C. Fouracres, Bess, 23.
THE BENNETT FAMILY
XThe Bennett family manage a diverse dairy farming operation across 242 hectares (598 acres), including their home farm and additional rented land.
With three dairy herds totalling 850 cows, the family employs a grass-based system, focusing on milk solids production, achieving a minimum of 50% milk from forage.
The family’s legacy is deeply rooted, with David and Catherine Bennett previously paving the way for their children – John, Caroline and Terri – to take on the strategic roles they have within the business today.
In April 2022, the Bennett family acquired a contract farming agreement, transitioning from a high-input, highoutput system to a more sustainable model with autumn and spring calving herds. This shift has allowed them to improve resource management and enhance profitability. The family has invested in innovative technologies,
including a new parlour equipped with auto ID, feed-to-yield systems and Lely slurry collectors, streamlining operations and boosting efficiency.
With a commitment to sustainability, the Bennetts are embracing Countryside Stewardship by increasing the use of herbal leys alongside clover for reduced nitrogen reliance.
The family faces challenges such as labour shortages and fluctuating milk prices, while focusing on costeffective production and maintaining high-quality milk standards.
Regular communication and strategic planning among family members ensure a unified approach to management. As they look to the future, the Bennetts aim to expand their operations while prioritising animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Their dedication to dairy farming reflects the family’s commitment to building a sustainable future.
FAMILY FARMING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
XTaking over Horncastle Farm in 2014, the Stevens family represents the fifth generation of farmers on the land, transitioning from an 81-hectare (200-acre) arable farm to a mixed operation incorporating cows and sheep.
Chad Stevens, the farm manager, oversees daily business activities, supported by his wife Lucy, who plays multiple roles as a livestock
handler, combine driver and event planner. Their two young sons – Herbie and Arnie – are also part of the family legacy, growing up immersed in farm life.
The Stevens family has embraced regenerative agriculture, introducing livestock to enhance soil health and reduce exposure to market volatility.
They have opened their farm to the public, allowing visitors
Sponsored by
THE FRY FAMILY HARRY’S CIDER COMPANY, SOMERSET
XEstablished in 2012, Harry’s Cider Company has evolved from a small cottage industry into a highly regarded Somerset cider brand. The Fry family manage their own orchards, where they press and ferment cider fruit, producing a range of award-winning craft ciders sold directly from the farm, at events and through nationwide distribution.
Alongside the cider business, they operate as Littlefield Farm Partnership, growing cider fruit, low-input cattle grazing and implementing a small Countryside Stewardship scheme to enhance habitats for pollinators.
The family dynamic (all directors) includes Harry Fry as managing director, overseeing logistics and branding, while his son Toby manages production, events and social media.
Alison Chapman plays a pivotal role in the business, handling accounts, cider duty, pricing, sales and promotional activities. Together, they are supported by a dedicated team of three, responsible for sales, customer management and production.
The cider business began as
to interact with animals through farm events.
They have created a hands-on experience which fosters community engagement.
This innovative approach has proven vital to the farm’s financial stability, generating income on par with traditional crop sales.
Facing ongoing challenges, such as rising costs and market
a diversification from traditional agriculture, allowing the family to add value to the existing orchard planted by Harry’s father in the 1970s, which had previously supplied another cidermaker.
Since launching, Harry’s Cider has grown significantly and, when asked, the family say ‘an accolade such as this provides us all with great encouragement’.
Their customer base includes pubs, restaurants and national retailers, with online sales and international exports to countries such as Finland and Japan.
The family is about to embark on building a new shop and visitor centre, which will further enhance operations and engage the community through tours and educational initiatives.
Facing challenges such as increased capacity and market volatility, the Fry family has adapted strategies to maximise sales and minimise risks.
They are committed to sustainability, sourcing local materials and implementing eco-friendly practices, ensuring a positive impact on both the environment and their cider business.
fluctuations, the Stevens family remains committed to sustainable farming practices.
They are actively pursuing funding for a cafe and event space to diversify income streams and offer local produce directly to consumers.
Their dedication to environmental stewardship is evident in their efforts to plant more than 10,000 hedge
D.H. & C. BENNETT AND SON, SOMERSET
THE STEVENS FAMILY J.W. WELLBURN & SON, WEST YORKSHIRE
THE HUGHES FAMILY CLAYDEN FARM PARTNERS, CHESHIRE
XDennis and Rachel Hughes, along with their children, Andrew Rutter and Emma Jones, run Clayden Farm, a dairy farm with a rich family history in Cheshire.
Since purchasing the farm from relatives in 2002, they have established a trust to ensure future generations can continue the farming legacy. Their focus is on maximising herd size and improving milk production while managing a heavy clay landscape optimally suited for dairy farming.
With a milking herd of 450 and additional dairy followers, the Hughes family prioritises cattle genetics and the quality of their stock, working closely with local farmers for contract rearing of replacements.
Dennis oversees daily operations, while Rachel manages bookkeeping and business correspondence, ensuring the smooth running of the farm.
Andrew’s expertise in dairy duties and machinery maintenance enhances
productivity, while Emma focuses on HR and marketing initiatives.
The family has faced challenges, including pressures from fluctuating milk prices and the ongoing need for compliance with increasing regulations.
However, they remain committed to improving business efficiency through collaboration and strategic planning. Sustainability is a key focus, with initiatives such as tree planting and the establishment of wildlife areas enhancing their environmental impact.
As the family navigates the complexities of modern dairy farming, they value teamwork and communication to overcome obstacles.
The business’ dedication to animal welfare, sustainable practices and community engagement positions Clayden Farm as a leading example of a successful family-run agricultural business, ensuring a bright future for both the farm and the family.
plants and engage in Countryside Stewardship schemes.
As they adapt and evolve in a fast-paced environment, the Stevens family prioritises resilience and community involvement. Their commitment to sustainable farming and innovative practices ensures that Horncastle Farm remains a thriving business while nurturing a love for agriculture with the next generation.
THE LADDS FAMILY R. & E. LADDS, CUMBRIA
X The Ladds family runs a mixed farm with 200 Holstein cows, averaging 36-38 litres of milk per day through twice-daily milking.
Their rearing programme includes bulling with sexed semen and retaining all store cattle until 20-24 months.
Alongside dairy, they manage 800 Texel cross and North of England Mule ewes, as well as 35 pedigree Texel ewes for breeding shearling tups.
Their farm contracting services cover forage harvesting, round baling, slurry work and GPS-controlled fertiliser spreading. They also operate a 45-site static caravan park established post-foot-andmouth disease, diversifying their income streams.
Additionally, they partner with Kendal College, hosting practical classes and providing valuable hands-on experience for students.
The family business is led by Andrew and Cath Ladds, with sons Chris and Richard and their wives Brooke and Beth, supported by three year-round part-time staff, expanding to 10 during peak seasons.
They focus on efficiency, using advanced technology, such as GPS and auto-steer systems on most tractors, and simplifying cow rations to maintain high yield without compromising quality.
As tenant farmers, the Ladds family emphasises the importance of maximising productivity on every acre and maintaining a strong relationship with their landlords. They have reduced fertiliser use by 25% through improved slurry management and are planting up unmanageable fields through the Woodland Creation grant.
Looking ahead, the Ladds family hope to expand their farm by an additional 150 hectares (371 acres), increasing their sheep and cattle numbers, and continue to play a key role in training skilled agricultural workers through their partnership with Kendal College.
To celebrate with the finalists at the British Farming Awards, go to britishfarmingawards. co.uk to buy your tickets
CATTLE prices fluctuated at auction marts across England and Wales this week.
Young bulls had decreased in price by 3.8p/kg to 271.3p/kg, while heifers were down by 2.2p/kg to 284.6p/kg.
However, dairy-sired cull cows had increased by 0.6p/kg to 151.2p/kg, and steers were up 0.4p/kg to 274.0p/kg.
Sheep prices reduced by 3.9p/kg to 286.0p/kg.
Porkers were up 9.5p/kg to 173.9p/kg, despite decreases for cutters and baconers.
As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (September 11), UK LIFFE wheat prices for November 2024 were trading at £183.20/tonne, an increase of £1.20/t on the week.
Source: LAA/MartEye
LIVESTOCK AVERAGES
Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg). Week ending September 10, 2024.
Source: LAA/MartEye
SCAN ME
Market Prices
DEADWEIGHT CATTLE
STORE SHEEP ENGLAND
DEADWEIGHT SHEEP
N/S
Deadweight sheep prices are collected from a sample of GB abattoirs.
To mark air ambulance week, Farmers Guardian looks at the invaluable role the Great North Air Ambulance Service plays within the farming community.
Great North Air Ambulance Service vital to rural life
Air ambulance charities across the UK are collectively dispatched to more than 125 life-saving missions each day, reaching someone in urgent need within 16 minutes on average. Providing an indispensable service across all corners of the country and all industries, their role within rural and farming communities is invaluable.
Lee Salmon, senior aircrew critical care paramedic and head of operations for Cumbria for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), which operates across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man, says rural incidents make up a significant proportion of GNAAS callouts.
Statistically, farmers are much more likely to suffer trauma due to long working hours, pressure from weather conditions, and the use of complex and dangerous machinery, says Lee. Therefore, knowing a person’s precise location is essential in these situations, and while applications such as what3words are useful, spelling words correctly can be challenging in moments of panic and they are often misheard.
He says: “Grid references remain the gold standard. They may not be as accurate, but with a correct grid reference, we can always find you.”
He says that many free mobile phone applications can provide this information.
While road traffic collisions are
Knowing
your exact location can make a critical difference
in an emergency
LEE SALMON
common, machinery accidents are also frequent and can be fatal, especially when handled by inexperienced individuals, says Lee, as are incidents where farmers are crushed by bales or cows.
“We see many incidents involving family members because farming often requires an all-hands-on-deck approach when it is time to gather hay or row up the grass,” he says.
“Usually, it is an older farmer who may not have the mobility they once did. When a heifer spins around and pins you against the byre wall, and you are not in shape to jump that fence, it is going to hurt.
“Farming is a demanding and often dangerous profession, but knowing your exact location and having basic first aid knowledge can make a critical difference in an emergency. Stay safe out there, and always be prepared.”
About Great North Air Ambulance Service
■ A charitably funded air ambulance, operating two helicopters 365 days a year, alongside a night-time service in the North East and Cumbria on rapid response vehicles
■ The aircrafts cover an area of more than 8,000 square miles, with specialist doctors and paramedics onboard who effectively bring the hospital to the patient
■ Last year, its critical care team was activated 2,216 times across the region and, on average, responded to six call-outs per day, including night-time response
■ The charity does not receive Government funding and therefore must raise £9.3 million per year through public donations to remain operational. This equates to £25,200 required every day
■ In 2022, it was given the highest possible rating of ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection
2,216
Number
Paramedic Lee Salmon (left) and Dr Theo Weston.
of times the Great North Air Ambulance critical care team was activated in 2023.
FARMER CASE STUDY ASHLEY HERBERT, CUMBRIA
THE appropriate response in an emergency depends on the situation, says Lee Salmon, of Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). In the case of severe bleeding, applying direct pressure to the wound can be life-saving, but for someone who has lost a hand in machinery, applying indirect pressure to the blood vessels above the wound is more beneficial.
Lee says the reintroduction of tourniquets has been crucial, and if in doubt, to apply one.
“If the patient can get up and run off, they likely did not need it. Conversely, if they do not even squirm, they absolutely did,” he says.
Ashley Herbert, 30, was injured on a farm in Cliburn, near Penrith, in July 2014, when his hand was caught in a machine after trying to fix an error.
Ashley says: “Fortunately, my now father-in-law saw me in the field and wrestled me to the ground, and my brother-in-law found a piece of string and used it to tourniquet my arm. I thought that was the end of me.”
The North West Ambulance Service arrived on scene before the critical care team from the GNAAS flew in and administered further treatment.
“The forage harvester has rotating blades and goes at 2,000rpm and minces everything up, so the remains
of my hand were pulp basically. The surgeon said I could not have done a better job of it,” says Ashley.
He left hospital a week later and returned to work on-farm three weeks after that. However, he had to get used to doing activities with one hand before getting his first prosthetic fitted.
“The prosthetics have got better and better and led me to be able to do most things again,” he says.
Prior to his accident, Ashley was a keen cyclist who rode the Coast to Coast in 2013 to raise money for GNAAS. Since having his prosthetic fitted and a bike adapted to his needs, he has taken up cycling again, and in
September 2021, he cycled from Land’s End to John o’Groats with his friend Craig Robinson, raising £20,610 for GNAAS.
He says: “GNAAS are absolutely awesome. To get to Newcastle, I think the best run I have done when driving there is in one hour and 40 minutes. It is a long time and I was bleeding out, so the speed of the helicopter was great.
“They knew exactly what to do and I appreciate everything they have done for me. If it was not for them, I would have been in a worse position. I wanted to give back to them so that is why I decided to do the ride.”
In Your Field
Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK
KATE
BEAVAN
Monmouthshire
Kate farms alongside her husband Jim on their farm near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. Farming 122 hectares (300 acres), the main enterprise consists of 800 breeding ewes and cider made on-site from their orchards. She is a mum of two, runs Kate’s Country School on-farm and is the woodland creation officer for Stump Up For Trees.
I’m recovering from Radio 2 in the Park in Preston – had an amazing time, but I am a country bumpkin in the city. We live in a special place.
A few months ago, a lovely couple asked us if they could have their wedding reception in our barn.
Despite us trying to put them off (we are very rustic), they won us over and the wedding was last month. It was beautiful.
The medieval barn is stunning, the ‘modern’ wings were added in 1696 and include the cider house which will soon burst into life.
It has been a funny year for fruit.
Bountiful
Some of the trees are being propped up to hold a bountiful supply of apples, while others are fruitless.
Cider-making courses are almost full, and plenty of cider will be made (and drunk).
Dates for lambing courses, on the other hand, are not added until the tups have done their job.
We’ve decided to use teasers to tighten up the lambing period and will only be lambing in March and April
‘The time has come for me to pass the baton on. Be proud of what you do’
next year. Jim bought two Texel tups last week from Rob and Nesta Watkin’s Herefordshire-based Corras flock. They are tremendous bodied sheep with plenty of length, ideal for crossing with our Welsh Mules.
I’m sure you’ve seen the flehmen response at tupping time (curling back of the upper lip) – it helps transport pheromones to the Jacobson’s organ (located above the roof of the mouth).
Were you aware that humans also have this organ? Studies remain con-
Farmers Weather by Dr Simon Keeling
troversial, but underarm secretions have been investigated to find out if we subconsciously respond to pheromones released by other people. I’m going to leave you with that thought –stop curling your lip.
We took a leap into the unknown in 2009 when asked to take part in the BBC’s Lambing Live, as farming programmes were unheard of back then.
Nowadays, we have many amazing ambassadors portraying the ups and downs of farming life across a range
Sea temperatures, medicanes and winter
DID we skip straight to mid-autumn? It certainly felt like it this week.
Temperatures at the North Pole are already starting to fall, and as the northwesterly wind set in this week, the door was opened to that cooling polar air.
As the colder air flowed over the warmer Atlantic north of Scotland, it was able to create the temperature contrast necessary for strong winds, and in turn this combination of cold and warm air generated heavy, blustery showers.
With daytime temperatures at about 10-15degC in the UK, you will have noticed the wind-chill kick in during the
middle of the week. These low temperatures mean that the start of December 2024 is probably going to be the coolest since 2015.
However, as we go into next week there are some signs of high pressure building, so more settled conditions should set in with warmer temperatures. You might say these are typical autumn conditions, with no two days appearing to be the same.
The warmth of the Mediterranean could lead to an increased risk of medicanes, which is when deep low-pressure areas spin up in the Mediterranean, bringing unseasonably unsettled weather including strong winds and heavy rain.
of media, and it is heartening to see. So, I think the time has come for me to step down from my monthly scribbles and pass the baton on.
Huge thanks to the Farmers Guardian team for your patience (I’m always last minute) and thank you to you all for reading, it’s been lovely catching up with so many of you over the years. Be proud of what you do, be kind to yourself and if you ever want a natter or a cider (or both), contact details are on our website. It is good to talk.
For location specific forecasts visit farmersweather.co.uk and for video updates go to weatherweb.net or call the number below. Call Farmers WeatherLIVE
NEXT WEEK
Cumbria James Robinson
Yorkshire Helen Stanier
‘I am heartened AHDB has raised its concerns’
IAN GARNETT
Cheshire
Ian farms in partnership with his family near Knutsford, Cheshire. They manage 700 commercial pedigree Holstein/Friesians on 445 hectares (1,100 acres). Replacements are homereared and cows are on a composite system. Ian is a representative for Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group and sits on the AHDB Genetics Advisory Forum.
By the time you read this article it will be mid-September and holiday season will be well and truly behind us. Our little trip here in the UK took us through many arable counties. It was good to see that harvest was nearly complete and had left some enviably large stacks of
nice-looking straw for us livestock farmers to bid for at a later date.
It was also interesting to see very little evidence of land redirected away from production and into stewardship schemes. Perhaps the only conclusion to be drawn is that the motorway network only slices through the very best belts of arable land and the stewardship parcels are on little pockets elsewhere.
Here in Cheshire, cereal yields are down, which was only to be expected. But the lower yields here do not yet seem to have exerted any upward pressure on prices. I did read recently that France, the EU’s primary wheat exporter, has a crop estimated to be its lowest in 41 years – interesting times ahead, perhaps.
On farm, we have recently seen increasing supplementary feeding to our dairy cows. Grass growth has been sluggish; however, our maize appears to be recovering nicely.
We have recently made a start on fourth cuts; yields were light, but
Crossword 1262
pressure on grazing for the heifers drove our decision to cut, and what’s in the clamp looks quite nice.
An unscientific straw poll of dairy farmers I’ve spoken to in the past few weeks seems to deliver a consensus that the majority are not feeling too optimistic about milk prices and their overall business performance of late.
While at a recent Progressive Dairy Farmers conference, I was at first heartened to hear how dairy net-importing countries are forecast to increase their imports by 6-7% this coming year. However, my enthusiasm dampened when I heard this is a figure they have been running close to for the past few years, and I’m not sure we’ve seen a huge benefit from
this demand filtering through so far.
I watched the controversial BBC programme regarding badgers and Brian May with interest. As a levypayer, AHDB’s complaint did strike a chord. Certainly, here in East Cheshire, there does seem to have been a significant reduction of bovine TB in cattle since the licensed cull.
A natural performer, Brian May made his points very well, but I do prefer more balanced viewing, so I am heartened that AHDB has raised its concerns with the BBC. To me though, the star point of the programme was made by a Welsh farmer who suggested a thoroughly common-sense approach: using the same rules on badgers as we do on cattle.
Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture
‘Anti-meat-eaters hold centre stage, identifying meat production as barbarism’
Former NFU president Minette Batters went as far as to say that ‘farming can provide solutions to our biggest challenges’ and, as chair of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), I am more convinced than ever that she is correct. But how do we persuade the doubters?
No matter how good the meat production world is – and plenty have tried to turn it upside down – the fact most meat comes from the land in one form or another is important. It is the hills and uplands that produce breeding stock, while the lower ground grows either the grass or the grain for livestock to convert to health-giving meat for human consumption.
Balanced
This contributes not only to the nation’s health, but also to the soil, which produces quality root vegetables and potatoes which aid a balanced diet – a truism, therefore, that the stock we eat have to be fed from the produce of the land.
Turning an animal into meat is a vital, but key pinch point to the entire process.
This necessity was known and
understood by our forefathers and accepted as a part of the reality of life.
Sadly, as our so-called civilisation has progressed, there has been a shift from the truth, and the once accepted realities of life have been looked upon by some with scepticism and even antagonism.
Anti-meat-eaters now hold centre stage, identifying meat production as an act of barbarism, with the social grace of a number of people sitting down together to a wellcooked and well-presented meal being regarded as something which belongs to a decadent society of a distant era.
Against this background, I question the close relationship which has been established between Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) and the Welsh Government.
I realise, of course, this is not a matter everyone will be happy with, but in the same way that the Welsh Government might seek to influence the work of the promotion body, it is quite clear there will be a natural awareness that HCC, though not in any sense a lobbying body, will have a responsibility to keep Government appraised of the effects of its policies.
It would therefore be a matter of
vital importance to know what steps were taken by HCC officials to fulfil its duty to levy payers in ensuring the Government understands the full negative effect of its proposals for blanket plantations of trees down through the central belt of Wales.
To me, it is as if the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is not about delivery, but has, in effect, become nothing more than a talking point.
Dominate
Environmental issues and climate change dominate the entire outward-facing agenda, with all other matters occupying a secondary place in people’s minds.
There is a questionable and totally unproven view that huge tranches of land, hills, uplands and lowlands should now be planted with deciduous woodland – clearly not taking into consideration the crucial destruction of entire indigenous communities, families, villages and towns.
It also appears to ignore the fact that the planting of huge forests of deciduous trees will mean the locking up of the associated land, not just for a few weeks, as with a crop
of cabbages or potatoes, but for centuries, at a time when the population of the world is growing and more food is required.
This should be a matter of the utmost concern for us all.
Sadly, our political leaders have an apparent reluctance to think about any matter beyond the popular soundbite associated with the immediate and the latest ‘good idea’, with only a sparse understanding of anything to do with food production.
John Thorley says HCC should be ensuring the Government understands the negative effect of its proposals.
JOHN THORLEY Chair of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers
PICTURE: JOHN EVESON
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