Farmers Guardian 15th December 2023 by Farmers Guardian LTD

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THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE MACHINERY

ARABLE

FARM PROFILE

Robotic scraper boosts productivity

Carbon audit offers whole farm improvements

Business overhaul streamlines efficiency

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NE FAILURES ● Dartmoor commoners’ critical role ● Concerns remain on destocking By Jane Thynne and Chris Brayford

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PICTURE: ALAMY

NATURAL England has been ordered to change its attitude towards Dartmoor farmers after a new report painted a ‘damning picture’ of its ‘failing policies’. The Defra-commissioned study, led by chair of the Institute for Agricultural and Horticulture David Fursdon, has recommended a series of measures to back farming following rows over grazing rights, flock numbers and accusations of ‘rewilding by the back door’. These include: the creation of an independently chaired Dartmoor Land-Use Management Group; actions to support vegetation management, including conservation grazing by cattle and ponies and controlled burning, alongside exploring the management of sheep over winter and increasing Natural England staffing resource and the creation of partnerships to help rebuild trust. Mr Fursdon said it was a time for those involved to come together, with commoners playing a ‘vital role’ in the protection of the Devon moor.

David Fursdon said it was time for those involved to come together, with commoners playing a ‘vital role’ in the protection of the Devon moor.

Dave Slater, Natural England regional director for the South West, welcomed the review, stating the body’s priority had always been to work in the ‘combined best interests of nature and farmers on Dartmoor’. But he acknowledged it was now clear it needed to work on its communication strategies and that the current approach was ‘not working for any party’. The review also reiterated the need for careful management of a fresh round of Higher Level Stewardship extension negotiations, given one-year

extensions will in some cases expire in the first few months of 2024. Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) chief executive George Dunn said it was vital not to lose traction. He said the report painted a ‘damning picture’ of the impact of past ‘failing policies’ and that ‘changing the balance of grazing and removing sheep has reduced biodiversity on Dartmoor’. “The key now is how we move forward,” he said. TFA junior vice-chair and Dart-

moor farmer, Helen Radmore, said she finally felt like farmers were being listened to, with the ‘us and them’ approach of Natural England being particularly criticised. But Layland Branfield, a Dartmoor Common Councillor and hill farmer, said the review was ‘an utter kick in the teeth’ as farmers did not feel they were being listened to and with more than 40 recommendations made, it showed the panel ‘still do not know what to do’. “What the review says it intends to do and the actual actions taken from it will be two different things,” he said. Robin Milton, an Exmoor farmer and NFU Uplands Committee Forum member, said he was pleased to see a change in attitude from Natural England but pointed out commoners were still not guaranteed autonomy on the land. “The main back stop... is whose voice will be heard loudest in knowing what is best for Dartmoor,” he said, adding removing stock and limiting farmers’ independence’ could be ‘absolutely devastating to the cultural heritage’.

13/12/2023 17:01

NEWS Bronagh O’Kane is aiming to improve the health and structure of the soils on her family’s farm by focusing on soil biology. See p70-71.

INSIDE

December 15 2023 2

NEWS

Farming takes centre stage at COP28

10 COMMENT 11

LETTERS

BUSINESS

GLOBAL AG VIEW

FARM PROFILE

Strong end to 2023 beef market France on high alert for bird flu

Welsh dairy farm streamlines efficiency with business overhaul

76 MARKET PRICES 84 NEXT GENERATION Winter Wonderland

86 IN YOUR FIELD With Helen Stanier, Yorkshire, and James Robinson, Cumbria

86 WEATHER 87 CROSSWORD 88 FARMING MATTERS

ARABLE

Detailed carbon audit offers whole farm improvements

23 SALES

Garrowby Toffee tops Red Ladies at 22,000gns

60 MACHINERY

Robotic scraper helps boost dairy efficiency

66 LIVESTOCK

Willow’s multiple benefits

74 WORKING DOGS Butterton Moor hosts championship trial

‘Using technology and better communication, we will meet the challenges head on’, says Darren Hall, agricultural contractor and police officer with Thames Valley Police rural crime taskforce

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In Your Field

HELEN STANIER

‘The more you want to do, the more cost and inspections you face’.

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Welsh tree targets remain By Jane Thynne THE final consultation on Wales’ Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) has been published, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to its controversial 10 per cent tree cover action. It comes as First Minister Mark Drakeford announced he was stepping down as the Welsh Labour leader in March 2024, and nominations for the leadership of Welsh Labour will open shortly. The process will be concluded by the end of the Senedd’s spring term, with Mr Drakeford to remain as First Minister until then. The SFS will act as the main support for farmers from 2025, and will also, according to the Welsh Government, ‘keep farmers farming the land, safeguard the environment’ and address the ‘urgent call of the climate emergency’. Unveiling the scheme this week, the Welsh Government said it had made changes in response to farmer feedback, including offering the scheme to all farmers from 2025 as opposed to a phased start. It also said it had made ‘adjustments’ to its 10 per cent tree cover commitment, which will remain as one of the 17 universal actions needed to be met by applicants. It said it had listened to farmers’ concerns and, as a result, it had

removed the whole-farm requirement, while giving farmers until 2030 to meet the target. Welsh Government stated the rule would not apply to tenanted areas where the tenant did not have responsibility for tree cover or locations where trees cannot be physically planted. It added it would give consideration to settings where altitude or proximity to the sea made it difficult. There will be no mandatory locations, instead the Government will ‘advise and guide’ while financial support will be available via SFS. The publication comes just days after Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths was forced to announce a cut of £37 million to Wales’ rural budget, and she acknowledged ‘the difficult financial landscape’ in which the scheme was being delivered. However, NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said it was vital farmers had as much detail as possible and urged them to engage with the consultation which runs until March 7. Mr Jones said: “NFU Cymru has consistently highlighted the need to ensure support must be targeted at active farmers; the people and businesses taking the risks associated with food production. We now need to carefully consider the proposals to ensure that they work for all farmers, including tenants and commoners.”

Applications open for Smaller Abattoir Fund APPLICATIONS have opened for the new £4 million fund to support smaller abattoirs across England. Grants will be available from £2,000 up to a maximum of £60,000 to fund capital items and other eligible investments. Farming Minister Mark Spencer said abattoirs were ‘critical to livestock farmers’ who provide products to local butchers and farm shops. He said: “This £4m fund will not only help smaller abattoir and mobile business owners to innovate, invest and improve standards, but it will give farmers, particularly those who produce native and rare breeds, more stability in getting their products to market.” John Mettrick, chair of the Abattoir Sector Group, said he was delighted the fund had been launched and he

urged businesses to take advantage of it. The application window for the Smaller Abattoir Fund will remain open for nine months, and abattoirs will be able to submit up to three applications up to the maximum funding level of £60,000. Rare Breeds Survival Trust chief executive Christopher Price said a comprehensive network of local abattoirs able to process small numbers of non-standard animals was vital for native breed farmers, but this had been in ‘sustained, serious decline’. He added the fund was a ‘lifeline for these facilities to ensure they are a match for an increasingly market-facing world’. But he added it was ‘not a silver bullet’ and Government needed to tackle the issues around regulatory burden. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:03

NEWS

CHRISTMAS TRACTOR CONVOYS LIGHT UP COUNTRYSIDE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UK FESTIVE tractor runs have been dazzling rural communities across the country, raising thousands of pounds for good causes. The festivities have taken a greener turn this year, with a methane-fuelled T6 New Holland (pictured right) driven by NNFCC business development director Lucy Hopwood - and borrowed from CNH - leading the line-up at the Farmer Christmas Tractor Run in the Yorkshire Wolds last weekend. Dozens of other events, including Merseyside farmer Olly Harrison’s Christmas Convoy to support Alder Hey Children’s Hospital (pictured left), will take place this weekend.

rNFU reveals its

pre-Election manifesto By Jane Thynne A BUDGET of £4 billion will be required if the Government is to reach the food and farming targets set out by its own agricultural objectives, the NFU has said. Launching its manifesto, Farming for Britain’s Future, the union’s director of policy Andrew Clark said its fully costed calculations centred on four main objectives: food, trade, community and the environment. Mr Clark said the research, undertaken independently by The Andersons Centre, would deliver an agricultural budget that would fulfil key NFU aims on productivity, sustainability and the environment. Of that £4bn, about £2.7bn would be used to meet the Government’s environmental goals, plus £615 million for

£4 billion budget needed for agriculture driving productivity and £720m to support the stability of agricultural businesses, which also reflected the move away from the Basic Payment Scheme. NFU director of trade and business strategy Nick von Westenholz said: “The rationale behind any agricultural policy in any country should be to help deliver stability for the sector as a food producing sector, to help boost productivity and efficiency in that sector and to assist in meeting your climate-friendly, environmental objectives. All three rationales are important and should be accounted for.” The calculations were based on

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the Government’s own objectives. Mr von Westenholz said the NFU manifesto delivered a realistic view of the farming sector and what was needed to safeguard food production in the UK. In contrast, he said the current Government was still working on principles set out by Defra Secretary Michael Gove, but post-Brexit Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine had significantly changed the economic landscape for the sector. “Farming cannot exist in the ‘hopes and dreams’ of 2017. The UK Government has not fully prepared for the

chris.day@abfltd.co.uk

impact of the FTAs on the domestic market. There will be significant changes coming, and soon,” added Mr von Westenholz. Mr von Westenholz said the manifesto had been launched ahead of any announcement on a General Election to ‘feed through’ the union’s asks to all the political parties. Mr Clark added the ‘balanced’ document was a ‘recipe card for agriculture’ and said it was vital future governments took notice of the farming industry to recognise the challenges farmers faced in planning for a long-term, sustainable future.

Chris Day on Tel: 07769 705004 DECEMBER 15 2023 | 3

13/12/2023 17:06

THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ Editor Olivia Midgley, 07787 240 750 olivia.midgley@agriconnect.com Head of News and Business Alex Black, 01772 799 409 alex.black@agriconnect.com Chief Reporter Rachael Brown, 07974 039 778 rachael.brown@agriconnect.com News and Business Reporters Jane Thynne jane.thynne@agriconnect.com Chris Brayford, 07773 110 733 chris.brayford@agriconnect.com Business Reporter Cedric Porter cedric.porter@agriconnect.com Arable Technical Specialist Ash Ellwood, 07786 190 188 ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com Head of Machinery and Farm Technology Toby Whatley, 07583 054 831 toby.whatley@agriconnect.com Machinery Reporter James Huyton, 07787 242 185 james.huyton@agriconnect.com Head of Livestock Katie Jones, 07786 856 439 katie.jones@agriconnect.com Head of Livestock Sales Angela Calvert, 07768 796 492 angela.calvert@agriconnect.com Livestock Specialists Ellie Layton, 07814 997 407 ellie.layton@agriconnect.com Katie Fallon, 07815 003 227 katie.fallon@agriconnect.com Online Editor and Features Editor Emily Ashworth, 01772 799 446 emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com Head of Creative Services Gillian Green, 01772 799 417 gillian.green@agriconnect.com Picture Editor Marcello Garbagnoli, 01772 799 445 marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com Sales Director Stephanie Ryder, 07917 271 987 Stephanie.ryder@agriconnect.com Group Publisher Ben Briggs ben.briggs@agriconnect.com Circulation Subscription hotline 0330 333 0056 help@subscribe.farmers-guardian.com Newstrade enquiries 01772 799 434 UK print subscriptions £189; Europe: £226.80; RoW: £283.50. FG digital subscriptions: £109 News trade distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT. Tel 0207 429 4000, Fax 0207 429 4001 Published by Agriconnect The plastic used to wrap Farmers Guardian can be recycled. If you do not have access to plastic recycling, please send to: Polyprint Ltd, Unit 7D, Wendover Road, Rackheath Ind Estate, Northwich, NR13 6LH. Farmers Guardian is printed from FSC approved sustainable sources.

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NEWS

HELP IS AVAILABLE Visit ruminanthw.org.uk or call the Farming Community Network on 01788 510866.

As APHA contends with the management of several infectious diseases at one time, Rachael Brown spoke to chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss about the risks for summer 2024. rBluetongue and

avian flu monitored FORWARD planning for 2024 was highly important, with concerns the threat of Bluetongue would be heightened next year, the UK chief veterinary officer has said. Eleven cases have so far been confirmed in Kent and Norfolk, but UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said there was no evidence yet to demonstrate it was a ‘circulating virus’. She said all the infections were thought to be due to the incursion of infected midges from the Netherlands and Belgium, where there has been a large number of cases. “Where we have found positive animals in a herd, it is very few animals. “It does not look like midges are spreading it from animal to animal on our farms,” she said.

Surveillance Temporary control zones (TCZ) have been set up in areas where there has been identified individual cases, on top of annual surveillance. She said: “The TCZ stops the movement of animals out of that zone as we are not yet out of the vector free period. “What we do not want to have is an animal that has not gone under surveillance and testing to be moved to another area and create further infection in those areas.” Dr Middlemiss warned the zone could be in place for a while, with the heightened risk of infection next

Defra staff want four-day week DEFRA staff are campaigning for a trial of a four-day working week to address claims of high staff turnover, unpaid overtime and stress. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union which covers staff from Defra and the Rural Payments Agency proposed a 20 per cent cut in working hours, with no loss of wages — a similar practice being piloted within the civil service in Scotland, adding this could be the ‘solution to Defra’s problems’. Farmers have raised eyebrows, with some concerned it would make it even harder to speak to Defra staff.

Focus on 2024 disease threat

Dr Christine Middlemiss said precautions would be needed in 2024.

spring and summer as temperatures increase. She reiterated the need to make these zones ‘practically usable’ for farmers, adding licensing was coming to move animals ‘where they need to and where it was safe to do so’. “We want people to be able to move livestock safely, but we have to work out the balance of what that looks like, what is safe in that situation versus the need to move,” she added. Dr Middlemiss was keen to point out additional support was out there for livestock farmers and highlighted the ruminant health and welfare group’s helpline, adding sometimes it was easier to have a ‘farmer and farmer discussion’. When probed about concerns

We need to continue to take biosecurity precautions and, where they are not as robust, they are at risk of an outbreak DR CHRISTINE MIDDLEMISS from farmers about APHA being under-resourced and understaffed to deal with other ongoing infectious diseases such as bovine TB (bTB), Dr Middlemiss said while they were ‘moving staff around to fill in gaps’, she believed they were currently able to ‘prioritise and manage things effectively’, adding it was something they were ‘always conscious of’. Farmers have called for more control to be given to local vets and farmers on bTB control, which Dr Middlemiss supported. “We need to work more regionally and locally with the epidemiology that we have and make decisions more at that level. But bTB is a statutory disease, so ultimately Government is accountable for it, so we cannot handle all the decision-making.”

Farmers fear future outbreak LIVESTOCK farmers were worried about the likelihood of an outbreak of bluetongue next spring and summer, adding it must be the Government’s priority to support APHA with more resources so it can take decisive action when needed. Matt Ford, a dairy farmer from Sussex, urged the Government to act swiftly in developing a vaccine to ‘mitigate the effects of a likely outbreak in the UK’ next year. Paul Tompkins a dairy farmer

from the Vale of York, said APHA had so far provided little evidence it was capable of assisting farmers through a serious outbreak. He added: “Insufficient, undertrained APHA staff are working hard to keep up with testing requirements, but the delays are compounding the issue and there is no end in sight — private vets have good working relationships with farmers and need to be empowered to assist APHA now.” farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:13

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12/12/2023 12:00

NEWS COP28 rCountries pledge their

commitment at COP28

PICTURE: GETTY

Farming takes centre stage The King spoke at COP28, which held its Food, Agriculture and Water Day on December 10, 2023.

By Jane Thynne MORE than 100 world leaders pledged to put food and farming at the centre of their climate targets, as they gathered at COP28 for the Food, Agriculture and Water Day. The Dubai event saw major announcements on climate action for water, food security and decarbonisation, as countries pledged their commitment to implement the recently agreed COP28 United Arab Emirates (UAE) Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action. H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and COP28 food systems lead, said: “Countries must put food systems and agriculture at the heart of their climate ambitions, addressing both global emissions and protecting the lives and livelihoods of farmers living on the front line of climate change.” The 134 signatory countries to the declaration account for about 5.7 billion people and almost 500 million farmers responsible for 70 per cent of the world’s food production. However, delegates were also told those nations were responsible for 76 per cent of all emissions from global food systems, which equates to 25 per cent of total emissions globally. The United Nations (UN)-backed conference succeeded in gaining a

series of financial commitments, including a USD$2.2bn (£1.75bn) investment for Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes, which will see leading food and agriculture organisations join forces to transition 160m hectares to regenerative agriculture by 2030. NFU deputy president Tom

Bradshaw said: “The COP28 UAE Declaration and its commitment for regenerative agriculture and innovation is a welcome step towards integrating global food systems and real climate action. “We have been calling for the international climate negotiations to recognise the importance of

Livestock could help address world hunger MEAT production could be the answer to addressing world hunger and should be ‘ramped up’, according to a UN report which was unveiled at COP28. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) global food systems road map report said production of meat to address widespread hunger should be boosted as plant-based foods cannot fully provide adequate nutrients. The report said livestock production should be intensified ‘in relevant locations’, and that work should now be done to look at how this can be achieved within environmental targets. 6 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Meanwhile, a second study called ‘Pathways Towards Lower Emissions’, which was presented at the international conference, said cutting out meat would have only a ‘marginal’ benefit on emissions, and estimated plant-based or low meat diets would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from farming by just 4 per cent.

Lower emissions The study also revealed livestock emissions were lower than previously reported, standing at 12 per cent of global greenhouse gases, and down from the FAO’s previous estimate of 14.5 per cent.

The report showed there are more effective ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock systems, including mitigation methods such as productivity improvements, which it said would have a five-times greater impact. Animal health and feed interventions also have larger impacts than simply reducing meat eating. FAO deputy director general Maria Helena Semedo said: “It clearly demonstrates that ambitious and innovative programmes as well as wideranging interventions have the potential to bend the emissions curve while production grows.”

agriculture, and the Declaration’s objectives of resilience, food security and environmental benefits are all vital for shaping a sustainable future.” However, he added it was essential the responsibility for reducing emissions was not placed ‘solely’ on farmers and growers. “Regenerative farming is not a silver bullet but just one of a number of approaches alongside science-based solutions, and it is key that the Government and farming sector work together to find effective and practical solutions,” he said.

UK announcements The UK has also announced further support for farming worldwide and scaling up a partnership with the World Bank to boost climateresilient farming practices around the world. As part of that pledge, it will provide £10m through the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation to help smallholder farmers and others improve their incomes in ways which reduce the impact on the natural world, particularly forests. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:11

ADVERTORIAL

AHDB unveils its brand new Let’s Eat Balanced campaign AHDB has actively led the charge in promoting the consumption of British red meat and dairy through innovative marketing campaigns. These include ‘We Eat Balanced’, ‘Feed your Family for Less with Pork’ and ‘Love Lamb Week’ and several others besides. Notably, AHDB’s ‘We Eat Balanced’ campaign alone reached over 43 million adults in the UK, raising awareness of the sustainability and health benefits of British red meat and dairy. Nine out of ten consumers that saw the TV advert agreed it communicated that meat and dairy can be part of a healthy balanced diet. As an evidence-driven organisation, AHDB conducts research on consumer behaviour to determine industry trends and market demands. These research findings inform marketing plans, including the new ‘Let’s Eat Balanced’ campaign. Launching on 1 January 2024 with a brand new TV advert, ‘Let’s Eat Balanced’ builds on the success of the ‘We Eat Balanced’ campaign. It presents a simple yet enticing narrative that encourages consumer awareness of the exceptional taste and quality of British beef, lamb and dairy, while stressing their importance in a healthy and balanced diet. Conversations around diets are heightened in January, so our call to ‘Let’s Eat Balanced’ is perfectly timed. The January campaign titled ‘THIS and THAT’, will remind consumers that balance is key and illustrate the crucial role of meat and dairy in a vibrant and engaging manner. The messaging focusses on getting the audience to imagine

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rain and grass coming together to produce THIS delicious beef, lamb and milk, which provides THAT essential vitamin B12 and protein, helping to combat THAT fatigue. The voice of renowned British comedian, actor and broadcaster Richard Ayoade adds an extra appeal to the campaign’s television and cinema advert. The campaign will be seen on: • Mainstream TV, digital TV channels, video-on-demand • Social media channels • National newspapers • Tasty UK • Eight major supermarkets with in-store and online activity AHDB is committed to supporting levy payers. This marketing campaign seeks to ensure the place of British beef, lamb and dairy in shopping baskets.

To learn more, please visit: letseatbalanced.com Discover more about the impact of AHDB’s marketing campaigns at ahdb.org.uk/marketing

12/12/2023 11:10

NEWS As the Trade and Agriculture Commission reports its findings on the CPTPP deal, commission member and Farmers Guardian journalist Cedric Porter takes a look at what has been learned.

Looking for positives as well as negatives from CPTPP deal rOpportunities for

UK and 11 countries on the other side of the world was not easy. Different climates, geographies and levels of economic development mean different methods of production were inevitable. The commission looked at whether more imports of products from the 11 would undermine the UK’s standards and systems. But it found the agreement did not alter the UK’s ability under the World Trade Organisation rules to challenge imports if it believed it would undermine UK standards, affect the global environment, or were produced in a way that outrages public morals.

red meat and dairy

TRADE deals often cause nervousness in the UK farming sector, with concerns about the access it gives to imported produce with the UK being a major net importer of food. However, in net food exporting countries, a trade deal is more often viewed as a good thing as it gives greater access to markets. It was important the British food and farming industry looked for the advantages from trade deals, not just highlighting the threats. The Trade and Agriculture Commission acknowledged the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would probably mean more imports of some foods from the 11 countries involved, but said UK farmers should not expect a flood. The UK already imports a range of products from the 11, but the removal

CPTPP DETAILS THE CPTPP is a Free Trade Agreement between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.

CPTPP is set to change UK trade with countries across the Pacific.

of duties may make some fish, fruit, vegetables and cereals more attractive than they were before. But these were likely to be products which the UK does not produce in large volumes or only produces seasonally. The 11 will also have to compete with EU products which already have duty-free access to the UK. This was the case for one of the most sensitive products – palm oil. CPTPP provides duty-free access for Malaysian palm oil to the UK market. This may provide competition for oil for Papua New Guinea which already has duty-free access to the UK and displace Indonesian oil which still

carries a duty. Malaysia has committed to prevent deforestation, with a new assurance scheme due to cover all production in the next two years. CPTPP does give extra duty-free import access to pork and beef, but that was limited by quota – 55,000 tonnes a year for pork and 13,000t for beef and only at those levels after 10 years. Importantly, Australia and New Zealand were outside that quota system. In previous deals Australia gained no more access for its pork to the UK, but it and New Zealand will have zero-tariff and quota-free beef and lamb access to the UK market within 15 years. Comparing standards between the

Monitoring The commission did stress the importance of monitoring increased imports to ensure they met standards such as Maximum Residue Levels of pesticide and preventing the introduction of devastating animal and plant diseases. It was not the commission’s job to look at exports, but the deal does provide opportunities to sell more British produce. AHDB analysis shows there could be greater sales of red meat and opportunites for dairy. AHDB senior trade and policy analyst Jess Corsair said: “While we do not anticipate any dramatic changes to trade overnight, the forecast increase in demand for pork and beef by 2031 in Japan, Vietnam, Mexico and Canada is encouraging.”

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13/12/2023 17:15

rClock ticking on By Rachael Brown

GOVERNMENT needs to embrace organic in its eagerly anticipated land use framework, despite lobbyists who want the sector to fail. That was the message from Organic Farmers and Growers (OF&G) chief executive Roger Kerr, who said there was a ‘whole industry out there built around pesticides and fertilisers’ which wants organic to fail, but organic is a ‘defined farming system that has deliverable outcomes’ to support a ‘low carbon, nature-friendly, people-positive’ food system. The Government had promised to publish its land use framework by the end of 2023, but Farmers Guardian understands it will not be published this year. OF&G has published a white paper highlighting how a shift to increased organic land use in England to 10 per cent would ‘significantly’ deliver on Government’s environmental objectives. It said a ‘three-fold increase’ in organic land use would reduce total agriculture-related greenhouse gas emissions ‘equal to carbon

PICTURE: RUTH REES

land use framework

Organic systems help improve biodiversity, with plant species found to be 95 per cent higher, according to OF&G.

Government must embrace organic sequestered by one-third of a million acres of broadleaved woodland’. Additionally, by removing artificial inputs, OF&G argued organic systems helped to significantly improve biodiversity, with plant species found to be 95 per cent higher. He said 10 per cent was not a target, but they were trying to demonstrate what organic looked like at scale. Mr Kerr clarified he was not proposing all farms should go organic, but criticised the UK for being an ‘outlier’.

He said: “We seem to be sitting in a UK bubble where organic is not being noted. If we look across the world, organic is key part of policy – delivering for food and environment.” When probed about the rise of regenerative and if organic was ‘dead and gone’, he rejected such claims, adding one of the great strengths was its clear standards. He was frustrated that organic’s message was not cutting through with Defra, with ‘lobby groups’ telling

the Government that how the UK is currently farming must continue. “We need to try and take away some of the emotiveness. Nobody is saying you cannot farm the way you farm,” said Mr Kerr, adding there was ‘no silver bullet’ to the food and environmental challenges. But he said if organic was not included in the final framework, there would be urgent conversations about why the Government was choosing to ignore its value.

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13/12/2023 11:23

LEADER

Alex Black, Head of News and Business – 01772 799 409 – alex.black@agriconnect.com

Beef price increase shows Christmas dinner table demand remains strong

And finally... A dose of common sense looks to have been injected into the Dartmoor debate, but FG will continue to follow the story as farmers campaign against plans to remove stock from the moors. See page 1.

SOME Christmas cheer in the beef markets will be more than welcome for producers, despite the sector once again feeling under fire from environmental groups. There has been a seasonal lift at marts in beef prices, with prices remaining around 8 per cent up year on year. Christmas sales were well underway at markets across the country, with auctioneers at both H&H and ANM reporting huge demand for all classes of cattle. H&H reported many values at £100 more than a year ago. And there was more positive news for farmers, with research from NFU Mutual showing that the British public was looking for a traditional Christmas dinner, with British produce taking centre stage. Potato growers will be pleased to learn that 74 per cent of the public believe roast potatoes

are essential on their plate, closely followed by gravy and pigs in blankets. Love them or hate them, brussels sprouts were the most popular vegetable of choice. Turkey remained the most popular choice of meat, with 37 per cent saying it is essential to the Christmas dinner table, while 14 per cent opted for beef and 2 per cent were looking for something special with goose as their centrepiece. In contrast, just 4 per cent said they would be buying a nut roast. The negative news for meat alternative brands has continued this week as VBites, the vegan food business founded by Heather Mills, ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney, collapsed into administration. And while beef production has once again been under the microscope from environmentalists as COP28 got underway, it is reassuring to see more balanced messages coming out and dinner table demand clearly remaining strong for beef.

YOUNG FARMER FOCUS ‘I instantly fell in love with farming’ First steps: I was first introduced to farming when I was six years old during a family holiday to Cumbria. My parents took me to a farm and I remember just being so curious to be around the farm, the animals and the farmer. I do not come from a farming background, so the farm and the animals were completely uplifting and joyous to me. It was the lambs which caught my attention most. I remember just asking the farmer if I could help him out and he willingly said yes. We went back the day after and the farmer showed me every aspect of the farm and I instantly fell in love with it. It was just like a scene from All Creatures Great and Small. But it was the lambs which amazed me most and I have wanted to work with them ever since. 10 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Work: I have been working at the same farm now for roughly 10 years, in Brackenthwaite in Wigton. The support and help I have received along the way has really been worthwhile. Nearly 10 years later, I am still working on the same farm. I am now in my third year studying Agriculture at Harper Adams University and I absolutely love it. Learning new skills and incorporating sustainable practices into farming has been eye-opening. Challenge: Unfortunately, my life took a turn for the worst in July last year, when I was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called Hodgkin lymphoma at 21 years old. I had my life turned upside down in an instant. Knowing I might never be able to go back to farming completely destroyed me. Six months of intensive chemotherapy sessions at the Royal

Ben Read Marsden Hospital in Kensington and Chelsea, along with the support provided from charity Maggie’s Centre, helped get me through a difficult period. I received the fantastic news the cancer was in remission in February. The moment I knew I could go back to lambing was one of the best days of my life. There were a few tears of joy and happiness in my eyes on the day after going through such a terrible ordeal. My studies had to be deferred for a year, so I am catching up with it now.

Ben Read Wigton, Cumbria Ben Read, 22, is a sheep farmer, originally from Maidstone in Kent, but works on-farm in Wigton, Cumbria. I feel really thankful to be part of an innovative industry full of like-minded people who have such wonderful ideas of how to make farming better. Outlook: The challenges farmers face on a daily basis can be overwhelming and a bright future must be matched by the Government’s ambitions to back them. However, farmers have demonstrated resilience in adversity and shown time and time again they can come back from it standing on their own two feet. I hope my story demonstrates this to anyone who reads it. MORE INFORMATION If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:18

Write Letters to the Editor, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ Facebook facebook.com/FarmersGuardian Twitter @farmersguardian Email fgeditorial@agriconnect.com

LETTERS

The Big British Beef Battle fury HARD though it was I watched the whole The Big British Beef Battle programme and have sent letters of complaint to both Channel 4 and broadcast regulator Ofcom. Channel 4 and production company Zandland cannot claim they did due research for this programme, speaking to the NFU, AHDB and others. If they had these bodies would have ensured the figures used in the programme all related to beef production in the UK/Britain – as the programme was about ‘British beef’. As it was, many of the figures and much of the information used were taken from old, misinformed, reviewed and updated and downright wrong information published for the world beef industry. Such figures, beyond being wrong, do not relate to the UK beef industry in any sensible way. The only conclusion possible is that the information presented was specifically chosen to make beef look as bad as possible. This demonstrates extremely poor and utterly biased research and reporting practice. I and the whole of the British agriculture industry look forward to future programmes (to rebalance their wider programming content by presenting the pro-beef perspective) – giving all the science and showing the practitioners who are actually achieving net zero with cattle while rebuilding and replenishing topsoil at rates previously thought impossible. All while increasing wildlife diversity on their farms, utilising un-croppable land and by-products

Contact us ■ IF you would like to send us a letter for consideration, please note that our email address has now changed to fgeditorial@agriconnect.com

FG CLASSIC ★★★

1916

Threshing in Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, circa 1916. William Thomas Edward Robinson, aged 16, holding the horse on the left. The engine is Clayton and Shuttleworth, belonging to James Russell, of Manor Farm, Bassingbourn, seen with his labrador. Sent in by Steve Robinson.

If you have a classic picture you would like to share, please email it to marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com

from arable crops, thus up-cycling (human) undigestible plant material into an extremely nutrient-dense food which is also highly bio-available for our (human) digestion systems. Therefore, exposing the Great British public to those on the other side of this most important and as yet unsettled debate. Our industry really, really needs to do more to fight this corner or the public is going to continue to believe that not eating beef is the best thing they can do. The result being that they will continue to think there is much less harm in continuing to burn fossil fuels in cars, heating boilers, airplanes, etc. The Government not facing up to the desperate need for more renewable energy generation to be developed immediately let alone improvement of building standards

and retro-fitting of house insulation, etc. What a mad, mad world we now live in. Judith Hutchison, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway.

Channel 4 not a trusted provider YOUR editorial on Channel 4’s fact free beef ‘documentary’ is incorrect as Channel 4 is not a ‘trusted provider of quality journalism’. It is as biased and ill-informed as the BBC. But not to worry, hardly anyone watches Channel 4 and those who do are Guardianistas who buy an electric car as a second vehicle and only jet off to their villa in Portugal twice-a-year

now because they are so concerned about global warming. Stephen Burchell, Via email.

Public training REGARDING your story ‘Devon farmer fined after cow attack’ (December 8) where cows with calves attacked a walker on a footpath. It is about time if the public wants to walk footpaths with a dog they should go on a course and obtain a certificate, to say they have some training with livestock. As a farmer I would not dream of going in a field with cattle in and take a dog. Certainly not with calves at foot. Are they footpaths or dog walks? Philip Akers, Via email.

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DECEMBER 15 2023 | 11

13/12/2023 17:19

BUSINESS Strong end to 2023 beef markets By Cedric Porter BEEF markets were entering 2024 in better shape than many may have feared a year ago, with prices well up year-on-year. Tight supplies have helped to boost prices, as the sector sees a seasonal lift in the run-up to Christmas. Hannah Clarke, senior red meat analyst at AHDB, said: “The UK produced 752,000 tonnes of beef and veal

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23,000t on 2022, but similar to 2021. Imports fell 8,000t in the same period. Supply might tighten further, said Ms Clarke, who reported the number of cattle under 12 months in July British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) figures was in annual decline for the first time since 2019.

Forward cattle supplies She said data on forward cattle supplies could suggest kill might be restricted next year compared to 2023. “We anticipate that the breeding herds will have continued to contract in 2023, which influences the longer term supply of cattle available for beef production,” she added. “Tighter supply by itself would point to supported cattle prices. Of course, there are a myriad of other factors that influence how prices move, not least consumer demand and international market dynamics.”

EU beef production was expected to fall in 2024, driven by fewer breeding cattle. Drought in the US had limited output, but Australia and Brazil looked set to increase their production to fill in gaps in global supply, including in China. Iain Macdonald, market intelligence manager at Quality Meat Scotland, reported prices at 25 per cent higher than the five-year average, with an earlier than normal seasonal peak in values. Throughput was up, but that might come to an end in 2024. He said: “While BCMS data for July showed a 3.3 per cent year-onyear decline in beef-sired females aged over 30 months on Scottish farms, a slowdown in cow slaughter suggests that the herd may now have begun to stabilise. A reduced 2023 calf crop will begin to pressure beef supply in autumn 2024, with its peak impact likely in early 2025.”

BEEF PRODUCTION AND STEER PRICE SOURCES: DEFRA AND AHDB

600

500

400

60 50

300

200

30 20

p/kg deadweight

support prices

between January and October this year; down 1 per cent against the same period in 2022. “On the whole, prime cattle slaughter during this period has been similar to a year ago; up 0.3 per cent at 1.7 million head, according to Defra figures. However, average carcase weights have been consistently lighter than those recorded in 2022, which has weighed on total production levels.” Another factor which influenced supply this year was a drop in exports and imports. UK shipments of beef and offal were at 97,000t in the first nine months of the year, which was down

Supply in 2023 was influenced by a drop in exports and imports.

‘000s tonnes

rTight supplies

PICTURE: TIM SCRIVENER

Edited by Alex Black – 01772 799 409 – alex.black@agriconnect.com

100

0 2021

2022 Beef production in ‘000s tonnes

2023 Average GB deadweight steer price in £/kg

AHDB’s international trade development director to step down GET IN TOUCH TODAY FOR A FREE SITE SURVEY LANCASHIRE/YORKSHIRE WILLIAM 07464729759 CUMBRIA/NORTHUMBERLAND IAN 07814 755219 SCOTLAND STEPHEN 07775 920706

MAIN OFFICE 01563 501582 EMAIL info@emberenergy.co.uk 12 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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AHDB international trade development director Phil Hadley is set to leave the organisation to take up the role of secretary general at the International Meat Secretariat (IMS), the levy board has confirmed. Dr Hadley, who originally joined AHDB in 2004, will continue working at the levy board until spring 2024.

Dr Hadley has led on work to seek access to new markets, linking up with producers and processors, UK Government departments and their overseas equivalents. He has also led on the delivery of AHDB’s trade show programme. He said leaving had been a difficult decision, but he was excited to be joining IMS. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:22

BUSINESS

rFutures contract

dispute halts deal By Rachael Brown

SUGAR growers have never been ‘more united’, after negotiations between British Sugar and NFU Sugar on next year’s sugar beet contract collapsed last week (December 6), following a failure to align on the futures contract. That was the message from NFU vice-president David Exwood as he called for arbitration to take place ‘as soon as possible’. NFU Sugar said it had repeatedly made clear to British Sugar the futures-linked contract was an integral part of their package and that growers must have the opportunity to opt for a meaningful exposure to the upside in the market, recognising that it could also mean exposure to the downside. But British Sugar’s agriculture director, Dan Green, said he was ‘disappointed’ an issue which he said affected so few people had resulted in this. Mr Green added: “We have offered to launch the futures contract for next year on the same basis as the

Growers united as British Sugar talks fail 2023/24 price. However, the NFU’s insistence on locking in a fixed discount today presents significant risk to both growers and British Sugar. “We sell almost all of our sugar through fixed price annual contracts and therefore we cannot cover the risks inherent in the futures contract. “If we agree a discount factor on the model, both ourselves and the growers who choose it will face greater risk.”

Frustrated North Yorkshire arable farmer Andrew Wilson criticised British Sugar for ‘sidestepping’ negotiation and was frustrated by the lack of mention on frost insurance. He said: “I am very disappointed that despite now being able to sell sugar made from 2022 grown beet into a very buoyant market, British Sugar cannot be flexible enough to find a compromise in either the share

Negotiations on next year’s sugar beet contract have stalled.

of sugar uplift or tonnage allowed onto the futures contract.” British Sugar said arbitration could take between two and three months and contract and seed orders would reopen on December 18. NFU Sugar Board’s chair Michael

Sly said he was ‘astounded’ British Sugar had opted for arbitration. “They can be in no doubt of the strength of feeling among beet growers and support for NFU Sugar as the growers’ representative body.”

Thank you

Co-op Farming & Fisheries Team want to say thank you for all your hard work and continued commitment. We are all connected by food so let’s continue supporting and working together.

farmersguardian.com

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DECEMBER 15 2023 | 13

13/12/2023 17:38

BUSINESS rInterest rates squeeze With large tax bills, high input costs and reduced farm finances further payments, consultants Andersons was expecting farm finances to come under more pressure. Jonathan Wheeler reports. FARMERS should take care of their

Take care of your cash

Andersons’ Outlook 2024 publication suggested that staying in control of finances was more important than ever.

rates – a negligible factor until recently – were rising. The authors suggested staying in control of finances was more important than ever, saying: “This need not be a sophisticated cashflow calculation – a simple ‘ledger’ of likely outgoings and incomings will provide a good sense of whether there is likely to be a cash crunch. “Early discussions with lenders are likely to receive a favourable hearing as long as the underlying business is sound. Last minute calls to extend overdrafts are unlikely to be accommodated as easily.”

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In the introduction to Outlook, the authors said 2024 would see the reality of post-Common Agricultural Policy farm support really hit home. “In England, BPS payments will be down to at least half of their historic levels – more for larger farms,” they said. While farmers would be able to replace some of the income lost with the Environmental Land Management scheme, the company warned that those claiming these payments would have to work harder to gain them than they previously did. The authors also said the scheme was not fully developed.

BPS replacement

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cash, consultants Andersons suggested in its Outlook 2024 publication. The company said that a combination of factors meant farm finances would come under greater pressure this year than before. The years 2021 and 2022 were the most profitable in real terms since the mid-1990s, Richard King told those attending Andersons Midlands’ Outlook launch. But the downside of that was businesses potentially facing big tax bills from 2022 – when Total Income From Farming (TIFF) was nearly £8 billion – to be paid from 2023’s profits, when TIFF nearly halved to nearer £4.5bn. One of the reasons for the dip was that many of the inputs used for that harvest were bought when input prices were at their highest, but the resulting crops were sold into falling markets. And the cash available to pay those bills would be further reduced because 2024’s Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) would be much lower than before. They would also be paid in two tranches, so the December ‘top-up’ would be much smaller than in previous years. The report’s authors also pointed out that many farmers now have significant cash tied up in inputs. Despite some reductions, the overall trend was that these would continue to rise, albeit at a slightly lower rate because inflation was a little lower. Andersons added farmers could face another pressure from their own suppliers, suggesting that some may pass on price increases this year rather than continuing to absorb them, as they had done in recent years, to protect their own businesses. Those with mortgages and loans faced added pressure because interest

“The introduction of BPS replacements is less advanced in other parts of the UK,” they said. “However, 2024 should see detailed rules released for the new arrangement in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – clearly illustrating that the BPS is on borrowed time”. This should help focus farmers’ minds on farming profitably without Government support. They said: “A thriving agricultural sector requires significant improvement in overall productivity in the next decade. While there are pockets of excellence in UK agriculture, there is also a ‘long tail’ of underperforming businesses.” While new technologies could help

address this, they said there was a continuing need for high-quality people to manage and work in the sector.

Diversification For most farmers, food production would remain their core business. But they also noted that 68 per cent of farms now have a diversified element to the business – up by 15 per cent in the past decade – and maximising income from all aspects of the farm would be vital. They said: “This encompasses traditional diversification activities as well as newer income streams from selling environmental services.” Looking at farming’s place in the wider economy, Andersons partner Sebastian Graff-Baker said farmers must consider the economic background they face, which is one of a slowly-growing national economy. In addition, they were dealing with higher interest rates for the first time in years, and – like many other industries – struggling to attract enough good quality labour. Andersons also said the turbulence which affected the trading relationship between the UK and EU in previous years has abated. It warned the UK Government has delayed implementation of its border controls from the EU multiple times, but those controls were due to come into force early in 2024. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 10:40

GLOBAL AG VIEW

France on high alert for bird flu rCases found

around the country By Alex Black FRANCE has raised the risk level for avian influenza after new cases have been detected in the country. Preventative measures were strengthened on December 5 to protect poultry farms, with the virus spreading around Europe. The first outbreak on a livestock farm was detected in Morbihan at the end of November.

Increased risk The decision comes one week after an initial increase in the level of risk which the France Agriculture Ministry said would ensure better protection of farms in face of the threat from the strong circulation of the virus in migratory wildlife. Birds will need to be kept indoors with protections of feeding and watering. The move also prohibits poultry gatherings and bans racing pigeon

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The first outbreak of avian influenza on a French livestock farm was detected in Morbihan at the end of November.

competitions. Areas with a high density of poultry farms face additional measures. The measures also follow a compulsory vaccination campaign launched in France since October 1 for commercial farms keeping more than 250 ducks. Elsewhere in the poultry industry, the Food Standards Authority (FSA)

in the UK has issued an official warning around ongoing salmonella issues with imported poultry product from Poland. Following a series of outbreaks linked to Polish poultry products throughout 2023, the FSA has highlighted the importance of safe handling and cooking of poultry meat.

British Poultry Council chief executive Richard Griffiths said: “We have long established and rigorous processes to deal with salmonella and we follow these to the letter to produce food that people trust and value. “It is disappointing Poland is unable to do the same and is willing to export its hygiene problems instead of dealing with them.” He said it was positive to see the FSA highlight the importance of introducing full import controls on food and feed coming into the UK from the EU. “It is vital that controls on imports are introduced as a matter of justice to British poultry meat businesses upholding the standards which define our production system. “Controls protect consumers and businesses from the risks posed by imports produced to lower standards. The sooner they are fully implemented the better. “In the meantime we want to see authorities stopping to check every single load that comes in from Poland and rejecting those which do not meet requirements.”

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 15

12/12/2023 16:05

SECTION SECOND BROW FARMHERE PROFILE Edited by Emily Ashworth – 01772 799 446 – emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com

PICTURES: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

After a turbulent start, one Welsh dairy farm has managed to overcome opposition and see its business thrive. Barry Alston reports.

Cows at Lower Leighton Farm average 36 litres a day, with overall production at 50,000 litres.

Welsh dairy farm streamlines efficiency with business overhaul

ierce opposition from an animal welfare organisation, backed by local protests, threatened to put a stop to expansion plans by a Montgomeryshire farming family. But it has not been the case and today it operates one of the UK’s top ranked dairy units. It took the best part of six years, sheer determination and a wedge of money to gain planning permission for what then was a pioneering 1,000-cow zero grazing operation

16 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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at Lower Leighton Farm, near Welshpool. Only after Welsh Assembly Ministerial approval, followed by a High Court judicial review, did the development get the go ahead – a decision based on the important economic benefits for the local community and the jobs it would create. For Maurice Jones and his son, Fraser, it marked the end of the long-running battle with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), a welfare campaign

group opposed to large-scale herds along with some local non-farming residents. Dubbed as a ‘mega dairy’ the objections were based around cattle being intensively housed all year round, increased traffic, visual impact and the unpleasant odour from the claimed ‘mountain’ of slurry it would produce. The original application was made in 2008 and refused by Powys County Council’s planning committee which cited the smell, noise and animal welfare concerns

as reasons to reject the venture. About 100 protesters even attended a public meeting in the local village hall, with appeals being won and lost on both sides until the Welsh Government stepped in and a public inquiry was ordered in March 2013. While approval for the development finally came the following October, it was still not the end of the affair. The WSPA launched a further legal challenge which was finally rejected in June 2014. Overall it had cost the family farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 16:20

POWYS FARM PROFILE Farm facts

The business milks 1,800 Holstein Friesians over two sites.

Cow comfort and welfare are at the heart of everything we do as a business. Happy cows mean productive cows FRASER JONES about £300,000 in legal fees, but it did mean that at long last work could start on putting together components that had been lying unopened on the farm yard for the best part of six years, along with the installation of new cubicle and fodder storage buildings. More importantly, it provided a sound future for Fraser and the local economy, and provided support for the family’s firm belief that an indoor system makes it easier to manage animals while providing the best welfare. “Cow comfort and welfare are at the heart of everything we do as a business. Happy cows mean productive cows,” says Fraser. He is the third generation of the family to farm, his great-grandfather having moved in 1925 from hill farming in Mid Wales to establish a dairy herd in the kinder climatic conditions near Montgomery and found the Calcourt herd, a well-known name in pedigree farmersguardian.com

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■ 1,052 hectares (2,600 acres) spread across nine sites mainly in Wales with one over the border in England, milking 1,800 Holstein Friesians ■ Cows average 36 litres a day, with an overall daily production of 50,000 litres ■ The herd is indoor housed and the use of collars collects data from individual cows ■ Lower Leighton Farm was the venue for this year’s farm visit for Welsh Fellows and Associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies

black and white breeding circles. Ever since he was old enough to walk, Fraser admits to having been a lover of dairy cows. In fact he has only ever worked off farm briefly and that was to attend agricultural college. Today the family farms some 1,052 hectares (2,600 acres) spread across nine sites mainly in Wales with one over the border in England, milking 1,800 Holstein Friesians split over two sites at Lower Leighton and Court Calmore, near Montgomery. Milking is twice a day having seen an outdated 16/16 herringbone parlour being replaced by a 72-point rotary with all of the maintenance being carried out in-house.

and management are correct, animals will choose to stay in their sheds as they have all their requirements for a full and happy life. “Another advantage of the system is that it provides the buyer with a consistent amount of milk each day.” As far as the Leighton cows are concerned, they are averaging 36 litres a day, with an overall daily production of 50,000 litres. Calving index is 400 days. While still maintaining its pedigree status with all the cows being black and white, today’s

management is based on strictly commercial lines. The whole milking process takes 40 minutes per cow with teat cups having been removed automatically well before they reach the roundabout’s exit point. Isolation pens are available should individual cows need to be inspected. Neck collars identify each cow with automatic yield recording, artificial insemination information and other relevant data being computerised and readily available. “From the outset importance was placed on milking being a smooth and efficient process to provide as little disruption to the cows as possible,” says Fraser. “No concentrates are being fed either in or out of the parlour, with daily rations built solely around a total mixed ration (TMR) based on grass, wholecrop and maize silages to provide consistency

Switching “It works well and since installation we have only had to make one call out to the supplier. That was traced to a cable that had been chewed by a rodent,” says Fraser. “Switching to three times a day milking would be ideal, but not on the cards for the time being. his is largely due to staffing and not by choice. “The overriding aim is to keep everything as simple as possible. Housing for the milkers has been designed meticulously to ensure the best comfort, health and welfare, including the lighting in the cubicle sheds with the power being supplied from solar panels on the roof. “It has been programmed to keep the lumens consistent throughout the day from dawn until dusk – providing benefits for both the cows and staff. Trials have shown that if the facilities

Maurice Jones (pictured) has driven the business plan with his son Fraser. DECEMBER 15 2023 | 17

13/12/2023 10:45

FARM PROFILE POWYS

No concentrates are fed, just a total mixed ration of grass, wholecrop and maize silages.

within the rumen with no unnecessary spikes in pH.” Cows are not kept in groups according to yield, but move on to the next mob according to the stage of lactation and calving. Slurry from each of the cubicle sheds is piped to a covered reception pit and pumped into a separator unit with the dried solids being used for bedding and the stored liquid spread when conditions are suitable. Rainwater is stored from as many roofs as possible and a ground source unit provides power for cooling the milk. The heat from the milk is used to warm the water for cleaning down. “Every job is carried out by farm staff, which gives us complete control over what we have to do, when we want to do it. The only contractor we use is for hedge trimming,” says Fraser. “Cropping around the various sites is based largely around barley,

wheat, maize, triticale and grass. Each of the farms has a key role to play within the operation of the business. Dry cows are rested at one until calving again, all the calves are reared on another, one unit looks after the vital role of keeping machinery in full working order, while all the male calves go into a specialist bull rearing holding for finishing at 12 to 14 months. Staffing stands at 40 full-time workers – something which has seen a big change in recent times.

Staff “Before Brexit the ratio was 70 per cent foreign employees and 30 per cent British. “Since Brexit 70 per cent are British and 30 per cent foreign. In fact I seem to be spending more time managing staff than the business,” says Fraser. Not only has the farming system changed since the planning set-

The cows are milked twice a day in a 72-point rotary parlour. 18 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Every job is carried out by farm staff, which gives us complete control over what we have to do, when we want to do it FRASER JONES back, but so too has the relationship with local residents. “We have worked really hard to build our links with the community, especially with the village primary school which is right on our doorstep,” says Fraser.

“We hold regular farm open days for villagers and produce a newsletter every other month covering what is happening on the farm and within the industry. That has produced some very positive feedback. “As a family we are very much involved with the school. The children visit the farm regularly and we have provided them with a vegetable patch and a forestry area where they can hold outdoor classrooms. “We support local charity functions, helping to raise what has amounted to a great deal of money and put in a pathway so people do not have to walk along a dangerous stretch of road. “Our relationship is really good now. In fact, we put in a planning application for two sheds last summer and it was passed right away. “Keeping that relationship strong is a priority. The battle for planning permission was a major challenge – but we got there in the end.”

Slurry is separated and dried solids used for bedding. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 10:45

ARABLE

Edited by Ash Ellwood – 07786 190 188 – ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com

Using ADAS’ Yen Zero to evaluate the carbon output of growing arable crops has allowed one Sussex farmer to generate a detailed snapshot that he can benchmark with others on an annual basis. Farmers Guardian reports.

Detailed carbon audit offers whole farm improvements

Arable farmer Ryan Gue (inset) wanted to gain greater insight into the environmental outputs of his cereal crops.

ENTERING THE DATA MR Gue entered four fields into Yen Zero and will add this season’s data for these fields again to allow yearly comparisons. Figures required include number of passes with equipment, yield, varieties, soil analysis and drilling dates; most of which should be already logged by the farm or, as Mr Gue is hoping with his latest Fendt tractor, will be recorded by the machine. “I have found the depth that the report goes into and the information I am required to input is better than other carbon audits I have seen. You really do get out what you put in, as a more detailed data input offers a more accurate

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carbon calculation and the ability to precisely benchmark,” says Mr Gue. Benchmarking on an annual basis is useful as weather and application timings can impact the outcome; for instance, one field suffered with BYDV pressure this year due to it being too wet to apply pesticides. Mr Gue says that with his rotation, it takes at least two years to see the benefits, draw comparisons and make improvements. The data is presented as a total carbon footprint on a per hectare or per tonne basis of yield, with different factors such as fertiliser, chemicals and machinery inputs individually displayed for easy analysis.

rable farmer Ryan Gue signed up to Yen Zero to gain greater insight into the environmental output of his crops. Now in his second year of the scheme, he is collecting valuable data about the carbon output of his cropping that can be used to compare with previous years and other farmers, while using the information to adjust farming practices for increased efficiency where required. Mr Gue farms in partnership with his parents, Tim and Marion, and brothers, Keith and Matt, and has taken part in Yen Zero for two years with support from Toby Ward, his nutrition agronomist at Origin Fertilisers. Mr Ward advises on nutrition requirements and, by joining Yen Zero, the farm can not only under-

stand its carbon output but also gain recommendations for improvements. The family farm is based at Steyning in Sussex, with 550 hectares of predominately maize and wheat grown on rotation. This complements the family’s dairy unit, where 400 cows – which are housed all year round – are milked in a robot system. Mr Gue says that he wanted to understand his carbon output for his cereal crops in comparison to other growers and was surprised at the ease of the process. He says: “It is not as hard or daunting as people may think to generate this useful data and, like any farmer, I wanted to know where I could improve, and Yen Zero allows me to see this in an easy format. In all, it took me less than a day to input all the information required, which we had DECEMBER 15 2023 | 19

13/12/2023 10:48

ARABLE on the farm already. Working with Origin helped me get the most out of the process.” Yen Zero’s aim is to support the industry’s target of net zero emissions by 2040 through calculating and benchmarking crop carbon footprints and exploring innovative ways to reduce these on a per field basis. The detailed Crop C Footprint Analysis and Benchmarking reports can identify where emissions hotspots are, enabling easy comparisons between farms and fields, plus the ability to implement measures to lower the footprint.

FIGURE 1: MITIGATION TREE The mitigation tree is part of the recommendations from the Yen Zero Crop C Footprint Analysis Report.

Toby Ward

Fully implemented Partially implemented Not started

FURTHER STEPS OTHER improvements involved widening the arable rotation to include a legume, which is something Mr Gue is considering. The current wheat and maize rotation works well for the farm and provides the cows with the nutritional quality they require, but adding a legume could offer more benefits. Mr Gue says: “Reducing the soya content of supplements for the dairy herd could be helped through growing a legume to add into the ration. “This would not only provide a food source and potentially reduce bought-in feed, but the legume crop would fix airborne nitrogen in the soil, offering a free source for the following crop, so hopefully reducing our inputs.”

Key driver Nitrogen use efficiency is still a key driver for the farm and he believes that being able to continually improve this will contribute to lowering the farm’s carbon output. Further recommendations included measuring manures applied to arable fields, which is already in place, and that data is then fed into a nutrient management plan. 20 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Productivity Fertiliser Energy Soil health

INCREASING NITROGEN FERTILISER EFFICIENCY THE diagram in Figure 1 is part of the recommendations provided by Yen Zero. It highlights the main strategies that can be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Each circle represents a mitigation technique, and the size of circle is how great the impact will be. The further away from the centre, the more potentially difficult the changes can be to implement. Each number is linked to the corresponding farm practice and the colours indicate if the process has started, is in progress or is fully implemented. “Some of the practices are easy to action and some we are in the process of doing. However, some require greater thought, but it is good to have a comparison and gain a perspective on where the farm is,” says Mr Gue. One of the suggested changes

for Mr Gue to reduce his carbon output was changing from applying straight urea fertiliser to using a protected urea product featuring a urease inhibitor to reduce ammonia emissions.

Regulations The change has also coincided with Defra’s Clean Air Strategy option 4 being implemented next April, which will govern growers applying straight urea after March 31, 2024. The fertiliser switch was suggested by Mr Ward before Yen Zero, to not only comply with the upcoming regulations, but to maximise the investment in fertiliser. Mr Gue says: “We previously applied ammonium nitrate [AN] but changed to protected urea to reduce our outlay on fertiliser. I initially had reservations that it

Some [practices] require greater thought, but it is good to have a comparison and gain a perspective on where the farm is RYAN GUE would not spread consistently to 36 metres, but we have had no problems in the three years we have used it, and it has performed as well as AN.”

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 16:23

Up to £2,645 per year on a 10-hectare miscanthus crop can be claimed on land classified as a non-horticultural permanent crop through the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

ARABLE

rCrop offers long-term,

consistent income

MISCANTHUS crops can survive on waterlogged fields, with yields unaffected by excess water, a study from the Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University has shown. Lead author of the study, Dr Jason Kam, says crop quality is not compromised by flooding. “There is no significant difference in yield and other physiological development. Observed height and tiller number have no differences between winter flooded and non-flooded ground,” says Dr Kam. “Because of miscanthus’ perennial nature, annual planting is not needed, which reduces soil disturbance to a minimum. The structure of miscanthus rhizomes and root helps to stabilise soils, making it more resilient against flood-caused soil erosion.” East Yorkshire arable farmer, Rob Meadley, grows 12 hectares of miscanthus on varying quality, flood-prone land which previously was not delivering a viable return with arable crops. Mr Meadley planted miscanthus in March 2012 in good conditions, but

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Miscanthus profitable on flood-prone land this was followed by a wet April, meaning the freshly planted crop was in standing water, with bad weather again in June. This resulted in the 2014 harvest being affected by the legacy of flooding and lack of weed control. Mr Meadley says: “Arable crops would never have survived the conditions that the miscanthus was exposed to, and we did not lose any money on inputs. The annual yield

quickly recovered, and in 2017 and 2020, we had bumper harvests of over 13 tonnes per ha.”

Affordable As well as offering long-term, consistent income and environmental benefits on less productive land, miscanthus is now more affordable and profitable, thanks to new Sustainable Farming Incentive payments.

Up to £2,645 per year on a 10ha miscanthus crop can be claimed on land classified as a non-horticultural permanent crop. Due to the payments, the return on investment break-even point is two years earlier and the average net return for a 10ha crop is £930/ha. This return is retail price index linked and increasing annually, according to miscanthus specialist Terravesta.

ROB MEADLEY’S MISCANTHUS YIELDS SINCE PLANTING IN 2012 Tonnage Yield (tonnes/hectare)

2012 -

2013 2014 9.78 0.81

SOURCE: TERRAVESTA

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 100.66 143.64 157.54 139.94 153.41 159.36 134.61 154.25 8.36 11.93 13.08 11.62 12.74 13.24 11.18 12.81

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 21

13/12/2023 16:32

ARABLE CROPTEC SHOW DISEASE CONTROL CLAIMING unrivalled broad-spectrum disease control, Bayer discussed its newly released fungicide Iblon (Isoflucypram). With a new active substance providing a good all-round disease protection, commercial technical adviser, Tom Astill, said: “Iblon is an exciting addition to the disease armoury with a brand new active substance that is ready to be applied to winter wheat in spring 2024. “The fungicide is a good fit for both T1 and T2 timings due to its broad-spectrum activity, and it

CropTec exhibited industry updates plus opportunities for knowledge transfer. Ash Ellwood shares five key messages.

Five advancements from CropTec 2023 The CropTec Show, held in Stoneleigh on November 29-30, showcased the latest industry advancements.

has also been shown to deliver green leaf retention due to the physiological benefits delivered through the applications.”

visitors using the opportunity to collect six Basis and six NRoSO points across the two days. LG Seeds was also on hand to discuss its latest varieties to top the Recommended List yields rankings, including LG Beowulf - which is currently the highest yielding two-row winter wheat - LG Caravelle winter barley, and highest yielding maize variety Saxon. Kurtis Scarboro, arable development officer at LG Seeds, said: “Many growers have struggled to drill winter barley due to the weather. We would suggest the end of January to be the cut-off for drilling, depending on how cold January and February are. “We would also recommend increasing seed rates to make up for the delayed start.”

PICTURES: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

BYDV RESISTANCE AND NEWEST RL VARIETIES RAGT demonstrated its new Genserus BYDV-resistant range, including Group 2 variety Goldfinch, Gem and Group 4 variety Grouse. RAGT had a sample of Grouse on display at the show, demonstrating the yield difference potential when growing wheat with and without the BYDV resistance gene. Edith Bousquet, marketing co-ordinator for RAGT, said: “You can see the yield difference between the wheat containing the resistance gene and the sample without. “Group 2 variety Goldfinch also includes midge resistance coupled with the BYDV resistance, which means growers do not need to spray insecticides.” The knowledge trail was popular at the LG Seeds stand, with many

ROBOTS TO DETECT PEST AND DISEASE THREAT WARWICK Agritech was on hand to demonstrate exciting technologies, including an automated Crombot prototype that used cameras and sensor technology to identify and pick ripe strawberries as well as detect pest and disease threats. The lead engineer at Warwick Manufacturing Group described another project named ASPA, which

is developing artificial intelligence (AI) technology for autonomous weed elimination in field-scale crops, including wheat. Currently in its ‘brain training’ stage, the AI technology is analysing wheat grown within glasshouses to collect data and build intelligence before constructing the platform to enable the technology to be utilised in the field.

CALL FOR MONITOR FARMERS

RAGT demonstrated the yield difference between wheat containing the BYDV resistance gene and wheat without.

MONITOR farmers are required across England and Wales, who will be able to gain advice and access research from AHDB’s knowledge exchange managers. AHDB’s Monitor Farm programme brings together groups of like-minded farmers who wish to improve their businesses by sharing performance information and best practice around a nationwide network of host farms. Media relations officer at AHDB,

Carolyn Smith, said: “Ideal applicants would be willing to try new things to expand their business and trial new ways of doing things on-farm. “They would need to be willing to share findings with local farmers and host three to four events each year, supported by their specific knowledge exchange manager.”

The company also reported an increased interest in borage. Fraiser Hill, Premium Crops agronomist, said winter linseed was a key talking point at the show, with many growers looking to replace

struggling oilseed rape crops. He said: “Winter linseed requires half the inputs of OSR and growers get the added security of a guaranteed contract offered through Premium Crops.”

MORE INFORMATION To find out more, visit the website at ahdb.org.uk/monitor-farms

ALTERNATIVE SPRING CROPPING OPTIONS PREMIUM Crops was showcasing its spring cropping options, as many farmers have struggled to drill winter crops due to the bad weather. Matthew Lewis, marketing 22 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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specialist of Premium Crops, said: “Visitors have been interested in spring crops, including canary seed and spring linseed, with new markets available meaning contract prices have increased.”

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13/12/2023 17:24

SALES Garrowby Toffee tops Red Ladies at price of 22,000gns Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com

PICTURES: CATHERINE MACGREGOR

r18,000gns paid for

pre-sale show champion

THE Red Ladies sale of pedigree Limousin females at Carlisle topped at 22,000gns for 19-monthold Garrowby Toffee from Garrowby Farm, York. The first heifer to be sold by 28,000gns Grahams Rooney out of Gunnerfleet Jeloche, and a big winner in the show ring this season, it has a myostatin combination of NT821/Q204X and a beef value of 41. The buyers were Paul and Christine Tippetts, Shifnal. Next, at 18,000gns, was the pre-sale show champion, April 2022-born Sarkley Tenrietta from Elfed Williams, Sennybridge, who bought the heifer for 10,000gns at last year’s weaned

Garrowby Toffee from Garrowby Farm, York, which sold for the top price of 22,000gns to Paul and Christine Tippetts, Shifnal.

calf sale from breeder E.H. Pennie and Son, Montgomery. The double Q204X heifer, by

Carnew Millreef out of Sarkley Lenrietta, was knocked down to the judge, Mary Cormack, Chepstow.

Also selling for 18,000gns was April 2022-born Anside Trinity from the Irvine family, Drummuir. By Claragh Franco and out of Anside Liberty – a Powerful Irish daughter – it sold to Kevin Cruickshank, Elgin. Page Farm Partnership, Ripon, paid 10,000gns for the 19-month-old first prize winner, Grahams Trendy, also by Claragh Franco. Consigned by R. and J. Graham, Bridge of Allan, it was a winner at the Royal Welsh Show and claimed the best heifer award in the 2022 Scottish herd competition. AVERAGES 35 maiden heifers, £5,550 (+£1,220 on 2022). Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

WEANED CALVES PEAK AT 25,000GNS THE winning heifer calf, Foxhillfarm Unique, topped the sale of weaned calves on Red Ladies day at Carlisle at 25,000gns. Consigned by Mike and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, the January-born calf with a NT821/Q204X myostatin – a daughter of Foxhillfarm Lord of the Rings out of Foxhillfarm Naomi – was knocked down to Chris White, Moreton-in-Marsh. Second top price of 10,000gns went to the second in the show; Maraiscote Ubeauty by Bassingfield Machoman out of Maraiscote Gucci, from J. Nimmo, Wishaw. Having been junior champion at the Stars of the Future calf show, it sold to Messrs Bunting and Son, New Abbey. Heifer calves from E.H. Pennie and Son, Mongomery, topped at 6,000gns

for Sarkley Urmadel, a Plumtree Vantastic daughter which sold to Messrs Pendlebury, Wigan. This was followed by Sarkley Ulany by Johnstown Premier at 5,500gns, which went to Messrs Gammie, Laurencekirk, and 4,500gns for Sarkley Ulena by Burnbank Officer, which sold to Messrs Mcauley, Co Antrim. Messrs Pennie also topped the bull calves at 5,000gns with Sarkley Unescoe, a Sarkley Roscoe son which went to Messrs Hardisty, Ennerdale. AVERAGES 22 heifer calves, £4,362; 45 bull calves, £3,129. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Winning heifer calf, Foxhillfarm Unique, from Mike and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, which sold for 25,000gns to Chris White, Moreton-in-Marsh.

Hexham prime cattle champion makes 419.5p/kg THE Christmas sale of prime cattle at Hexham topped at 419.5p/kg for a Limousin cross heifer from A. and D. Proctor, Swarland Old Hall, which sold to B. and T. Kitson, Northallerton. The overall champion, a British Blue cross steer from S. Graham, Miller Hill, sold for 415p/kg to the judge, Steven Wilson, The Butcher Shop, Corby Hill. The Young Farmers’ Club farmersguardian.com

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championship was won by Rachel Graham, Miller Hill, with a red Limousin heifer bought from Hexham in the spring from Messrs Proctor. It went on to sell for 381.5p/kg to R. Pearson Wholesale Butchers, Bradford. Cows topped at 251p/kg for the first prize winner; a British Blue cross from J. Lee and Sons, Agars Hill, which sold to Owain Llyr, Ruthin.

Top price per head was £2,220.33 for a pure Blue cow from Messrs Rochester and Murray, Tow Law. The prime lamb championship went to a trio of Beltex lambs from J. and A. Moralee, Hard Riding, which sold for £185/head (355.8p/kg) to Andrew Atkinson on behalf of Elite Meat, Harrogate. Reserve champion went to the trio of other continental

lambs from E. Milburn and Son, Holling Hill, which made £136/head to the judge Frank Robson, on behalf of Cranstons Quality Butchers. The first prize Texel lambs from D.A. and P. Burn and Sons, Aydonshields, made £142/head to Mr Robson on behalf of A. and S. Green, East Barnwell. Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts. DECEMBER 15 2023 | 23

13/12/2023 16:34

SALES

rFronarth flock part-

reduction tops 2,200gns CHAMPION and reserve claimed the top two prices at the Beltex Sheep Society’s sale at Carlisle. Leading the way at 6,000gns was Lurg Juicy Lucy, a ewe lamb from Alan Miller, Inverurie, which had been second at the Royal Highland and a winner at the Scottish National. By Woodies Explosive out of Kingledores Felicity, it sold to the judge, Victoria Bowring, Mansfield. Next, at 3,000gns, was the reserve champion, Matt’s Hickory

by Buckles Fizzy Pop from Matthew Burleigh, Enniskillen. Carrying a single to Buckles Horrace, it also went home with the judge.

Part-reduction The part-reduction of the Fronarth flock from Sion Jones, Llanon, topped at 2,200gns for Fronarth Head Over Heels, an Osrey Geronimo daughter in-lamb with twins to Glantre Geeronimo. The buyer was Stuart Robson, Galashiels. To celebrate 30 years of breeding, Wade and Alison McCrabbe held their first production sale from their Ardstewart flock, Lif-

PICTURE: WAYNE HUTCHINSON

Beltex realise 6,000gns high

Overall champion and first gimmer hogg, Lurg Juicy Lucy, from Alan Miller, Inverurie, which sold for 6,000gns to the judge, Victoria Bowring, Mansfield.

ford. It peaked at 2,200gns for Ardstewart Hailey by Riverview Fury carrying twins to Ardstewart Jack The Ripper, which sold to Craig Douglas and Kiri Bass, Penrith. Making 2,100gns when snapped up by Anne MacPherson, Croy, was Ardstewart Hokey Cokey, another by Riverview Fury, but

scanned a single to the newly imported Aramis De Noblehaye. AVERAGES 6 aged ewes, £639; 73 shearling ewes, £726; 4 ewe lambs, £2,100; Ardstewart production – 24 shearling ewes, £930; Loandhu dispersal – 35 aged ewes, £429. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Sunnybank sale trade peaks at 5,000gns DUTCH Spotted led the trade at 5,000gns at the Sunnybank Selection Box sale on behalf of Henry Jewitt, Barnard Castle, at Carlisle. The sale topper was Sunnybank Empress, a gimmer by Lochlad Dictator out of the imported ewe, Cyrene, which was scanned with a single to Diamond Ferguson. The buyer was Messrs Roberts, Shrewsbury, who also paid 2,500gns for 2021-born Boyo Ellie Mae, another Dictator daughter out of 20,000gns Candyfloss, also carrying a single to Ferguson.

Blue Texels topped at 2,500gns for Sunnybank Gemini, a gimmer by Whatmore E-male out of Caryl’s Blue Diamon, in-lamb with a single to Saltire Blue Gentle Giant, which was knocked down to Messrs Allen and Shortt, Co Tyrone.

Badger Face Texels Leading the Badger Face Texels at 2,300gns was Sunnybank Dangerous by an imported ram out of Sunnybank Be My Guest, carrying a single to an imported ram. It

New Hereford record at Shrewsbury The Designer Genes sale of Herefords at Shrewsbury topped at 11,000gns to average £6,116.25, with a 57 per cent clearance rate. The sale topper, setting a UK record for a Hereford under 12 months old, was Moralee 1 Katy Perry PR301, a nine-month-old heifer calf from Tom and Di Harrison, Stocksfield. By Moralee 1 RHS Prince out of Richmount 1 KatiePerry, it sold to A. Whitfield, Shropshire. The current joint bull of the year, Solpoll 1 Trailblazer from L. and L. Bowen, Mid Glamorgan, sold with 150 straws of semen, for 10,000gns to Vaughan Farms, Herefordshire.

In-calf Messrs Whitfield also paid 8,200gns for Hoghton View 1 24 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Alfreda 3 by Moeskaer Magnetic, in-calf to Auckvale 1 Walktall, from S. and E. Walker, Lancashire. The previous evening’s On Ice sale of genetics topped at 6,500gns for Moeskaer Herefords, Denmark, who offered the right to flush any cow in the herd, guaranteeing a minimum of five grade A exportable embryos to a sire of the buyer’s choosing. The buyer was Kevin Schaub, Cananda. Selling for 5,000gns was the pick of the 2023-born calves, male or female, from Auckvale Herefords, Co Durham, which was bought by Emma Hodge, Scottish Borders. AVERAGES 1 bull, £10,500; 7 females, £5,499; 29 embryos, £474. Auctioneers: Halls.

sold to Messrs Francis, Carmarthen. Making 2,200gns was Cleenagh Dancing Queen, an in-lamb gimmer by Cleenagh Bodybuilder, which sold to Mr Roberts.

AVERAGES: 15 Dutch Spotted, £1,438.50; 32 Blue Texels, £816.50; 37 Badger Face Texels, £841.94. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Woodhouse flock leads Kerry Hills THE Christmas Cracker sale of Kerry Hill sheep at Carlisle topped at 2,200gns for the winning ewe lamb from J. and P. Owens, Woodhouse flock, Leominster. By Dalwyne Avicii out of a home-bred ewe by a Clayfield ram, it sold to Messrs Burgess, New Abbey. Next, at 1,500gns, was a gimmer by Dalwayne Zeus, in-lamb to a Downwood ram, again from Messrs Owens. It sold to Messrs Howells, Llandusul.

Gimmer Selling for 1,400gns was a gimmer from A. Smith’s Wester flock, West Calder. By a Four Crosses ram and in-lamb to Kingswater Arizona, it

was knocked down to Messrs Dick, Peebles. Three more gimmers by Dalwyne Zeus in-lamb to a Downwood ram from Messrs Owens sold for 1,000gns apiece, with two going to Messrs Howells, and one to Messrs Atkinson, Co Durham. Also selling for 1,000gns was another gimmer by a Four Crosses ram in-lamb to Kingswater Arizona from Miss Smith, which sold to Messrs Crozier, Enniskillen. AVERAGES 7 aged ewes, £285; 33 shearling gimmers, £684.09; 12 ewe lambs, £781.04. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Winning ewe lamb, from J. and P. Owens, Leominster, which sold for 2,200gns to Messrs Burgess, New Abbey.

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13/12/2023 17:26

SALES YFC winner is St Asaph supreme AT the Christmas primestock show and sale at St Asaph, the supreme championship in the cattle ring went to the winner of the Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) class; a 560kg Limousin cross heifer from Elliw Ponsonby, Bodsuran, Anglesey. It went on to sell for 540p/kg (£3,024) to Mark Webster on behalf of Gwalia House Butchers, Abergele. The reserve championship was awarded to Edwards Bros, Corwen, with the winner of the best homebred steer class, which weighed 570kg and sold for 390p/kg (£2,223) to Glyn Morris on behalf of M.J. Birtwistle, Manchester.

There was an entry of 166 commercial cattle – the most seen in St Asaph since November 2007. The winner of the best consignment of five or more commercial cattle were A.G. and M.T. Davies, Denbigh, who sold 29 Limousin steers and heifers to average 324.65p/kg. The prime lamb championship went to O.T. and H.C. Williams, Pandy Tudur, with a pair of 38.5kg Beltex crosses which sold for £180/head to Field Fresh Trading, Mold, which also paid £142/head for the reserve champions; 36kg Beltex crosses from the same home.

rFirecracker daughter

Texel Crackers peak at top price of 30,000gns

sold for 6,000gns

EWE lambs from the dispersal of Myfor Evans’ Rhaeadr flock, Denbigh, dominated the Carlisle Crackers Texel sale at Borderway mart. Trade peaked at 30,000gns for a daughter of Streatlam Fire Cracker out of a Sportsmans Dare Devil sired dam, which sold to Messrs Blackwood, Muirkirk, for the Auldhouseburn flock. Its ET sister then sold for 10,000gns to Messrs Cubitt, Co Antrim, who also

Auctioneers: Jones Peckover.

paid 5,000gns and 3,000gns for two more ET sisters, and 3,000gns for another by the same sire out of another Sportsmans Dare Devil daughter.

Champion lambs make £300/head THE Christmas show and sale of prime lambs at Brockholes Arms saw an increased entry of 862, which averaged 263p/kg overall. With more than 40 pens forward for the show, the championship went to Ian and Mary Lancaster, Clitheroe, with 47kg Beltex which sold for £300/head to the judge, Mark Mather, on behalf of Countrystyle Meats, Lancaster. Reserve champion went to the winner of the any other breed class; a pen of 47kg Dutch Spotted crosses from the students of Myerscough College, which sold for £154/head to Jimmy Wood, Bowland Foods, Preston. They also had the first prize

winning pen of 47kg Suffolks, which sold for £124/head. The winning continental lambs were five 47kg Texels from T. Jackson, Longridge, which made £177/head to Mr Wood, who also paid £160/head for 47kg Beltex lambs from A. and S. Coupe, Longridge, shown by Jack Lancashire. The first prize Mules weighing 48kg from W.I. and A. Atkinson , Bleasdale, made £123/head, and the winning horned lambs were 46kg Lonks from F. and J.M. Kelsall, Bleasdale, which sold for £114.50/head. Auctioneers: Brockholes Arms Auction Mart.

Champion Beltex lambs from Ian and Mary Lancaster, Clitheroe. farmersguardian.com

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Left to right: Clwyd Dowell (Judge), Tony Ponsonby and Elliw Ponsonby with the supreme champion, a Limousin cross heifer which sold for 540p/kg.

Messrs Morrison, Banff, paid 6,000gns for a Firecracker daughter, whose dam by Dare Devil is a full sister to 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice from Mr Evans. The consignment from Messrs Hair’s Drumbreddan flock, Stranraer, topped at 7,500gns for a gimmer by Teiglum Eisenhower. Out of a Claddagh Dynamite daughter and inlamb to Haymount First Class, the gimmer was knocked down to Messrs Amphlett, Leominster. The dispersal of the Brackenridge flock on behalf of Andrew Nielson, Strathaven, topped at 6,000gns. This was for a 2020-born, Teiglum-bred ewe by Procters Chumba Wumba and out of a Sportsmans Admiral sired ewe which is granddam of 65,000gns

Teiglum Goliath. It sold in a two-way split to Messrs MacGregor, Kilsyth, and Messrs Muirhead, Blair Athol. AVERAGES Brackenridge flock - 14 gimmers, £960; Duncryne flock - 2 gimmers, £1,050; Hilltop flock - 5 gimmers, £903; Milnbank flock - 7 gimmers, £840; Knap flock - 6 gimmers, £1,701; Rascarrell flock – 2 gimmers, £630; Drumbreddan flock – 5 gimmers, £2,667; Harestone flock – 5 gimmers, £1,155; Haddo flock – 5 gimmers, £682; Allanfauld flock – 6 gimmers, £1,505; Hexel flock – 6 ewe lambs, £542.50; Charben flock - 2 ewe lambs, £2,625; 21 Rhaeadr flock – 21 ewe lambs, £3,795. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Cattle champion sells for 730p/kg WINSLOW Market Square was transformed into a market for the annual Christmas primestock show and sale. Prime cattle were judged by Anthony Kitson, Kitsons Butchers, Northallerton, who awarded the overall championship to the Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) champion, a 656kg Limousin heifer from Will Ludgate, Tebworth, which he bought for 730p/kg (£4,785.52). Making 710p/kg (£4,824.60) was a 680kg Limousin heifer from Frank Page, Northampton, which went to Padbury Meats, Padbury. The native class was won by a 666kg Lincoln Red steer from D. Plested, Chinnor, which sold for 350p/kg to the judge.

Heifers from James May, Bromsgrove, sold to 500p/kg for 552kg, with Andrew Geary, Milton Keynes, selling to 434.5p/kg for a Limousin. The champion lambs weighing 49kg were from A.E. and F.J. Claridge, Buckingham, and sold for £290/head (592p/kg) to Peter Amor, on behalf of Brookes Butchers, Loughborough. The reserve champions weighing 42kg were from G.E. Haynes and Son, Winslow, and made 595p/kg (£250/ head) to Billy Burton, Market Deeping. The champion pen of YFC lambs from Hannah Wass, Mansfield, were 61kg Beltex, selling for 557p/kg (£340/ head) to Parratt Brothers Butchers. Auctioneers: Melton Mowbray Livestock Market. DECEMBER 15 2023 | 25

13/12/2023 11:09

STOCKJUDGING COMPETITION To be in with your chance of winning up to £200, test out your judging skills by entering our annual beef stockjudging competition.

Test your stockjudging skills and win up to £200

his year’s beef stockjudging competition is now open for entries. Our annual competition is once again sponsored by Show Time, supplier of specialist livestock products for cattle, sheep, horses and other animals, covering the UK and Europe.

How to take part Take part by pitting your judging skills against those of our professional judge to be in with the chance of winning one of three cash prizes. The first correct entry to be drawn at random will receive our top prize

of £200, while two runners-up will each win £50. To be in with a chance of winning, you need to rank the four animals pictured (one being the animal you rate most highly), in the same order as our judge. Complete the entry form opposite and return it to: Showtime Stockjudging Competition, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ, by January 15, 2024. ENTER ONLINE Alternatively, you can enter the competition online at farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging

Could your stockjudging skills win you one of three cash prizes?

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HOW TO ENTER Return the form below or enter online at farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging

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Stockjudging competition entry form

Fill in and return this form before January 15, 2024, or go to farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging

Completing Section A of the form enables you to be entered into our free prize draw. However, we’d like to know a little more about you to help us provide information about relevant products. Fill in Section B if you would like to provide this additional information.

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Beef (livestock numbers): Sheep (livestock numbers): Privacy Statement: Data protection – your personal data will be collected and processed in accordance with our Privacy Statement which can be viewed (see p11). From time to time, Agriconnect would like to use the personal data you have provided in this form to contact you via email, post, phone and text about Agriconnect goods and services that we think will be of interest to you. If you would like to receive this communication, please confirm this by ticking this box. Your personal data will not be shared with third parties. If you have any queries or concerns about how we hold your data, please write to the Data Protection Co-ordinator, Agriconnect, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Preston, PR2 9NZ, or email dataprotection@farmersguardian.com.

Please return by January 15, 2024, to: Showtime Stockjudging Competition, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ. Terms and Conditions: 1. The competition (prize draw) is open to UK residents (aged 18 years or over), with the exception of ‘employees’ or ‘relatives of employees’ of Agriconnect. 2. Inclusion in the prize draw is subject to entry to the competition. 3. Entry to the draw will close January 15, 2024. 4. Only one entry per person is permitted. 5. Winners will be selected at random from all valid and correctly answered entries. 6. The judge’s decision is final. No correspondence or discussion shall be entered into. 7. Prize is non-refundable and no prize alternative is available. 8. Completion of the entry form implies acceptance of these terms and conditions.

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DECEMBER 15 2023 | 27

12/12/2023 13:31

SALES

Select Seven Texels top at 16,000gns rOverall average at

A Seaforde Empire King daughter out fo a Garngourbred dam from Hugh and Alan Blackwood’s Auldhouseburn flock sold for the top price of 16,000gns to Charlie Boden, Stockport.

Lanark was £1,888

TRADE for in-lamb Texel gimmers peaked at 16,000gns and averaged £1,888 overall at the Select Seven sale at Lanark. The sale leader was a Seaforde Empire King daughter out of a Garngour-bred dam by Knock Yardsman, from Hugh and Alan Blackwood’s Auldhouseburn flock, Muirkirk. It sold, scanned in-lamb to 9,000gns Hilltop Goliath, to Charlie Boden, Stockport. Another Auldhouseburn gimmer made 7,000gns to Mark Priestley, Seaforde, Northern Ireland. The second top price of 8,500gns was for a Clayburn Dunkirk daughter out of a ewe by Procters Chumba Wumba from Alan Clark’s Garngour flock, Lesmahagow. In-lamb to Sportsmans Grand Slam, it was knocked down to Johnny Cubitt, Ballymena. Another gimmer by Dunkirk

from the same home sold for 6,500gns to Tom Ayrton, Lancaster, with Mr Clark keeping a half-share. FLOCK AVERAGES Allanfauld - 5 gimmers, £2,394; Auldhouseburn - 5 gimmers, £6,573; Boghouse/Crawfordjohn - 6 gimmers, £1,155; Cambwell - 8 gimmers, £1,043.44; Clarks - 4 gimmers,

£1,561.88; Craighead - 5 embryos, £541.80; Ettrick/Tima - 8 gimmers, £2,126.25; Garngour - 11 gimmers, £2,276.59; Grougfoot/Champany - 7 gimmers, £532.50; Harestone - 4 gimmers, £1,194.38; Hexel - 4 ewe lambs, £1,141.88; Hope Valley - 1 ewe lamb, £1,050; Strawfrank - 3 gimmers, £682.50; Teiglum - 9 gimmers, £2,333.33. Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.

Cattle champion makes 600p/kg at Darlington THE Renton family, Morpeth, took both champion and reserve in the prime cattle section at Darlington. Their champion was a 552kg heifer by a homebred British Blue cross Limousin bull, which also won the Jim Marks Trophy for the best home-bred beast. In reserve was a pure bred 568kg Limousin heifer. They sold for 600pkg (£3,312) and 405p/kg (£2,300) respectively to H. Taylor and Sons Butchers, Darlington.

Steer The champion steer went to Georgina Laws, Leyburn, with a 725kg Limousin, bought from John Smith-Jackson in March. It sold to the the judge, Harry Wood, Bowland Foods, Preston, for 390p/kg (£2,827). The champion bull from T.A. Horn, Great Asby, was a 689kg 28 | DECEMBER 15 2023

p28 Dec 15 MB AC.indd 2

Champion was a 552kg heifer from the Renton family, Morpeth.

Limousin which went on to sell for a 340p/kg to the judge, Robert Matten, Thirsk. The champion lambs were the winning pen of Texels weighing 60kg/head from Alan and John Ramsay of W. Ramsay and Sons,

Wingate, which sold for £470/head to the judge, Matt Prince, Highfield House Farm Shop, Chesterfield. Reserve champions from the Askwith family, Crook, were 46kg Beltex-sired lambs which made £330/head to Bowland Foods. A

Beltex claim Wigton champion and reserve AT Wigton’s Christmas show and sale, prime lambs were judged by Gavin Little, Penrith, who chose as champions a pair of 48.5kg Beltex from R. Hall and Son, Inglewood Edge, which sold for £222/head to R.M. Helliwell, Rochdale. The reserve champions from April Skelton, Inglewood Edge, were 46.5kg Beltex which made £208/ head to R. Skelton. The winner of the young handlers class was Ava Miller, Crookdale Mill. The prime cattle champion was a 686kg British Blue heifer from I. and N. Grainger, Kiln Close, which sold for 430p/kg (£2,949.80) to the judge, R. Taylor, Derbyshire. Reserve champion went to Alan Barnett, Shap, with a 726kg Limousin which sold for 445p/kg (£3,230.70) to S. Wilson for his butcher’s shops in Corby Hill and Brampton. The commercial class winner was a 733kg Limousin heifer from J.J. Crichton, Loughrigg, which sold for 450p/kg. Auctioneers: Hopes Auction Co.

Prime lambs to 594p/kg at Barnard Castle

AT Barnard Castle the Christmas show and sale of prime lambs was judged by John Mellin, Long Preston, who gave the championship to a pen of three Beltex from Ben Cowton, Tow Law, which he went on to buy for £285/head (594p/kg) on behalf of Croppers Family Butchers, Accrington. The reserve championship went to E.R. Thompson, Cotherstone, for a pen of three Beltex which sold for £250/head to the Shan Group. The winning Mule-bred lambs from J. and S. Stanwix, Caldwell, sold for £140/head. The first prize Mule lambs from T.A. Alderson, Cockfield, made £130/head and the winning horned lambs consigned by C. Parker, Baldersdale, sold for £103/head. Auctioneers: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Farmers Auction Mart Co.

charity auction at the mart raised more than £7,000 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and The Angel Trust. Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 10:55

SALES

rShearling ewes

CR7 daughter. It sold to Alan Miller, Inverurie, carrying twins to Curwen Hill Golden Boy.

FEMALES from Alfie and Ann Taylor’s Heatheryhall flock, Biggar, were once the star attraction at the Beltex Scotland sale at Lanark when shearling ewes from their production sale topped at 5,000gns. Leading the way was Heatheryhall Helena, a daughter of the 30,000gns Buckles Dark Dawn bred from 5,000gns Lurg Ella, a Bailey Brook

Scanned with twins

make 5,000gns high

Next, at 4,600gns, selling to Stuart Wood, Skene, was Heatheryhall Heidi, also scanned with twins but this time to 42,000gns Todhall Hercules. Making 4,000gns was Heatheryhall Hazel by Wannop’s Godfather. Scanned with twins to Curwen Hill Golden Boy, it was knocked down to Andrew Wainwright, Cupar, who also

PICTURE: MACGREGOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Heatheryhall flock tops Lanark Beltex

Heatheryhall Helena, from Alfie and Ann Taylor, Biggar, which sold for 5,000gns to Alan Miller, Inverurie.

paid 2,400gns for another from the Dark Dawn/Lurg Ella flush, Heatheryahll Honey Bee, scanned with triplets to Todhall Hercules. Neil Wattie, Alford, paid 3,400gns and 3,000gns for two carrying twins to Todhall Hercules. First making 3,400gns was the Dark Dawn-sired Heatheryhall Halle and then at 3,000gns was Heatheryhall Honeysuckle by Ardstewart Fred Flintstone. AVERAGES 33 shearling ewes, £653; Heatheryhall

Strong lamb entry at Longtown

Texel crosses Smallburn Farms, Elgin, sold a run

Caithness lambs to £520/head THERE were 102-head of cattle and 3,730 sheep forward at the Caithness Christmas show and sale at the Quoybrae Centre. Champion lambs were two 54kg Beltex from C. Angus, West Mey, which made £520/head to Mackay’s Hotel, Wick. In reserve were two 47kg Beltex from Kris Sutherland and Hannah Levack, Dunbeath Farms, which sold to Puldagon Farm Shop and Restaurant for £200/head. The farm shop also paid £380/head for the Young Farmers champions, two 48kg Beltex from Ms Levack.

Prime cattle PICTURE: ISLA CAMPBELL

THERE were more than 5,000 prime lambs on offer at Longtown, with 57 pens forward for the Christmas show and sale. The overall championship went to Mark Batty and Zoe Hall, Pirntaton, Galashields, with 49kg Beltex which went on to top the sale at £250/head (510p/kg) to West Scottish Lamb, Carlisle. Reserve champion were the first prize-winning continental lambs weighing 50kg from Messrs Moralee, Barden Mill, which sold for £220/head (440p/kg), also to West Scottish Lamb. A run of first cross Texel lambs consigned by David Moir, Aberdeen, topped at £155/head for a pen of 48 55kg lambs and averaged £143 overall for 402 sold.

production – 29 shearling ewes, £1,740; 4 ewe lambs, £1,654; 18 straws of semen, £114; 5 embryo pregnancies. Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.

From left: Mark Batty and Zoe Hall, Galashields, with their overall champions and first prize Beltex lambs, and judge Jack Iveson (right).

of 140 topping at £134 for 45kg Texel crosses. A run of 193 Blackface lambs from Messrs Graham, Dumfries, topped at £124.

The 3,708 ewes topped at £315 for Texels from Messrs Mcvay, Green Hill. Auctioneers: C. and D. Marts.

The prime cattle championship went to a 630kg British Blue cross bullock from G.W. Begg, Nybster. It sold to Mackay’s Hotel for £3,000 (476p/kg). In reserve was a 644kg Limousin cross bullock from the same home which sold for £2,200 (342p/kg) to J.M. Munro, Dingwall. The Young Farmers champion was a 698kg Limousin cross bullock from James Gunn, Wick, which sold for £2,200 to McIntosh Donald Kepak. Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

Melton Mowbray Christmas prime cattle champion realises £5,400 AT Melton Mowbray’s Christmas show and sale the prime cattle were judged by Phillip Parkin, Parkins Butchers, Howden, who found his champion in a 680kg Limousin heifer consigned by Trevor and Jonathan Lyon, Bourne. It sold for 794p/kg (£5,400) to Steve Booth, on behalf of Owen Taylor and Sons Butchers, Derby. The reserve champion, a 665kg British Blue-sired steer from Charlotte and Georgia Davies, Leicestershire, farmersguardian.com

p29 Dec 15 AC MB.indd 2

sold for £3,000 (452p/kg) to Robert Medcalf on behalf of The Plough, North Kyme. The champion native beast from Emma Green, Huntingdon, was a 730kg Lincoln Red heifer which made 300p/kg to Kitson Butchers, Northallerton. The Young Farmers champion, was a 605kg Lincoln Red from I. Stephen, Norfolk, which sold for 342p/ kg, also to Kitson Butchers. The champion lambs were 45kg

Beltex, from J.F. Burbidge and Sons, Stamford, which sold to the judge, James Gittens, Powys, at 578p/kg (£260/head). Reserve champions, were 49kg Beltex from M.D. Copley, Grantham, which sold at 490p/kg (£240/head) to Billy Burton, Market Deeping.

Pigs The pigs were judged by Keith Littlewood, Bestwood, who awarded the championship to a pen of bacon pigs

from Mick and Luke Fane, Saxilby, which he went on to buy for £340/ head on behalf of W. Taylor and Son Wholesale Pig and Suckler Pig Suppliers, Bamber Bridge. Reserve champion went to Kim Arden, Peterborough, with a pair of cutter pigs which sold at £280/head to Mr Burton. The show and sale also raised more than £9,000 for charity. Auctioneers: Melton Mowbray Livestock Market. DECEMBER 15 2023 | 29

13/12/2023 17:28

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37-38 Careers

39-41 Livestock 42-43 Feedstuffs & Bedding 43-47 Buildings & Building Materials

Bakewell Market Results - Monday 11th December 579 Cattle & 2,412 Sheep - Full report available on our website Store Cattle Entries now being taken for Monday 18th December Deadline 12 Noon on 15th December Call 01629 812777 Watch the livestreamed cattle sales on www.streaming.auctionmarts.com ********************** THURSDAY LUNCHTIME WEEKLY SHEEP SALE Entries/Enquiries, contact Peter Oven: peter.oven@bagshaws.com or 07973 982443

*********************** CHRISTMAS OPENING AT BAKEWELL MARKET

Thursday 21st December - NO MARKET Monday 25th December - CLOSED Tuesday 26th December - CLOSED Thursday 28th December - Thursday Lunchtime Sheep Sale Monday 1st January - CLOSED Tuesday 2nd January - MARKET OPEN

Farm Dispersal Sales FORD VALLEY FARM MARSH LANE, ECKINGTON, S21 5RE Friday 12th January 2024 at 10:30am 4 New Holland & Ford Tractors, Kawasaki Diesel Mule, Trailers Arable & Potato Equipment, Workshop Items, Spares Straw & Grass Seed, Livestock Equipment, Sundries & Effects Catalogues are available to download at www.bagshaws.com, Email: Deb.scholes@bagshaws.com

Leek Smithfield • Barnfields • Leek • Staffordshire • ST13 5PY • www.leekmarket.co.uk

Market Results 70Leek Dairies, Cull Cows 194p/kg - •£1309.75, Clean £239•- ST13 £1398.15, - 219p/kg - £226.32, Smithfield • Barnfields Leek • Staffordshire 5PY •Pigs www.leekmarket.co.uk Calves BB Bull to £480, Lambs 322p/kg - £154.30, Ewes £189

SALE OF DRESSED POULTRY – Friday 22nd December 2023

Pedigree Christmas Show & Sale

83 HOLSTEINS

, AYRSHIRES, SHORTHORNS, BF & JERSEYS Fully Catalogued Sale from some of the Leading Herds in the Midlands and Surrounding Counties. A TREMENDOUS ENTRY already received from: Bentygrange (5), Braemarhouse (3), Broomhouse (8), Brundcliffe (11), Burbrook (2), Chasmar, Cubley (4), Dovetremt (7), Greetham, Havendale (5), Honeycroft (4), Leisure (2), Meldamar (4), Millhurst (2), Moreben, Rownall (2), Sterndale (5), Sternmoor (2), Timberlane (6), Whitecroft, Incl Youngstock & Served Heifers from the Timberlane Herd JUDGING: 10AM SALE: 11AM Judge: Mr N Moss

TUESDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2023 11AM For Further Details & Catalogues Contact (01889) 562811 Ref: MEE

Store Cattle Sales 260 STORE CATTLE THIS SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2023 Fat/Barrens: Graham Watkins 07976 370894 Dairies: Meg Elliott 07967 007049 Stores: Mark Elliott 07973 673092 Sheep: Robert Watkins 07929 946652 Visit us at www.leekauctions.co.uk

www.bagshaws.com

Tel: 01629 812777

CLITHEROE AUCTION MART

www.auctionmart.co.uk T: 01200 423325 • Jeremy: 07815 727993 WEEKLY Tuesday 19th Dec 12.30pm PRIMESTOCK SALE Prime Lambs & Cull Ewes DRESSED POULTRY Thursday 21st December 5pm SALE Turkeys, Geese, Ducks and Capons

Our Directors & Staff would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

** 26 December - NO PRIMESTOCK SALE ** th

| December 15, 2023

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Farmers Guardian

CHRISTMAS DEADLINES CHRISTMAS EDITION

Friday 22nd December Copy Deadline - Wednesday Dec 20th 11am Alterations/Cancellations - Wednesday Dec 20th 11am

NEW YEAR EDITION

Friday 29th December Copy Deadline - Wednesday Dec 20th 11am Alterations/Cancellations - Wednesday Dec 20th 11am Please note: The Farmers Guardian office will be closed from Thursday 21st December, will re-open for one day on Wednesday 27 th December and will remain closed until Tuesday 2 nd January 2024

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Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today 47-50 Property

50 Finance 50-51 Motors 52-59 Tractors & Machinery Winter Feeding & Housing - Inside this week!

FARMSTOCK AUCTIONEERS, BROKERS & VALUERS BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE Tel: 01228 406200

CHRISTMAS STARS TEXEL SALE Monday 18th December – 6.00pm presenting 87 In-Lamb Females with consignments from Clanfield, Cowal, Craig Douglas, Glenside, Haymount, Hilltop, Knap, Midlock, Milnbank, Orchilmore, Sportmans & Mellor Vale, Strathbogie Annual sale of

ROUGH PLUCKED & DRESSED POULTRY Friday 22nd December – 10.00am Please advise entries

CHRISTMAS SALE ARRANGEMENTS Monday 25th December, Monday 1st January

DISPERSAL SALE OF THE USK VALE, PROCTERS & TATHAM HALL FLOCKS Friday 29th December – 10.30am Usk Vale Texel Flock 13 Flush ewes, 69 Recips carrying embryos, 6 Flock ewes, 40 shearling gimmers, 21 ewe lambs Procters Texel Flock 80 Recips carrying embryos, 32 Flock Ewes, 28 shearling gimmers, 35 ewe lambs Tatham Hall Texel Flock 35 Recips carrying embryos, 37 Flock ewes, 19 shearling gimmers, 18 ewe lambs Procters Beltex Flock 37 Flock ewes, 30 Recips carrying embryos, 14 shearling gimmers, 12 ewe lambs

BORDERWAY MONTHLY DAIRY DAY Wednesday 3rd January Entries close Tuesday 2nd January “Classy Lassies”show and sale of registered crossing type inlamb

BLUEFACED LEICESTER FEMALES Monday 15th January Entries close Tuesday 2nd January

& Wednesday 27th December

PEDIGREE BRITISH BLUE CATTLE

NO SALES

Friday 19th January Entries close Tuesday 2nd January

Tuesday 2nd January Sale of PRIME SHEEP

ON SITE SALE

Wednesday 3rd January

JALEX SELECT V4 - Winter Festive Females

Sales as normal

Saturday 30th December – 1.00pm Comprising 120 incalf heifers due Jan- Apr Also 2 Roan Hybrid and 1 Limousin bulls Online bidding available via MartEye

Major reduction sale of 120

120 DUTCH SPOTTED, BADGERFACE & BLUE TEXEL inlamb females From the Cleenagh, Hazelberry & Tiptop flocks Friday 29th December – 11.00am

PLEASE SCAN TO VIEW OUR ONLINE CATALOGUES

Visit www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or follow us on Facebook & Instragram

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HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP Friday 15th December 800 Store Lambs at 10am Tuesday 19th December 2000 Prime Lambs at 10am 400 Cast Ewes & Rams 20 Calves at 10.30am Tuesday 26th December 2000 Prime Lambs at 9:30am 400 Cast Ewes & Rams Tuesday 2nd January Show & Sale of Prime Lambs for Young Farmers for the JW Cockett Shield. Sponsored by Lane End Farm Shop. Saturday 13th January 100 Store Cattle & Cull Cows. Cat closes Tue 2nd Jan Saturday 20th January Show & Sale of Ind Registered Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on behalf of the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Assoc, also Show & Sale of Ind Registered Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Assoc. Also Show & Sale of Ind Herdwick Ewes & Gimmer Lambs. Entries close 29th Dec. Telephone: 01969 667207, 015396 20895, 07974 126397, 07711 469280.

Monday 18th December @10.00am Usual Weekly Sale

Friday 22nd December @11.00am GATES OPEN 8am Fortnightly Store & Breeding Sale Store Lambs, Store Cattle & Calves Christmas Dressed Poultry 5pm

Monday 25th December & Monday 1st January NO SALE

Tuesday 2nd January @approx 4.00pm Usual Fatstock Sale GATES OPEN 1PM Ian Smith - Mart Manager 07738043771 Office 01943 462172 wfam@auctionmarts.com

December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 14:16:11

FGBuyandSell.com Auctions

VIEW FROM THE ROSTRUM

Increasingly tired of bad press Stephen Dodsworth on the media’s agenda

would like to start by wishing one and all a very merry Christmas. Here in Darlington we have certainly enjoyed a wonderful time in the buildup. Some fabulous livestock have been making stunning prices, with a champion heifer selling to 600p/kg and winning lambs to £470 apiece. More importantly, at our combined Christmas fayre and prime stock show we have raised a staggering £10,000 for charity as once again the farming fraternity proved its incredible generosity. The kind and proud folk within agriculture and the meat trade are always very generous and this is so often unnoticed, despite all their bad press from the mainstream media and uninformed chastising from tin pot celebrities we, as an industry, remain undeterred and continue to support

Stephen Dodsworth

and feed a nation who really does not appreciate us. Who wasted their time watching the latest nonsensical TV documentary on beef killing our planet? All these uninformed celebrities keep appearing somehow thinking they are qualified to present programmes on industries they know nothing of, I like many am growing increasingly tired of it. The media often uses presenters

who have never so much as set foot on a farm let alone entered an abattoir, if anything needs to change it is this. The NFU, AHDB, LAA and alike are doing their up-most but in all honesty their voices are not being heard, the mainstream media clearly have an agenda which does not involve anyone or anything from outside of London. What can our industry do? The short answer is very little, we cannot educate a public that we cannot reach and without help from the mainstream TV channels this is not an option. Our one outlet on a Sunday evening for many years has quickly turned into a soap opera with a cast intent on saving a planet without feeding it in the interim. Could we go on strike? Everyone’s on strike, from train drivers to bin workers to teachers and doctors; the reason is always given as a demand for better working conditions, the real reason is always money. What if farmers in the UK

refused to sell any produce for one week every time some city dwelling crack pot was given airtime to dismantle a meat trade with their totally uninformed views? What if the shelves really were empty one Christmas? It is all hypothetical of course, as I said at the start, the farming community are too nice, too kind and too proud and will no doubt always be so. So, we will suck it up and keep on feeding folk, that is after all what we do best. Have a happy and peaceful Christmas, the shepherds will certainly watch their flocks by night as always but just for a change I am hoping that the three wise men in charge of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 this year make a slight adjustment and bring common sense in place of frankincense. Stephen Dodsworth is a fieldsperson at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart. Call 01325 464 529, or email stephen@dfam.co.uk

A new route to market

Farmers Guardian has a rich history of connecting buyers with sellers, FGBuyandSell.com offers you a new and improved route to market.

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com 34

| December 15, 2023

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13/12/2023 16:49:57

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Auctions

SKIPTON AUCTION MART

Tel: 01756 792375 www.ccmauctions.com

NORTH WEST AUCTIONS LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS � VALUERS

www.nwauctions.co.uk

info@nwauctions.co.uk

LANCASTER AUCTION MART Tel: 01524 63308 Monday 18th December 10.30am PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP

Friday 22nd December 2pm DRESSED POULTRY -------------------------------

Tuesday 26th December 1pm 2000 PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP -------------------------------

------------------------------

Thursday 28th December *NO SALE*

-------------------------------

Thursday 4th January 10.30am Fortnightly Sale of 4000 STORE HOGGS Please Note Entries Close on Wednesday 20th December

Friday 22nd December 10am DRESSED POULTRY *NO CATTLE SALE* Friday 29th December *NO SALE* -------------------------------

-------------------------------

Monday 1st January *NO SALE* -------------------------------

Friday 5th January 10.15am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11.15am 300 STORE CATTLE

J36 RURAL AUCTION CENTRE Tel: 015395 66200 Tuesday 19th December 1pm 2000 PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP -------------------------------

Thursday 21st December (Last Cattle Sale of the year) 10am REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.30am 100 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11.15am STIRKS & STORE CATTLE -------------------------------

Saturday 6th January 10.30am Show & Sale of 104 Pedigree Texel Females On behalf of North West Texel Breeders Club Show & Sale of 46 Pedigree Beltex Females On behalf of Beltex Sheep Society Society Sales of Pedigree Females for 6 Blue Texels & 8 Badger Face Texels -------------------------------

Saturday 27th January DIAMOND DELIGHTS Rough Fell Females on behalf of the RFSBA Swaledale Females on behalf of the SSBA Bluefaced Leicester Females Also this day Multi-Breed Sale of Individual In-Lamb Breeding Sheep & Commercial In-Lamb Sheep Entries Close Friday 5th January

BENTHAM AUCTION MART

Inc. 38 Pure Bred Char Bulls/Hfrs 8-10m

Wednesday 20th December 10.30am Fortnightly Sale of Dairy Cattle 25 Newly Calved Cattle & 10 BF x In Calf Heifers 11am 100-150 REARING CALVES 2.30pm 2000 Cast Ewes followed by 2500-3500 Prime Lambs 7pm ONE AUCTION MART SHARE To Be Sold In Top Ring Wednesday 27th December *SHEEP ONLY SALE * 2.30pm 2000 Cast Ewes followed by 2500-3500 Prime Lambs Young Farmers Singles Night Prizes for Best Single Prime Lamb (Lowland & Hill Breeds) & Best Presented Prime Lamb & Vendor (Show by a Young Handler (Under 27yo)) Wednesday 3rd January Fortnightly Dairy Sale Weekly Sale of Rearing Calves, Cast Ewes & Prime Hoggs Tuesday 9th January Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle Suckler Breeding Cattle NEW YEAR SALE OF STORE CATTLE FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF STORE HOGGS Entries for catalogue close Tuesday 2nd January

RTS Richard Turner & Son AUCTIONEERS VALUERS & ESTATE AGENTS

FGbuyandsell.com

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Est 1803

200 WINTER SHOW STARS Annual Sale of MV Acc & Non MV Acc Females Inc Annual Consignments from F Joel, AL Thompson & J Wood 330 BORDER FINE ARTS & BESWICK Agricultural Themed Viewing 9.30am – Sale 10.30am Online bidding available please pre-register 116 STIRKS, WEANED CALVES, BREEDING & CULL GOATS, STORE & BREEDING SHEEP Sale 10.00am Monday 18th December SALE OF REARING CALVES Sale 10.30am PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available) SALE OF PRIME LAMBS Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES Annual Christmas Sale of OVEN READY POULTRY – Pre-Entered Birds Only Sale 10.30am

...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart

673 FARMERS STIRKS & YOUNG STORES

Saturday 16th December 48 PEDIGREE TEXEL FEMALES Sale 10.45am followed by 23 PEDIGREE BELTEX FEMALES 5 PEDIGREE BADGER FACE TEXEL FEMALES 53 PEDIGREE BLUE TEXEL FEMALES Online bidding available please pre-register

Wednesday 20th December

015242 61444 - Sale Days 61246 Stephen 07713 075 661 Greg 07713 075 664 Will 07590 876 849 www.benthamauc on.co.uk

Tuesday 19th December at 10.30am 40-50 Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle Christmas Show & Sale of

Auctioneers: Jeremy Eaton - 07747 780481 Ted Ogden - 07855 958211 Kyle Hawksworth - 07538 539077 Rob Cloughton 07496 278828

WEDNESDAY 20th DECEMBER Prime Cattle Prime Sheep Prime Pigs Please Enter ALL Stock

40 YOUNG FEEDING BULLS Sale 10.00am followed by 10 BEEF FEEDING CATTLE & 150 STORE BULLOCKS & HEIFERS Wednesday 3rd January

Turkeys, Geese, Ducks & Chickens

New Year Opening Sale of YOUNG FEEDING BULLS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE – Please note entries for this sale will close Wednesday 20th December 4.00pm

Christmas Sale Arrangements

Dairy Cattle

Pigs 8.30am Sheep 9am Cattle 9.45am THURSDAY 21st DECEMBER at 5pm Christmas Sale of Dressed Poultry

Saturday 23rd December – NO SALE Wednesday 27th December – NO SALE Wednesday 3rd January – Fatstock Sale Saturday 6th January – Store Stock Sale Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year Contact Office for Details To all our Customers MART OFFICE: 01757 703347 Contact Office07768 for Details RICHARD HAIGH: 594535 MART OFFICE: 01757 703347 www.selbymart.co.uk RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535 www.selbymart.co.uk

Monday 8th January Show & Sale of DAIRY CATTLE Entries and Enquiries to Sarah 07710 795585 Xmas Office Opening Hours Thursday 21st December – CLOSED MID DAY ONWARDS Monday 25th December – NO SALE Thursday 28th December – Sale of PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP ONLY Monday 1st January – NO SALE The Directors & Staff would like to wish all our customers a Very Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 13:19:15

FGBuyandSell.com Auctions

Penrith Auction Mart 01768 864700 Monday 18th December 9.30am- Prime Bulls, Clean Cattle & Cast Cows. Special Section for TB area 1 cattle. 11am- Sale of 100 Store Cattle and Feeding Bulls of all classes Wednesday 20th December 8am – Sale of Cast Ewes & Rams & followed at 10am with Prime Lambs (Ballot 10am) Wednesday 20th December 2pm- Sale of 800 Store Lambs of all classes

www.penrithauction.com Andrew Maughan 07717 611952 Paul Gardner 07552 589141

GISBURN AUCTION MARTS Auctioneers, Valuers, Agents Tom Greenow - Market Manager 01200445376 Rachel Capstick 07713075659 Jack Pickup 07710708326 Eleanor O’Neill 07706347505 Matthew Middleton 07860659803 Saturday 16 December

9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS

10.30am 196 BREEDING & STORE CATTLE

SALE catalogue online. Enquiries to Jack 07710708326 Thursday 21 December

10.30am PRIME & CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES

11.00am CHRISTMAS SEMEX UK & JAMESON FEEDS SHOW SALE OF DAIRY (1) Fresh Ped Heifer (2) Newly Calved Ped Cow (3) Newly Calved Heifer (4) In-Calf Entries to Eleanor by 4pm Friday 15th 07706347505

12.30pm FESTIVE POULTRY SALE dressed Turkeys, Ducks, Capons – entries to an Auctioneer

Ammended festive sale dates

SATURDAY 23RD DECEMBER – NO SALE

THURSDAY 28TH DECEMBER – NO SALE

SATURDAY 30TH DECEMBER – NO SALE

TUESDAY 2ND JAN – NO MACHINERY SALE Office closes Friday 22nd December reopening on Tuesday 2nd January

Thursday 4 January

10.30am PRIME & CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES

11.00am DUGDALE with LELY SHOW SALE OF DAIRY entries emailed or texted to Eleanor by Tuesday 2nd Saturday 6 January

9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS 10.30am BREEDING & STORE SHEEP SALE

entries emailed or to the office on Tuesday 2nd January

www.gisburnauctions.com | 01200 445376

Call 01772 799500 and place your advert today 36

| December 15, 2023

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ASHLEY WALLER AUCTIONEERS

HORTICULTURE Thursdays No Sale Wednesday 27th Dec FURNITURE Next Sale 5th & 6th Jan PRODUCE No sale Monday 25th December, 1st January Special sale Tuesday 2nd January at 12.30pm MACHINERY Next Sale Tuesday 9th January - Delivery on 2nd January CHRISTMAS POULTRY Annual prize sale Monday 18th December 10am other entries an cipated every Wednesday info@ashleywaller.co.uk www.ashleywaller.co.uk www.easyliveauction.com

Personal

Brockholes Arms Auction Mart

Claughton On Brock, Preston PR3 0PH

01995 640280 www.garstangmart.co.uk Auctioneer: Ian Atkinson 07944 237516 Tuesday 19th December, 2023 9.00 a.m. 750 Prime Lambs & 200 Cast Ewes/Tups 10.30 a.m. Sale of 100 Store Cattle 11.30 a.m. 60/80 Rearing Calves, Weanlings & Stirks Wednesday 20th December, 2023 10.30 a.m. OTM Cattle Sale & TB Exempt Cattle Thursday 21st December, 2023 6.00 p.m. Dressed Poultry Sale PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE CLOSED ON THE 26th & 27th December, 2023 Tuesday 2nd January, 2024 9.00 a.m. 750 Prime Lambs & 200 Cast Ewes/Tups 10.30 a.m. Sale of 100 Store Cattle 11.30 a.m. 60/80 Rearing Calves, Weanlings & Stirks Wednesday 3rd January, 2024 10.30 a.m. OTM Cattle Sale & TB Exempt Cattle The Directors, Auctioneers & Staff would like to Wish all Customers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

The Livestock Auctioneers Association Where true values can be found CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET AT www.laa.co.uk

Trees & Shrubs

Everglades Nurseries Ltd THE QUICKTHORN NURSERY

Quickthorn (hawthorn)

20/40cm 0.32 40/60cm 0.43 40/60cm bushy 0.83 60/90cm 0.59 90/120cm 3ft /4ft bushy 1.41 Blackthorn 40/60cm 0.41 60/90cm 0.50 Beech 40/60cm 0.82 60/90cm 1.19 90/120cm 1.90 Privet 40/60cm 0.60 60/90cm 0.95 Hornbeam 40/60cm 0.55 60/90cm 0.80 90/120cm 1.75 Box 20/30cm 1.28 30/40cm 1.62 English Yew 30/40cm 2.15 Cherry Laurel 40/60cm 1.95 60/90cm 2.45 Rabbit Guards 0.28p Canes 0.12p Trees, Specimen Plants, Hedging, All Sizes Available. A standard delivery charge may be added. Quotes given for Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Ring for native tree whips availability and prices. Delivery will commence the week of the 13th November. All Prices Exclude VAT. Prices are subject to change. 269 Southport Road, Ulnes Walton Leyland Lancs PR26 8LQ

www.evergladesnurseries.com sales@evergladesnurseries.co.uk Tel: 01257 450533

HOUSEKEEPER Mature

person required to help out & join a team for a retired Farmer. Must be able to drive & cook. Excellent private accommodation provided. I am a Shropshire farmer with a small team around me and I am looking for someone to help out when required. All replies answered in confidence.

beech55@hotmail. co.uk Retired Farmer, living in the North of England, would like to meet and correspond with a likeminded lady aged between 60 and 75 years old. All replies will be answered PO Box 1039 Farmers Guardian, Caxton Road, Fulwood, PR2 9NZ

Personal Services CHRISTMAS ALONE?

Will you be surrounded by family this Christmas but without that special someone at your side? It doesn’t have to be this way and this time next year it could be so different. Let ‘Friends1st’ - the introduction agency for Christians - introduce you to someone special as we have for many other farmers! We’ve fixed other farmers up and we can do the same for you. For information view www.friends1st. co.uk or Call our friendly team on 0121 405 0941 today.

Contractors

WASTE TYRES and other waste removed from farms

• 25 years experience • Registered waste carrier • All farm tyres & tyre bale removed in bulk • Competitive prices

For free quote call Chris Ingram on 07860 670 201 or email chris@intowaste.co.uk www.intowaste.co.uk

J.P WHITTER (WATER WELL ENGINEERS) LTD WATER WELL DRILLING

• Borehole Drilling • Treatment &

Filtration • Water testing

01625 878411 www.blairdrilling.co.uk

• BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES • WORK CARRIED OUT TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD • WATER SYSTEMS INSTALLED • BOREHOLE PUMPING INSTALLATIONS • 24HR BREAKDOWN SERVICE • FREE QUOTATIONS AND SITE VISITS THE POTTERIES GARAGE SMALLBROOK LANE, LEIGH, WIGAN, LANCS, WN7 5PZ. TEL: 01942 871900. FAX: 01942 896843. Out of office: 01942 893660 Visit our Website www.waterwellengineers.co.uk Email: sally@waterwellengineers.co.uk

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 12:42:19

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

Business Development Manager Agriconnect is a business unit within the Arc network, a global events, data, and media platform. Arc is a fast-growing global events, data, and media platform with a varied portfolio content led portals, magazines, and events. Agriconnect’s mission is to empower, inspire, and connect people and business in agriculture by creating trusted content and connections that help the industry thrive.

Head of Youngstock Rearing Area: Sutton Bonington, Loughborough Salary: £27,584 to £33,804 per annum Farm Worker, Herdsperson The University of Nottingham Centre for Dairy Science Innovation (CDSI) and Arable Farm form part of the Agri-Tech National centre for Dairy research. This role is an opportunity for an experienced applicant looking for a new challenge. You will manage the Youngstock department including two direct reports and will be responsible for the care and welfare of animals from birth to first calving. There will also be occasional work with the adult cattle You will have excellent organisation and record keeping skills and will be responsible for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in all calf buildings. You will contribute to the overall running of the farm in all aspects of animal husbandry, including machinery operations (operation of telehandlers and driving of farm vehicles and tractors) animal handling and care. The role requires both excellent stock-management and team-working skills as well as an ability to contribute to the animal welfare and the health Candidates should have a minimum of two A-Levels in relevant subjects or have equivalent vocational qualifications with some relevant experience or have considerable experience in a relevant role. Due to the frequency with the role holder will be required to drive farm vehicles a full, current driving licence is also essential for this post. Further information regarding the duties for this post can be found on the attached job role profile. What’s in it for you • Ongoing support to develop your skills and gain industry recognised qualifications to further your career ambitions that may lead to different career paths and career progression. • An excellent holiday allowance of 26 days, plus additional university closure days and bank holidays • Employee Assistance Programme and Counselling Service - 24/7 support. • Supplier discounts, travel, and reward schemes. • Staff Networks, events and activities and state of the art sports facilities. • All the tools you need to do a great job. • Uniform provided. • Excellent pension scheme This is a permanent, full time post. The successful candidate will work a minimum of 36.25 hours per week plus regular overtime paid at x 1.5 rate for any hours worked over 36.25 per week and at x 2 rate for bank holidays and university closure days. The farm operates on a 10 on 4 off rota, days off are Friday – Monday every other week. Hours include early mornings and some evenings. Regular weekend work is expected. Job share arrangements may be considered. This post comes with a three-bedroom house with a large garden located on the Sutton Bonington Campus. The house is around 10 minutes walk from the farm.

For more information or to apply, head to JobsInAgriculture.com

LKL’S CURRENT VACANCIES

We currently have a wide range of positions available nationwide to include:• Assistant Herdsperson, Welshpool, 250 cows • Head Herdsperson/Herd Manager, Isle of Wight, 140 cows • Unit Manager, Devon, 250 cows Relief Herdspersons Nationwide LKL provides the perfect solution for finding the very best herd carers and managers. Visit our website for a full list of our current vacancies.

Web: www.lklservices.co.uk Tel: 01722 323546

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Since 1844, the brands of Agriconnect have been the trusted source of information for farmers and with brands like Farmers Guardian, events, like LAMMA and Farm Business Innovation, and digital platforms, like FG Insights, Agriconnect continues to bring together the British farming community.

THE ROLE:

• We are now looking for a motivated and driven salesperson to join our Sales team. • The main function of the role is to develop business through growth in revenue, yield, and to increase customer numbers. You will be required to identify new opportunities and influence companies’ media buying habits within the agricultural sector. Due to the ever-changing nature of the industry, this person will have the ability to spot new avenues and exploit market trends. • Hours: 35 hours per week – Mon – Fri • Location: Preston – temporary hybrid remote • Salary: Competitive, dependant on experience.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Own, support and fully develop specific market sectors • Conduct sales presentations by telephone, email or face to face to existing and prospective clients in order to develop existing business and generate new business wherever possible. • Advise existing and new customers on the most effective solution to meet client needs within the Agriconnect portfolio. • Continually seek and develop new sales & opportunities. • Ability to accurately forecast future sales • Keep abreast of all current trends, activities and relevant news within agriculture and specific sector • An interest in agriculture • Highly motivated & driven, with an ability to meet ambitious performance goals • Be enthusiastic and motivated to continually explore new opportunities, whilst possessing a natural inquisitive nature • Excellent communication written and interpersonal skills

We offer an excellent package including: • • • • • •

A competitive basic salary 25 days holiday increasing to 27 after two years An extra day off on your birthday Free life assurance Contributory pension scheme Employee assistance programme

Arc has ambitious plans for growth, and this is an opportunity to be part of our continuing success story whilst enjoying a fabulous work/ life balance. We strive to create a culture that is open and respectful, where differences are valued and celebrated. We want everyone to be able to reach their full potential, so we are committed to cultivating a company that promotes inclusion and belonging.

To apply for this role, please email amber.tabiner@agriconnect.com December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 15:17:05

FGBuyandSell.com Brand new website Visit jobs.farmersguardian.com for the latest job vacancies in agriculture

Shepherd Boughton Estate, Northamptonshire Buccleuch is a diverse and innova ve business commi ed to sustainable land use across its estates in Scotland and England. The Boughton Estate in-hand farms, situated in Northamptonshire, include livestock and arable enterprises across 1,500 ha. We are seeking to recruit an experienced Shepherd to join the team with responsibility for 1,600 Aberfield x Highlander outdoor lambing ewes. Other enterprises include finishing ca le, arable, parkland deer and an extensive Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

We are focused on producing lamb through high welfare husbandry on a predominantly forage based system with all lambs being finished on farm using temporary leys, forage/cover crops incorporated into the arable rota on and permanent pasture. 2022 saw new investment in a livestock hub created at Home Farm in the centre of the Estate. Candidates will ideally have experience in the following:

• EID data recording • Outdoor lambing experience • Mob grazing using electric fencing • Opera ng farm machinery and willing to assist in other areas of the business • Well organised and dy with high a en on to detail. We offer:

• Compe ve salary and pension • Good accommoda on in a rac ve three bed co age including kennels • Private healthcare • Ongoing training and development • Regular annual leave • Dog allowance The role requires previous livestock experience with own working dogs. To apply, please send a copy of your CV with covering le er to recruitment@buccleuch.com The closing date for applica ons is 23rd December

Please view our privacy policy at www.buccleuch.com/privacy

Arable Operator Due to retirement, Exton Park Farms are seeking an experienced and energetic person to join this progressive farming business. They would be involved in all aspects of arable production, but especially drilling, spraying and grain store management. Other general farm work would also be part of the role. Applicants must be capable of working to high standards and have sound practical experience of growing combinable crops. The ideal candidate would also have good workshop skills. A competitive employment package will be offered together with a good house on the estate. Please apply by 15 December in writing with full CV to emma@gassonassociates.com. All applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE VACANCIES OR TO SEE ALL OUR CURRENT ROLES, PLEASE GO TO: JOBSINAGRICULTURE.COM

| December 15, 2023

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About Carrs Billington Every day we provide rural and agricultural communities with the support they need to succeed. Whether they are after a healthier herd or flock, increased yields, faster growth rates, a decent return on their land or even just a helping hand. We have the people, products, and services to help our customers get from where they are now to where they want to be. This is why every role at Carr’s Billington is hugely important to our shared success and why we welcome talent from across all different backgrounds to work across our retail, feed, machinery, fuel and central support divisions. Carr’s Billington Agriculture is a subsidiary company of The Billington Group, who are also the proud owner of Criddle & Co., English Provender Company and Billington Foods. For more information about The Billington Group please visit our website at: www.thebillingtongroup.com Sales Manager At Carrs Billington Safety we have an opportunity to enhance, expand, and optimise sales within the Arborist and Forestry Markets across the country. • Kingstown, Carlisle • Competitive Salar • Carrs Billington Location: Kingstown, Carlisle Closes: 07 Jan 2024 Job Sector: Management, Sales & Marketing Contract Type: Permanent ATV Sales Person At Carrs Billington we have an exciting opportunity within our specialist ATV sales department, covering the North Yorkshire area. • North Yorkshire • Competitive Salar • Carrs Billington Location: North Yorkshire Closes: 07 Jan 2024 Job Sector: Sales & Marketing Contract Type: Permanent Parts Assistant Every day we provide rural and agricultural communities with the support they need to succeed. Whether they are after a healthier herd or flock, increased yields, faster growth rates, a decent return on their land or even just a helping hand. We have the people, products, and services to help our customers get from where they are now to where they want to be. • Spennymoor, Durham • Competitive Salar • Carrs Billington Location: Spennymoor, Durham Closes: 07 Jan 2024 Job Sector: Machinery / Service / Technician Contract Type: Permanent

Send CV’s to people@carrs-billington.com

carrs-billington.com/joinourteam

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 13:47:28

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Milking Equipment

Milking Equipment

Portable Milking Machine

“WITH ENERGY COSTS INCREASING CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO HAVE A HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM?” • 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 • HUGE REDUCTION IN YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

For further details please call S.W Refrigeration specialising in “On Farm cooling Equipment” 01392 210344 or Paul on 07974 140949 Complete new/used cooling solution

KRISTAL D&D LIMITED ESTABLISHED 1978

MARTLANDS

EN T A

Plain, Cows & Bulls Wanted. Also casualty collection service with veterinary certificates direct to our own abattoir. 24 hours a day 7 days a week collection for emergencies BAMBER BRIDGE Lancs, Cumbria, Cheshire. Yorkshire.

ADDRESS

3 Porthouse Industrial Estate Bromyard, HR7 4NS

www.kristaldd.co.uk

Tel: 01524 261144 or 01524 263022 or 01274 833196

Our ice builders & plate coolers are built in our factory along with our condensing unit & heat recovery systems

YL O

We also supply quality batch & the latest flow pasteurisers. This allows you to add more value to your milk in the way of vending or creating your own branded cream & milk.

WEBSITE

Daily collections of all types of fallen stock throughout the North of England.

PH TE

Quality used milk tanks available along with refurbished ice builders & condensing units.

Tel: 01885 483576 | Email: info@kristaldd.co.uk

ROBINSON MITCHELL LTD

Complete solutions from milk storage tanks, to ice builders, plate coolers, condensing units, heat recovery systems, glycol systems, tank wash systems. We also buy used tanks & part exchange.

TEXT OR TELEPHONE STEPHEN: 07860 636 605 OFFICE: 01772 626 951

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(T)

Sheep Scanning across the North of England Call Simon 07767 437065 CONCRETE GROOVING Neil O’Donnell -Tel: 01900 817009 or 07759 194600 Nationwide (T)

Livestock Equipment

V-Mac Silos

A Winder & Son Cumbria

0777 9444 174 ND Jeans Somerset

01963 370 044

WYNNSTAY RETAIL Wales

01691 662690

Animal Health

FGbuyandsell.com

coolers refurbished bulk milk tanks, most sizes available. 01260 226261

Livestock Services

COLLECTORS OF DEAD ANIMALS THROUGHOUT LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE Competitive prices PLEASE CALL: 01704 893161 or 07768 051800 (24 hrs) Martland’s the name, knackering’s the game Established over 100 years

NEW / USED TANKS FROM 50-50,000 LITRES, HORIZONTAL OR SILO

CONTACT

Complete with Honda engine and Electric motor. This unit is ready for work and can be delivered anywhere in the UK. Livestock Supplies LTD Ashley: 07831 887531, Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476 www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

ICE BUILDERS plate

www.vmacsilos.co.uk

December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 14:56:47

BILDABIN

FGBuyandSell.com LIVESTOCK SOLUTIONS

Livestock Equipment

BRIDGES ISO C o n t a i n e r F l a t s

Tel: 01772 690575 Only 18 Pairs www.bildabin.co.uk Left!

• 30ft long x 8ft wide x 18 inch deep • Very strong & durable would make good bridges for river crossing, dikes etc • Based in Lancaster, Lancashire. per flat, • Collection or haulier deals for bulk order. • Transport can be arranged.

£3250+VAT

•

Only 18 Pairs Left!

Telephone: 07815 186037

BILDABIN Steel and Fibreglass Silos

Grant Eligible

Calf Houses

• Can house between 10-12 calves • High degree of protection against Pneumonia and Scours

10 - 35 Tonne Outdoor H Blend Bin

Automatic Poultry Nesting Systems

Tel: 01772 690575 www.bildabin.co.uk

Weather and Vermin proof. Central Bagging Chute, suitable for snacker. • 10 Tonne • 6 Tonne

Multi-purpose flex augers Pig & Poultry Feeding & Drinking Systems

NEW STEEL BULK FEED BINS

• 4 Tonne Tel: 01686 626007 or 07747 355782 Mid Wales

from £5750

• Fill by Blowpipe or Loader • Can be suitable for snackers • 4 to 10T from £1095 • 3 to 6T from £660

Can manufacture to specification Grabs, Buckets & Bale Squeezers also available at Symms Fabrication!

Many more products on our website

SYMMS FABRICATION

Telephone: 01935 851243

Email: Info@symmsfabrication.co.uk Web: www.symmsfabrication.co.uk

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

We know farming. Farmers Guardian brands are embedded in the agricultural community and have a position of authority and trust 40

| December 15, 2023

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 11:57:46

Lorab

Ribble Aberdeen-Angus

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today nSheep

nPoultry

Buckhurst RED AberdeenNOVA Angus

White Star & Purebreds now available. -Tel: 07768 790962

W.Yorks (P) A range of genetics from the top family lines in the nDogs & Pets UK and America.

Please feel free to contact WELL Richard – 07816 TRAINED 173689 SHEEPDOG John – 07885 739120 for sale 2 years old

Gilmartin Telephone Thomas Longton Pedigree Polled 07970 836186 Lancs (P) Hereford Bulls BORDER COLLIE Bitch. 3 Well bred, Halter trained 2.5 years, running well at hand. Tel: 01200 Bulls 18 months448228 - 2 Lancs years. (P) Vaccinated for BVD + IBR, TB 4 Area

FG Buy

John Procter, and Sell Waterbeck. 01772 Tel: 01461 600257 799500 or 07729 405369 Lockerbie (P)

nDairy Cattle

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.

Livestock Supplies Ltd Ashley: 07831 887531, Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

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)

nBeef Cattle

PEDIGREE HEREFORDS

nBeef Cattle

FRESH REARING CALVES Available in suitable batches delivered to most parts of the country Continental Bull and Heifer calves 3-5 weeks old available now. Quality store cattle sourced directly from Welsh/Shropshire Borders Farms, delivered to your farm. Delivery Nationwide. Livestock Supplies Ltd Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULLS Five Red and Black Limousin stock bulls Easy Calving, Good temperament. 17-22 months. Johnes Some&Semen BVD accredited, tested. lepto vaccinated. TB4 area. Ready for work, Herd never had TB Younger bulls also Tel: 01948 770408 Mob: 07714 089001 Malpas, Cheshire available

Tel Edward: 07770 457453 N. Yorkshire (P)

SEAFIELD PEDIGREE ABERDEEN ANGUS BULLS 60 | June 29, 2018

Ready to work, delivered direct to your farm, very quiet, easy calving. Also females available. BULLS FOR SALE Excellent choice. Great conformation, colour and p060.indd 60 Health monitored, closed temperament. Ready to work. High health accredited for herd, full pedigree with IBR, Lepto, BVD and Johnes 1, TB4 each animal, Red tractor. Semen Available. North Yorkshire 01756 720210 - 0777 99 20202 More details visit: www.whitehillherefords.co.uk

FGbuyandsell.com

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Orders for Insertion of advertisements in Farmers Guardian are accepted subject to the following conditions: 1. Advertisement copy shall be legal, decent, honest and truthful, and shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practise and all other codes under the general supervision of the Advertising Standards Authority: and shall comply with the requirements of current legislation. 2. While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advertisement. 3. In the event of any error, misprint or omission in the printing of an advertisement or part of an advertisement the publisher will either reinsert the advertisement or relevant part of the advertisement as the case may be, or make a reasonable adjustment to the cost. No reinsertion, or adjustment will be made where the error, misprint or omission does not materially detract from the advertisement. In no circumstances shall the total liability of the publisher for any error, misprint or omission exceed a) The amount of a full refund of any price paid to the publisher for the advertisement in connection with which liability arose. OR b) The cost of a further corrective advertisement of a type and standard reasonably comparable to that in connection with which liability arose. 4. The publisher reserves the right to withdraw, amend or alter any advertisement it considers necessary. 5. Cancellations or advertisements are accepted providing they comply with the cancellation deadlines Bulls select Females for Sale from which are and published at regular intervals. 6. Advertisement orders are issued by anregistered advertising a high health herd, with fully agency as a principal and must be on the agencies pedigrees. official form (when copy insutructions not constituting an official order are issued they must be clearly marked at details can seen on: the headFurther “Copy Instructions – notbe an order”. 7. Advertising Agency commission will only be granted www.lowergroveherefords.com to those Agencies who are currently recognised by the Newspaper Society at the time of placing an Contact: Paul on 07730095062 or is advertisement order and copy. The rate of commission determined by the publisher. paul@lowergroveherefords.com 8. When credit is allowed payment is due within 7 days. Monthly accounts are due in full each month. “We reserve the right to charge additional costs and interest for non payment within our credit terms”. 9. Only standard abbreviations are permitted by the publisher. List available on request. 10. Classified display advertisements must be at least Quality, cross 3cms in depth forhome-bred every columnLimousin wide, and the minimum size of any advertisement is 2cows lines. and heifers, British Blue young 11. Every endeavour will be made in orderat to foot. forward with Lim x and BB x calves replies to box numbers to the advertisers, as soon as Also two excellent Lim x British Blue bulls. possible after receipt by the publisher, but the publisher Eager for work, all quiet, accepts no liability in respect of any loss, or damage TB tested and ready go. alleged to have arisen through delay into forwarding or omitting to forward such replies, however caused. ALWAYS NEGATIVE FOR TB Circulars and the like should not be distributed through publisher’s number facility. Wilfbox Lomas - 01606 832142 12. The placing of an order for the insertion of an 07769704628 advertisement,or is an acceptance of these conditions and any other conditions stated on any type of order form by an agency or advertisers are not applicable if they conflict with any of the above.

Easy calving, high growth, hihealth YOUNG BULLS top EBV’s Choice of 20 from our 180 cow herd TB4 BVD & Lepto vacc. Call Henry 07866 222062 - details on website www.ribbleaberdeen-angus.co.uk

Cont

Loc

PEDIGRE

Homo Polle

Choic Good

Tel: 078

FOR SALE FROM LEESEMANOR BEEF

nBeef Cattle

PEDIGR

Exc E

North York w

20 FR

TOP PEDIGREE REGISTERED HEREFORD BULLS AND HEIFERS. All home bred, quiet to handle. Delivery available.

PEDIGREE 07885 594143 or 01394 460408 HEREFORD BULLS (East Anglia)

Tel: 07

Bulls For Sale Individually Health Tested TB Tested Ready to work Delivery can be arranged

Tel: 01538 300331 or 07968 622950 Staffordshire (P)

Tel: 077157 64351

December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 13:22:33

FGBuyandSell.com

Maximise cost-effective production this winter Variable forage quality with low digestibility is causing low milk yields Although forage stocks are good it is not being utilised efficiently or effectively Molasses based liquid feeds are proven to increase fibre digestibility helping to extract more nutritional value from forage With protein prices rising, Regulated Release high protein molasses blends are a cost effective option to provide a balance of protein and sugar to the rumen supporting protein efficiency Flexible load sizes from 1T to 29T with a wide range of lick feeders and storage options available

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| December 15, 2023

p042.indd 42

Feeding Britain’s Farms

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 12:02:51

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Feedstuffs & Bedding

Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein /14 ME) POA Cereal Mixture (Approx. 14% Protein /13 ME) £210 ex store Cereal Blend (Approx. 16% Protein /13 ME) £235 ex store Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein /13 ME) £255 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

CALL NOW 01949844700 844700 www.midlandfeeds.co.uk CALL NOW 01949 www.midlandfeeds.co.uk

If it’s not our name on the bag, It’s NOT our salt!

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R.F FIELDING

Hay & Straw for Sale in all types of Bales. Good quality. Reasonable prices.

Building Materials

TEL: (01625) 531629 OR (01625) 522249 LOWER YOUR VET BILLS WITH WASHED SILICA SAND CUBICLE BEDDING * Helps to eradicate mastitis problems and lowers your milk count * Equestrian sand also available

Tel 07730 897138 / 01484 603130

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ABBOTT & CO (WESSEX) LTD HAY, STRAW & SHAVINGS BOUGHT AND SOLD trading for 130 years 01285 653738 abbottwessex@btinternet.com

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encourage forage intake. Molasses and molasses blends plus additional minerals if required. J E Morten: 01663 734621 High

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Blends. Fodder beet, Potatoes and Carrots now available Tel: 07837 485652 Cheshire

(T)

Top Quality Hay & Straw. All types of big bales delivered.

01829 782378 or 07710 933681

FODDER BEET Cleaned, Competitive Prices, Direct from the grower Collect or Delivered in all sizes of loads Tel: 07843 012225 Lancs

BEST QUALITY FODDER BEET for sale. Delivered in 28/16 Tonnes loads. Payment on delivery. Tel: 07710 016442

CLEAN FODDER Beat

& Potatoes available. A Whitfield 07885 261391

Midlands

AINSCOUGH METALS 01695 364210 Nationwide Delivery New & Used Steel, Crash Barriers and Roofing Sheets for Sale

Please visit our website for our daily deals on the Farmers Corner

www.ainscoughmetals.co.uk

CUMBRIA CONCRETE PRODUCTS LIMITED

www.cumbriaconcreteproducts.com

HIGH QUALITY PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE PANELS For a competitive price please contact

01228 674 561

or email: carlisle@cumbriaconcreteproducts.com

CONCRETE SECONDS PIPES AND RINGS

Various sizing and priced accordingly

Tel 07976 103807 jim@beaverfit.com

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BARRIERS

Telegraph poles, Sleepers, Concrete Panels, Security fencing. Henmans Tel- 07768 533741 Nationwide Delivery (T)

FREE HARDCORE Col-

lected. Must have U1 exemption. Ring Martlands 01704 893161

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Although every advertisement is carefully checked, occasionally mistakes do occur.We therefore ask advertisers to assist by checking their advertisements carefully and advise us immediately should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE INCORRECT insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advert.

Building Materials

Composite Panels 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

Farmers Guardian is the largest multiplatform agricultural information business in the UK December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 16:02:30

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| December 15, 2023

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028 2565 2566

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Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Building Materials INSULATED ROOFING AND SIDE CLADDING SHEETS MANUFACTURED TO YOUR LENGTHS Range of colours, thicknesses, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 60mm 80mm + lowest prices. ICP Ltd. Tel: 07702 701776 www.icproducts.co.uk

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Manufacturers BoxProfile Profile & & Corrugated Corrugated Roof & Wall Cladding · Vent Manufacturers of:of: Box Roof & Wall Cladding · Vent Perforated & Anti-Con Sheets · Curved Sheets ·Purlins and Sections · Air,Air, Perforated & Anti-Con Sheets · Curved Sheets ·Purlins and Sections · Folded Galvanised Guttering Folded Galvanised Guttering 01568 61 00 00 panelsandprofiles.co.uk

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Marketleader leader Market in Steel SteelBuilding Building Components Components

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Cladding Cladding December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 12:17:44

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SPRAY FOAM INSULATION To Crop & Livestock Stores, Poultry Sheds, Cattle & Pig Buildings, Workshops & Barns. Frost & Condensation Protection. Temperature Control Energy Saving

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We manufacture, supply & build... • Cubicle Buildings • Lambing Sheds • Dairy Units • Equestrian • Workshops • Grain Stores • Industrial Units • Bespoke Design • Nationwide Coverage

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| December 15, 2023

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We know farming. Farmers Guardian brands are embedded in the agricultural community and have a position of authority and trust

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 12:19:22

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Caravans & Log Cabins

Buildings

35f Status Super Static Caravan In good condition, valeted and new carpets fitted. Suitable for on farm accommodation. £5900 ONO. Delivery can be arranged. Tel: 07375 728452 Lancashire (T)

Design, fabrication and installation

Tanks

For further details and a no obligation quote, please contact us:

01829 423 123 info@acjackson.co.uk

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Diesel, Oil & Water Tanks

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Forestry/ Fencing

Industrial buildings 26/01/2021 18:39

• Specialists in Steel Framed Buildings • Design, Fabrication & Installation • The best quality materials are used within our manufacturing process for all buildings

• Septic Tanks • Diesel Dispensers • Bunded Oil Tanks • Waste Oil Tanks • Water Tanks • Diesel pumps, hoses, filters & nozzles

CHESTNUT FENCING

STAKES, mixed halves & quarters. 10/ 12cm tops. National delivery available. Mob: 079852 98221 colin@cwpfencing.co.uk Nationwide (T)

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Farmers Guardian the best environment for your brand message

Farms & Property

Agriculturally Tied Dwelling

The Cheese Press Chadwick Lane, Hartlebury, Kidderminster DY11 7YH • Detached 5-bedroom property • Subject to Agricultural Occupancy Condition • For sale by private treaty • Set in 1.12 acres with the opportunity to purchase additional garden area • Guide price £585,000

Please contact Chris Jones on 01743 267063 or email chris.jones@berrys.uk.com berrys.uk.com

FGbuyandsell.com

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December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 12:22:19

FGBuyandSell.com

URE

ADVERTORIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Looking backexpectations 2023and andour our2024 marketexpectations expectationsfor for2024 2024 at 2023 and Looking our market back atat2023 for market

t is now clear that the total As we near themay endbegin of 2023, it is now clear that bearing the totalon supply levels to have a more direct may in begin to have a more direct bearing on supply levels in e at its highest since Brexit annual and farmland supply for will2024. be at its highest since Brexit and Scotland Scotland for 2024. ansition but still below levels the start of the agricultural transition but still below levels ahead, we forecast average GB trends farmland values Looking are ahead, we forecast average GB farmland values are view of farmland supplyseen trends between Looking 2015-2018. A review of farmland supply likely to be sustained forresearch the nextteam five years with somelikely modest to be sustained for the next five years with some modest our rural research team shows over the last few decades by our rural shows will itself be reflective and increases. This will be reflective and responsive to specific ats itself but never in a sustained that short-termincreases. volatility This repeats but never in responsive a sustainedto specific such location, land type andtends depthto of interest, criteria which such as location, land type and depth of interest, which ct that land ownership tends manner. to This iscriteria owed to theas fact that land ownership all have an impact and influence land values. However, all have as an impact and influence on land values. However, as wner-occupier or investor be set long-term whether as an owner-occupier oron investor set we have witnessed unforeseen global and economic we have witnessed recently unforeseen global and economic bout by usually short-term against political uncertainty bought about recently by usually short-term political tolarge impact all markets shocks thehave the potential to impact all markets including the e occasional large portfolio andsales economic shocks changehave and the the potential occasional portfolio sales including agricultural agricultural sector. ecific years. spiking farmland supply insector. specific years.

150

150 100 50 0

19 9 19 5 9 19 6 9 19 7 9 19 8 20 99 0 20 0 20 01 2002 20 03 2004 2005 2006 20 07 2008 0 20 9 1 200 20 11 2012 20 13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 to 20 19 en 2 2 0 d N 2 02 ov 10 992 1 210 52 992 19 63 9 19 7 9 19 8 9 20 9 0 20 0 20 01 2002 20 03 2004 2005 2006 20 07 2008 0 20 9 1 200 20 11 2012 20 13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 to 20 19 en 2 2 0 d N 2 02 ov 0 1 2022 23

Scotland, the volume ofCompared land to historic levels in Scotland, the volume of land 100 year remained constrained, with just mained constrained, withavailable just for sale this y the end of Q3, a modest 22,700 7% acres on the 50market by the end of Q3, a modest 7% ar. Most transactions were increase from the previous year. Most transactions were 0 Borders, Dumfries and Galloway concentrated in the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway ing over 50% of the total and supply. Aberdeenshire, representing over 50% of the total supply.

Acres (thousands)

nced supply and demandIn Wales this year a well-balanced supply and demandfarmland (year Great Britain - Publicly marketed Great end)Britain - Publicly marketed farmland (year end) lthough this may changesupported in the a steady market, although this may change in the 350 350 mers is high and a number future. of our The average age of farmers is high and a number of our etirees with no successors. vendors Risingat the moment are retirees with no successors. Rising 300 300 that could influence theinput supply costs are another factor that could influence the supply 250 250 of the farming community side is of our market, and most of the farming community is 200 200 conomic recovery. waiting for clear signs of an economic recovery.

pered the enthusiasm of Rising some interest rates also tempered Source: Savills Research the enthusiasm of some or relocation opportunities, farmers which looking for expansion or relocation opportunities, which

SOLD

Source: Savills Research

SOLD

Trevalga, Chichester, Cornwall West Sussex

Chichester, West Sussex

About 1200 acres About | Guide 12.5£15.75 acres |million Guide £1.2 million

About 12.5 acres | Guide £1.2 million

FOR SALE UNDER OFFER

UNDER OFFER

edd

Machynlleth, Rochford, Gwynedd Essex

Rochford, Essex

illion

About 625 acres About | Guide 3.63 £3.5 acres million | Guide £1 million

About 3.63 acres | Guide £1 million

5 million

ying or selling, contact If you’re a member thinking of of our buying team today. or selling, contact a member of our team today. Alex Lawson Head of Rural Agency +44 (0) 20 7409 8882 +44 (0) 7967 555 502 alawson@savills.com

ency 8882 5 502 om

| December 15, 2023

p048.indd 48

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 15:37:42

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

FOR SALE

SOLD

Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

About 159 acres | Guide £3.625 million

About 178 acres | Guide £2 million

FOR SALE

SOLD

Exmoor, Somerset

Bicester, Oxfordshire

About 202 acres | Guide £3.3 million

About 115.9 acres | Guide £1.1 million

FOR SALE

Stranraer, Wigtownshire

Coombe Bissett, Wiltshire

About 1,637 acres | Guide £9.5 million

About 210 acres | Guide £2.950 million

SOLD

UNDER OFFER

Kelso, Scottish Borders

Harkstead, Suffolk

About 461 acres | Guide £5.2 million

About 300 acres | Guide £5 million

FGbuyandsell.com

p049.indd 49

December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 15:39:05

FGBuyandSell.com Finance

PROPERTY LANDSCAPE

FARM LOANS & RE-MORTGAGES

Energy Act information for landowners

Bank Said NO? We Usually Say YES! We can quickly arrange loans

3 months - 25 years £10,000 - £5,000,000.

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Specialist help for Financial Problem Cases Including adverse credit.

Act will need access over large areas of land

We can lend against property

Farms, Farm Buildings, Farm Equipment & Machinery Equestrian Buildings, Shops, Bare Land and Buy-to-Lets.

he Energy Act 2023 received Royal Assent at the end of October, with the aim being to lay the foundations for an energy system fit for the future. This is the most significant piece of energy legislation since 2013 and will doubtless be followed by a raft of secondary legislation to set the detail behind it. This enormous undertaking by Government will strengthen energy production and security, while supporting delivery to net zero and along the way, and hopefully provide more affordable household bills. While the Act incorporates many matters, it felt useful to pull out those which would be of interest to landowners, in that it is their land which will provide the network of routes for all forms of energy from where that energy is created, or stored, to where it is used. The new Act will require access over large areas of land, and in part, rural land, as significant volumes of cabling and pipework will be required to make the new and improved energy system operate. This means legal, regulatory, licensing and procedural matters will all have their place in making this happen.

Significant growth As a precursor to this, we are seeing a significant growth in the number of renewable energy scheme proposals coming forward, which, of course presently, are projects becoming stuck in the system with a lack of access to the Grid. Nevertheless, they are still being negotiated in preparation for Grid availability and when that happens those operators doing deals now will be in pole position. The projects seen at present are predominantly for solar and/ or battery sites, but it seems turbines are also starting to make a comeback.

Preliminary Notice

If it can be done - we can help - call to discuss:

0800 280 06 05 www.brilliant-finance.co.uk We are a broker not a lender

Advice /Consultancy Judy Liddle

It is proposed through the new Act that governance and ownership of the electricity and planning function will be brought into the public sector through a new public entity to provide the detailed codes for the operational responsibility for electricity and gas transmission and distribution. A landowner, however, will still have to deal with the utility provider requiring access over land along their chosen route and likely they will have statutory powers to do this.

Cables and pipelines With this in mind, we can expect to see a great deal more cables and pipelines over the landscape in the coming years which will necessitate every landowner taking good advice as to the statutory requirements, but also what accommodation works are required while the provider is on your land, then claims for damage to land, crop loss and reinstatement that will all be due. If you are approached by a renewable developer, or a statutory utility provider, make sure you seek professional advice and sign nothing without it. As ever, we are happy to discuss this or any other land related matter with you. Judy Liddle is a director at PFK Rural. Call 01768 866 611, or email julieliddle@pfk.co.uk.

| December 15, 2023

Class Prop Dec 15 OM MB.indd 2

p050.indd 50

BPS Entitlements, BNG, NN, Carbon & Water

A www.arcadianestates.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE LAND?

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.

BNG

National Sale January 2024 Informal Tender All types of habitat throughout England Register your interest

01392 823935

Motors Head over to www. mathewsons. co.uk for sale of cherished plate MC07 MOO and other CSH plates Tel: 07973 879190 (T)

Telephone: 01625 890000 Email: michael@arcadianestates.com

A New Route to Market

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 16:46

13/12/2023 16:52:41

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today 4 x 4s

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Discover a wide selection of high quality vehicles on our Website! 2019 (69) Toyota Hilux Invincible 2.4 Blue Auto Canopy 72,000 .................. £20,950 2021 (21) Toyota Hilux Invincible X 2.8 Black Automatic 20,000 ................. £31,450 2020 (20) Toyota Hilux Active 2.4 Black Reversing Cam 16,000 .................. £19,950 2019 (69) Toyota Hilux Active 2.4 Lockable Canopy 19,000 ........................ £17,950 2019 (19) Toyota Hilux Active 2.4 Grey Lockable Canopy 98,000 ................ £13,950 2017 (67) Toyota Hilux Active 2.4 Silver Manual Canopy 62,000 ................ £14,950

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We take a farmer-centric approach to media. Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions

FarmersGuardian

CHRISTMAS DEADLINES CHRISTMAS EDITION Friday 22nd December

Copy Deadline - Wednesday December 20th 11am Alterations/Cancellations - Wednesday December 20th 11am

NEW YEAR EDITION Friday 29th December

Copy Deadline - Wednesday December 20th 11am Alterations/Cancellations - Wednesday December 20th 11am

Please note

The Farmers Guardian office will be closed from Thursday 21st December, will re-open for one day on Wednesday 27 th December and will remain closed until Tuesday 2 nd January 2024 FGbuyandsell.com

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December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 14:54:21

FGBuyandSell.com

THE ALL-NEW TOMAHAWK 8200 RANGE

The best just got better

Available as trailed or mounted machine

Watch the video

Redesigned from the ground up, retaining all the strength of the 7100 and 8100 models that the 8200 replaces.

Synchro system Pause/Run modes to stop/ start the flow of material at the touch of a button.

Adjustable bale restraint Variable position bale restraint (adjusted via Wi-Fi control) with pre-programmed modes for processing straw or silage.

teagle.co.uk 52

| December 15, 2023

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Hardox chute Manufactured using wear resistant steel the Hardox chute offers a longer service life.

Superior finish Achieved through investment in the latest pre-paint preparation and double powder coat paint system.

01872 560592

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 12:31:50

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

Winter Feeding & Housing Feed Processing Specialists

Parts & Servicing

www.rotospiral.co.uk

All types of Augers for all machinery manufactured and repaired

We are specialists in the supply and repair of augers for all models of tub feeders, grain dryers and header augers for combine harvesters. We also provide a cost-effective repair service for all makes of diet-feeders.

Tub Grinders - Exclusive UK Distributor of Haybuster & Rotogrind Grinders. - Range of models from 5t - 25t / hour output. - New, used & refurbished machines available. - Ideal for straw, hay, green waste, roots, biogas feeds etc. Root Choppers & Cleaners - Loader, 3 point linkage, free standing PTO and electric drive available - UK Distributor of VDW range of choppers, cleaners & feed dispensing equipment - Output from 10t/hour to over 120t/hour available Diet Feeders - Largest stock of mixers in the UK over 50 machines in current stock - Refurbished, used & nearly new units available - New Mini Mixer available - Diet feeder parts available- Blades, Conveyor belts, gearboxes, weigh cells. - All feeders undergo 30 point service - Finance available subject to terms - Na onwide delivery available Current Used Stock: - Trioliet 18, 20, 24 Used Diet - Strautmann 10, 14 Duo - BvL 12, 17, 20, 24 Feeders - Kongskilde 12, 16, 22 x 3 always - Kuhn 12, 14, 27 wanted - Keenan 320, 340 - Siloking 10, 14 x 4, 16, 18, 22 - Shelbourne 13 x 2 - Abbey 30 - Hi Spec 12 - Redrock 16, 20 - Keenan 320, 340 - VdW Mini mixer 2022 - Rotogrind 760 2018 - Haybuster H1000 - Teagle C12 tub grinder with grain processor, 2021

Please visit www.enegis.co.uk for more photos or call 01789 205132 or 07721 442979

4x4 570 EFI - Combat Green 400 hours - 6700 Miles Good Condition - New Tyres £4250+vat

07785 361396

Ground drive sheep feeders, all types of atv trailers single and tandem axle, Delivery anywhere Rob Astley trailers ltd Tel 01938 810393

(T)

AGRISPARES

Agricultural Replacement Parts & Accessories

TELEPHONE: 01380 850001 EMAIL: sales@agrispares.co.uk www.agrispares.co.uk

Tractor Hire & Sales New Tractor & Handler Spares for all Makes New Michelin & Kleber Tyres most sizes in stock

2016 Polaris Sportsman

SHEEP SNACKERS

• 01244 520005 (Office) • 07761 292070 (Mobile) Roto Spiral (UK) Limited - Unit 33, Engineer Park, Sandycroft, Deeside, CH5 2QB Email: info@rotospiral.co.uk

F.G. ROWLAND LTD Clitheroe Lancashire

ATVs

Tel: -

Contact the Roto Spiral team today and see what we can save you.

Wigan / Bolton (P)

Farmers Guardian the best environment for your brand message

MASSEY FERGUSON

Replacement tractor parts Direct to your door Phone for best quotes Mobile: 07971 243668 or 01545 570 810

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other makes, combine harvester 2nd hand and new spares. www.jmtcombinehire.co.uk. Tel: JMT Engineering 01926 614345 (T)

Tel 01254 826295

www.rowlandtractors.co.uk

Generators, Pressure Washers & Pumps

Hot and Cold P.T.O. Pressure Available to Hire and Buy 3000 p.s.i. 16-30L/min 2nd Lance Available Fully Tractor Powered Hot & Cold Water Pressure Washers Find us landywashers

Tel: 01756 794291 Skipton. N.Yorkshire www.LandyPressureWashers.com

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CLAAS John Deere, and

GENERATORS PTO & DIESEL P COWELL & SONS 01772 653569 PTO

& Diesel Generator Specialist. Quality new & used. Est 25 yrs. JSPUK LTD. Tel: 01432 353050 (T)

December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 14:35:23

FGBuyandSell.com Generators, Pressure Washers & Pumps

BRAND NEW UNUSED

DIESEL GENERATORS FOR SALE

T: 01254 476679, 07595 116 466 or 07783 222 309 AG275-275KVA

50KVA

THE BIG ONE 70KVA AG50E - 50 KVA AG60E - 60 KVA AG70E - 70 KVA AG80E - 80 KVA

£19,995 +VAT

80KVA

100KVA

£4,750 +VAT £5,250 +VAT £5,495 +VAT £5,995 +VAT

60KVA

150KVA

AG100 - 100 KVA AG150 - 150 KVA AG175 - 175 KVA AG275 - 275 KVA

175KVA £7,995 +VAT £10,995 +VAT £12,995 +VAT £19,995 +VAT

FULL STOCK OF PARTS AVAILABLE

COLLECT SAME DAY! NATIONWIDE DELIVERY AVAILABLE

www.affordablegenerators.co.uk

kptractors1@outlook.com

www.kptractors.co.uk

• 17 Reg MF 7726 4 x 4 FL Dyna 6 just Finished 5 Year Maintenance contract 6150 Hrs • 16 Reg MF 7720s 4 x 4 Dyna VT DL FS CS 50K Air Brakes 5200 Hrs • 20 Reg MF 7720s 4 x 4 1600 Hrs FS CS 50K Air Brakes Warranty to 3000Hrs • 19 Reg MF 7720s 4 x 4 FL FS 50K air Brakes 2400 Hrs • 62 Reg MF 7624 4 x 4 Dyna 6 50K FL 5200 Hrs • 20 Reg MF 7718s 4 x 4 Dyna 6 50K 1600 Hrs Air brakes 2 years left on warranty • 14 Reg MF 7618 4 x 4 Dyna6 FS CS 6050 Hrs • 14 Reg MF 7618 4 x 4 Dyna 6 Air Brakes 50K 6900 Hrs • 13 Reg MF 7618 4 x 4 Dyna 6 7500 Hrs 50K Air Brakes • 08 Reg MF 6499 4 x 4 Dyna 6 FS CS 50K 7700 Hrs • 11 Reg MF 6495 4 x 4 FS CS FL 6900 Hrs Dyna6 • 06 Reg MF 6495 4 x 4 FS CS Dyna 6 7800 Hrs • 06 Reg MF 6480 4 x 4 CS 5800 Hrs • 08 Reg MF 6475 4 x 4 Dyna 6 • Y Reg MF 6280 4 x 4 FL • 18 Reg MF 5710s 4 x 4 Ess Spec wth MF loader 3870 Hrs • 08 Reg MF 5475 4 x 4 4800 Hrs MINT • 14 Reg JCB 536/60 agri super 7900 Hrs • 04 Reg JCB 540/70 Agri Super 4500 Hrs • 07 Reg JCB 531/70 4 x 4 • 06 Reg JCB 526s 4 x 4 5000 Hrs • N Reg Ford 6640 2 x 4 • 1964 Fordson Super Dexta • 07 Reg Case CX 508 ZTS mini digger 4500 Hrs • J Reg MF 135 • R Reg Ford 6600 with loader • 10 tonne Dump Tailer

• Bailey 30ft Flatbed Trailer tri axle air Brakes

Fountain House, 111 Scawby Road, Scawby Brook, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 9JX Telephone: (01652) 655777 Fax: (01652) 651476 Kevin Mob: 07796957735 Michael Mob: 07850828639

TRACTORS UK

Tractors & Equipment

SOLE UK IMPORTER OF TAFE TRACTORS

Call us on 817372 ✆ 01258 817372 ✉ 01258 info@tractorsuk.co.uk

Diesel Fuel Injection Engineers

Leading suppliers of NEW and RECON Fuel injection parts for the plant and agricultural sector

Massive Savings!

Strickworth 3 ton Diesel forkliftst:available 01254 388850 3.0m & 4.5m models available www.commonraildiesels.com

TRIED & TESTED FOR GENERATIONS BASIC, SIMPLE & RELIABLE

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email: info@tractorsuk.co.uk

FROM THE BEST PEDIGREE

BASIC, SIMPLE & RELIABLE • Oil immersed brakes • 2WD or 4WD

• 2 Years’ warranty • Comprehensive parts backup

www.tractorsuk.co.uk Drum or oil immersed brakes

WALTER WATSON

Roll bar or cab 2wd or 4wd

2 Years’ warranty

Comprehensive parts backup

c/w sideshift. Container spec. 12 months warranty

from £10,500+ VAT T: 07703 444341 www.strickworth.com 54

| December 15, 2023

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12ft Rotating End Tow Silage Feeding Trailer

3m Spiral Aerator Calf/ Bull Blade Beef Feeders

6.3m Hyd-Folding Ballast 15x5 Bunker Feeder

Greenfield Works, Ballylough Road, Castlewellan, Co. Down, BT31 9JQ, Northern Ireland

T: +44 (0) 28 4377 8711 W: www.walter-watson.co.uk email: agri@walter-watson.co.uk

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

www.tractorsuk.co.uk

13/12/2023 14:20:51

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Tractors & Equipment

Published January 12, 2024

Advertising opportunities now available in our next

MACHINERY AND TRACTOR MAGAZINE incorporating The Official

show preview

Speak to Eva Bailey today 01772 799 500 | fgclassified@farmersguardian.com Drointon

GREGSONS

Staffs

Large range of other machinery in stock PX & delivery taken • Tel 01889 500 572 - 07860715642 www.gregsons.biz

2022 Marshall 25` twin axle bale trailer, as new ...................................... £6995 2014 Connor 1000 rotor spreader, 550 tyres, as new .............................. £5995 A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND West 1600 & 2000 dual spreaders, choice of 6.......................... From £4995 Griffiths 10 ton grain trailer, c/w hydraulic door ........................................ £3995 A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 Lely 600 tedders, 4 rotor, hydraulic folding, choice of 2 ................... £POA 2012 Kidd 814 round bale straw chopper, good order ............................. £1995 2010 Major 2012 Bunning 60 rear discharge spreader, very tidy ................................. £POA 2050 Abbey 1500 & 2200 twin auger tub mixers .................................From £2995 slurry tanker, Thompson 10 ton twin axle dump trailer, good order ............................... £3995 2007 Krone 4 rotor hydraulic folding tedder, very tidy ............................... £3450 30.5 x 32 Dragon 10 ton grain trailer, tidy order ........................................................ £3950 3 leg flat lift subsoiler, good order ............................................................... £975 tyres, very Reynolds cubicle bedder, done very little ............................. £1950 tidy ........£9250 Shellbourne 2022 Bunning 90 rear discharge spreaders, choice of 2, due in ...............£POA 2021 Bunning 75 rear discharge spreader, due in .....................................£POA 2008 Abbey 2010 Major 2000 gal. slurry tanker, 30.5 tyres, tidy .................................. £9750 2006 Hi Spec 2000 gal. slurry tanker, 28.1 x 26 tyres, tidy ....................... £6950 VF2250 twin 2016 Herbst 22` low loader trailer, tidy order, due in, ............................... £6500 2022 Bailey TB11 ton silage trailer, hydraulic door, wide tyres ............... £14500 auger tub 2011 Welgar 245 round baler, full spec, very tidy ................................... £11995 2022 Bailey 12 ton dump trailer, air/oil brakes, 560 tyres, excellent ....... £13995 mixer .....£4995 2011 Kuhn 3570 trailed straw chopper, full spec ....................................... £4900 2020 Claas Volto 800 tedder, 6 rotor, as new ........................................... £8400 Claas mounted disc mowers, choice of 4 .....................................From £1750 New West 2022 Powerup front and rear mounted flail topper, excellent ................... £4950 10 ton rear Claas 46 round balers, standard pickup, choice of 2 ................................ £2650 John Deere 456A conventional baler, tidy order ....................................... £2450 discharge 2012 Protec P120 post knocker, very tidy order ....................................... £2750 spreader, full Teagle Tomahawk 4040 round bale silage/straw chopper ........................ £1750 2013 Bunning 90 rear discharge spreader, tidy, due in .............. From £POA spec ...£24,950 New West 10 ton rear discharge spreaders, very keen deals ...................£POA New West dual spreaders, very keen deals ..............................................£POA

WE WISH ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT !

Be careful anytime you are asked for personal information. Keep your information secure. Never provide anyone with personal bank information without confirming that they are legitimate. Farmers Guardian only ever asks for your banking information if you are purchasing a product from us and will always call from 01772 799 500 or 01772 799 400.

FGbuyandsell.com

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BWA FABS LTD

Mobile: 07831 199316

MANUFACTURERS OF ANY FARM MACHINERY AND PORTAL FRAME BUILDINGS RE-CON JWT 800G VAC TANKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £2650 SH WEEKS 5T TIP TRAILER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1350 NEW 24F TANDEM BALE TRAILERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £6,800 NEW 10T TANDEM DUMP TRAILERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9,400 NEW 3000G TANDEM VAC TANKERS . . . . . . . . . . . .£15,850 YARD SCRAPERS FROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £750 SH 4T TIPPING TRAILERS, NEW BODY . . . . . . . . . . . . £3,200

DEUTZ-FAHR 5110G 4WD, 114BHP, No Ad Blue, StollFZ30 Loader, 2021, 40speeds, good tyres, shuttle valve, aircon, extending pickup hitch, only 200 Hrs, Sale due to lack of work, Location near Newark on Trent £38,000

Contact Peter 07766 475799

Row Crop Wheels and Tyres 480 / 80 R50, 10 stud, as new. 4 tyres/wheels in total. Telephone:

07890028469 N.Yorks (P)

Potato Harvester

Grimme DL1700, wheel drive, flotation wheels, picking off band, Dolman rollers. £4000. AK Sharpe & Sons Cheshire, Tel: 07970 052419 Andrew or 07973 208384 Philip (P)

Our brands reach deeply into all the major agricultural sectors arable, dairy, livestock, agricultural machinery, finance and equipment

www.bwafabrications.com

December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 16:03:50

FGBuyandSell.com

KE 3001 SUPER

Fertiliser Spreaders

C/W PW 500 PACKER 180 horsepower rated 500 mm rear packer Levelling board Quick change tines Spring loaded adjustable side boards

£10,250 +VAT

NEW whee Case

CASE POW LOAD condi

ZAV 3200 Profis Trionic ISOBUS ZAV 3200 Easy Set Terminal V3 Disc Roll Over Cover RH Limiter

CITAN 6000 6M DRILL

Amatron 3 Amabus, Wheel track eradicators, Road lights, Twin pre-emergence marker, Harrow Half side disengagment 36 Distr, Rowtec Coulters +, Worked 84 HA

£28,250 +VAT

ZAV 3200 Easy Set terminal v3 Disc Roll over cover RH Limiter 2022 Ex Demo Condition ZAV 2600 Easy Set terminal v3 Disc Roll over cover RH Limiter ZAV 2600 FERTILISER SPREADER with Easy set Rate control V2 Discs

CASE ready NOT

ZAM 4200 ULTRA PROFIS HYDRO C/W Amaron+ and GPS Switch ZATS 4200 PROFIS HYDRO, IsoBus, Argustwin. ZAM 1002 SPECIAL ECO 1002 Special 10-16M

NEW Susp Case

ADP 3001 SPECIAL AND KX3001 3M POWERHARROW DRILL COMBINATION ISO BUS

KX 3001 Power Harrow 190 horsepower rated, ADP 3001 special Air drill, Ro tech disc coulters 12.5 cm spacing, Wedge ring Packer, Bout markers, Following Harrow, 850 litre hopper, Radar, Hydraulic coulter pressure adjustment, Tramline kit, On grip special tines, Levelling board

£31,000 +VAT

CATROS 6002-2TS COMPACT DISC HARROW 6M

CAYROS XMS 5-950 VARI WIDTH 5 FURROW PLOUGH

STARTIN TRACTORS LTD

TWYCROSS CV9 3PW

Tel: 01827 880088 Email: sales@startintractors.co.uk

*Finance offered subject to Terms and Conditions.

| December 15, 2023

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 11:42:18

CASE 2 whe 2019

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

NEW CASEIH FARMALL 55 two wheel drive, folding roll bar. CaseIH Warranty. Case Finance.

JCB 520-40 TELESCOPIC FORKLIFT, 2017, 2783 hours, Pallet forks, 3rd service.

ISUZU DMAX UTILITY Extended cab, load liner, towbar, diff lock. 4120 miles.

ISUZU DMAX V-CROSS double cab, 2022, 13125 miles, lots of spec. £32,995 + VAT.

CASEIH FARMALL 95A POWERSHUTTLE + LRZ100 LOADER, 2015, 1600 hours, air conditioned. Cab.

CAT CHALLENGER MT765, 2005, 6260 hours, rear linkage & pto.

ISUZU DMAX UTILITY Double cab Automatic, Mercury Silver metallic, 500 miles. £28,995 + VAT.

ISUZU DMAX V-CROSS Automatic, 2023, call for full spec. £36,995 + VAT.

CASEIH FARMALL 95C Loader ready, 2021, low hours, 40kph. NOT AdBlue.

KUHN GF 502 DIGIDRIVE TEDDER, 2012, 5 metre working width.

ISUZU DMAX 40 DL Automatic, 2022, 3878 miles, rear canopy. £33,995 + VAT.

NEW ISUZU DMAX DL40 Automatic, Onyx black metallic, lovely truck. £36,099 + VAT.

NEW CASEIH VESTRUM 130 CVX Suspension. Front Linkage & PTO. CaseIH Warranty.

BIG X 770 FORAGE HARVESTER, 2016, 1422 hours.

MITSUBISHI L200 BARBARIAN X FORD RANGER WILDTRAK Double manual, rear canopy, 2020, 62000 cab 2L Auto. 2021, miles, tow bar & liner. £20,995 + VAT. 25680 miles. £29,995 NO VAT.

CASEIH FARMALL 55C 2 wheel drive 12x12 PowerShuttle, 2019, low hours.

AMAZONE 3M POWERHARROW air drill combination, RoTech coulters, Wedge ring packer.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TD6 SE Automatic, 2017, 60358 miles. Good spec. £22,995 + VAT.

DTH 5

STARTIN TRACTORS LTD

TWYCROSS CV9 3PW

FORD RANGER WILDTRAK Automatic, 2021, 21292 miles, lots of spec. £28,995 + VAT.

Tel: 01827 880088 Email: sales@startintractors.co.uk

*Finance offered subject to Terms and Conditions.

FGbuyandsell.com

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December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 11:43:13

FGBuyandSell.com

| December 15, 2023

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

13/12/2023 13:37:27

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

FGbuyandsell.com

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December 15, 2023 |

13/12/2023 11:38:08

MACHINERY

Edited by Toby Whatley – 07583 054 831 – toby.whatley@agriconnect.com

ome tractors stand the test of time well and remain an asset to the business long after the manufacturer has moved on to its latest innovation. For Anthony Haimes, a higherpowered tractor which can work with a mower and baler in his contract business, as well as providing the muscle for cultivations on the home farm near Henley, Arden, is worth its weight in gold. So when he spotted a 1994 Case Magnum 7220 in the yard at dealer James Green Farm Machinery in 2019, his interest was captured. He says: “I have always fixed and adapted machinery, so older tractors work well for my business. We have used Case tractors since my grandfather had a demonstration of an International and went away from Fordsons, and I was looking to replace a Case International 1255. “I had had that tractor a while and changed the gearbox and engine, but it did not have enough horsepower to do what I needed it to do.” Now with 11,792 hours on the

M DV -59 E A 2 ER p5 RN H

F Y O ER ES IN S G H T PA AC ER

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Contractor Anthony Haimes’ Case Magnum may be heading for its 30th birthday, but it is still serving him well. Jane Carley reports.

Case IH 7220 a future classic workhorse clock – Mr Haimes puts on about 500 hours a year – the Magnum is worked hardest in summer, mowing 150 hectares with a four-metre Kuhn Alterna and pulling a Case LBX 421 square baler to make 5,000 bales of hay, straw and silage. It has been pretty reliable, Mr Haimes says, with just a few sensor issues. “It starts every day; they are strong, basic tractors, with a few practical refinements.” The 7220 was supplied with three

Groundworks for local golf clubs and businesses is an important task and the Magnum gets plant to its destination.

spool valves and with a drawbar and pick-up hitch – many did not come with the latter as a 200hp tractor was considered more of a draft machine at the time.

Linkage control “While the linkage control has electronic lower link draft sensing, the spools are mechanical. The simplicity of the tractor means I can fix it myself if I need to.” Mr Haimes has made a few additions, swapping the lights’ ‘yellowish’ halogen bulbs for LEDs and adding an extended weight block to help with balance when hitching up heavy implements. Paintwork was also tidied up with car polish. Mitas 680 65 R42 (rear) and BKT 540 65 R30 (front) tyres came with it and still show little wear. Replacing the track rods on the linkage lift arms has helped to get the most out of the 3,764kg lift capacity.

The baler weighs 10 tonnes, so I needed plenty of horsepower to pull it ANTHONY HAIMES Mr Haimes has also added a passenger seat from an eBay purchase; recalling that prior to that, giving someone a lift to the field meant raising the armrest and sharing the driver’s seat. Another addition was a basic Teejet guidance module, which he says makes mowing and cultivating more

Updates fitted by Anthony Haimes include a basic guidance system which can easily be switched to other tractors.

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 14:22

MACHINERY Anthony Haimes’ Case Magnum 7220 may be approaching its 30th birthday, but it still pulls well enough to handle a subsoiler and set of discs.

efficient, but can easily be swapped to other tractors for spraying or spreading. He says: “The baler weighs 10 tonnes, so I needed plenty of horsepower to pull it. It also handles a three-leg Parmiter Flatlift to which I have fitted a hydraulic linkage for a disc cultivator and press.” An extended weight block up front helps with balance.

Servicing is every 300 hours, while the dusty baling environment dictates daily filter cleaning and regular replacement.

Air conditioning Mr Haimes says that during a long day’s baling, the large cab and air conditioning are much appreciated. The

air con fan is at the back of the cab and also needs a regular clean to remove dust. He says: “For an older system, the air con is very efficient and the cab is a pleasant place to be. However, you do need a strong right arm for the gearshift. But 18 gears gives plenty of variation in speed to do the job.” The 8.3-litre six-cylinder Cummins delivers 197hp, but being from the pre-AdBlue era, Mr Haimes says it can be somewhat thirsty. He says: “The tank holds 260 litres

and I can get through that in a day, but it is getting the job done. We did a charity road run last year and, for a donation, James Green put our tractors on the Dyno. It was interesting to see that it produced 171hp at the pto and I have opened it up a bit since then.” A downside would be road comfort, he says, although it moves along nicely at 40kph. He has no set timescale for replacement, maintaining a good relationship with James Green for parts and any other support required.

Anthony Haimes

farmersguardian.com

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DECEMBER 15 2023 | 61

13/12/2023 10:59

MACHINERY MUCK AND SLURRY Scraping cubicle housing can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the day on some dairy farms, but one Lancashire-based dairy is saving time and labour with a robotic system. James Huyton visited to find out more.

Andrew Metcalf

ndrew Metcalf farms a 120-head herd of Holstein Friesian cattle at Hare Apple Tree Farm in Quernmore, Lancaster. The herd averages 8,500 litres of milk, which is destined for an Arla care contract, and Mr Metcalf aims for 4-5 per cent butterfat and 3.4-5 per cent protein. He views this system as a sustainable approach to milk production, with most of the feed ration formed from home-grown grass silage, without any soya used in the total mixed ration. He says: “I like to keep the farm rations as simple as possible, with our dry cow mix consisting of grass silage and straw, and the lactating ration a blend of Trafford gold, grass silage and straw.” Mr Metcalf has recently invested in a robotic scraper. “We were looking at ways to improve time efficiency on our farm,” he says.

62 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Robotic scraper helps boost dairy efficiency “I love the dairy business, but sometimes scraping out on a Sunday could be time better spent with my young family.” Looking at the options available for the business, Mr Metcalf liked the idea of the Lely Discovery 120 collector. Unlike some robotic scrapers, this system vacuums and collects the slurry from the housing floor, while applying a jet of clean water in its tracks. Once it is full and the cycle has been completed, the Lely Discovery returns to its storage bay to empty, recharge and reload with clean water. The ability to retrofit the sys-

tem within existing housing also appealed to Mr Metcalf. He says: “Alterations had to be made to some of our housing to accommodate the system as we operated both cubicle housing and a straw-based system.” Mr Metcalf points out the changes were necessary and not too difficult to introduce.

Installation The Lely Discovery docking station required the removal of a cubicle bed for installation and an access point cut into the slurry chamber to unload collected material.

Water and an electric feed were also installed at this point. The Lely system utilises an automated docking system to connect to the charging point and water supply for reloading. Each docking bay is also complete with its own smartphone-based control system to set run time parameters or take manual control of the machine. Mr Metcalf also introduced cut down gates within his cubicle house to allow the robot to work freely without restriction. When installed, the team from Lely UK mapped the cubicle housing and

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 13:17

When docked, the Discovery makes contact with the wall-mounted plate to recharge.

Now here’s an idea A spreader that’s so advanced it maximises every £ you spend on fertiliser

Although we take the exceptional output of the ZA-TS range of fertiliser spreaders for granted, it’s the accuracy that counts more and the unique AutoTS gives you at least 17% more yield around the hedge side than any other boundary spreading systems available – but don’t take our word for it; take a look at the independent Innovation Farm trials results. All this means that you maximise your cropped area to the full and you get more produce in the barn! Amazone - future ideas that work for you.

17% more yield

around the hedge side

IDEAS FOR OUR FUTURE www.amazone.co.uk

p62 63 64 Dec15 TW OM MB.indd 3

The AutoTS border spreading system delivers proven precision with up to 17% additional yield around the field boundary.

Contact your local dealer or phone us on 01302 755 725

13/12/2023 13:17

Andrew Metcalf’s old scraper tractor was bought by his grandad in 1963.

The vacuum-based system collects slurry as it works around cubicle housing.

provided the Discovery set parameters to work. Mr Metcalf says: “Traditionally, we would scrape out our cubicle housing once a day, taking about two hours to do so, but with the introduction of the Lely machine we have doubled our cubicle space. “So, we have saved a potential four hours a day cleaning out once every 24 hours.” Mr Metcalf also states the Lely machine achieves nine passes down each cubicle passage within a 24-hour period. He says: “The sheds are a lot

later with application to the fields. When asked if he would go back to his old system, Mr Metcalf says: “I now run two Lely Discovery machines. I appreciate they were a costly outlay, but they have transformed my working day. “My grandad bought our old scraper tractor in 1963 and I hope to get it refurbished for show as its currently gathering dust.” Mr Metcalf is so pleased with the system, he now invites other local farmers to see the robots working and highlight the benefits to his business.

cleaner, the cows are happier, and I have more time to manage the business and spend time with my family.”

Benefits Purchased with support of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), Mr Metcalf highlighted one of the key benefits of the system; it is constantly collecting the slurry. Reduced ammonia losses gained from the short period of time the slurry spends on the housing floor improves air quality and ensures a higher proportion of available nitrogen reaches the lagoon and

The sheds are a lot cleaner, the cows are happier, and I have more time to manage the business and spend with my family ANDREW METCALF

SLURRY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT ROUND 2 - ENGLAND

Lowlander ® Manure Spreaders

Gantries

Dry-Matter

3 Year Warranty | Details available upon request

Twin Vertical Auger TVA | 6 – 40 tonnes

Horizontal Beater & Spinning Disc HBD | 8 – 40 tonnes Tel: + 44 (0) 1362 860352

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On the second round of the grant, you can get a contribution towards a slurry separator and gantry as part of your project to increase storage capacity. Separators can make slurry easier to store, move around the farm and apply in line with a nutrient management plan. You can apply for this grant now!

bunning spreaders www.storthmachinery.co.uk 64 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Tel: 01524 781900 farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 11:44

MUCK AND SLURRY MACHINERY

Slurry kit launches at LAMMA rNew working widths

The new variants in SlurryKat’s Farmline trailing shoe range will incorporate a 250mm row spacing.

announced by SlurryKat By James Huyton SET to be shown at LAMMA 2024 in January, SlurryKat has launched new additions to its Farmline trailing shoe. This change in line-up will see SlurryKat offer two new variants, with nine-metre and 10.5m working widths. Garth Cairns, chief executive of SlurryKat, says: “We launched the 7.5m Farmline trailing shoe in 2018 and it has been a huge success. However, as slurry tankers have become larger, we have experienced huge demand for wider models.” The manufacturer claims to offer the lightest trailing shoe on the market, with the current 7.5m variant weighing in at 490kg. New 9m and 10.5m models will weigh 600kg and 636kg, respectively. Following a continuation of the existing format, new variants will

incorporate a 250mm row spacing and a fully galvanised boom. The development of a hydraulic flip-over end section has allowed the manufacturer to extend on current working widths. Aimed to aid headland manoeuvres, hydraul-

ic engagement of the flip-up shoe will be fitted as standard on the 9m and 10.5m variants. These models will also incorporate the manufacturer’s ventilated macerator, with V36 and V42 distribution heads respectively.

In addition, SlurryKat has also announced further expansion of its slurry offering with its highest capacity front reeler to date. The new 1,400m front reeler will feature a drive system claimed to better protect motors and increase durability.

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The retrofit-friendly dribble bars are available in working widths from 7.5m up to 36m.

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farmersguardian.com

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DECEMBER 15 2023 | 65

13/12/2023 17:31

LIVESTOCK

Edited by Katie Jones – 07786 856 439 – katie.jones@agriconnect.com

The benefits of feeding willow to livestock should become more widely known thanks to a newly formed Innovative Farmers group. Jonathan Wheeler reports.

PICTURE: GAME AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST

Willow’s multiple benefits

Researchers at the Allerton Trust’s Loddington Estate, Leicestershire, compared the emissions of two groups of lambs: a control group grazing grass alone and the other additionally fed 20g/day of willow leaves.

rNew research reveals

environmental benefits

SOME of willow’s benefits to livestock production and health have been recognised for many years. However, recent work at the Allerton Trust’s Loddington Estate in Leicestershire has added fresh evidence to suggest eating willow can cut greenhouse gas emissions from livestock urine – a significant environmental benefit. These findings build on existing knowledge, says Dr Nigel Kendall, lecturer in nutrition at the University of Nottingham. This includes work from Queens University, Belfast, which showed how effectively willow can reduce sheep’s methane emissions. Dr Kendall says: “Willow has a known anthelmintic effect on animals and contains high concentrations of zinc and cobalt – the lat66 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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ter being especially important. Cobalt deficiency is one of the major production-limiting issues among lambs.” This point is borne out by figures from the Animal and Plant Health Agency dating from 2019, which used carcase tests to reveal that 9.9 per cent of lambs were rated as cobalt deficient. Other studies suggest this means sheep farmers could be losing £10 to £15 per animal – a huge cost to the sector in terms of lost production and lambs. Dr Kendall points out that uptakes of cobalt are related to soil moisture levels, and fall as soils become drier in the summer, although by how far varies season by season. The result is that lambs are at risk of being deficient of the element just at the time – in the peri/ post-weaning period – when they need it most to support fast growth.

Dr Kendall says: “Growing lambs need about double the daily intake of mature animals – about 0.2mg/kg dry matter [DM] against 0.1mg/kg DM. “I would suggest really fastgrowing lambs may need even more, maybe as much as 0.3 to 0.5mg/kg DM.” While grass might contain up to 0.4mg/kg DM of the element in the winter, this can fall to 0.05mg/kg DM in summer as soils dry out, hence the need for supplementation. “The time when they tend to need it most is from July through to September,” says Dr Kendall.

Forage For feeding outside that period, leaves can be conserved as forage – either tree hay or silage – or incorporated between layers of grass in the silage pit. While the feeding benefits have

been known for some time, the research at Loddington sheds fresh light on potential environmental benefits. Researchers compared the emissions of two groups of lambs: a control group grazing grass alone and the other additionally fed 20g/day of willow leaves. The research team used a Gasmet gas analyser to measure the emissions of three main greenhouse gases – ammonia, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide (CO2) – from the urine patches left by both groups. The patches were tested on the day of deposition and after intervals of seven and 14 days thereafter. On the first day, ammonia emissions of the lambs fed willow were about half the level of the control group. Subsequent tests on those patches, on days seven and 14 of the trial, showed emissions were low from both groups. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:35

LIVESTOCK We tested whether feeding willow leaves to lambs increased concentrations of cobalt and vitamin B12 in their blood, and it did DR NIGEL KENDALL Nitrous oxide levels were also reduced, with the biggest difference obvious seven days after deposition, when those from lambs fed the willow were just a third of those from the control group. But the research team warns that changing soil moisture levels (from 5.5 per cent on day one to 12 per cent on day seven) could have affected that. CO 2 emissions from the willow-fed group were also consistently lower than those of the control group, although this difference reduced over the fortnight of the trial.

Greenhouse gases Prof Chris Stoate, head of research at Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Allerton Project, says the results reveal a lot about the release of greenhouse gases from livestock urine. Like grass, the composition of willow leaves varies widely over the season. Prof Stoate says: “Samples collected at Loddington in June and September had an average ME of 8.74 and 9.38 MJ/kg DM, and crude protein [CP] of 56.5 and 72.6g CP/kg DM. “For mature and young grass, the comparative levels are an ME of 10 and 12.2 MJ/kg DM, and 100 and 156g CP/kg DM.” He suggests the lower nitrous oxide levels could be due to the reduced nitrogen content of the willow in comparison to the grass. It might also reflect better rumen synchronisation of energy and protein sources, which leads to greater formation of microbial crude protein and reduced N excretion in urine. As well as supporting efficient growth, cobalt has anthelmintic benefits to the animals and environmental benefits for both the animals and their pasture. Dr Kendall refers to previous farmersguardian.com

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work completed at Loddington which supported this finding. “We already knew from previous Defra-funded research that cobalt, an essential mineral for syntheses of vitamin B12, varies in its availability in grass swards, both across fields and seasonally, with the lowest concentrations in the summer. “We tested whether feeding willow leaves to the lambs increased concentrations of cobalt and vitamin B12 in their blood, and it did.” He says the tannins contained in willow leaves could also help reduce the need for anthelmintics to treat intestinal worms. This would benefit the health of both the sheep and the pasture on which they graze, because wormers are known to have a major negative impact on grassland invertebrates. Among the key species to benefit would be the dung beetles that help break down dung and incorporate it into the soil. Dr Kendall says: “We did a labbased study that showed that willow leaves do increase mortality of these worms.” Dr Kendall also says there are some areas to consider when thinking about using willow in this way.

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Growing “It is very easy to grow; in fact, it can be very difficult to stop it growing,” he says. “You can establish it very quickly from whips and it grows very happily in the worst land – those boggy areas and rocky bits that you hate.” He suggests livestock farmers might benefit from establishing willow in the corners of any field where livestock may graze so they have permanent access to it. On sloping land it could also be grown as a riparian strip alongside watercourses, where it would stabilise the riverbank and help reduce soil erosion.

Freephone: 0800 833 675 | info@rumenco.co.uk | www.rumenco.co.uk

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 67

13/12/2023 17:35

LIVESTOCK

AI early warning system for poultry farms in development rMachines analyse

complex data in China By Richard Halleron A NEW research project being run by the University of Nottingham could help poultry keepers predict, or get early warning of, disease outbreaks. This could help these farmers react quicker and more effectively, potentially reducing both the severity of problems and the cost of treating them. It might also enhance the industry’s ability to combat those microbes which are known to be becoming resistant to antibiotics. The research, which is being led by Dr Tania Dottorini, professor in bioinformatics at the University of Nottingham, is using machine learning to analyse the data from 10 large-scale chicken farms and four

This could help reduce antimicrobial use and reduce the risk of resistance developing DR TANIA DOTTORINI

The research at the University of Nottingham combines big data and machine learning to help improve antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

related abattoirs in three provinces of China, where the university has a campus in the city of Ningbo. It combines big data and machine learning to help improve antimicrobial resistance surveillance. China is one of the largest users of antimicrobial products, and that usage is associated with a rise in antimicrobial resistant infections, which is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity according to the World Health Organisation. Dr Dottorini says: “Machine learning enables us to take all the variables that might be present in any individual barn and compare

them to the results gained from multiple other facilities. “It also allows us to analyse complex combinations of data including the type and age of the stock; temperatures and humidity; feed and what medical interventions have been made. “That information can be correlated against what is happening in other facilities to determine what is causing the most problematic infections.” Dr Dottorini says some of the main issues being flagged appear to be related to relatively low-grade buildings which have no means of controlling temperature or humidity.

Emissions potential of beef breeds THE British Limousin Society says analysis of its genotype data set, the largest of all the UK beef breeds, highlights significant differences in the emissions potential from beef breeds. It says the figures show Limousin cattle produce up to 30 per cent fewer methane emissions in the finishing period. Alice Swift, chief executive of the British Limousin Society, says this reduction can be linked to the presence of the F94L myostatin gene, which is found naturally in the breed and is now being termed the ‘Green Gene’ by the society. 68 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Ms Swift says that while further analysis is needed, this data demonstrates the need for the beef sector to gain a better understanding of genetics to deliver more beef from less inputs.

Findings The findings are also supported by preliminary data from AHDB’s National Beef Evaluation which shows that, in the past 10 years, calves sired by pedigree Limousin bulls finished on average 29 days earlier than the average of all calves by the main continental sire breeds and on average 17 days earlier

than the average of all calves sired by the main native breeds. This difference equates to a reduction of more than 4.3kg and 2.5kg CO 2 equivalents of greenhouses gases per finished animal respectively. Ms Swift says AHDB’s data also shows only 15 per cent of native breeds deliver an R grade or better in the EUROP grid, while continental breeds deliver at 66 per cent. She adds that this shows continental breeds should be considered when developing incentives and schemes for the dairy beef sector.

In many countries, poultry is housed in exactly this type of shed, and, as a result, birds experience substantial temperature and humidity changes. And Dr Dottorini says poultry farmers in those, often developing, countries could be among those to benefit most from development of an effective system. The machine learning could also help poultry keepers understand which bugs are present in any particular building and to which products they are resistant.

Effective “The keepers could then be sure of applying an effective treatment from the start. “That would avoid wasting the time and money applying an inappropriate treatment, which might happen without this knowledge and also avoid the damage that any delay in applying the correct treatment might do. “In the longer term, this could help reduce anti-microbial use and reduce the risk of resistance developing,” she adds. The Chinese work is now being replicated on two large poultry units with multiple sheds in the UK, with the help of funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. And Dr Dottorini believes the lessons learned from poultry could be rolled out to help improve practice in other livestock species. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 16:53

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07/12/2023 10:16

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Improving fungal populations w By focusing on improving soil biology, Bronagh O’Kane is aiming to improve the health and structure of soils on her family’s farm. Richard Halleron finds out more.

he number of farmers now espousing the values associated with regenerative agriculture continues to grow. The system places great emphasis on the role of soil structure and health in underpinning every aspect of performance and sustainability within a farming business. In very simple terms: it all comes down to the old ‘three-legged stool’ principle. And in the case of regenerative agriculture, the three principles coming into play are the physical attributes of soil in tandem with soil chemistry and soil biology. Bronagh O’Kane, who farms near Cookstown, Co Tyrone, has placed a strong focus on soil biology.

Ms O’Kane came home to the farm in late 2018, having previously spent almost 20 years following a number of career options. This included a 12-year spell as an aircraft engineer in the Royal Air Force, followed by working on one of Scotland’s longest established pedigree Aberdeen-Angus businesses. Ms O’Kane says: “I have two brothers: one lives in Australia and the other in Dublin. At the end of 2019, my parents announced that they would be heading to Australia to visit my brother, and I would be in charge of the farm in their absence.” Ms O’Kane’s father and mother – Paddy and Theresa – had previously built up the farm to 60 hectares (150 acres). The focus of the business was a herd of Charolais cross suckler

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top soil was a thick layer of a grey, impervious clay.” Ms O’Kane knew that it would be impossible to convert a very obvious gley soil to a more free-draining sandy loam with a range of particle sizes. “I became fascinated with the subject of soil structure and trawled the internet to find relevant information on this subject. “After a while, it became clear to me that it would be possible to improve the permeability and aggregate quality of the soil. In turn, this would improve the passage of water through it,” she says. Courtesy of this initial research, Ms O’Kane became aware of the agroecologist Nicole Masters, who had written a book entitled For the Love of Soil.

Bacteria Her work points to the impact of herbicides, other agrochemicals and chemical fertilisers in shifting the bacterial-fungal balance of almost all agricultural soils to an extreme position in favour of bacteria. According to the book, bacteria help produce the micro-aggregates within soils, while fungi encourage the formation of macro-aggregates. Ms O’Kane says: “It became clear that, in my own case, I had to take steps that would encourage the fungal populations within my own soils.

The end product of the feedstock made available to the earthworms is a fine compost.

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cows, which were traditionally crossed back to a Charolais bull. Ms O’Kane says: “By the time I arrived back home in 2018, my father had scaled back the business. But this still left me with 36ha [90 acres] plus a significant number of stock to look after. “The trip to Australia lasted for three months. But as soon as my parents arrived back, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. “As my mother suffers from COPD, the decision was taken for my parents to go up to Donegal, where we have a family house. “As a result, I was left in charge of the farm for a full eight months. However, what started out as a feeling of absolute trepidation turned into one of sheer satisfaction and fulfilment: I knew that I had found my niche in life.” The O’Kane farm comprises soils that are quite heavy and sticky to touch. Particle size is uniformly small at the upper levels of the soil profile. Ms O’Kane says: “Drainage is quite poor and the soil has a very sticky texture. As a result, the ground can be easily poached during periods of wet weather. “One of the first things I did, after settling on a career in farming, was to go out with a spade and start digging at a number of locations on the farm. “I quickly found that below the thin

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ns within the soil “Making this happen would require the help of earthworms or – to be more specific – the material within the casts they produce as part of their digestive metabolism.” Nicole Masters is a very strong advocate of setting up worm farms because, in her opinion, the vermicast produced by the worms is, possibly, the most effective compost known to man. So, Ms O’Kane set about establishing a worm farm in her own sheds. “Initially, when I went out digging with the spade, I found very few earthworms. But I soon found the composting manure that came from the sheds used for winter housing was full of them,” she says.

Vermicompost Vermicompost is the product of the decomposition created by earthworms that are used to inoculate a mixture of bedding materials within a blacked-out environment. Vermicast levels build up within the material over a period of time, converting the initial heterogeneous materials into a uniform, finely structured compost. Spreading this material in the most effective manner across all the fields on-farm was the next challenge. Ms O’Kane says: “Farmers have become used to spreading large quantities of manures on land in order to generate a growth response. “But, from a regenerative agriculture perspective, we are talking about quite small quantities of fundamentally important soil nutrients. “However, regenerative agriculture is more about a set of principles, not solely biology.” Given this backdrop, Ms O’Kane separates her earthworm populations from the vermicompost they produce. She places small quantities of the compost into a net bag. This is then suspended into an intermediate bulk container with a capacity to hold 1,000 litres. “The water is added and a pond pump put into the container to oxygenate the solution that is created,” she says. “I also add molasses to the solution; this helps feed the microorganisms that are now in solution. “It has taken me a while to perfect the growing conditions for the earthworms. Simply adding cow dung encourages high levels of bacterial growth. However, if I also add significant amounts of straw and wood chip, this encourages fungal growth.” The liquor containing the mix of microorganisms is then spread onto the land using a conventional farmersguardian.com

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ParasiteWatch

Farm facts ■ Ms O’Kane was placed third in the Farm Carbon Toolkit’s 2023 Soil Farmer of the Year Award ■ There is also a small flock of Charollais sheep on-farm, which are managed alongside a group of commercial hoggets ■ An Aberdeen-Angus bull is used on breeding stock

sprayer, where the application rate is 300 litres/ha. In 2022, Ms O’Kane managed to get five applications completed across the farm. This figure dropped to three applications in 2023; a reflection of the poor weather and ground conditions that characterised the entire July/August period. Ms O’Kane is two years into a project that will, almost certainly, constitute an ongoing commitment for her. “But the change to the new way of thinking is already delivering positive results,” she says. “In 2020, I found two worms per spadeful of soil. This year, I am finding between 15 and 25 across the farm. This reflects the tremendous improvement in soil health that has been achieved.” Before starting, the average pH value of the soils across the farm was 5.6 – within 12 months, this figure had risen to 5.8. “My primary objective is to secure deeper rooting swards across the farm. There is now very clear evidence confirming that water infiltration rates are improving,” says Ms O’Kane. “It is now possible to keep cattle out at grass that little bit longer.” She is also committed to making best use of the slurries and solid manures produced on-farm. Making this happen has centred on the production of a lactobacillus-based solution, which is added to both animal bedding and slurry tanks. The product is made by initially adding water to rice grains. After three days, the liquor produced is separated off and then mixed with an equal volume of fresh milk. “After three days, the curd that forms at the top of the solution is removed, leaving the lactobacillus solution ready for use,” says Ms O’Kane. “I added the culture to the animal bedding. However, of even more significance is the impact generated when the inoculum is added to a slurry tank. “Within a relatively short period of time, a creamy foam is seen forming on top of the slurry.”

PLANNING AHEAD AGAINST WORMS While cattle are housed over winter, it is a good time to review your plans for parasite control next year. The main species to focus on are gutworms, lungworm and liver fluke.

iscuss the following topics with your vet ahead of next year: For all gutworms, review your grazing plans each winter and try to identify some ‘clean grazing’ to use for calves and youngstock during the early part of the year. These animals are most susceptible to a parasite infection, so lowering the worm challenge helps reduce the impact on their growth. Clean grazing includes fields which have not been grazed by cattle for the past 12 months or more, such as those used for silage, new leys or other rested pasture. Review the incidences of lungworm on-farm. If it is a known risk, plan and prioritise youngstock and other susceptible animals for vaccination before turnout. Test housed cattle for liver fluke before turnout using faecal egg count tests. If positive, consider

IVOMEC® Super is a broad-spectrum, dual-active parasite control for cattle

treating with a product which is effective against the adult stage of liver fluke to prevent egg output in spring and reduce pasture infectivity later in the season. Use pooled faecal egg count tests in youngstock during the first few months of the grazing season to monitor infection and egg shed. This information can help inform the timing of wormer treatments, which will, in turn, reduce egg shed on to pasture and help prevent youngstock from developing heavy worm burdens later in the grazing season.

Growth

Weighing calves and youngstock during the grazing season can also give you an indication of whether their growth is being hampered by a worm infection and help target any required wormer treatment at individual animals, rather than treating the whole group. which treats and provides protection against reinfection from the most pathogenic gutworm species, including Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia spp. and the cattle lungworm, plus adult liver fluke, sucking lice and mange mites.

For more information, talk to your vet or suitably qualified person, visit beattheparasites.com or check out the Beat the Parasites Hub at farmersguardian.com/beattheparasites IVOMEC® Super Injection for Cattle contains ivermectin and clorsulon. POM-VPS. Advice should be sought from the prescriber. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: 01344 746957. Email: vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. IVOMEC® and the Steerhead® logo are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France SCS, used under licence. ©2023 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Nov 2023. UI-BOV-0129-2023. Use Medicines Responsibly.

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 71

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LIVESTOCK

Disease prevention measures should be routinely reviewed.

Dairy veterinary adviser at MSD Animal Health, Steph Small, explains the value of a proactive herd health strategy with vet support. Farmers Guardian reports.

bespoke herd health plan can provide the backbone for achieving continuous improvements in livestock welfare and productivity on-farm. This year the Government bolstered the funding available to support proactive herd health investments on-farm, rewarding producers who go above regulatory baselines to continually improve herd health and welfare, in partnership with their vet. Dairy farmers already successfully implementing a preventative approach will know that this is not the only incentive. Steph Small, dairy veterinary adviser at MSD Animal Health, says setting aside time to seek advice and consider how things could be done better from a herd health perspective, can help tackle productivity losses and safeguard returns. She says: “I would strongly recommend that farmers tap into Defra’s Annual Health and Welfare Pathway, within the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, to build on herd health planning already being done.”

Back to basics with herd health planning She says the pathway offers funding towards a visit from a farm vet for the purposes of reviewing health, welfare and productivity goals. She says: “The vet visit is not a farm inspection, nor will it be used for compliance or monitoring, it is entirely optional, but well worth setting aside time for.” By examining how effectively health and welfare is being protected across the herd from birth, with the support of a technical pair of eyes, farmers can ensure they are putting a holistic approach in place to help safeguard lifetime productivity, says Ms Small. It is crucial to routinely review disease prevention measures on-farm, especially for endemic disease threats. bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), IBR, leptospirosis, calf scour and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) are all classified as endemic in UK dairy herds.

“The Government-funded animal health and welfare review can support endemic disease testing and diagnostics,” says Ms Small. She says vets will help evaluate the risk of disease outbreak on farm, and, according to the outcome, will recommend robust biosecurity measures to help protect the herd. Within the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) livestock vaccination guidelines, BVD, IBR, leptospirosis, calf scour and BRD are denoted as ‘Category One’ disease priority for dairy farmers, meaning herds should be vaccinated as default unless deemed otherwise by a vet. “If any of these endemic diseases are already present in your herd, vaccination can be a vital tool to help limit the damaging health, welfare and productivity impacts of an outbreak,” Ms Small explains. An IBR outbreak can be severely

Tips for a productive herd health planning meeting

Steph Small 72 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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■ Come armed with herd health data — up-to-date performance figures are vital to give your vet an accurate picture that will help inform tailored guidance ■ Allow sufficient time for the discussion — do not underestimate how long you will need to examine all aspects of health and

productivity across your whole herd, it could take several hours and rushing the discussion could compromise how effective it is ■ Be open-minded — approach your herd health planning with a willingness to try something different, in line with your vet’s suggestions

detrimental to herd health and the bottom line. The subclinical effects of infection can cost £200 per cow per year in lost milk yields. “For herds fortunate enough to be free of these endemic diseases, vaccination still plays an important role in helping to provide herd protection as part of wider biosecurity measures.” The professional expertise a vet can offer is invaluable to any farm business, and should be seen as a worthwhile investment, says Ms Small.

Trusted “Treat your vet as you would any other technical consultant for your farming business, as they are a trusted part of your team.” For the best outcomes, Ms Small says herd health planning needs to be a two-way discussion between farmer and vet. She advises farmers not to refrain from asking what their thoughts are on your herd performance, as vets have huge exposure to different ways of doing things on-farm. “Monitoring technology provides a huge wealth of data about your herd, and having this information in front of you while health planning with your vet can guide target-setting for key performance metrics. It is not just about spotting areas for improvement, you can also celebrate the herd health, welfare and productivity results you have achieved collectively.” farmersguardian.com

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13/12/2023 11:39

WORKING DOGS Fraser Shennan and Fred dominate Blackaddie Scotland: Sine Robertson A NEAR faultless run from Fraser Shennan’s Fred at Blackaddie earned him a very comfortable lead over the field. Packets of four Scotch Mule hoggs were good to handle round a flat course, but they were not keen to go through the chute. Fred worked cleanly outbye. The turn round from Fraser was just a little wide, but the only fault in an otherwise flawless drive. A good clean chute followed. The shed was good, if not perfectly smooth, but he completed the winning run with a clear lead over the field. Wullie Welsh’s Barcroft Jam ran out well, lifted and fetched his sheep in a nicely controlled manner and made a good turn. The drive started well, and although the line took a little wobble at the drive away gate, the crossdrive and return were straight.

Second Wullie and Jam had a little difficulty putting their sheep through the chute, but once that was done, a good shed put them into second place. Ian Brownlie’s Lark led a closely packed list at Innerleithen. The Mule hoggs behaved on the flat course, if dogs kept off them, but they could be flighty at the pen. Lark ran out and landed tight on her sheep, causing her to lift a little off line, but once on line, she had a very good fetch. Her drive went well, with just minor wavers and, although a hogg broke from the pen, Lark retrieved it and penned the packet. Her shed was a little hesitant, but she took first place, with the field close behind her. Ian Fleming’s Wheatwood Ruby overlapped her sheep slightly at the top which impacted on her lift and her sheep were off line on the fetch. She had a decent drive, with small wavers. A good pen and a clean shed put her into second place. Sion Morgan’s Mainstay Pip too, overlapped on her outrun, which again affected her lift, but had just minor deflections from the line of the fetch. A good drive with minor wavers followed, and although a hogg broke from the pen, Pip penned and finished her run with a good shed and third place. 74 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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Butterton Moor hosts championship trial rGood starts secure

double victories England: Elaine Hill

BOTH David Wood and Steve Allen enjoyed double victories at the Butterton Moor trial. This concluding trial with championships had been postponed due to snow and despite being wet and foggy over the morning, it cleared in the afternoon. The pasture sloped gently away on the left and the compact yet tricky course was mostly gathered right handed as the dogs could go too wide. Packets of three Mule hoggs with a single were provided for the novice dogs and in the championships there were four sheep with a split to finish in both classes. Mr Wood ran Hill Top John in the late teens. John had a very good start, kept good lines, particularly over the right-hand drive before having a couple of breaks at the pen to earn the top nursery score of 79 points, gaining his third nursery title of the season. With a later run, Kevin Dodd and Malpas Tig made a strong challenge, but with 78 points they were the

English results BUTTERTON MOOR (Judge, P. Hallam) Nursery (23 ran) 1, D. Wood (Derwent Valley) Hill Top John, 79 of 90; 2, K. Dodd (Malpas) Malpas Tig, 78; 3, S. Allen (Butterton) Ruby, 72 OLF; 4, P. Johnson (Stoke-on-Trent) Scalpsie Inch, 72; 5, A. Sayer (Hilderstone) Tynygraig Nan, 71; 6, P. Johnson, Matt, 70. Novice, 1, S. Allen, Jet, 84 of 100; 2, S. Varney (Kilburn) Ruby, 83; 3, W. Allen (Butterton) Sal, 80. Nursery championship (3 ran) 1, D. Wood, Hill Top John, 85 of 100 OLF; 2, K. Dodd, Malpas Tig, 85; 3, A. Sayer (Hilderstone) Tynygraig Nan, 75. Novice championship, 1, S. Allen, Jet, 89 of 100; 2, S. Varney, Ruby, 83; 3, P. Thomas (Longnor) Zak, 73. NORTH WESTMORLAND (B. Helliwell) Nursery (50 ran) 1, K. Cropper (Shap) Roy, 78 of 90; 2, P. Walton (Hethersgill) Jack, 73; 3, A. Temple (Holmrook) Rhydarw Jess, 72; 4, S. Thompson (Lancaster) Tess, 70; 5, Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Clay, 69; 6, T. Birkett (Carnforth) Ben, 68. Novice, 1, B. Sendlhofer (Threlkeld) Elf, 75 of 90; 2, H. Hutchinson (Kirkby Stephen) Molly, 71; 3, G. Miller (Penruddock) Gin, 70; 4, H. Svobodova (Hallbankgate) Tristan, 66. New handler, 1, J. McDaid (Gilsland) Jim; 2, B. Meadley (Cockermouth) Jazz. EAST ANGLIAN (L. Hogg, Occold) Cradle, 1, A. Bartram (Colby) Dilly, 55 of 80; 2, L. Rice (Woolpit) Autumn, 47; 3, G. Winchester (Eye) Celt, 38; 4, K. Gurney (Sandy) Floss, 25. Novice handler, 1, K. Gurney, Jess, 62 of 80; 2, L. Knocker (Newmarket) Cindy, 61; 3, S. Cleary (Spalding) Zetland Jet, 59; 4, S. Cleary, Joe, 58. Sunday, (S. Little, Kerdiston) Nursery, 1, D. Presland (Great Yarmouth) Nap, 70 of 90 OLF; 2, S. Mynard (Thrapston) Winston, 70; 3, J. Gregory, Holly, 65; 4, M. Angood (Chatteris) Prim, 50; 5, A. Bartram, Dilly, 44. (E. Thornalley) Novice, 1, S. Little, Bradley, 59 of 100; 2, P. Cleary (Spilsby) Sam, 50; 3, L. Knocker, Cindy, 42; 4, S. Cleary, Zetland Jet, 40. RAINOW (W. Hurley) Nursery (17 ran) 1, C. Pickford (Rainow) Rainow Nap, 76 of 90; 2, D.

runners-up. In the late teens, Steve ran Jet in the novice class. They had a clean right-hand outrun before dropping a few points at the lift, but kept good lines over the course. Losing a total of five points, Steve and Jet earned the top novice score of 84 to take their second novice trial title this season. Just one point behind the runners-up were Sally Varney and Ruby.

Nursery In the nursery championship, Anthony Sayer and Tynygraig Nan ran first. They had a good start before losing points over their drive where the sheep could set off after the first drive obstacle resulting in wide turns and being off line over the cross-drive. On completion of their run they scored 75 points. Mr Wood and John were second to the post. For the second time that day, John had a clean left-hand gather. Keeping good lines, his run was very similar to his trial run but he had a better pen, losing just one point. At the split he hesitated, momentarily turned onto the wrong two sheep before turning to the correct

Wood, Hill Top John, 67; 3, C. Pickford, Rainow Jill, 59; 4, A. Priestley (Bamford) Nan, 53; 5, G. Birchenall (Chinley) Spot, 40; 6, R. Kennerley (Knutsford) Jess, 33. Novice, 1, B. Williams (Ysceifiog) Mot, 52 of 90. ROMNEY MARSH (E. Lauder) Nursery (22 ran) 1, E. Anstey (Kirdford) Ben, 85 of 90; 2, W. Cole (Tillingham) Gipping Valley Lil, 82; 3, M. Banham (Chipstead) Jon, 76; 4, M. Banham, Shabden Glen, 72; 5, J. Bastable (Tonbridge) Meg, 67; 6, J. Dorrell (Dover) Gipping Valley Jack, 63. Novice, 1, J. Dorrell, Rhydale Tip, 61 of 90. Cradle, 1, H. Long (Canterbury) Wren, 46; 2, G. Gower (Lydden) Ayesha, 29. NORTHUMBERLAND (H. Svobodova) Nursery (17 ran) 1, B. Jordan (Whitfield) Chase, 82 of 100; 2, P. Telfer (Haydon Bridge) Telf Biff, 81; 3, B. Jordan, Marshall, 71; 4, R. Mitcheson (Belsay) Mitch, 69; 5, P. Telfer, Cumhatchbach Kiss, 60; 6, B. Jordan, Zoomer, 56. Novice, 1, F. Samson (Bellingham) Mel, 52. MID-SHIRES (Amy Rouse) Nursery (32 ran) 1, J. Porter (Broughton Astley) Moss, 77 of 90; 2, S. Varney, Gemma, 76; 3, K. Martin-Shaw (Shirland) Gin, 74; 4, S. Varney, Jack, 70; 5, A. Sayer, Tynygraig Nan, 69 OLF; 6, P. Johnson, Matt, 69. Novice, 1, P. Johnson, Scalpsie Inch, 83 of 100; 2, J. McBride (Grantham) Boss, 77; 3, L. Elkin (Hilderstone) Kemi Pip 76; 4, A. Sayer, Don, 70. Beginner, 1, R. Beeson, Tess. Open 1, R. Curtis (Grantham) Jay, 80 of 100. NORTHERN (C. Mellin) (32 ran) Nursery 1, R. Hutchinson (Bowes) Flash, 73 of 90; 2, J. Drinkwater (Bowes) Gyp, 70; 3, A. Hunter (Redmire) Spot, 67 OLF; 4, A. Ridley (Blanchland) Glen, 67; 5, C. Townson (Dent) Gorst, 62; 6, F. Noble (Brough) Jan, 61. Novice 1, M. Metcalfe (Wharton) Gem, 61 of 90; 2, A. Hunter, Joy, 46; 3, J. Howes (Hamsterley) Redgate Nell, 41. WEST COUNTRY (D. Kennard) Driving, 1, J. Nicholls (Buckland Brewer) Lucy, 78 of 100; 2, D. Cole (Ivybridge) Jasper, 76; 3, S. Greenaway (Manaton) Tan, 75; 4, J. Watson (Postbridge) Floss, 70; 5, W. Carter (Davidstow) Belle, 67 OLF; J.

two, which cost five points giving a score of 85. Last to run were Kevin and Tig who lost a couple more points over their out-bye work and gained a point over their drive and had a clean pen. However, at the split Kevin did too much of the work himself which cost five points putting him on the same score of 85. Consequently, Mr Wood and John’s better start won them their first championship title. In the novice championship competition was not quite as close. Ms Varney ran Ruby first having a good gather, but losing points at the lift. The remainder of their outfield work was good and they had a good pen, but dropped four points at the split to score 83. Next to the post were Pauline Thomas and Zak who had the best outrun, lift and fetch of the three, but lost points over their drive and at hand to score 73. Steve and Jet ran last with a very good start losing just three points from their out-bye work, they dropped five over their drive, just one point at the pen and two at the split which gave a score of 89, securing their second championship title.

Watson, Scott, 67. Maltese cross, 1, D. Cole, Juno, 56 of 75; 2, J. Nicholls, Meg, 55; 3, J. Watson, Ben, 54; 4, J. Watson, Mac, 47. New handler, 1, T. Kinsman (Buckfastleigh) Glensi, 46; 2, R. Cooper, Ben, 34; 3, A. Beard (Moretonhampstead) Mae. RYEDALE, WINDERMERE and COME-BYE and AWAY CLUB - Cancelled/Postponed.

Scottish results BLACKADDIE, Sanquhar (M. McTeir) Nursery (14 ran) 1, F. Shennan (Barr) Fred, 96; 2, W.J. Welsh (Sanquhar) Bancroft Jam, 90; 3, A.R. Mundell (Moffat) Jock, 82; 4, D. Robertson (Langholm) Zak, 77; 5, F. Shennan (Barr) Nap, 76; 6, T. Blacklock (Kirkconnell) Mist, 70; Pro Novice, 1, D. Robertson (Langholm) Mirk, 81; 2, R. Malcolm (Gatehouse) Gael, 79; 3, T. Blacklock (Kirkconnell) Chip, 78; SKIPNESS (A. Cameron) Nursery (12 ran) 1, K. Strachan (Roybridge) Mirk, 87; 2, J.C. MacLachlan (Spean Bridge) Gale, 86; 3, R. Rennie (Furness) Ash, 81; 4, J.C. MacLachlan (Spean Bridge) Craig, 79; 5, A. McCuish (Skipness) Nan, 78; 6, J. McKillop (Fort Augustus) Glen, 76; INNERLEITHEN (C. Dickson) Nursery (18 ran) 1, I.M. Brownlie (Dunbar) Lark, 84; 2, I. Fleming (Douglas) Wheatwood Ruby, 83; 3, S Morgan (Heriot) Mainstay Pip, 82; 4, I.M. Brownlie (Dunbar) Beck, 81 Outbye; 5, G.C. Gardner (Lesmahagow) Craig, 81; 6, J. Mitchell (Broughton) Aaro, 79; Novice (10 ran) 1, A. Walker (Hamilton) Roy, 75; 2, R. Reid (Carnwath) Lynn, 69; 3, M. McColm (Leadhills) Viking Lee, 68; 4, N. Reittu (Carnwath) Lyn, 61.

Welsh results CWMDU, All Wales nursery final (Doug Lambie and Cerys Millichap), 1. R. Ellis, Pip, 8; 2. K. Evans, Thornbury Max, 11; 3. K. Evans, Hendre Tex, 15; 4. M. Evans, Sian, 16; 5. D. Jenkins, Becca, 17; 6. O. Lewis, Genog Ruby, 20 OLF; Reserve, D. Jenkins, Troedrhiw Jim, 24. Team Shield, 1. South Wales, 259; 2. North Wales, 337.

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 17:49

WORKING DOGS Rob Ellis and Pip.

Rob Ellis and Pip in near perfect run at All Wales Nursery final Wales: Michelle Thomas IN a blistering All Wales Nursery final, Wales’ top handlers fought hard to claim the top places. The well-designed course was not as easy as it first looked and required handlers to pay full attention while at the post. The consistent sheep worked well for everyone, but responded best to dogs who calmly took them along. After the last two finals, the pressure was back on the competitors to showcase their handling skills as they navigated their dogs around this beautifully presented Cwmdu trial

field. At run 11, Rob Ellis and his bitch Pip blew the competition away to be awarded with a single figure run that was hard to beat. Running left-handed down the 320yard course, Pip completed a clean outrun, one of a handful awarded. A couple of points taken off her lift and fetch saw her turn the post with three points lost, a single figure score followed over the long and tricky 460yard drive course, where she responded immediately to all commands and kept her packet of four Welsh ewes quiet to lose only five points. A good shed and pen followed for an

excellent finish, leaving them with a score of eight. Mr Ellis bought Pip at 12 months old from her breeder, retired farmer and triallist Mike Hemmings from Carmarthen. Mr Ellis is the current Welsh national champion and has been impressed with how this bitch has kept developing. In superb conditions, many of the Welsh handlers had good runs, but with the pressure on, little slip-ups chipped away at the points under the keen eyes of judges Dougi Lambie and Cerys Millichap.

Tricky Meddwyn Evans and Sian had the best outrun, lift and fetch of the day, seeing only two points lost, a single figure drive score followed, but a tricky shed saw half their points lost, a clean pen kept them in the top placing at a respectable fourth. After less than perfect outruns and fetches, Kevin Evans and his consistent nursery campaigners, the red and white Thornbury Max, and the black and white Hendre Tex, both by his dog Red Spot, took the second and third placings. Both dogs had a good drive. Max lost four points for this element and had the best drive of the day, while Tex

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lost five and was equal to Pip’s score. A good shed and pen with both from Kevin, ensured they did not lose any more points. The top 10 competitors now go forward to the Four Nations Nursery Championship in March 2024.

Trials diary ENGLAND December 16. MORTON, Nursery and novice, Station Farm, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, LE9 6PD, 9am start, enter on field by noon. NORTHUMBERLAND League, Nursery, Dykehead Farm, Rochester, NE19 1RD, 10am start, enter on field. SUSSEX, Nursery and novice, Shabden Park Farm, High Road, Chipstead, Surrey, CR5 3SF, 10am start, enter on field by 11am. WINDERMERE, Nursery, novice and new handler, Bowers Farm, Garsdale Road, Sedbergh, LA10 5JP, 9.30am start, enter on field by 2pm. RYEDALE, Nursery, South House Farm, Bransdale, YO62 7JW, 11am start, enter on field by 1pm, more than one dog first to be booked in before 12 noon. December 17. NORTH LANCASHIRE, Nursery, novice and new handler, Lee End Farm, Quernmore, Lancaster, LA2 9EF, 9am start, enter on field. WESSEX, Nursery and novice, Shabden Park Farm, High Road, Chipstead, Surrey, CR5 3SF, 10am start, enter on field by 11am.

WALES December 15. TYNWERN, Tregaron 2024 Welsh National fundraiser, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5BD, Open National, two sessions, same dog can run twice, start 8am, enter on field, no catering (change from previously advertised), contact Emyr Lloyd.

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Call 0330 333 0056 and quote H302 DECEMBER 15 2023 | 75

13/12/2023 17:49

MARKET PRICES PRIMESTOCK ENGLAND All prices quoted in p/kg. STEERS Market day(s) week ending Dec 12

Acklington Ashford Bakewell Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Brockholes Carlisle Cirencester Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Wheddon Cross Darlington Exeter Frome Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Holmfirth Holsworthy Hull Kendal Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Leek Leyburn Longtown Louth Ludlow Malton Market Drayton Market Harborough Melton Mowbray Newark Newton Abbot Northallerton Oswestry Otley Penrith Ross-On-Wye Rugby Ruswarp Salisbury Scots Gap Sedgemoor Selby Shrewsbury Skipton South Molton Stratford Thame Thirsk Thrapston Truro Ulverston Wigton Wooler Worcester York

HEIFERS

YOUNG BULLS

Total cattle number

Light average

Medium average

Heavy average

Light average

Medium average

Heavy average

Light average

Medium average

28 48 117 66 7 112 21 5 51

244.00 216.67 80.00 235.50 234.50 298.50

272.00 258.03 265.62 277.00 277.50 341.90 285.92

236.00 261.17 285.00 292.00 248.00 281.86 259.50 267.12

206.17 214.00 304.60 284.50 267.79

255.62 224.28 267.07 292.00 138.00 266.86 250.83 183.00 266.58

263.22 216.50 298.33 284.27 219.00 265.33 260.50 185.00 -

198.12 228.00 207.90 284.50 175.00 248.00

We (wk) Th\Mo 218 Mo 32 We\Mo 67 Th\Sa 117 We 30 Th 3 Tu We\Th Tu 11 Tu 3 We 2 Mo Th\Tu 6 Th Mo\Tu Fr\Mo 18 Tu 5 We 7 Th 5 Mo 6 Mo 149 Tu 59 We\Mo 188 We We\Tu 82 We 2 We\Tu 216 We Mo 2 We Mo 53 Mo 92 Mo Tu 9 Mo 68 We 387 Tu We\Mo 4 Th Tu We Th 182 Th We 42 Tu Tu 19 We We 99 Mo 163

285.92 213.50 215.71 231.33 265.00 215.00 272.10 262.50 244.67 194.00 284.00 334.50 227.14 263.25 227.00 215.17 295.07 354.50 289.17 250.00 267.00 290.50

282.09 289.62 227.68 299.12 258.56 273.67 179.00 237.00 206.17 273.50 281.81 333.79 252.69 260.86 228.00 276.17 262.62 291.06 229.50 238.69 299.26 354.50 292.88 263.31 268.43 308.19

287.76 231.38 260.00 261.00 267.50 249.50 289.62 316.25 239.71 231.75 240.00 247.40 302.31 237.88 289.83 286.50 298.17 303.73 283.88 313.25

230.80 190.83 224.21 235.70 332.50 177.00 179.50 123.00 269.50 225.21 260.86 196.50 306.11 210.00 257.00 235.50 198.60 291.83 296.94 239.50 200.50

329.41 220.17 236.61 298.00 235.33 277.94 162.00 149.50 145.50 180.50 210.33 248.00 269.00 265.47 316.81 254.16 234.85 316.47 314.50 244.33 290.69 232.67 244.60 310.50 314.03 258.88 310.50 265.27 301.74

304.12 231.50 227.75 277.62 270.50 188.00 282.00 164.50 242.83 224.25 255.00 273.46 306.82 254.00 230.58 280.76 250.33 293.00 252.67 302.69 249.50 313.72 305.69 300.59 279.50 289.71

234.00 310.00 303.00 -

270.00 335.00 313.25 227.52 305.60 312.58 -

305.33 303.00 271.50

344.00 248.56 202.00

271.25 292.80 305.38 307.33 307.37 308.29 316.31 207.47 295.20

291.34 294.00 291.75 309.00 219.82 305.69 308.33 209.83 252.94

Th Tu Th\Mo We We We Tu We\Tu Mo Th Tu We Tu

CULL COWS

Heavy average

Total cow number

Grade 1 average

Grade 3 average

Dairy sired average

Beef sired average

Total N lambs

250.00 285.50 217.50 250.00 265.11 221.00 223.90

243.00 279.50 257.69 224.67 265.92 -

16 28 90 7 56 296 8 56 18

202.50 -

138.80 -

133.00 134.96 143.60 138.50 129.93 -

145.29 163.40 163.86 138.00 179.79 151.12 171.80 134.50

878 1160 2136 373 2468 623 1142 532 3050 1263 665 1471 317

271.50 217.41 229.00 224.67 211.08 249.07 244.00 227.72 233.33 125.50 242.83 216.00 238.25

278.14 281.20 239.00 254.56 301.50 245.75 245.75 268.85 236.67 239.00 270.78 243.94 242.50 274.00 246.11

300.71 277.50 269.50 267.08 291.50 266.00 239.36 293.90 289.50 295.64 255.14 285.00 280.33 270.42

83 34 46 69 16 15 74 84 3 14 63 14 67 55 28 29 13 8 133 30 50 15 25 22 18 55 14 3 3 38 25 4 10

160.93 -

133.55 -

136.00 143.73 132.87 126.50 116.86 138.88 161.75 130.48 115.58 128.10 117.29 138.50 120.96 89.17 148.97 146.50 121.00 92.36 169.50 123.83 89.00 136.37 128.00 139.50

175.52 125.15 148.95 161.64 143.62 135.73 141.58 173.73 149.67 135.14 154.91 160.10 165.45 128.90 173.57 150.32 141.15 145.36 155.71 147.20 167.21 132.07 162.79 150.82 140.32 182.86 196.00 162.97 137.10 173.33 149.36

636 1204 1142 619 1688 900 513 1679 1401 1247 388 569 65 1727 611 3388 654 903 940 4605 334 1470 180 1612 178 2106 16 1680 2106 555 2148 1099 1842 323 453 608 143 962 3308 1055 113 303 1479 199 122 774 1111 676 1289 107

244.50 257.50

239.14 -

116 84 77 30 48 61 72 281 223

113.80 129.20 142.40 85.60 131.40 136.10

157.00 161.80 167.60 161.70 158.30 181.30 136.40 157.50 181.40

2003 2030 424 838 1180 5611 1273 1865 1022 4905 1040

SCOTLAND Ayr Mo\Tu Caithness Castle Douglas Tu Dingwall We\Tu Dumfries We\Mo Forfar Huntly We Kirkwall Mo Lanark Mo Lockerbie Newton Stewart We Newtown St Boswells Mo Stirling (caledonian) Th\Tu Stirling (ua) We\Th Thainstone Th

76 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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17 7 15 8 33 63 46 9 38

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13/12/2023 18:04

86 00 9 2

0 50

52 5 95 4 62 73

8 3 67 4

0 45 90 57 32

5 36 71

79 82

86 00

33 36

0 0

0 30

0 40 0 0

Where stated, data provided by AHDB.

Source: AHDB/LAA

WALES

SHEEP Total N/S lambs

N/S lambs light average

N/S lambs standard average

N/S lambs medium average

N/S lambs heavy average

N/S SQQ average

Total Ewes

Ewes average

878 1160 2136 373 2468 623 1142 532 3050 1263 665 1471 317

235.70 218.48 240.00 228.71 229.33 276.11 235.57 208.43 -

277.25 252.25 258.13 231.25 257.51 260.00 253.83 258.30 286.33 267.67 250.02 246.85 261.12

273.44 259.78 254.12 262.48 264.29 257.25 264.40 260.49 291.51 264.18 246.22 273.31 288.95

256.82 260.53 251.50 274.49 272.32 259.01 257.27 254.75 275.59 262.63 245.50 269.90 298.89

273.80 257.54 253.26 258.45 263.37 257.29 261.55 259.39 289.89 265.80 247.16 262.93 285.99

133 616 662 105 1241 44 679 143 575 561 144 384 47

92.48 64.56 90.19 67.42 88.81 69.11 97.48 80.12 69.55 84.02 91.12 49.97 50.15

213.72 232.00 236.08 227.67 217.95 237.00 244.10 183.00 229.73 200.00 156.30 230.86 241.60 253.85 300.00 228.63 179.00 322.00 198.50 219.53 257.30 208.00 187.50 246.88 70.00 -

231.94 248.41 237.74 261.37 261.94 266.29 253.13 235.22 257.38 253.61 283.68 235.76 267.00 253.31 256.00 287.40 245.69 260.51 223.41 261.20 271.89 262.49 233.84 254.86 263.74 250.00 269.45 242.15 265.82 298.75 262.70 274.32 233.60 241.57 235.25 276.92 264.34 273.99 242.00 253.16 300.28 239.43 366.00 269.79 300.76 236.48 297.13 266.38

254.18 277.51 264.66 260.09 259.30 251.86 261.31 249.93 267.39 271.04 304.36 256.40 265.91 254.79 262.07 303.40 253.75 259.77 257.08 276.30 259.78 266.70 245.26 267.25 247.19 263.84 251.20 271.27 254.09 273.90 281.95 260.26 270.55 250.95 244.69 260.53 260.08 268.82 275.75 257.33 247.88 252.37 279.87 243.74 271.12 264.08 301.47 264.97 287.10 282.10

256.68 272.37 263.54 264.52 273.04 251.43 256.15 253.55 257.57 259.07 299.90 254.74 249.62 253.83 254.03 278.63 257.70 255.11 262.97 273.63 255.50 264.65 263.74 265.06 252.55 260.37 270.30 254.80 259.27 261.90 258.18 259.55 256.30 252.67 254.12 267.39 255.36 270.77 253.84 247.83 243.10 270.41 249.22 316.98 260.61 279.50 264.04 273.82 274.38

252.74 269.15 259.46 260.30 259.86 253.48 260.39 242.80 261.44 269.79 300.68 255.34 266.03 253.63 261.78 295.96 251.83 259.79 252.19 270.14 263.64 266.36 242.05 260.52 247.19 263.59 251.13 271.36 244.28 272.10 285.91 260.75 270.93 245.04 239.23 260.22 262.30 265.66 274.24 257.18 250.15 252.37 281.05 241.30 277.71 265.00 301.42 260.76 287.72 279.64

224 487 130 726 419 1448 4 97 164 45 637 149 704 92 342 272 3598 107 450 80 169 31 1294 303 359 89 2322 315 859 100 55 4 59 599 649 233 74 15 470 56 33 56 74 304 722 80

98.30 84.10 69.08 76.36 75.10 78.18 125.25 98.64 74.82 67.83 75.22 65.42 75.25 77.10 93.37 61.16 87.45 98.74 90.89 81.79 88.25 92.58 89.36 95.20 62.91 71.19 99.76 95.88 91.25 51.66 68.29 86.00 83.56 90.43 74.82 78.97 68.54 63.67 105.51 73.92 81.85 86.45 86.36 106.49 100.34 85.74

2003 2030 424 838 1180 5611 1273 1865 1022 4905 1040

227.81 243.65 216.08 246.50 161.00 169.45 193.01 -

248.47 258.16 202.67 255.53 204.41 265.95 251.06 268.84 249.17 253.99 265.56

268.42 264.92 231.46 261.63 251.37 269.69 254.17 273.79 261.47 272.81 273.91

259.76 265.64 244.48 262.97 250.15 262.67 264.63 268.85 264.70 266.59 262.17

264.87 263.43 229.07 258.14 237.96 268.06 253.61 272.24 259.52 263.33 273.40

farmersguardian.com

p76 83 Dec15 AB OM.indd 101

Source: IAAS/ScotEID 620 69.95 186 72.69 284 76.77 387 90.86 2088 70.81 179 66.51 521 89.35 636 57.58 2588 64.74 -

Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymych Dolgellau Gaerwen Hay On Wye Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Market Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont-On-Usk Welshpool Whitland

All prices quoted in p/kg. Source: AHDB/LAA

Market day(s) week ending Dec 12 Th Tu We Fr Fr We Mo We

Total cattle number 7 Th Mo (wk) Tu 4 Mo We Mo 132 We\Mo Th 7 Th Fr\Tu Th 53 Fr Tu Mo 6 Tu -

STEERS Light average 230.50 316.00 -

YOUNG BULLS Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymych Dolgellau Gaerwen Hay On Wye Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Market Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont-On-Usk Welshpool Whitland

HEIFERS

Medium average 307.60 253.92 340.75 248.67 -

Heavy average 236.00 254.35 250.00 281.71 -

Total cow number 40 54 65 13 14 2 6 32 -

Grade 1 average -

Light average 215.33 300.00 295.00 158.00 -

CULL COWS

Medium average 318.00 235.00 244.04 298.07 186.50 -

Heavy average 278.00 254.44 225.00 286.11 161.00 -

Dairy sired average 136.00 119.32 118.80 113.50 117.00 154.00 -

Beef sired average 160.84 151.16 135.48 133.69 159.25 151.67 175.48 -

Light average 240.00 190.00 -

Medium average 197.67 288.25 -

Heavy average 290.00 244.00 -

Total N/S lambs

N/S lambs light average

N/S lambs standard average

N/S lambs medium average

N/S lambs heavy average

N/S SQQ average

Total Ewes

Ewes average

926 489 751 3338 183 372 687 1072 368 1009 798 452 158 1472 728 1095 4520 2447 1117 1557 5542 477

224.67 242.38 221.49 228.89 246.20 229.40 216.16 206.48 238.92 214.79 232.23 249.99 224.73 237.79 231.55 229.12 260.42 232.21 243.70 232.00

230.21 253.09 243.19 248.40 253.47 242.40 251.34 238.29 229.51 249.99 242.30 241.78 253.00 258.46 244.90 242.10 251.03 255.72 265.47 245.99 263.88 256.02

228.53 261.87 240.19 254.38 253.71 247.57 261.63 265.00 238.45 256.47 266.86 250.36 260.03 251.10 262.83 262.75 266.45 271.86 264.68 257.66 267.16 257.05

252.40 259.65 234.16 260.52 249.00 255.36 253.70 246.52 261.05 263.68 263.75 250.65 256.70 258.47 261.79 260.31 270.32 262.64 252.05 260.58 251.65

227.00 257.85 232.34 246.80 252.94 232.26 248.64 264.31 232.26 248.69 257.12 237.73 259.33 254.52 253.33 251.60 255.44 262.07 264.55 253.44 260.34 256.56

80 92 437 10 454 381 200 134 63 181 2 44 688 224 82 753 303 145 70 2204 124

92.80 52.60 50.38 94.40 67.12 73.98 85.79 67.69 34.71 66.97 42.50 70.05 77.97 70.05 53.09 63.95 69.99 76.43 75.28 79.90 78.10

Grade 3 average -

SHEEP

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13/12/2023 18:04

MARKET PRICES STORE CATTLE ENGLAND STORES (CONTINENTAL-SIRED) Market day(s) w/e Dec 12

Ashford Bakewell Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Brecon Bridgnorth Brockholes Carlisle Cirencester Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Wheddon Cross Darlington Exeter Frome Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Holmfirth Holsworthy Hull Kendal Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Leek Leyburn Longtown Louth Ludlow Market Drayton Melton Mowbray Middleton-In-Teesdale Newark Newton Abbot Northallerton Oswestry Otley Penrith Ross-On-Wye Rugby Salisbury Sedgemoor Selby Shrewsbury Skipton Tavistock Thame Thirsk Thrapston Truro Ulverston Wigton Worcester York

Tu Mo Tu\We

Tu We Tu\Th Th

Mo Mo Fr We\Fr\Mo Th We Th\Mo Tu Tu\Th Fr Tu We Mo Th

Fr Tu Fr

We We

We We We Fr Fr

Tu\Mo Sa Sa Tu\Th We\Mo Tu Fr Tu Sa We Th Th

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

-/36/821.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/10/693.0 12/765.0 -/-/-/-

-/11/1136.4 -/7/1142.9 -/-/-/-/33/1305.9 8/1040.6 5/1177.0 -/-/-

-/27/1235.6 -/27/1416.3 -/-/-/-/56/1407.0 31/1305.6 10/1082.5 -/-/-

-/22/590.0 -/-/-/-/-/4/326.3 20/625.8 13/749.2 2/620.0 -/-/-

43/858.8 11/969.5 13/747.3 10/733.5 -/-/76/779.0 -/18/1080.7 24/977.7 8/736.3 13/678.1 7/815.7 24/835.8 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/747.5 15/851.7 -/-/-/6/870.0 -/-/-/-/-/7/780.0 90/886.2 10/789.0 48/820.8 2/1150.0 32/719.1 9/956.1 6/1292.5 8/855.0 4/708.8 -/-/-/3/796.7

-/11/1130.5 16/1018.8 12/914.2 -/-/19/684.5 -/46/1298.9 53/1399.1 -/21/910.5 3/880.0 13/1005.4 -/-/5/1338.0 -/-/-/-/-/5/906.0 37/917.7 -/-/3/906.7 10/1135.0 12/1162.9 6/1211.7 -/-/-/4/720.0 25/679.6 1/1210.0 19/1071.1 20/1403.0 -/13/1449.8 11/1133.6 7/1072.9 2/742.5 -/-/-/-/-

2/755.0 9/1252.2 58/1138.7 14/1093.6 -/-/19/1224.2 -/84/1425.5 43/1638.4 4/940.0 18/1114.7 -/10/1030.0 -/-/25/1555.6 -/-/-/-/-/15/1257.3 10/1084.5 -/-/2/1180.0 13/1319.2 15/1337.3 51/1392.5 -/-/-/22/1100.9 50/1152.1 1/1295.0 23/1236.3 69/1540.9 -/34/1049.3 3/1156.7 1/1500.0 36/1190.6 -/-/-/4/1130.0

22/1211.36 4/1272.50 -/4/1005.00 5/1191.00 -/-/17/1599.71 28/1149.82 -/-/3/1083.33 28/1179.64 54/1039.72 71/1353.59

55/1465.45 19/1830.42 -/4/1165.00 4/1197.50 -/-/125/1610.36 15/1429.33 -/-/13/1138.46 36/1375.56 75/1562.53 59/1489.58

STORES

STORES (NATIVE-SIRED) 18+ month heifers

6-12 mon steers

No. / Av.

-/40/595.3 -/1/900.0 -/-/-/3/856.7 19/643.7 16/721.9 9/861.7 -/-/-

-/13/897.7 -/11/1191.8 -/-/-/9/1071.1 20/781.0 57/1033.5 6/955.0 -/-/-

-/5/543.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

2/550.0 1/785.0 15/504.0 9/190.7 -/-/14/585.4 -/5/599.0 3/418.3 -/15/482.8 -/7/578.6 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/5/492.0 17/378.8 -/-/-/1/555.0 -/-/2/625.0 -/-/55/425.7 12/464.2 -/4/347.5 -/26/568.5 1/248.0 1/1060.0 9/246.7 2/515.0 -/-/-/-/-

16/612.2 -/6/711.7 32/645.9 -/-/12/820.4 -/18/699.4 17/1052.9 1/225.0 42/800.8 -/2/730.0 -/-/7/775.7 -/-/-/-/-/7/724.3 25/588.4 -/-/-/1/950.0 2/880.0 6/923.3 -/-/-/17/904.9 20/570.5 5/1005.0 9/688.9 1/1120.0 7/920.0 2/970.0 9/988.9 2/607.5 -/-/-/-/2/657.5

3/565.0 4/882.5 13/825.8 81/932.7 -/-/27/1084.8 -/41/1000.9 22/1270.5 1/1095.0 24/919.0 -/15/980.7 -/-/36/1245.3 -/-/-/-/-/19/766.6 24/695.8 -/-/-/19/1172.6 4/960.0 12/1205.0 2/550.0 -/-/31/985.5 101/995.0 4/855.0 34/972.5 12/1162.5 12/1172.1 48/965.0 8/1107.5 -/-/-/-/-/5/1035.0

-/-/-/-/-/-/1/240.0 -/-/-/-/3/473.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/611.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/1/180.0 -/-/-/3/606.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/3/266.0 -/-/-/-/-/-

20/561.00 5/640.00 -/7/537.14 36/562.78 -/-/-/2/690.00 -/-/-/-/-/8/708.75

20/829.25 3/796.67 -/7/882.86 18/965.00 -/-/9/1442.78 19/1002.11 -/-/3/1040.00 5/1032.00 15/1173.00 9/1215.00

28/1308.57 9/1182.22 -/23/787.83 24/1332.29 -/-/23/1567.39 10/1120.00 -/-/8/962.50 7/1057.14 38/1224.21 38/1236.97

3/300.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/410.00 -/-

18+ month heifers

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

-/26/625.4 -/3/1303.3 -/-/-/2/740.0 51/1025.1 7/954.6 2/1155.0 -/-/-

-/36/1038.5 -/25/1248.4 -/-/-/5/1070.0 59/1244.2 16/1176.4 14/1280.4 -/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/485.0 10/551.0 1/760.0 -/-/-/-

-/15/676.7 -/4/840.0 -/-/-/4/900.0 6/1223.3 12/977.8 1/800.0 -/-/-

-/15/1118.0 -/25/1270.8 -/-/-/4/1085.0 31/1304.4 72/1118.6 2/1010.0 -/-/-

-/1/300.0 -/-/-/-/-/3/450.0 8/576.3 3/647.3 2/570.0 -/-/-

52/736.7 15/938.7 10/464.0 12/610.0 -/-/62/632.3 -/13/1028.8 11/835.0 1/605.0 13/525.2 11/816.8 22/710.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/627.5 27/686.5 -/-/-/2/762.5 6/623.3 -/6/630.0 -/-/-/90/732.4 11/819.5 47/649.6 4/1000.0 22/589.8 8/765.0 -/1/340.0 4/510.0 -/7/827.1 -/9/803.9

1/610.0 23/1053.5 10/771.5 9/901.0 -/-/9/596.7 -/67/1141.6 39/1099.0 2/795.0 18/852.5 2/892.5 2/885.0 -/-/2/1040.0 -/-/-/-/-/11/816.4 35/792.3 -/-/1/780.0 8/965.6 21/935.2 15/979.0 1/700.0 -/-/7/652.1 36/713.5 8/783.1 16/870.0 18/1346.7 -/3/1056.7 6/1020.0 3/360.0 1/300.0 -/3/680.0 -/6/890.0

3/865.0 33/1183.9 12/945.4 8/1023.6 -/-/34/1118.2 -/116/1209.3 56/1314.8 2/795.0 18/1196.9 1/570.0 9/1034.4 -/-/24/1354.2 -/-/-/-/-/28/1018.6 23/1030.4 -/-/1/780.0 23/1150.4 26/1154.2 25/1293.0 1/590.0 -/-/22/1022.7 80/1034.7 7/1188.6 38/1050.0 77/1390.5 -/22/869.3 22/1166.1 -/11/1040.9 -/-/-/3/991.7

-/7/786.4 13/650.0 13/398.7 -/-/19/826.3 -/7/816.4 3/900.0 -/20/640.5 -/8/668.8 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/6/598.3 27/549.1 -/-/-/3/690.0 3/475.0 4/853.8 -/-/-/25/642.1 22/613.2 4/783.8 16/692.2 -/17/715.6 7/584.6 6/712.5 9/287.1 6/668.3 -/-/-/-/-

2/630.0 -/17/866.8 41/900.1 -/-/11/935.9 -/38/950.9 24/1285.4 -/42/823.6 -/10/978.0 -/-/7/932.9 -/-/-/-/-/3/763.3 14/725.4 -/-/5/1104.0 8/1011.9 1/475.0 12/887.9 -/-/-/15/818.7 34/814.7 -/6/835.0 3/1336.7 10/1025.5 8/1141.9 -/3/653.3 -/-/-/-/-/-

1/690.0 4/985.0 18/1030.3 78/1079.2 -/-/27/1173.5 -/51/1197.8 10/1607.0 -/7/984.3 -/6/908.3 -/-/53/1450.2 -/-/-/-/-/21/1128.8 30/572.5 -/-/10/1264.0 12/1092.1 -/20/1219.8 -/-/-/55/1155.4 100/989.6 -/17/1163.2 16/1308.1 34/1040.3 40/1109.0 17/1192.4 4/1318.8 -/-/-/-/5/1447.0

63/911.27 6/766.67 -/12/656.67 14/609.64 -/-/1/1290.00 8/780.63 -/-/-/1/880.00 5/726.00 16/1003.13

29/1094.48 9/1224.33 -/2/880.00 8/945.63 -/-/19/1480.53 25/1017.60 -/-/7/1036.43 7/1107.14 46/999.57 44/1169.09

59/1352.80 9/1302.89 -/13/989.23 27/1303.52 -/-/124/1507.06 20/1159.00 -/-/19/1018.68 23/1167.39 79/1324.81 72/1415.28

10/796.00 20/913.50 -/20/675.00 70/799.50 -/-/2/1000.00 21/896.67 -/-/-/48/964.58 15/736.67 14/875.71

21/1235.71 9/1002.78 -/5/838.00 15/1219.33 -/-/11/1383.64 30/1142.33 -/-/-/36/1146.39 61/1244.43 15/1198.00

46/1298.48 8/1403.50 -/4/1017.50 14/1356.43 -/-/43/1536.16 25/1141.60 -/-/3/1090.00 6/1323.33 69/1459.57 43/1434.65

SCOTLAND Ayr Caithness Castle Douglas Dingwall Dumfries Forfar Huntly Kirkwall Lanark Lockerbie Newton Stewart Newtown St Boswells Stirling (caledonian) Stirling (ua) Thainstone

Tu\Th Tu We Mo

Mo Tu

Th Mo We Fr

78 | DECEMBER 15 2023

p76 83 Dec15 AB OM.indd 102

92/1047.99 4/821.25 -/27/871.11 17/722.35 -/-/5/1258.00 20/1065.50 -/-/-/3/1030.00 4/752.50 20/1137.50

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 18:04

Figures show livestock numbers first, then average price per head.

Source: AHDB/LAA STORES (HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN)

+ month fers

6-12 month 12-18 month 18+ month steers steers steers

o. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/5/543.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/2/635.0 -/-/-/-/-/4/650.0 -/3/345.0 -/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/1/240.0 -/-/-/-/3/473.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/611.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/1/180.0 -/-/-/3/606.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/3/266.0 -/-/-/-/-/-

3/300.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/410.00 -/-

897.7

1191.8

071.1 /781.0 1033.5 955.0

565.0 882.5 825.8 932.7

1084.8

1000.9 /1270.5 095.0 /919.0

980.7

/1245.3

766.6 /695.8

1172.6 960.0 1205.0 550.0

985.5 1/995.0 855.0 /972.5 1162.5 1172.1 /965.0 107.5

035.0

/1308.57 182.22

/787.83 /1332.29

/1567.39 1120.00

962.50 057.14 /1224.21 /1236.97

Where stated, data provided by AHDB.

Native heifers

No. / Av.

-/-/-/10/1026.0 -/-/-/2/1120.0 22/1237.3 -/-/-/-/-

-/14/85.2 -/1/30.0 -/-/-/-/1/10.0 -/-/-/-/-

2/310.0 13/219.9 -/3/380.0 -/-/-/-/22/255.0 2/198.5 -/-/-/-

4/207.5 10/141.6 -/4/195.0 -/-/-/-/20/238.3 3/227.3 1/290.0 -/-/-

3/190.0 10/104.3 -/2/305.0 -/-/-/-/8/209.4 11/126.8 2/245.0 -/-/-

1/100.0 11/65.9 -/3/193.3 -/-/-/2/110.0 9/149.4 6/181.7 2/192.5 -/-/-

-/-/1/460.0 -/-/-/8/608.8 -/-/-/-/16/644.1 -/10/872.0 -/-/3/796.7 -/-/-/-/-/1/760.0 23/689.8 -/-/-/-/-/4/850.0 -/-/-/-/19/757.9 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/4/773.8 6/775.0 -/-/5/1152.0 -/-/-/1/585.0 19/765.5 -/10/769.0 -/-/12/1211.7 -/-/-/-/-/4/1002.5 10/769.5 -/-/-/-/-/19/1078.2 -/-/-/5/730.0 45/1111.7 -/4/728.8 11/986.4 -/1/400.0 3/1010.0 -/12/875.0 -/-/-/-/-

-/-/4/20.0 4/86.8 13/39.2 -/-/-/3/32.0 -/-/21/66.7 -/8/21.9 -/-/4/73.8 3/24.0 -/-/-/-/20/76.4 4/57.5 -/-/-/-/-/3/108.3 -/-/-/1/7.0 23/48.4 -/9/69.6 1/45.0 -/-/-/-/1/55.0 -/-/-/1/30.0

-/-/26/151.6 37/140.2 52/328.3 3/131.7 -/-/15/225.0 -/-/69/207.4 -/17/297.6 -/-/14/260.0 32/251.7 1/390.0 -/-/-/117/232.9 18/230.3 -/-/-/-/9/218.7 5/197.0 7/268.6 -/-/9/167.6 70/194.9 -/29/257.5 9/295.6 -/-/-/-/17/144.0 -/11/356.4 -/1/385.0

-/-/20/115.1 38/97.4 26/276.2 6/135.0 -/4/267.5 16/238.4 -/-/75/129.2 -/9/277.8 -/-/5/165.0 21/160.3 2/360.0 -/-/-/103/153.3 17/153.1 -/-/-/-/6/203.8 2/170.0 6/128.3 -/-/8/135.4 102/119.2 -/40/150.3 11/284.5 -/-/-/-/17/100.2 -/4/277.5 -/3/371.7

-/-/10/101.5 55/76.6 16/273.6 3/105.7 -/-/30/137.9 -/-/38/94.9 2/186.5 4/155.0 -/-/5/93.0 20/136.3 -/-/-/-/97/131.3 9/76.1 -/-/-/-/6/140.7 5/164.0 3/193.3 -/-/13/149.0 67/126.6 -/24/129.2 3/223.3 -/-/-/-/12/115.3 -/-/-/-/-

-/-/11/57.1 56/57.1 17/189.0 5/55.0 -/-/22/112.5 -/-/42/59.2 3/174.3 7/130.4 -/-/3/73.3 23/65.6 -/-/-/-/99/78.7 17/95.4 -/-/-/-/9/121.7 7/106.4 1/105.0 -/-/14/101.6 64/81.2 -/20/89.9 1/160.0 -/-/-/-/13/44.5 -/-/-/1/80.0

1/790.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/6/882.50 -/-/-/-/11/750.00 -/-

34/1175.00 -/-/-/1/780.00 -/-/-/12/1313.33 -/-/1/1070.00 -/21/1255.24 -/-

-/-/-/-/1/10.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

3/240.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

p76 83 Dec15 AB OM.indd 103

Source: AHDB/LAA STORES (CONTINENTAL-SIRED)

CALVES (7-42 DAYS) Black and Continental Continental Native white bulls bulls heifers bulls

farmersguardian.com

WALES

Source: IAAS/ScotEID -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Market day(s) w/e Dec 12

Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Haverfordwest Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Market Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Welshpool Whitland

6-12 month steers

We We\Fr Fr Tu

Fr We Tu\Th Th

Mo Tu\Th

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

18+ month heifers

No. / Av.

6/950.0 6/912.5 19/1054.7 8/804.4 -/-/-/29/876.6 4/797.5 -/20/1029.5 -/-/6/890.8 39/698.6

11/1125.9 19/1224.5 14/1011.8 5/1155.0 -/-/8/1036.3 42/1140.2 2/882.5 -/13/1194.6 -/-/7/1293.6 8/632.5

22/1429.8 31/1411.9 10/1291.0 5/1365.0 -/-/26/1133.8 19/1193.2 6/1138.3 -/9/1558.9 -/-/8/1209.4 -/-

-/4/692.5 4/1081.3 3/693.3 -/-/2/245.0 25/759.4 5/660.0 -/9/723.3 -/-/14/997.9 34/656.5

16/1016.6 18/950.3 12/1152.1 1/950.0 -/-/13/753.1 21/965.2 8/681.3 -/15/1241.0 -/-/19/1298.2 23/711.3

10/1028.0 49/1211.1 11/1210.5 5/1106.0 -/-/41/972.1 36/1046.0 8/1127.5 -/26/1308.7 -/-/20/1259.0 1/925.0 18+ month heifers

STORES (NATIVE-SIRED) 6-12 month steers

Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Haverfordwest Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Market Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Welshpool Whitland

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

8/835.6 1/835.0 10/671.5 1/540.0 -/-/10/408.0 8/567.5 -/-/4/455.0 -/-/-/23/543.5

-/15/1050.7 3/1076.7 7/880.0 -/-/17/888.8 10/1025.0 -/-/3/776.7 -/-/2/910.0 15/752.7

-/5/1480.0 18/1183.6 8/1140.0 -/-/22/1190.7 42/1120.7 9/1412.8 -/4/1167.5 -/-/5/1157.0 -/-

-/2/555.0 4/428.8 -/-/-/6/397.5 15/326.7 -/-/4/384.0 -/-/-/13/423.8

-/12/962.5 5/655.0 1/1150.0 -/-/5/550.0 13/815.8 11/542.7 -/2/460.0 -/-/-/21/520.5

-/3/1193.3 12/894.6 14/1076.8 -/-/17/1004.1 31/1011.6 12/930.0 -/4/1010.0 -/-/5/1242.0 6/408.3

STORES (HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN)

Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Haverfordwest Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Market Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Welshpool Whitland

CALVES (7-42 DAYS)

6-12 month 12-18 month 18+ month steers steers steers

Black and Continental Continental Native white bulls bulls heifers bulls

No. / Av.

No. / Av. No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/2/150.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/6/1080.8 -/-/-/-/7/728.6 1/460.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/8/618.1

-/7/1064.3 -/7/992.9 -/-/27/859.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/570.0

-/30/57.3 -/-/-/-/15/58.0 -/6/33.5 -/1/110.0 -/-/-/15/63.5

-/71/192.7 -/-/-/-/16/192.7 5/188.0 16/135.1 -/27/287.2 -/-/-/46/155.2

-/73/146.8 -/-/-/-/22/126.8 3/120.0 15/108.1 -/21/246.9 -/-/-/44/113.8

-/28/118.5 -/-/-/-/35/87.1 4/140.0 10/152.3 -/7/175.7 -/-/-/26/124.6

LIVESTOCK AVERAGES

Native heifers

-/32/92.2 -/-/-/-/29/55.8 6/116.7 11/127.6 -/11/83.2 -/-/-/14/61.3

MARKET COMMENT

Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg). Week ending December 12, 2023. ENGLAND AND WALES Category

Throughput

Price

Change

Young bulls Steers Heifers All cattle NS/OS lambs (SQQ) Porkers Cutter Baconer Other Dairy cull Beef cull

877 808 1,325 3,010 69,649 119 187 245 101 896 982

260.31 269.59 278.65 270.86 262.17 170.19 195.67 193.43 159.99 131.19 157.23

-7.38 -8.71 -18.36 -13.45 1.14 -14.78 3.79 2.28 -2.50 4.07 -1.01

GREAT BRITAIN Category

Throughput

Price

Change

Young bulls Steers Heifers All cattle NS/OS lambs (SQQ) Pigs Dairy cull Beef cull

913 868 1,479 3,260 84,403 652 1,037 1,520

259.43 271.21 279.82 271.82 262.39 184.65 129.60 161.43

-7.49 -8.52 -16.86 -13.13 1.65 -1.51 3.46 1.38

Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

THERE was an overall reduction in the prices of cattle this week as farmers attended auction marts. Heifers had decreased in value the most by 16.86p/kg to 279.82p/kg. Next, was steers which had fallen 8.52p/kg to 271.21p/kg, with young bulls decreasing 7.49p/kg to 259.43p/kg. However, culls cows bucked the trend to increase in price by 1.98p/kg to 147.89p/kg. In the sheep rings, new season lambs grew 1.65p/kg to 262.39p/kg while cull ewes were down £0.35/ head to £80.27/head. Lastly, pigs had fallen in value by 1.51p/kg to 184.65p/kg. As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (December 13), UK LIFFE wheat prices for May 24 were trading at £195.50/ tonne, a decrease of £0.95/t on the previous week.

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 79

13/12/2023 18:04

MARKET PRICES DEADWEIGHT CATTLE STEERS Region

Throughput

Southern 2551 Central 3256 Northern 3671 Scotland 2864 HEIFERS Southern 1979 Central 2952 Northern 2605 Scotland 2724 YOUNG BULLS Southern 147 Central 539 Northern 283 Scotland 276 COWS Southern 2355 Central 4097 Northern 2070 Scotland 976

Deadweight prices for the week ending Dec 9, 2023.

Average

-U3

-U4L

-U4H

R4L

R4H

O+2

O+3

O+4L

O+4H

-O2

-O3

-O4L

-O4H

474.6 474.7 486.3 496.4

493.5 494.3 494.2 501.8

489.9 489.3 493.5 501.6

491.5 465.9 515.0 503.5

487.4 487.5 491.2 499.3

487.7 481.7 495.0 499.7

474.4 479.8 502.0 503.6

475.1 477.8 483.0 490.8

477.0 472.5 485.3 493.7

468.9 467.9 481.9 496.6

454.7 450.8 459.6 466.6

462.2 447.3 468.0 469.5

461.8 455.0 472.0 447.5

466.2 468.1 484.2 496.9

492.2 494.5 493.2 503.1

494.2 492.9 499.0 504.2

494.0 494.0 491.7 501.9

483.9 486.4 489.5 498.1

485.9 484.4 493.7 499.2

481.8 482.8 493.1 497.6

471.9 469.4 477.5 490.4

471.7 470.5 484.2 493.9

470.5 466.1 481.2 490.4

445.6 437.7 446.3 456.2

450.8 439.9 465.4 466.8

450.0 452.1 470.9 463.4

455.9 455.3 457.3 474.9

461.1 478.8 487.8

463.0 430.5 485.5

500.0

469.1 473.8 469.9 469.1

478.8 473.6 474.6 485.3

467.5 460.2 478.7

470.0 467.0 487.5

454.2 454.3 434.1 451.7

464.1 454.9 450.5 462.8

468.0 465.5 470.3 465.0

466.7

434.5 406.4 398.6 443.1

425.0 430.0 430.7 447.1

440.0 435.0

450.0

281.6 285.2 308.5 331.6

340.8 347.1 356.8 357.1

334.1 358.5 356.8 360.4

333.3 337.7 347.2 344.6

328.6 334.0 339.9 343.4

327.2 344.2 340.0 346.1

324.6 333.4 332.5 340.6

320.5 320.7 322.4 326.1

322.9 320.1 325.1 334.8

316.1 309.0 313.9 325.0

STORE SHEEP ENGLAND STORE LAMBS

DEADWEIGHT SHEEP

Source: AHDB/LAA

w/e Dec 12

Day

No.

Ave.

Day

Ashford Bakewell Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Blackmoor Gate Bridgnorth Brockholes Carlisle Cirencester Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Wheddon Cross Darlington Exeter Frome Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Holmfirth Holsworthy Hull Kendal Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Lazonby Leek

Tu Fr

2 1329 512 85

76.0 70.6 84.7 71.5

957 1559 343 1352 282 317 4532 2229 47 209 109 2712

78.2 84.6 87.2 75.2 89.0 74.6 86.4 93.2 75.5 82.4 64.4 78.2

Leyburn Longtown Tu Louth Mo Ludlow Market Drayton We Market Harborough We Melton Mowbray Tu Newark Newton Abbot Northallerton We Oswestry We Otley Fr Penrith We Ross-On-Wye Rugby Mo Salisbury Sedgemoor Sa Selby Sa Shrewsbury Th Skipton South Molton Th St Johns Chapel Stratford Tu Tavistock Tu Thame Fr Thirsk Thrapston Sa Truro We Ulverston Wigton Th Worcester York Th

Mo Fr We Sa We Th Tu Fr Tu We Mo

Source: AHDB/LAA

Day

Brecon Bryncir Dolgellau Fr Gaerwen Mo Knighton Llandeilo Mo Mold Monmouthshire We\Mo Newcastle Emlyn Th Rhayader Market Ruthin Th St Asaph Sa Welshpool Mo

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No.

4860 5 68 25 843 333 45 21 430 486 1635 293 283 147 40 404 504 166 107 1598 87

Ave.

75.0 39.0 33.8 86.3 86.3 92.1 88.2 87.5 61.6 82.9 86.5 70.9 79.7 88.5 76.3 61.2 86.3 66.2 73.4 102.0 82.0

No.

Ave.

753 65 70 803 111 1083 598 805

45.7 59.7 59.0 68.2 61.4 66.2 68.3 74.2

STORE LAMBS

Source: IAAS/ScotEID

Day

Ayr Th Caithness Tu Castle Douglas Dingwall Tu Dumfries Forfar Huntly Kirkwall Lanark Fr Lockerbie Newton Stewart Newtown St Boswells Th Stirling (caledonian) Stirling (ua) Thainstone Tu\Th\Fr

N/S deadweight prices for the week ending Dec 9, 2023. SQQ 2 3L 3H E 601.3 (166) 599.5 (505) 591.2 U 599.1 (901) 594.9 (3951) 591.5 R 591.1 (6038) 588.2 (16047) 587.9 O 582.6 (5763) 579.1 (6231) 576.1 P 532.6 (189) 549.4 (8) 558.8

No.

Ave.

792 1652 43 819 -

85.7 75.0 83.1 71.4 -

496 4099

61.7 76.9

(129) (1736) (7453) (1585) (4)

4L 569.3 570.6 566.9 559.7

Source: AHDB 4H (13) (220) (905) (109)

549.3 536.6 520.7

(17) (48) (3)

Average: 585.8 (52,885) Medium E U R O P

2 601.3 599.5 592.1 582.4 450.0

(163) (869) (4881) (1976) (2)

3L 599.6 595.0 589.3 581.8 480.0

3H (504) 591.2 (3889) 591.7 (14085) 588.9 (3582) 577.3 (1) 475.0

(128) (1710) (6783) (1149) (1)

4L 569.3 570.5 566.8 558.8

4H (13) (215) (840) (91)

549.3 536.6 520.7

(17) (48) (3)

Average: 588.3 (41,188) Deadweight sheep prices are collected from a sample of GB abattoirs. The sample accounts for about one-third of deadweight sales; prices quoted p/kg are averages for all qualities 12-21.5kg.

DEADWEIGHT PIGS

Latest prices for Great Britain.

STANDARD PIG PRICE (SPP) Week ending December 2, 2023

ALL PIG PRICE (APP) Week ending November 25, 2023.

Weight Number p/kg Change Up to 59.9kg 458 155.92 na 60 - 69.9kg 1,562 205.07 0.15 70 - 79.9kg 9,158 217.24 -0.94 80 - 89.9kg 24,661 218.21 -0.82 90 - 99.9kg 23,617 217.13 -0.63 100 - 104.9kg 5,464 215.66 -0.46 105.0kg and over 3,132 200.94 na All clean pigs 68,052 215.99 -0.54 70 - 104.9kg 62,900 217.45 -0.67 EU spec average 215.99 -0.54 UK spec average 212.28 -0.56

Weight Number p/kg Change Up to 59.9kg na na na 60 - 69.9kg na na na 70 - 79.9kg 9,755 218.86 -0.19 80 - 89.9kg na na na 90 - 99.9kg 23,889 216.23 na 100 - 104.9kg na na na 105.0kg and over na na na All clean pigs 69,786 216.10 -0.57 70 - 104.9kg 64,129 217.42 na EU spec average 216.10 -0.57 UK spec average 212.39 -0.57

PIGS Prices in p/kg.

SCOTLAND

WALES STORE LAMBS

Source: AHDB

Leek Selby Thirsk York

Source: AHDB

Source: AHDB/LAA Market day w/e: Dec 12 Tu We Th Mo

Pigs total 179 227 45 55

Porkers average 175.60 187.40 113.93 390.00

Cutters average 206.09 186.56 128.08 235.41

Cull sows Baconers average Total Average 181.87 4 72.00 201.89 5 81.60 133.05 50 91.60 205.52 19 85.89

WEANER PRICES

SLAUGHTERINGS

Please note: AHDB weaner data has been suspended until further notice.

Estimates for GB (per head), W/e Dec 12, 2023 2023 %change (2022) Pigs 176,662.73 -8.22 Sheep 262,026.48 -14.09 Steers 15,735.31 -24.46 Heifers 13,505.31 -13.09 Young bulls 2,275.22 -17.36

HAY AND STRAW PRICES

December 13, 2023

GOOSTREY: Mon, hay, square bales to £81/tonne, round bales to £102/t; barley straw, square bales to £112/t, round bales to £59/t; wheat straw, square bales to £88/t; mixed straw, square bales to £70/t, round bales to £72/t; wrapped silage to £47/t; fodder beet to £34/t. farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 18:05

GB AVERAGES

Where stated, data provided by AHDB.

LIVEWEIGHT STEERS

DEADWEIGHT STEERS SOURCE: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

SOURCE: AHDB

290

520

280

500 480

260

p/kg deadweight

250 240 230

460 440 420

220

400

210

380

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

LIVEWEIGHT HEIFERS

2022

Mar

2023

360 May

Feb

Jan

190

2022 Mar

2023

Apr

200

Feb

DEADWEIGHT HEIFERS SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

300

520

290

500 480

270

p/kg deadweight

260 250 240 230

460 440 420 400

220

380

210

360

2023

2022

LIVEWEIGHT SQQ LAMBS

DEADWEIGHT SQQ LAMBS SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

780

380

2023

360

2022

740 700 p/kg deadweight

320 300 280 260

660 620 580 540

CULL COWS

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

2022

Mar

Feb

2023

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

460 Feb

500

220 Jan

240

PIG PRICE INDICATOR SOURCE: AHDB

215

230

200

140

farmersguardian.com

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170 160 150

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Dec

Nov

Oct

SPP (2022) APP (2022)

SPP (2023) APP (2023)

140 130 Sep

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

110

Aug

Dairy-sired (2022) Beef-sired (2022)

Dairy-sired (2023) Beef-sired (2023)

Jul

125

180

Nov

155

190

Oct

170

210 200

Sep

185

Aug

p/kg deadweight (EU spec)

220

Jan

p/kg liveweight

340

p/kg

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

340 May

Apr

Feb

Jan

2022 Mar

2023

200

Jan

p/kg liveweight

280

Dec

p/kg liveweight

270

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 81

13/12/2023 18:05

MARKET PRICES UK DELIVERED PRICES – SUMMARY Thursday, December 7, 2023 (£ per tonne).

Source: AHDB

Delivery

East Anglia / London (BW)

Northamptonshire

North-West grains/ Liverpool OSR

Avonmouth feed /South bread

Yorkshire

Fife/Edinburgh

Bread Wheat Price Change Dec-2023 254.50 n/c Jan-2024 Feb-2024 258.50 n/c May-2024 262.50 n/c Dec-2023 257.50 +1.00 Jan-2024 260.00 +2.00 Feb-2024 261.50 +0.50 May-2024 266.00 +1.00 Dec-2023 269.50 +3.00 Jan-2024 272.00 +4.00 Feb-2024 274.00 +3.50 May-2024 278.00 +3.00 Dec-2023 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Dec-2023 264.00 n/c Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 272.00 n/c Dec-2023 -

Feed Wheat Price Change 186.00 +2.50 187.50 +2.00 189.50 +2.00 195.00 n/c 190.00 n/c 191.50 unch 192.50 n/c 197.50 +1.00 203.50 n/c -

Feed Barley Price Change -

Oilseed Rape Price Change 369.50 -8.00 371.00 -8.00 372.00 -8.50 376.00 -7.00 372.00 -7.50 373.50 -7.50 374.50 -8.00 378.50 -6.50 -

UK DELIVERED OILSEED RAPE PRICES Source: AHDB

Dec-2023 369.50 372.00 372.00 -

Jan-2024 371.00 373.50 373.50 -

Feb-2024 372.00 374.50 374.50 -

May-2024 376.00 378.50 378.50 -

Hvst-2024 -

FUTURES MARKETS (WHEAT) Wednesday, December 13, 2023 (£ per tonne). Price LIFFE £/tonne Jan 24 Mar 24 May 24 Jul 24 Nov 24 Jan 25 Mar 25 May 25 Jul 25 Nov 25

185.20 190.30 195.15 202.60 208.25 211.40 214.45 216.85 214.75 211.45

MATIF

Price €/tonne

Mar 24 May 24 Sep 24 Dec 24 Mar 25 May 25 Sep 25 Dec 25

228.75 233.50 234.00 236.50 237.50 238.00 228.50 237.25

Last updated Dec 13, 2023 BPS ENTS English Deadline – Early 2024* Price at deadlines

Average prices (2023)

Non-SDA SDA Moorland

£80.59 £99.41 £24

BPS ENTS Welsh Deadline – May 15, 2024 Price at deadlines £50**

CME

Price US cents/bushel

Dec 23 Mar 24 May 24 Jul 24 Sep 24 Dec 24

607.00 625.50 635.50 642.00 651.75 664.00

Average prices (2023) £65

BPS ENTS Scottish Regions 1, 2 and 3 Deadline – April 2, 2024 Price at deadlines

Average prices (2023)

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3

£149.47 £40.34 £15.44

£130** £35** £10**

BPS ENTS Northern Irish Deadline – May 3, 2024 Price at Average deadlines prices (2023) x 1.0**

Thursday, November 30, 2023 (£ per tonne). Oilseed Rape East Anglia / London Erith Liverpool Hull / Selby

BPS ENTITLEMENTS, BNG, CARBON AND WATER

x 1.0

*For trading Delinkage ref amounts; £1 per £1 of Delinkage reference amount. ** Estimates. ENGLISH DELINKAGE REF AMOUNTS: average of 2020/21/22 claims. Seller’s 2023 claim not needed. Estimated return £1.46/£1 ref amount with buyer’s delink payment less than £30,000 post-transfer at 4% interest. Subject to Delinkage values 2025-27. BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN: English: Defra estimates £20,000£25,000/unit post-November 11. Current market £15,000-£90,000/unit excluding VAT and associated fees. NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY: Long-term sales of all types agric man excluding specialist habitat creation. Nitrates £3,000£4,000/unit (£18,000-£206,000/ha); phosphates £50,000-£65,000/unit (£2,000-£169,000/ha). CARBON: Woodland Carbon >£30/WCU >£20/ PIU. Nov 2022 WCG reverse auction average £22.61. WATER: English abstraction licences less than £3-£15/cu.m. Source: Townsend Chartered Surveyors

SUPERMARKET RED MEAT PRICES Week ending Dec 5, 2023 (prices in p/kg). This week Last week

CORN RETURNS EX-FARM PRICES Thursday, December 7, 2023 (£ per tonne).

WHEAT Milling Bread

South East South West Midlands Eastern North East North West England & Wales South Scotland Central Scotland North Scotland Scotland Great Britain Northern Ireland United Kingdom Change on last week (£/t)

245.90 250.40 245.90 246.10 246.10 246.10 +2.50

Source: AHDB

Other

Feed & Other

BARLEY Malting Premium

Other

Feed & Other

195.00 195.50 195.50 +0.70

183.30 182.30 179.70 190.20 184.50 186.20 186.20 +4.80

159.00 153.10 166.20 161.50 161.00 161.00 -0.10

OATS Milling

Feed

237.90 238.40 238.40 238.40 +11.40

FIELD PEAS/BEANS

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com 82 | DECEMBER 15 2023

p76 83 Dec15 AB OM.indd 106

Dec Jan Feb

Micronising peas

Dec 6, 2023 All prices £/tonne ex-farm Feed Feed peas beans

329.00 331.00 333.00

246.25 248.25 250.25

236.08 238.08 240.08

BEEF Roasting Joint Sirloin Steak Rump Steak Fillet Steak Diced Braising Steak Lean Mince Standard Mince

1016 2027 1611 3335 1088 0 707 500

1016 2027 1611 3388 1088 0 707 500

LAMB Whole Leg Shoulder (Bone-in) Shanks Steaks Chops Diced Standard Mince

1223 1026 1349 1593 1559 1873 1075

PORK Leg (Boneless) Shoulder (Boneless) Fillet (Tenderloin) Loin Steaks Chops Diced Belly Slices Ribs Lean Mince

553 445 819 880 789 809 804 750 577

553 445 819 880 789 818 827 750 577 Source: AHDB

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 18:05

CURRENCY WATCH

Last updated Dec 13, 2023

€1=£0.8609

£1=€1.1614

$1=£0.7974

Where stated, data provided by AHDB.

£1=$1.2540

UK DELIVERED WHEAT PRICES

NATIONAL STRAIGHTS PRICES

Thursday, December 7, 2023. 1. FEED WHEAT Avonrange Central Scotland East Anglia East Devon Lancashire London North Humberside Northamptonshire Oxfordshire South Humberside Southampton Tyne & Wear West Midlands East Midlands

DEC 190.00 186.00 -

JAN 191.50 187.50 203.50 -

FEB 192.50 189.50 -

MAY 197.50 195.00 -

NOV 209.00 207.00 -

2. FULL SPEC. BREAD WHEAT North-West Northamptonshire South London / Essex Yorkshire

DEC 269.50 257.50 254.50 264.00

JAN 272.00 260.00 -

FEB 274.00 261.50 258.50 -

MAY 278.00 266.00 262.50 272.00

NOV 276.50 -

3. FULL SPEC. BISCUIT WHEAT North-West Northamptonshire South London / Essex Yorkshire Scotland

DEC -

JAN -

FEB 204.00 -

MAY 208.50 -

NOV -

DAIRY CATTLE PRICES GREAT BRITAIN Bentham Carlisle Exeter Frome Gisburn Holsworthy Lancaster Leek Leyburn Market Drayton Norton And Brooksbank Otley Sedgemoor Shrewsbury Skipton Wigton Mold Whitland Ayr Lanark Stirling (ua)

Tu\We

We Th We Tu We Fr Th\Sa Tu\Th Mo Th Mo Tu\Th Tu

Last updated Dec 10, 2023 Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

Last updated December 13, 2023 Commodity Hi Pro Soyameal – North Hi Pro Soyameal – South Soya hulls Maize distillers Maize gluten Non-GM HP sugar beet pellets (delivered) Whole maize PCR Negative Palm kernel expellers Rapeseed meal basis Erith Kent Rapeseed meal basis Humber Distillers dark grains

January 497.00 497.00 230.00 293.00 305.00

February - April 471.00 471.00 230.00 293.00 305.00

268.00 N/A 200.00 304.00 P.O.A. 292.00

270.00 N/A 200.00 281.00 N/A 292.00

COLOURED

Newly-calved Newly-calved

heifers

cows

heifers

No. / Av.

21/1757.1 -/-/1/900.0 81/1920.4 39/1731.0 -/18/1377.2 -/33/1703.6 -/-/88/1739.6 18/1653.3 14/1828.6 7/1857.1 8/1383.8 15/1082.7 8/1931.30 -/-/-

3/1593.3 -/-/-/17/1945.3 24/1744.2 -/2/1690.0 -/17/1772.9 -/1/1900.0 16/1781.4 4/1565.0 2/1600.0 15/1815.3 40/880.8 4/427.5 4/1187.50 -/-/-

-/-/-/-/1/1880.0 -/-/1/1000.0 -/2/1210.0 -/-/-/-/-/4/2050.0 3/1433.3 -/2/1900.00 -/-/-

-/-/-/-/1/1600.0 -/-/-/-/1/1000.0 -/1/1250.0 -/3/1073.3 -/1/1950.0 3/690.0 4/1017.5 -/-/-/-

cows

N/A 200.00 270.00 ✧ 250.00 ✪ N/A 288.00

Key: All prices in pounds sterling. Currency, £/$1.2575; £/€1.1511 Guide prices indicated include delivery charge of £6/tonne. ✸ = After safe arrival; F = First half; S = Second half; =Sept; ✥ = Oct; ✦ = September/October; ◗ = November; ▲ = December/January; ✧ = May/June; ✪ = August/October

MILK PRICE LEAGUE TABLE December 2023

Source: AHDB

Aligned liquid milk Müller Milk & Ingredients M&S Müller Milk & Ingredients TSDG (Tesco) Müller Milk & Ingredients Sainsbury’s Arla Foods - Sainsburys Müller Milk & Ingredients Co-op Dairy Group

Monthly price 46.18 42.27 41.33 40.96 40.35

Annual average 46.12 42.27 41.27 40.78 40.29

Standard Liquid Milk Lactalis - Caledonian Cheese First Milk Manufacture2 Barber’s Cheesemakers Wyke Farms Belton Farm Leprino Foods South Caernarfon Creameries4 UK Arla Farmers Manufacturing1

Monthly price 36.23 35.97 35.67 35.63 35.00 34.21 34.14 33.64

Annual average 36.23 36.04 35.67 35.56 35.00 33.88 33.51 33.43

A&B

Monthly price

Annual average

36.66

36.46

Freshways

HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN

Source: Straights Direct May - October 422.00 423.00 225.00 293.00 -

1. This contract will receive a 1.33ppl guaranteed minimum payment. 2. This contract will receive a 0.50ppl member premium payment. 2. This contract will receive a 1.78ppl Tesco cheese group payment. 3. This contract will receive a 1.00ppl direct premium payment. 4. This contract will receive a 0.40ppl actual 13th payment. 5. Formerly Glanbia - Llangefn. Retailer price supplements are included where applicable. Supplements listed are in addition to listed milk prices.

UK MONTHLY MILK PRODUCTION UK milk deliveries in September 2023 were down 1.2 per cent on the year at 1,137 million litres. Cumulatively, this was 0.3 per cent up on the year to date. September 2023 GB milk deliveries down 1.3 per cent for the same period at 963 m litres. GB milk deliveries for the year to date were 0.3 per cent up.

In print, in pocket, informed, in profit.

HAY AND STRAW: REGIONS Week ending Dec 17, 2023. Big bale hay Quality North East E Yorks N Mids E Mids C Mids E Counties S East South S West S Wales SE Scotland

Good 85 80 100 80 75 75 80 90 100 95

Trade comment: Resistance to higher prices. Pickup baled hay and straw Seed Meadow Barley hay hay straw Good 130 100

Good 120

125 130

100 100

130

120

Wheat straw

Good 100

Good 80

Big sq. baled straw Barley Wheat straw straw Good 75 66 65 60 80 65 65 72 90 80 78

Good 65 51 55 50 75 50 50 62 75 75 70

App Edition

farmersguardian.com/app

Source: British Hay and Straw Merchants’ Association

farmersguardian.com

p76 83 Dec15 AB OM.indd 107

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 83

13/12/2023 18:05

NEXT GENERATION Does your little one love farming? Our Farmers Guardian series Next Generation has them covered.

Winter wildlife It may be cold out there, but there is still plenty to spot out in the countryside if you know what you are looking for. Remember to wrap up warm and take a notebook with you to document what you see.

Winter Wonderland F rosty mornings and darker days means winter is here – and Christmas is coming.

There is still plenty to do out in the countryside for those little farmers who want to get stuck in.

Christmas colouring Colour in your own winter wonderland.

Robins – these cute, festive little birds are, for many, the first sign of Christmas. How many can you spot in your garden? (or on this page...) Mammal tracks – do you know the difference between deer prints and fox prints? Animal tracks in the snow can help you identify what is out there this winter. The Woodland Trust has the perfect track guide to help you on its website. Barn owls – the early evenings mean you might spot a beautiful barn owl hunting along the country roads.

time y e Turk t 10

s u Abo turkeyt n a io n mill e eate as. r a ristm Ch

84 | DECEMBER 15 2023

p84 85 Dec15 MB OM EA.indd 2

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prou We e ts? a Brus t that m s at C hrist els spro any uts m as a to grrea requ that the o ir larg w them ed foot e as 3,0 is as 0 ball field 0 s.

farmersguardian.com

13/12/2023 11:33

NEXT GENERATION Q&A with Farmer Christmas Favourite farm animal: I simply could not choose because I love all my farm animals - they even helped to pull my trailer full of presents once, when the tractor broke down on Christmas Eve. Everyone in the farmyard helps me get ready for Christmas Eve, from Horace the horse to Coraline the cow, Pip the pig, Sammy the sheep, and all of our chickens and ducks. Favourite thing to eat for Christmas dinner: I love absolutely everything at Christmas dinner because Mrs Christmas is a magical cook. But I do especially love Brussels sprouts (yes, really!) and a big sticky Christmas pudding with lots of clotted cream. Yum yum! Favourite tractor colour: Well, as you know, I drive a red tractor when I am delivering all the presents on Christmas Eve, but I do also have green, blue and yellow tractors that I use on my farm. Favourite thing about Christmas: Delivering all the presents with my tractor and trailer on Christmas Eve. I really love visiting all the different countries on my travels and making sure every stocking is full to the brim, before coming back to my farm and having a hot chocolate (with cream and marshmallows) with Mrs Christmas and Rusty robin. Favourite thing about winter on the farm: Snow! I love it when it snows on the farm in winter; it makes all the fields sparkle like someone has covered them in glitter.

Cosy book corner s Christma “A merry ce to all, and pea festive from the big and d farmyar ll” sma

Have you read all about Farmer Christmas? ‘Farmer Christmas’ is the hit children’s picture book series following the adventures of Farmer Christmas as he delivers all the presents on Christmas Eve. The books, written by farmer’s daughter Catherine and illustrated by Devon-based artist Sophie, use rhyming text and hand-painted images to bring the magic of a country Christmas to life.

Mince pies

In the past, ad mince pies h de si in t a e m real st instead of ju do y e th fruit like today.

Get growing In the Next Generation series, we have been giving you tips on what to grow each month. Winter harvest means you may now be able to use veggies you have grown – like carrots, winter squash and cabbage – in some yummy winter recipes. We would love to know if you are a mini veg grower – send your pictures to emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com

To be in with the chance of winning a signed copy of ‘Farmer Christmas’ plus a pack of Christmas cards, go to FarmersGuardian.com/FarmerChristmas

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DECEMBER 15 2023 | 85

13/12/2023 11:34

IN YOUR FIELD

Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK HELEN STANIER

Yorkshire Helen is a fifth-generation farmer who farms with her parents, David and Anne Shaw, husband, Craig, and their children, Alfred and Hattie, at Grey Leys Farm in the Vale of York. The farm comprises 162 hectares (400 acres) of grass, maize and wholecrop for the herd of 240 pedigree Jersey cows and more than 200 followers.

he weather has brought its seasonal challenges, and I am considering adding ‘getting stuck in the mud’ into our risk assessment. The heifers have come home now, and we have had plenty calves in, with more to come in late December. Calvers have settled into their new routine well and the milking team are getting to know their characters. During the recent snow, we had a classifier visit, which was very positive with 11 ratings of VG and GP heifers scored. I have been reading with interest about the recent controversy around the prospective Red Tractor Greener Farms Commitment and subsequent announcement of a full review.

Negative So often the public are bombarded with negative press and misinformation about British farming’s impact on the environment — there was another example of this only last week. We, as a food industry, need to find a clearer way of highlighting to consumers the enormous amount of work that farmers do environmentally, so they can make informed decisions. This will be especially important if

‘The more you want to do, the more cost and inspections you face’ more imported products, likely cheaper and farmed to a lower standard, are sitting alongside our British produce in the future. Having said that, I am not sure this scheme is the solution. The debate brings back memories of March this year when we were bombarded with three routine inspections in the space of two weeks. These included the annual farm assurance visit and a three-day BCMS eartag and movements check on our 480 head of livestock. I am reasonably proficient at keeping records and our team does well to keep up over the

year. Nevertheless, the whole process nearly broke us, and was made worse by the wholly negative written feedback received, despite almost everything being in order. I was left demoralised, with a stress related arthritis flare and a crisis of confidence that I am still struggling with. The only positive was when we realised the whole herd were going to have to go through the crush, we quickly called the vet and organised the spring vaccinations. Currently, we have our stewardship

scheme, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, slurry infrastructure and farming technology funds to try to navigate, the thought of another scheme is terrifying. Our farm, like most, is absolutely committed to protecting and enhancing our environment, we have been in environmental stewardship since the beginning, but it seems the more you want to do, the more cost, bureaucracy and inspections you are faced with. When you are waking up worrying about paperwork more often than cows, something has gone wrong.

Farmers Weather by Dr Simon Keeling

Cold weather has arrived for some already I HAVE been writing recently about warming in the upper stratosphere and how this can be the forerunner to cooler weather affecting parts of the northern hemisphere. The warming in the atmosphere tends to wax and wane. Latest forecast charts are suggesting that the warming returns in the run up to Christmas. We are now starting to have discussions here at the Weatherweb.net Weather Centre about whether this event will result in colder weather in the UK before New Year or perhaps as 2024 begins? There is lots to play for right now, and we are keeping members up to 86 | DECEMBER 15 2023

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date every day at weatherweb.net However, this warming event is interesting in that it splits in two with a centre of warming over the north pole and another over central Russia. In previous years this has resulted in colder temperatures over the northern hemisphere. To give an idea of confidence levels, I would describe the risk of cold as moderate. The correlation between a warming stratosphere and a cooling lower troposphere is around 70 per cent. A significant number, but no surprise when the link does not work. In some regions cold has already arrived. On December 4 in the Russia

region of Yakutia, half of the weather stations there reported temperatures below -50degC and the -58.7degC reported on December 5 was the lowest temperature there for 40 years. Daily snowfall records extending back to 1878 have also been broken. In Europe -18degC has been recorded at Munich Airport, the earliest in December such a temperature has been reported at the airport; 40cm of snow also fell. Deeply cold air is also not far away to the north of the British Isles. All we need now is for the ‘northerly door’ to open and we could be in for some freezing temperatures.

For location specific forecasts visit farmersweather.co.uk and for video updates go to weatherweb.net or call the number below. Call Farmers WeatherLIVE

0906 599 9308 Calls charged at £1.55 per minute, plus telephone company access charge. Calls from mobiles and some networks may be considerably higher. Average call length two-three minutes. Service available 8am–6pm, seven days a week. Service provided by WCS Ltd. For complaints or queries about the premium rate 090 service, please call 01902 895 252.

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13/12/2023 11:56

NEXT WEEK North Wales Dan Jones West Sussex James and Isobel Wright

‘Trees were well watered in by the horizontal rain’ Cumbria James farms Dairy Shorthorns east of Kendal, Cumbria, with his parents Kathleen and Henry, wife Michelle and sons Robert and Chris. The fifth generation to farm at Strickley, he is also vice-chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.

inter is definitely here, both in a meteorological sense and in a farm management sense. We had a good do of snow a week ago, although we managed to miss the worst of the weather which filled the roads and towns with deep snow, which, in turn, filled the roads and towns with tourists who were trapped and unable to get home. A few nice sharp frosts have nipped

the ground up, although that has soon been forgotten after the arrival of the fifth and sixth named storms of the year at the weekend. They also conveniently managed to arrive on the day we had planned to hold a volunteer tree planting day here at Strickley. I am always amazed at the response to a simple request for people to come and help plant trees or new hedgerows. We first did it just before lockdown when we had about 3,000 hedge plants to put in the ground.

Planned The day could not have gone better, and everyone cracked on with the job they felt most comfortable doing. Hot sausage buns and plenty of cakes and hot tea seemed to help to keep the work rate up and we got everything done that we had planned. We considered postponing, but in the end emailed the folk who had responded and they all said that they were still coming and had packed their

wellies and extra strong waterproofs. The trees we were planting were for a new wood pasture on ten acres of floodplain alongside St Sunday’s Beck. It is an area that has been drained many times over the years and is still too wet to do anything with unless it is in the middle of a drought. Agriculturally it is pretty low-grade stuff, even by our area’s modest standards. Using some options from the environmental schemes available are the best way to make these areas pay, and we can still farm it in pretty much the same way as we already do. That is, using cattle to graze the fields when the conditions are right. Each of the four fields were quickly worked, with 20 different species and

CROSSWORD 1223

The first correct entry received by next Friday will receive £20 worth of Love2shop vouchers. Send to: Crossword No. 1223, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9NZ.

ACROSS

1 Porcine offspring of hog permitted? (6) 5 Arrangements of south-eastern rams? (6) 10 Fanciful Liverpudlian bird, one who enjoys life? (5) 11 Begin initially to miss singer; one we sang ‘Bye bye’ to (9) 12 Exceptionally canoeing on canal finally is agreeable (9) 13 Delicacy characters among ninjitsus hid (5) 14 Casts off coating in hollows filled with mud (7) 16 Courting, taking in female, making doggy noises (7) 18 Rather badly stained (7) 20 Difficult to deal with prize involving kiwi occasionally (7) 22 Switzerland is for the French safe place for money maybe (5) 24 New grains curiously solving a problem (9) 26 Secretary bird, one you mustn’t shoot (9) 27 Warm by exposure to heat in heart of Kentish kiln (5) 28 Stifling day concluded (6) 29 A din, we’re told, irritates (6)

NAME ADDRESS

POSTCODE

350 individual trees planted. They were well watered in by the horizontal rain. We posed for a team photo, which was one of raincoats and leggings, covered in clarty mud and faces covered in happy grins. The change that those trees will bring to biodiversity across the farm, to water quality, to cleaner air and to flood alleviation is something that will be for the benefit of many generations to come. We have recently had a TB breakdown on the farm, I will write a piece about it in a couple of weeks, its really knocked the stuffing out of us. In the meantime, merry Christmas to you all and best wishes to you and your family and friends for a happy new year.

DOWN

2 Financial backers have change of heart for Stevenson and Franklin, say (9) 3 Generous but we don’t want criminal to be at this (5) 4 Time with skittish babies, brindled moggies (7) 5 Put up with migratory bird (7) 6 Make inventory and lay hold of farm animals (4,5) 7 Couples of sweet, juicy fruits, we hear (5) 8 Prevents access to first of beautiful tresses (6) 9 Trimming bushes planted to form boundaries but not initially (6) 15 Eminence of eccentric sergeants (9) 17 Fanciful current periodical in a Republican library finally (9) 18 Immigrant’s reduced revenue (6) 19 Daughter in state of exhaustion trailed along the ground (7) 20 Ace student quits one country for another (7) 21 Figures in old poems including US soldier (6) 23 Gently move front of loose supporting framework (5) 25 Consumed, battered, with head chopped off (5)

Answers to crossword 1221: Across: 1 Escape, 5 Warmth, 10 Tempo, 11 Tiredness, 12 Telegraph, 13 Cargo, 14 Circuit, 16 Private, 18 Physics, 20 Conquer, 22 Erase, 24 Apartment, 26 Splashing, 27 Ideal, 28 Twelve, 29 Digits. Down: 2 Similarly, 3 Along, 4 Extract, 5 Worship, 6 Redaction, 7 Their, 8 Static, 9 Ashore, 15 Universal, 17 Amusement, 18 Please, 19 Seaside, 20 Changed, 21 Rattle, 23 Allow, 25 Tying.

Privacy Statement: Your personal data will be collected and processed in accordance with our Privacy Statement which can be viewed on page 11. From time to time Farmers Guardian would like to use the personal data you have provided in this form to contact you via email, post, phone and text about Farmers Guardian goods and services we think will be of interest to you. If you would like to receive this communication, please confirm this by ticking this box.

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CROSSWORD COMPILED BY CHALICEA. SOLVERS MAY EMAIL COMMENTS TO CHALICEA.CROSSWORDS@YAHOO.CO.UK

JAMES ROBINSON

DECEMBER 15 2023 | 87

13/12/2023 11:56

FARMING MATTERS

Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture

‘Using technology and better communication, we will meet the challenges head on’

aving had a busy day cleaning up fencing ready for the arrival of lambs for winter grazing, I attended an open evening at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, on behalf of the rural crime team taskforce of Thames Valley Police. Overall, the evening went well, with excellent presentations and of course, a good old hog roast. There are two elements to the work of the rural crime team: being reactive and being proactive. The latter is designed to hit rural crime head on in a proactive manner, with the use of modern technol-

ogy and drones, and ‘on the ground’ policing. There were a number of individuals present from all over the rural sector — farmers, gamekeepers, estate managers and other landowners. Local celebrity, Kaleb Cooper, of Clarkson’s Farm, was also in attendance. The atmosphere was tense at times and there certainly appeared to be some very reserved attitudes towards the rural crime statistics provided by the representatives from Thames Valley Police. Judging by the many shaking heads, attendees did not seem impressed by the successes.

Darren Hall acknowledges difficulties with rural policing around crossborder offences and communication.

The focus for these local members of the rural community was more about what was being done in their area. The underlying issue was how seriously are we, the police, taking people when they call to report an incident of rural crime or inform us about a crime in progress? This became quickly evident in the number of questions being asked, with debate getting heated at times. There was frustration over police response times and, on occasion, lack of response to emergency calls at all.

Calmed Thames Valley Police representatives remained professional and conceded that ‘we do not always get it right’. This instantly calmed the situation down. Communication was highlighted as a major factor — and communication both ways. The reporting of rural crimes, in order to build the intelligence picture for future pro-active police operations, is key. There is an obvious problem, with cross border offences, and wrongly misrouted emergency calls, to different forces, when the crime is actually happening in a neighbouring force area. These are obviously key factors in slow response times. Technology such as the ‘what three words’ app, can play a significant role in

Tell us your views Post Letters to the Editor, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ J008780_iblon-ad_Together_FG-strip-ad-on-OBC_145x50_AW2.pdf 1 24/11/2023 09:40 Email fgeditorial@agriconnect.com

UNRIVALLED BROAD-SPECTRUM WHEAT DISEASE CONTROL. TOGETHER WE’RE ON IT.

DARREN HALL

Agricultural contractor and a police officer with the Thames Valley Police rural crime taskforce

overcoming misrouted emergency calls, and give officers a pin-point location of offences and victims. The final question came, again, ‘what are you actually doing to help us?’ As someone who straddles both policing and farming, it was positive to hear that more Special Constables will be recruited. We will also see dedicated proactive patrols, local targeted operations, and better use of communications with the rural community, with 150 officers having access to WhatsApp rural crime groups for immediate available advice and live time monitoring and assistance. In the Thames Valley, along with police forces up and down the country, the will is there to tackle the scourge of rural crime and, using technology and better communication, we are adapting our operations to meet the challenges head on.

In next week’s

Don’t miss next week’s festive Farm Profile on one of the oldest fruit farms in Essex. Visit farmersguardian. com/memberships for our latest deals, or call 0330 333 0056 today

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Based on 3 years of observations and independent assessments of Bayer and external field trials alongside interpretation of AHDB fungicide performance data. See CropScience.bayer.co.uk/iblon for details. iblon contains isoflucypram. iblon is a registered Trade Mark of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2023.

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