Farmers Guardian 19th January 2024

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THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE LIVESTOCK

SALES

ARABLE

Special preview of this year’s Dairy-Tech

Bluefaced Leicester record at Carlisle

Mancozeb approval may be withdrawn

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BORDER RISK ● Cuts put UK at risk of ASF outbreak ● Illegal meat arriving by the coach load

By Jane Thynne CHANGES to security at Dover will see the UK ‘open its doors’ to organised food criminals, risking an animal and public health emergency on an unprecedented scale, port authorities have warned.

Lucy Manzano, head of port health and public protection at Dover District Council, has condemned Government plans which will see import checks carried out at the new Sevington base – some 22 miles from point of entry, near Ashford in Kent.

Sevington has replaced the ‘stateof-the-art’ Bastion Point centre which had been designed specifically to carry out food safety checks.

The Government has also now scrapped plans to create a customs point just outside Dover – at a cost of £21 million.

Ms Manzano said the move will lead to a 70 per cent cut in funding, ‘opening the door’ to diseases such as African swine fever (ASF), as well as a rise in organised food crime.

Ms Manzano said: “Our main

p1 Jan19 AB JT TW.indd 2

responsibility is to prevent the illegal introduction of produce and threat of disease from entering the UK. However, with the changes coming in April, we find ourselves in a position which the local authority has described as ‘perverse’ in that the Government is proposing to move import controls from the point of entry which we believe poses significant threat to UK biosecurity, farming and public health.”

In September 2022, in response to the growing ASF threat, the UK Government introduced a 2kg personal fresh food limit. Since then, about 60 tonnes of illegal meat has been seized by authorities.

Ms Manzano said: “We recovered 1.14t last Saturday alone. Let me be clear, this is meat – animal carcases or parts of animals – which travels in CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

Lobbying Ms Manzano said the department had ‘directly’ lobbied Government over the plans which are being introduced as part of its five-time delayed border control model.

She added: “The new inspections will now be carried out at a point that is actually further away than France.

“Defra has been unable to explain how biosecurity, food safety and animal welfare will be maintained and protected during, and away from, the point of entry, without disappearing within the food chain and or carrying potential diseases en route to wherever they decide to stop and off load.”

FARMING DREAM Perseverance pays off Pages 19-21

17/01/2024 16:31

TV presenter and farmer Adam Henson on how educating consumers can help address farmers’ poor mental health. See p84-85.

INSIDE

January 19 2024 2

NEWS

Anger over major retailers’ influence over Red Tractor on green scheme

10 COMMENT 11

LETTERS

12

BUSINESS

Another year of uncertainty could support wheat market

16

DIVERSIFICATION

18

GLOBAL AG VIEW

19

Farm’s survival bolstered by holiday lets and lingerie

Japan’s reliance on imports opens opportunities

FARM PROFILE

Couple’s farming dream takes them from Lancashire to Scotland

22 ARABLE

Mancozeb approval may be withdrawn after HSE review

28 SALES

Exeter dairy sale peaks at £3,000

58 MACHINERY

Part one of our highlights from this year’s LAMMA Show

Diversification

16

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66 LIVESTOCK

Protecting your flock from potent orf virus

70 DAIRY-TECH

We take a look at what’s in store at 2024’s event

75 WORKING DOGS

North Westmorland sees one-two success – twice

76 MARKET PRICES 84 FARMING: THE BACKBONE OF BRITAIN

Educating consumers can aid mental health in farming

86 IN YOUR FIELD

With James Robinson in Cumbria and Helen Stanier in Yorkshire

87 CROSSWORD 88 FARMING MATTERS

The science shows the tide is turning on bovine TB

6 2 PAGE S

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LINGERIE AND LETTINGS

Diversification was a necessity for one North Yorkshire farm’s survival.

Economic importance of Scotch highlighted

By Chris Brayford BARLEY growers’ contribution to the economic value provided by the Scotch whisky industry should be recognised, with opportunities for future growth highlighted in a new report.

In ‘From Barley to Bottle’, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) revealed the industry had generated £7.1 billion in 2022 to boost the UK economy by driving growth, accelerating employment and promoting Scotland’s national drink with productivity around the world.

The sector has provided opportunities for communities with 66,000 jobs supported – 41,000 in Scotland alone.

Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, said exports had grown by more than 30 per cent since 2018 to a record £6.2bn – amounting to 26 per cent of UK food and drink exports. Scottish grown barley provides 90 per cent or more of the industry’s requirements.

Willie Thomson, NFU Scotland combinable crops committee chair, said he was ‘disappointed’ the report had not done more to highlight the success of the ‘centuries old partnership’ between distillers and farmers.

Mr Thomson added: “The integrity of this globally-renowned brand relies

heavily on the provenance and quality of barley grown in Scotland and the role of farmers should be recognised.

“There are increasing demands being placed on growers as they assist all parts of the whisky production chain in meeting their requirements around emission reductions and net zero commitments. This report highlights the huge opportunities for future growth and Scottish farmers very much look forward to being the central part of that journey.”

Delighted Mark Kent, chief executive of the SWA, said he was delighted by the resilience of the industry to deliver on the world stage via exports, employment and productivity, but urged the Government to do more to support distillers through its many challenges.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said Scotch whisky was the ‘most valuable food and drink export’ and highlighted the 10 cuts or freezes in duty at the last 11 budgets, as well as the removal of tariffs imposed by the US. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said Scotch Whisky was a ‘world-renowned brand’ – while complimenting its importance to the UK’s economy.

From page 1 unrefrigerated vehicles. It is unlabelled, unpackaged; sometimes in bin liners. Without border controls that would be on its way into the food chain.

“These vehicles are allowed to come down the tourist lanes.

“We have even stopped passenger coaches as where there should have been people and luggage, there were just bags and bags of meat.”

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, said while the association was confident the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) would work for imports, a reduction in funding and border checks was of ‘concern’.

Mr Allen said: “The cost of ASF entering the country would be huge.

It is really important that enforcement staff are kept on the ground, any reduction would be of huge concern.”

Defra has acknowledged the new BTOM was based on a risk-based approach which will see a significant reduction in the number of checks at Border Control Posts at the short straits.

However, it said after careful review, it has decided not to maintain operations at both Bastion Point and Sevington, owing to an estimated additional £7m in costs per year which would be borne by businesses and, therefore, harmful to trade.

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:25

NEWS

PICTURE: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

Smallholder support needed

WINTER WOOLIES WEATHER IS SET TO RECEDE

SNOW fell across much of the UK this week with the country in the grip of a cold plunge of Arctic air, according to the Met Office.

Scotland was most affected by snowfall, with parts of northern England, North Wales and Northern Ireland also affected, as temperatures dipped below zero.

However, milder weather, along with some wind and rain, was expected to sweep across the UK over this weekend, marking the end of the chill.

INTERNATIONAL NGO Farm Africa has called for more support for smallholder farmers across the globe in tackling the climate crisis.

Smallholders produce most of the food in developing countries, but were bearing the brunt of climate change as a result of dwindling financial aid.

The UK Government’s new White Paper on International Development sets out a roadmap until 2030, the end date of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and acknowledges the role of agriculture in reducing poverty. Dr Diana Onyango at Farm Africa said East African smallholders were being left to face a ‘crisis they did not create’.

Dairy contracts legislation finally heads to Parliament rIndustry awaiting

detail on new law

By Jane Thynne

CONTRACT legislation in the dairy sector is to come before Parliament next month following a 10-year campaign by industry leaders.

According to the NFU and NFU Scotland, a Statutory Instrument to legislate for an effective dairy supply chain will go before MPs in February.

It marks the culmination of a decade-long fight by farming unions and Dairy UK to secure Government regulation on milk

contracts, farmers’ rights and pricing.

NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes said: “It has been a long time coming, but we welcome confirmation last week from Defra that the dairy contracts Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament in February.

“We are still waiting on the detail and will review the Statutory Instrument once it is published to ensure it aligns with the NFU’s work towards fairer, more transparent and collaborative supply chains.”

NFUS’ milk policy manager Tracey Roan hailed the news as a ‘major breakthrough’ citing the adoption of an NFUS amendment to ensure the new rules are applied

to both existing and new contracts, as opposed to just new, which was in the first draft, as a ‘major success’.

She said the union would now work hard to examine the Statutory Instrument to ensure it was ‘fit for purpose’ and it delivered ‘fairness and transparency across the whole of the UK.’

Fairer Both Ms Roan and NFU president Minette Batters said the dairy Statutory Instrument could pave the way for fairer terms throughout the whole of the farming sector.

Ms Batters said: “This is a blueprint for all those other sectors. It is not a silver bullet, there is no silver

bullet. But the legislation is now going to be laid.

“It will be looking at existing contracts as well as those contracts that will be made in the future. This is about a level playing field.”

Ms Roan added: “Getting it right for milk is hugely important – successfully bringing forward statutory milk contracts into legislation could be the foundation for fairer contracts for all primary producers.”

Although Defra declined to comment on an exact date, it is believed the new regulations will also give farmers a straightforward way to raise concerns about their contracts, as well as clearer rules around notice periods.

Here for the rainy days as well!

Chris Day on Tel: 07769 705004 Tenant Farmers farmersguardian.com

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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 Scottish farmers and crofters stage tractor protest FARMERS and crofters frustrated over the lack of concern shown for species reintroduction and food production by the Scottish Government have taken to the streets in protest.

The recently-formed Cairngorms Crofters and Farmers Group surrounded the Cairngorms National Park Association (CNPA) office in Grantown-on-Spey on Monday, in an attempt to raise awareness about the ‘perceived lack of good governance and consultation by the CNPA’ regarding beaver and lynx releases; the Heritage Horizons and Future Farming Projects, as well as general Scottish Government farming policy which they said was carried out without ‘proper dialogue with grassroots crofters and farmers who it affects’.

Protesting farmers’ tractors outside the CNPA offices in Grantown-on-Spey.

More than 40 people took part in the action on January 15, alongside 19 vehicles bearing slogans that read: ‘This is not the park we were promised’ and “We are not mushrooms. Do not keep us in the dark’.

One of the group founders, Ruraidh Ormiston a crofter from Kingussie, said: “Without engagement and with poor budget commitments compared to other issues within the National Park, farmers and crofters [have gone] unheard over the 15 years

of the 20-year park history.”

The protest was followed by a meeting between more than 70 crofters and farmers and the CNPA authority.

Grant Moir, chief executive of the CNPA, said: “There was a frank and honest exchange of views about farming, the role of the park authority and how we can work better together in the future to further the aims of the National Park. We are looking forward to future meetings and working to support the farmers and crofters.”

Threat of bluetongue still looming large rMore than 50 cases

recorded in South East

By Chris Brayford THE spread of bluetongue has placed an ‘unimaginable’ toll on farm businesses operating both in and out of the temporary controlled zones, with cases still being identified on UK farms.

With 52 cases of the virus detected on 29 farms in Norfolk and Kent (as of January 15), mainly in sheep and cattle, from a species of biting midges, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has placed control zones of 10km around affected farms.

Spreading AHDB said sheep were more likely to show clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle or goats, while some animals may show no clinical signs, which ‘poses a risk’ for spreading the disease to new areas, with cases identified in France, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy since last year.

NFU livestock board chair Richard Findlay said the organisation had been working closely with the wider industry and Defra to make sure ‘abattoirs have the right designations, movement licences are accessible and vaccine development is being prioritised’.

During a meeting to offer advice and reassurance to farmers at Dunston Hall in Norwich on January 15, Gordon Hickman, head of exotic disease policy at Defra, said cases had been driven by ‘warmer weather’ in the autumn and anticipated the ‘worst case scenario’ in the UK would be to follow a ‘spiral’ of cases similar to The Netherlands – which had recorded more than 6,000 incidents so far.

Mr Hickman added Defra had been working to ‘contain the disease within the temporary control zones to avoid an ‘explosion’ of cases when the weather warms again in spring, while the Government works to create

a vaccine which was ‘far away’ from becoming a reality.

Chloe Wilcock, a livestock farmer from Canterbury in Kent, said she had cattle tested for the virus which had been ‘one of the most nerve-wrecking experiences’.

She said: “Once we had livestock tested, we were told to expect a phone call within 48 hours if it was bad news.

I cannot tell you the absolute trepidation we went through because our livelihoods could have been shattered within a two-day period.”

APHA has tested more than 20,000 livestock – with a further 25,000 to do before the end of February.

SFS funding for Welsh organic farmers open for applications ORGANIC farmers can now apply for funding to help their transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

The support payments will be available to all fully-certified organic farmers, not just those who were part of the previous Glastir Organic Scheme.

Applications must be submitted

by May 15, 2024, with payment rates and guidance on how to claim already published. Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said the payment rates

had been calculated in the context of the Government’s difficult financial situation, while targeting support to the sectors where organic farming will make the ‘biggest positive impact on the environment.’

Ms Griffiths added: “I remain committed to our sustainable land management objectives and this payment demonstrates our support for farms undertaking actions to fulfil these objectives.” farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:40

NEWS

Fears over retail pressure rIndustry alarm over

WWF basket initiative

By Rachael Brown

INDUSTRY leaders have expressed fears the proposed Red Tractor Greener Farms Commitment (GFC) is being introduced merely to fulfil retailers’ wider green promises.

Speaking this week, sector chiefs have raised new concerns the module would follow the path of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) basket initiative which has been adopted by major retailers and which seeks to halve the sector’s environmental impact by 2030.

Dairy consultant Chris Walkland said at the Semex International Dairy

Conference in Glasgow this week (January 15), anyone who agreed to Red Tractor’s proposed GFC module, would be ‘signing a death warrant’.

He warned schemes such as the WWF enterprise, which also aims to cut meat and dairy production by 20 per cent, were just part of a ‘retailer bandwagon’ that were being pushed through ‘under the radar’.

Deliver However, NFU president Minette Batters, said sustainability was becoming ‘the law of the land’ and the industry needed to take responsibility to deliver.

Anger has been growing across the farming industry following Red Tractor’s attempt to push through its GFC module, which sector leaders fear

Retailers have been accused of using Red Tractor to meet the World Wildlife Fund’s basket initiative commitments.

would put more pressure on domestic farmers and result in higher costs and a potential reduction in production.

George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, said he was concerned by the ‘dictatorial’ nature of these commitments and the lack of ‘shared responsibility’.

“We need a collaborative approach to enhancing environmental outcomes with all bodies sharing the costs and responsibilities, including retailers and the consumer,” he added.

Fears the lack of farmer engagement in the development of the WWF

MPs urged to intervene over supply chain intimidation FARMERS who speak out against unfairness in the supply chain face intimidation, bullying and threats of delisting at the hands of processors and retailers, farming leaders have claimed.

Speaking before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Select Committee’s probe into fairness in the supply chain, sector heads from livestock, horticulture and dairy pleaded with MPs to intervene.

MPs were told high input costs, inflation and labour costs, alongside ‘crippling’ fixed price contracts, were driving down production.

National Pig Association chief executive Lizzie Wilson said mem-

bers of the sector were ‘price takers’, with four main players dictating prices while continually being asked to do more to satisfy retailers’ rules which do not apply to imports.

NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes highlighted the pressure farmers were under and said many dairy farmers contacted the NFU anonymously afraid of losing contracts.

Chair of British Apples and Pears Ali Capper asked committee chair Sir Robert Goodwill to contact the boss of every major retailer and tell them farmers and growers ‘need to make a profit’. She also asked him to call for a recognition of farm input inflation and fair pricing.

However, Sir Robert reminded the producers the committee ‘was not the Government’, but assured them he would write to the Cabinet about issues raised.

Key role In response, a British Retail Consortium spokesperson said retailers were committed to British farming, acknowledging the key role farmers play in the supply chain.

“The strong relationships between farmers and food retailers is supported by the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, which ensures a fair partnership between the two parties,” the spokesperson added.

Down on the Farm

commitment was being replicated

by Red Tractor were also flagged by National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker, who said neither the retailers nor Red Tractor had spoken to farmers about the demands the new environmental standards would have, adding it was ‘short sighted’ not to align the asks with Government environmental schemes.

Concerns These concerns were put to both Red Tractor and the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

A spokesperson for Red Tractor said there would be no decisions on implementation or timing of the GFC until the governance review was complete.

“Any continuation of work on an environment module would need to include more detailed dialogue with farmers and supply chains and consider relevant Government policy on agriculture for all UK nations.”

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the BRC, said: “We support the Assured Farm Standards approach, which is to pilot the new GFC module, and ensure it is voluntary so it can be rolled out in stages as and when it is discussed and agreed across the supply chain.”

He added retailers were ‘working on a number of initiatives’ to meet commitments and GFC ‘has the potential’ to be another one.

with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.

N application strategies for grazing this spring With spring grass supply being crucial on livestock farms, here’s a quick summary of the latest research to support your farm.

Teagasc Moorepark looked at the impact of applying 3 rates of spring nitrogen (N) fertiliser (30, 60 or 90 kg N/ha) by April 1st, on two N application dates; 3rd February and 19th March, with three different rate strategies (split between February and March); 0:100, 50:50 and 33:66.

The highest spring herbage production was reported on the 90 kg N/ha, followed by the 60 kg and 30 kg the lowest (3,026, 2,753 and 2,308 kg DM/ha, respectively). Higher N rates lead to a reduction in N recovery and a lower response to N application.

The 90 kg N treatment had the lowest N response per kg N applied, followed 01472 889250 farmersguardian.com

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@Yara_UK

f Yara UK

agronomy.uk@yara.com

by the 60 kg N with the 30 kg N the highest (15.7, 18.2 and 21.0 kg DM/kg N). These are all greater than previously reported response figures of 10 - 13 kg DM/kg N, and greater than the required economic breakeven point.

The impact of application strategy, across all rates of N applied, when zero N was applied in February and all was applied in March (0:100), resulted in a lower spring herbage production of 200 kg DM/ha, compared to either of the 33:66 or 50:50 strategies.

The 33:66 strategy (27.3 kg DM/kg N) had the greatest N response compared to the 0:100 or 50:50 (14.3 and 21.1 kg DM/kg N, respectively). High levels of N in a single application in spring, result in an oversupply of available N for the plant to utilise, and doesn’t result in increased levels of herbage production.

For more information please visit www.yara.co.uk/agronomy-advice JANUARY 19 2024 | 5

17/01/2024 16:04

NEWS

Proposals for NI bTB compensation a ‘new low’ rPlans to cut rates

payable to farmers

By Rachael Brown

PROPOSALS to reduce the compensation rate for cattle removed under the bovine TB programme have been described as ‘a new low point’ for farmers in Northern Ireland (NI).

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has criticised the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) about the proposals

to reduce the payments farmers receive for cattle which react.

A consultation looked at whether the amount of compensation payable should be reduced.

This would be phased in, with a reduction to 90 per cent of market value in the first year of implementation with a further reduction to 75 per cent a year later.

UFU president David Brown said the union had serious concerns.

“Members continue to be blighted by bTB on farms and it is having a severe impact not only on the North-

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Farmers in Northern Ireland face a cut in compensation for any cattle with bTB.

ern Ireland livestock industry, but on the well-being of our farmers,” he said.

“A reduction in stock value will mean our members will not be fully reimbursed for the worth of their animals. Farmers already bear a loss of income from those animals removed when bTB positive.

Robbery “To devalue cattle’s worth after the animals have fallen victim to a disease that has become rampant in our

region because of our department’s inability to deliver an effective eradication programme, is nothing short of barefaced robbery.”

Mr Brown added Daera had failed to deliver a wildlife intervention programme that he said was an integral component in reducing infection levels in other jurisdictions.

He said although there was still intent to do so, his members could not be expected to carry any further costs because of Daera’s shortcomings.

The UFU said they had previously

Dairy farmer facing uncertain fut A WELSH dairy farmer has described the period between results and cows leaving the farm as the ‘worst time’, as he considers his future after going down with bovine TB again.

Colin Evans, who farms a predominantly pedigree Holstein herd with his wife Hilary in Bancyfelin, near Carmarthen, said their farm lost a total of 77 cattle to bTB in 2023, with a large percentage of them being in-calf heifers.

Normally they aim to milk a herd of about 110- to 120-head, but at the moment they are only milking 70 cows.

Mr Evans said: “It has been one hell of a knock. It does not take a genius to work out that it is a big financial loss.

“We are around 15,000-20,000 litres down on milk each month.”

He added that he was thankful both his daughters were at home at Christmas to support him and his wife.

Support Mr Evans praised the support of his local farm vet and said results from the last three tests have identified the same three groups being hit ‘time and time again’, adding all animals not out to grass last year had no issues.

Like many Welsh dairy farmers, Mr Evans wished the Welsh Government would use all tools in the box to address the disease, including in wildlife.

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Colin Evans, Bancyfelin, said his farm lost 77 cattle to bovine TB in 2023. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 11:58

NEWS NIFAIS IT FRUSTRATIONS

He said all of the other measures proposed by the Secretary of State related to the provision of goods and services.

“The only exception is the proposal to intervene on the money which our

ain future after bTB breakdown He said: “They are not going to cull any wildlife, because it is a certain vote winner. They need to start trapping, testing and vaccinating, because farmers are getting daunted by it all.”

He said there was six hectares of woodland between the farm and next door, which had also gone down with bTB. He suggested there could be a potential link with wildlife in the woodland.

Mr Evans said there was once a time

that he thought it was Nitrate Vulnerable Zones which would take him out of milk production and not bTB, but now his view had ‘changed completely’.

Uncertainty Mr Evans has his next test would be in early March. He said the uncertainty over the next 12 months would be a challenge. He said: “I am 62 and I was hoping to carry on milking until I was 65. We do not know now.”

Not fit for purpose He added: “Daera has spent millions on this system and yet it is still not fit for purpose.

“There have been continual problems with the Northern Ireland

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The society said ‘preliminary calculations’ showed the changes would lead to a loss of income in excess of £1m from reduced gate sales, membership and camping revenue.

It added: “The changes would also lead to reduced attendance, affecting the trade for our exhibitors and catering vendors, not to mention the wider economic impact on the several businesses who benefit from the event both regionally and nationally.”

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the sentiment behind the proposals, it was asking the Government to reconsider proposed dates, so major events, such as the Royal Welsh Show, are always in the summer break.

The economic impact of the event is in excess of £40 million and there is about £10m visitor spend during the event itself.

Mr Brown pointed out that marts were also having serious difficulties with the new IT system, experiencing delays in entering cattle information into the system.

A Daera spokesperson said they were aware of a number of IT issues which were impacting the time taken to process animal movements into a market and which was impacting nitrates calculations.

The spokesperson added: “Daera is working closely with the NIFAIS supplier to rectify the market issue as a priority.

“The nitrates issue has now been fixed, so there should be no impact on farmers or agents making 2023 slurry export returns by January 31, 2024.”

Concrete

School holiday changes could hit Royal Welsh Show PROPOSED changes to the Welsh school summer term would create ‘serious financial harm’ for this year’s Royal Welsh Show, which takes place during the first week of the summer break at Llanelwedd village, near Builth Wells.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) said it was ‘strongly opposed to the proposal to amend the school term dates in Wales’ and that it was ‘extremely concerned about the impact these changes will have for young people, families, teachers and school staff who attend the show’.

Under the new proposals announced by the Welsh Government, the summer break could be reduced by one week, meaning schools would be open during the annual Royal Welsh Show.

RWAS said although it understood

Serious difficulties

CONCRETE PANELS

Measures

members receive for their cattle. This is theft and will not be tolerated by UFU membership.”

He added UFU would be ‘robustly objecting’ to the proposals.

The UFU said it was seeking legal advice.

A Daera spokesperson said: “The aim of this consultation is to provide political decision-makers with options to address the growing costs to the public purse of bovine TB and to help alleviate the serious financial pressures facing all NI departments.”

Food Animal Information System [NIFAIS] since its implementation several months ago.

“Our members have been extremely patient and have done their best to tolerate what could once be called ‘teething problems’, but we have long passed that point.”

CONCRETE BLOCKS

requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for NI, Chris HeatonHarris, following the publication of measures relating to cost savings in NI, but had not yet received a response.

ISSUES with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (Daera) IT systems were preventing farmers and agricultural agents from completing essential forms within ‘rigid deadlines’.

Ulster Farmers Union president David Brown said they had received many complaints from frustrated members and added it was ‘completely unacceptable’.

“It is creating additional stress and pressure for our farmers,” he said.

He criticised Daera for farmers being hit with heavy penalties regardless of the reason why, suggesting its behaviour was hypocritical.

Mr Brown said farmers must be given extensions and flexibility for any impending deadlines in line with when the information was available again online.

Fast Nationwide Delivery

01270 258076

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JANUARY 19 2024 | 7

17/01/2024 11:59

NEWS rSenedd member

criticised for comments

By Rachael Brown FARMERS have accused the Welsh Government of being ‘out of touch’ following comments from Labour Senedd members aimed at farming and rural communities.

Last week (January 10), Swansea East MS Mike Hedges said in the Senedd ‘there was no reason to subsidise agriculture’. It followed recent comments from Mid and West Wales MS Joyce Watson suggesting farmers with perpetual bovine TB should ‘find another business’.

Haverfordwest dairy farmer Steve Evans accused the Welsh Government of ‘systematic dismantling’ rural communities via ‘onerous policies’ and failure in dealing with high profile issues in Wales, such as bTB. He said the comments made by both Senedd members reinforced the belief Welsh Labour was ‘out of touch and incompetent’.

Attitude Pembrokeshire dairy farmer OwenLort Phillips said while the comments were isolated, they were consistent with the attitude within the Welsh Labour party, adding it was ‘lazy and disrespectful at best or ignorant and overtly hostile at worst’.

NFU Cymru said Mr Hedges’ comments about farm funding ‘failed to see the bigger picture’ of the value of Welsh food and farming in feeding the nation and supporting thriving rural communities, refuting the claim spending money on agriculture was ‘putting money in farmers’ pockets’.

Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, accused the ‘mask of

Last week, Swansea East MS Mike Hedges said in the Senedd ‘there was no reason to subsidise agriculture’.

Welsh Gov ‘out of touch’

slipping’ from a few Labour members recently, adding it showed the ‘complete disregard’ which runs through the party for agriculture, countryside and rural way of life.

Blame Director of Countryside Alliance Wales, Rachel Evans, said constant blame and resentment towards the farming sector was an attempt

by Welsh Government to ‘deflect from their own failing policies’.

Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd said such comments paint a picture of a party which has ‘no clue or no interest’ in Welsh agriculture, calling on Labour to wake up to the consequences of continuing to pile the pressure on farming businesses.

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Ian Rickman hoped Welsh

Government would distance itself from such ‘ill-informed comments’ from an individual who displayed repeated ‘ignorance’ of all matters involving farm and rural communities.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have listened to farmers and their representatives and have protected the Basic Payment Scheme budget at £238 million for 2024, the same level as 2023, as we had planned to do.

“Given the significant pressures we are facing, this was not easy, but we recognised the importance of providing stability in such uncertain times.

“We remain focused on the support available to prepare farmers and the supply chain for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, our long-term approach to support the resilience of our agricultural industry in Wales.”

Ag college apologises for Veganuary promotion A COLLEGE specialising in landbased courses has been forced to apologise after a social media post championing the health and sustainability benefits of a vegan menu provoked outrage from the agricultural community.

Bishop Burton College in Beverley, East Yorkshire, provides a range of higher and further education courses for students wanting to follow an agricultural path.

Condemned However, a Facebook post which endorsed the college’s commitment to the ‘Meat-free Monday’ campaign and ‘Well-being Wednesdays’ to promote a ‘healthy diet contributing to good mental health as well as sustainability’ has been universally condemned, 8 | JANUARY 19 2024

p8 Jan19 OM AB MB JT.indd 2

forcing Bishop Burton to remove the post and publish an apology from principal Bill Meredith.

In the statement, it apologised for the ‘impression’ the post gave to the farming community, stakeholders and students past, present and future.

It said: “We have always made sure we offer meat and plant-based options, something we have been doing as a college for many years – offering choice to all.

“As a specialist land-based college, our core business is agriculture and we recognise the importance of livestock production to sustainable farming systems and to a healthy balanced diet.”

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said for many establishments,

latching on to ‘Veganuary’ was just a marketing exercise, but it sent an ‘utterly false message that livestock farming and the consumption of meat

and dairy are incompatible with wanting to address climate change’.

He added British farmers were part of the solution, not the problem.

Councils promote plant-based diets ANOTHER three councils in the UK have endorsed vegan-based initiatives which could see people cutting meat from their diet.

Exmouth Town Council confirmed it had now become the fifth UK council to endorse the call for a global ‘plant-based treaty’ to address the climate crisis and make the town a ‘thriving zero-carbon community’.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has urged local residents to sign up to ‘Veganuary’ on the basis

that plant-based diets ‘reduce pollution and limit the threat of climate change’.

Online tool Warwickshire County Council has released an online tool which allows residents to commit to a number of ‘green pledges’ which provides residents with options such as ‘not eating meat two days per week’ and adopting a ‘fully vegan or vegetarian diet’.

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 11:31

NEWS

Perception of agriculture needs changing for the young rSustained approach

needed for future

By Rachael Brown

Call for Government to promote careers in agriculture.

THE Government must demonstrate its commitment to farming and food production if more young people are to be encouraged to join the farming industry, MPs have been told.

Speaking during an Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s (Efra) inquiry into education and careers in land-based sectors, Dr Hannah Pitt, a lecturer in environmental geography at Cardiff University, said there needed to be a Governmental ‘step change’ which would ‘signal’ to prospective candidates that farming was a viable career option.

Signal She said ‘we are talking about landbased careers – many of those are about producing food’, adding that the industry needed to give a signal that this was an area of importance, with worthwhile career prospects.

The chief executive of the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture,

We have a very traditional view of what farming and horticulture looks like and that is exaggerated on television STEPHEN JACOB

Stephen Jacob, also gave evidence and said the industry must ‘speak the right language’ when it comes to young people, talking to them about food production, countryside stewardship, environment and the exciting technology within the industry.

“We have a very traditional view of what farming and horticulture looks like and that is exaggerated on television. We need to influence the influences.

“If teachers and parents do not understand what the industry looks like and how food is produced, how are the children going to?”

Mr Jacob suggested improved dialogue with the department for education was an area to focus on.

He added, to ‘change hearts and minds’ around agriculture, a sustained approach was needed.

Chair of qualification awards body

Lantra, Dr David Llewellyn, questioned why there was not already a ‘mass marketing media campaign’ to promote the various careers within the sector, adding ‘it should be the Government’s responsibility’.

He said the modern farming story needed to be told.

age of farming, that is reinforced in everything they do. As an individual, you cannot be what you cannot see.”

Diversity

TWO dogs have been shot dead in Wales after sheep were killed during attacks within the first 11 days of January.

Gwent Police Rural Crime Team said six sheep had been killed – with another six injured – ‘unnecessarily’ after dog attacks in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen.

Police indicated two further dogs faced destruction after the incidents and reminded owners to keep dogs secured.

Attracting more diversity into the sector was also raised, ensuring the courses were designed to attract people from all backgrounds.

Farm vet and Nuffield scholar, Dr Navaratnam Partheeban, said people need to ‘see themselves in the sector’.

“As a child, what is the first influence you have on farming – Old MacDonald? What image of farming do you see? An old-school, white, middle class man driving the tractor.

“If a child sees that as their first im-

Dogs shot after sheep attacks

YFCs are the backbone of Welsh rural communities YOUNG farmers in Wales dedicate 1.1 million hours each year to support their clubs, counties and rural communities, a new report has revealed.

The study, published by the Wales Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, highlighted four key areas in which Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) have an impact on young people living in rural Wales, including Welsh language, skills farmersguardian.com

p9 Jan 19 JT KH AB.indd 2

and employability, rural sustainability and health and well-being.

Wales YFCs have almost 6,000 young people aged between 10 and 28 years currently members of the organisation.

Invaluable Endaf Griffiths is a Wales YFC senior member for this year and said YFC not only delivered ‘invaluable

opportunities and experiences’ to young people, but it also draws in the wider community, adding that in many rural areas, the YFC was the ‘backbone of the community.’

She said at her local YFC in Ceredigion, young farmers feel that it is ‘their duty’ to keep the community going, adding they were ‘proud to do so’.

“The Welsh language and culture is also of great value to us. Pontsian YFC,

which has around 60 members, conducts all its activities through the Welsh language,” she said.

“I am not a farmer myself, but what is great about the YFC is that it has a little bit of everything for everyone. From stock-judging to cooking, from rugby to fencing, and from public speaking to travelling the world, the organisation has a lot to offer.”

JANUARY 19 2024 | 9

17/01/2024 15:36

LEADER

Alex Black Head of News and Business – alex.black@agriconnect.com

Long-awaited dairy contract legislation keenly watched

And finally...

The UK’s leading agricultural machinery, equipment and technology show, LAMMA, took place at the NEC Birmingham this week.

See p58-63 for part one of our highlights.

WITH the imbalance of power between farmers and retailers once again in focus this week, those who have been campaigning for dairy contract legislation had something to celebrate with news that it will finally come before Parliament next month.

It is now more than a decade since the introduction of the Voluntary Code, which saw many processors fail to sign up and those who did suggesting it placed them at a competitive disadvantage.

Appearing before the Efra Committee last week, the powerlessness of farmers when it comes to discussions with their buyers was in the spotlight. NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes, who has been one of the key figures driving forward the call for legislation, stated the union often heard from farmers anonymously who were too scared to speak out for fear of losing contracts.

And while critics have suggested legislation will not necessarily pass a better return on to

farmers, the unions were hopeful it would lead to a fairer balance of risk and reward.

The rampant input cost inflation seen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought this imbalance sharply into focus, with food security finally becoming a point of national discussion only when supermarket shelves started to go empty.

Outside of dairy, the rest of the industry will be looking on with interest at what could prove to be a blueprint for legislation in the other agricultural sectors.

And with the horticulture sector in particular still highlighting that the prices paid by supermarkets are beneath where they need to be for growers to make a profit, the risk of empty shelves and a much-depleted growing industry has not gone away.

The industry still awaits detail on what exactly will be in the legislation and, of course, it remains to be seen what impact it will have and whether it will put more power into the hands of producers.

YOUNG FARMER FOCUS ‘My passion is focused on industry technology’ Background: I am not from a farming background originally, but there has always been something within me which has been intrigued and curious about the world of agriculture.

As the daughter of a US diplomat I have had a varied introduction to insights and experiences from across the world, having lived in the United States, China, Taiwan, Australia and now the UK. For me, I have mainly lived in urban industrial centres, with farming and rural life very much out of touch and reach.

My first contact with a farm would probably have been at five or six years old, when we would visit a farm park as a family. I would never have imagined back then that I would be studying and wanting to get involved with farming.

As an outsider to the industry, I think 10 | JANUARY 19 2024

p10 Jan 19 MB OM AB JT.indd 2

you do not realise how vast farming is and the pressures farmers face.

Education: There are numerous disciplines within the sector which really struck a chord with my own passions to study and learn, which is why I came to the Royal Agricultural University last year.

It has some of the most knowledgeable and inspirational people working in the sector.

The professors on my course always inspire me to improve.

My classmates, a mix of established farmers and new entrants, genuinely want to see agriculture be the best sector in the world.

Technology: My passions mainly focus around the technology in the industry and how it can evolve to meet the demands of a growing population in the future.

We all need farmers and they are

Kestrel Lambert Maryland, US Kestrel Lambert, 22, is from Maryland in the US. She is currently studying for a master’s degree in agricultural technology at the Royal Agricultural University.

Kestrel Lambert vitally important to our life on a daily basis. I have seen absolute polar opposites from the industrial large-scale farming in the US to the more compassionate side of farming in the UK, which places high standards at the heart of its mindset.

Whenever I get chance, I love to go for a bike ride around the Cotswolds while enjoying the scenery and splendour it has to offer - it is magical.

UK farming: What I love about farming in the UK is the tireless effort farmers put into their businesses, whether it is a small farm shop or a potato field.

They live and breathe the land they work and care about what they do.

But farmers face pressure from a vast pool of knowledge where they are encouraged to do too many things at once.

We need to make sure farmers adopt the right processes for them, because every farm is different.

MORE INFORMATION If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:37

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

Feed the soil

FG CLASSIC

ON your Global Ag View story ‘Lack of African fertiliser ups global poverty’ (December 22) – that is why, worldwide, animal manure plays an important part in the health of the soil. Because if the soil is not fed, the world is not fed.

★★★

P.C. Williams, Abercarn, Newport.

Excellent mental health interview THANK you to Farmers Guardian and to your chief reporter Rachael Brown for an excellent interview with Adam Henson on mental health, which I have just watched.

It was spot on, and you handled such a difficult subject so well. A busy working Christmas meant I have only just got round to watching the video, but I am glad I did. I recognise so many of the pressures you discussed and agree we must all pull together despite the numerous challenges.

Thanks again; it is much appreciated.

Richard Carter, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Farmers feel unwanted I READ your article with Adam Henson, and yes, we do need to promote ourselves, but we are battling with the big supermarkets.

Many farmers round here have cold stores that are full of last year’s fruit (as supermarkets rejected

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

1936

Jim Barton (far left), aged three, pictured with his siblings and father John (on the binder). Jim still farms today with his son Tony at Burtree House Farm, Birdforth. Sent in by his daughter, Jillian Crooks.

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

Social media soundbites FARMERS Guardian’s article ‘German farmers hang up their boots’ (January 12) about a week-long protest by producers concerned about subsidy cuts and the future of the industry, has sparked widespread debate on social media. Here is a selection of comments: ■ “Troubling that farmer movements

across Europe seem to become rapidly entwined with far-right politics, ethno-nationalism and conspiracism. Not something to aspire to in the UK.” JOE STANLEY @JoeWstanley ■ “It is worth considering that Suffragettes were labelled as extremists and terrorists too at the time. I know

which side of history I would have liked to be on then and I know which side of history I want to be on now.”

KELLY @KellyFarmWife ■ “So strikes and protests is now a far-right thing? Better not tell the doctors and nurses that...”

BRITISH FARMING UNION @farming_union

them or they did not fit in the plastic trays).

So, the builders came along and bought their land, and farmers take the money because they are at their wits’ end.

Stock farmers are following in their footsteps as costs are getting higher for less returns.

I know Covid-19 did not help as

everyone was isolating – there were no reps visiting, no markets – and it was lambing and calving time.

We are in a mess and feel unwanted – and the country is in a mess. The British public need feeding, and we will not be around to do so. That is why we need to get on our soapboxes before it is too late.

I am a retired farmer, but we have

two sons in farming. I am also Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s Kent chair, and mental health in agriculture is a big issue.

Di Hickman, Tenterden, Kent.

■ For more on FG’s interview with Adam Henson, see p84-85.

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How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by filling in the form on our website www.fginsight.com OR printed form when entering the Competitions. If you have entered the Competitions via our site we may also collect some technical information about how you use our site, for example, the type of device you are using, your operating system, IP address, uniform resource locator (URL), clickstream and length of visit. How we use the information you provide: We will use your personal information: • to administer the Competitions, on the basis that the use of your personal data for this purpose will be necessary to enter you into the competitions and, if you are successful, contact you to notify you of your prize; and, • if you are new to Farmers Guardian and where you have agreed to this, to provide you with news and updates from time to time about our services; and, if at any point in the future you do not wish to receive any news and updates from us or from, you can unsubscribe from our marketing list at any time by following the steps below. To unsubscribe from any communications using the link on the email we send you or by emailing us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com. We will not use your information for any purposes except those listed in this policy without letting you know and getting your permission, if necessary, first. Who do we share your information with?

We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your consent, except where: • it is necessary to enable any of our staff, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers or commercial partners to provide a service to us or to perform a function on our behalf; • we have a legal obligation to disclose your information (for example, if a court orders us to); or • there is a sale or purchase of any business assets, or where Farmers Guardian or any of its group companies are being acquired by a third party. Where we use third parties as described above to process your personal information, we will ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to safeguard your personal information. For how long do we keep your personal information? We keep your personal information for 36 months for the purposes for which it was collected or for any period for which we are required to keep personal information to comply with our legal and regulatory requirements, or until you ask us to delete your personal information. Your rights: You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information. These include the right to: • find out how we process your personal information; • request that your personal information is corrected if you believe it is incorrect or inaccurate; • obtain restriction on our, or object to, processing of your personal information; • ask us not to process your personal information for our own marketing purposes; and • obtain a copy of your personal information which we hold about you. We will take steps to verify your identity before responding to your request and will respond as soon as possible and in any event within a month. If you would like to exercise any of your rights or find out more, please email us at dataprotection@farmersguardian. com. Complaints: If you have any complaints about the way we use your personal information please contact us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com and we will try to resolve the issue. If we cannot resolve any issue, you have the right to complain to the data protection authority in your country (the Information Commissioner in the UK). If you need more information about how to contact your local data protection authority please let us know. Contact us: Please read this policy carefully and if you have any questions, concerns or comments about this policy or, specifically, how we might use your personal information, please contact us by email at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com.

farmersguardian.com

p11 Jan19 KH OM AB.indd 2

JANUARY 19 2024 | 11

17/01/2024 12:22

BUSINESS

Relatively high US and UK prices meant the largest wheat exporters were being priced out of the market, said Stephen Nicholson, US-based senior grain strategist at RaboResearch.

PICTURE: GETTY

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

Global conflicts and a decrease in major producers’ wheat stocks may provide a boost for wheat prices in 2024. Cedric Porter reports from the US Potato Expo.

Another year of uncertainty could support wheat market rWeather and politics

to influence production ALTHOUGH wheat prices were at their lowest prices for two years, the fundamentals of the global market were still supportive.

That was the message from Stephen Nicholson, US-based senior grain strategist at RaboResearch, which is part of Rabobank.

“The fundamentals of the wheat market remain supportive to prices,” he told visitors to the US Potato Expo.

“The Russian/Ukrainian war continues; there have been six consecutive years of decreasing US stocks, as well as a decline in global stocks and a return to ‘normal’ Australian wheat production after some large crops.”

He added that production by the world’s largest wheat exporters remained flat, and that relatively high US and UK prices meant those suppliers were being priced out of the export market.

While wheat stocks were under pressure, that could not be said for maize stocks, according to Mr Nicholson, which was pulling down the price of the crop and others.

“US corn stocks are the third highest on record, with Brazil replacing it 12 | JANUARY 19 2024

p12 Jan19 OM MB AB.indd 2

as the largest exporter of the crop. The USDA estimates that 2023/24 US corn production was at a record 387 million tonnes; an increase of 11 per cent on the year before,” he said, with the longterm question being over demand.

That was not a question that North American oilseed rape or canola growers were asking, as Canadian crush capacity was expected to leap from 11mt this year to more than 18mt in five years’ time as biofuel production gears up. This would wipe out OSR exports from Canada, which could benefit other suppliers, including the UK, if growers could deliver a crop.

External factors There were a number of external factors which would influence production and markets.

Mr Nicholson said: “The war in Ukraine drags on, but a new route to get grain out of the Black Sea has been established, with shipments increasing all the time.

“However, shipping in the Middle East has become more unstable and much more expensive.”

The latest shipping pricing report by maritime researchers jumped by 15 per cent to USD$3,072 (£2,424) for a 40-foot container in the week to Thursday, January 11. That was an

UK MARKET FOCUS AHDB put its market barometers to bearish for maize and soya this week (Jan 15), with a neutral setting for wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

Wheat prices have drifted lower, along with lower global values. On Monday, January 15, London May 2024 futures were at £189/tonne - their lowest point ever - but November 2024 wheat was trading at £202/t and May 2025 at £210/t.

An indication of the lack of

increase of 44 per cent on the year, but that price was before the US and UK attacks on Houthi rebels.

Political chaos in the US was also likely to impact US and global markets, said Tyson Redpath, a lobbyist in Washington DC. He said it was not just the race for the presidency affecting politics.

“There is deadlock in Congress which is threatening to hold up the Farm Bill which is worth more than USD$1 trillion over five years,” he said.

The weather, the age-old farmer’s friend or foe, would also play a key role according to meteorologist Andrew Pritchard, of the fertiliser

British wheat was in the latest trade figures. In the five months to November 2023, wheat exports were at 127,000t, according to HMRC data.

That compared to 440,000t for 2022/23 and 1.585 million tonnes in 2021/22. Imports were up more than 200,000t to 770,000t.

Barley exports were also down by almost 150,000t to 329,000t, with a rise in imports. Oilseed exports were at 12,000t.

company Nutrien, following the hottest global year on record.

He said: “The evolving El Nino weather system could make 2024 even warmer. However, it might mean wetter conditions for the south of the US – something that could help dry soil water conditions in grain crop areas.”

Despite the hot global temperatures last year, the US potato crop fared well, bouncing back from one of its smallest crops ever in 2022 to the largest for five years in 2023.

As one of the biggest importers of frozen chips in the world, some US products might arrive in the UK this season. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 12:23

BUSINESS

Milk market prospects hard to call rMore optimism

for dairy in 2024

By Katie Jones

AT last year’s Semex International Dairy conference, dairy analyst Chris Walkland had little trouble predicting the demise of the high milk price which subsequently played out in 2023.

Speaking once again at this year’s conference in Glasgow, Mr Walkland said this year’s milk price prospects were ‘harder to call’.

However, gone was the undertaker’s black coat and top hat he donned when taking the stage at last year’s conference, when he mourned the downfall of Mr ‘High Milk Price’, and instead Mr Walkland said his 2024 outfit of a white-tailed coat sig-

nalled slightly better news and a ‘re-awakening’ rather than a funeral.

He said: “Last year there were some real low-lights; milk prices dropped by 30 per cent, the gap between aligned and non-aligned widened again, cheese had a brutal year, costs stayed stubbornly high and cash evaporated.”

He said he believed that overall, 2024 would be better than 2023.

Closing in He said: “Milk prices are closing in on break-even. But is Mr ‘High Milk Price’ back? Maybe, but probably not back as his full self. We might have to put up, instead, with Mr ‘Higher Milk Price’ this year instead.”

Mr Walkland said this was due to some positive news in terms of market demand and some negative news on milk volumes.

Irish positivity could boost UK beef market INDUSTRY reports were signalling a positive year for the Irish beef sector in 2024, which could help to support the UK market.

In 2023, Irish beef production dropped by 4.5 per cent, with output expected to fall by a further 4 per cent in 2024, according to Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority.

AHDB senior analyst Hannah Clarke said: “Despite some fluctuation, the Irish beef market experienced strong finished cattle prices in 2023, particularly in the first quarter of the year.”

On trade, the total quantity of beef exported from Ireland fell, although trade to the UK remained similar year on year.

Ms Clarke said: “The Irish dairy herd has been in growth for several years. This has generally outweighed contraction in the number of suckler cows, meaning the total breeding herd has been broadly stable. farmersguardian.com

p13 Jan19 OM MB AB.indd 2

“Teagasc forecasts a stable dairy cow population in 2024, with a greater proportion of beef expected to come from the dairy herd.

“This is expected to contribute to lighter average carcase weights and less beef processed per animal.”

Strong live exports, particularly of calves into continental Europe, have also helped to tighten supplies.

Ms Clarke said: “Tighter cattle supplies in Ireland and in the EU are expected to keep finished cattle prices supported in 2024. Teagasc forecasts the annual average Irish finished cattle price to rise by 3 per cent against last year.”

Dairy analyst Chris Walkland speaking at this year’s Semex International Dairy conference in Glasgow.

He said: “Dairy products were at the top of the table for food inflation in January 2023, but they are now at the bottom. And according to Arla, retail sales are continuing to pick up after the turnaround in quarter three. So it is good news on consumption and demand.”

However, he added it was not good news for demand recovery across the board, with mozzarella in particular still down.

Climbing He said: “Milk volumes in Europe were down, but now according to some reports they are climbing quite alarmingly, particularly in the big producing nations of France and Germany, and that is a worry.

“In the UK, we have gone from being considerably lower in daily

Milk prices are closing in on break-even. But is Mr ‘High Milk Price’ back?

CHRIS WALKLAND production, compared to last year, to positive. This is a concern; the UK volume situation is putting a dampener on New Year expectations.

“So we have got a bit of positivity on demand, but a bit of negativity on volumes at the moment.”

Encouraging This could offer encouraging undertones for British cattle prices, with the UK outlook maybe further supported

by British sourcing commitment.

“However, consumer demand is of course the other half of the picture,” Ms Clarke added.

JANUARY 19 2024 | 13

17/01/2024 12:29

World rapeseed crushing is estimated to have hit a record of more than 75 million tonnes in 2023.

Global oilseeds values retreat rUSDA report

focuses on Americas

By Alex Black OILSEED values have retreated following the latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) World Supply and Demands Estimates (WASDE) report.

The reduction of South American production by USDA, while less than expected, nevertheless resulted in a decrease of less than one million tonnes in combined American production, according to Frontier oilseeds trading product head James Needham.

He said: “This added downwards pressure to an already declining soyabean market.”

The WASDE report reduced the Brazilian soyabean yield on adverse

weather conditions especially in the northern part of the country, down 4mt on December’s estimates, at 157mt. However, Argentinian production was estimated up 2mt, with US production expected to be up by 1mt on December’s report.

“For now slower supply routes from Australia due to the current Red Sea issues and lack of farmer selling is helping to keep values from dropping further – these key market drivers

Reduced rainfall USDA said reduced rainfall in the centre west region and northeastern states had lowered yield potential. It also noted lower global sunflower seed production.

For oilseed rape, farmer selling remained mostly absent in the UK, Europe and Australia, with current values ‘not deemed attractive enough’.

“However, in nearby positions the crushers have ample cover, with the long-term supply and demand picture being weighted heavily towards the supply side,” Mr Needham added.

Crushers have ample cover, with the long-term supply and demand picture being weighted heavily towards the supply side JAMES NEEDHAM

Next Lake District boss needs long-term vision THE Lake District National Park Authority head Richard Leafe is to stand down at the end of the year, prompting calls from farmers to install a chief executive with ‘more experience in land management’ and a long-term vision.

Mr Leafe, who has held the post for 16 years, said he believed ‘huge steps forward’ had been made in the way people access the park and connect and care for the environment.

Praise NFU Cumbria deputy chair John Longmire praised Mr Leafe for his focused approach on partnership, 14 | JANUARY 19 2024

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adding the national park was now starting to recognise the value of involving farmers in decision making.

He hoped the new head would adopt a ‘long-term vision’ that recognised and rewarded traditional Lakeland farming’s benefits to the local economy and a sustainable environment.

Chair of Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association William Rawling said he accepted that opportunities had been created with the further development of the national park as a tourism destination.

But he added during Mr Leafe’s tenure, he had seen ‘continued fragmentation of the hefted flocks

and the structure that supports them’.

“While this is mainly due to the requirements of Natural England and other stakeholders, designed stewardship schemes, it is seriously affecting the Lake District cultural heritage, upon which its World Heritage status is based.”

Mr Rawling added the fell farmers needed to be ‘celebrated as the foundation of the Lake District National Park’.

Livestock farmer John Atkinson, who farms near Coniston and has diversified into tourism and manufacturing, said he hoped the next chief executive would have ‘broader experience of land management’.

will determine rapeseed values over the coming months.”

World rapeseed crushing was estimated to have hit a record of more than 75mt in 2023.

“This is due to high production levels across the world, as well as rapeseed oil being very price competitive and therefore increasing demand.

This could slow slightly in 2024 as world logistics become more challenging and other vegetable oils become more competitive,” Mr Needham said.

Job losses at Bernard Matthews Farms UP to 600 meat processing jobs could be lost at Bernard Matthews Farms in Norfolk, after the company announced another year of losses.

The company revealed it had lost £10 million in 2023, amid claims that the sector was facing ‘huge challenges’. The company also said last year’s figures came on top of £25m losses sustained in 2022.

As a result it is proposing to close its processing plant in Great Witchingham, which would lead to more than 600 people losing their jobs.

Devastating A union representing workers on the site described the plans as ‘devastating’ and said it would be supporting its members.

A Bernard Matthews spokesperson said the cooked meats site was ‘not a sustainable operation’ and that alternative employment would be sought for workers across the company’s other bases. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 15:38

BUSINESS

Increased sales could slow farmland price rises rGovernment policy

influences sales

Savills’ Farmland Market report said 2023 saw a ‘step change’ in agricultural land provision as availability rose by a fifth.

By Jane Thynne INCREASED sales amid the agricultural transition could slow farmland price rises, a new report has claimed.

The Farmland Market report from property and land expert Savills said 2023 saw a ‘step change’ in agricultural land provision as availability rose by a fifth. In total, 157,200 acres were marketed during the past year – 15 per cent more than across a previous five-year average.

In England, sales on the open market reached 115,500 acres – rising above 100,000 acres for the first time since 2018. While in Wales more land was traded in 2023 than in any year since 2000, with prices up 23 per cent.

According to Savills, the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme could keep prices high as it provided for ‘nature-based incomes’ as well as traditional ones.

In Scotland, land continued to be in short supply. Savills said it remained unlikely values would reach the heady heights of 2021, when prices soared by 31 per cent, as afforestation targets incentivised buyers.

Kelly Hewson-Fisher, head of rural research at Savills, said the agricultural transition and Government policy had clearly impacted land transactions, and a coming General Election gave farmers the chance to review the ‘options and opportunities’.

“Profitability remains key, which drives sustainability, re-investment and economic growth,” said Ms Hewson-Fisher.

New investors coming to the market would also be a driver, with land remaining a ‘solution provider’ for meeting environmental targets.

Food security She added: “While Government is committed to food security, with Shadow Labour Defra Secretary Steve Reed claiming food security is national security, there are currently no policies to underpin this commitment.

“We do need to understand and have confidence in how options can be

Cranswick acquires Froch Foods MAJOR UK processor Cranswick has announced the acquisition of added value processor Froch Foods, subject to regulatory approval.

Froch Foods is an added value processor of predominantly pork and poultry products, and provides specialist processing capabilities to its flagship retail partner as part of the production of a range of bacon and cooked meats products, according to Cranswick. The business operates from a dedicated facility in Stourton, Leeds, and employs 74 people. farmersguardian.com

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Cranswick chief executive Adam Couch said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Froch Foods, a well-invested added value processing business.

“The addition of Froch Foods is complementary to our existing bacon and cooked meats production capabilities and aligned to our continuous commitment to invest and expand in current categories, add additional capacity and drive efficiencies across the business.”

integrated to provide for the wide range of needs from our land.”

However, John Coleman, head of Farm Agency at land and property company GSC Grays, said potential changes in Government could provide the impetus for sales as farmers seek to avoid negative tax changes, such as Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR).

Mr Coleman said: “Whoever gets in at the next election will wish to review both CGT and BADR. Change is likely to come, and if it does it will not be positive and could affect the land market – so selling now is the message. It is the opportune time.”

Profitability remains key, which drives sustainability, re-investment and economic growth KELLY HEWSON-FISHER

Pig price drops continue into 2024 PIG price reductions have continued into the start of 2024, with the EU-spec standard pig price down 1.05p/kg over the first week of the year, falling to 212.79p/kg during the week ended January 6.

It has now lost 5p/kg since the start of November and, while it is currently nearly 13p/kg below the early August high of 225.64p/kg, it remains 12.5p/kg ahead of the

first week of 2023, according to AHDB figures.

The all pig price was down 1.72p/ kg during the week ended December 30, standing at 212.59p/kg.

Estimated GB slaughterings in the week ended January 6 were 133,992, which was 19,000 down on a year ago.

Carcase weights also rose in the first week of the year to 90.24kg.

JANUARY 19 2024 | 15

17/01/2024 12:37

DIVERSIFICATION

Valley View Farm spans 90 hectares.

From holiday cottages to lingerie, Chris Brayford spoke to Sally Robinson on how creativity has been key to making a success of her farm diversifications.

Diversification was a ‘necessity’ for farm’s survival

L

iving the farming dream in the scenic North Yorkshire moors has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions full of hope, joy and anguish for one farmer working against the tide of keeping a business afloat.

Underneath the flowing hills, the green pastures and different species of livestock, Sally Robinson, a beef and sheep farmer in Old Byland near Helmsley, has been utilising different income streams to support the farming business.

Ms Robinson runs Valley View Farm, a 90-hectare farm with 140 British Blue and Limousin cattle, 40 Wagyu cattle and 500 North of England Mules, in partnership with her son Stuart.

Farming has been part of her DNA for more than a century, with both her grandparents working the land as farmers before her.

Diversification has been a very important facet of her business for nearly 40 years – which includes a ‘thriving’ lingerie business, Ample Bosom, and six stone-built holiday cottage lettings which have generated new business and new opportunities.

One of the most unique selling points to her business is the county of her birth and the place she has called home all her life.

Ms Robinson said: “You will never beat the views in Yorkshire.

“It is a place rich in not just its people, but all the hardworking farmers who are trying to make a Sally Robinson runs Valley View Farm in Old Byland, near Helmsley.

living in this little place we call paradise.

“People will pay to experience just how wonderful North Yorkshire is and customers visit our cottages from all over the country.

“When you visit Yorkshire, you get a glorious mixture of welcoming, quirky and hardworking people who know what they are talking about and know how to provide the best hospitality experiences.”

She said the moors had always been an asset to the regional economy and their businesses were contributing to boosting that. The farms work in partnership with other businesses in the local area, including pubs, cafes and local attractions.

“We have worked together to create something really unique in this place I have called home all my life.

“I could never imagine being anywhere else.”

Underestimate Ms Robinson said she could not underestimate the importance of farm diversification which began back in the late 1970s.

“Diversification has been at the heart of our farm and the way we want to operate a business,” she added.

“But every farmer will tell you running a business is difficult.

“For us, diversification was a necessity because we were not making enough money to survive – especially when you consider all the money and hours we put into farming.”

The family took a risk and renovated the farmhouse to offer a bed and breakfast, which she said involved ‘having to work even harder’.

“It did prove to be a success but there was an underlying feeling that it still was not enough to sustain our long-term livelihoods.”

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Maintaining diversification is hard when you think about production costs SALLY ROBINSON In the mid-1990s, Valley View Farm opened six cottages – renovating more ‘outdated’ farm buildings.

Each cottage has its own distinct features, but all provide the same living amenities including bathroom facilities, a lounge space and bedroom with views of the moors.

“The farm cottages have proved to be such a success for us,” she added.

“They provide space for people to unwind in a comfortable space of their own for however long they wish to stay.

“We have to make sure the cottages are maintained to a high standard – which is made much easier by our wonderful guests.

“We really thought converting the buildings into cottages would be a fantastic idea because you cannot see and appreciate the moors in just a day. There is so much to explore and see.”

She said it was always pleasing to farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 11:34

Six holiday cottages were opened on-farm in the mid-1990s following the renovation of ‘outdated’ farm buildings.

receive high praise from customers and the North Yorkshire moors offered a ‘unique experience’ for farmers to showcase.

Lingerie Ms Robinson opened Ample Bosom in 1999 – a women’s lingerie retail business which sells bras, swimwear, nightwear and clothing for ‘every woman and every occasion’ regardless of size or shape.

“Ample Bosom came from the simplest idea of a customer simply telling us they could not find a bra which offered her the comfort she required.

“And the idea sprung from there to provide women the comfort and ease they require.

“As a retailer, we have to make sure we are winning business on a daily basis and sending orders to our fantastic customers.

“Our headquarters are based here at Valley View Farm and we retail across the UK and worldwide. It has proven to be one of the best things we did.”

However, diversification has not always been an all singing and all dancing adventure, with Valley View Farm having faced numerous challenges and obstacles.

Ms Robinson said: “Diversification has not always been sunshine and roses.

“During the early foot-andmouth days, it almost felt like farmers were detached from the public farmersguardian.com

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in so much as no-one wanted to be near a farm because of fears surrounding the disease.

“It was a dreadful time for farmers up and down the country.”

The Covid-19 pandemic had also been a testing time, with the holiday business having to be closed and then opening only on a temporary basis.

“A lot of businesses are still facing catch up today to get back on an even keel.

“Retaining and attracting new customers always remains a barrier we must overcome.

“Competition drives us forward to be even better but it can provide a lot of difficult and dark days on the farm.

“We faced pressure and opposition to planning proposals which really hindered our confidence about a bright idea we had.

“Maintaining diversification is hard when you think about production costs.”

And Ms Robinson believed diversification was about creativity.

“It is about coming through the other end of a major problem because you had the tenacity to see something great and how it helped you through a very dark spell. It has taught us never to give up.”

Thinking about the future was always at the forefront of Ms Robinson’s mind as she hoped the farm would continue to have an impactful legacy for generations to come.

Each cottage has its own distinct features, but all have views of the moors.

Various diversifications support the beef and sheep farm.

JANUARY 19 2024 | 17

17/01/2024 11:35

GLOBAL AG VIEW The food and drink retail industry was worth £270 billion in 2022.

With Japan one of the first countries the UK agreed a deal with post-Brexit, Lizzie Downes, of Promar International, takes a look at what food exporters need to know. rJapanese food prices

rise due to input costs

JAPAN has a large food and drink retail industry and its reliance on imported food is ever increasing.

The food and drink retail industry was worth £270 billion in 2022. Japan is 50 per cent larger than the UK in terms of land space, with a population of 125 million people, 85 per cent more than the UK. Lizzie Downes, senior consultant at Promar International, said: “Japan’s socio-economic demographic differs greatly to some of its neighbouring Asian markets, but understanding how this has evolved also provides an insight into what lies ahead for Western society.”

Between 1960 and 2020, total cultivated land in Japan has decreased by 51 per cent, with rice accounting for just under 50 per cent of this.

While livestock numbers continually increased between 1960 and 1990, they have since declined, apart from poultry.

Reliance on imports opens opportunities

Ms Downes said: “Similar to the labour issues faced on farms in the UK, Japanese farmers also often struggle to find and retain agricultural workers.

“These factors together have seen domestic food production decline and, at just 38 per cent self-sufficiency, this is one of the lowest among developed markets.

“To help protect domestic producers, the Government manages the importation of wheat, mainly by controlling its price, setting a resale price twice yearly.”

Recent food prices have increased due to higher input costs and a decrease in the value of its currency.

Best opportunities for UK suppliers ■ Whisky: Based on increased consumption, with local producers often blending imported whiskies with their own ■ Cheese: Consumption of cheese in Japan continues to increase, with imports accounting for 90 per cent of the market ■ Meat: UK has access to the Japanese market for beef, lamb and 18 | JANUARY 19 2024

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pork; beef was the dominant category, with trade in pork and lamb from the UK still modest ■ There were also opportunities for beer, wine, sauces, confectionary, condiments, bakery goods, cereals and pasta-based products ■ Demand for high-protein and high-nutrition ‘perfect nutrition foods’ was also rising

Japan has an ageing population, with 30 per cent expected to be more than 65 years old by 2025. Its overall population has been declining for 14 consecutive years.

Japanese consumers are relatively wealthy, but the impact of demographic change means schools were closing and businesses were increasingly owned by older people.

Birth rate Ms Downes said: “Policies are being put in place to try to increase the birth rate, including reducing childcare barriers.”

The ageing population has led to consumers being more health conscious. This was also evident during Covid-19, with restrictions not fully lifted until October 2022 and the eating out market greatly affected.

Ms Downes said: “The Japanese diet is very diverse, with traditional Japanese, Western and healthoriented foods for children and the elderly common.

“Food processors often focus on maintaining market share among traditional product lines, while also developing creative and innovative food products to attract consumers.”

A lot of this innovation was also due to an ever-increasing tourism market.

Due to its limited self-sufficiency, Japan has had to become an expert in securing trade agreements.

The Japanese market is attractive to suppliers all around the globe, with long-standing free trade agreements with many of the key food export countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India, Peru, Chile and other EU 27 countries.

There were numerous opportunities for UK exporters, but the market was highly competitive.

Ms Downes said: “When targeting Japan, it is essential to understand the food safety restrictions on imports, especially around food additives and their regulations. Despite their falling self-sufficiency, Japanese consumers still have great belief in the safety of domestically-produced products over those which are imported.”

She added that having a differentiation for UK products would help increase the chance of success against international suppliers.

Animal welfare, traceability and a sense of food heritage were also important, all of which ‘play strongly’ to the UK. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:27

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

After persevering to find the right opportunity, Helen and Tom Marsden are now farming in the hills of Dumfries. Emily Ashworth finds out more.

Couple’s farming dream takes them from Lancashire to Scotland

Helen and Tom Marsden

A

passion for farming has taken young couple Helen and Tom Marsden from their Lancashire home to the hills of Dumfries; a move which has allowed them to follow their dream of running their own business.

The pair are on a contract farming agreement, but for years they have taken on various opportunities to build experience.

Helen, 29, is originally from Chorley, Lancashire, and worked on a farm after leaving school near where she grew up. She went on to study for an English degree at the University of Edinburgh and then decided to train as a teacher. farmersguardian.com

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Tom’s grandparents were farmers and, Helen says, farming is all he has ever wanted to do.

The pair met when Helen came home from university for a break.

In 2016, Tom, 34, was farming full-time and Helen was working towards her PGCE, but they were determined to make the relationship work while Helen headed back to Glasgow to teach.

Helen says: “Tom had a farm business tenancy on 100 acres.

“I was living in Glasgow, but moved home after a couple of years and taught in a secondary school in Bolton.

“I moved to the farm in 2018.”

Tom was then offered a man-

We saw a livestock opportunity in Scotland – we were always looking for that next step HELEN MARSDEN ager’s role in Parbold, Lancashire, to run a 486-hectare (1,200-acre) farm. Helen was still teaching fulltime, but in 2020 they had their first child, Isla, and this was the catalyst

for Helen to leave her teaching role.

“In the back of my mind I knew I did not want to be teaching forever, but at the time it gave me financial stability,” she says.

“Isla changed how I wanted to spend my time – I could not do everything: teach, be on the farm, be a mum. After maternity, I went back part-time and eventually left teaching to farm.

“In 2022, we saw a livestock opportunity in Scotland – we were always looking for that next step.”

They are now on a contract farming agreement running 1,500 sheep and a 100-head herd of cattle in Moniaive, Dumfries and Galloway.

Helen and Tom have applied for JANUARY 19 2024 | 19

17/01/2024 12:32

FARM PROFILE DUMFRIES numerous opportunities in the past, but ‘always got to the final stages and missed out’.

Such experiences, however, meant they had built a solid business plan, which helped them beat the other 36 candidates applying for the opportunity in Scotland. As a result, they now farm in their own right at Auchencheyne Farm, which is owned by Harry and Jess Gourlay.

Auchencheyne is an upland farm, so the way they farm has had to change quite significantly too.

Helen says: “We had a flock of nearly 500 sheep, but they are not suitable for up here.

“We had a lot of Texel crosses, but sold the majority and now have just 200 here of our own that we have put into the agreement.

Challenge “This is a 1,600-acre upland farm; we wanted the challenge and we knew we would have things to learn.

“We had always liked the idea of living more rurally and further north. We love it here; it is completely different to what we were doing, but it is a beautiful part of the world.”

The vast majority of the land is hill grazing, running 1,500 ewes: a mix of Cheviots, Scotch Mules and Scottish Blackface which were inherited with the contract.

The couple have a plan though, and have discovered that the Blackface sheep are not for them.

We love it here; it is completely different to what we were doing, but it is a beautiful part of the world HELEN MARSDEN “Historically, they put a Bluefaced Leicester tup to the Blackface to make a Scotch Mule. They run North Country Cheviots here as well. But we have found the Cheviots do better here – the lambs are worth more and the ewes hold their condition better.

“Our long-term plan is to push the Cheviots more and phase out the Blackfaces.

“We are trialling using a Romney tup over our Cheviots to produce Perindales. We have done a lot of research about this; not only do we hope they will be hardy and thrive on our sort of farm while holding good condition, but they are also supposed to have a higher lambing percentage than the pure Cheviots, and using a terminal sire over the Perindales

should produce a good quality carcase for our fat lambs.”

Lambing takes place outdoors in April. Previously, in Lancashire, they had done it 50:50, with a couple of groups lambed inside in January/February and the rest outdoors in spring.

Farmstock Last summer, Helen began working for Farmstock Scotland, a livestock marketing co-op which deals in farm-to-farm sales and puts animals deadweight into a number of abattoirs. The couple’s prime lambs get sold through Farmstock.

They also run 100 cattle – Luings and Luing cross Simmentals – which are sold as stores through Farmstock too.

Although there are some limitations to what they can do environmentally, they are part of the Wader Heath Management scheme and the Wild Bird Seed for Farmland Birds scheme, and also grow forage brassica crops for farmland birds.

Helen says: “We plan to sow red clover in the next 12 months on our silage ground, with the long-term aim of saving feed costs to fatten our lambs, reducing fertiliser costs and improving our silage quality.

“We have looked into hill grazing schemes which require you to graze a certain amount of sheep across a particular area of land at certain times, and it would require us to destock – we cannot do that right now.

“Soil testing is on this year’s agenda, and we are interested in regenerative methods.

“We attended a grazing course last summer run by [Lake District hill farmer] James Rebanks and came away with lots of new ideas.

“We do not quite have the infrastructure yet – it is a low-input system that we run, but we would like it to be more regenerative.”

Helen and Tom are first-generation farmers, so having finally found an opportunity right for them, what is their advice to others?

Farm facts ■ Contract farm business in Dumfries ■ Run 1,500 sheep and 100-head of cattle, most of which are sold through Farmstock ■ Environmental work includes Wader Heath Management scheme, the Wild Bird Seed

for Farmland Birds scheme and growing forage brassica crops for farmland birds ■ Hope to begin soil testing and to introduce new grazing systems ■ Trialling using a Romney tup over Cheviots to produce Perindales

They run 1,500 ewes: a mix of Cheviots, Scotch Mules and Scottish Blackface which were inherited with the contract.

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farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 12:32

DUMFRIES FARM PROFILE Most importantly, says Helen, do not give up.

Being so far away from family is also difficult for the couple, but the chance to take ownership of something is key for them and their family.

“If we had taken every rejection we would not have gotten anywhere. Because we did not have farming parents, we leaned on those in the farming community and sought advice from those who had done this before; they helped with our application.

The system on Auchencheyne Farm is low input, but the couple are aiming for it be more regenerative.

Support “People were so supportive and happy to help.

“On-farm, the current challenge is keeping costs down and making a profit.

“We want to keep costs as low as possible, but when taking on a new farm there is work to do.

“But we feel like we are doing this for ourselves and like we are farming in our own right, on a bigger scale, instead of working for someone else, and it makes it more worthwhile.

“The fact we can do this as a family means the world too.

“There is a really nice farming community up here, and working for Farmstock has helped as I have got to know a lot of them.

“We have been welcomed and people have invited us into the farming community,” says Helen.

The cattle on-farm are Luings and Luing cross Simmentals, which are sold as stores through Farmstock.

farmersguardian.com

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JANUARY 19 2024 | 21

16/01/2024 18:15

ARABLE

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

Mancozeb approval may be withdrawn after HSE review rFungicide no longer

satisfies criteria

By Jane Thynne

FUNGICIDE mancozeb could be removed from use following a proposal by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to withdraw approval for the product across Great Britain.

According to the HSE, a review of the approval of mancozeb was carried out under Article 21 of retained regulation (EC) 1107/2009 and the substance, one of the leading products in the fight against potato blight, was found to no longer satisfy approval criteria.

Crucial The HSE says it had considered the evidence for continuing approval of mancozeb, including supporting data submitted by UPL Europe and Indofil Industries (Netherlands), part of the EU Mancozeb Task Force.

However, the assessment concluded mancozeb does not meet the approval criteria, and HSE therefore proposes to withdraw mancozeb from Great Britain.

The body has yet to confirm withdrawal dates, but it is believed approval, due to expire on January 31,

The shrinking availability of existing PPPs, and the reluctance to invest in new products, has been a key concern ANDREW CONNON could be extended by three months.

UPL Europe and Indofil Industries said they will advise customers as soon as the information is available.

NFU senior regulatory affairs adviser Dr Chris Hartfield says: “The loss of any plant protection product is a worry, but when it is a product such as mancozeb — one that is key to disease control in particular crops and critical to the management of pesticide resistance — it is even more concerning.

“We are currently assessing the situation to determine the scale of the impact on our members.

“It is absolutely vital that our farmers and growers have the crop

Mancozeb’s multi-site activity is important to manage resistance in the control of potato blight, according to UPL Europe and Indofil Industries.

protection tools they need to remain competitive and to continue producing great food.”

A spokesperson for UPL Europe and Indofil Industries said the companies fully appreciated the importance of mancozeb for the control of potato blight, in particular its multi-site activity for resistance management.

They said they will work closely

Eco-friendly fungicide alternative developed by UK researchers A MATERIAL that could replace current fungicides, increase food security, and help protect wildlife has been discovered by a team of UK-based scientists.

The news comes following a successful field trial conducted by researchers at the University of Nottingham of a material developed specifically to help to protect crops from fungi.

Sprayed directly onto wheat at fungicide timings, the trial has provided the first example of how the material interacts with crops.

The small plot trial compared the two polymer candidates to a 22 | JANUARY 19 2024

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multi-site fungicide and two commercial fungicide programmes.

For the field trial, the university partnered with ADAS, the independent provider of agricultural and environmental consultancy.

Promising Chloe Morgan, senior research scientist at ADAS, says: “The results of the field trial were very promising, showing polymers have a level of efficacy against septoria.

“With further optimisation they could play a vital role in future disease control strategies, either by

replacing or being applied in mixture with conventional fungicides. Novel polymers could also reduce the risk of fungicide resistance development, extending the life of existing products.”

Valentina Cuzzucoli Crucitti, research fellow in the Faculty of Engineering, says: “Our findings showed the material not only significantly reduced septoria by up to 26 per cent but also that the crop grew just as well as the control group – providing an alternative that appears safer for the environment, wildlife, and people, and is effective too.”

with global and UK stakeholders and the UK authorities to evaluate what options are available to maintain the availability of mancozeb products in the UK. NFU Scotland vice-president Andrew Connon, who sits on the Union’s Potatoes Working Group, says: “Mancozeb has been a trusted chemical for many years especially in tackling blight in potatoes and controlling septoria in wheat.

“It is an old product, but its multi-site action has been very beneficial in disease control.

Disappointed “While recognising that the product has already been removed from markets in Europe, Scottish growers will be disappointed to see another effective plant protection product [PPP] disappearing from the toolbox.

“The shrinking availability of existing PPPs, and the reluctance of manufacturers to invest in and test new control products, has been a key concern for growers for several years now.”

The fungicide has been on borrowed time after being investigated by the Chemicals Regulation Division in 2023.

The chemical was banned for use in the EU in February 2021 over public health concerns. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 12:36

UP TO £3,800 FOR EVERY 10 HECTARES That’s how much you could receive for managing your soils through a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement.

Find out how SFI can work for you.

Visit gov.uk/future-farming.

*Conditions apply, subject to eligibility, England only.

DEFRA_FarmingGrants_Ad_213x300_AW_2_Dec23_FINAL.indd 1 p23 Jan19 FP.indd 2

21/12/2023 17:32 11/01/2024 09:39

ARABLE With consistent amounts of heavy rainfall plaguing autumn drilled cereals, we speak to three ProCam agronomists to understand the developments through the different regions. Ash Ellwood reports.

Early nutrition essential for winter cereal success SOUTH OF ENGLAND ACROSS the South, regional technical manager at ProCam, Paul Gruber, says there are some well-established crops where grass-weed management has been good and residual chemistry has worked well.

He says: “We have got good crops out there with few grass-weed issues, but during the bad weather, lots of crops got muddled during less than ideal conditions, which generally means spray operators cannot keep up with pre-emergence herbicides.”

Mr Gruber describes the worst-case scenario as poorly established crops without herbicide applications, which may create difficult decisions in terms of continuation in the coming weeks.

If growers are experiencing sub-optimal establishment with added black-grass pressures, Mr Gruber says growers may be thinking of writing crops off, but

it is important to take each field on an individual basis.

“See what size the black-grass is and, if it is still small, residual chemistry can be applied on black-grass smaller than two or three leaves,” he adds.

Plant populations can compensate for low numbers, assuming growers can access the land and apply early nutrition.

Nutrition “Early applications of nitrogen will be more important this year due to the unusually wet weather leaching nutrition out of the system and growers must factor in lower residual nitrogen in the ground,” says Mr Gruber.

He explains that when assessing establishment rates, hybrid barley can get away with low plant populations such as 100 plants/sq.m, whereas wheat can comfortably compensate from as low as 80 plants/sq.m.

EAST AND SOUTH OF ENGLAND DISCUSSING the east and south of England, ProCam head of crop production, Mike Thornton, says repeated amounts of heavy rain has hammered some crops in his area.

He says: “We have not had any significant dry days together this season, which has caused huge issues for our crops.”

However, Mr Thornton says that winter barley tends to be good at competing with grass-weeds in the field, if growers can get on early with nitrogen.

“I do not think all is lost, particularly with hybrid barley varieties, it is amazing how it can tiller and get away with low initial plant numbers,” he says.

On crops that were drilled early 24 | JANUARY 19 2024

p24 Jan 19 OM MB AE.indd 2

during the autumn, many have established well, however, due to the extremely wet, yet mild winter so far, septoria is seen in many crops alongside an increased BYDV transmission, particularly affecting Sussex and Kent, says Mr Thornton.

Concern “Some crops have had no aphicide, which is a concern, others have had two and in some cases three applications, which for some growers is unprecedented.

“If it stays mild and if this is an effect of climate change, I expect this is going to be something we are seeing more of in the future unless we can realistically drill later,” he adds.

Plant populations can compensate for low numbers, assuming growers can access the land and apply early nutrition, says Paul Gruber.

NORTH EAST AND EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL agronomist for ProCam, Nigel Scott, has seen a vast difference in establishment stretching from the River Tyne to the East Midlands, He says: “Many farmers might be tempted with a knee-jerk reaction, but it is time for calm and patience to work together and get the best out of the crops.”

However, he explains that ‘looks can be deceiving’ and warns growers that even if the above ground plants look well tillered, when digging up the plant to reveal the root system, he is seeing compromised structures.

“In this early situation when trying to increase biomass,

I would be looking to apply root stimulants or phosphite at T0 timing or even earlier where possible,” says Mr Scott Throughout the North East, he says that, so far, the biggest challenge for crops is septoria and urges growers to keep a close eye to be able to react accordingly.

To make sure the plants receive enough nutrition and to take into account additional losses experienced this winter, Mr Scott advises an in-depth soil analysis followed by tissue analysis to understand what has been lost and what is currently available to the plant.

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 10:27

J008780_iblon-ad_Together_Farmers Guardian_213x300_AW2.pdf

1

12/12/2023

09:36

UNRIVALLED BROAD-SPECTRUM WHEAT DISEASE CONTROL. TOGETHER WE’RE ON IT.

cropscience.bayer.co.uk/iblon Based on 3 years of observations and independent assessments of Bayer and external field trials alongside interpretation of AHDB fungicide performance data for both solo active and product performance against Septoria, Yellow Rust, Brown Rust, Mildew, Eyespot and Fusarium at typically applied field rates as indicated by manufacturer recommendations and Kynetec data. 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 2024.

p25 Jan19 FP.indd 2

11/01/2024 09:42

ARABLE Farmers are being urged to report CIPC residue levels to the CRMG.

Much of the UK potato storage facilities could be rendered unusable if a new, ultra-tight CIPC residue level is triggered. Jonathan Wheeler reports.

Urgent need for CIPC info

F

armer action is the key to preventing UK potato storage facility losses, according to Adrian Cunnington, previous head of AHDB’s Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research Centre and current chair of the CIPC Residues Monitoring Group (CRMG).

To avoid that fate, he urges farmers to report their residue levels to the CRMG so they can be forwarded anonymously to the Chemical Regulation Division of the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr Cunnington says: “We need to submit residue data for CIPC, with the temporary maximum level of 0.35mg/kg storage capacity coming into force from April 2024.

“That level could be cut to 0.01mg/kg if that data is not provided. If that happens, we would be unable to keep using many stores in which CIPC has previously been used. That would throw the whole industry into chaos.”

26 | JANUARY 19 2024

p26 27 Jan 19 OM AE MB.indd 2

While he says the industry has adjusted swiftly since CIPC was banned, the same persistence that made it so effective could end up causing problems.

“CIPC had been used in potato stores for many years and had got into the fabric.

“It is acknowledged that there is a contamination risk that may take years to decline,” he says.

Ban While the ban on the chemical’s use came into force in 2020, store operators had stopped using it a year before that.

However, CIPC is still the main in-store sprouting suppressant used in other major countries such as the United States and India.

“Our farmers have been without it for five years, but the Government has now decided it needs to police it, in the way that the EU has been since the ban came into force,” says Mr Cunnington.

CIPC had been used in potato stores for many years and had got into the fabric.

That contamination risk may take years to decline ADRIAN CUNNINGTON He anticipates that farmers will be able to prove that residual levels are lower than the new 0.35mg/kg temporary maximum residue level, but warns this will be progressively cut in the future.

In its place, the industry has adopted a range of other products that — while all being effective —

are all more expensive than CIPC was.

Of these five, maleic hydrazide is the most popular. The product works by preventing cell division, but not tuber enlargement.

“This is sprayed on growing crops and absorbed via the leaves to the tubers.

“About 70 per cent of all crops are now treated this way and it suppresses sprouting while having no adverse effects on the tuber itself. It has been used in the UK since the 1980s,” he adds.

An additional benefit of the product is that it prevents treated tubers that are left unharvested from sprouting, so reducing the volunteer threat to following crops.

Ethylene is a plant hormone that prevents sprouting through extension of the dormancy phase.

It is much used in fresh markets, but is not suitable for all situations because it can lead to darker fry colours in finished products. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 12:44

ARABLE WHERE TO CUT COSTS REDUCING storage costs is also an urgent need, according to Adrian Cunnington.

He points out that some farmers are facing a four-fold increase in electricity prices.

Rising material costs also meant that the price of building new stores had risen in the past five years from around £250/tonne capacity to £400/t.

Temperatures Two ‘quick wins’ to cut costs for farmers include cutting fan speeds and raising storage temperatures.

He says: “Inverters offer significant savings.

“A fan running at 80 per cent capacity uses only half the electricity of one running at 100 per cent.

We encouraged everyone to clean stores using the industry-agreed best practice and then test for residues GARY COLLINS Some specialist markets opt to use ethylene because they can manage any quality impact in their factory process.

In its second season on the market, dimethylnaphthalene (DMN), is the product of choice for many processors.

Orange and mint oil are both common choices, particularly among those store operators who unload frequently.

While they are effective, he says all the alternative treatments are more expensive than CIPC was.

He says: “CIPC might cost £1.20/ tonne per application and require two or three applications over a typical storage period — a bill of £2.40-£3.60/t.”

Persistent All the other treatments might cost closer to £5/t, with those applied in-store requiring more applications because they are less persistent than CIPC. The change has had a major impact on the industry and comfarmersguardian.com

p26 27 Jan 19 OM AE MB.indd 3

“That is a disproportionate saving, but you should not be tempted to run the fans at too low a speed.”

Storage temperatures could be raised to 4degC if a sprouting suppressant is used as well.

He says: “You can go to slightly warmer temperatures providing you get the other factors right.

“The exception is moisture, which must be controlled to avoid the risk of conditions such as silver scurf.

“Electricity remains the most important variable cost and, unfortunately, lots of farmers and store operators still do not know their true storage costs.

“They should bear in mind that leaky stores can raise energy costs by up to 50 per cent,” he says.

panies have responded in different ways.

Gary Collins, of PepsiCo, says the starting point for effective sprouting suppression is an effective application of maleic hydrazide, followed by an integrated approach using both essential oils and DMN. Usage depends on the store and crop conditions, the length of time the crop will be in store, and the variety — more vigorous sprouting ones need careful management.

He says: “The industry did a great job in cleaning stores in advance of an unknown maximum residue limit back in 2020.

“We encouraged everyone to clean stores using the industry-agreed best practice and then test for residues. During that process, the highest level found was 0.05mg/kg, which was encouragingly well below the European temporary MRL.

A fan running at 80 per cent capacity uses only half the electricity of one running at 100 per cent.

the Potato Processors Association we are supporting the industry-led work to collect data to support this.”

Jeff Beever, agronomist at McCain Foods, says the company began commercial trials of Restrain ethylene in 2016 and adopted it across all stores by 2019.

He says: “It has proved the most cost-effective treatment available, though we recognise that it is not suitable for all sectors and we do not rule out using alternatives, either in our own or growers’ stores.

“The loss of CIPC increased the focus on store management, which was not a bad thing and, while ethylene does cost more than CIPC

did, it is still less expensive than other alternatives,” he says.

The company advocated for a temporary MRL through the PPA in line with those operating in Europe.

He adds: “Given the intensive cleaning program that most stores had after the loss of CIPC and the results of residue testing I am confident the industry can work to the temporary MRL. “But if that were reduced to a limit of determination that would be more of a challenge.”

MORE ON CIPC For more information or to submit CIPC-level data, email adrian@potatostorageinsight.com

Declining “Many stores showed no detectable CIPC residues and, where they are present, they are declining year on year.”

Richard Baine, storage manager at Lamb Weston, says maleic hydrazide is the primary treatment, supported by other in-store applied products if needed.

These include DMN, orange oil, and spearmint oil, with the company paying particular attention to the timings of applications and ensuring crops are moisture-free before application.

He concurs with Mr Cunnington’s thoughts on the importance of reporting residual CIPC levels.

He says: “It is important that the residual levels of CIPC are monitored in the UK and as members of

Alternative options of sprout suppression includes maleic hydrazide, ethylene, dimethylnaphthalene and orange and mint oils.

JANUARY 19 2024 | 27

17/01/2024 12:45

SALES

Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com

Lanark Ladies top at 5,800gns rPre-sale show

Sale leader, from Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk, which sold for 5,800gns to A.M. Howie, Exeter.

THE first Lanark Ladies show and sale of pedigree in-lamb gimmers and empty ewe hoggs at Lanark topped at 5,800gns for Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk.

This was for a 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression daughter out of a Deveronvale dam by Mullan Armani. It sold, carrying twins to 130,000gns Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi, to A.M. Howie, Exeter.

Next, at 2,500gns, was the presale show champion from J. and H. Clark’s Garngour flock, Lesmahagow. This daughter of Ettrick Earthquake out of a Procters Chumba Wumba-sired dam, in-

PICTURE: MACGREGOR PHOTOGRAPHY

champion to 2,500gns

lamb with a single to 20,000gns Sportsmans Grand Slam, sold to the judge, Jack Austin, Dumfries.

Graham Morrison, Banff, then paid 2,000gns for a gimmer by

Rhaeadr Entrepreneur, in-lamb to Strathbogie Gladiator from Jack Arnott’s Haymount flock, Kelso.

Another gimmer in-lamb to Sportsmans Grand Slam, but this

Trilogy production sale realises high of 4,000gns for Badger Face Texel THE second part of the Trilogy production sale of the Cleenagh flock at Ballymena on behalf of the Richardson family, Lisnaska, saw a top price of 4,000gns.

The sale topper was Badger Face Texel gimmer Cleenagh Dribbler, out of Cleenagh Big Bird and a daughter of the imported Cleenagh Makavelli. It was knocked down to Messrs Jessop, Leicestershire.

Next, at 3,800gns, was a threeyear-old Blue Texel ewe, Cleenagh Ewe Darling which has bred £14,000worth of progeny. The daughter of Whatmore Chizel carrying twins to Johnstown Hercules sold to Messrs

Jones, Llangadog. A single embryo from the ewe by Johnstown Hurcules sold to Messrs Hogan, Bennekerry, Co Carlow, for 1,600gns.

Ewe lamb Rhys Cooke, Monmouthshire, paid 3,500gns for a Badger Face Texel ewe lamb, Cleenagh Eye Catcher, another daughter of Cleenagh Makavelli.

Messrs Walsh, Co Donegal, went to 3,000gns for Badger Face Texel gimmer Cleenagh Diva, by Cleenagh Bodybuilder.

Top price Dutch Spotted at 2,300gns wa Kilroot Dawn, a four-

year-old ewe bred by W.E. Adamson, Co Antrim, which sold to Messrs Girvan, Orkney.

A Dutch Spotted gimmer out of Dawn, Cleenagh Flipping Fantastic, sold for 2,200gns to Messrs Workman, Co Monaghan.

Also selling for 2,200gns was three-year-old Dutch Spotted ewe Sunnybank Emotionless, bred

by H. Jewitt, which went to Messrs Irvine, Co Antrim.

AVERAGES 71 females, £1,537.28.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

time by Cambwell Duke II from the Garngour flock made 1,600gns to Mark Collins, York.

Blue Texels topped at 450gns for an in-lamb gimmer from Andrew Struthers and Moray Young’s Glenhill flock, New Cumnock. Carrying twins by Cairnrock Gyspy King and

by Matt’s Ee By Gum, it went to Charlottee Nicolson, Duns.

AVERAGES 44 Texel gimmers, £803.97; 6 Texel ewe hoggs, £985.25; 1 un-registered Texel gimmer, £262.50; 3 Blue Texel gimmers, £437.50; 1 Blue Texel ewe hogg, £420.

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.

Champion leads Leyburn stores THERE was a strong trade for store cattle at Leyburn’s New Year show and sale where Keith Metcalf, Piercebridge, awarded the championship to a pure home-bred 22-month-old Limousin heifer from David Amsden, of A. and J.A. Iveson, Hawes. It went on to sell for the top price of £1,890 to Robert Atkinson, of R. and J. Catering, Kirkby Malzeard.

Reserve champion went to Rob and Jack Fawcett, Woodhall, with a British Blue heifer which sold for £1,670 to Stephen Chapman, Bedale.

Feeding bulls Steven Hills, Bardsey, judged the feeding bulls, awarding the first prize rosette to a pedigree Limousin, also from Mr Amsden, which made £1,820 to Neil Challis and his daughter Heather, Nidderdale.

Auctioneers: Leyburn Auction Mart.

Strong cattle trade recorded at J36 Darlington vendors see averages up THE New Year show and sale of store cattle at J36 topped at £2,020 for a Limousin heifer from M.A. and J.A .

Winn, Burneside, who took the championship with a British Blue heifer which sold for £1,900. Other British Blue heifers sold to £1,820 for S.J. and A. Hargreaves, Middleton.

The bullock trade saw British Blues sell twice to £1,800 for R.T. Gorst, Killington, and the reserve champion from Messrs Winn, with Limousins selling to £1,780 from R.G. and L. Holmes, Warton.

Stronger, well-meated cattle, regularly sold at £1,650 to £1,700. A run of 14-month-old British Blonde heifers 28 | JANUARY 19 2024

p28 Jan 19 MB AC.indd 2

from P.J. and E.S. Rogerson, Great Asby, sold to £1,680, with Limousins selling to £1,680 at the same age from Messrs Hodgson, Rydal.

Yearling bullocks topped at £1,560 for a pair of Limousins from D. and A. Nicholson, Ulverston, with yearling heifers to £1,520 for M. and L. Preece, Kirkby Lonsdale.

A run of eight- to 10-month-old Limousin bulls from M. Allen, Yealand Conyers, peaked at £1,140.

AVERAGES 220 bullocks, £1,250; 165 heifers, £1,220; 15 bulls, £920.

Auctioneers: North West Auctions.

AT Darlington’s New Year sale of store cattle young bulls averaged £1,116, steers £1,197 and heifers £1,152, with some vendors seeing a £150-£180 rise on the same sale last year.

Young bulls topped at £1,850 for a Limousin from D. Dixon, Rowley.

Steers topped at £2,300 for a 28-month-old British Blue from M. Robinson and Sons, Staindrop. Top native breed steer was a 26-month-old Aberdeen-Angus from G.L. and M. Steel, Consett, at £1,600.

The leading 2023-born steers were the first prize winner from K.O. Stones, Marrick, at £1,500 and the second prize winner, a British Blue

cross from Jack Sewell, of BJS Farms, Hamsterley, which sold at £1,510.

Heifers Messrs Robinson also topped the heifer trade with 22-month-old Limousin at £1,920. Top of the yearling heifers at £1,470 was from F. Ward, Frosterley.

A run of cows and calves from D. and J. Gawthorpe, Denby Dale, topped at £3,050 for an eight-yearold Limousin cow with a strong calf at foot. Others from the same run sold between £2,000 and £3,000.

Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart. farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 11:38

SALES

TOP STOCK Browse, sell, buy at FGBuyandSell.com

rSecond top price

of 8,000gns

THE second prize winning ewe hogg and pre-sale show reserve champion topped the Classy Lassies sale of crossing type Bluefaced Leicesters at Carlisle at 14,500gns, setting a new female record for the breed.

This was a daughter of M22 Hewgill out of a home-bred dam

from Messrs Lord’s Hewgill flock, North Stainmore. It sold to Messrs Hallam, Settle, for the High Birkwith flock.

Next, at 8,000gns, was the winning hogg and overall champion, a Midlock Commander daughter from Jack Buckle’s Buckles flock, Kirkby Stephen, which was knocked down to Graham Jackson, High Bentham.

Making 4,000gns was a ewe

Winning hogg and overall champion from Jack Buckle, Kirkby Stephen, which sold for 8,000gns.

PICTURES: WAYNE HUTCHINSON

Bluefaced Leicester female record of 14,500gns set at Carlisle

Second prize winning ewe hogg and pre-sale show reserve champion from Messrs Lord, North Stainmore, which sold for 14,500gns.

hogg by R2 Hewgill out of a homebred ewe from A. Brown’s Macqueston flock, Thornhill, which sold to Messrs Sinclair, Heriot.

Messrs Fallows and Sons, Lanark, then paid 3,200gns for a gimmer by N001 Farden, which was in-lamb with twins to S1

Mistyburn, from Finlay Robertson’s Beeches flock, West Calder.

AVERAGES 5 aged ewes, £1,186.50; 38 shearling gimmers, £1,155; 35 ewe hoggs, £1,683.90; 1 recipient, £2,940.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Exeter dairy sale peaks at £3,000 twice THE first dairy sale of the year at Exeter saw fresh milk in strong demand, with a top price of £3,000 seen twice for cows from John and Phil Bird, Axminster, who averaged £2,314 for seven animals.

First to make £3,000 was Barton-

wood Royal Nellie 104, a second calver by Blondin J Crown Royal, with other Bartonwood second calvers reaching £2,500, £2,150 and £1,950.

Second to reach the top price was the heifer Bartonwood System

High of £3,000 for Hexham store cattle THE store cattle show and sale at Hexham topped at £3,000 for the champion, a Limousin cross heifer from John Guiry, Alnwick, with heifers averaging £1,333.

Bullocks peaked at £2,000 for a home-bred Limousin cross from Alan Ogle, Comb Hill, with steers averaging £1,452.

Ken Sisterson, Newlands Haugh, sold Charolais steers to £1,960, with £1,900 for an AberdeenAngus, and averaged £1,878 for six bullocks.

The Moralee family, Hard Riding, topped at £1,860 for a British Blue heifer and £1,840 for a Limousin, levelling at £1,790 for five heifers.

Robert and John English, Brownsleazes, sold two British farmersguardian.com

p29 Jan19 AC MB.indd 2

Blonde cross heifers, both at £1,880, and their third prize bullock at £1,710.

Steven Graham, Gilsland, sold seven Limousin bullocks peaking at £1,840 and three heifers to £1,700, averaging £1,714 for 10 sales.

Young cattle Younger cattle were also in demand, with David Teasdale, Grindon Hill, selling 14-month-old steers to £1,750 twice and heifers to £1,570.

The weanling portion of the sale averaged £1,270 for bullocks and £1,175 for heifers, all of which were 10 months old or younger.

Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts.

Nellie by Mirabell Sound System.

A Wilsey-bred heifer from Les and Heather French, Launceston, sold for £1,820, while Gorwyn Pitts, Crediton, sold heifers to £1,780.

Cross-bred Fleckvieh heifers sold to £1,650 for Martin, Kim and Ed Harvey, Totnes, and a run of New Zealand-bred Friesians from A.R. Hooper, Spreyton, sold to £1,900 for a third calver, with a fifth calver at £1,780.

Ayrshire cows topped at £1,650 for a fifth calver from Simon Bray, Barnstaple, while a Dairy

Shorthorn sixth calver reached £1,420 for Tom and Helwen Garland, Budleigh Salterton.

A consignment of British Friesian cows topped at £1,700 for Tom and Sam Blaber, Newton Abbot.

In-calf heifers peaked at £1,320 from David and Sherrie Tuner, Torrington, and a consignment of dry organic Jersey cows from Cholmondeley Farms, Norfolk, sold to £1,020.

Weaned heifer calves from F.A.W Baker, Somerset, sold to £330 four times.

Auctioneers: Kivells.

Lakeview Texels sell to £2,200 THE Lakeview online Texel sale on behalf of Gary Beacom, Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland, topped at £2,200 for a recipient carrying embryos from Hexel Fan Club and a home-bred ewe.

The buyer was Messrs Cubitt, Ballymena, who also paid the next top price of £1,900 for another recipient carrying embryos from the same flush.

Making £1,700 was a recipient carrying embryos from Okehall

Golden Balls, and a Plasucha-bred dam which sold to Messrs Wilkinson, Cookstown.

At the same money was a recipient carrying a Hexel Fan Club/Garngour-bred dam embryo, which went to Messrs Glendinning, Tobermore.

AVERAGES 71 lots, £989.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

JANUARY 19 2024 | 29

17/01/2024 12:49

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FGBuyandSell.com 32-39 Auctions

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

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Bakewell Market Results - Monday 15th January 675 Cattle & 1,614 Sheep - Full report available on our website

49 Dairies to £2420 Cull Cows 170p/kg - £1460.80, Pigs 208p/kg - £172.64, Calves BB Bull to £400, Lambs 314p/kg - £138.57, Ewes £168

Short Notice Dairy Sale Leek Smithfield • Barnfields • Leek • Staffordshire • ST13 5PY • www.leekmarket.co.uk On behalf of G A Waller, Mount Farm, Bollington, Macclesfield, Cheshire

120 HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS Genuine Herd Dispersal Sale of 120 Holstein Friesian Milkers, entirely homebred.

All by Genus sires. Cubicles & Herringbone. Johnes monitored and vaccinated for Lepto & IBR. Superb milk quality: Bulk Sample 4.45%F 3.28%P cc117 averaging approx. 7500kg average with a capacity to improve. A really nice herd of cows that have been managed well and will almost certainly go and do good.

THIS TUESDAY 23RD JANAURY 2024 11AM For Further Details & Catalogues Contact (01889) 562811 Ref: MEE

Store Cattle Sales

Store Cattle Entries for Monday 22nd January Please call the Bakewell Office on 19th January before 12 Noon 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 Or Ivor Lowe: ivor.lowe@bagshaws.com or 07977 449126

Saturday 3rd February - Over 500 lots Rural & Domestic Bygones Moved to Bakewell Agricultural Business Centre Sale to commence at 10am Catalogues available from the Bakewell Office or www.auctionmarts.com Online & Live Bidding For any further Information call Peter Oven at the Bakewell Office

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Tel: 01629 812777

350 STORE CATTLE SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE THIS SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024 10AM SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE 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

CLITHEROE AUCTION MART www.auctionmart.co.uk • T:01200 423325 Jeremy: 07815 727993 • George: 07412 165873 WEEKLY Tuesday 23rd January 12.30pm PRIMESTOCK SALE Prime Hoggs & Cull Ewes FORTNIGHTLY Thurs 25th January 12.30pm STORE CATTLE SALE Sale of young Bulls, Store Heifers + CALVES/ STIRKS & Steers. Rearing calves 12 noon ONLINE Thurs 25th - Sat 27th January MACHINERY SALE Viewing of lots Thurs 25th Fri 26th 9-4 and Sat 9-12 SHOW & SALE Saturday 10th February OF RARE & Classes for Derbyshire Gritstone, TRADITIONAL Lonk, Whitefaced Woodland, INLAMB EWES Cheviot & Any other Breed.

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01278 410250 | livestock@gth.net, 01278 410250 | livestock@gth.net, NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF

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Saturday 27th January 2024 at 12noon approx.

As part of the Weekly Dairy Market The Dispersal Sale of the milking portion of the “Buston” Herd being

88 AUTUMN CALVING FRIESIAN HOLSTEINS Comp: 88 Dairy Cows & Heifers Inmilk &/or Incalf

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✰ NMR HERD AV: 7,721KGS. 4.14%BF 3.36%P SCC=116

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For R & R Gardiner (Removed from Buston Farm, Banbury, Oxon for convenience of sale)

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Muck & Slurry Feature inside!

...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY

also cast/feeding cows & OTM Cattle

120 Breeding & Store Cattle inc: 11 Lim Hfrs 10/12mth GE Lindley & Son 8 BBX AAX Str/Hfr, 18mth J&L Cooling 12 AAx/Herx Hfr/Str, 18 mth, Cook & Watson 4 Bld Str/Hfr & 2 Bulls, 15-18mth R & L Green 4 Lim Bulls 9mth, AS Green 3 Lim Bulls 10mth, D Whitworth Store & Breeding Sheep inc 26 Mule In Lamb Ewes, Due 25 Feb, J Wainwright Store & Breeding Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.45am

Monday 5th February

WEDNESDAY 24TH JANUARY

Entries close 10am Monday 22nd January

400 Prime Cattle 455 Prime Sheep 185 Prime Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am

Prize show and sale of

Contact ContactOffice Officefor forDetails Details MARTOFFICE: OFFICE:01757 01757 703347 703347 MART RICHARD HAIGH 07768 07768 594535 RICHARD HAIGH: 594535

BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE

KIRKBY STEPHEN MART

Tel: 01228 406200

Tel: 01768 371385

BEEF BREEDING CATTLE

STORE CATTLE

Wednesday 24th January -12.00noon Sale to include 29 Lim/BB/AA x in calf heifers And 3 Charolais/Limousin cows & calves Show and sale of

PEDIGREE GALLOWAY and WHITEBRED SHORTHORN CATTLE Friday 1st March Entries close Friday 26th January

ONLINE SALE Genetic Selection sale of

SEMEN & EMBRYOS of BEEF CATTLE & SHEEP Bidding starts 10am Wednesday 24th January finishing from 10am Thursday 25th January Comprising: Beef - 393 lots semen and 47 lots embryos Sheep – 279 lots semen and 23 lots embryos

SALE OF MACHINERY, IMPLEMENTS & HEAVY PLANT items Sale bidding starts 10.30am Wednesday 7th February until 10.30am Thursday 8th February online entry form available on website – Entries close Wednesday 31st January or contact David Holliday 07710 189804, or Iain Dick 07713 599791

including

“KIRKBY CLASSIC” special prize show and sale potential of SHOW CATTLE

CROWNED SINGLE INLAMB SWALEDALE EWES Thursday 8th February

www.selbymart.co.uk www.selbymart.co.uk

Also gimmer hoggs and flock books on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association.

Also other breeds of inlamb ewes and geld gimmer hoggs entries invited until sale day

HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP

Entries 10am Monday 22nd January

Saturday 20th January 49 Ind Registered Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on behalf of the BFL Sheep Breeders Assoc, followed by 28 Ind Registered Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on behalf of the SSBA Assoc.

Judging 10:30am, Sale 12noon Sponsored by RW Brown Agric & Motor Engineer, Eden Farm Supplies & Denton Cars, Skipton. Sale of Flock Books to follow.

PLEASE SCAN TO VIEW OUR ONLINE CATALOGUES

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

The Livestock Auctioneers Association Welfare friendly competitive competition

Tuesday 23rd January 1500 Prime Hoggs at 10am 300 Cast Ewes & Rams 2 Auction Mart shares at 11am Telephone: 01969 667207, 015396 20895, 07974 126397, 07711 469280.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET AT www.laa.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com

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FGBuyandSell.com Auctions

VIEW FROM THE ROSTRUM

Busy start to the trade year and leaner grass-fed types moving off into feeding lots for further feeding.

Store hoggs have set away flying despite the wet weather.

A full ringside of eager buyers look to have strong confidence in the sheep trade, lifting the store trade by £8-£10/head as we start the 2024 hogg season.

In-lamb sheep sales are due to start in the next couple of weeks.

Policies

Wednesday 7th February 2024

10 Years 2014 - 2024

Wednesday 24th January 8am Cast Ewes and Rams followed at 10am with Prime Hoggs (Ballot 10am) Monday 29th January Sale of Store Cattle and Feeding Bulls of all classes Entries close noon Monday 22nd January Wednesday 31st January Sale of Store Hoggs of all classes entries close Wednesday 24th January Friday 2nd February Sale of Dairy Cattle of all classes including a Special Section for Dairy Shorthorns Entries close noon Monday 22nd January Friday 9th February Onsite Collective Sale of Tractors, Machinery, Plant, Livestock Equipment and Small Tools

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

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IS

POI

ENT EV

NT

Penrith Auction Mart 01768 864700

IL A B L E AT TH

POI

For latest news, information and list of exhibitors please visit our website: www.yams.uk.com

VA

ENT

OPEN FROM 8.30AM TO 4.30PM • AROUND 250 TRADE STANDS

SA

EV

NT

At the York Auction Centre

Daniel Lynn is an auctioneer at C&D Auction Marts.

Call 07584 200 489, or email daniel@cdauctionmarts.co.uk

IS

average £70 with a lot of lean ewes forward due to the wet weather conditions.

The prime sheep trade looks set to hold its own over the next few weeks, with fed sheep being highly contended for, to meet wholesalers’ growing demands

IL A B L E AT TH

Daniel Lynn

A large assortment of in-lamb sheep are hitting the market, with changes in farm policies and the gruelling winter conditions we have faced, forcing flock numbers to reduce.

Breeding sheep look harder to place than in previous years.

The first sale at Longtown is January 23, with a show of 1,600 in-lamb females expected.

Last week we had Longtown ladies’ sale of pedigree Texels and other females.

VA

J

anuary prime hogg trade has started with a firm 30p/kg uplift on the year, averaging around 280p/kg for the last two weeks with between 5,000-6,000 sold a week here at Longtown Auction.

The best bred and well-fed hoggs are proving very much in high demand throughout the country, returning the best rates in the live ring.

Light hoggs have been keenly sought-after with the 32-36kg hoggs ticking the box for a lot of buyers.

Cast ewe numbers are up once again on the year, with the best ewes consistently ranging from £250-£300.

Shows are anywhere from 4,500-7,000 ewes on a Thursday.

Heavy ewes average £120 right through and the light ewes

A fantastic crowd of bidders were at the ringside as well as online via MartEye. Texel in-lamb gimmers topped at £4,000gns, Texel ewe lambs topped at £3,200gns and Dutch Spotted in-lamb gimmers topped at £1,300gns.

Store cattle expectations are high, with prices holding their own with the number of suckler cows slowly dropping out of the system and sexed semen becoming more popular in the dairy sector.

This leads to reduced store cattle numbers sold nationally, meaning all types of store cattle are strongly contended for.

Suckled calf sales are fast approaching here at Longtown, with our first main sale on Tuesday, February 13, with a show of 500 forward.

SA

Daniel Lynn looks at current trade trends

A New Route to Market

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 13:50:06

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 22nd January 10.30am PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP Followed by STORE HOGGS -------------------------------

Friday 26th January 10.15am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11am DAIRY CATTLE 11.15am 400 STORE CATTLE & FARMER STIRKS

J36 RURAL AUCTION CENTRE Tel: 015395 66200

Tuesday 23rd January 10.30am ALL CLASSES OF PIGS 1pm 2000 PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP -------------------------------

Thursday 25th January 10am REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.30am 100 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11.15am 300 STIRKS, STORE & BEEF BREEDING CATTLE -------------------------------

Brockholes Arms Auction Mart

Claughton On Brock, Preston PR3 0PH

01995 640280 www.garstangmart.co.uk Auctioneer: Ian Atkinson 07944 237516 Tuesday 23rd January, 2024 9.00 a.m. 750 Prime Hoggs & 180 Cast Ewes/Tups 10.30 a.m. Sale of 80 Store Cattle 11.30 a.m. 60/80 Rearing Calves, Weanlings & Stirks Wednesday 24th January, 2024 10.30 a.m. OTM Cattle Sale PLEASE NOTE NO TB EXEMPT CATTLE

12noon Show & Sale of 60 Dairy Cattle

To inc. on-going Dispersal of 24 N/C Cows & Heifers from R & A Jolleys, Robanne Herd followed by 10 Ped Holstein Yearling Hfrs from Bilsrow Herd Saturday 17th February, 2024 Early Spring Sale of Machinery & Implements Saturday 24th February, 2024

“BROCKHOLES BEST OF BRITISH” SALE OF NATIVE PEDIGREE BREEDING BULLS & FEMALES Entries Close 31st January Claiming Date – Wednesday 5th June, 2024 On Farm Dispersal of the Milking Herd of 100 on behalf of Cowell & Moore, Preston to incl. the Newsham Hall Pedigree Ayrshire Herd Unless sold as an entire Herd prior to the sale

FGbuyandsell.com

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Saturday 27th January 10.30am 38 Rough Fell Females on behalf of the RFSBA 13 Swaledale Females on behalf of the SSBA 3 Cheviot, 9 Herdwick & 145 Bluefaced Leicester Individual Females 20 Dutch Spotted Females on behalf of the Society Also this day 104 Multi-Breed Sale of Individual In-Lamb Breeding Sheep Entries to include: Texel, Dutch Spotted, Beltex, Suffolk, Dorset, Millennium Bleus, Zwartble, Blue Texel, Rouge, Lonk, Jacob, Kerry Hill, Ryeland & Dorper Followed by 250 Commercial In-Lamb Sheep -------------------------------

Thursday 1st February 10.30am Fortnightly Sale of 3000 STORE HOGGS Catalogue Entries by 24th January

Saturday 20th January 200 STIRKS, WEANED/SUCKLED CALVES, BREEDING & CULL GOATS & SHEEP Sale 10.00am Monday 22nd January SALE OF REARING CALVES Sale 10.30am PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available) SALE OF PRIME HOGGS Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES Wednesday 24th January

ONLINE MACHINERY SALES

February Online Sale of Large Items of Machinery Delivery: Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th January To Commence: Fri 2nd Feb & Conclude: Mon 5th Feb Bid Online: www.nwa.auctionmarts.com Viewing: Friday 2nd (9am-4pm) & Saturday 3rd (am only)

BENTHAM AUCTION MART

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

Tuesday 23rd January at 11am 1250 IN LAMB BREEDING SHEEP Inc. Flock Dispersals from F & ML Lee & Son of 180 Cheviot/ Cheviot x Texel Ewes & Shlgs (Tick Bitten) IL to Cheviot/ Texel Rams due March 25th, C Gibson & Son, Burneside Hall of 450 NofE Mule Ewes & Shlgs due March 1st to Texel Rams, S Cunliffe of 70 ¾ Texel Shlgs- 3 Crop due mid Feb to Texel Annual Consignment from T Crick of 150 Mule Shlgs & 150 1-2 Crop Ewes due March 28th Followed by at approx. 12.30pm 1820 STORE HOGGS Also To Be Sold at 10.45am on the Car Park 6 x Walk Through Sheep Troughs, 4 x 15ft Free Standing Barriers (with Gates), 1 x Set of Pens to hold 100 Ewes 1 x Round Bale Feeder, 1x Square Bale Feeder Wednesday 24th January 11am 100-150 REARING CALVES inc Winter Blues Calf Show 2.30pm 2000 Cast Ewes followed by 2500-3500 Prime Hoggs inc.

Annual Show & Sale of Dalesbred Prime Hoggs Wednesday 31st January Fortnightly Dairy Sale Saturday 3rd February Annual Multi Breed Sale of Individual Breeding Sheep Inc. Dalesbred for Dalesbred Sheep Breeders Assoc., Swaledale for Swaledale Sheep Breeders Assoc., Teeswater for Teeswater Sheep Breeders Assoc., Blue Faced Leicester, Herdwick, Cheviot & Others Entries for catalogue close Friday 19th January Tuesday 6th February Monthly Sale of Suckler Breeding Cattle & Store Cattle

RTS Richard Turner & Son AUCTIONEERS VALUERS & ESTATE AGENTS

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

Est 1803

1500 STORE HOGGS & BREEDING SHEEP Inc Flock Dispersal of 60 Mule/Masham In Lamb Ewes due March Sale 10.30am Lingfield Ring Wednesday 31st January Sale of FEEDING BULLS, PRIME CATTLE, BEEF FEEDING COWS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE (Entries close Wednesday 24th January) Wednesday 7th February STORE HOGGS & BREEDING SHEEP (Entries close Monday 29th January) Wednesday 14th February Sale of FEEDING BULLS, PRIME CATTLE, BEEF FEEDING COWS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE & CRAVEN CHAMPIONS Show & Sale of Store Cattle with Show Potential (Entries close Wednesday 7th February) Dairy Cattle Monday 22nd January Show & Sale of 15 DAIRY CATTLE Sale 12noon Monday 5th February Show & Sale of DAIRY CATTLE Entries and Enquiries to Sarah 07710 795585 Skipton Machinery Sale Saturday 17th February Sale of MACHINERY, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, PLANT, STONE, QUADS Etc Delivery is Strictly Thursday 15th February (Entries to the Office) Working Sheep Dogs Friday 1st March FIELD SALE OF WORKING SHEEP DOGS (Entries close Wednesday 14th February) January 19, 2024 |

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17/01/2024 13:29:58

FGBuyandSell.com ASHLEY WALLER AUCTIONEERS

01664 562971

More than just a market

HORTICULTURE 9.30am Every Wednesday FURNITURE Next Sale 29th January & 1st February PRODUCE Every Monday at 12.30pm MACHINERY Next Sale Tuesday 13th February (second Tuesday) 9am Entries to date contents of a retail and wholesale plumbers Friday February 23rd Reserved for Farm Dispersal Sale at Over Alderley 3 MF tractors etc...

Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1JY

‘THE STOCKYARD OF THE MIDLANDS’

Follow us on facebook | meltonmowbraymarket Follow us on Twitter | @meltonlivestock

Watts & Associates Barkston Road, Carlton , Barnsley. S71 3HU

Over 3,000 Lots Commencing Saturday 27th January

Tom Greenow - Market Manager 01200445376 Rachel Capstick 07713075659 Jack Pickup 07710708326 Eleanor O’Neill 07706347505 Matthew Middleton 07860659803 Saturday 20 January 9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS 10.30am 3 SHEEPDOG PUPS, 108 IN 754 HEAD LAMB SHEEP & 643 GIMMER & STORE HOGGS. Inc MV Texels, Pedigrees and Flock Reduction catalogue online now

Thursday 25 January 10.30am PRIME BEEF inc month end show followed by CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES 11.00am DAIRY CATTLE 12.30am STIRKS entries please by Tuesday 23rd Saturday 27 January 9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS 10.30am BREEDING & STORE CATTLE entries please Thursday 1 February 10.30am PRIME & CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES 11.00am DUGDALE NUTRITION with LELY SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY entries to Eleanor by Monday 29th

Tuesday 6 February 10.00am MONTHLY MACHINERY SALE entries to the yard 8am-2pm Monday 5th. Loadall available. Advise office of entries for advertising

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET AT www.laa.co.uk

For more information please call us on 01664 562971 www.meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk

GISBURN AUCTION MARTS Auctioneers, Valuers, Agents

Welfare friendly competitive competition

Busy Tuesday & Wednesday sales of all classes of Prime and Store Stock from across the counties.’’

info@ashleywaller.co.uk www.ashleywaller.co.uk www.easyliveauc on.com

The Livestock Auctioneers Association

March Saturday 23rd March - Spring Multibreed Pedigree Cattle sale of High Health Bulls and Females, to include Aberdeen Angus, Salers, Simmental, Beef Shorthorn, British Blue, British Blonde & the Lincoln Red Premier Spring Sale.

April Saturday 13th April - Limousin Society Show & Sale May Saturday 4th May - Spitalfields Cattle Sale of Traditional & Native Breeds to include The British White Cattle Society Spring Sale and Multibreed ‘Spring Fling’ of Pedigree & Commercial Ewes with Lambs at foot.

Saturday 25th May - Spring Suckler Sale to include the Melton Mowbray Market Spring Longhorn Sale.

August Tuesday 13th August - Early Breeding Sheep Sale.

September Saturday 7th September - Pedigree Multibreed Breeding Sheep Sale Friday 13th & Saturday 14th September - 21st Traditional & Native Breeds Show & Sale Friday 20th September - 4th Midlands Breeding Sheep Fair & NSA Ram Sale October Tuesday 1st October - October Ram Fair (Afternoon Sale).

Saturday 5th October - 786th Corby Glen Sheep Fair.

Saturday 26th October - Autumn Multibreed Cattle Sale.

November Wednesday 6th November - Opening Store Cattle Fair.

Saturday 23rd November - ‘Winter Warmers’ Sale of Pedigree In Lamb Females December Saturday 7th December - 71st Melton & Belvoir Agricultural Society Fatstock Show & Sale Monday 9th December - 154th Winslow Christmas Primestock Show & Sale Tuesday 17th December - Christmas Table Poultry Sale

Auctioneers always on hand to discuss how best to market your stock. Dispersals and reductions catered for; whether it be livestock or machinery, please feel free to contact our knowledgable and aproachable team.

To register and view all current auctions please visit our website TEL: 01226 247591 www.wattsauctions.co.uk 36

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www.gisburnauctions.com | 01200 445376

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 14:44:18

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Auctions

BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART TUESDAY 23rd JANUARY Sale of 25-30 OTM Cattle 10 Feeding Bulls & 200 Store Cattle Sale at 10am PATELEY BRIDGE AUCTION MART SATURDAY 27th JANUARY Sale of 30-35 OTM/Prime Cattle 160 Store Cattle

Sale at 11am

BROUGHTON AUCTION MART TUESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY Prize Show & Sale of Feeding Bulls & Store Cattle Early entries appreciated

TRUCKS, TRAILERS & PLANT ONLINE AUCTION DUAL LANE AUCTION STARTING AT 9.30AM

CATALOGUES FOR ALL THE ABOVE SALES

CT IL RE C DI UN CO

CAN BE VIEWED ON OUR WEBSITE

www.barnardcastleauctionmart.co.uk Tel Libby Bell Auctioneer on 07818435728

Your one stop shop for all agricultural sales

TUESDAY 23RD JANUARY CT Y RE AN DI MP CO

CT Y RE AN DI MP CO

CT E RE C Y DI NANPAN FI M O C

2023 Deben 2004 Combilift 2006 Moffett M5 2019 Multhog Roadster 300 MH75 4wd Tractor 20.4 Truck Mounted C4000 4 Way Steer 1300kg Single Axle Forklift Forklift c/w Patch Planer, Box Trailer 949 Hours CT G RE IN Y DI AS PAN LE M CO

CT E RE C Y DI NANPAN FI OM C

CT Y RE AN DI MP CO

2013 Massey Fergusson 5440 Dyna-4 4wd Loader Tractor

2015 John Deere 5100M 4wd Tractor

2018 Chieftain SB20 Dump Trailer

CT E RE AG Y DI UL PAN HAOM C

CT E RE AG Y DI UL PAN HAOM C

CT Y RE AN DI MP CO

2021 Kreisi Metall ATV Sized Log Trailer With Crane & Petrol Power Pack CT RT RE PO Y DI NS PAN A M TRCO

Search by sale type, mart, auctioneer or region 2004 Hyster Gas & Diesel 3 Tonne Forklift Trucks

CT E RE C Y DI NANPAN FI OM C

www.auctionfinder.co.uk

2018 Bobcat E17 Mini Excavator

Bunded Fuel Bowser OM ER FR UR CT CT REUFA I D N A M

Quantity of New Security Fencing, Poles & Fittings

2023 Herron 14 Tonne Grain Trailer

OM ER FR UR CT CT REUFA I D N A M

2020 Toyota Tonero 20 Gas Forklift Truck CT E RE C Y DI NANPAN FI OM C

Tailor Made Selection of Folding Cambridge Brand New & Rolls Unused Portable Buildings

www.cva-auctions.co.uk

FGbuyandsell.com

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Farmers Guardian - 230124 - DM0004.indd 1

| 3712:43 January 19, 2024 15/01/2024

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200mm x 270mm.qxp_Layout 1 12/01/2024 10:15 Page 1 FGBuyandSell.com

The Quality Hill Breed

NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT SHEEP SOCIETY

MONMOUTHSHIRE

LOCKERBIE

SAT 27TH JANUARY 2024

SAT 10TH FEBRUARY 2024

V E R S AT I L E

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P R O F I TA B L E

Corinna Cowin | 07834 817 710

www.nc-cheviot.co.uk 38

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A F F O R DA B L E CHEVIOT S RY

EP SOCIE T HE

secretary@nc-cheviot.co.uk

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TH COUNT OR

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N

H A R DY

IN-LAMB & EWE HOGG SALE

Y

IN-LAMB & EWE HOGG SALE

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 13:51:54

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Breed Societies ROUGH FELL SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION ‘ROUGH DIAMONDS’ Annual Show and Sale of in lamb Rough Fell Ewes, Gimmer Shearlings and Gimmer Hoggs.

Saturday 27th January 2024 Sale commences 10.30am J36 Crooklands Livestock Auction.

Rough Diamonds Social Evening on Friday 26th January 2024 at 7.30pm Tickets £12.50 each and £6 for children under 11.

Available from the secretary.

Contact: Amanda Denver E: rfsba@outlook.com T: 07889 976 058

Scottish Auctions

WALLETS MARTS CASTLE DOUGLAS LTD

WALLETS MARTS CASTLE DOUGLAS LTD

“The Premier Marketing Centre for South West Scotland’’

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.

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: • •

FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY AT 12 NOON SALE OF 104 PEDIGREE LUING CATTLE 21 IN-CALF HEIFERS; 57 BULLING HEIFERS; 26 BULLS FRIDAY 16TH FEBRUARY AT 11AM SALE OF PEDIGREE BLACK GALLOWAY CATTLE 40 BULLS 36 INCALF HEIFERS AND BULLING HEIFERS MARKET CONTACTS Bruce Walton 07711299677 John Smith 07771506025 Judith Cowie 07880382611

• • •

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

Jim Finlayson 07831569641

•

Auction Mart, New Market Street,

We offer an excellent package including:

Castle Douglas DG7 1HY

T: 01556 502 381| W: www.walletsmarts.co.uk | www.walletsmarts.co.uk Tel: 01556 502 381 E: walletsmarts@auctionmarts.co.uk

T: 01556 502 381| W: www.walletsmarts.co.uk | A New Route E: walletsmarts@auctionmarts.co.uk

to Market

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com

FGbuyandsell.com

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• • • • • •

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

January 19, 2024 |

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17/01/2024 14:04:42

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

REGIONAL SALES & FINANCE MANAGER

We have the following important posi ons available due to the natural re rement of two Directors and the con nued growth and progression of the business. Located to serve our large valued rural client base in the stunning scenery of the southwest; a region s ll dominated and suited to grassland livestock produc on. These roles are centred around our three livestock markets and will offer significant and long-term career opportuni es for the right applicants in a long established, expanding and successful auc oneering and land agency business.

Calf/S rk and Store Ca le Auc oneer

Kivells are recrui ng for a passionate ca le auc oneer who delivers the highest level of customer care with an appe te and ability to source, auc on and head their own department. This is a tremendous opportunity for the right auc oneer with significant career/business opportuni es.

Sheep Auc oneer

Kivells are looking for an enthusias c and commi ed sheep auc oneer to work alongside our exis ng 2 sheep auc oneers and provide a complete service to our sheep farming clientele of sourcing and selling both finished and breeding sheep within our three livestock markets. This role would suit an auc oneer looking to gain further experience and grow their career or an aspiring auc oneer.

Machinery Auc oneer/Fieldsman

With a very successful and expanding monthly machinery sale on our own site, online auc ons ( med & live) and on farm dispersal sales throughout the year we seek an Auc oneer and/or fieldsman who has the ability to oversee, source and run machinery sales. This person will need a passion to con nue the growth of this very successful department.

Chartered Surveyor/Agricultural Valuer/Land agent

Kivells are looking for a RICS and CAAV qualified surveyor/valuer to provide the highest level of advice and service to our large rural client base in the southwest. The workload will be mainly for our valued private client base of farmers and landowners in the stunning regions of the southwest. Whilst joining a strong team of surveyors and auc oneers, it will be important that the applicant is capable of being self-driven, commercial and building long-term rela onships with clients.

Important note

As finding the right person for these vital roles is crucial to the Directors, we would welcome applica ons from persons with all levels of experience and are very open minded to discussions around a combina on of the roles for the right candidate. These roles have huge poten al for future career progression and business opportuni es. A rac ve salary and working terms.

For further informa on/applica on please contact in complete confidence – Kivells HR department – HR@kivells.com – 01409 259544 or Directors, Mark Bromell – 07966 430001 or Simon Alford – 07789 980203

2 AI TECHNICIAN Required for the Stranraer, Castle Douglas and Cumbria areas We are looking for 2 new team members to join our growing team

As a result of continued growth in our business we are now seeking to recruit a Regional Sales and Finance Manager to work in the South & West of Scotland.

CLAAS is one of the largest agricultural machinery manufacturers in the world. In the UK, our products, customer care and financial solutions combine to give an industry leading package.

We are now recruiting for the dual role of Regional Sales & Finance Manager in the South & West of Scotland. You will support a key CLAAS dealer and its territory with all sales functions and provide their customers with the best financial solutions.

You should be highly motivated, ideally from an agricultural background, successful in a sales role combined with delivering tailor-made finance options.

Focus on customer requirements is essential, with the ability to formulate innovative finance packages to suit individual needs, you will also need to demonstrate proven IT skills to suit the role.

In return, we offer an excellent package including competitive salary, incentives, generous holiday allowance and company car. In addition, you will be part of a successful team and build a long term career.

If you would like to move forward in partnership with CLAAS & CLAAS Financial Services we would like to talk to you.

In the first instance send your C.V. to recruitment.leasingsolutions@uk.bnpparibas.com All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Closing date 9th February 2024.

Farm Consultant

South West Scotland An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Farm Consultant to join our Dumfries Food and Farming team. You will be responsible for servicing our farming clients through the provision of costeffective, practical and financial advice. The role further involves: Day-to-day management and consultancy advice Budgeting and financial management of businesses assisted by an in-house accounts team Completion and management of contract farming/share farming/grazing agreements and scheme applications You will be part of a successful Food and Farming team with support from a larger group of Savills consultants across the UK

Our requirements:

To find out more about the vacancy, please contact Matthew Currie mcurrie@savills.com or via 07770 976138.

• • •

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 7 February 2024.

A previous agricultural background Full UK driving licence Previous AI experience is an advantage, but full training will be provided for the right candidates Competitive rumination package including company vehicle, phone and competitive salary

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 07453 273213 40

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 15:30:12

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Brand new website Visit jobs.farmersguardian.com for the latest job vacancies in agriculture

COUNTY FARMING ADVISER

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 Fuel Sales Administrator To carry out general administration duties and be proactive with telesales for the fuel business, upselling on all calls ensuring a high level of customer service is delivered and sales as optimised.

• Carrs Billington • An attractive salary package Location: Closes: Job Sector: Contract Type:

Carlisle, Cumbria 15 Feb 2024 Customer Services/Care, Sales & Marketing Permanent

ABOUT US 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 Carr’s Billington or The Billington Group please visit our website at: www.carrs-billington.com www.thebillingtongroup.com THE JOB To carry out general administration duties and be proactive with telesales for the fuel business, upselling on all calls ensuring a high level of customer service is delivered and sales as optimised.

• To provide an efficient and high standard of customer service to all telesales customers both inbound and outbound maximising sales opportunities and resolving customer complaints during first call..

• To proactively make outbound calls to past, present, and potential customers aiming to convert all calls to sales.

• To support day to day administrative duties including, taking orders, dealing with queries and providing quotations as well as following up to generate sales.

• To analyse data and proactively work towards achieving set targets generating sales for the business.

For more information on any of these vacancies or to see all our current roles, please go to: JobsInAgriculture.com

FGbuyandsell.com

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The NFU is the most successful representation body for agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales.

We’re here to give you a voice and protect your way of life now and in the future. Our purpose is to champion British agriculture and horticulture, to campaign for a stable and sustainable future for British farmers and to secure the best possible deal for our members.

COUNTY FARMING ADVISER - ESSEX (EAST REGION) Job Type: Full time, Permanent | Salary: c. £40k (Dependant on Skills and Experience) plus company car or car allowance Location: Home based, covering Essex, within the East region Working Hours: 35 hours per week In this varied role, we are looking for an individual with a passion for helping our member businesses where no two days are the same. Responsible for a county with highly productive land, growing anything from crops and roses through to wheat, sugar beet and sunflowers. You will engage with members to support in their business decisions.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE Leading a team of NFU Group Secretaries (who also have a role with the NFU Mutual as an insurance agent), you’ll support local farmers, growers and food producers by managing the NFU’s work in your allocated county. That means developing plans to recruit and retain members and ensuring their voice is heard by lobbying and influencing on their behalf with a range of stakeholders across the county. You will lead all NFU activities in your county, supporting and managing the local NFU democratic structures. As the key local NFU representative, you’ll also lead the recruitment of local NFU Group Secretaries, manage their performance, supporting and advising them on all member engagement activities.

As an influential local voice for the NFU, you’ll promote our work, to our members and liaise regularly with regional colleagues and HQ colleagues to advise and campaign on a range of regional and local matters, including farming, food, rural matters and the environment.

For more information on any of these vacancies or to see all our current roles, please go to: JobsInAgriculture.com

January 19, 2024 |

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17/01/2024 13:34:16

FGBuyandSell.com Milking Equipment

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Fabdec 4000ltr & 6000ltr

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

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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 FG

Beef Cattle

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FGbuyandsell.com

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Ready to work, delivered direct to your farm, very quiet, easy calving.

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January 19, 2024 |

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17/01/2024 14:26:52

FGBuyandSell.com FGBuyandSell.com Beef Cattle

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FORPEDIGREE SALE FROM HEREFORD BULLS LEESEMANOR BEEF Bulls For Sale Quality, home-bred Limousin Individually Health Testedcross TB Tested British Blue young cows and heifers, toxwork with Lim xReady andcan BB at foot.

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27/06/2018 17/01/2024 13:50:21 13:40:57

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We take a farmer-centric approach to media.

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FGbuyandsell.com

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January 19, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com Building Materials

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CONCRETE SECONDS PIPES AND RINGS

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January 19, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com Buildings

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

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FREE UK Mainland Delivery* Tanks For Everything Always BEST prices:

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.

0800 0568 350

www.tanksforeverything.co.uk

01630 655 555 | sales@flgb.co.uk | www.flgb.co.uk

Farmers Guardian is the largest multiplatform agricultural

Design, fabrication and installation

information business in

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

01829 423 123 info@acjackson.co.uk

www.acjackson.co.uk

S U P P LY I N G A N D E R E C T I N G S T E E L F R A M E D B U I L D I N G S F O R O V E R 3 0 Y E A R S

Agricultural buildings

Equestrian buildings

the UK

Industrial buildings

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26/01/2021 18:39

TRICKETTS LANE, WILLASTON, NANTWICH, CHESHIRE, CW5 6PY

OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING NATIONWIDE • STEEL FRAMED BUILDING MANUFACTURERS • INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST • KIT FORM • DESIGN & BUILD • REFURBISHMENTS

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Caution.

Be careful anytime you are asked for personal information. If someone asks, don’t provide the information requested without confirming that they are legitimate.

Farmers Guardian only ever ask for your banking information if you are purchasing a product from us and will always call from 01772 799 500 or 01772 799 400.

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January 19, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com Caravans & Log Cabins sustaina ble materials

PROPERTY LANDSCAPE

affordable

Paynetts Farm, Cranbrook Road, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1DY

eco friendly

bespok bespoke p ke design

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All built to your requirements, delivered and quire erected cted anywhere, anywhere, we w offer builds in round, square, cavity and random log up to 360mm thick. Houses supplied to meet building control regulations. co ntrol regula

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Finance Options

Bespoke Design Service And Technical Data

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Web: www.timberspecs.co.uk Email: info@timberspecs.com Tel: 01580 212141 Mob: 07710 480259

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) Land Land Fronting Midge Hall Lane, Leyland, PR4 0XA • 20.21 acres (8.18 hectares) or thereabouts • Available as a whole on a 5-year Farm Business Tenancy from 1 February 2024 • Tender submission by 12 noon, Wednesday 17 January 2024

Contact Mr J Forrester MRICS on 01772 421566 | infojohnforrester.co.uk

To Be Let

LARGE THREE BEDROOM BUNGALOW TO RENT

With agricultural clause, near Windermere.

Would suit retiring farmer who wants part time work. Bathroom, wet room, central heating, wood burner & garden,

Tel: 015394 42768 50

| January 19, 2024

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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

Prospects are looking brighter for 2024 Less cautious land development market

T

he economic uncertainties, cost inflation and persistent high interest rates that prevailed throughout the past year have had the same impact on land purchases for development as they have had on every other area of the land and property market.

Developers inevitably took a much more cautious approach to land purchases in 2023.

Demand for development land has reduced and sales values have fallen nationally. There has also been a lack of demand from homeowners, with rising mortgage rates and the cost of living crisis.

Difficulties with the slow and complicated planning system have compounded the developers’ caution and major new environmental considerations such as nutrient neutrality and biodiversity net gain have added to the delays and costs in the planning process.

This combination of circumstances throughout 2023 left developers reluctant to purchase land and focus on building on land already under their control, watching and waiting to see what improvements the market may bring in 2024.

Positive After that muted year, 2024 is already looking more positive, with more mortgage products available and at a lower rate, reflecting the mortgage market’s anticipation of bank interest rate decreases in the coming 12 months.

Although developers small and large reported a drop in house sales last year, they are reporting an encouraging start to 2024, with increased footfall being seen.

House builders still have targets to hit, even with the aforementioned issues and we have seen an increase in enquiries since the New Year from developers, albeit slightly more restrained than in previous years.

Many housebuilders are still looking to enter into contracts on strategic land under option or promotion agreements, even if they are taking a

Helen Russell

more cautious approach to building on more immediate sites. We have seen a growth in developers signing up strategic sites as a longer term business strategy.

Overall, developers are still being guarded in their approach to land buying, but sites in the right location and with limited issues will still sell well. There is also now a pent-up demand for new sites, with there being so few coming to the market in 2023.

To maximise opportunities going forward, landowners should keep abreast of when local authorities are conducting local plan or greenbelt reviews, particularly if they have land on the edge of a settlement.

Landowners or farmers looking to sell the right land in the right place could speak to a planning consultant and promote their land themselves or sign up with a housebuilder or promoter to take on the risk.

Before signing anything, it is imperative to do due diligence on any promoter or developer to ensure they are financially robust and it is useful if they have had a successful track record from a planning perspective in the locality as this may result in them getting planning quicker on your behalf.

Any landowner looking to sign up with a developer should ensure they have all their ‘ducks in a row’ in terms of any legal issues, such as third-party interests or title issues, and we recommend taking tax advice.

Helen Russell is development director at H&H Land and Estates.

Call 07516 729 585, or email helen.russell@hhlandestates.co.uk

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 12:52:58

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today BPS Entitlements, BNG, NN, Carbon & Water

Finance

73 TOYOTA HILUX

FARM LOANS &

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RE-MORTGAGES

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

For Sale

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Competitive rates for Farm Finance

Immediate decision in principle - use for any purpose: Consolidation, Tax bills, Crops, Expansion, New equipment, Livestock etc.

Specialist help for Financial Problem Cases Including adverse credit.

We can lend against property

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

2021 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER SWB

Informal Tender 29.2.24 Abstraction all year - 21,000m3/year

£25,250 + VAT

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

01392 823935

0800 280 06 05 www.brilliant-finance.co.uk

CALL COLIN 07976 252191

COMMERCIAL, MANUAL, GREY, PRIVATE USE, NEVER TOWED, LOW MILES, 2YRS TOYOTA WARRANTY

CALL COLIN 07976 252191

4 x 4s

We are a broker not a lender

Advice /Consultancy

MIDDLE FARM 4x4s

E www.middlefarm4x4s.co.uk T Brian Robinson 07740 683113

2019 TOYOTA ACTIVE DOUBLE CAB SILVER 28000 MILES TOW PACK ...................... £16750

A

2019 TOYOTA ACTIVE DOUBLE CAB WHITE LOAD LINER ONLY 16500 MILES EXCELLENT ALL TERRAIN TYRES............................................................................................. £19000

www.arcadianestates.co.uk

BNG

DO YOU HAVE LAND?

Telephone: 01625 890000 Email: michael@arcadianestates.com

£28,500 + VAT

Water Abstraction Licence Cam & Ely Ouse

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.

4 x 4s

1st National Open Market Tender ______

2nd February 2024 ______

Register your entry / interest in buying

01392 823935

Published March 22, 2024 Advertising opportunities now available in our next

MACHINERY AND TRACTOR MAGAZINE Get your brand seen by decision makers, influencers, farm owners and managers!

2019 TOYOTA INVINCIBLE X LEATHER SEATS AND EVERY ACCESSORY ONLY 23000 MILES. METALIC GREY. LOAD LINER AND TOW PACK FULL TOYOTA SERVICE HISTORY SO COVERED BY TOYOTA WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 100000 MILES IF THE SERVICES ARE KEPT UP............POA

2019 TOYOTA ACTIVE SINGLE CAB SILVER .57000 MILES LOAD LINER TOW PACK PRICED TO SELL ................................................................................................................ £15500 2018 TOYOTA ACTIVE DOUBLE CAB WHITE, 29000 MILES CANOPY AND TOW PACK..... £16000 2017 FORD RANGER XL DOUBLE CAB BLACK EX MOD SO WELL SERVICED. COMES WITH CANOPY AND TOW PACK ONLY 32000 MILES ....................................................... £15000

2016 VAUXHALL VIVARO VAN 45000 MILES COMES WITH 6 DOORS, EXTENSIVE RACKING, LOCKABLE TOOL BOXES ,PIPE AND LADDER RACKS,HAND WASHING KIT .ONE OWNER EX BT VERY GENUINE VAN.............................................................................................POA

2015 ISUZU DMAX SINGLE CAB, GREEN WITH CANOPY AND TOW PACK 66000 MILES UNDER PREPARATION, EX MOD, WELL SERVICED ............................................................ £11500

2011 TOYOTA 75000 MILES SILVER GOOD TYRES NEW MOT ...................... £11750 NO VAT ALL THE ABOVE ARE PLUS VAT . HAVE HAD A RECENT SERVICE AND MOT AND ARE SOLD WITH A WARRANTY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. MORE DETAILS AND PICTURES ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLEFARM4X4S.CO.UK CONTACT DETAILS BRIAN ROBINSON 07740 683113 CHELTENHAM

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01423 358362 or 07831 526135 Wetherby (T)

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

FGbuyandsell.com

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FGBuyandSell.com

Muck & Slurry MUCK AND SLURRY_3x6.indd 1

05/07/2016 19:33

G E N E R A T E

I T

Discover the power of Storth’s latest innovation—Slurryonly Anaerobic Digestion. Unleash sustainable energy solutions for agriculture with our pioneering technology, reshaping the landscape of renewable energy

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Keeps rainwater out of slurry Reduces odour from lagoons Covers comply with EA and SSAFO legislation

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Tel: 01524 781900

enquiries@enviroseal.co.uk t: 01695 228626 www.enviroseal.co.uk

We take a farmer-centric approach to media.

Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions 52

| January 19, 2024

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 13:56:29

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Parts & Servicing

Muck & Slurry

> THE GENUINE PARTS PEOPLE

LE AGRI CAS T

Whitechurch, Carrick-On-Suir, Co.Kilkenny, Ireland

MUCK AND SLURRY_3x3.indd 1

07/07/2016 14:27

Sole Agent for Moscha, Swivel Spout Slurry Spreaders in Ireland and the UK. *view spreading on youtube, just type in castleagri These axle and transmission brands are commonly found on:

CASTLE AGRI

SPEND A LITTLE, SAVE A LOT USE A MOSCHA SWIVEL SPREADER

• Very accurate spread • 12-18M spread width - less tracks, less compaction • Converts Slurry Into Big Droplets - less emissions, more available nitrogen • Very Little Contamination of Grass - faster regrowth, faster grazing.

• 45% faster spreading • Very little smell or odour • 21m-36m spread width available with our Duo version

Contact: Dermot Tobin Tel: 00353 87 2540357 Email: castleagri@gmail.com Web: www.castleagri.com

‘HOT & COLD PRESSURE WASHERS & AIR COMPRESSORS’

Professional Cold Water Pressure Washers, Hot Water Pressure Washers, Electric Pressure Washers, Petrol Pressure Washer or Diesel Pressure Washers, you’ll be sure to find the best deals here and we won’t be beaten on price!

W. Bateman & Co. GARSTANG ROAD, BARTON, PRESTON, LANCS TEL: (01772) 862948 FAX: (01772) 861639

www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

Agco/Case

Fendt

Komatasu

McCormick

Caterpillar

Fermec

Landini

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Claas

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John Deere

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T: 01452 733106 E: ag@grouphes.com W: tractec.grouphes.com @HESTractec

BREAKING MASSEY 699, 575, 3070, 3080, 3095, 2645, 6140, 3680 & 8120 Also tractors wanted for breaking Tel: 07710 153603 W.Yorks

masseyfergusontractorbreakers.co.uk

HESTractec

MASSEY FERGUSON

North Wales ATV Centre Limited Foel, Peniel, Denbigh, Denbighshire LL16 4TE Telephone: 01745 550541 Mobile: 07801 047 683 We are main agents for Kawaski Atv`s and Mule Utv`s We also service and repair all makes of Atv`s 2013 Kawasaki 4010 diesel mule choice of 4 2019 Kawasaki mule pro dx choice of 2 c/w full cab 2020 Kawasaki mule pro dx c/w full cab 2011 Kawasaki KVF 650 choice of 2 2014 Kawasaki KVF 650 brute force IRS choice of 3 Logic 570 multi feeder c/w counter fenders and mudguards Foster Yard Scraper to suit skid steer bobcat brackets Wessex AF 120 Flail Mower 16hp Vanguard Engine

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

07785 361396

www.rowlandtractors.co.uk CLAAS John Deere, and

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

ATVs SHEEP SNACKERS

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

(T)

We take a farmer-centric approach to media.

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

p053.indd 53

F.G. ROWLAND LTD Clitheroe Lancashire

Tel 01254 826295

ATVs

Tel: -

@HESTractec

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

2016 Polaris Sportsman

FGbuyandsell.com

Valmet

Wigan / Bolton (P)

Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions

January 19, 2024 |

53

17/01/2024 13:54:47

FGBuyandSell.com Generators, Pressure Washers & Pumps

Plant Machinery Call us on:

07713 642012 www.hubbwayhire.co.uk

SPECIALISTS IN AGRICULTURAL PUMPING USED 2016 HYUNDAI R145LCR-9A (ZERO TAIL). 4152 hours. Full service history, with or without warranty. POA.

£647

USED 2014 HYUNDAI R145LCR-9A (ZERO TAIL). 5521 hours. Full service history available, with or without warranty. POA.

USED 2014 LIEBHERR R313. 6842 hours. Bucket included. Full service history, with or without warranty. £26,800 +VAT.

ALL MACHINES OWNED BY HUBBWAY PLANT HIRE FROM NEW

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MULTI USE SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

KEENAN 100

Complete with: Bale handler, Relined with new knives.

* Prices shown exclude VAT *

T. 01777 871100 | W. whisperpumps.com | E. sales@whisperpumps.com

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

T: 01260 223273 info@kingfeeders.co.uk

SHELBOURNE REYNOLDS Power cut pro, 16 c/m twin express. Very clean machine.

Find us landywashers

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

GENERATORS PTO & DIESEL SALE’S, HIRE & REPAIRS. LARGE STOCK

P COWELL & SONS 01772 653569

54

| January 19, 2024

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T: 01260 223273 info@kingfeeders.co.uk

Call 01772 799500 and place your advert today FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 13:36:41

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

Please call our used sales team on 01704 468009

JOHN DEERE 6120R

JOHN DEERE 6155R

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600 Tyres,

Cab Susp,

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NEW REDROCK 16T DUMP TRAILER FFixed Axles, Air Brakes, Magic Door, 385/65R22.5, £19,850 + VAT

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CASE PUMA 175 CVX, 2022, 3514 Hours, 50kph, Air Brakes, Full Guidance, F/L PTO, 710/600, £95,000 + VAT

MF 6713S,

£107,000 + VAT

JOHN DEERE 6R 185 2023, 480 Hours, CommandPro, F/Links + PTO, Air Brakes, PowerGard, £148,000 + VAT

NEW MASCHIO TIGRE 280 Rear Flail Topper, 540rpm, 6 Spline PTO, Hyd Offset, £6,750 + VAT

NEW SPEARHEAD TWIGA CLASSIC S60 HEDGECUTTER, Pilot Joystick, 5.9m Reach, 1.2m Head with float £24,950 + VAT

NEW KTWO 600 DUO REAR DISCHARGE SPREADER 6T, 540rpm, Slurry Door, Manual Bed Speed Control £23,450 + VAT

NEW SIP STAR 850/26T RAKE 1.15-2.13m swath, 2100kg, hyd rotor lift, wide angle pto, 3yr warranty £25,250 + VAT

Forklift Trucks

2022, 836 Hours, Dyna 6, Full Susp, Air Brakes, £73,000 + VAT

WALTER WATSON

12ft Rotating End Tow Silage Feeding Trailer

3m Spiral Aerator 6.3m Hyd-Folding Ballast Calf/ Bull Blade Beef Feeders 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

QUICKFENCER Manual

Strickworth 3 ton Diesel forklifts available

KING FEEDER EXEL 4000

2015, rotating chute, cab controls, double drum, very clean £7,500

3.0m & 4.5m models available c/w sideshift. Container spec.

12 months warranty

We know farming.

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

p055.indd 55

and hydraulic clamping available. Hydraulic, nothing to lift off www. quickfencer.com Tel 07966 285240 Lancs

T: 01260 223273 info@kingfeeders.co.uk

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

January 19, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com Tractors & Equipment

01995 606969 - Office www.cornthwaites.co.uk 07712 783905 - Mark Dixon John Cornthwaite Farm Machinery Ltd Elm Farm, Station Lane, Nateby, Preston, PR3 0LT

NC 16 TON LOW LOADER 2018 - 20 FOOT FLAT WITH 4 FOOT BEAVER TAIL - C/W STRAP AND CHAIN BOX. £13,350

SPEARHEAD R225 FLAIL TOPPER 2017- 2.2MTR FLAIL TOPPER SIDE SHIFT - BELT DRIVEN - FLAILS 90% £2,900

FRONT LINKAGE AND

SLURRYKAT 3500

REDROCK 1600

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2600 – 2400 GALLON

STEERING AXLE -

2001 – SINGLE AXLE 8

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STUD ADR – SPRUNG

SPRUNG DRAWBAR

- IN STOCK

DRAWBAR

£6,950

PHONE FOR PRICE

£5,750

JOHN DEERE 5100M 1723 HOURS - “19” PLATE - 40K 3 SPEED PTO AIRCON / AIRSEAT + PASSENGER SEAT £38,250

MCHALE FRONT AND REAR MOWERS 2021 FULLY SERVICED, QUICK CHANGE BLADES PHONE FOR PRICE

MARSHALL VES-1500

CASE JX100U

9 TON – LIKE NEW –

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7550 HOURS - 40K - 3

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£19,500

£18,400

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Hurliman XB Max 100 40K 20/20 GEAR BOX – LEFT HAND FWD – TELESCOPIC HITCH – ‘07’ £18,350

MCHALE C460

MALGAR 20FT MIXER

STRAW CHOPPER

20FT – LAGOON

2014 – ELECTRIC CONTROLS – SWIVEL

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SPOUT

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£8,000

£1,750

Jpm 22 19 Ton Tandem NEW Fleming ST2500.00 Gal Axle Plant Trailer................

Trailer ................ £15,000.00 .......................... £10,000.00 Vaci Tank on 28.1 x R26 10 Jpm 24 19 Ton Tandem On New 750/70 R26 Tyres. ............................................... ............................................ NEW 24 JPM Livestock stud Axle, 1 Only at ..............

Axle Plant Trailer................

Very Tidy. .............. £6500.00 ............................ £14,000.00 ................................... £POA Trailer................. £16,000.00 .......................... £10,500.00 ...........................£16,500.00 Marshall 2000 Gallon Vaci

Major LGP2400 Gal Vaci Tank. Alper GSR5 5 Ton Lime &

CASE PUMA 185

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LX160, 3 in 1 Shear Grabs, Sheep Dipper........................ c.w Hardox Tines, Feed Trailer ................................. Very Tidy................................... & Air Brakes........................ ............................................... Bucket, Big Bale Cu er ............................................ .................................................. which holds Net & Wrap. .......................... £19,000.00 ............................ £22,000.00 1.6 Meter ............. £5800.00 ......................... £16,500.00 £10,000.00 New JPM 18 Ton Heavy

NEW Portequip Road legal

New Ktwo Rear End

Cross- Super Spread 900

Duty Dump Trailer c.w Oil

Discharge Spreader.

Ring for details & Prices Part Ex Welcome

56

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Spreadwise 8 Reel Hyd Drive Reeler on 3 point. ............................................... new ........................................ c.w Decks ............£14,000.00 Flotashion wide Wheel....... Hand Elevator & Steer Axle.. ............................................... .............................£18,500.00 Power Decks.......£16,000.00 ............................. £2850.00 ................................£6000.00 ................................£5800.00 Rear Discharge Spreder as

NEW Graham Edwards 20

New Portaquip Twin Axle Bale Trailers c.w Galv Angled Hay Racks, 23 on 12.5........................£7500.00 27 on Super Singles........... ................................£9500.00

Twin Axle Livestock Trailer

NEW Belmac 4.5 cyd Rotaspreder on 400

RMH Mixell 14 Tub Mixer. c.w Cross Conveyer, Le

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

17/01/2024 13:49:03

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Unit 4 | Brook Mill | Wrea Green | Preston | PR4 2PH

01772 684222 | 07506 191880 | 07432 030594

Contact: Harry Boardman | www.hbmachinery.co.uk | sales@hbmachinery.co.uk Contact: Richard Ball | 07432 030594 | www.hb-parts.co.uk for ONLINE parts Follow and like us on Facebook

Ex Hire Bailey TB16 Grain Trailer c/w Teagle 1010 Trailer straw bedder Teagle 2.8m Front/Rear Fails John Deere 5100M 69 plate 1543 hrs roll over sheet 560/60R22.5 Wheels c/w blue tooth controls............................ Mowers c/w Rollers ................................... 540/65R38 tyres ......................................... ..................................................................... POA ...............................................................£8250 ................................................................ £POA ................................................................ £POA

Bailey 14T Root trailer c/w roll over NEW Pallet tine c/w euro brackts Weidemann 1380 Year 2020 Hours Bailey 9Ton Silage Trailer Year sheet 500/45R22.5 Wheels .....£POA .............................................................. £750 2957 and Pallet tines .............. £26750 2016 lovely condition ................£8250

JD6120R TLS axle Cab Suspension Ace Marston 14T Trailer, 10 Stud Case 240 CVX Puma, Year 2021, LWC Scraper c/w weidemann 4300 hrs 600/540 Wheels .................. axle and Sprung draw bar .................... Acc Guide ready, front linkage and brackets ....................................................... .........................................................£49750 ........................................................... £6650 front PTO............................. £92000.00 .............................................................. £750

LWC Bucket Grab 7ft6” Weidemann MF 135 5995 hrs been resprayed in nice IVEC Cherry picker c/w Multi lift JD 6155R Year 2019 AQ50kph Front brackets ............................................................ condition and ready for work ...........£7750 basket with test and Iveco full MOT linkage and Front PTO Full Guidance ..................................................................£1250 ................................................................................ ono ................................................ £625.........ovno .......................................................£68500.00

Teagle 8ft Topper Year 2017 .............. Major 2400g Year 2023 Hydraulic Case Farmall 115 4wd Year 2018 NEW Bailey Flat Trailer c/w hay ............................................................£1000 drive Galvanised tank ....................POA Hours 2051 with 4 weights .......£POA racks .....................................................POA

JD 6250R Year 2021 Hours 999 NEW Bucket 7ft c/w euro brackets . NEW Alliance Wheels and Star 1500g Tanker c/w Sludigator CP, Front linkage .............................POA ...............................................................£875 tyres 560/60R22.5 ............ £750 each pump ................................................£2750

Kongskilde Delta 3000 Cultivator JD 6155R Year 2022, 783hrs Auto Ex Hire CT8 Stone trailer one Ag dispenser 125 Hybrid As New c/w rear roller and 7 legs. £4250.00 Power Front linkage.......................POA only..!! Price ...................................£9250 Condition ............................Price £3500

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17/01/2024 13:48:08

MACHINERY

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

The UK’s largest machinery show opened its doors once again this week, with crowds descending to get the first view of new machinery innovation from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers. Toby Whatley, James Huyton and Jane Carley report.

Innovation showcased at this year’s LAMMA Show FENDT 50TH ANNIVERSARY 720 VARIO DELIVERED in a unique gold wrap to celebrate 50 years of Fendt’s UK operation. Started in 1974 by Gloucestershire-based importers Bill Bennet Engineering, the business sold

48 tractors in its first year. The 720 Vario Gen 6 on-show is a mid-range model in the manufacturer’s popular 700 series with a maximum power output of 201hp.

BAILEY TRAILERS CHARITY TRAILER THE difficult to ignore striking pink colour of Bailey Trailer’s 15-tonne TB trailer is the result of a charity fundraising campaign for Breast Cancer Now, raising more than £36,000.

The manufacturer has raffled the trailer through its Win it in Pink

campaign operated through its dealer network. The winner was announced earlier in December with a handover taking place at the event.

The exact specification of the trailer was modified to suit the new owner’s requirements, which included silage sides.

POTTINGER JUMBO 8000 FORAGE WAGON

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7 M DV -5 RE 2 E A p5 RN H

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

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POTTINGER showed the Jumbo 8000 forage wagon, with a range of three models with DIN volumes of 40cu.m, 47cu.m and 54cu.m.

These models are capable of handling torque of 3,500Nm and up to 500hp for high throughput and feature a hydraulically floating

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2.3-metre pick-up to handle larger swaths.

The 65-knife chopping system gives a theoretical chopped length of 25mm for faster distribution and compaction of the crop in the clamp. The Autocut automatic knife sharpening system can be used on these machines, despite the 25mm knife spacing, and is electro-hydraulically driven for reduced sharpening times.

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 15:56

LAMMA SHOW MACHINERY KIOTI K9 UTV KIOTI’S new K9 2410 UTV features an upgraded CVT transmission to give a 50kph road speed, plus speed-proportional electric power-steering and an engine brake as part of the standard

spec. It retains the 1,007cc Kioti diesel engine used in other 2400 models.

The 2410 is available with either a climate-controlled factory fit cabin, a ROPS frame with door, windscreen

and canopy options, or a retrofit field cabin. As standard the K9 2410 is available in Kioti red, with the option of green.

Independent wishbone suspension improves performance

on rutted or undulating ground.

The polyurethane lined tipping bed with electric assist has a capacity of 500kg, cab comforts include a rubber floormat and seat headrests.

IAE 800 SERIES IAE launched its 800 series range of cattle crushes at the show this year.

The range welcomes four new crushes and has been in development for three years, with four designs differing in configurations of the yokes, auto and manual locking and bodies aimed to meet the needs of all customers.

IAE claims this range is its most feature-packed, largest and

quietest crushes yet which builds on its original core strengths. The range features new TB access doors, a new 20mm-deep profile rubber flooring and a 10mm tread to prevent noise and slippage.

Other noise reduction features include the addition of nylon bearings to reduce metal-onmetal contact for easy handling.

As previously with IAE there are a range of optional extras which can be added.

More LAMMA Show coverage over the page.

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JANUARY 19 2024 | 59

17/01/2024 15:57

MACHINERY LAMMA SHOW STOLL ISOBUS LOADER LYNX Engineering showed the prototype Stoll IsoBus loader, out for evaluation with its original equipment manufacturer customers this spring ahead of commercial availability.

The loader connects to the tractor’s Power Beyond, while an electronic IsoBus system links into the factory joystick and screen.

Sensors in the loader frame provide data for accurate electrohydraulic self-levelling, and other features include pressure

regulation for attachments such as a bale squeezer, and ‘teach-in’ which can store a loading sequence for repetitive jobs such as bale stacking.

The loader also offers benefits more commonly associated with a telehandler, such as vibration damping and boom suspension and a built-in weigh cell which can count up or down to a set load.

The loader will be offered in a range of models to suit tractors with IsoBus controls.

KUBOTA TELEHANDER AFTER a successful foray into the wheeled loader market with its RO range and smaller machines from partner Tobroco, Kubota now offers a compact telehandler.

The KTH 4815-2 lifts 1.5 tonnes and has a maximum lift height of 4.8 metres and at 1.6m wide and 1.8m tall it should appeal to pig or poultry or glasshouse customers.

Power is supplied by a 44hp Stage V Kubota engine, with a hydrostatic drive to Carraro axles, and 25kph maximum speed.

Versions range from a ROPS model, which at 2.6t is light enough to go on a trailer, but the company expects the full cab, air conditioned model to be the most popular in the UK. A range of carriages are available.

Proven Precision Achieve germination rates of up to 96% the highest germination rate in comparison to other systems

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60 | JANUARY 19 2024

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AGRICULTURE

MCHALE presented its new ProPel range of tedders, consisting of the mounted M6-770, which has six rotors with a working width of 7.7 metres, and the eight-rotor 100.2m trailed T8-1020.

A central pivoting point on the ProPel M6-770 connects the headstock to the chassis for effective re-centring on slopes and reduces the machine overhang.

The trailed T8 tedder is coupled to the tractor by a two-point linkage headstock. By pivoting the machine behind the headstock, it can follow very closely behind the tractor to navigate difficult to access areas.

McHale tedders have 1.54m diameter rotors which are equipped with seven tine arms, supporting double hooked tines for a clean, even lift and distribution of crop. The angle and height of the rotors can be adjusted if required.

The optional headland management system allows the tedder to operate at full working width at all times as the crop is deflected away from the edge of the field to allow for easy raking.

When operating in hay, it can also indicate which areas have already been tedded.

PICTURES: JOHN EVESON & MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

MCHALE PROPEL TEDDER

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17/01/2024 15:57

LAMMA SHOW MACHINERY

CASE IH FARMLIFT NEW BUNNING TRAILER RANGE AFTER an interval of 14 years, increased capacity at its Norfolk factory means that Bunning can return to trailer production, with a new range of 14-, 16-, 18- and 20-tonne models, with tapered body and options including silage sides and rollover sheets.

Using a 300mm deep chassis for strength, the company has opted for clean lines in the body,

using straight through folding and pressing and minimising extra ribs.

Top rail size has, however, been increased.

Standard spec on a 16t trailer is air over hydraulic brakes, with load sensing and 26t leaf spring suspensions. ADR 127mm 420 x180 commercial axles are fitted.

Dump and low loader trailers are to follow.

CASE IH has updated its Farmlift telehandler range and showed the 742 which offers a lift capacity of 4.2 metres with a maximum lift height of 7m.

Power is provided by a 146hp 4.5-litre FPT Stage V engine and with 6X3 powershift transmission extended through the range.

Hydraulic performance has been improved with 160-litre/min

output for faster cycle times and a suite of new hydraulic features including return to position, bucket shake and adjustable boom response and shuttling.

A redesign of the engine hood is said to improve visibility, while a new 7in colour screen displays machine settings and acts as a monitor for the optional rear camera.

More LAMMA Show coverage over the page.

Spring Edition

DON’T MISS OUT

PICTURES: JOHN EVESON & MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

Advertising opportunities now available in the Spring Edition of Arable Farming

Advertising Deadline: Friday 10th February at 12 noon Please contact Katie O’Hagan today: 01772 799500 | katie.ohagan@agriconnect.com farmersguardian.com

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JANUARY 19 2024 | 61

17/01/2024 15:58

MACHINERY LAMMA SHOW DEUTZ-FAHR 6 SERIES TTV TRACTOR IT was a first UK showing for Deutz-Fahr’s 6170 TTV, the sixcylinder 170hp model featuring the company’s new ZF Terramatic continuously variable transmission.

Upgrades added at the same time include a 400-litre fuel tank and a choice of spec packages.

The Maxivision Plus, for example, brings two mechanical and two

electronic spools, whereas the all-electric Pro version adds the full armrest with Topcon-derived iMonitor.

Deutz-Fahr has also upgraded the shuttle lever, with a centre detent allowing it to be used in conjunction with the armrest lever.

New options include the three-tonne front linkage moulded casting.

TRIOLIET TRIOTRAC X-RANGE TRIOLIET introduced the Triotrac X-Range self-propelled diet feeder, equipped with a cutter loader system with cutting heights up to eight metres and 32cu.m capacity.

The X-Range is powered by a 270hp FPT engine which slides out of the chassis for servicing and has six-wheel steering allowing the 14.5-metre-long unit to crab up to the clamp side where space is restricted.

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Twin augers with 22/25mm flights are fed from the front conveyor via an auger with heavy duty planetary drive; a 1m-wide conveyor feeds to either side.

The use of a rigid cutting system rather than a milling head is said to preserve the clamp face; the height-adjustable operator cab lowers for transport or raises to give an improved view of both the head and the mixing tub.

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Included in your membership: 52 magazines Farmers Guardian delivered directly to your door every a year week including full digital access. Plus, check out our brand-new features exclusive to Farm Futures members.

Insight – Quarterly, in-depth, analytical reports into the latest agricultural trends to optimise your farming practices Exchange – A series of digital events focused on learning from real case studies and exchanging knowledge with agricultural thought leaders Weekly Digest email – From the desk of FG’s editor every Sunday morning, discover exclusive insights which impact the business of profitable farming Members’ Lounge – Enjoy an exclusive space for members to network at leading events, such as LAMMA, CropTec, Future Farming Expo Scotland and Farm Business Innovation.

Become a member today Visit farmersguardian.com/membership 62 | JANUARY 19 2024

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Call 0330 333 0056 and quote H302 farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 15:58

STOCKS ROTOR JET STOCKS has introduced the Rotor Jet seed and granule applicators, aimed at users with smaller host machines, the four-outlet unit offers precise metering with air-assisted distribution. The four material streams can then be split and spread by eight distribution plates to achieve a four-metre working width.

The Rotor Jet utilises a smaller version of the metering block and rollers employed in its bigger brother the Turbo Jet. Distribution is facilitated by a single high-power SPAL fan.

A compact design and options of 65-, 130- or 240-litre hoppers suit applications such as vineyards where there is an increasing requirement for inter-row green cover establishment and precise in-row fertiliser application.

The Rotor Jet can be fitted with several different control systems from the top of the range i-CON IsoBus system to the new Jackal which takes a forward speed input from the tractor’s seven-pin implement plug.

TEAGLE TOMAHAWK C120 CALIBRATOR auto greasing of the main driveline bearings and two coat powder paint finish.

A grain-milling hopper is an option, processing up to 30t/hour; other uses include pelleting and briquetting applications, with static versions available.

Teagle reports that this machine is finding favour with larger dairy units wishing to process their own straw, including to a fine product similar to sawdust.

TEAGLE has updated its Tomahawk round tub bale processor. The C120 Calibrator offers output of 15 tonnes/hour with a wider and longer conveyor and uses Sintered Tungsten Carbide hammers as standard for durability and to give the capability to process damp materials for biogas applications.

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17/01/2024 15:59

MACHINERY

James Biddlecombe (inset) is pleased with the improved performance and efficiency of the Katana 850.

The Fendt Katana 850 arrived just in time to start the maize harvest for Gloucestershire contractor James Biddlecombe. But was it worth the wait? Geoff Ashcroft reports.

Katana 850 impresses for seasoned Fendt forager user

J

ames Biddlecombe is no stranger to the Fendt Katana.

He and farming partner Brian Morris, based at Manor Farm, Deerhurst, have been stalwarts of the German forager brand since it first arrived in 2015. Back then, Mr Biddlecombe’s contracting business, J.B. Contracting, ran a Katana 65.

In 2018, this was replaced with a more powerful V12-powered Katana 85.

“We wanted more power, so the 85 was a step up,” says Mr Biddlecombe.

“The Katana 85 ran fairly faultlessly for five years and 3,000 hours, only blotting its copybook with the occasional shear bar actuator fault.”

He says that throughout that time, he had been well looked after by his supplying dealer Ross Farm

Machinery – now Chandlers RFM – with a good level of service and backup. This was instrumental in keeping the Fendt brand at the front of his mind when the time came to swap the venerable Katana 85.

“I looked at three other brands, and the part-exchange values varied enormously, as did the purchase prices of new models,” he says.

“Surprisingly, one dealer never even came back with a deal. So we made the decision to stay with Chandlers RFM for the complete package, based on the service and support we had already received with previous Katana models. And with a five-year warranty, I am confident that we can deal with any component failures during our planned period of ownership.”

Having scythed his way through a 730-hectare maize workload this autumn, Mr Biddlecombe says the Katana 850 is smoother, more productive and considerably more efficient than his previous model.

Feed rollers He puts most of this progress down to the feed rollers, and the large diameter chopping cylinder which feeds chopped material out to a wider spout. However, an engine change has introduced impressive torque figures.

He says: “Crop flow is far superior and much smoother through the forager’s six feed rollers. I can load up the corn cracker without fear of the belt slipping – it is a big improvement in maize. It just takes everything that I

can throw at it, and has proved to be a far better foraging package.”

Chopping maize at 9-11mm to suit customer requirements, Mr Biddlecombe says the Katana 850’s feed rollers integrate metal and stone detection, while at the rear of the feed intake crop volume is recorded through a sensor.

“We have been using the yield recording data to good effect,” he says.

“It provides a good indication of crop volumes for those who do not have access to a weighbridge.”

Up front is a nine-metre, 12-row Kemper 390 Plus header, bought as an ex-demo unit to replace his existing 10-row header that had survived on the previous two foragers. Its arrival required two spout extensions to be

Homemade mudguards protect the header from dirt in stickier conditions.

The cab layout is unchanged, and the spout camera operates in isolation.

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farmersguardian.com

16/01/2024 14:30

MACHINERY A Fendt 933 Vario with a front-mounted push-off fork packs maize into the clamp.

The Liebherr in-line six-cylinder engine boasts 847hp from 18 litres.

fitted to ensure trailers had enough clearance to run safely alongside the wider outfit.

In addition, Mr Biddlecombe has fitted homemade mudguards over the front wheels to keep dirt and debris from being flung onto the header when operating in softer conditions.

“I did think that the 12-row would slow our forward speed a bit too much, but it has had very little impact on how we travel, despite the forager having the same headline power output,” he adds.

“Everything just works so much better, and smoother, though I am slightly disappointed that the spout camera has not been integrated into the Vario terminal.”

While sharp-eyed readers may spot the Katana 850’s twin exhaust outlets rising from the back of the bodywork, there is no longer a V-engine under the covers. Output is a modest 847hp, and is now provided by an 18-litre, Liebherr in-line, six-cylinder engine, which meets EU Stage V emissions without needing a diesel particulate filter or exhaust gas recirculation.

Exhaust gases are split upon leaving the engine, and are fed through two large exhaust after-treatment canisters, one on either side. By comparison, Mr Biddlecombe’s outgoing Katana 85 delivered 850hp, with its power served up by a 21-litre V12 MTU engine.

“Fuel efficiency has taken a big leap forward with the change to a Liebherr six-cylinder engine,” he says.

The forager has been very sure-footed, and that includes working on slopes in addition to softer surfaces JAMES BIDDLECOMBE farmersguardian.com

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“The new forager now burns 25 litres/hour less fuel, and the engine can handle an enormous load thanks to its torque reserves. It is also quieter, and more refined too.”

He says there is an Eco mode available, which sees the chopping cylinder speed maintained but using a much lower engine rpm.

“While I have not used the Eco mode yet, I am expecting that to be quite an advantage in grass, particularly when we do not need all 850hp,” he says.

“We should be able to chop through those lighter third and fourth-cut grass crops with far more efficiency.”

Grass silage When it comes to grass silage, Mr Biddlecombe’s workload is about 1,620ha per season, with the majority of grass collected using a Kuhn Merge Maxx 1090. A three-metre Kemper grass header has been bought for the 2024 grass season to handle heavy, merged crops.

He says: “Moving to a merger two years ago has halved our forager blade

wear. With the merger, we can easily get two seasons from a set of grass blades. Although, we did keep a fourrotor rake, only for use with hay that has been tedded out, so we can make decent rows for the balers.”

Blade sharpening on the Katana 850, while automated, now uses a continuous sharpening process rather than end-to-end across the chopping cylinder. Mr Biddlecombe says that air blasts over the sharpening box, at preset intervals, help to keep the machine free of debris.

“Shearbar setting is now much more accurate too, thanks to having uniform blade sharpening,” he adds.

“In maize, I have been sharpening up to four times per day. In addition to keeping a clean cut, it helps overall machine efficiency.”

Mr Biddlecombe prefers to set the shearbar outside the cab rather than through the control terminal, which provides an opportunity to walk around and give the forager a quick visual inspection once complete.

“With auto-lube, there is much less to do when it comes to daily

maintenance, but it does buy you time to just have a look around the forager,” he says.

“Access to all areas of the forager is very easy, with large guards that open up easily. And it is the same with the corn cracker – this machine is much easier to work with compared to the last Katana we had.”

Weight He says the machine has gained weight though, and is nudging 21 tonnes compared to the 85’s lighter 18t weight.

Wheel and tyre equipment includes 800/70 R38 and 620/75 R30, with permanent four-wheel drive managed through Fendt’s BalancedGrip process, offering a form of intelligent traction control.

“The forager has been very sure-footed, and that includes working on slopes in addition to softer surfaces,” says Mr Biddlecombe.

“That extra weight suggests that strength has been put into many key areas which should contribute to overall longevity and reliability.”

Twin spout extensions give adequate clearance for filling trailers when using the ninemetre, 12-row maize header.

JANUARY 19 2024 | 65

16/01/2024 14:30

LIVESTOCK

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

Report shows health and milk quality gains in UK dairy herds rResults to be used

FARMERS have made significant improvements in dairy herd fertility, production and somatic cell counts (SCCs), according to NMR’s latest Key Performance Indicator report.

The report is based on data from 500 NMR-recorded Holstein Friesian herds for the year ended August 2023, and shows the trends from 2010 when the University of Reading first published the report.

The document is designed to be used practically as a benchmarking tool by farmers, vets and advisers to identify where and how improvements can be made.

Annual trends in herd health from 2010 to 2023 show that 70 per cent of herds had a SCC below 200,000 in the year ended August 2023; an improvement from 44 per cent in 2010.

In 2023, 52 per cent of all cows in the 500-herd sample completed their lactations without recording a single high SCC above 200,000 cells/ml. The equivalent figure in 2010 was 35 per cent of cows.

Mastitis incidence across a 242

PICTURE: GETTY

as benchmarking tool

The NMR report shows lifetime milk per cow per day increased by 25 per cent from 10.5kg in 2010 to 12.7kg in 2023.

sample of the 500 recorded herds averaged 22 cases per 100 cows per year; a reduction of 14 cases per 100 cows/year since 2016.

In herds with mastitis records – which is about half the herds in the sample – 85 per cent of cows recorded no mastitis in completed lactations, which was an increase

Line-up of global judges for Borderway UK Dairy Expo THE judges for this year’s Borderway UK Dairy Expo have been announced and include internationally renowned breeders from Australia, the United States and the UK. Brown Swiss breeder Ben Govett will travel from Australia to judge the Holstein, Brown Swiss and Dairy Shorthorn classes.

Australian Jersey dairy farmer Daniel Bacon will judge the Jersey, Red and White, and Ayrshire classes.

Wisconsin-based genetics expert Roger Turner will cross the Atlantic from the United States to judge the international showmanship classes.

And John Cousar, Holstein Master Breeder, will make the comparatively short journey south from Ayrshire 66 | JANUARY 19 2024

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to judge the British Friesian classes.

This year’s event will also include a new heifer class in the Holstein section for milking heifers under 24 months old. This is a first in the UK, and Harrison and Hetherington dairy sales manager and Dairy Expo organiser Glyn Lucas says it highlights the trend in the market for earlier calving of young heifers.

He says: “The introduction of our new heifer class underlines our development as a showcase for industry trends and a platform for stakeholders to share the best of new ideas, technology and, of course, dairy cattle breeds. “ The Borderway UK Dairy Expo will take place in Carlisle on Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, 2024.

from 79 per cent in the same period.

Fertility improvements continue to be made, and since 2010 the mean age at first calving has decreased by 89 days to 804 days (2.2 years), although it has increased by five days since 2022.

The median calving interval is also 30 days shorter than in 2010 at 394 days, but remains unchanged since the last report in 2022.

Conception rates increased by 1 per cent compared to 2022 and are now 39 per cent, and during the past 14 years they have increased by 7 per cent. However, the variation remains high between herds, from 32 per cent in the bottom quartile of herds to more than 45 per cent in the best quartile. Heat detection has also improved by 11 per cent since 2010 and is now 41 per cent.

Yields Milk yields have remained stable for the past five years, averaging 8,737kg in 2023, which was up slightly from 8,708kg in 2022 and by more than 1,000kg on 2010 data. Lifetime milk per cow/day increased by 25 per cent from 10.5kg in 2010 to 12.7kg in 2023.

In the 13 years that the report has been published, the most significant improvements have been in milk fat and protein. Milk fat has increased from 3.35 per cent in

The UK dairy industry is moving in the right direction when it comes to cow health, fertility and production BEN BARTLETT 2010 to 4.26 per cent in 2023, and is up from 4.18 per cent in 2022.

Protein has risen from 3.33 per cent to 3.36 per cent since 2022; up from 3.27 per cent in 2010.

NMR’s Ben Bartlett says: “The report’s latest results show the UK dairy industry is moving in the right direction when it comes to cow health, fertility and production.

“Farmers, vets and advisers who make good use of milk records and take advantage of this valuable data to benchmark their herds against the top 25 per cent for key parameters can make informed decisions and monitor progress in the herd. This will underpin the business’ sustainability.” farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 11:40

LIVESTOCK

Young lambs are at the greatest risk of orf as they grow and come into contact with the virus.

rVirus affects humans, With orf virus a growing issue for sheep producers at this time so farmers also at risk of year, Ellie Layton asks a specialist vet for their advice.

ORF in sheep can be difficult to control and some confusion exists among producers due to a lack of understanding about how this potent virus can be transmitted and its vaccination policy.

Sheep specialist and vet Phillipa Page, of Flock Health, explains that orf is most contagious to lambs or sheep which have not come into contact with the virus before.

She says: “Orf, also known as contagious pustular dermatitis, is a contagious infection of the skin, usually affecting lambs around the mouth and ewes around the teats.

Occasionally, it can affect the gums, coronary band and other areas such as the face and ears.”

Orf lesions are caused by a virus called parapox. They start as small blisters which develop in size and can become infected by bacteria which lead to very painful sores.

This can cause difficulty in feeding and for the lamb to be dull.

Spread Ms Page adds: “Orf is spread via skin contact with the virus from infected scab material in the environment or lesions on other infected animals.

This virus also puts the farmer at risk as it is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can affect humans too.”

Protecting your flock from potent orf virus She advises wearing gloves when dealing with animals which may have orf. Humans can get similar lesions, but they can also develop a systemic illness following infection so great care should be taken.

The risk of the virus is greater on farms where orf has previously been diagnosed, but not all farms are affected.

Young lambs are at the greatest risk as they grow and come into contact with the virus. Any damage to the skin around the mouth caused by moisture from bottle feeding pet lambs or thistles and rough grazing can cause an entry point for the virus and increase the risk of disease.

The scabs from the lesions can remain infected in the environment for a long time. A full cleanout of infected areas and disinfection will help reduce the challenge

Vaccination VACCINATION can reduce outbreaks of the disease. However, for those using the vaccine these tips should be noted for effective use: ■ Discuss with your vet a vaccination plan that is specific to your flock ■ Ewes should be vaccinated no

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less than seven weeks before lambing and moving to lambing areas ■ Lambs can be vaccinated from one day old ■ If you spot any cases of orf, isolate the animals to help prevent the spread of infection

of infection, but not eliminate it completely.

Ms Page says: “When sheep are indoors if your flock has an issue with orf, you need to discuss with your vet as part of your health plan to determine the use of vaccination.

“The vaccination can be used in both lambs and ewes, so a thorough discussion is required to decide how would be most effective to use it. A treatment plan for affected animals to deal with a secondary infection, reduce the associated pain and help maintain feeding is very important.”

Good nutrition She also says good nutrition is required by the ewe and lamb to enable a fully functioning immune system to help deal with the disease.

Preventing orf outdoors can be a harder task, and where possible grazing rough or thistle areas should be avoided.

Ms Page says: “This can increase skin trauma and risk of infection.

It is spread via contact, so creep feeders, water troughs and lick buckets can be a risk to spread the virus. However, nutrition provided by creep needs to be maintained in certain systems and it would be detrimental to stop using feeders.”

The disease is self-limiting and the immune system recognises

Orf is spread via skin contact with the virus from infected scab material in the environment or lesions on other infected animals PHILLIPA PAGE and responds to the virus over a number of days and usually clears after four weeks.

Ms Page says otherwise healthy lambs will be strong and responsive to the infection in most cases. And where the lesions are then affected by a secondary bacteria, a topical antibiotic will help limit the effects and in some cases, an injection of antibiotic and pain relief will be required.

“This needs to be discussed with your vet as part of your health plan.

However, weaker lambs, such as pet lambs, will be at a nutritional disadvantage,” adds Ms Page.

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LIVESTOCK

A

A flock of Highlander composite ewes are performing well at North Falaknowe in the Scottish Borders, and plans are now in place to increase ewe numbers. Wendy Short reports.

Ben Smith

PICTURES: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

fter Ben Smith took over as farm manager at North Falaknowe, near Coldingham in the Scottish Borders, three years ago, he established a flock of Highlander composite ewes.

Mr Smith now runs 550 Highlander ewes, with females not required for replacement production put to the Abermax terminal sire composite.

The Highlanders do well on the grass-based system, with 30-40 per cent of finishing lambs ready for sale at an average of 40kg at 16 weeks old last season.

Lambs are sold both live and deadweight, depending on market prices, with the majority of deadweight sales achieving an R3L grade and averaging 18-19kg.

Electronic identification was introduced in 2023 to help with performance monitoring, and a stringent culling policy is operated for ewes which fail to meet standards.

Mr Smith says: “Any intervention at lambing time is strike-out, along with poor fertility. Ewes with footrot are also culled and any footrotinfected ewe lambs in the breeding group will be diverted into the finishing batch. An exception is made for lameness due to scald because the land tends to be very wet and it is treated using formalin footbaths.”

Ahead of lambing, which starts in the first week of March, Mr Smith operates a system which he describes as ‘reverse flushing’.

“The goal is to maintain body condition scores at 2.5-3 all year round,” he says.

“The ewes are kept fairly lean, as I have found in the past that barren numbers will rise at scanning if they put on too much weight and it will also produce too many sets of triplets. As soon as the lambs have been weaned, the ewes will go onto the poorest pasture.

“Nevertheless, I will also cull ewes that are underweight, despite being kept on adequate grazing. It can be

Composite sheep breed performs well on low-input system an indication of a possible underlying health issue, or a below-average potential for grass conversion efficiency.

“The Highlander and Abermax rams are hard workers, with 540 ewes tupped in the first 14 days of the 2023 season. They go in after the

teaser tups at a ratio of one ram per 80 ewes, although group numbers have gone up to 100 ewes on occasion.”

Ewes usually scan at an average 200 per cent, with a figure of 170 per cent and above for lambs sold.

An initial attempt to lamb outside

and fully outwinter the group proved unsuccessful on the 121-hectare (300-acre) unit.

Land “The land is classified as Less Favoured Area, with a heavy soil type and a high average rainfall. After the

The lamb selling period starts at the end of June, with weaning in August and all the lambs away by mid-October.

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LIVESTOCK

Ben Smith, who runs 550 Highlander ewes at North Falaknowe, says the breed has ‘proved its worth’.

first year, I learned that housing the ewes from mid-December and indoor lambing was the way forward,” says Mr Smith.

“Ewes carrying singles and twins receive silage alone, but ewes with triplets will receive a small quantity of concentrate feed. A mineral lick bucket is provided all year round.

“The Highlander has strong maternal traits; even the gimmers will readily follow their lambs when being moved. Therefore, it is a straightforward process to mother on triplets, so that the majority end up with a pair of lambs.

“Most are turned out within hours of the birth, weather permitting, although gimmers – as well as ewes with triplets – usually stay inside for a couple of days.”

The lamb selling period starts at the end of June, with weaning in August and all the lambs away by mid-October.

Mr Smith says: “Only the pet lambs receive concentrate feed; the rest are finished off grass. If necessary, the stragglers may be marketed as stores, but the plan is to introduce clover to the silage leys and graze the lambs on the regrowth following a cut in June/July. Hopefully, this will

speed up finishing times for any lambs that are lagging behind.”

The current rotational pattern uses three fields per group, with the sheep moved on a weekly basis.

“In future, electric fencing will be utilised to reduce the size of the grazing areas and allow for the sheep to be moved on a more frequent basis. A reseeding programme has been started and there will be a switch to herbal leys,” says Mr Smith.

Soil The jury is still out on a policy of applying a combination of humic acid, trace elements and microbial supplements to some fields, with the aim of improving soil nutrient uptake.

However, Mr Smith has been encouraged by the results to date.

He says: “Two fields were fertilised and also treated with the liquid product in the first year. Grass growth responded well, so it was used more extensively in the second and third years. An application of the product costs £173/ha, compared with £250/ha for standard fertiliser.

“Finishing lamb weights increased by 15 per cent on the humic-treated fields, and I have

Farm facts

been confident enough to cut fertiliser rates by 50 per cent where the product has been used, with no apparent effect on grass productivity. Therefore, it has produced a return on investment.

“Next season, I will continue the trial and leave some fields treated with the product but totally unfertilised otherwise, so that the results can be more fully compared.”

Based on his previous experience with the Highlander, Mr Smith is anticipating that both ewes and rams will have a long and productive life.

He expects the ewes to produce at least five lamb crops, and they will be culled after six crops to maintain productivity.

Worming and vaccination treatments are kept to a minimum, with faecal egg counting used extensively.

“The rotational grazing helps with minimising the worm burden, and there have been few problems.

There was an issue with nematodirus in my second year and it was treated using a white drench product. The ewes are wormed a couple of weeks pre-lambing and smaller lambs will be drenched, but wormers are not used on a routine basis,” says Mr Smith.

The ewes are housed from mid-December and lambing takes place indoors.

The ethos of the farm business is to maintain profitability without support payments BEN SMITH farmersguardian.com

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■ The Highlander composite was developed in New Zealand more than two decades ago ■ The unit supported mixed breed ewes when Mr Smith was appointed farm manager, with the original flock culled following a Maedi Visna outbreak ■ North Falaknowe is run as one business with the neighbouring farm, trading as James Brown; the other holding supports an arable rotation and a Scottish Blackface flock, with some ewes put to Highlander tups

“An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis resulted in the loss of a number of lambs in 2022, but fortunately it has not recurred. The ewes are vaccinated for protection against clostridial diseases.”

The first couple of years saw Mr Smith buying in Highlander replacements locally, but he will be breeding from home-bred stock for the first time in 2024.

He says: “The Highlander has proved its worth. It is a light-framed sheep which suits the land type and fulfils all the requirements for management and performance, including efficient forage conversion and good wool coverage.

“I have never worked on farms in New Zealand, but I have worked alongside a number of New Zealanders and I appreciate the potential benefits of the country’s approach to flock management.

“The ethos of the farm business is to maintain profitability without support payments. As part of the process, ewe numbers should be up to about 750 ewes for lambing in 2025. That is the maximum that has currently been set, as the farm also has an arable acreage and a dozen Hereford cows.

“However, the target ewe number is not set in stone, because further improvements to grass productivity may lead to a review in the future.”

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Dairy-Tech takes place at Stoneleigh Park on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Farmers Guardian takes a look at what is in store for visitors.

Dairy-Tech is a one-stop shop for innovation N ew products, innovation and groundbreaking technology will be on show at this year’s DairyTech, with organisers aiming to bring dairy farmers an event which recognises the needs

of modern dairy professionals.

As well as the latest in services and concepts, there will also be speaker sessions in the Dairy and Innovation Hubs.

Here, topics discussed will include dairy market updates, achieving carbon neutrality and

Event details ■ When: 8am to 5.30pm on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 ■ Where: Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2LG ■ Tickets: All visitor tickets booked in advance are £20, with free tickets and further concessions for Royal Association Of British Dairy Farmers members; tickets purchased on the gate are £25 and discounts are available for students and Young Farmers

Dairy Hub

FOR MORE INFORMATION, SCAN THE QR CODE

MORE INFORMATION Visit dairy-tech.uk, or email office@rabdf.co.uk

HEALTHY FEET ZONE VISIT the Healthy Feet Zone to find out about prevention and treatment of lameness on-farm.

Demonstrations The zone will include demonstrations from experienced cattle lameness vets, vet technicians and foot trimmers, who will be able to identify and explain the causes of lameness, possible treatments and how to prevent these problems.

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looking at how your levy is spent.

Technology giant Google will open the Dairy Hub with a keynote address looking at future consumer dynamics and what changes we are likely to see, as well as answering questions about why it is important for businesses to stay aligned with the ever-changing needs and requirements of the consumer.

place at 12pm and 2pm, using real feet to show both common and more unusual causes of lameness, where visitors will have the opportunity to discuss the practical ways to prevent them from occurring.

A team of experts will be on hand to answer questions and outline how correctly identifying lesions and their causes, alongside best practice foot trimming, is the most effective way of being able to appropriately treat different types of lameness.

Other top experts will feature on the Dairy Hub throughout the day to discuss the environment, ways of achieving carbon neutrality and the role of diversity in agriculture, plus a dairy market update debate hosted

by Chris Walkland.

The Dairy Hub will also welcome Hillary Curnow, agriculture counsellor at the New Zealand High Commission, who will detail New Zealand’s journey to net zero and look at how it compares to the progress we are making in the UK. As part of this year’s session on animal health and welfare, Defra’s policy lead Martin Jenkins will provide a Government update on driving down disease.

This session will conclude with the presentation of the Royal

PICTURE: TIM SCRIVENER

LIVESTOCK DAIRY-TECH PREVIEW

Association Of British Dairy Farmers’ Farm Health Management Award – a competition open to vet and agricultural students based on proactive farm health management practices.

Innovation Hub The Innovation Hub will be dedicated to showcasing the latest technologies available to help the modern dairy farmer.

This will include on-farm diagnostic testing for mastitis and a session on the current grants available for those looking to invest in technology, infrastructure and equipment.

The event will also host a ‘Healthy Feet Zone’ in Hall 2A, and new for this year’s Dairy-Tech will be a training area – which is being led by training provider Lantra – where there will be live demonstrations focusing on topics such as farm safety and livestock handling.

Enter ADF Milking competition A COMPETITION to give away an ADF automatic dipping and flushing system worth up to £30,000 – with consumables and servicing included for one year – has been launched.

An entry form can be completed at Dairy-Tech on the ADF Milking stand (Stand B56 in Hall 2) before

3pm on February 7, or entries can be made now online.

The winner will be announced at the ADF Milking stand at Dairy-Tech at 3pm.

MORE INFORMATION For more details, visit adfmilking.com/competition farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 11:52

DAIRY-TECH PREVIEW LIVESTOCK TRAINING HUB LAND-BASED training and awarding organisation Lantra will be leading the ‘Training Hub’ at Dairy-Tech, offering CPD and taster sessions on the day.

Farm safety Exhibiting in partnership with approved training provider Jimmy Hughes Training, these sessions will provide advice and guidance to help keep you safe on-farm when going about your daily routine of handling and moving cattle, as well as the use of machinery and general livestock health.

Lantra’s head of industry partnerships David Fisher will also be available to answer any questions you may have about training and qualifications for yourself or your staff.

Dairy-Tech organisers have aimed to bring dairy farmers an event which recognises the needs of modern dairy professionals.

MORE INFORMATION Visit Stand E14 at Dairy-Tech to find out more.

Providing Comfortable & Sustainable Livestock Housing Solutions for your Farm GRANT APPROVED Cow Cubicles, Mattresses & Slurry Management Systems.

Call today for a free consultation and quote!

Visit us at DAIRYTECH at Stand B104

07985 602767 farmersguardian.com

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17/01/2024 11:52

LIVESTOCK DAIRY-TECH PREVIEW Some of the latest dairy technology, products and innovations will be on show at Dairy-Tech 2024. Katie Jones takes an early look at some of them.

New products launching at Dairy-Tech HOOFCOUNT LAUNCHES MULTI-BATH A SYSTEM enabling producers to cost effectively invest in and run up to five individual automated footbaths from one control box is being launched by Hoofcount.

Hoofcount Multi-Bath uses a central control box to monitor and control each bath while the system features a valve unit installed alongside each footbath to control and correctly dose with chemical solution and enable it to run independently.

The footbath solution can be stored in one central location.

Each footbath can be monitored and controlled via a mobile app.

The Multi-bath system was

originally designed for North American farms with significantly larger herds and where distances between baths and chemical store are greater than at UK farms.

However, with the trend towards larger UK dairy units and multiple automated milking systems, coupled with producers adopting a whole herd approach towards footbathing, the company says this system enables UK farmers to cost effectively invest in just one control box to manage up to five footbaths installed on the farm. n More details: hoofcount.com

TESTING CALVES FOR ANTIBODIES A PEN-SIDE test, ImmunIGY Bovine IgG, to determine the level of antibodies present in calves up to 42 days of age is now available Developed by Bimeda the test uses blood from a small prick to the calf’s nose, which is then used in a lateral flow test to give a result within 10 minutes. Compared to 72 | JANUARY 19 2024

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traditional ‘historical’ methods of testing for failure of passive transfer, this test does not require a vet to take the blood sample and can be done on older calves, which is useful in systems where older calves are being purchased. n More details: calf-immunity.co.uk

SPREAD-A-BALE UNVEILS MICRO ST SPREAD-a-Bale is launching a new option of its M range of straw spreading machines for dairy producers with one-tonne to 2t lift capacity loaders and designed for bedding calf hutches and buildings with narrow access points.

Called the Micro ST (Side Throw), the machine combines a 695kg lightweight steel chassis and bracketing system, and measures 1.78 metres wide.

The header features a single

vertical rotor availing side discharge of straw either to the left, to the right or forwards facilitated by the turn of a valve and canopy.

The machine spreads 5ft round straw bales or half a rectangular bale and offers a longitudinal spread pattern of 1m wide and up to 7m throw with minimum dust.

The Micro ST, which has a starting price of £15,750, is available from Spread-a-Bale’s dealer network. n More details: spread-a-bale.com

NEW GEMINI MILKING ROBOT

ENERGY SUPPLY AUDIT OFFERED

THE Gemini UP, a newer version of the original Gemini milking robot from BouMatic, has been launched.

The Gemini UP has been developed with the focus on the best milking practices, cow comfort and lowering energy consumption.

The upgrade contains a vast list of new features including an optimised milk path, which enables the milk to flow per quarter without any restrictions into the milk receiver.

It has new mechanical circulation cleaning, which consumes less water at a lower temperature, and a new udder vision system, which leads to quicker and more reliable milking. n More details: boumatic.com

THE energy consultancy, TCD Energy, will be exhibiting for the first time at Dairy-Tech and is offering a free cost reduction audit for dairy farmer’s electricity, gas and water supplies.

The company says it helps more than 80 per cent of the farming and agricultural business they audit in reducing annual spend on utilities.

On average, they reduce utility costs for clients by 30 per cent in addition to also recovering overpayments to energy suppliers on their behalf.

The company also specialises in accessing Government schemes, including the Energy Bill Discount Scheme. n More details: tcdenergy.com

MANAGING TRANSITION COW RISK INTELLIGENTLY USING your farm’s existing management software, the AI tool Predicta Guardian from Dairy Data Warehouse, analyses milk recording or milk meter data along with reproduction data from a cow’s previous lactation, to determine whether a dry cow is at risk of transition diseases.

The tool generates health alarms for individual animals during the dry period so that early intervention can be made. Producers are offered a two-month free trial of the product, which usually costs about £350£400 for a 180 to 200-cow herd. n More details: dairydatawarehouse.com

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 13:17

LIVESTOCK TOOL TO MANAGE DAIRY EMISSIONS A WEB tool, MCi Dairy Emissions Manager, has been designed by The Dairy Group to help dairy farmers understand and manage their dairy emissions.

Key data can be entered monthly to enable reporting of dairy emissions for any time period and the system uses the same data as used for monthly dairy costings to save the duplication of data recording.

Data collection is flexible and can be done either via web entry, via an app or via a bureau service.

SLURRY INOCULANT CUTS CRUST FORMATION A NEW slurry inoculant containing specialised strains of bacteria and fungi, which has been found to reduce crust formation on slurry stores by almost one-third, will be on show from EnviroSystems.

The inoculant comes in two forms — SlurryBugs and SlurryBugs Maintenance — and should be used in a two-step process. New customers and those with a crusting issue are advised to use SlurryBugs to break down any existing crust and prevent any fibrous material added to the store from accumulating. Each sachet (1.5kg) will treat 500cu.m of slurry for the duration of its storage.

Customers are advised to treat for the duration of the storage.

Once a homogeneous slurry has been achieved and the crust is under control, SlurryBugs Maintenance is a lower concentration product that can help prevent further problems.

Summer It can also be used over the summer to top up the bacteria content and prevent dry crusts from forming ahead of the next storage season.

There is also an opportunity for farmers to apply for a free year’s supply of SlurryBugs in exchange for data collection.

Spaces are limited and terms and conditions apply. n More details: Visit the stand at Dairy-Tech or email the team at info@envirosystems.co.uk

DISEASE DETECTION FROM IN-LINE MILK ANALYSER AN in-line milk analyser, Brolis HerdLine, has been developed by the high-tech company Brolis Sensor Technology.

It is based on a next-generation infrared laser sensor, which enables exceptional accuracy in real-time measurements.

It is compatible with a wide range of milking parlours and can operate with both new and old milking systems.

The data provided at the individual animal level is used for the early detection of diseases, and can also be used to help make decisions on genetic selection.

The summarised information about the health and productivity of the dairy herd can be viewed using the Brolis HerdLine software on a computer screen, tablet, or smartphone. n More details: brolisherdline.com

HEALTHY AND OPTIMAL CALF REARING A GROUP of three electronic weighing scales for calves, part of the WeightControl family, are now available from Holm and Laue.

The three products; the WeightControl Base (platform scale), WeightControl Single (mobile individual scale), and WeightControl Multiple (mobile group scale for front loader transport), have all been designed to make the weighing of calves

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easier so that a database can be created to aid management decisions such as selection and feeding strategies.

Each of the weight scales is fitted with a radio frequency identification reader which automatically recognises the calf’s eartag.

Costs range from £4,500 to £7,600. n More details: holm-laue.com

The Dairy Group also provides additional tools to help with the understanding of dairy emissions including a relative feed value calculator which provides both the pounds sterling value together with the emissions value for the different feeds. This is the culmination of a three-year Innovate UK project in conjunction with Nottingham University and QMMS. There is a £30/month cost for the MCi Dairy Emissions Manager. n More details: thedairygroup.co.uk

NEWEST ADDITION TO TEAT DIP RANGE A NEW post-milking teat dip, Masomint, has been launched

by Evans Vanodine.

The dip has been formulated with a mint odour containing L-menthol for its soothing properties, and high levels of glycerol to smooth and soften the skin.

The dip also has a bactericidal action due to the presence of

chlorhexidine gluconate and lactic acid, which means it is effective against a range of mastitis-causing organisms.

It is dark blue colour in colour, so it is easy to see when applied to the cows’ teats. The product is also suitable for use in robotic milking plants. n More details: evansvanodine.co.uk

RETRO-FIT CLEAN-TECH SYSTEM A NEW retro-fit clean-tech system for existing automated milking systems is now available from UK-based innovation company, Oxi-Tech.

Called Pulse Oxidation Dairy (POD) for Robotic Systems, the technology can be integrated into existing robotic systems and features next generation software with secure cloud data and remote phone app monitoring which optimizes Oxi-Tech’s chemical-free disinfection system.

The technology uses low voltage electricity in a process called pulse oxidation to disinfect the water.

Pulse oxidation energises cold water to create a clean, but powerful, disinfectant that includes a range of activated oxygen molecules which are recognised as powerful microbial biocides, killing bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, including chlorine resistant Cryptosporidium.

Once the activated oxygen has undertaken disinfection, any remaining molecules simply revert to oxygen and water, so there are no side effects to the milk or water.

The company says that when compared with an automated milking system’s existing cleaning system requiring energy to heat the cleaning water, this new technology uses about 50 times less energy.

The system has a start up cost

of £30,000 and a typical return on investment is estimated to be three years based on two milking robots.

POD for Robotic Systems is estimated to reduce a 250-cow herd’s carbon footprint by more than five tonnes per year. The figure includes the carbon associated in producing and transporting cleaning chemicals in blue plastic barrels and their disposal.

The system is installed by connecting the existing wash system to the Oxi-Tech components accommodated in a stand-alone one metre by 1.5m slimline black steel box, either wall mounted or mobile.

POD requires a bi-annual service. n More details: info@oxitechsolutions.com

JANUARY 19 2024 | 73

17/01/2024 13:18

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11/01/2024 17:15 16/01/2024 10:29

WORKING DOGS

Two top dogs grace North Westmorland

rArthur Temple and

Helena Svobodova win England: Elaine Hill TAKING both first and second placings in each of their respective classes, Arthur Temple and Helena Svobodova had a successful day at the North Westmorland trial, at Tailbert, Shap.

Three trials were held at this venue, the first a Windermere trial where the 53 entries were judged by Malcolm Metcalfe. With a fetch of 300 yards, the course was gathered either way.

Driving was to the right with the last obstacle a pull through. Running was on packets of three feeding hoggs which proved tricky to handle.

Title However, with a later run, Tony Birkett’s home-bred Ben managed them well to take his first nursery title with a score of 74 points.

Tony went on to win the Yorkshire nursery with Bob, from the same litter as Ben which was placed fourth and he was sixth with Spot, their sire.

Norman Westgarth won the novice class, which had a single after the pen, with Jim, another home-bred dog on 77 points, while Kate Nicholas was the best new handler running Zen. Saturday’s trial with a smaller entry of 36, was judged by Brian Dodd.

English results WINDERMERE (Judge, M. Metcalfe, Wharton) Nursery (53 ran) 1, T. Birkett (Carnforth) Ben, 74 of 90; 2, T. Huddleston (Caton) Lidl, 73; 3, D. Purdham (Holmrook) Matt, 72; 4, A. Temple (Holmrook) Jess, 70; 5, A. Temple, Pentre Roxy, 64; 6, Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Clay, 63.

Novice, 1, N. Westgarth (Askham) Jim, 77 of 100; 2, P. Rigby (Skelsmergh) Kim, 66; 3, G. Miller (Penruddock) Gin, 37. New Handler, 1, K. Nicholas (Waberthwaite) Zen. NORTH WESTMORLAND (B. Dodd, Kendal) Nursery (36 ran) 1, A. Temple, Pentre Roxy, 76 of 90; 2, A. Temple, Jess, 74; 3, M. Elliott (Alston) Rose, 73; 4, S. Metcalfe (Sedbergh) Max, 70; 5, D. Purdham (Holmrook) Tilly, 69; 6, P. Ellis (New Hutton) Tip, 67. Novice, 1, H. Svobodova (Hallbankgate) Mia, 71 of 90; 2, H. Svobodova, Tristan, 62; 3, N. Westgarth, Jim, 61; 4, G. Miller, Gin, 44. New Handler, 1, J. McDaid (Gilsland) Jim; 2, R. Meadley (Cockermouth) Jazz. Sunday (M. Glasgow, Stodday) Nursery (41 ran) 1, P. Ellis, Tip, 81 of 90; 2, D. Purdham, Tilly, 75 OLF; 3, S. Metcalfe, Max, 75; 4, P. Rigby, Sid, 74; 5, J. Relph (Greystone) Ben, 73; 6, A. Temple, Jess, 69. Novice, 1, H. Svobodova, Mia, 79 of 90; 2, P. Rigby, Kim, 69; 3, N. Westgarth, Jim, 56; 4, A. Hughes (Lanercost) Max, 54. New Handler, 1, S. Bennett (Chorley) George; 2, R. Meadley, Jazz.

YORKSHIRE (B. Helliwell, Lancaster) Nursery (43 ran) 1, T. Birkett, Bob, 91 of 100; 2, I. Ibbotson (Oakworth) Sal, 90; 3, T. Huddleston, Lidl, 88; 4, T. Birkett, Ben, 85; 5, R. Dean (Chipping) Yan, 80; 6, T. Birkett, Spot, 78. Young handler 1, C. Russell (Oakworth) Nell.

SLINDON (J. Elkin, Hilderstone Nursery (43 ran) 1, R. Ellis (Bridgend) Pip, 94 of 100; 2, D. Wood (Derwent Valley) Hill Top John, 86; 3, K. Evans (Brecon) Jet, 85; 4, K. Evans, Hendre Jet, 80 OLF;

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Running at 21, Mark Elliott set the standard in the nursery with Rose, gaining 73 points. They held the lead until Arthur ran Pentre Roxy at 30.

Gathering left-handed, Roxy had a good start with minor deviations of line down the fetch.

Although the hoggs often refused to flow up the first leg of the drive, she handled them well and put them through the obstacle. They skipped over a wet patch of ground on the cross-drive and she judged it just right to turn them into the last obstacle.

Her sheep slipped just up the side of the pen before she turned them and put them in. With a score of 76, Arthur and Roxy took their first nursery win.

Three runs later Arthur went to the post with Jess. She lost the same points

from her out-bye work, but dropping one more point from both her driving and her pen, Jess was the runner-up on 74.

Helena ran her two novice dogs in the morning setting the standard with Tristan. His sheep were awkward over the first leg of the drive and one slipped at the obstacle. Seven points were lost at the pen giving a score of 62.

A couple of runs later Helena went to the post with Mia. Following a clean right-hand gather Mia dropped points at the lift and for deviations down the fetch, before having a very good drive.

The sheep were never easy to pen where six points were lost, but scoring 71 Mia was the clear winner, while Tristan was the runner-up. Jane McDaid was the best new handler running Jim.

Trials diary ENGLAND January 13. YORKSHIRE, Nursery, Hull House, Hellifield, North Yorkshire, BD23 4JP, 9.30am start, enter on field, more than one dog, first to be booked in by noon. TRAWDEN, Nursery, Coolham Farm, Higher Twiston, Clitheroe, BB7 4BY, 9.30am start, enter on field by 1pm, more than one dog first to be booked in by noon.

MORTON, Nursery, novice and beginner, Camp Farm, NN14 4EW, 9am start, enter on field by noon. SLINDON, Nursery, novice and beginner, Slindon House Farm, Slindon, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LX, 9.30am start, enter on field by noon. NORTHERN, Nursery, novice and new handler, Waitby, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4HF, 9.30am start, enter on field by 1pm.

RYEDALE, Nursery, West House Farm, Kildale, YO21 2SE, 11am start, enter on field, more than one dog first to be booked in by 1pm.

January 13 and 14. NORTH WESTMORLAND, Nursery, novice and new handler trials on both days, Tailbert Farm, Shap, CA10 3ND, 9am start, enter on field by 1pm.

EAST ANGLIAN, Heveningham, IP19 0PN, Saturday, Cradle and novice handler, Sunday, nursery and novice, entry closed.

January 14. MID-SHIRES, Eastcote, Solihull, B92 0JJ, 8.30am start, enter on field. SURREY, Nursery and novice, Shabden Park Farm, High Road, Chipstead, Surrey, CR5 3SF, 10am start, enter on field by 11am.

The following day over the same course Helena won the novice class again with Mia on 79 points.

Jasmine Grant and Nell edge the win at Evanton Scotland: Sine Robertson A GOOD outrun gave Jasmine Grant and Nell the edge over a closely packed list at Evanton.

Big, strong cross swale hoggs ran well on a field with a hollow, which could take sheep out of sight of dogs on right or left outruns. Nell ran out right to the spot, lifted her sheep, kept good lines on the course and got all her gates. A clean finish assured her win.

Ian Sutherland’s Dan stopped short 5, K. Evans, Tess, 80; 6, C. Slater (Brecon) Ted, 79. Novice, 1, K. Evans, Kemi Gin, 85 of 100; 2, S. Allen (Butterton) Jet, 80; 3, B. Williams (Ysceifiog) Mot, 70.

TRAWDEN (B. Galloway, Chipping Norton) Nursery (11 ran) 1, R. Taylor (Burnley) Tess, 77 of 90; 2, R. Hutchinson (Littledale) Jolene, 75; 3, R. Hutchinson, Chrissy, 70; 4, J. Palmer (Twiston) Taff, 60; 5, R. Taylor, Dot, 58 OLF; 6, J. Harrison (Keasden) Tweed, 58.

RYEDALE (B. Harland, Pickering) Nursery (12 ran) 1, J. Atkinson (Escrick) Cindy, 70 of 90; 2, I. Murdoch (Sutton-on-the-Forest) Del, 60; 3, T. Bennett (Malton) Strike, 45 OLF; 4, S. Aconley (Winteringham) Sal, 45; 5, J. Goulder (Pickering) Hilston Sim; 6, P. Exelby (Nun Appleton) Bett.

NORTHERN (W. van Dongen, Carlisle) Nursery (35 ran) 1, D. Purdham, Tilly, 65 of 90; 2, S. Metcalfe, Max, 63; 3, K, Cropper (Shap) Roy, 61; 4, A. Ridley (Blanchland) Glen, 45; 5, F. Satterthwaite (Brough) Rob, 44; 6, T. Hutchinson (Middleton-in-Teesdale) Fee, 43. Novice, 1, P. Rigby, Kim, 49 of 100. New Handler, 1, J. McDaid, Jim. SURREY (R. Hawke, Salisbury) Nursery (30 ran) 1, M. Banham (Chipstead) Shabden Glen, 91 of 100; 2, J. Watson (Postbridge) Scott, 89; 3, M. Banham, Jon, 86. Novice, 1, J. Watson, Don, 89 of 100; 2, J. Watson, Jan, 88; 3, T. Carter (Wellington) Brew, 87.

MID-SHIRES (J. Stubberfield, Cirencester) Nursery (32 ran) 1, B. Smith (Harborough Magna) Ben, 67 of 90; 2, P. Johnson (Burton upon Trent) Matt, 62; 3, I. Rees (Llanfaredd) Pentre Jax, 54; 4, M. Bastard (Aldbourne) Fern, 53; 5, S. Mynard (Thrapston) Winston, 52; 6, S. Varney (Kilburn) Jack, 50. Novice, 1, P. Johnson, Scalpsie Inch, 79 of 100; 2, J. McBride (Grantham) Boss, 56; 3, H. Condron (Northleach) Rui, 45; 4, A. Sayer (Hilderstone) Waitby Lyn, 32. Open (4 ran) 1, M. Hooper (Suckley) Gyp. EAST ANGLIAN Saturday (M. Angood, Chatteris)

on his outrun, but after lifting, he followed Nell’s pattern, right down to the clean work at hand, and finished a single point behind her.

At the first Birchburn trial, Iain McConnell’s Fly started out very well, but had a poor cross-drive and the strong Mule hoggs missed the gate.

Good close work helped to make up for the missed gate and Fly flew home in first place. Wully Stevenson’s Tweeddale Morag had a similar run to Fly, adding a missed fetch get to her

list of omissions. A good pen and shed put the run into second place.

Fresh Cheviot gimmers on a rising field on a frosty day proved photogenic at Hunterston, where the cross-drive gate caught out some handlers. Ian Lockhart’s Roy started out well, although his fetch gate was a little sticky.

Roy made a slightly wide turn round Ian on to a good first leg with another slightly wide turn, but a good cross drive and return followed. A good pen and shed completed his winning run.

Cradle 1, D. Presland (Great Yarmouth) Nap, 41; 2, K. Gurney (Sandy) Floss, 39; 3, A. Bartram (Colby) Dilly, 31; 4, L. Rice (Woolpit) Autumn, 20. Novice, Handler 1, A. Bartrum, Jeep, 54; 2, L. Knocker (Newmarket) Sheila, 48 OLF; 3, D. Heywood (Great Dunmow) Tess, 48; 4, A. Bartram, Hazel, 45.

Sunday (B. Wilden, Bramford) Nursery (20 ran) 1, M. Angood, Prim, 59 of 90 OLF; 2, E. Hawkins (Ipswich) Jan, 59; 3, D. Presland, Nap, 58; 4, L. Hogg (Occold) Jet, 52; 5, J. Gregory, Hollie, 25.

Novice, 1 S. Little (Kerdiston) Bradley, 76 of 100; 2, P. Cleary (Spilsby) Sam, 65; 3, D. Chapman (Docking) Killiebrae Kyle, 61; 4, L. Knocker, Cindy, 57.

Graylees Flute, 77 Outbye; 4, E. Gray (Ardros) Mainstay Jock, 77; 5, S.L. Davidson (Sandbank) Mac, 74; 6, L. Gast (Scalpsie) Scalpsie Herbie, 66.

GILLISBIE II (W. Todd, Langholm) Nursery (14 ran) 1, H Hampshire (Gatehouse) Skye, 88; 2, M. Young (Stranraer) Duncallean Tandy, 86; 3, I. McMillan (Newton Stewart) Cat, 85; 4, K. Keith (Lockerbie) Foinaven Ellie, 82; 5, A. Stewart (Lockerbie) Annandale Spot, 81; 6, A. Stewart Annandale Alice, 77.

KIRKBRIDE, GELSTON (B. White Dalry) Nursery (14 ran) 1, F. Shennan (Barr) Fred, 87; 2, F. Shennan Nap, 82; 3, A.R. Mundell (Moffat) Jock, 80; 4, D. Robertson (Langholm) Zak, 72; 5, J. Thomson (Carsphairn) Roy, 66; 6, C.A. Anderson (Penpont) Una; Pro Novice, 1, R. Malcolm (Gatehouse) Gael ; 2, T. Blacklock (Kirkconnell) Chip.

BIRCHBURN, ARRAN I (G. Brooks, Southpark) Nursery (7 ran) 1, I. McConnell (Lamlash) Fly, 83; 2, W. Stevenson (Whiting Bay) Tweeddale Morag, 69.

BIRCHBURN, ARRAN II (G. Brooks, Southpark) Nursery (7 ran) 1, I. McConnell Fly, 73; 2, W. Stevenson Tweeddale Morag, 69; Older dogs 1, M. McNeish (Sliderry) Pip, 84 Time; 2, I. McConnell Joe, 84; 3, I. Logan (Pirnmill) Bute, 60.

GAUPS MILL (H. Svobodova, Hallbankgate) Nursery (14 ran) 1 F. Shennan (Barr) Nap, 80; 2, F. Shennan Fred, 71; 3, D. Robertson (Langholm) Zak; 4, A.R. Mundell (Moffat) Jock; 5, J. Thomson Roy; 6, C.A. Anderson (Penpont) Una ; Pro Novice, 1, T. Blacklock (Kirkconnell) Chip ; 2, R. Malcolm (Gatehouse) Gael.

SPOTTISWOODE (D. Wallace, Blythe Bridge) Nursery (12 ran) 1, J. Foster (Earlston) Cap, 90; 2, I. Jackson (Ancrum) Zac, 71; 3, W.S. Elliot (Yetholm) Roy, 69; 4, A. Dickman (Oxton) Lady, 66; 5, B. McSporran (Wester Middleton) Cass, 64; 6, E. Foster (Brotherston) Glen, 62; Novice, 1, B. McSporran Cass, 64; 2, E. Runciman (Lauder) Meg, 51.

Scottish results EVANTON (H Munro, Inverness) Nursery (20 ran) 1, J. Grant (Dunbeath) Nell, 95; 2, I. Sutherland (Strathnaver) Dan (Hielan Cap) 94; 3, D. Worthington (Skarfskerry) Bob, 93; 4, G. Simpson (Forgue) Carlos, 91; 5, M. Ashworth (Kinloss) Rex, 90; 6, G. Simpson Greiston Mick, 89.

RONACHAN I (J. Main, Whitehouse) Nursery (12 ran) 1, J. McKillop (Fort Augustus) Glen, 91; 2, J. Shanks (Ardtornish) Link, 89; 3, A. McCuish (Skipness) Nan, 73; 4, K. Strachan (Roybridge) Mirk, 71; 5, M. MacNally (Invergarry) Creag, 69; 6, R. Rennie (Furness) Ash, 65.

RONACHAN II (J. Main, Whitehouse) Nursery (12 ran) 1, J. McKillop (Fort Augustus) Glen, 93; 2, J. Shanks (Ardtornish) Link, 86; 3, R. Rennie (Furness) Ash, 84; 4, D. MacKinnon (Taynault) Torr, 79; 5, K. Grieve (Skipness) Mirk, 74; 6, A. McCuish (Skipness) Nan, 71.

HUNTERSTON II (B. Welsh, Beoch) Nursery (16 ran) 1, I. Lockhart (Carsphairn) Roy, 90; 2, C. Toner (Drimsynie) Fernhill Spot, 83; 3, E. Gray (Ardros)

JANUARY 19 2024 | 75

17/01/2024 13:06

MARKET PRICES PRIMESTOCK ENGLAND All prices quoted in p/kg.

STEERS Market day(s) week ending Jan 14

Acklington Th Ashford Tu Bakewell Mo Barnard Castle Bentham Tu Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Tu Brockholes We Carlisle Mo Cirencester Th Clitheroe Cockermouth We Colchester Tu Cutcombe Darlington Th\Mo Exeter Mo Frome We Gisburn Th Hailsham We Hallworthy Hawes Sa Hereford Hexham Tu Holmfirth Holsworthy We Hull/Dunswell Kendal Th Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Fr Leek Tu Leyburn We Longtown Th Louth Mo Ludlow Malton Tu Market Drayton We\Mo Market Harborough Melton Mowbray We Newton Abbot (Rendells) Northallerton We\Tu Norwich Oswestry We Otley Mo Penrith Mo Ross on Wye Mo Rugby Mo Ruswarp Salisbury Tu Scots Gap Sedgemoor Mo Selby We Shrewsbury Tu Skipton Mo South Molton Stratford Thame Thirsk Th Thrapston Truro We Ulverston Tu Wigton Wooler Worcester We York Mo

HEIFERS

YOUNG BULLS

Total cattle number

Light average

Medium average

Heavy average

Light average

Medium average

Heavy average

Light average

Medium average

36 69 152 97 9 156 8 8 37 201 11 59 106 5 20 5 22 2 2 1 11 55 180 108 213 3 18 75 92 16 119 352 4 269 37 80 89 226

258.7 271.1 206.6 259.0 172.0 227.3 248.5 295.0 293.7 219.3 174.0 281.5 273.8 242.5 277.1 239.5 239.6 265.5 292.5 240.0 309.2 266.0 223.0

268.0 269.3 249.6 222.2 249.1 294.3 289.4 245.1 244.6 284.5 289.3 303.5 266.5 273.3 279.3 319.5 275.5 262.5 285.1 238.7 260.9 288.4 240.0 296.8 238.0 300.8 283.8 294.0

234.7 280.8 274.2 239.8 273.0 252.0 291.5 300.8 252.7 277.2 255.0 282.5 314.1 256.7 244.2 275.9 278.3 271.1 250.4 277.0 283.4 256.0 271.3 279.8 309.7

246.0 272.0 243.5 213.5 208.0 265.5 233.5 281.4 240.5 223.0 243.9 209.5 140.9 168.0 206.7 255.9 289.9 220.0 253.6 217.5 248.7 287.4 260.2 219.0 268.0 258.3

273.3 272.3 275.6 296.7 184.0 269.0 248.5 239.0 290.2 309.5 242.8 247.0 281.8 280.0 270.1 227.0 199.5 230.0 292.2 317.9 265.8 257.5 312.5 269.5 245.6 290.5 222.8 256.0 302.6 305.5 236.4 268.7 295.6 287.1

273.2 260.0 297.3 277.9 228.8 259.9 322.0 298.8 300.4 255.0 257.3 279.0 253.0 289.3 196.0 217.9 230.0 241.0 298.8 301.5 260.5 265.4 294.8 278.5 262.5 242.4 292.5 221.8 262.5 287.5 294.6 222.3 268.3 281.8 287.2

257.5 221.1 221.0 230.1 252.0 237.3 188.7 232.1 119.5 229.3 232.7 215.1 234.3 214.6

179.00 302.00 227.00

278.20 277.00 268.20 293.00 309.70 305.00

273.25 235.00 284.50 300.00 253.32

188.17 250.06 233.00

294.83 221.00 261.00 315.00 237.78 297.07 312.00 237.70 294.42

301.50 285.00 319.50 245.65 305.32 316.08 227.03 286.50

-

CULL COWS

Heavy average

Total cow number

Grade 1 average

Grade 3 average

Dairy sired average

Beef sired average

Total O lambs

250.0 258.0 243.6 258.8 250.5 285.7 293.2 262.1 216.5 286.3 258.5 242.2 247.8 263.3 245.1 237.3 246.7 264.4 244.5

254.5 287.5 204.0 253.8 247.0 289.5 279.9 307.9 249.1 263.6 266.7 281.2 262.7 298.2 250.6 270.2 251.8

10 61 140 14 3 45 310 11 42 8 138 20 51 84 12 56 4 65 136 33 23 1 16 3 145 26 47 3 77 21 8 27 49 18 29 5 31 18 40 8 14

234.7 190.7 169.5 -

169.6 167.8 153.3 -

160.0 152.8 143.0 140.2 147.0 148.5 140.3 143.5 120.1 134.0 157.1 143.0 143.0 159.6 148.6 161.7 186.5 146.9 134.6 131.0 172.5 163.8 137.3 145.4 143.5

173.8 174.8 169.2 131.3 182.0 169.8 186.2 161.1 174.3 145.8 174.7 184.0 182.1 120.0 173.0 163.6 135.5 192.7 136.0 157.6 148.8 177.0 166.0 199.6 180.0 184.8 176.2 181.3 168.3 159.6 194.2 178.5 162.2 173.7 143.4 154.4

844 1092 1621 256 2259 388 721 2332 637 243 1307 435 1473 990 341 892 596 500 1241 1301 906 456 781 390 1741 423 904 548 4891 396 281 1112 1781 1116 2063 542 1952 1102 1158 79 1036 536 170 608 2035 741 1474 266 108 507 818 1116 160

218.00 -

220.00 258.33 235.00

91 69 108 57 58 84 206 316

-

-

130.40 141.50 128.80 140.70 156.50

158.10 180.40 177.00 173.50 192.80 166.10 181.80 180.60

1734 419 1427 226 832 986 2726 1519 1183 821 4849 2038

SCOTLAND Ayr Mo\Tu Caithness Mo Castle Douglas Mo\Tu Dingwall We\Tu Dumfries We 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 | JANUARY 19 2024

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 84

15 2 12 6 47 108 50 6 33

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:16

8

8

2

0 8

2

3 8

0

0

0

6 5 7 0

8

0

6

0

8 2

3

6 2

5

2

4 4

0

40 0

50

80 0 0 60

Source: AHDB/LAA

WALES

SHEEP Total O/S lambs

O/S lambs light average

O/S lambs standard average

O/S lambs medium average

O/S lambs heavy average

O/S SQQ average

Total Ewes

Ewes average

844 1092 1621 256 2259 388 721 2332 637 243 1307 435 1473 990 341 892 596 500 1241 1301 906 456 781 390 1741 423 904 548 4891 396 281 1112 1781 1116 2063 542 1952 1102 1158 79 1036 536 170 608 2035 741 1474 266 108 507 818 1116 160

205.2 252.8 220.4 205.7 255.1 297.7 287.3 264.5 215.8 245.3 203.3 200.0 251.4 220.1 264.4 287.9 244.3 240.8 251.6 222.5 261.0 242.0 268.9 244.7 206.7 246.8 317.5 210.0 208.2 212.5 268.9 220.3 206.3 196.7 235.5 289.0 334.0 -

275.0 265.5 258.9 260.5 260.5 272.7 265.5 293.8 272.9 280.9 257.4 261.5 275.0 259.2 265.2 270.0 300.0 256.4 249.4 280.1 279.7 254.1 286.5 287.2 298.9 241.6 273.4 242.4 278.4 265.7 262.8 269.4 280.9 296.7 264.4 279.6 323.4 277.3 294.9 242.1 265.3 284.7 277.2 281.5 285.8 241.8 275.3 261.3 280.2 274.7 314.9 258.3

288.6 279.4 277.5 277.3 282.4 280.0 286.9 294.7 269.4 279.5 277.1 291.2 285.0 272.7 278.1 281.7 275.3 275.5 263.7 284.1 278.9 272.3 273.1 284.4 321.1 276.0 274.6 267.8 286.9 271.7 287.3 278.5 280.1 304.4 272.7 276.9 295.4 283.3 289.3 263.9 267.9 274.0 278.4 284.2 284.0 276.2 284.9 263.9 296.6 278.0 270.4 301.9 261.7

273.2 283.8 270.6 270.6 286.4 284.1 276.3 287.3 273.3 283.1 272.8 290.5 281.5 267.5 264.5 270.2 272.4 272.5 266.8 275.2 274.4 272.3 274.8 275.6 289.6 262.8 266.3 275.4 279.3 262.2 285.3 275.6 275.9 287.5 273.1 267.5 272.9 275.1 287.5 252.7 260.8 269.2 279.0 277.8 279.6 270.4 288.6 259.2 276.1 279.6 268.7 284.8 258.4

282.5 276.5 272.1 274.0 275.5 279.6 279.5 294.5 270.7 277.8 265.2 278.0 282.5 269.8 276.1 275.0 277.4 273.2 254.7 281.4 279.0 269.3 275.7 284.5 306.9 266.6 273.5 259.4 283.2 270.1 282.3 271.8 280.3 303.6 260.9 277.8 299.4 281.1 290.9 259.7 261.5 273.0 278.3 282.8 283.4 274.6 283.6 263.7 296.6 278.1 271.3 304.0 261.4

203 412 591 67 1816 84 782 306 455 94 248 73 354 702 102 394 284 1861 879 157 380 168 434 64 255 259 3997 73 139 295 779 85 518 139 2856 163 837 64 83 69 344 491 197 407 71 63 3 314 825 74

101.9 71.2 96.6 88.8 87.3 94.9 99.7 108.9 89.2 86.2 63.1 79.7 91.0 91.7 72.5 86.7 81.0 90.8 93.2 81.5 78.1 82.1 97.5 81.8 100.6 79.1 96.8 87.5 89.5 90.5 90.0 94.0 62.2 65.4 106.3 100.1 96.3 76.0 71.8 98.2 100.1 92.9 90.5 76.9 92.1 90.1 104.2 104.2 102.4 78.1

1734 419 1427 226 832 986 2726 1519 1183 821 4849 2038

193.14 256.28 234.73 133.00 238.36 200.00 184.54 233.00 266.20

260.01 273.08 272.41 242.00 265.70 232.80 265.55 255.32 265.89 255.96 262.20 263.87

277.68 266.86 281.59 282.41 274.84 258.61 272.54 268.80 279.59 279.71 274.22 274.04

272.47 267.30 269.53 269.46 271.85 255.34 273.57 264.48 282.86 275.58 275.30 265.04

273.25 266.99 278.69 282.18 266.08 252.59 268.71 265.33 272.95 276.12 272.06 272.86

farmersguardian.com

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 85

Source: IAAS/ScotEID 587 71.72 52 86.83 251 77.93 548 77.34 1452 87.70 420 76.42 498 93.46 467 76.85 1908 80.29 -

Market day(s) week ending Jan 14 Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymmych Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont on Usk Welshpool Whitland

We Fr

Tu

Tu

Mo We Th

Th

Mo

All prices quoted in p/kg.

Source: MartEye/LAA Total cattle number 3 1 8 119 99 12 -

STEERS Light average 249.5 310.0 -

YOUNG BULLS Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymmych Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont on Usk Welshpool Whitland

HEIFERS

Medium average 200.0 248.2 316.2 -

Heavy average 253.1 307.7 -

Total cow number 16 56 3 57 22 11 48 -

Grade 1 average -

Light average 190.0 237.1 293.3 226.0 -

CULL COWS

Medium average 213.4 253.0 305.6 212.3 -

Heavy average 161.4 246.7 261.5 296.1 234.1 -

Dairy sired average 150.0 146.1 89.5 145.9 144.0 182.0 -

Beef sired average 188.2 166.3 140.0 183.4 158.8 198.0 192.8 -

Light average 215.0 -

Medium average 323.0 -

Heavy average 230.0 309.7 -

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

200 286 590 1384 99 586 599 487 436 499 108 1328 547 670 3042 1586 995 802 3382 244

219.3 270.9 242.1 239.0 267.4 278.9 222.2 250.1 249.2 234.8 240.6 250.3 267.0 257.4 254.0 270.1 271.8

259.5 283.1 270.1 268.4 253.2 280.1 277.3 286.8 247.7 261.4 273.4 266.1 255.4 267.3 272.6 280.6 267.4 264.8 287.3 280.2

254.0 288.0 262.2 265.7 258.4 278.0 279.5 269.4 272.8 278.0 276.6 270.7 267.9 280.6 283.9 294.0 280.6 278.6 281.6 273.5

236.5 275.7 263.1 268.6 256.5 274.3 271.9 247.7 274.9 265.3 274.8 270.2 265.1 275.3 277.6 280.5 273.2 270.6 275.7 276.9

224.9 284.1 260.1 260.4 254.4 276.7 279.4 281.4 260.5 256.9 275.2 265.6 260.6 274.0 275.1 286.3 276.6 268.5 282.5 276.1

173 219 728 194 204 193 71 254 3 19 801 226 100 762 524 432 117 1958 73

63.7 65.0 58.5 62.3 89.4 86.7 50.6 71.5 19.0 71.7 75.5 84.2 54.8 67.3 74.6 84.4 66.3 82.8 87.8

Grade 3 average -

SHEEP

Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymmych Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont on Usk Welshpool Whitland

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MARKET PRICES STORE CATTLE ENGLAND STORES (CONTINENTAL-SIRED) Market day(s) w/e Jan 14

Ashford Tu Bakewell Mo Barnard Castle Bentham We\Tu Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Brockholes Carlisle We Cirencester Tu Clitheroe Th Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Darlington Mo Exeter Fr Frome We\Fr Gisburn Th\Sa Hailsham Hallworthy Th Hawes Sa Hereford Tu Hexham Fr Holmfirth Holsworthy We Hull/Dunswell Kendal Th Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Fr Leek Tu Leyburn Fr Longtown Louth Mo Ludlow Fr Market Drayton We\Mo Melton Mowbray We Middleton in Teesdale Newton Abbot (Rendells) Northallerton We Norwich Oswestry We Otley Penrith Mo Ross on Wye Th Rugby Ruswarp We Salisbury Mo\Tu Sedgemoor Sa Selby Shrewsbury Th\Tu Stratford Skipton Mo Tavistock Thame Fr Thirsk Tu Thrapston Sa Truro We Ulverston Wigton Th Worcester York Th

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

5/860.0 19/959.5 -/45/1019.1 -/-/-/106/910.9 1/1070.0 4/947.5 -/-/-/64/1133.1 4/470.0 33/959.1 29/859.7 -/12/871.7 -/2/565.0 38/1304.7 -/12/895.8 -/68/943.8 -/-/-/-/28/1074.5 -/8/951.3 4/1022.5 13/584.2 8/776.3 -/-/14/859.6 -/9/936.7 -/19/1130.8 8/550.0 -/111/1072.4 6/798.3 70/864.6 -/37/761.9 -/-/-/-/1/610.0 2/917.5 19/761.8 -/-/-/2/1090.0

1/1205.0 26/1154.4 -/31/1019.5 -/-/-/96/1374.7 4/1065.8 4/1082.5 -/-/-/23/1172.2 23/1032.4 15/928.3 19/988.9 -/1/1080.0 4/1067.5 -/80/1437.1 -/20/1053.0 -/66/1255.2 -/-/7/927.1 -/44/1261.8 -/8/1083.1 34/1506.8 16/900.3 13/993.5 -/-/13/1053.1 -/-/-/24/1427.9 -/-/13/1154.6 30/1088.0 66/1117.1 -/25/911.8 -/-/-/6/1011.3 7/979.3 12/1165.4 11/968.6 -/-/-/7/1197.9

9/1123.9 23/1353.7 -/13/1150.8 -/-/-/145/1548.1 38/1373.1 3/1270.0 -/-/-/15/1456.0 56/1459.6 16/1283.9 44/1413.9 -/6/1421.7 9/978.3 -/70/1547.0 -/33/1193.2 -/54/1454.4 -/-/53/1596.8 -/38/1411.3 -/-/34/1562.9 19/1172.1 13/952.3 -/-/25/1536.0 -/12/1504.6 -/169/1609.9 -/-/-/17/1250.9 143/1319.8 -/41/1196.2 -/-/-/30/1374.3 19/1353.7 18/1147.8 5/1200.0 -/-/-/8/1290.6

1/800.0 11/711.8 -/71/937.0 -/-/-/111/910.1 1/262.0 3/560.0 -/-/-/71/1042.1 23/743.3 22/795.9 24/734.0 -/18/788.9 1/1400.0 5/629.4 24/1213.5 -/18/436.4 -/34/708.7 -/-/1/690.0 -/11/1005.9 -/5/1100.0 32/823.3 19/589.2 16/601.9 -/-/3/828.3 -/1/865.0 -/10/1041.0 -/-/78/956.5 16/599.4 86/639.1 -/61/663.3 -/-/-/-/9/1103.9 4/793.8 8/750.6 -/9/618.9 -/-/-

74/1307.30 -/2/1050.00 121/1532.48 -/-/-/113/1551.86 50/1360.00 10/1211.00 -/-/-/133/1465.38 203/1499.80

137/1557.81 -/5/1458.00 13/1460.00 -/-/-/252/1673.21 61/1528.11 15/1542.00 -/-/-/174/1483.79 177/1510.28

43/973.02 -/55/1019.45 80/1092.25 -/-/-/17/917.65 54/1009.91 4/1150.00 -/-/-/54/1062.96 111/1210.45

STORES

STORES (NATIVE-SIRED) 18+ month heifers

6-12 mon steers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

28/975.2 17/796.5 -/92/972.2 -/-/-/28/798.6 2/660.0 5/836.0 -/-/-/4/1095.0 18/837.8 22/772.1 11/1018.2 -/-/12/1116.7 1/220.0 2/1075.0 -/33/806.1 -/9/727.8 -/-/1/1350.0 -/3/1023.3 -/1/680.0 5/662.0 25/836.4 10/435.0 -/-/6/880.0 -/-/-/4/1025.0 3/620.0 -/6/946.7 9/550.6 41/646.0 -/7/1052.9 -/-/-/15/791.5 5/658.0 1/620.0 7/692.9 -/-/-/9/882.2

12/903.8 25/1014.0 -/24/1011.9 -/-/-/24/1029.6 24/956.6 12/1155.0 -/-/-/10/1197.0 26/1074.8 29/845.6 40/1127.5 -/-/3/950.0 -/13/1310.0 -/36/979.4 -/25/1147.4 -/-/25/1355.2 -/12/1045.8 -/-/6/1256.7 16/1093.4 10/698.0 -/-/30/1049.3 -/-/-/41/1202.1 1/640.0 -/-/68/984.0 120/1048.8 -/39/1183.9 -/-/-/35/1244.7 25/1021.6 1/820.0 10/1326.0 -/-/-/2/1200.0

-/-/-/14/624.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/490.0 1/450.0 6/465.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/345.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/352.5 8/281.9 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/160.0 -/-/-/2/175.0 -/1/650.0 -/-/-/-/-/1/595.0 -/-/-/-/-/-

22/1132.73 -/15/1084.00 17/1133.53 -/-/-/2/970.00 47/1206.38 4/1317.50 -/-/-/98/1259.13 23/1055.22

88/1289.55 -/3/1230.00 34/1400.88 -/-/-/57/1466.67 61/1314.59 23/1340.43 -/-/-/160/1362.91 116/1415.34

3/403.33 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

18+ month heifers

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

7/1065.7 16/967.5 -/38/956.3 -/-/-/106/1244.3 5/951.8 2/1045.0 -/-/-/42/1270.7 22/833.6 10/770.0 42/1082.4 -/-/2/1280.0 4/270.0 48/1318.3 -/19/909.0 -/45/1136.3 -/-/8/831.3 -/31/1402.6 -/5/1052.0 21/1123.3 17/690.0 11/794.6 -/-/13/953.5 -/-/-/31/1364.7 -/-/7/1095.7 14/993.6 48/866.7 -/14/892.1 -/-/-/4/812.8 9/1076.7 4/770.0 25/946.4 -/-/-/7/1116.4

11/982.7 51/1096.0 -/24/1053.3 -/-/-/157/1350.7 10/1136.2 23/1299.4 -/-/-/51/1345.1 21/1167.9 18/1307.5 73/1306.9 -/-/5/1159.0 -/73/1371.7 -/24/1069.0 -/70/1371.1 -/-/52/1328.7 -/65/1453.1 -/-/49/1197.2 11/1166.4 26/999.4 -/-/53/1238.4 -/3/890.0 -/189/1448.2 6/1274.2 -/-/27/1076.1 118/1152.6 -/37/1193.0 -/-/-/20/1364.8 42/1262.0 10/945.0 15/1106.0 -/-/-/12/1173.3

2/750.0 4/505.0 -/14/922.5 -/-/-/9/611.1 -/1/1080.0 -/-/-/3/888.3 10/614.0 61/958.8 20/670.5 -/11/714.6 3/926.7 2/650.0 -/-/5/787.0 -/13/713.9 -/-/-/-/3/940.0 -/-/4/852.5 23/676.5 5/631.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/2/825.0 12/520.8 -/18/907.5 12/622.5 50/790.3 -/17/695.9 -/-/-/-/5/842.0 4/787.5 19/752.6 -/-/-/11/990.9

26/1064.4 15/923.3 -/45/1006.1 -/-/-/13/1108.5 2/1005.0 1/820.0 -/-/-/6/1123.3 13/1109.2 55/959.1 19/1045.3 -/2/707.5 4/1005.0 -/3/1326.7 -/32/956.4 -/12/1144.6 -/-/4/1357.5 -/7/1105.7 -/7/1100.7 11/992.7 31/829.2 10/741.0 -/-/8/1080.6 -/-/-/5/1177.0 -/-/4/1120.0 43/926.7 63/818.3 -/10/1042.0 -/-/-/15/942.8 6/1031.7 -/4/847.5 -/-/-/5/1053.0

17/1120.0 42/1217.7 -/11/1096.4 -/-/-/36/1222.8 23/1060.8 2/1185.0 -/-/-/15/1349.0 47/1369.3 26/958.0 40/1291.8 -/-/3/1065.0 -/44/1381.6 -/26/1040.8 -/17/1383.5 -/-/53/1532.6 -/9/1033.3 -/1/980.0 21/1314.3 31/1288.4 14/942.5 -/-/42/1396.8 -/1/1320.0 -/45/1438.1 -/-/-/77/1185.7 126/1255.6 -/23/1154.1 -/-/-/52/1391.0 7/1257.1 12/1167.9 15/1473.0 -/-/-/1/1520.0

-/5/461.0 -/17/745.3 -/-/-/16/538.8 4/665.0 -/-/-/-/18/710.6 20/508.0 40/866.9 13/497.7 -/12/562.5 -/-/2/1020.0 -/9/398.9 -/6/495.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/500.0 40/478.0 4/323.8 -/-/3/806.7 -/-/-/5/689.0 -/-/20/845.5 20/539.0 50/566.6 -/24/445.2 -/-/-/-/2/320.0 5/454.0 18/680.8 -/2/620.0 -/10/767.0

35/1244.57 -/3/1440.00 63/1273.65 -/-/-/33/1436.97 33/1195.15 6/1018.33 -/-/-/115/1316.22 175/1322.51

102/1408.04 -/2/1385.00 31/1582.26 -/-/-/242/1586.24 90/1454.22 4/1330.00 -/-/-/159/1351.16 168/1421.07

22/1046.36 -/7/962.86 48/1130.21 -/-/-/4/1047.50 8/1098.75 6/986.67 -/-/1/250.00 133/1050.86 49/1295.92

31/1288.06 -/3/1036.67 25/1502.40 -/-/-/11/1380.91 58/1338.53 3/786.67 -/-/-/130/1300.92 61/1309.92

80/1385.38 -/7/1172.86 28/1569.64 -/-/-/104/1593.61 94/1513.14 5/1524.00 -/-/-/129/1583.88 112/1487.77

3/563.33 -/-/9/713.33 -/-/-/3/980.00 4/960.00 11/695.45 -/-/-/60/839.92 9/855.00

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

Tu\Th Mo We

Mo Tu Tu

Th We Tu\Fr

78 | JANUARY 19 2024

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 86

70/1134.71 -/47/1121.49 140/1342.43 -/-/-/31/1162.10 70/1289.86 16/1295.63 -/-/-/125/1203.04 207/1403.38

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:16

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

Source: MartEye/LAA STORES (HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN)

+ month fers

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

o. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

903.8 /1014.0

-/-/-/14/624.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/490.0 1/450.0 6/465.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/345.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/352.5 8/281.9 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/160.0 -/-/-/2/175.0 -/1/650.0 -/-/-/-/-/1/595.0 -/-/-/-/-/-

-/6/917.5 -/27/665.9 -/-/-/3/873.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/1/490.0 18/741.4 2/580.0 -/-/-/3/370.0 -/-/3/800.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/978.8 -/-/-/8/1006.3 -/-/-/3/643.3 7/677.9 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/6/595.0 1/430.0 -/-/-/-/-

3/403.33 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

4/880.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/1050.00 1/500.00 -/-/-/9/960.00 -/-

/1011.9

/1029.6 /956.6 1155.0

1197.0 /1074.8 /845.6 /1127.5

950.0

1310.0

/979.4

/1147.4

/1355.2

1045.8

256.7 1093.4 698.0

/1049.3

1202.1 40.0

/984.0 0/1048.8

/1183.9

/1244.7 /1021.6 20.0 1326.0

200.0

/1289.55

230.00 /1400.88

1466.67 1314.59 /1340.43

0/1362.91 6/1415.34

Native heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/6/995.8 -/8/833.8 -/-/-/14/1035.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/7/1029.3 1/1040.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/9/1017.8 -/2/1000.0 -/-/5/916.0 -/10/978.0 -/-/-/18/1037.8 3/878.7 -/-/1/1025.0 -/-/-/5/1173.0 -/-/-/2/917.5 18/1029.4 -/1/990.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/7/880.0 -/-/-/-/-

1/35.0 14/73.2 -/4/43.8 -/-/-/5/35.2 -/-/-/-/-/-/1/35.0 10/50.2 22/29.4 -/-/-/-/-/-/9/45.7 -/-/-/-/-/7/50.9 -/-/-/-/58/72.8 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/33.0 6/61.0 -/-/-/1/62.0 -/-/-/5/40.0 -/-/-/-/4/79.0

8/273.1 15/294.3 -/1/222.0 -/-/-/15/186.7 6/115.3 -/-/-/-/-/27/164.3 39/174.5 19/320.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/58/193.9 -/-/-/-/-/28/237.9 -/-/-/-/111/260.3 -/-/-/-/-/16/278.8 -/-/-/-/-/6/174.8 93/175.4 -/-/-/9/350.0 -/-/-/-/6/129.5 -/7/327.1 -/3/163.3

3/266.7 8/122.9 -/5/282.6 -/-/-/21/183.1 7/63.9 -/-/-/-/-/26/123.8 26/129.2 17/192.7 -/-/-/18/183.1 -/-/59/131.7 -/10/259.5 -/-/8/195.6 26/200.9 6/260.0 -/-/-/86/183.8 4/237.5 -/-/-/-/17/176.1 -/-/-/-/-/9/113.4 86/131.2 -/50/168.6 -/5/282.0 -/-/-/-/5/124.0 -/4/215.0 -/5/126.0

15/150.3 8/86.4 -/1/195.0 -/-/-/3/130.0 8/93.6 1/240.0 -/-/-/-/13/86.4 43/76.7 11/244.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/31/101.9 -/-/-/-/-/17/132.4 -/-/-/-/137/149.1 -/-/-/-/-/3/153.3 -/-/-/-/-/12/94.3 53/100.9 -/-/-/7/166.4 -/-/-/2/50.0 7/90.0 -/1/270.0 -/2/195.0

16/125.9 4/69.3 -/1/85.0 -/-/-/13/135.4 6/105.0 1/170.0 -/-/-/-/11/59.6 32/28.0 6/130.0 -/-/-/8/156.3 -/-/23/52.0 -/6/83.3 -/-/-/11/86.4 -/-/-/-/107/103.1 11/78.2 -/-/-/-/2/102.5 -/-/-/-/-/22/69.5 41/60.2 -/23/82.0 -/2/145.0 -/-/-/-/9/76.9 -/1/265.0 -/2/72.0

64/1137.03 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/52/1155.96 2/920.00 -/-/-/5/1026.00 -/-

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

4/160.00 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

2/217.50 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 87

Source: MartEye/LAA STORES (CONTINENTAL-SIRED)

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

farmersguardian.com

WALES

Source: IAAS/ScotEID -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/270.00 3/173.33

Market day(s) w/e Jan 14

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

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

18+ month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/We\Fr\Mo 7/959.3 -/Tu -/-/Fr 7/720.0 We 42/941.4 Th\Tu 7/991.4 -/Th 19/907.9 -/-/Mo 12/1182.5 Th\Tu 20/773.5

-/-/12/1112.5 -/11/1195.5 -/19/1029.0 14/1016.1 5/1014.0 -/8/1247.5 -/-/12/1226.3 3/735.0

-/-/23/1070.9 -/10/1199.0 -/49/1342.6 16/1488.1 13/1072.3 -/45/1309.8 -/-/9/1268.3 -/-

-/-/3/690.0 -/-/-/11/580.9 30/811.5 9/800.0 -/36/857.2 -/-/1/940.0 31/640.2

-/-/4/705.0 -/4/1130.0 -/8/816.3 21/858.6 5/863.0 -/9/1218.9 -/-/15/1113.0 5/626.0

-/-/43/1194.5 -/17/1064.4 -/52/1171.7 25/1209.6 14/1155.0 -/78/1275.1 -/-/19/1259.5 1/1240.0 18+ month heifers

STORES (NATIVE-SIRED) 6-12 month steers

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

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/2/790.0 -/-/-/1/400.0 22/853.0 -/-/8/1068.8 -/-/-/15/651.3

-/-/7/864.3 -/14/767.1 -/8/1040.6 3/941.7 4/547.5 -/1/945.0 -/-/6/964.2 2/377.5

-/-/12/1076.7 -/4/1092.5 -/23/1110.0 9/1480.6 16/1178.4 -/13/1138.1 -/-/2/925.0 -/-

-/-/2/465.0 -/-/-/6/280.0 28/682.5 1/710.0 -/12/878.3 -/-/-/20/536.5

-/-/6/758.3 -/2/1140.0 -/4/1175.0 25/1055.6 1/685.0 -/3/663.3 -/-/4/945.0 7/508.6

-/-/9/781.1 -/15/1007.0 -/21/1145.0 2/885.0 9/769.4 -/11/1019.1 -/-/-/-/-

STORES (HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN)

Brecon Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader 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.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av. No. / Av.

-/-/1/400.0 -/-/-/1/240.0 1/625.0 -/-/6/331.7 -/-/-/-/-

-/-/1/900.0 -/3/1050.0 -/9/618.3 1/755.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/1/1370.0 -/-/-/7/645.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/21/70.5 -/-/-/7/38.0 -/3/21.7 -/2/62.5 -/-/-/12/47.8

-/-/63/199.8 -/-/-/10/143.5 -/-/-/23/179.8 -/-/-/24/204.6

-/-/59/142.0 -/-/-/11/123.6 7/233.6 1/238.0 -/14/186.1 -/-/-/17/154.8

-/-/50/133.0 -/-/-/8/83.8 -/4/97.5 -/7/175.0 -/-/-/24/123.3

MARKET COMMENT VENDORS at auction marts witnessed prices drop in the cattle rings across England and Wales this week, with the New Year activity now well underway.

Young bulls in particular had taken the brunt of the decline, after falling in value by 8.5p/kg to 257.8p/kg.

Heifers were priced at 276.8p/kg, having decreased by 6.7p/kg from the following week.

Steers also dropped by 5.2p/kg to 271.2p/kg to round up the dip in cattle prices.

However, cull cows managed to buck the trend by growing 4.4p/kg in price to 145.4p/kg.

The value of lamb also picked up ever so slightly in price by 0.1p/kg to 277.5p/kg.

Pigs made inroads to increase in value by 1.9p/kg to 167.2p/kg.

As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (January 17), UK LIFFE Wheat prices for May 24 were trading at £185.10/tonne; a decrease of £6.90/t on the previous week.

Native heifers

-/-/41/102.6 -/-/-/18/100.3 11/68.6 4/108.8 -/3/93.3 -/-/-/11/101.7

LIVESTOCK AVERAGES Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg).

Week ending January 14, 2024.

ENGLAND AND WALES Category

Throughput

Price

Change

Young Bulls Steers Heifers All Prime Total NS/OS Lambs (SQQ) Porker (60 - 87kg) Cutter (88 - 97kg) Baconer (98 - 115kg) Other (over 115kg) Cull Cows Dairy Sired Cull Cows Beef Sire

866 819 1512 3197 50726 159 124 250 82 1070 995

257.8 271.2 276.8 270.2 277.5 167.2 174.6 180.1 143.4 145.4 175.5

-8.5 -5.2 -6.7 -6.0 0.1 1.9 -9.0 -4.1 9.5 4.4 1.4 Source: MartEye/LAA

JANUARY 19 2024 | 79

17/01/2024 16:16

MARKET PRICES DEADWEIGHT CATTLE STEERS Region

Throughput

Southern 2819 Central 3755 Northern 3766 Scotland 3208 HEIFERS Southern 2242 Central 3368 Northern 2770 Scotland 2475 YOUNG BULLS Southern 102 Central 596 Northern 204 Scotland 216 COWS Southern 1973 Central 3701 Northern 2301 Scotland 1119

Deadweight prices for the week ending Jan 13, 2024.

Average

-U3

-U4L

-U4H

R2

R3

R4L

R4H

O+2

O+3

O+4L

O+4H

-O2

-O3

-O4L

-O4H

487.0 487.4 493.6 499.2

503.9 503.2 504.6 501.4

501.8 491.6 502.9 501.7

501.4 485.6 517.5 506.8

-

497.0 496.6 499.9 501.0

497.5 496.8 503.3 502.2

499.1 489.5 502.1 503.6

-

486.8 486.6 489.5 493.6

485.0 485.8 493.2 497.0

476.2 477.4 486.6 501.1

-

467.2 460.2 465.9 464.3

464.9 456.1 465.5 472.5

479.5 460.0 440.0 488.5

479.6 484.4 491.4 499.4

505.2 506.6 504.7 508.1

503.0 505.7 501.9 505.1

498.1 501.5 504.9 503.7

-

496.0 495.9 496.8 502.0

496.5 497.3 502.4 501.5

491.7 494.5 501.8 502.4

-

481.6 480.6 488.4 487.2

482.2 485.6 491.3 495.6

478.6 477.3 486.1 491.1

-

465.8 440.0 468.2 443.5

466.4 457.5 470.9 466.0

458.2 451.4 472.9 478.7

467.3 471.6 470.9 476.9

488.0 492.7 480.3 489.9

464.0 481.2

485.0 -

474.7 484.8 481.4 489.3

477.0 487.2 483.5 484.1

492.0 486.8 468.9 482.3

505.0 495.0

453.4 473.1 467.0 458.0

478.4 464.4 464.1 469.4

482.0 466.0 474.6 -

-

405.0 424.8 422.9 442.5

455.7 428.6 430.0 453.3

460.0 440.0

-

319.0 327.6 334.9 348.7

-

-

-

-

375.4 377.2 377.1 376.6

374.3 382.1 377.1 375.3

371.6 375.7 365.3 365.7

-

367.3 368.0 365.9 366.0

365.1 369.7 362.8 368.5

352.8 362.8 354.8 360.7

-

352.1 352.6 347.9 351.0

345.9 353.4 346.8 353.8

341.0 346.9 341.8 334.2

STORE SHEEP ENGLAND STORE LAMBS

DEADWEIGHT SHEEP

Source: MartEye/LAA

w/e Jan 14

Day

No.

Ave.

Ashford Bakewell Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Brockholes Carlisle Cirencester Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Darlington Exeter Frome Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Holmfirth Holsworthy Hull/Dunswell Kendal Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Leek Leyburn Longtown

Tu Th\Mo

656 11 375 328 1313 41 883 2608 112 454 374 4805 2606 123 105 2914 1

71.9 71.4 83.6 76.6 78.5 49.8 87.7 99.9 70.3 78.4 82.1 94.0 99.9 78.4 94.8 89.0 136.0

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

Th

Sa Th

Source: MartEye/LAA

Day

Brecon Bryncir Carmarthen Fr Dolgellau Fr Gaerwen Mo Knighton Mold Monmouthshire We\Mo Newcastle Emlyn Th Rhayader Ruthin Th St Asaph Th\Sa Talgarth Welshpool Mo Whitland Tu

80 | JANUARY 19 2024

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 88

Day

No.

Mo Fr

18 891 555

Louth Ludlow Market Drayton Melton Mowbray Middleton in Teesdale Newton Abbot (Rendells) Northallerton Norwich Oswestry Otley Penrith Ross on Wye Rugby Ruswarp Salisbury Sedgemoor Selby Shrewsbury Stratford Skipton Tavistock Thame Thirsk Thrapston Truro Ulverston Wigton Worcester York

Tu -

-

We

331 12 216 2350 183 1432 105 460 157 39 20 426 -

We

Mo

Sa Th\Tu We Fr Tu Sa We Tu Th

Ave.

88.0 101.0 78.5

82.0 73.6 97.5 99.7 88.5 87.9 84.9 86.2 92.9 80.6 74.6 99.0 -

No.

Ave.

30 775 50 664 229 1000 635 948 22

51.1 55.6 74.5 73.4 68.3 72.6 82.9 75.8 82.9

STORE LAMBS

Source: IAAS/ScotEID

Day

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

N/S deadweight prices for the week ending Jan 13, 2024.

SQQ 2 3L 3H E 625.3 (81) 624.8 (278) 621.2 U 620.8 (543) 617.7 (3035) 611.8 R 611.1 (3861) 608.7 (13214) 608.5 O 595.8 (3543) 599.7 (5280) 595.9 P 554.4 (166) 559.1 (16) 595.0

No.

Ave.

1029 627 1040 47 -

80.0 77.9 86.8 97.2 -

2038 2078

81.2 86.4

(69) (1220) (6333) (1556) (3)

4L 592.0 586.6 583.3 576.8

Source: AHDB 4H (9) (153) (916) (183)

541.1 553.6 531.1

(4) (39) (7)

Average: 605.5 (40,923) Medium E U R O P

2 625.3 621.0 613.2 602.5 490.0

3L (79) 624.8 (515) 617.7 (3204) 609.3 (1550) 603.0 (3) 485.0

3H (278) 621.2 (2989) 611.8 (12138) 608.7 (3712) 596.7 (1)

(69) (1217) (6146) (1263)

4L 592.0 586.6 583.1 576.7

4H (9) (153) (907) (175)

541.1 552.7 531.1

(4) (38) (7)

Average: 608.1 (34,625) 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 January 6, 2024

ALL PIG PRICE (APP) Week ending December 30, 2023.

Weight Number Up to 59.9kg 286 60 - 69.9kg 1,035 70 - 79.9kg 5,691 80 - 89.9kg 17,367 90 - 99.9kg 18,609 100 - 104.9kg 4,912 105.0kg and over 3,296 All clean pigs 51,196 70 - 104.9kg 46,579 EU spec average UK spec average

Weight Number p/kg Change Up to 59.9kg na na na 60 - 69.9kg 1,100 211.00 -0.43 70 - 79.9kg na na na 80 - 89.9kg 14,103 214.38 -1.63 90 - 99.9kg 12,158 212.69 -1.41 100 - 104.9kg na na na 105.0kg and over na na na All clean pigs 37,134 212.59 -1.72 70 - 104.9kg 34,243 213.65 -1.61 EU spec average 212.59 -1.72 UK spec average 208.92 -1.65

PIGS Prices in p/kg.

SCOTLAND

WALES STORE LAMBS

Source: AHDB

Market Drayton Otley Selby Thirsk

p/kg Change 159.33 -1.19 205.72 3.21 214.58 -0.88 215.37 -0.80 214.08 -0.59 212.13 -0.47 196.72 1.47 212.79 -1.05 214.41 -0.79 212.79 -1.05 209.18 -1.00

Source: AHDB

Source: MartEye/LAA Market day w/e: Jan 14 Mo Mo We Th

Pigs total 81 3 196 19

Porkers average 169.4 158.0 146.3 132.0

Cutters average 162.7 178.2 159.8

Cull sows Baconers average Total Average 171.7 16 97.6 184.0 1 75.0 188.8 24 78.8 159.6 62 83.8

WEANER PRICES

SLAUGHTERINGS

Please note: AHDB weaner data has been suspended until further notice.

Estimates for GB (per head), W/e Jan14, 2024 2024 %change (2023) Pigs 133,992.43 -12.52 Sheep 217,719.57 -2.84 Steers 17,275.72 -1.45 Heifers 14,159.00 +4.17 Young bulls 2,026.51 -9.65

HAY AND STRAW PRICES

January 17, 2023

GOOSTREY: Mon, hay, square bale to £138/tonne, round bale to £90/t; haylage, round bale to £105/t, square bale to £48/t; barley straw, square bale to £134/t; wheat straw, square bale to £120/t, round bale to £145/t; silage, square bale to £46/t, loose grass to £22/t; fodder beet to £44.

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:16

LIVESTOCK AVERAGES LIVEWEIGHT STEERS (ENGLAND/WALES)

DEADWEIGHT STEERS (GREAT BRITAIN)

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

SOURCE: AHDB

520 280

500 480

270

p/kg deadweight

265 260 255

460 440 420 400

250

380

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

LIVEWEIGHT HEIFERS (ENGLAND/WALES)

2023 Apr

2024

360

Mar

2023 Mar

Feb

Jan

2024

Apr

245

Feb

p/kg liveweight

275

DEADWEIGHT HEIFERS (GREAT BRITAIN) SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

520 295

500 480 p/kg deadweight

285 280 275 270

460 440 420 400

265

380

260

360

2024

2023

LIVEWEIGHT SQQ LAMBS (ENGLAND/WALES)

DEADWEIGHT SQQ LAMBS (GREAT BRITAIN) SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

780

320

2024 2023

740

300

700 p/kg deadweight

p/kg liveweight

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jun

Jul

340 May

Apr

2023 Mar

Feb

2024 Jan

p/kg liveweight

290

280 260

660 620 580 540

240

500

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Feb

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

CULL COWS (ENGLAND/WALES)

2023

Mar

2024

460

PIG PRICE INDICATOR (GREAT BRITAIN) SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

230 200

150

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 89

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

130

farmersguardian.com

SPP (2023) APP (2023)

SPP (2024) APP (2024)

140

120

Dec

Dairy-sired (2023) Beef-sired (2023)

170 160

Nov

140

180

Oct

Dairy-sired (2024) Beef-sired (2024)

190

Sep

160

210 200

Jan

p/kg

180

Aug

p/kg deadweight (EU spec)

220

JANUARY 19 2024 | 81

17/01/2024 16:16

MARKET PRICES UK DELIVERED PRICES – SUMMARY Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (£ per tonne).

Delivery East Anglia / London (BW)

Northamptonshire

North-West grains/ Liverpool OSR

Avonmouth feed /South bread

Yorkshire

Fife/Edinburgh

Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Hvst-2024 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Hvst-2024 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Hvst-2024 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Hvst-2024 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Hvst-2024 Jan-2024

Source: AHDB Bread Wheat Price Change 255.50 -4.00 257.50 -3.50 262.00 -3.00 267.00 -3.50 268.00 n/c 269.50 -3.00 274.00 -2.50 -

Feed Wheat Price Change 185.50 -3.00 186.50 -2.50 191.00 -3.50 197.00 -3.50 187.50 -2.50 188.50 -2.50 193.00 -3.00 -

Feed Barley Price Change -

Oilseed Rape Price Change 361.50 -2.00 362.00 n/c 365.50 -1.50 362.50 -2.00 363.00 n/c 366.50 -1.50 -

UK DELIVERED OILSEED RAPE PRICES Source: AHDB

Jan-2024 361.50 362.50 362.50 -

Feb-2024 362.00 363.00 363.00 -

Hvst-2024 365.50 366.50 366.50 -

Nov-2024 375.00 376.00 376.00 -

Dec-2024 376.50 377.50 377.50 -

FUTURES MARKETS (WHEAT) Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (£ 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

174.65 179.95 185.00 192.90 199.65 202.25 204.55 206.75 202.75 197.45

MATIF

Price €/tonne

Mar 24 May 24 Sep 24 Dec 24 Mar 25 May 25 Sep 25 Dec 25

215.00 218.00 223.00 226.50 229.75 232.25 228.75 232.75

Last updated Jan 16, 2024 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

Mar 24 May 24 Jul 24 Sep 24 Dec 24 Mar 25

582.00 596.00 605.25 617.50 632.75 646.50

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**

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (£ 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 Jan 14, 2024 (prices in p/kg).

CORN RETURNS EX-FARM PRICES Wednesday, January 17, 2024 (£ 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)

242.80 250.20 248.30 247.30 247.30 247.30 -5.20

Other

Feed & Other

BARLEY Malting Premium

Other

Feed & Other

193.40 197.00 193.20 194.40 194.40 +1.90

182.90 179.90 188.40 183.90 184.90 184.90 -0.80

-

-

164.60 165.70 153.40 167.10 167.00 160.90 162.60 163.90 161.30 161.30 +1.10

OATS Milling

Feed

243.80 252.50 252.40 249.30 249.20 249.20 n/c

-

FIELD PEAS/BEANS

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com 82 | JANUARY 19 2024

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 90

This week Last week

Late Source: AHDB

Jan Feb Mar

Micronising peas

Jan 14, 2024 All prices £/tonne ex-farm Feed Feed peas beans

£328.00 £333.00 £335.00

£240.67 £241.67 £242.67

£241.08 £242.08 £243.08

BEEF Roasting Joint Sirloin Steak Rump Steak Fillet Steak Diced Braising Steak Lean Mince Standard Mince

1141 2027 1611 3392 1088 0 698 500

1141 2027 1611 3392 1088 0 698 500

LAMB Whole Leg Shoulder (Bone-in) Shanks Steaks Chops Diced Standard Mince

1316 1017 1349 1593 1559 1873 1080

1316 1017 1349 1593 1559 1873 1080

PORK Leg (Boneless) Shoulder (Boneless) Fillet (Tenderloin) Loin Steaks Chops Diced Belly Slices Ribs Lean Mince

584 415 805 880 789 809 787 733 566

584 415 805 880 789 809 787 733 566 Source: AHDB

farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 16:17

CURRENCY WATCH

Last updated Jan 17, 2024

€1=£0.8582

£1=€1.1652

$1=£0.7897

Where stated, data provided by AHDB.

£1=$1.2663

UK DELIVERED WHEAT PRICES

NATIONAL STRAIGHTS PRICES

Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

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

JAN 187.50 185.50 -

FEB 188.50 186.50 -

MAY 193.00 191.00 -

HARVEST 197.00 -

NOV 206.00 -

2. FULL SPEC. BREAD WHEAT North-West Northamptonshire South London / Essex Yorkshire

JAN 268.00 255.50 -

FEB 269.50 257.50 -

MAY 274.00 262.00 -

HARVEST 267.00 -

NOV 274.00 -

3. FULL SPEC. BISCUIT WHEAT North-West Northamptonshire South London / Essex Yorkshire Scotland

JAN -

FEB -

MAY -

HARVEST -

NOV -

DAIRY CATTLE PRICES

Last updated Jan 14, 2024 Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS OTHER

Cows (under

Cows (under

Cows (over 36 months)

36 months)

months)

36 months)

GREAT BRITAIN

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

Bentham Carlisle Carmarthen Exeter Frome Gisburn Holsworthy Lancaster Leek Leyburn Market Drayton Norton and Brooksbank Otley Sedgemoor Shrewsbury Skipton Wigton Mold Whitland Ayr Lanark Stirling (ua)

-/-/45/1692.0 13/1658.5 5/888.0 29/1772.1 46/1643.9 -/27/1667.4 -/33/1980.9 -/-/43/1582.3 18/1641.1 -/-/10/1774.0 1/1450.0 1/2000.00 -/-/-

-/-/37/1505.4 31/1423.9 4/1047.5 3/1900.0 14/1705.7 -/12/1538.3 -/12/1239.2 -/-/12/1523.3 21/1359.0 -/-/-/1/550.0 1/1500.00 -/-/-

-/-/4/1552.5 19/1000.0 -/-/-/-/3/1423.3 -/1/1300.0 -/-/3/1376.7 2/1190.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/6/1291.7 47/807.2 1/520.0 -/-/-/2/835.0 -/2/1010.0 -/-/2/992.5 4/1537.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

We Fr We Th We Tu We

Sa Th\Tu

Mo Th\Tu Tu We

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 N/A 292.00

270.00 N/A 200.00 281.00 N/A 292.00

Source: Straights Direct May - October 422.00 423.00 225.00 293.00 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 Cows (over 36

Last updated January 17, 2024 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

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 Jan 14, 2024.

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

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

90

90

75

65

80

80

Big sq. baled straw Barley Wheat straw straw Good 75 70 80 80 80 80 70 78 100 80 78

Good 65 55 70 65 80 75 55 66 85 75 70

App Edition

farmersguardian.com/app

Source: British Hay and Straw Merchants’ Association

farmersguardian.com

p76 83 Jan19 AB MB.indd 91

JANUARY 19 2024 | 83

17/01/2024 16:17

FARMING: THE BACKBONE O BBC Countryfile presenter and Cotswold farmer Adam Henson believes there is a huge need for farming to build a relationship of understanding and respect with consumers, Rachael Brown reports.

O

ver the years, Adam Henson has fervently campaigned for agriculture to be taught in schools.

Education, he says, is key to those outside the industry understanding the unique pressures the sector faces, pressures which in turn cause mental health problems.

Speaking about his new mental health podcast ‘Keeping on Track’, Adam says he hopes it will not only be farmers that listen, but also the wider general public, adding he wants the podcast to raise awareness of the pressures involved in farming and help bridge the disconnect between consumers and the industry right now.

The issue, he says, is that the consumer has been ‘so far left behind, that they have lost the idea of what happens in agriculture.’

“They do not understand the technology, the scale of farming, the work that goes into it and, of course, the pressures,” he says.

“We have all these stresses going on, such as the weather, taking on the family farm and the legacy of carrying that on your shoulders, yet the consumer is often sniping at the farmer claiming they are killing the planet and they are environmentally damaging.”

He highlights the abuse online aimed at farmers, and that it ‘absolutely takes its toll on their mental health’, adding farmers must use social media as a ‘tool for their benefit’, to get the

message out there about the industry and to ‘build a more closely connected’ and positive relationship with the consumer.

But the key to building that relationship is education, ensuring from a young age that children have an understanding of where their food comes from.

He questions why there is still not a GCSE available in land use, agriculture and conservation.

“We learn about history and religion, but we do not learn where our food comes from,” he says.

Adam recalls the time when he visited a primary school in north Birmingham where he had planned to bring a sheep into the assembly, and the headmaster warned there ‘might be a riot’ and that extra staff had to be brought in, because most children had never seen a sheep before.

There was another time at the Cotswold Farm Park, which he owns with his business partner, where two members of the public took part in some potato digging in the farm’s open potato patch. They asked where the potatoes were, to which Adam responded, ‘you have to dig.’

He says: “We need to get the wider community, as a country, to feel passionate and proud of what farmers produce and the ways we manage our landscape, and to be sympathetic with some of the ways we get it wrong or not quite right and that we are on the journey to improve.”

Adam Henson says that farmers’ animals can help support them when they are struggling mentally.

84 | JANUARY 19 2024

p84 85 Jan 19 EA MB OM RB.indd 2

We need to get the wider community to feel passionate and proud of what farmers produce and the ways we manage our landscape ADAM HENSON Adam’s ‘Keeping on Track’ podcast hears from a range of people working within the industry from young and older farmers, to agricultural lecturers.

But the project was a personal one for Adam, set up in light of losing a friend to suicide.

When asked about what helps him to take care of his own mental health, Adam says it was his animals, referring to one particular animal, his Dairy Shorthorn called Strawberry, adding animals were a ‘great sounding board and do not answer back’.

He also emphasised the support of his wife, business partner and colleagues, and the importance of having a solid bunch of friends.

“Having produced the podcast series, hearing the stories from students, farmers, agricultural lecturers, all these people sharing their testimonials of the problems they have been through, the overriding fact is the ability to speak out and to have the courage to talk about their problems.

“If you have a broken arm it is obvious, but if you have a broken head, then it is not obvious.”

Referring to a conversation he once had with former international rugby referee turned farmer, Nigel Owens, he says ‘people think it is a sign of weakness to show your vulnerability, but actually it is a sign of strength and that is really important.’

Adam says in work, with his friends and family, one tip he has learned is to ask somebody how they are feeling and to then follow up with

a second question – how are you feeling out of 10?

“If you are asked how are you out of 10 and you reply with a six, you then ask yourself why is that? What is going wrong?

“It opens up the conversation. It is so important that we give each other time.”

Discussion is also important, highlighting his concerns over how polarised debates within the industry have become, particularly around veganism and meat eating.

He mentioned that within his own family, he and his son both eat meat, but his daughter and wife do not, but they have ‘grown-up discussions about it’.

He recognises why people were vegetarians and vegans for health or animal welfare reasons, but says: “The justification of doing it for ‘climate reasons’, pardon the pun, really gets my beef up.

“If you learned about farming as a child then you would be able to come from an informed base to criticise, communicate and choose what you have on your plate.”

With the backdrop of the industry’s concerning mental health statistics, and a poor health and safety record, Adam acknowledged that now more than ever it was hard to promote and pitch the brilliance of the industry, but he reiterated that we must, adding that he believed it was still ‘the best job in the world.’

“Agriculture as a whole is an incredibly vibrant, exciting, technological, business-minded industry to be in and we should be at forefront of success.

“Looking at the agricultural food supply chain right now, if you asked any student what they are interested in, you could drop them in some very rewarding careers along that chain.

“There are lots of opportunities out there.”

Other podcast episodes focus on ways to improve mental health, including the importance of nutrition, sleep and family time.

He pointed out that while we pay a nutritionist to advise what we give our livestock, so they are in perfect order, we will ‘often eat food to fuel ourselves, rather than thinking about nutrition.’

With the start of the new year, his message was to try and focus on the positives, a fresh start, with a clear path of where you want to get to in the future and what you hope to achieve.

MORE INFORMATION Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life farmersguardian.com

17/01/2024 08:45

E OF BRITAIN ▲

WATCH THE

VIDEO

RURAL MENTAL HEALTH WITH ADAM HENSON Head to Farmers Guardian’s YouTube channel to watch the full interview with Adam.

Edited by Emily Ashworth 01772 799 446 emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com

Adam Henson says the public need to be educated about the difficulties farmers habitually face, but also the great opportunities which exist in agriculture.

Educating consumers can help address farmers’ poor mental health farmersguardian.com

p84 85 Jan 19 EA MB OM RB.indd 3

JANUARY 19 2024 | 85

17/01/2024 08:46

IN YOUR FIELD

Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK JAMES ROBINSON

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.

H

appy New Year to you all.

The start of the year has kicked off conference season, with both the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) and Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) being held simultaneously.

I was down there for ORFC, so I wore jeans and a t-shirt with a suitably eco-warrior message about nature heroes across the front.

Those who went to OFC were seen in the pubs later on in a suit and tie, or a suitably neat equivalent.

I am not sure if the dress code for either is mandatory, or if it is just the general feel of the event which determines what is packed for the trip.

Whatever we wear, it is the turning up to these events which makes the difference. Farming conferences are only any good if farmers attend them, and there are plenty of farmers in Oxford at the start of January.

The Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, used the OFC to announce the latest update for the agricultural transition, including the latest offer for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2024.

Overall, it looks promising, and is a step forwards toward what is needed.

Along with new options for the SFI,

‘Whatever we wear, it is turning up to these events that makes a difference’ there was also more detail on Countryside Stewardship and I was extremely pleased to see that Defra is to double the amount of Higher-Tier agreements for 2025-26 and this, so I have been told, is a direct result of the campaign I ran with the Nature Friendly Farming Network in September, which was featured in Farmers Guardian.

Campaign It shows that if we campaign and lobby sensibly, with a key message and a positive solution, we can collectively make a difference. I would like to thank everyone for signing the open

letter in support and also Defra for listening to what we had to say.

At ORFC, I took part in a session with the Woodland Trust, it focused on natural flood management, which, given my train journey down to Oxford through miles and miles of flooded farmland, was extremely timely.

The hall was completely full and all our presentations went down well.

I went to see an excellent session called The Veterinary Role in Ecological Sustainability, which sounds rather niche, but was my favourite session.

The excellent panellists explained

how rising temperatures will impact animal health and what we as farmers can do now to help in 20 years’ time.

The volumes of water cascading down our becks and rivers at peak is only going to become greater unless we collectively make changes to the way we manage things.

Looking after our soils by growing multi-species swards and allowing better infiltration not only soaks water up when its wet, it also retains it longer in times of drought. Planting the right trees in the right place slows the flow of surface water on slopes and then provides shade in extreme heat.

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17/01/2024 14:59

NEXT WEEK North Wales Dan Jones West Sussex James and Isobel Wright

‘I am determined to start the year optimistically’ 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.

I

hope everyone had a peaceful Christmas and New Year. We enjoyed a busy Christmas, spending time with friends and family in between jobs on the farm.

We had a break from calving for a couple of weeks, but there were still 200 cows going through the parlour on Christmas Day, plus all the daily feeding and bedding to be done, of

course. The team started early to get home in good time, and I helped on the afternoon milking shift.

The animals and machinery behaved and we all enjoyed sitting around the table for a festive lunch.

We even managed to keep one of our vending machines open throughout Christmas and the sales of butter, milk and cream suggest it was useful to people for a last-minute recipe.

Brother It has been great to have my brother over from America for a while and all be together again, which is quite rare.

It is a running joke that anyone who comes to the farm for longer than an hour gets handed a job, so he and his husband were soon busy helping with the calves, making milkshake syrups, labelling bottles and updating our website. He assures me they loved every minute.

Perhaps others with young children will agree, but I find the winter school holidays are the hardest to manage

both a farm and kids simultaneously.

While both our children are extremely keen to pitch in and help, the process of achieving this is not always as idyllic as it sounds.

Our five-year-old is currently defiantly refusing to wear her overalls, or indeed, any suitable outdoor clothing.

This results in a 10-minute window of ‘helpfulness’ followed by the realisation that Mummy was, in fact, correct, it is quite cold and wet outside, then a dash inside to either get changed or opt to read with Granny instead.

Thank goodness for Granny.

Of course, I would not change any of this for the world: we have had lots of fun together and it is always bitter-

CROSSWORD 1228

sweet when my little helpers go back to school.

As for everyone, the weather has been very challenging and I really feel for those badly affected by flooding.

In the Vale of York, our land is low lying and the fields are still saturated.

Nevertheless, I am determined to start the year optimistically. The cows have been milking well, with yields up a little as we have moved on to a better silage crop and improved our feeding routine by slightly adjusting the timings of feed mixing and delivery.

We have several projects in the pipeline, including some long-awaited infrastructure improvements and further developments of our direct sales.

The first correct entry received by next Friday will receive £20 worth of Love2shop vouchers. Send to: Crossword No. 1228, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9NZ.

ACROSS

1 Software programme runs and tempts novices (11) 9 Organise a Republican movement (7) 10 Wash three foreign articles (7) 11 In France good European leaders stupid fellows! (9) 12 Flap about principally loud sound from the fold (5) 13 House right for Greek poet (5) 14 Son prods male employee, one speaking for others (9) 16 Contend in speed with cavalry (Red Rum, for example) (9) 18 Space in mammal’s coat revealing bone (5) 20 Tolerates rough, ill-mannered fellows (5) 22 Stamina to complete university running competition round north (9) 24 Take as a model one friend possessing sex appeal (7) 25 Rip to pieces old essentially nauseant flower (3,4) 26 Our nudist is surprisingly hard-working (11)

DOWN

1 A minor cog dubiously promoting rural economy (9) 2 Scan the river for large leopard (7) 3 Medical procedure, part of gene mapping (5) 4 Select refined and occasionally complex instrument (9) 5 Sweet dish to break into fragments (7) 6 Herons in a group fly (5) 7 First of billions America invested in funds for African citadel (6) 8 French dish of corn contains protein essentially (6) 14 Unusually cross seer - she’s a witch! (9) 15 Tentatively moots menu, it’s of great consequence (9) 16 Animal chatter (6) 17 Spouse to manage with economy (7) 18 Distant artist to work, producing a hotchpotch (7) 19 Midshipman’s joint (6) 21 Self-justification in fib I laughed about (5) 23 Prevent ruminants eating bit of tree (5)

NAME ADDRESS

POSTCODE

Answers to crossword 1226: Across: 1 Graphically, 9 Wheaten, 10 Implant, 11 Title deed, 12 Inner, 13 Emeer, 14 Snow Goose, 16 Scrambled, 18 Botch, 20 Balsa, 22 Tsetse fly, 24 Ravioli, 25 Unaware, 26 Dessert wine.

Down: 1 Great Bear, 2 Antbear, 3 Hinge, 4 Childhood, 5 Lapwing, 6 Yearn, 7 Swathe, 8 Starve, 14 Solitaire, 15 Out-of-date, 16 Suburb, 17 Meadows, 18 Basmati, 19 Hoyden, 21 Lived, 23 Erupt.

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CROSSWORD COMPILED BY CHALICEA. SOLVERS MAY EMAIL COMMENTS TO CHALICEA.CROSSWORDS@YAHOO.CO.UK

HELEN STANIER

JANUARY 19 2024 | 87

17/01/2024 11:55

FARMING MATTERS

Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture

‘The science is clear that the tide is turning on bovine TB’

A

lthough new in my job as Biosecurity Minister, I do not need to be told what a tragedy bovine TB has been for British farming.

It has taken a terrible toll on farmers, whose mental anguish is incalculable and costs taxpayers more than £100 million every year.

Our ‘Bovine TB Eradication Strategy for England’, published in 2014, has helped turn the tide on this insidious disease. In the 12-month period ending September 2023, fewer than 20,000 cattle had to be slaughtered for bTB-related reasons, having peaked at 34,500 in 2018.

We also saw the lowest number of new bTB breakdowns recorded since 2004, and the herd incidence rate in England reached its lowest level since 2007.

Despite this evidence, the Badger Trust’s recent Tackling Bovine TB

Together report suggests that badger culls are not the most effective way to tackle bTB. The Badger Trust has unfortunately chosen to downplay the role of badgers in disease transmission.

From Lord Krebs’ review in the 1990s, to the Independent Scientific Group report on the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and the Godfray review published in 2018, the scientific consensus is clear that badgers play a role in transmission of bTB. The debate has been how best to deal with this transmission pathway and what role badger culling should play.

The science is clear that the tide is turning on bTB, and a major element of this success has been the industry-led cull of badgers in affected areas. The latest evidence from the first 52 licensed cull areas shows that rates of bTB breakdowns in cattle are down on average by 56 per cent after four years of culling. This analysis is

The cull of badgers continues but is changing, as Defra’s approach continues to be informed by science, says Lord Douglas-Miller.

currently undergoing independent peer review by a scientific journal.

The cull of badgers continues but is changing, as our approach continues to be informed by science and deploys all tools at our disposal. Where the evidence supports culling, we will continue to take that course. Badger vaccination is now also a reality, with more farms involved in vaccination programmes than ever before, including in areas where badger culling has ended.

We have also significantly reinforced our cattle surveillance measures and continually look for opportunities to enhance them further, while balancing the need to ensure we retain economically sustainable beef and dairy sectors.

Common goal By focusing on our common goal of disease eradication, we can continue to drive down disease levels across England. Our Bovine TB Partnership is a prime example of stakeholders and Government working together; bringing together experts from across the farming industry, the private veterinary profession, academics, local authority enforcers and nonGovernment organisations.

This collective expertise is helping to guide policy development, implementation and communication.

There are no easy answers to reducing this disease and no single measure is the solution. What is needed is a concerted effort by all those involved to make full use of all the tools we have, including badger culling and vaccination, and to continue to invest

Tell us your views Post Letters to the Editor, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ Email fgeditorial@agriconnect.com

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LORD ROBERT DOUGLAS-MILLER

Landowner and Biosecurity Minister

in enhancing our options for disease control, such as cattle vaccination.

Together, we can eradicate this miserable disease in England by 2038, as our strategy sets out. And on the way, we must not lose sight of the considerable hardship bTB has placed on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of highly prized animals and valued herds.

Support We are continuing to support farmers through initiatives such as the Defra-funded bTB Advisory Service, which offers free, bespoke advice to all eligible farmers in England to help reduce the risks associated with bTB on their farms.

We also provide funding for the Farming Community Network, which provides an on-demand support service for those farmers impacted by a bTB breakdown, with specially trained volunteers providing farmers with business as well as emotional and pastoral support.

In next week’s

Don’t miss the second part of our LAMMA Show coverage, plus a beef supplement with a look at the upcoming Stirling bull sales.

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