Feather Down Farms provide unique glamping experiences across the UK and Europe on working farms, offering a proven diversification avenue for farmers in small-scale tourism with a 20-year history.
By blending farmers’ knowledge and expertise with our passion for countryside getaways, we help guests escape to nature while farmers earn an additional income.
Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ
UK print subscriptions £189; Europe: £226.80; RoW: £283.50. FG digital subscriptions: £109
Published by Agriconnect
LISTEN TO THE FG PODCAST
FOR weekly podcasts bringing you the latest news, engaging debates and real farmer stories from across the UK, scan the QR code or go to farmersguardian. com/podcasts
Welsh Mules have been at the centre of the Bennett family’s farm for four generations. See p82-83.
Celebrating farming’s achievements goes well beyond the trophy cabinet
OUR British Farming Awards (BFAs) are a magnificent showcase and an opportunity for farmers to come together and celebrate each other’s achievements.
At a time of unparalleled uncertainty, and with businesses making decisions now that could change agriculture’s direction for years to come, the BFAs are a timely reminder of the drive and innovation that are at the heart of our industry.
While the ceremony itself recognises a select few, its themes reverberate well beyond farming’s ‘four walls’.
Our winners’ journeys all reflect a sense of determination, commitment and spirit that sets our industry apart.
There are those who have overcome adversity to get to their end goal; those who have forged a new path, embracing innovation to ensure future generations have firm foundations from which to build; and there are those who are out there sharing their endeavours with the wider world in order to foster not only a better understanding of what we do, but to also encourage people to look
beyond the nine-to-five and join our ranks.
Whatever the individual story may be, you can guarantee they are always inspirational, and following the subsequent coverage by hundreds of local, regional and national media outlets across the UK, it is not just us that thinks so.
What we hope is that by highlighting these examples of best practice and the care and skill that goes into producing food and caring for our environment, a truer picture of what goes on behind the farmgate is reflected.
Farming no doubt has it challenges – how the looming Budget will impact businesses being just one (see p10-11 and p16) – but the BFAs encompass the pride, skill and enthusiasm that keeps the wheels of our industry turning.
Find out more about our winners across this issue in our BFA picture specials on p22-25 and inside our Classified section.
Speaking up for farming since
1844
Government urged to take long-term view over SWS
l Workforce availability a barrier to growth
By Rachael Brown
GROWERS have advised the Government to commit to the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) on a ‘longterm basis’ and extend the scheme for a ‘further 10 years’ in order to give farmers the confidence to invest in their businesses.
The call came as the Government confirmed 43,000 temporary seasonal worker visas would be available for horticulture in 2025 – which is 2,000 fewer than was available in 2024.
Defra also confirmed that the poultry sector would be offered 2,000 visas for 2025, maintaining 2024’s quota.
Neil Donaldson, commercial director at Hall Hunter Partnership, which specialises in soft fruit across three farms totalling 350 hectares in Berkshire and Surrey, said: “We are in a global market for skilled seasonal labour, and it is vital that the UK remains an attractive destination for workers, so the continuation of the SWS for 2025 is an encouraging sign from the Government.
“We would greatly encourage the Government to commit to the
scheme for a further 10 years, to allow growers adequate time to make informed business investment decisions.
“It is also important that the scheme remains free of any hurdles or additional costs that will drive inflation into consumer prices.”
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said while the confirmation of numbers had come as a ‘relief’ to the sector, the issue of labour remained a substantial obstacle for those hoping to develop their operations.
Cycles
“Farming and growing businesses do not just work on year-to-year production cycles, they plan their business operations years ahead,” he said.
“As has been widely reported, confidence of farmers and growers is at an all-time low and worker availability has been a significant barrier to growth.”
Kerry Maxwell, communications manager at the British Poultry Council, also welcomed the announcement but said it was time to get ‘year-round labour’ talks back on the table.
According to Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, it was vital an extension to the six-month visa period must be looked at going forward, enabling issues such
Norwich Council forces livestock market to relocate
COUNCILLORS have unanimously voted to relocate Norwich’s Livestock Market from the site which has been its home of more than 60 years. Norwich’s livestock market has been in its current location close to Hall Road since the 1960s and is one of the last trading markets in East Anglia.
Norwich City Council said the current site needed ‘extensive’ repairs, which could cost up to £3 million, including the demolition of the former auction building, removal of as-
bestos, refurbishment of the current auction building and major work to parking.
On October 15, councillors voted to continue its application for a change in legislation to allow the market to be moved outside the city.
The new site has not been decided.
Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said there would be ‘a rigorous assessment and full business case appraisal on two sites close to the A47 that we have identified as possible relocation alternatives.’
as training to be accounted for. He said in some horticulture sectors, such as mushroom picking, workers undergo weeks of training until they are ‘working at full speed’ at around 12 weeks, leaving farmers with little support for the rest of the season.
Mr Ward said he was not sure as to why this year’s number had been reduced, but it had been hinted at by the previous Government.
There has also been a hope that the introduction of new technology would reduce the reliance on seasonal workers.
He said: “My concern here is yes, there is a hope that technology will take over, but I am not sure that there is sufficient technology in operation this year to warrant a 2,000 reduction in seasonal workers.”
Defra confirmed the figure of 43,000 was well above the number of visas issued in 2023, and 2022 with 32,724 an 34,332 respectively.
Weather app blamed for slurry spill
A FARMER from Somerset blamed a weather app after heavy rain caused slurry to run into surrounding ditches and road drains.
Ben Hembrow of Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, was fined more than £20,000 after admitting two charges relating to causing slurry pollution.
Yeovil Magistrates Court heard an Environment Agency officer visited the farm on a ‘wet Sunday’ in February 2022, following a report of slurry running down a road and into a surface water drain close to the farm.
During his interview with the EA, Mr Hembrow claimed the weather app he used had predicted only 1mm of rain the day after the slurry was applied.
According to the EA, since 2018 there have been specific laws to ensure organic manure applications are planned and that they take into account weather forecasts and soil conditions.
PROJECT AIMS TO BRING BACK ANCIENT BREED FROM EXTINCTION
A HERD of tauros cattle could be released on the Dundreggan estate in the Scottish Highlands as part of a project led by rewilding charity Trees for Life. Tauros have been bred from ancient domestic cattle breeds to be as similar as possible to the extinct aurochs. The charity said potential benefits included nature recovery, nature-based tourism and meat production.
Muller’s Yew Tree Dairy deal to go ahead
DAIRY giant Muller’s acquisition of the Yew Tree Dairy business has been approved by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) despite concerns over further industry contraction.
The takeover of the 120-year-old, West Lancashire-based family company is now expected to be finalised by the end of this month.
Muller said the deal will enable the company to access Yew Tree Dairy’s milk powder production capabilities to grow its export business, drive supply chain resilience and secure a positive fu-
ture for the British dairy industry.
The CMA launched an inquiry into the planned acquisition in August following fears that the deal could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK dairy market, which has already seen a 5.8% fall in producer numbers since 2023.
Concern
At the time of the initial acquisition in June, Yew Tree had a pool of 100 Scottish farmer suppliers, who according to NFU Scotland milk committee chair Bruce Mackie had
been quick to express their concern over future contracts and pricing.
“Any contraction in the number of available milk purchasers is clearly a concern as competition for milk, particularly in more remote milk fields, is an important factor in not only securing a fair price but maintaining dairy production in all parts of Scotland,” he said.
Following this week’s announcement, Carl Woodcock, a director of Yew Tree Dairy, said it was time for the family-owned and operated company to move on and that the directors were sure the business
had been left in ‘good hands’. He said: “It was important for us to hand over the reins to people who would look after the business with the same care and consideration as we have over the years and we are confident that the values and goals we have seen from the Muller family are similar to our own.
“Joining Muller will help Yew Tree Dairy go from strength to strength, benefitting our staff, farmers and customers and creating a strong and successful future for the British dairy industry.”
Bluetongue vaccine licence now available in England
● Scotland and Wales still ‘reviewing’
By Rachael Brown
vaccine
A GENERAL licence is now available for a bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine covering the whole of England, meaning all livestock keepers in England are able to use any of the permitted BTV-3 vaccines without applying for a specific licence.
But NFU president Tom Bradshaw has asked Defra to provide reassurance that there will be enough vaccines for farmers in high-risk areas, if they choose to use them.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet licensed the use of BTV-3 vaccines, but said they would keep it under review.
Legal conditions
The NFU said farmers who intend to vaccinate their animals must still comply with the legal conditions of that general licence, including reporting its use within 48 hours of the date of vaccination by completing an online form.
Defra has stressed that unlike the authorised BTV vaccines for other BTV serotypes, the BTV-3 vaccine reduced rather than prevented the BTV virus in the blood. For this reason, all movement controls and
trade restrictions in place still apply to vaccinated animals.
Restrictions
Those farmers who would like to use any of the available BTV-3 vaccines should contact their private vet to supply the vaccine. The farmer is allowed to administer the vaccine, but must ensure a medicine record is maintained and made available for inspection, with animals permanently marked with official IDs.
The NFU advised farmers to consid-
er the timings of any vaccination programme and what their future buying and selling policy would be.
Mr Bradshaw said: “While the vaccines make no claim to reduce infectivity, they do appear to reduce mortality and the severity of clinical signs – they will suppress the virus, not prevent it.
“So, while they will not stop animals from becoming infected, they could reduce the impact of the disease on individual animals and therefore provide an animal welfare benefit.”
Legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting
DEFRA has announced it is bringing forward legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting, in a move which has been welcomed by the sheep industry.
National Sheep Association (NSA) policy manager Emma Owen said it was important to have ‘some standardisation across the carcase classification process and reporting, bringing the sector in line with the licencing requirements of beef.’
She said: “NSA would now like to see the Smaller Abattoir Fund utilised to support smaller abattoirs that wish to be involved and also to help reduce the compliance burden.”
NFU livestock board chair David Barton said it had been ‘a long time
coming’ and that he ‘fully supported’ the proposals for mandatory sheep carcase classification, standardising dressing specifications, weighing carcases to 0.1 kg and price reporting for larger abattoirs.
“We also believe the Rural Payment Agency’s role in licensing and auditing is vital for the scheme’s success.
“We look forward to seeing these measures bring much-needed transparency and fairness to the sector, benefitting farmers, processors and customers across the wider supply chain.”
Lacking detail
NFU Scotland’s livestock committee chair Hugh Fraser said while he sup-
ported mandatory reporting ‘in the interests of fairness and transparency’, there was still no detail of what was being proposed and what body would be in charge.
“We would want to see this delivered at no additional cost burden to the sector, with the rights to the substantial volume of useful data collected remaining within industry control.”
Mr Fraser said many members saw mandatory price reporting as a useful tool to allow them to be ‘more responsive to market demands.’
“That could be further enhanced were the current grading system for carcases to be further improved to reflect eating quality and meat yield.”
THE English Winter Fair, which was due to be held on November 16-17 at Staffordshire County Showground, has been cancelled due to the continuing spread of bluetongue. The event organisers said they had ‘no option’ but to cancel the event, and added the risk of holding the event was ‘too great’. Exhibitors are being offered a full refund and should receive this within 14 days.
Outstanding Service award
PEMBROKESHIRE dairy farmer Stephen James has been awarded the Farmers’ Union Wales Outstanding Service to the Welsh Dairy Industry award at the Welsh Dairy Show this week in Carmarthen.
Mr James has been a leading figure representing the concerns of Welsh farming to the Government including being a representative on the Welsh Government TB programme board. Mr James shared the responsibility for his farm business at Gelli Olau to his son, Daniel, at a young age.
Mr James said receiving the award was a ‘huge privilege’, especially at an event which is so close to his heart and ‘so important to the milk sector in Wales.’
NFU president Tom Bradshaw praised the welfare benefits of the vaccine and the apparent reduction in the impact of bluetongue on infected animals.
PICTURE: GETTY
English Winter Fair
The Tenant Farmers Association is calling for
Council not to make a ‘knee-jerk’ decision over selling its farm assets.
● Holdings could be sold for rewilding
By Chris Brayford
TENANT farmers in Dorset fear their livelihoods could be ‘stripped’ if the local authority decides to sell off farmland for housing and rewilding.
During a Dorset Council Cabinet meeting on October 15, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Richard Biggs called for ‘greater scrutiny’ of its current asset portfolio which comprises more than 40 council-owned farms.
Back in July, Dorset Council confirmed it was interested in buying Middle Farm at Higher Kingcombe, a former dairy business, for ‘nature recovery’ and ‘rewilding’.
Within the same month, councillors had also voted in favour of declaring a ‘nature emergency’ with ‘urgent action’ required to rectify the problem with plans to improve access opportunities to the countryside, place less pressure on wildlife and restrict the use of glyphosate.
Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn said he was worried about the management of Dorset Council’s smallholdings estate and urged councillors not to make a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction in selling its farm assets.
Economic value
He added that an agent had undertaken a ‘strategic review’ of the estate last year to establish potential recommendations around how to manage the holdings in the future.
Mr Dunn has put pressure on the council to release its findings ‘without delay’ and urged councillors to understand the economic and cultural value farms provide.
Businesses operating in the estate, which comprises more than 6,400 acres, have warned their future was ‘bleak and uncertain’ following the council’s direction.
Farmers fear council’s farm sell-off plans
Michael Harris, owner of Hilfield Herefords in Dorchester, who runs 30 breeding cows and has been a Dorset Council tenant since 2017, said: “The estate is in a complete mess.
“There are farms which have just been left to rot for over three years with no incoming tenants in sight.
“Farmers working here have not seen any investment in the area and it is a crying shame.”
Lack of communication
Mr Harris also said he was concerned about a ‘lack of communication’ from the council about the future of his business agreement, which ends in March 2027, and if he will have to give up farming.
FENCING IN HARD TO REACH
AREAS ?
“I have tried to get an answer about my own tenancy for years, but I have heard nothing, with no correspondence to letters and emails,” he added. “The communication we have received during Cabinet meetings of the
council fills us with absolutely no hope that they value farmers and the future of this estate with a long and proud history.”
Dorset Council has been approached for comment.
Wales’ council farms being disposed of at ‘alarming rate’
COUNTY council farms in Wales are not just pieces of land, they are the lifeblood of its rural communities which are being sold off at an ‘alarming rate’.
That was the message from Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Minister James Evans in a passionate opening speech for his party’s debate held in the Senedd last week, which called on the Welsh Government to impose a moratorium on the sale of council farms owned by local authorities in Wales.
Mr Evans warned if local authorities continued to sell off council farms they were ‘playing with fire’, risking food security at a volatile time.
He said: “Council-owned farms offer more than a livelihood, they provide young people with a chance to get on the farming ladder.
“Without them, we risk shutting the door on the next generation of Welsh farmers.”
Plaid Cymru rural affairs spokesperson, Llyr Gruffydd, supported the motion and called for the Welsh Government to organise a national
summit to bring stakeholders together to discuss the future of county council farms.
He said: “We must not watch a valuable piece of the rural ecosystem being sold off to the highest bidder. Ultimately the responsibility rests with local authorities, but the Government cannot wash its hands of the problem.”
Deputy First Minister Huw IrrancaDavies said Ministers did not have a ‘statutory basis to intervene in the sale of land’ and that calling for a moratorium was ‘misplaced’ and failed to understand current legislation.
“It is important that we respect local authorities’ ability to develop their own priorities,” he said, adding it was down to them to decide how they manage their assets.
In response to calls for a national summit, Mr Irranca-Davies said if there was the ‘will’ from local authorities and other stakeholders to come together for a national summit, this could be done on a ‘voluntary basis’.
The Senedd rejected calls to halt the sales, with 22 in favour and 25 against.
Dorset
PICTURE: GETTY
Flooded farmers need help
● £2 million of £50m flood budget spent
By Chris Brayford
PRESSURE is piling on the Government to help farmers who have been battling the aftereffects of flooding for several months.
North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan used this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions to call on the Government to help farmers by changing the eligibility criteria for the beleaguered Farming Recovery Fund.
It comes after parts of the country were once again deluged with over a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.
Ms Morgan, who chairs a crossparty group of MPs focusing on flood resilience, highlighted the Government had only spent £2 million of the £50 million allocated to the relief scheme, with the ‘unnecessarily strict criteria’ to blame for low uptake.
The Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire asked the Deputy
Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who was standing in for Sir Keir Starmer, to extend the eligibility criteria, something the farming industry has repeatedly asked for.
NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said farm businesses were still suffering the impact of ‘relentless rain’, with thousands of acres of farmland across the UK ‘completely saturated and unusable’.
Martin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said planning red tape, a lack of Government support and costs to invest in on-farm flood defence infrastructure had placed a ‘barrier’ on the ability of farmers to contend with the weather.
‘Disastrous year’
Stefania Bennett, a dairy farmer from Worcester, said it had been a ‘disastrous farming year’ for many businesses due to the weather, and added that recent flooding on-farm had forced the business to abandon harvesting its maize crop, causing a ‘huge financial loss’.
Thinking of diversifying?
We’re with you every step of the way
Relentless rain has had a huge impact on the industry, with calls for the Government to do more to help farmers.
Matt Tunard, an arable farmer from Boston, in Lincolnshire, said flooding had caused his love for farming to ‘wear thin’ due to a ‘waste of time, effort and money’ in an attempt to drill crops on waterlogged fields.
The Environment Agency said it understood flooding had economic consequences for farmers, often resulting in a substantial clean-up
At NFU Mutual, we understand the unique opportunities and challenges that come with diversifying. Whether you’re exploring new ventures or enhancing your current operations, our local experts are here to provide tailored advice and comprehensive insurance solutions, so you can focus on what matters most.
Scan the QR code or search ‘NFU Mutual Farming Diversification’ to discover the latest trends, expert insights, and inspiring real-life success stories.
operation, alongside work to repair any damage to homes and businesses, and the impact on their mental health and well-being.
However, the Government said that nearly 50% of its projects had helped to defend rural communities from flooding, and advised farm businesses to have a flood plan in place in case of ‘emergencies’.
A
Government warned: consequence of change to Inheritance Tax law
With the outcome of next week’s Budget eagerly anticipated by farming businesses, Alex Black, Rachael Brown and Chris Brayford round up the industry’s key concerns and demands.
THE Government has been warned to beware of the ‘consequences’ of changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT), as speculation continues changes will come in this month’s Budget.
In a Westminster Hall debate on October 17, MPs from rural constituencies laid out concerns for the future of family farms and food production if changes were to be made.
Gordon and Buchan Conservative MP Harriet Cross said Agricultural
Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) were vital in ‘securing the longevity of farming and family businesses’.
“The rate of IHT in the UK kicks in at a relatively low value in relation to the value of farming assets, even for a small farm, particularly when compared with that of other countries,” she said.
She said in a meeting with the CLA she had heard how farmers were already making ‘rash and rushed deci-
sions’ which will impact their business, tax position and operations for years to come due to fear of the change.
The Tenant Farmers Association had also warned its members had seen an impact, with traditional estates rethinking the way they manage their agricultural land.
She dismissed the idea of APR and BPR as tax loopholes for the wealthy, adding they were ‘lifelines for hard-working family farms and entrepreneurs’.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee chair Alistair Carmichael warned of unintended consequences and the ripple effect if farms were to go out of business.
“What affects farmers will affect vets, agricultural merchants, local shops and post offices in some of the most economically fragile communities anywhere in the country,” he said.
Aphra Brandreth, Chester South and Eddisbury MP, highlighted the
‘Scottish family farms in precarious position’
NFU Scotland has warned scrapping tax relief for farmers at the Autumn Budget could ‘dismantle’ family farms.
Jonnie Hall, director of policy at NFUS, said taking away Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which allows farmers to pass on businesses without paying Inheritance Tax (IHT), could have a ‘long-lasting’ impact on the sector.
Following a meeting with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner earlier this month, Mr Hall said APR was critically important in ensuring businesses remained viable, but warned of the risks if it was taken away in the Budget.
Similarly, Mark Chatterton, head of agriculture and business services director at Duncan and Toplis, said the firm had seen 10% of its farming clients retire in anticipation of the Budget.
Shadow Scotland Secretary John Lamont said farmers were ‘in the dark’ about the Budget, and claimed without adequate funding from the UK Government, the majority of farmers in Scotland would ‘cease to be viable’.
Bruce Jobson, a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Morpeth, said he was concerned the Government may raise the current tax-free threshold of IHT above £325,000, which could be a ‘disaster’ for the sector.
“Given the returns from farming and crofting, any IHT charge could damage the ability to invest in the business or force the fragmentation of viable units,” he added.
“The Defra Secretary Steve Reed MP, is on record in December 2023 as saying that the Labour Party has no plans to change IHT, including APR.
“Any change to APR would create a considerable, but unwarranted, restructuring of the agricultural industry in Scotland and across the UK by inevitably leading to the break-up of many farm businesses, the socioeconomic costs of which would be immeasurable.”
He added: “If farmers have to sell 25% of land just to pay an IHT bill, on top of having huge mortgages and massive overdrafts, there is no way that farming can survive. If it is introduced, it will wipe out and finish family farms and smallholdings. Farming is in a perilous situation.”
Defra Secretary Steve Reed said the industry would ‘need to wait’ until the conclusion of the October Spending Review for any decisions which could be made on the future of tax reliefs and the farming budget, but added that the Government ‘would be on the side of Britain’s farmers.’
labour shortages already in the sector, and the reliance on family labour.
“If the physical means to farm, the land and the property, are not passed down to the next generation, then we risk losing the people, knowledge and skills that we desperately need to keep the sector viable,” she said.
Patrick Spencer, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP, added farmers would be forced to sell off ‘parcels of land’ and ‘when farm owners realise that it is hard to sell off small parcels of land, they will be forced to sell their whole holding’.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray was unable to offer reassurance, stating the industry would have to wait for the Budget to hear any changes. However, he highlighted there were ‘many different views’ on the reliefs and said he was grateful for the opportunity to hear members’ opinions on the topic.
Prime Minister must ‘stand by’ his commitments to British farmers
NFU president Tom Bradshaw has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to stand by his commitments to British farmers and growers and deliver not only a renewed agricultural budget, but confirm the continuation of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) in the Autumn Budget next week.
The NFU said that while in opposition at their conference back in 2023, Mr Starmer said British farmers and growers needed a Government that ‘sought a new relationship with the countryside and farming communities […] based on respect, on genuine partnership’ and that an underspend
in the allocated money for farming could not happen.
But with growing speculation around a cut to the agriculture budget and a potential review of APR, Mr Bradshaw said it was ‘incredibly concerning’.
He said the union’s request for a renewed multi-year annual agricultural budget of £5.6 billion was not a ‘nice to have,’ but an ‘essential investment to deliver the Government’s environmental goals, increase growth and support the economic stability of farm businesses.’
Mr Bradshaw added: “We need that genuine partnership with Government which the Prime Minister spoke of.”
It is too late to address import equivalence
I read with interest Member Matters, the bulletin from Red Tractor. There is an article entitled ‘addressing import equivalence’. The article reads: ‘We are acutely aware of members’ concerns about lack of import equivalence for crops entering the animal feed sector – but a solution is being worked on’. It is stated that UK growers must be members of a farm assurance scheme recognised by the Agricultural Industries Confederation to supply feed mills in the UK. I quote: ‘Red Tractor acknowledges criticism from farmers that standards are out of step with import standards and there needs to be a ‘levelling-up’’. There is no mention of the lack of import equivalence for food going for human consumption into supermarkets. However, after 20 years of not acknowledging the import equivalence issue at all, that is perhaps too much to expect in one go.
For 20 years, I – and no doubt others – have been raising this issue of import equivalence at NFU meetings and have run into a brick wall. Recognising the dire situation they are in, pending the outcome of the independent review into farm assurance, Red Tractor finally admits that there is a problem. It is too late. Warm words now are not going to make up for 20 years of obstruction and denial.
By acknowledging this issue, they have, in my view, undermined the reason for their existence, which explains their refusal to discuss it earlier. Hopefully, the outcome of the independent review will see the end of farm assurance in its current form and an end to the nonsense of the last 20-plus years.
Richard Downs, Stafford.
Social media reactions
Readers had their say on social media after Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson Tim Farron highlighted FG ’s reporting in Parliament and said agricultural policy was disincentivising food
■
solar farms and Starmer will say ‘let them eat cake’.”
GUY WILLIAMSON
■ “Well done Tim, you’ve finally worked out what they are pushing for.”
ROBIN COATES
■ “Oh, we should be pretty much self-sufficient for food security, the
Government and supermarkets need to be part of making it possible.”
DEBORAH BARTLETT
■ “At last a politician that sees what a mess putting farmers off farms will do to the countryside.”
STEVEN KIRKPATRICK
intelligence to agribusiness professionals across the globe. This policy sets out how we do this and applies the use of your personal data that you disclose to us by entering into our competition to win £200 for the Stockjudging Competition or £20 Love2Shop vouchers for the weekly Crossword Competition, referred to throughout this statement as the “Competitions”. How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by filling in the form on our website www.fginsight.com OR printed form when entering the Competitions. If you have entered the Competitions via our site we may also collect some technical information about how you use our site, for example, the type of device you are using, your operating system, IP address, uniform resource locator (URL), clickstream and length of visit. How we use the information you provide: We will use your personal information: • to administer the Competitions, on the basis that the use of your personal data for this purpose will be necessary to enter you into the competitions and, if you are successful, contact you to notify you of your prize; and, • if you are new to Farmers Guardian and where you have agreed to this, to provide you with news and updates from time to time about our services; and, if at any point in the future you do not wish to receive any news and updates from us or from, you can unsubscribe from our marketing list at any time by following the steps below. To unsubscribe from any communications using the link on the email we send you or by emailing us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com. We will not use your information for any purposes except those listed in this policy without letting you know and getting your permission, if necessary, first. Who do we share your information with? We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your consent, except where: • it is necessary to enable any of our staff, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers or commercial partners to provide a service to us or to perform a function on our behalf; • we have a legal obligation to disclose your information (for example, if a court orders us to); or • there is a sale or purchase of any business assets, or where Farmers Guardian or any of its group companies are being acquired by a third party. Where we use third parties as described above to process your personal information, we will ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to safeguard your personal information. For how long do we keep your personal information? We keep your personal information for 36 months for the purposes for which it was collected or for any period for which we are required to keep personal information to comply with our legal and regulatory requirements, or until you ask us to delete your personal information. Your rights: You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information. These include the right to: • find out how we process your personal information; • request that your personal information is corrected if you believe it is incorrect or inaccurate;
James Huyton Machinery Reporter – james.huyton@agriconnect.com
Food profits for farmers
The background to this letter, reflecting widely held concerns, is that more people eat food than produce it.
Other countries can produce and transport primary products to the UK at profit, for less than our costs of production – for example, sheep from New Zealand or beef from South America.
The food market is dominated by big buyers like supermarkets.
Primary producers number thousands and therefore are in a weak marketing position. The public want cheap food, which means farms becoming bigger to spread overheads.
The public also want a continuation of the ‘family farm’, which gets priced out of the market. Food security needs us to be more self-sufficient. Two world wars remind us of this. We cannot expect to import cheap food regardless.
There seems to be an implicit acceptance by Government and farming organisations that farmers need to diversify because they will not make a living simply by producing food.
Phil Latham’s recent plea in his Farming Matters column for a better share of overall food profit to go to farmers is well made.
David Rowlands, via email.
Our farm stories matter Leader
FARMERS remain on the frontline of climate change, with turbulent weather conditions testing the patience of even the most optimistic grower.
Breaks in stormy weather are short-lived, hampering the progress of planting in many areas. Where possible, many cereal growers struck while the iron was hot, making the most of early drilling and trying not to be caught out by a repeat of last autumn’s continual rain.
Once again, the combination drill is brought out of the back of the shed ready to carry the bulk of drilling duties. But for some, this is still not the answer, as heavy persistent downpours cause localised flooding and major issues for establishing crops.
Looking ahead, it might be another season where there is a need to tread lightly on soft ground, so this week’s machinery section looks at the latest tyre technology aimed at reducing compaction.
Those seeking sanctuary in a strong grain price following poor yields will be sorely disappointed as global markets keep a lid on UK prices.
On a more positive note, last week the British Farming Awards returned to a packed house at The Vox, Birmingham, celebrating the very best of UK agriculture. Whether you attended the event,
Young Farmer Focus ‘Farming and nature go hand in hand’
Sustainability: Carreg-y-Big Farm is home to about 2,725 ewes and 60 or so replacements, mostly North Country Cheviot sheep with a flock of about 30 Balwen Welsh Mountain rare breed sheep.
We farm with nature and I am proud to champion the Nature Friendly Farming Network along with my dad Ifan.
There are about four hectares of old deciduous mixed woodland, while the highest points of the farm include a peat bog, which supplies every field with water.
Our focus on-farm is to produce good stock and remain sustainable, no matter what market forces are applied to us.
I love helping my dad on-farm. While we might disagree from time to time, we both have a common vision for the farm’s future. I have been farming as
long as I can remember and was brought up with it after my family moved here 11 years ago.
If there were some sheep that needed moving, when I was younger I would just go along with it to help my dad.
Learning: I am now involved in the bigger decisions, such as which stock to keep for breeding and selling. Even at school, I find we are learning about farming and agriculture in subjects like geography.
Many of us at school are from farming families, and so talking about it becomes everyday conversation. However, it seems that not many of my classmates seem to understand the fact that nature comes with agriculture and the importance of maintaining and looking after it.
I like the idea of being a farmer in the
were a finalist or a fortunate winner, it is all aimed at promoting the industry’s story.
Now, more than ever, we need to show the value in agriculture’s story and its potential to be seen not as the problem, but the solution to climate change; we need to show that agriculture is the hardworking backbone of the country, providing sustainable food and maintaining the green spaces which provide a welcoming release from life’s stresses.
Every farming story matters, so perhaps share yours with a friend, a neighbour, your local MP or on social media.
Welshpool, Powys Rhiannon Davies, 14, farms 89 hectares of the Montgomeryshire Plateau with her dad in a nature-friendly way.
future, but I think it is also important to try other things.
I would love to become a ballet dancer and I am also interested in astronomy, but I am not excited by the office work it would involve.
Biodiversity: It is fantastic to see farming and nature go hand in hand. Our double-fenced laid hedges provide a habitat for all kinds of wildlife. I think we have certainly helped
increase biodiversity on-farm. Next generation: I think the next generation should be mindful of the benefits nature can bring, while producing the delicious and nutritious food for us all to enjoy.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Rhiannon Davies
Edited by Alex Black – 07880 490 486 – alex.black@agriconnect.com
Lower sheep production in the UK and beyond is supporting prices, with little to suggest an imminent increase in output. Cedric Porter reports.
Lamb prices strengthen as supplies slip
● Imports have surged by 43%
LATEST deadweight lamb prices are at 617 pence p/kg, 11% more than a year ago, according to AHDB.
Values have been at record highs for the time of the year throughout 2024 so far, hitting an all-time peak of 893p/kg in late May. For some historical context, the average price was 442p/kg in October 2020, 40% lower than the current price.
In the first nine months of the year, 8.19 million sheep and lambs were slaughtered, with a further 1.08m ewes and rams, Defra data shows. The number of sheep and lambs was down 7.9%, with the number of ewes and rams slaughtered down 13.4%.
Total slaughterings were down 8.6% to 9.268m, the smallest total on record for the nine-month
SCRAPERS
period. Total sheepmeat production was down by 7.8% to 192,900 tonnes.
The decline in sheep production is not just a British trend. Irish lamb slaughtering has dropped 7.4% in the first eight months of 2024, while total EU sheepmeat production dropped 8% in the January to July 2024 period to 209,320t.
The lack of British sheep is affecting trade. In the January to August
Volumes of lamb sold in retail and foodservice rose by 5.3%
IZZY SHOHET
period, UK sheepmeat exports dropped 7% to 48,850t, according to HMRC figures. Meanwhile, imports jumped by 43% to 47,200t and were worth £222m. Non-EU suppliers are channelling larger volumes into the British market. Last year, they accounted for 78.4% of imports. This year, the proportion has risen to 86.7%.
Expected
“We expected a drop in production following a 4% fall in breeding ewes seen in Defra’s UK December 2023
census,” said Izzy Shohet, red meat analyst at AHDB.
“But the drop in slaughterings and production has been greater than that, suggesting other factors at play. The very poor spring weather is one of those factors, as is a high incidence of the disease Schmallenberg, which anecdotally increased mortality in the beginning of the season.”
She added that bluetongue was yet to have a noticeable impact on production, but its possible spread was a significant threat, depending on weather and temperatures.
‘Check out our new Market Prices Hub at farmersguardian.com/ market-prices-hub for store and primestock, plus fuel, fertiliser, milk and more.
“Also supporting the market is strong consumer demand for lamb, despite inflation,” said Ms Shohet.
“According to the data we have, in the year to September, volumes of lamb sold in retail and foodservice rose by 5.3%, with foodservice demand alone up 8.4%. Takeaway dishes featuring lamb have done particularly well.”
She added there were few indications of a significant increase in sheep numbers, with some producers selling ewe lambs earmarked for breeding as they capitalise on high prices.
THE number of cattle slaughtered in the first nine months of 2024 was 1.578 million head, 4.1% more than in the same period in 2023, according to Defra.
Production of beef rose by 3.8% to 691,700 tonnes, the highest volume for the period since 2020. EU production in the first seven months of the year was up 4.2% on the year before, at 3.782 million tonnes, with a 0.5% drop in Irish output to 388,640t.
Prices are near all-time highs. In the week to October 12, the average deadweight steer price was 512p/kg, according to AHDB. That was 6.2% more than the year
Free guide to succession published for farmers
A NEW guide to help families plan succession for their farming businesses has been published by Nuffield Farming Scholarships and the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).
Drawing on 11 scholarship reports published in the past few years, Nuffield Scholar and RASE head of technical development Stephen Briggs said: “The guide tackles different areas as 11 ‘talking points’, looking at the processes, thoughts and practicalities of succession, and bringing in the next generation of farmers.”
Arguing that farms should not be seen as second- or third-generation, but a progression between generations, AHDB senior knowledge exchange manager Jamie McCoy said: “People must feel valued and, within families, inheritance should reward those who have invested–- or will invest – most time and energy into continuing the family legacy.
She urged farming families to consider constructing greater boundaries between farm and family life so that the business can be a more professional place, with more freedom for family relationships away from the farm.
The free bitesize guide is available on the RASE website and will be used by AHDB in upcoming succession meetings.
Benefits of acting on succession, according to 2011 Nuffield Scholar John Martin include:
■Family unity and happiness
■Continuity of family success
■In control of managing change
■ Doing what you want, when you want
■ Open communication with family members
■Expectations are real
■Building on each other’s strengths
■ Involvement and being valued for your contribution
■ Establish disciplines to monitor and revise plans
Strong consumer demand, despite inflation, is supporting the market and driving lamb prices higher.
The strength in the sheep market is being felt in the auction ring too.
Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) figures for the week to October 19 show the average new-season lamb price was 281p/kg liveweight, a 1.5% increase on the week before, despite a 6.9% increase in numbers during the week.
In its mid-October prime sale, Hawes Farmers Auction reported prices of up to £174 for a 51kg lamb, with a bumper entry of well-fed mule lambs, as sellers made the most of the strong market.
before. Liveweight prime cattle prices averaged 282p/kg in the week to October 19, according to the LAA.
The extra UK beef production has allowed more exports – they were up 9.8% in the first eight months of 2024. However, imports have also risen by 11,400t to 157,800t.
Kantar data for AHDB shows the volume of beef sales was down 0.2% in the year ending September 29, although 12-week sales to that date were up 3.1%. Over the past year, burger and grills sales have been the strongest with a reduction in demand for stewing cuts.
“The farm should be considered in two ways when planning – the business and the asset,” she added.
■ Flexibility to change course as circumstances change
The potential for significant changes to agricultural property relief is driving an increase in farm sales.
Budget speculation means more farm sales
● Prices climb to near record levels
By Cedric Porter
But sales of 50 to 249 acres still make up the largest proportion – 43% this year, compared to 46% pre-Brexit.
FEARS over changes to the tax regime in next week’s Budget have helped drive farm sales to their highest rate for nine years and prices to near record levels.
A trio of national land agencies have reported increased sales, with prices holding up ahead of what could be significant changes to Agricultural Property Relief in the upcoming Budget.
Savills said 169,000 acres of land across Great Britain on 864 holdings were marketed in the first nine months of this year.
That was 23% more than the same period last year and 15% above the pre-Brexit period from 2012 to 2016.
Arable
All English regions saw more activity, with a 50% jump in sales in the East Midlands compared to last year, with other arable areas busy for agents too. It was quieter for livestock farms, with only a 21% increase in the South West.
Scottish sales were up 39% on the year, but still below pre-Brexit levels, with Welsh sales stronger than before 2016, but 4% down on the January to September 2023 period. Nationally, all sizes of farms were in demand.
During the nine months, 21% of sales were of farms of 1,000 acres or larger, up from 13% in 2012 to 2016.
Strutt and Parker calculates that 86,200 acres of land in lots above 100 acres were publicly marketed in England in the nine-month period, the second highest amount in 10 years. There were more larger blocks of land and farms, with 24 of them above 500 acres and 12 more than 1,000 acres.
The average price of arable land during the period was £11,000/acre, only £200 less than the 2023 peak. Pasture land averaged £9,300/acre, with more than a half fetching at least £8,000.
Tax
“There has been a concerted effort across almost all sales agreed so far this year to get transactions exchanged under the current tax regime,” said Sam Holt, head of estates and farm agency at Strutt and Parker.
“The general market sentiment is that any adjustments in taxation will potentially be onerous to both buyer and seller.”
Carter Jonas registered a 0.9% increase in average arable land prices in England and Wales during the ninemonth period to £9,722/acre, with pasture prices up 0.7% to £7,889/acre.
Research associate Sophie Davidson said that aside from Budget-related transactions, there was demand for farms for natural capital and not farming purposes. She added a fall in interest rates would make borrowing cheaper, supporting further demand.
● UK animal welfare is a key sales driver
By Jane Thynne
THE UK must do all it can to champion its sustainable farming practices and high welfare standards if it is to drive greater exports, according to a leading trade authority.
Speaking at SIAL Paris – a biannual event which attracts food and drink traders from more than 130 countries, AHDB’s head of international trade development, Jonathan Eckley, said the current landscape for British produce had never been better, with figures for the red meat sector hitting £1.7 billion and £1.8bn for dairy in 2023.
Although, pigmeat exports for the first half of the year were down 2.4% compared with 2023, beef exports were 10% above 2023 export volumes, totalling 72,900 tonnes.
The UK remains the sixth largest exporter of lamb, with around 80,000t of sheepmeat being sold on the global market each year.
Quality
While Mr Eckley said it was unlikely domestic producers would ever be able to compete with the powerhouses of Argentina and Brazil in terms of volume, the UK had ‘points of difference’ which were becoming increasingly sought after by new markets in South and West Africa, as well as China, the Philippines and the Middle East.
“Our standards – whether that is food safety or animal welfare – are world leading,” Mr Eckley said.
“Sustainability and welfare are and will become increasingly important. If we look west, then animal welfare is becoming a key driver, whereas if we look east, it is food safety.
“Our standards are known around the world and the Union Jack is well respected as a mark of quality.”
UK standards are key to export growth
Our standards are known around the world and the Union Jack is well respected as a mark of quality
JONATHAN ECKLEY
AHDB, Quality Meat Scotland and Hybu Cig Cymru were all out in force at the SIAL event, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
According to the levy body, the show provides a platform for export businesses and enables the AHDB team to fly the flag for UK red meat and dairy, connect with existing buyers and meet new potential customers to help ensure UK beef, lamb, pork and dairy continue to flourish on the global stage.
“This business is all about relationships,” said Mr Eckley.
Down on the Farm
Soil fertility is vital: Test It, Review It & Take Action
At some stage over the next couple of months plan to do some soil testing if you haven’t done so already. Once you have the results don’t file them in a drawer! Review them and use them to put together a nutrient management plan (NMP) for 2025. Your NMP is about prioritising how to use organic and mineral nutrients on the farm in the most cost-effective way possible. Too often organic manures are applied on the same parts of the farm, year after year. There are plenty of reasons why this is done, but it’s not maximising the potential value of this valuable resource. Using umbilical spreading systems may be an option to target other areas of the farm. Target cattle slurry at low K index soils as it’s a cost-effective potash source.
“People trade with people – and the meat trade is in Paris this week, so that is why we are here.”
Europe remains the biggest importer of UK red meat, with beef exports to France and the Netherlands – the UK’s biggest markets in the EU – up 6% and 15% respectively in 2023.
Mr Eckley said AHDB was committed to supporting both the export and domestic market.
“We will continue to drive exports to support the industry. It is important to recognise that overseas trade adds value to the home market and helps grow UK production.”
Intensively stocked grassland farms should consider soil testing more regularly. By soil testing every 2 – 3 years you’re in a better position to monitor soil fertility trends. Fertiliser recommendations are not an exact science, hence soil testing more frequently together with measuring grass yields will help you fine tune your NMP for every paddock or field on your farm.
Remember, leys require a continuous and balanced nutrient supply from the soil to achieve its production potential. If a farmer is regularly soiltesting, say every three years, then the £1 ha/year cost is money well spent.
For more information on soil testing this
for “Yara
with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.
The AHDB stand at SIAL Paris.
Global Ag View
Hurricane Milton causes up to $2.5bn in damage
● Citrus and livestock farmers badly hit
By Alex Black
HURRICANE Milton has caused between $1.5 and $2.5 billion (£1.15 and £1.92bn) of losses to Florida’s agriculture industry, according to initial damage assessments by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
These figures add to the over $1.5bn (£1.15bn) in damage already sustained from Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Idalia in the past 13 months.
Commissioner of agriculture Wilton Simpson said: “Hurricane Milton has left a broad path of devastation, impacting our farmers and threatening Florida’s position as a leading agricultural producer. With four major hurricanes in just over a year, our agriculture communities have been hit repeatedly, causing unprecedented financial strain.
“We need the USDA’s immediate support to help these family farms recover from yet another historic storm. The time to act is now.”
Major impact
Hurricane Milton made landfall on October 9 near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane.
There were major structural impacts to cattle ranches in the affected counties, including on dairy units
and cattle in Citrus, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Manatee and Okeechobee.
Power outages caused disruptions to milking cows and post-hurricane issues have also affected milk production.
The industry has also reported significant infrastructure damage.
The majority of the citrus acreage for the state of Florida was situated in the affected counties, with significant production losses expected.
Most of these losses are due to fruit drop, damage to branches and impacts from heavy precipitation and flooding.
Field crops
There was also damage to field crops. Cotton, peanut and rice crops experienced minor to catastrophic damage in affected counties.
For non-citrus fruits and tree nuts, major products in hurricane Milton’s track included blueberries,
strawberries and tropical fruits, among many others.
These commodities may have suffered considerable damage, which the department said was still being assessed. Greenhouses and nurseries in the affected counties were significantly impacted, as the hurricane’s storm surge caused wind damage, power outages, flooding and saltwater intrusion.
It is feared vegetable and melon crops may also have suffered substantial losses.
Farmers look to sustainable practices and agtech
FARMERS around the world are looking to more sustainable practices, innovative technology and new yieldincreasing products to boost profits, with the industry under pressure from extreme weather, high costs and price volatility.
McKinsey’s 2024 Global Farmers Survey, which questioned 400 farmers, showed a cautiously optimistic outlook on the ability to capture increased profits in the years to come.
However, expectations on rising profit margins differ widely based on region, with 64% of North American farmers and 55% of European farmers generally expecting profits this year to
be lower, while 58% of farmers in Latin America and 76% in India anticipate higher profits over the next two years.
Sustainability was an area which farmers were investing in as they looked to improve productivity and add revenue streams.
Increased yields
In India, North America and Latin America, farmers are implementing sustainable practices to increase yield, while European farmers are interested in additional revenue streams.
Vasanth Ganesan, partner at McKinsey, said: “Farmers are facing a critical moment, with the economy
and a range of macro factors putting immense pressure on the industry.
“From extreme weather events to volatile commodities prices and supply chain disruptions, these challenges are driving up costs.
“Our survey shows that farmers who want to boost their profits in the coming years need to invest in their operations, whether through sustainable farming methods or adopting agtech to streamline processes and reduce labour-intensive tasks.”
Many farmers were integrating new technology, but this was largely dependent on size. Those with farms more than 1,012 hectares were 45%
more likely to adopt agtech, compared with farms under 40.5ha.
Input prices were a major risk to future profits, despite the cost of fertiliser and crop protection active ingredients falling over the past year. Weather-related risk continues to top farmers’ concerns. European and Latin American farmers in particular were seeing an impact on profits from the weather.
Growers who cited extreme weather as a top risk are more likely to spend on agricultural purchases compared to counterparts – a 30% increase in spend – and 50% more likely to buy or lease more land within the next two years.
Florida’s agricultural communities have been hit by four major hurricanes in the last 13 months.
Farm Profile
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
When Clive and Sylvia Richards bought the Lower Hope Farm Estate in Herefordshire in 1984, a new vision was needed to make the business viable for the next millennium of farming. Tom Hunt paid a visit to find out more.
Fruit focus for historic mixed farm
Fruit grown under polytunnels has helped the rejuvenation and diversification of Lower Hope Farm in Herefordshire.
The 566 hectare (1,400acre) Herefordshire farm dates back to the 14th Century, but farm manager, Jack Hopkins, explains that Clive and Sylvia Richards’ long-term aspirations paved the way to rejuvenating and diversifying Lower Hope Farm Estate into the
successful mixed enterprise it is today.
He says: “They always wanted to develop diverse commercial and sustainable farming systems and understood how the soils and the Herefordshire microclimate could enable the farm to grow a wider variety of crops.
“Today, we have a thriving fruit business, along with arable crops, live-
stock, and diversified farm incomes from housing, holiday lets and sustainable energy production, all of which Sylvia Richards has continued to lead on since Clive’s death in 2021.”
fordshire cattle have been retained after the farm’s commercial pig unit became unsustainable in 2004.
Almost 283 ha (700 acres) of arable crops sees wheat, oilseed rape (OSR), winter beans, spring oats, maize and linseed grown on a rotation that takes extra care to put the crop and soil first in order to minimise the use of inputs.
“We have always tried to manage crops with a targeted approach to minimise the use of chemicals and nitrogen fertiliser.
“Our methods are nothing new, just good mixed farmland management, using organic manures, cover crops and making the most of what we have,” says Mr Hopkins.
The farm has expanded and contracted in recent decades and the number of livestock has fluctuated significantly due to economic pressures.
Today, 650 lowland, early-lambing ewes are kept for fat lamb production and a small herd of 80 pedigree Here-
“Mr Richards was a big advocate of our native Herefordshire cattle and, in the 1980s and 1990s, there were more on the farm. The farm had a dedicated show team and won various championships and trophies.
“Mr Richards also introduced Canadian genetics to the herd to breed a larger-framed Hereford to compete with the continentals of the time,” Mr Hopkins says.
Fruit
The jewel in the crown of the farm today is the fruit producing arm of the business.
Herefordshire has become a prolific fruit-growing county and at Lower Hope the focus has been on cherries.
“As potatoes became less profitable, so the packhouse and cold store became busy with fruit.
Mr and Mrs Richards saw the opportunity to incorporate commer-
Farm manager Jack Hopkins.
Farm Profile Herefordshire
cial fruit growing into the mixed system and we are now a leading cherry and raspberry grower,” he says.
The farm has been improving the resilience of its cherry, raspberry and apple crops by using a selection of biostimulants in a move to become more sustainable and less reliant on chemicals. Fruit production is all under plastic with the covers being put up in spring and taken down in the winter months to allow the trees to bud for the following season.
Fruit grower manager, Harry Skittery, explains that since first planting cherry orchards in 1994, the fruit business has built up to grow 20 varieties.
Pioneering growing techniques deployed on the farm in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, such as growing under polytunnels, allowed the business to expand production while maintaining fruit quality and yield.
Mr Skittery says: “We grow 89 acres of cherries, 17 of raspberries and 15 of apples with more than 200 pickers needed in July and August to harvest the crop.
“Like most, we have to overcome climatic, pest and disease problems. However, in recent years it has become apparent that we can achieve this with minimal use of chemical products.”
As agrochemicals have lost certifi-
cation for UK use, the farm has looked for innovative solutions which potentially could have a consequential effect of ameliorating pests resulting from producing a healthy crop.
“It was a case of how to produce the crop in a long-term and sustainable way. Our objective was to improve the crop’s environmental resilience, thereby reducing our reliance on conventional chemistry while growing quality fruit with a good shelf life,” he says.
Concern
An early season pest was found to be unique to the estate. Pear Thrip, along with other penetrative pests, posed a concern that led the farm to adopt an alternative sustainable strategy to improve the strength of the cherry trees.
“Silicon improves leaf hair density, making the trees less appealing to biting insects such as Pear Thrip. We also believe silicon has a secondary benefit and helps to reduce damage caused by other pests such as Cherry Blackfly,” he adds.
Starting small and scaling up enabled the farm to establish that trees
The
treated with a silicon biostimulant were both visually and structurally stronger and so rolled out its use to apple trees and raspberries.
Heavy clay loam soils on the estate provide good nutrient retention and Mr Skittery has treated the soils with composts to further boost this.
“The soil has good drought-resistant qualities, but on occasion can suffer cracking. This is partly overcome with compost which also acts as a soil organic matter conditioner.
“However, with the heavy rain of recent seasons, we have also improved drainage to help soil structure in the wetter months,” he says.
The rich soil holds the crop well too, providing good nutrient retention for the foliar and fertigation programs he has developed with a biostimulants agronomist.
“Working with Orion FT’s Mike Stoker, we have developed a foliar mix which supplements our calcium and nitrogen program. This includes silicon, copper and zinc supplements to improve plant resilience,” he says.
Soil-less production has been a recent revelation, with substrate (pot-
ted) raspberries taking over the previously favoured soil raspberry production on the farm.
Since 2018, substrate raspberries have been grown under tunnel, currently 7ha (18 acres) expanding to 8.5ha (21 acres) in spring 2025.
The move away from the traditional soil grown systems has meant challenges associated with soil have been avoided and picking times can be timed with precision thanks to planting cold-stored plants at different times of the year.
Disease is also a constant threat to the cherry crop, which includes Sweetheart, Kordia, Regina, Corina, along with old varieties such as Lapins and Summer Sun.
Mr Skittery says: “Bacterial canker is an ongoing concern. If we have open wounds which are susceptible to canker, we have used biostimulants early and late in the season to try and prevent infection. We cannot use copper feed as an eradicate, but we can use it as a preventative measure.”
The farm has instigated a post-harvest foliar program which is followed by a liquid copper foliar feed.
Harry Skittery
business grows almost 283 ha (700 acres) of arable crops.
The farm retains a small herd of 80 pedigree Herefordshire cattle.
About 450 tonnes of cherries are harvested each year.
Herefordshire Farm Profile
“We have a period where we take the skins off and using a silicon biostimulant helps to protect the tree. We can also use it if we experience buds breaking early in the season,” he adds.
The two main diseases during the growing season, Botrytis and Brown Rot, are still conventionally controlled with a fungicide rotation, but the farm is also experimenting with more sustainable bio-fungicides.
“We have also used silicon applications, alongside our conventional program, to strengthen and thicken cell walls, in order to hinder penetration from fungal hyphae,” he says.
A new disease, apiognomonia, causes leaf blotch which can transfer to the cherry itself and has affected the farm’s Sweetheart variety.
Limited
“I have read articles where tebuconazole was used with good effect in previous years on the continent. However, this is not authorised on UK cherries, so we are limited on what we can use,” he says.
Having considered the options, he believes the main way to combat apiognomonia is with myclobutanil, but the product containing it is likely to lose authorisation soon.
“In light of the upcoming changes we are looking at new ways to combat
Farm facts
■ Main enterprise is growing cherries, raspberries and apples
■ 566ha (1,400 acres) includes 282ha (700 acres) of arable crops
■ 650 lowland ewes
■ 80 pedigree Hereford cows
apiognomonia. Preferably through cost-effective measures such as chemical or biostimulant enhanced resilience,” he adds.
Observations from previous growing seasons have identified that cherry plant stalks maintain freshness and green integrity longer, which has helped extend the shelf life of the fruit.
“We know the quality and shelf life of the cherries is better and there is a reduction in cherry rot.
“The cherry market being as it is means we are rolling over stock more towards 7-8 days before it hits the shop shelf, so fruit integrity is paramount,” he says.
The farm’s ethos is to grow for quality not quantity. However, a respectable 450 tonnes of cherries are harvested per year.
“Since the conception of Lower Hope Fruit, our main aim is to grow and harvest quality, something very
important to our owners. There can be scope for more tonnage, however, if the season is favourable,” he says.
And this vision that was brought to farm by the Richards is still being followed in all areas, from cultivation practices to environmental schemes.
Mr Hopkins says that balancing commercial farming with opportunities to seek additional incomes from stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes means the farm reflects its original mixed heritage, but with a modern twist.
He says: “We sometimes wonder whether we are supposed to be food
producers or environmental land managers.”
The farm has developed more integrated methods which see cover crops planted that are grazed before using strip till cultivation to drill wheat.
Less productive land has been identified for stewardship or SFI schemes and the farm is committed to the prosperity and sustainability of its fruit business.
“It is a truly mixed farming enterprise that reflects the vision and passion of both Mr and Mrs Richards and will stand as testament to their efforts in years to come,” says Mr Hopkins.
The farm’s ethos is to grow for quality rather than quantity. Some 650 lowland, early-lambing ewes are kept for fat lamb production.
The farm has 36ha (89 acres) of cherries with 20 varieties grown.
YOUR 2024 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
A star-studded line-up made for a sparkling showcase to celebrate the 12th British Farming Awards.
Farmers from all over the UK came together last Thursday (October 17) for the British Farming Awards, celebrating the inspiring achievements of individuals and partnerships.
Sponsored by Morrisons, the event was attended by more than 800 farmers and industry professionals.
Back for its 12th year, the event, held at The Vox, at Birmingham’s NEC, celebrated pioneering farmers across all sectors who are leading in areas of technology, science, food production and sustainability.
Alongside farming’s core sectors – including dairy, beef, sheep and arable – there was also recognition for students, family farms, new entrants, nature-friendly enterprises and the huge number of diversifications which are now so crucial to many businesses.
This year saw a record number of award entries, shortlisted by an expert team of judges, with winners of each category being announced by host, BBC Radio 2’s Vernon Kay.
Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper was also in attendance, with his boss, Jeremy Clarkson,
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BRITISH AGRICULTURE SPONSORED
also supplying beer and cider for the evening, courtesy of his brewery, Hawkstone.
The charity partner was the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, with guests raising more than £8,000 for the cause which supports those diagnosed with motor-neurone disease.
XDeserving winners of the Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture were Andy and Lynda Eadon with the charity they set up – Len’s Light.
visiting agricultural sites and even Westminster, to highlight the importance of mental health support in rural areas and honour Len’s memory.
Andy and Lynda Eadon lost their son Len to suicide in early 2022, at the age of 22.
Despite their profound grief, they have been dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in the farming community, aiming to prevent similar tragedies.
Through their initiative, ‘Len’s Light’, they have raised more than £170,000 for mental health charities, including the Farming Community Network, Yellow Wellies, and Papyrus. They also organised a tractor rally from John O’Groats to Land’s End,
Commenting on winning the award, the Eadons said: “This is a tribute to our son, obviously he was the main part of our lives, and since the loss of him we have tried to stop other families and communities going through the heartache we have. Thank you so much to Farmers Guardian for this dedication to our son.
“We do what we feel we need to do and that is what has motivated us all along. Right from the very beginning, we wanted to keep up awareness and keep the whole problem very much alive in people’s minds.”
Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley addresses the guests at The Vox.
The British Farming Awards are a chance to showcase the best of British agriculture.
Lynda and Andy Eadon, founders of the charity Len’s Light.
XThis year’s Farming Hero is Abi Reader, NFU Cymru deputy president.
Abi’s unwavering dedication to Welsh agriculture and her role as a champion for Welsh farming has made her the 2024 Farming Hero.
As NFU Cymru’s deputy president, she balances responsibilities on her family dairy farm with representing and advocating for farmers across Wales.
Abi tirelessly campaigns for positive change in the industry and to raise its profile, whether that be through educating school children through her Cows on Tour initiative or spearheading the
protest which saw 5,500 wellies placed outside the Senedd to highlight the jobs at risk through proposals in the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme.
She is a powerful voice in British agriculture, with judges describing her as a ‘tour de force’.
Commenting on what the award meant to her, Abi said: “It is amazing to think I have made a difference, the cows always have to be fed, and that goes for everything, it is the ethos of farming, everyone in the country has to be fed… and this is a great opportunity to share in everybody’s success.”
XWell known auctioneer Raymond Lund was honoured with a special Service to the Industry award.
He is an incredible asset to the farming community and a legend in the auctioneering world.
Following 38 years of selling at Hawes Auction Mart, he is hanging up his gavel to retire.
Commenting on his recognition at the awards, Raymond said: “I have always worked for the farming community, to get something like
this is a great honour. Although when Farmers Guardian rang me to tell me I had won, I thought it was a hoax.
“I could not believe it, but when it sank in I was so thrilled to be recognised and to celebrate with my friends old and new.”
He stressed the importance of auction marts, adding: “Marts are a vital piece of our rural communities.
“This is where the price is fixed and the price is made.”
More of this year’s winners over the page...
FARMING HERO – FLYING THE FLAG FOR BRITISH AGRICULTURE SPONSORED BY ETERNIT
NEW FOR 2024 – SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY SPONSORED BY FARMERS GUARDIAN
Presenter Vernon Kay, from BBC Radio 2, Raymond Lund and Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley.
Members of the 800-strong audience celebrate on the dancefloor.
Abi Reader receives her 2024 Farming Hero award from Eternit sales manager John Harkins.
AGRI-TECH INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MY NAME’5 DODDIE FOUNDATION
ARABLE FARMER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MASCHIO GASPARDO
CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY HILLSGREEN
DAIRY FARMER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY FEATHER DOWN
MEET THE REST OF YOUR WINNERS OF 2024
AGRICULTURAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY RICHMOND ASSET FINANCE
WINNER: PES Technologies, Norfolk
Left to right: Michael Faint and Andrej Porovic from PES Technologies and Rachel Sharp, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
BEEF FARMER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ABP FOODS
Vernon Kay with Nicholas Watts,
and Will Greenway, managing director at Maschio Gaspardo UK.
CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK
WINNER: William Murray, W&M Brown, Edinburgh
Murray and Hillsgreen, head of relationships, Shabawn Farrall.
DIVERSIFICATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL TO MEDIUM) SPONSORED BY NFU MUTUAL
WINNER: Holly Bonner, Bridgwater and Taunton College of University Centre Somerset
WINNER: James Herrick, Herrick Partnership, Leicestershire
WINNER: Nicholas Watts, Vine House Farm, Spalding
WINNER: Cheryl Reeves, Agri-cation CIC, Wrexham
WINNER: Tom and Karen Halton, Halton Farms Ltd, Cheshire
WINNER: Nigel Harper, ND Harper Limited, Cheshire
Holly Bonner and James Eckley, chief o cer of National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.
Left to right: James Herrick and Richard Phelps, agriculture director for ABP Foods.
Host
left,
Cheryl Reeves and Nick Turner, group chief executive of NFU Mutual.
William
Left to right: Vernon Kay, Tom and Karen Halton and Vicki Baggott, group marketing director from Feather Down.
Nigel Harper and Georgina Lamb, FCN senior partnerships manager.
To catch up on all of the winners’ interviews, to watch videos and for more information on the evening and finalists, go to britishfarmingawards.co.uk
WINNER: Ed Foster, The Rhynd, JLW Foster, Fife
WINNER: Sam and Samantha Edwards, Edwards Farming Partnership,
WINNER: Andy Lambert, Hellifield Highland fold, North Yorkshire
WINNER: Andy Goodwin, D & P Hollinshead, Cheshire
Johnny Wake, Courteenhall Farms, Northamptonshire
Dorset
WINNER: Oliver Harrison, Aimshaugh, Cumbria
Left to right, Vernon Kay, Ed Foster, Lisa Foster and Ha rriet Kerr, commercial director at Sykes Holiday Cottages
The Ladds Family
Left tor right: Andy Lambert and head of marketing at Isuzu, George Wallis.
Left to right: Vernon, Andy Goodwin and Paul Morgan, area sales manager, at Germinal.
Left to right: Vernon Kay, Johnny Wake and Robert Evans, head of agriculture at NSF.
Edwards.
Oliver Harrison and Shine Ewe-Reka UK sales manager, Selina Field.
BY ISUZU
Edited by Alice Dyer – 07966 445 458 – alice.dyer@agriconnect.com
For more arable content, go to farmersguardian.com/arable-news-hub
● Inorganic fertiliser use lower for regen
MANY practices adopted in regenerative farming are thought to have a positive impact on costs, profitability and production.
However, a new analysis from AHDB, which explored the impact a selection of practices often included in regenerative farming systems can have on the bottom line, has suggested there are caveats to this.
In the analysis, harvest 2023 winter wheat crops from 241 enterprises were reviewed, including milling and feed varieties. The farms were split into three groups, based on how many regen practices were adopted on-farm (see panel)
Laura Smith, Farmbench manager at AHDB, who undertook the analysis, says: “Certain practices were more popular within groups, such as establishing cover crops, applying organic manures and growing a long and broad rotation, which were each taken up by more than 63% of the enterprises.
“As would be expected, the focus the high group had on using less synthetic fertiliser resulted in lower inorganic fertiliser costs than the medium and low groups.” (See Figure 1).
For the average wheat crop in the high group, businesses tended to spend £29/hectare more on organic manure and trace elements, including biostimulants, but made larger savings by cutting their inorganic fertiliser use by 48kg/ha of nitrogen.
“This resulted in an inorganic fertiliser saving of £117/ha in com-
'Regenerative' is the buzzword of the moment. Aside from the obvious environmental and biodiversity benefits, will regenerative farming boost farm profitability? Alice Dyer reports.
Do regenerative farming practices help the bottom line?
On average, each group was profitable, though increased use of regenerative practices does seem to have a financial effect
LAURA SMITH
parison to the low group, and an overall fertiliser saving of £88/ha.
This reduction in fertiliser use also likely contributes to the slightly
lower overhead costs, such as labour and fuel, in the high group, says Ms Smith. However, other practices the group used could also contribute to this cost saving.
Cultivation
Another key difference in the systems was the use of low- or no-till cultivation.
The high group used these practices more than the other groups. They spent the least on labour and machinery costs overall, saving up to £76/ha in comparison to the medium group.
Aside from the clear cost savings by reducing cultivations, such as fuel spend, the high group made savings in their business structure.
“The high group are keeping less kit on-farm, reducing their depreciation costs, and employing more contractors,” says Ms Smith.
“Contracting was the only ma-
AVERAGE COST OF PRODUCTION AND TOTAL INCOME
chinery and labour cost which the high group spent more on than the medium and low [groups].
“This may partially be due to less machinery needed within low-tillage systems, but could also relate to a tendency to hire-in specialised equipment from other businesses.
“The average wheat enterprise within the high group had the lowest total cost of production at £1,312/ha. The medium and low groups had a similar cost of production, at £1,451/ha and £1,452/ha respectively, meaning that the high group had saved 9.6% of costs in comparison to the other groups.”
However, when it came to yield, the high group’s average crop output was £212/ha less than the low group.
Yields
Ms Smith says: “While this was partly because they sold their wheat for a lower price, it was also due to lower yields.
“As each group carried out more practices, the average yield dropped. The low group produced on average 9.34 tonnes/ha of winter wheat, in comparison to 8.84t/ha in the high group.
“The data cannot tell us whether the practices used on-farm caused the lower yield, or if [the farms in]
Arable
GROUPS
■ Low group: adopted zero to four regenerative practices
■ Medium group: adopted five to eight regenerative practices
■ High group: adopted nine to 14 regenerative practices
Regenerative practices
■ Composting farmyard manure
■ Catch cropping
■ Cover cropping
■ Maximum 10% cultivation per year
■ Minimising fungicides
■ Nil insecticide use
■ Reducing all synthetic inputs
■ Using organic manures
■ Multi-variety blends
■ Adding livestock into the rotation
■ Growing a long and broad rotation
■ 90% no tillage
■ Reducing all inorganic fertiliser use
■ Companion cropping
■ Including herbal leys in the rotation
the high group were originally less productive farms.
“If the latter, this seems to have been an effective way to reduce spend in line with possible productivity of the farm. While the high group had the lowest yield, they still had the lowest cost of production per tonne [£148/t]. This was £7-10/t lower than the low and medium groups respectively.”
Profitability
However, despite a low cost of production, the lower income impacted the profitability. The high group’s average profit was £533/ha, compared to £609/ha in the low group.
Ms Smith says: “However, despite making £77/ha less profit, the English farms in the high group could access further options under the Sustainable Farming Incentive [SFI].
“For example, a farm in the high group could boost profit by £118/ha using two 2024 options: no insecticide use and no tillage. In this scenario, this would make the high group the most profitable, with the lowest input costs.”
“On average, each group was profitable, though increased use of regenerative practices does seem to have a financial effect.
“A lower cost of production benefits the system, but with lower average yields, there is still pressure on profitability [when] looking to harvest 2024 and onwards.
“SFI offers English farmers a chance to top up these margins and potentially mitigate risk, when selected carefully, as seen in AHDB’s SFI Stacking analysis.”
Establishing cover crops was a popular choice of regen practice across all groups in the analysis, says Laura Smith of AHDB (inset)
FIGURE 1: HARVEST 23 AVERAGE FERTILISER COSTS
SOURCE: FARMBENCH
with Simon Nelson
After the deluge, good conditions for winter cereal
Much of the North West has been deluged with rain this month, with parts receiving four to five inches – a good half of that from Storm Ashley last weekend.
Fortunately, most fieldwork had been completed by then, including the majority of the maize harvest.
There was a bit of a rush to get as much cut as possible before the high winds and rain hit.
Generally speaking, this year’s maize crop struggled to mature, and some of the fields taken last week still were not ready, but cutting was definitely the right choice. The last thing growers want to see is lodging, and all the problems that causes.
A few crops remain to be gathered, and we can only hope that the weather dries up enough for that to happen in the next few days.
Dry matter
Unfortunately, overall maize dry matter and starch levels will be down this season, so the crop will not be as complementary to the diet as growers would have hoped.
Quite a number of maize growers opted to sow grass with their crops this season to qualify for two very useful SFI payments – one for the companion crop and one for the resulting over-winter cover.
However, I have heard some reports of harvest problems with blocked headers where the grass had become too tall and thick, particularly in thinner maize crops where Italian ryegrass and westerwolds were used. I would always recommend sowing grass seed mixtures specifically designed for this purpose, which include less vigorous species such as fescue and cocksfoot.
These deliver all the benefits, including improved soil structure, reduced nutrient leaching and protection against erosion, without the angst. They also minimise crop com-
Crops have gone into good conditions, on the whole, and plant numbers are good
SIMON NELSON
petition during the growing season.
Winter cereal sowing is now all but complete.
Crops have gone into good conditions, on the whole, and plant numbers are good, but temperatures have been on the cool side over the past few weeks which has slowed growth. Even those established in September are not that far forward.
However, fields drilled in the past week or two after grass and maize have benefited from an unusually warm few days, where we saw 1516degC, and plants have emerged relatively quickly.
It is worth noting that many earlier-drilled crops may not have had an aphicide to help control BYDV, so it is well worth bearing this in mind and keeping an eye out for the aphids that carry the disease.
Growers warned as fungicide’s UK approval is set to end.
Sales deadline for mancozeb is looming
● Pre-deadline stock usable next season
GROWERS using the plant protection product, mancozeb are being reminded that sale and supply of any product containing the fungicide will end on November 30, 2024.
This comes following the expiry of the active substance approval earlier this year.
For growers with stocks of mancozeb-containing products, the storage, disposal and use of any plant protection product containing mancozeb will end one year later, on November 30, 2025.
This means that any stock purchased before the deadline will be
available for growers to use next season.
Product manufacturer, UPL says it has worked hard with its distributor partners to supply enough for this season, which has seen a rise in demand following the surge in potato blight strains resistant to CAA and OSBPI fungicides on the continent.
The loss of mancozeb coincides with the first discovery of the 46_A1 blight strain in the UK.
Geoff Hailstone, UPL potato technical lead for the UK and Ireland says that any stocks left over for blight programmes next season will benefit resistance management and present an opportunity to trial what blight programmes may look like after mancozeb.
Insulation made by farm workers could support rural economies
PRODUCTION of low carbon, plantbased insulating blocks by agricultural workers from farm materials could help to support rural economies and tackle labour shortages, experts say.
A new study will test if the materials, for use in construction, could lead to a ‘Harvest to House’ system of building.
The University of Exeter-led study will show if small-scale farmers could diversify into making sustainable building materials for use on their own farms, or for construction in the local area. This could also benefit their own businesses, communities and the
environment. Arable farm workers in the region will be involved in the small-scale trial of a manufacturing process. Researchers will explore the human, environmental, and infrastructural barriers and opportunities for production through working with farmers and farm workers.
The project, ‘Ag.Lab: Off-Season Farm Production of Building Materials’, is led by Dr Caroline Nye and Prof Matt Lobley from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research in partnership with the Local Works Studio.
SIMON Nelson advises farmers on a wide range of arable and forage crops across Cumbria, north Lancashire and into south-west Scotland. About Simon Nelson
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796
l Record £1.34 million Dalmally sale turnover
BLACKFACE rams sold to £70,000 at Dalmally sale with a record turnover of £1.34 million. The 193 ram lambs averaged £2774.92, while 476 aged rams and shearlings levelled at £1,690.90. Ram lambs topped the sale with two making £70,000. The first a Dalchirla lamb from Ian Hunter, Crieff. By a homebred ram sold for £23,000 last year and out of a ewe by a £24,000 Connachan, sold to Willie Dunlop and sons, Quintin and William, Elmscleugh, Dunbar.
Matching the top price was the Dunlop family, Muirkirk, with a lamb by a £22,000 Dyke out of a ewe by £22,000 Auldhouseburn. The buyers were Richard Carruthers, Merkland, Thornhill, Hugh Rorison, Clonrae, and Rory Kerr, Drymen.
At £60,000 was a lamb from the Wights’ Midlock flock, Crawford, by home-bred Emperor. John Murray, Crossflatt, Muirkirk, sold one by home-bred Titan at £50,000 to Malcolm Coubrough, Crawford, and Billy Renwick, Yarrow.
Best for Alastair McArthur’s Nunnerie consignment, Elvanfoot, was
Blackface lambs top at £70,000 twice
£24,000, for a son of £90,000 Dalchirla, which went to Midlock.
Shearling rams peaked at £35,000 for Duncan and Ashley MacGregor, Burnhead, Kilsyth, with a son of a £12,000 Dyke which sold to the Nunnerie and Dalchirla flocks.
The Midlock team sold shearlings to £30,000 for a son of £75,000 Dyke, which went to the Bennies’ Merkins flock, Gartocharn.
Andrew Kay and sons, Andrew and Robert, Gass, sold shearling rams at £30,000, £20,000 and £17,000. The £30,000 seller, by a £48,000 Midlock, went to the Elmscleugh flock, while the one at £20,000, by the same sire, went to Neil Manning, Morpeth, and a son of £26,000 Gass, sold at £17,000 to Ewen Macmillan, Lurg, Fintry. Auctioneers: United Auctions.
Flying suckled calf trade
AN entry of 200 suckled calves went under the hammer at the Bishops Castle and District Quality Cattle Association’s sale at Bishops Castle.
New records were set with steers selling to 454.40p/kg (£1,250/head) for 450kg seven-month-old Limousin crosses from J.A. Wood and Sons, Kinnerton. Seven lots of steers sold to in excess of 400p/kg and steers averaged 368p/kg (£1,288/head).
Top price steer per head at £1,570 (348.90p/kg) was a 450kg Limousin cross from R. F. Gough and Son, Newcastle. The winning pen of four or more 2024-born heifers and steers from J.A. Wood and Sons, Kinnerton,
were five British Blue cross steers, sold for £1,410/head (381.10p/kg).
Heifers sold to £1,680 for a 17-monthold 525kg Limousin cross from J. H. M. Williams and Co, Llanidloes.
Top price per kilo was 447.10p (£1,520/head) for a seven-month-old 340kg Limousin from the Wood family, with 15 lots of heifers selling in excess of 400p/kg to average 347.50p/ kg (£1,185/)head.
A run of eight to 10-month-old bulls from E.H. Pennie and Son, Llandyssil, topped at £1,600/head and the top per kilo price of 362p, averaging £1,500/ head (338.5p/kg).
Auctioneers: Halls.
HW Angus sell to 18,000gns
THE production sale of Aberdeen-Angus on behalf of HW Angus, on-farm at Netherton, Blackford, topped at 18,000gns for July 2023-born, HW Blacklass Z995, the first calf in Europe by Texas Iceman which sold for $225,000 in Australia, out of HW Blacklass W233, which sold to Trans Insulation, Gillingland, Kent. Next at 12,000gns was HW Madame Pride V509, a 2019-born Rawburn Boss Hogg N630 daughter out of HW Madame Pride S153, which sold, in-calf to HW Mr Equilibrium
W202, to Messrs Jones, Cullompton. Two young bulls sold for 10,000gns apiece. The first was August 2023-born HW Black Label Z998 by HW Mr Equilibrium W202 which went to Spinnewyn Brissac Angus, France. The other was HW Red Russian, a 2023born son of Milwillah Marble Bar J53 which was sold to Trans Insulation.
AVERAGES 27 females, £5,323.89; 2 bulls, £10,500; 29 overall, £5,157. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Blackface ram from the Dunlop family, Muirkirk, which sold for £70,000 to Richard Carruthers, Merkland, Thornhill, Hugh Rorison, Clonrae, and Rory Kerr, Drymen.
Shearling ram from Duncan and Ashley MacGregor, Burnhead, Kilsyth, which sold for £35,000, to the Nunnerie and Dalchirla flocks.
Hollafrench herd dispersal tops 4,000gns at Exeter
THE Hollafrench Herd was dispersed at Exeter on behalf of W.S. Jose and Son, Holsworthy. The sale topped at 4,000gns for Hollafrench Remedy EX113 VG86, a heifer by W-R-L Renegad Remedy which had calved in May and due again in April to sexed Lateshow. The buyers were Mark and Anita Saunders, Cullompton.
At 3,600gns was Hollafrench Remedy More GP83, a heifer backed by six generations of EX dams, by the same sire, which sold to E. Gay and Sons, Axminster.
In-calf heifers topped at 2,350gns for Hollafrench Faneca Bubble 42 by Badger SSI Lucia Faneca which
went to Bubney Farms, Shropshire. Yearling heifers peaked at 1,700gns for Hollafrench Hampshire More 89 by AOT Hampshire, selling to Peter Waring, East Yorkshire. Heifer calves topped at 1,250gns for Hollafrench Holysmokes Dreamer 22, a February-born daughter of Holysmokes out of the Pursuit Dreamer which made 3,500gns.
AVERAGES: 113 cows and heifers (including all faults), £2,127; 30 served heifers, £1,357 ; 41 yearling heifers, £979; 25 heifer calves, £593; 199 head, £1,612. Auctioneers: Norton and Brooksbank with Kivells.
Swaledale rams top at £34,000
l
Ghyll House Orlando crowned champion
THE three-day Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association C District ram show and sale at Kirkby Stephen topped at £34,000 on the second day.
This was for the reserve overall champion, Ghyll House Officer, a shearling ram consigned by Messrs Richardson and Son, Dufton, which sold to Messrs White, Lunedale;
Messrs Wilson, Lunedale; Burncroft Farm, Eggleston; and S. Tully and J. Thompson, Startforth.
Making £25,000 was Gillside Legend from Messrs Lightfoot, Glenridding, which sold to Messrs Beckwith, Barras, and Messrs Smith, Brampton.
The championship was awarded to Ghyll House Orlando from Messrs Richardson, which went on to sell for £16,000 to Messrs White and Messrs Tully and Thompson.
Murton Hall Majestic, consigned by Messrs Harker, Murton, which sold to Messrs Raine and Son, Middleton-inTeesdale, for £32,000.
High of 18,000gns for
THE sale of pedigree Limousins at Carlisle topped at 18,000gns for Killerton Uncanny, an April 2023-born
bull by Nealford Politician out of the Foxhillfarm Montreal daughter, Killerton Panzer. Consigned by
Suckled calves in demand
THE show and sale of suckled calves under a year old at Darlington topped at £1,750 for the pre-sale show champion, a black Limousin cross steer by Hollyberry Redrum from the Stones family, Marrick. The buyer was D. Holgate, Wakefield.
Next, at £1,620 and topping the heifers, was the reserve champion, a Limousin cross heifer by Jorica Newsflash from R.A. and S. Wearmouth, Long Newton, which was knocked down to B. and M. Coulthard, Westgate.
The Wearmouths also sold steers at £1,640, £1,630 and £1,620, with steers from Messrs Stones and the Swinbank
The third day’s sale topped at £32,000 for Murton Hall Majestic, consigned by Messrs Harker, Murton, which was bought by Messrs Raine and Son, Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Messrs Bland, Gaisgill, sold Cotegill Yoyo at £25,000 to Messrs Lightfoot, and Messrs Allinson, Baldersdale.
Messrs Hargreaves, Barley, sold Meadow Bank MN19 for £18,000 to Messrs Allinson, and Messrs Hutchinson, Valley Farm, Bowes.
Also making £18,000 from Messrs Cowperthwaite, Austwick, was Howith Roger 1, again selling to Messrs Allinson and Messrs Hutchinson.
Messrs White sold Rigg Roman Emperor, also for £18,000, to Burncroft Farm and Messrs Lightfoot.
Ram lambs
On the first day, ram lambs sold to £10,000 for the champion from Burncroft Farm, which was bought by Messrs Lister, Windermere. The same vendors also sold ram lambs to £1,800, £1,500 and £1,100, selling to Messrs Stobbart, Barnard Castle; Messrs
family, Darlington, also selling to £1,640.
The winning British Blue heifer from T. and C. Smith, Thorsgill, sold for £1,600 to G. and A. Gibson and Son, Etherley, followed by two from N. Wilson, Hill House.
Young bulls topped at £1,530 for a Limousin from J.A. and U.M. Fawcett, Manor House.
AVERAGES
Young bulls, £992 (+£32 on 2023); heifers, £1,082 (+£97); steers, £1,260 (+£114). Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.
Reserve overall champion, Ghyll House Officer, a shearling ram consigned by Messrs Richardson and Son, Dufton, which sold for £34,000.
Collinson, Beast Gate; and Messrs Collingwood, Stanhope.
Aged rams sold to £4,500 twice. Firstly, for Messrs Wilson, Lunedale, selling to Harry Pritchard, Rochester. Also reaching £4,500 was the second prize two-shear ram from Messrs Wilson, which sold to Messrs Spensley, Castle Bolton.
The same vendors sold a six-shear ram for £4,000 to Messrs Dixon, Hartley Castle, and Messrs White, Lunedale, with their nine stock rams averaging £2,588.89.
AVERAGES
33 ram lambs, £754.24 (+230.49 on 2023 with a 97% clearance); 14 aged rams, £1,106.52 (+443.08 with a 99% clearance); shearling rams (Thursday), £2,506.86 (+£12.97 with a clearance rate of 90.5%); shearling rams (Friday), £2,612.23 with a 89% clearance rate; overall shearlings, £2,556.96 with an 89.7% clearance rate.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Limousins at Carlisle
P.W. and S.M. Greed, Exeter, it sold to the Norman Farming Company, Carlisle.
Messrs Fowlie, Alford, Aberdeenshire, then paid 15,000gns for Haulfryn Uboat, a January 2023-born son of Ampertaine Elgin out of Haulfryn Pia, which was from R.G. and R.S. Whitley, Buckley, Clwyd.
Three bulls
Three bulls sold for 14,000gns each. The first was March 2023born Goldies Upshot by Ampertaine Opportunity out of Goldies Obsession from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, which was knocked down to Messrs Kirton and Sons, Bewdley.
Next at 14,000gns, from the same vendor, was Goldies United, a March 2023-born son of Goldies Terence out of Goldies Melody, which went home with Messrs Ritchie,
Aberdeen. The final bull at 14,000gns was April 2023-born Whinfellpark Unleash by Graiggoch Rambo out of Whinfellpark Purdy, consigned by Messrs Jenkinson, Penrith, which went to Messrs Brass, Penrith.
Making 12,000gns was Maraiscote Utah, an April 2023-born bull by Bassingfield Machoman out of Maraiscote Heroine from J. Nimmo, Wishaw, which sold to Page Bros, Northampton.
Goldies Ursula, a May 2023-born heifer by Woodmarsh Regent from Messrs Goldie sold for 7,000gns to Messrs Loveless, Bridport.
THERE was an entry of 721 at the Farmers Guardian supported show and sale of store cattle at Hexham, held the day after the mart was awarded Auction Mart of the Year at the Mart’s The Heart Awards.
The pre-sale show championship went to a red roan Limousin-sired steer from Graham and James Thompson, Tow Law, which went on to top the sale at £2,350 to the judge, Angela Tarry-Smith, Warwickshire.
In reserve was the winning Limousin cross heifer from the Lee family, Agars Hill, which made £1,800 to Douglas Bailers, Hartlepool.
Older, forward cattle peaked at £2,250 for a steer from Ian and Anne Hamilton, Claywalls, with another four from the same home exceeding £2,000 and their
Flying store cattle trade at Hexham
To find out where we will be next, go to farmersguardian.com/mth-roadshow
run of 16 steers and 16 heifers averaging £1,837.
Jonathan and Janet Wales, Raughton Head, topped at £2,020 and averaged £1,842 for four steers.
John, Andrew and Steven Reed, Weardale, sold steers to £2,130 and heifers to £1,720 to average £1,643, for 26 steers and 17
heifers, up £150/head on the year.
Graham and Gemma Common, Low Ardley, sold steers to £1,900 twice and heifers to £1,720, for the largest consignment of the day, to average £1,496.
As well as their reserve champion, the Lee Family saw their calves top at £1,640 for steers and £1,720 for heifers to average £1,559 for 26 steers and 14 heif-
ers, rise of £167/head on the year.
Messrs Henderson, Burntongues, sold steers to £1,680 twice and heifer to £1,560.
The Storey family, Haltwhisle, topped at £1,750 for steers and £1,740 for heifers to average £1,564 for 19 head, a rise of more than £230 on the same sale last year.
Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts.
Auctioneer Drew Patrick in action.
Judge Angela Tarry Smith presenting overall champion to James Thompson, Tow Law.
Pre-sale show champion, a red roan Limousin-sired steer from Graham and James Thompson, Tow Law.
Pen of five Limousin cross heifers from Ian and Anne Hamilton, Claywalls.
Buyers and sellers returned to the ring for a packed day as all breeds went under the hammer on one day of the October bull sales. Katie Fallon reports.
Simmentals top Stirling at 28,000gns
l Overall champion makes 15,000gns
SIMMENTALS led the bidding at the October bull sales event at Stirling, with 49 bulls sold to an average of £7,434, down £160 on the year with a clearance rate of 53%.
The newly elected president of the Simmental Society, Chris Martindale of the Forsdale herd, Oswestry, Shropshire, said the trade was under-pinned by commercial buyers.
He added: “The show of bulls was as good a show as we have had in a while. They are a credit to the breeders.”
Leading the charge at 28,000gns was former society president Norman Robson of the Kilbride herd, Ballyclare, with Kilbride Farm Prince 23.
A homozygous polled bull by Kilbride Farm Jetstream, which has bred sons to 13,000gns, it was knocked down to the Barlow family of the Denizes herd, Preston.
Next at 15,000gns was the overall
champion, Popes Premier 23, from the Wood family, Preston.
Inter-breed calf champion at the English Winter Fair in 2023 and out of Popes Princess Immie which was inter-breed champion at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show and overall champion at the Simmental National Show in 2023, it was knocked down to Islay Estates, Isle of Islay.
Junior champion
Stewart Stronach and family of the Islavale herd, Keith, was next at 12,500gns, with the junior champion Islavale Private 23.
One of the first sons from their home-bred bull Islavale Lucifer 20, it was knocked down to J.H. Logan and Co, Ayrshire.
Dorothy Moffat, Dunbar, secured the breed’s next top price at 12,000gns for Innerwick Phoenix 23.
By Greencap Jaeger 18 which placed junior champion at the Royal Highland Show, it went home with W. and J. Brown, Turriff.
BROOMBRAE DISPERSAL AND DENIZES PRODUCTION SALE LEAD SIMMENTAL FEMALES
THE final dispersal of Gordon and Fiona Clark’s Broombrae herd, Cupar, topped at 8,000gns twice.
The first at this money was a four-year-old cow, Broombrae Delight L11, sold with its sixmonth-old heifer calf at foot.
It sold to Dorothy Moffat, Dunbar.
Also at this money was Broombrae Delight M20, a threeyear-old cow sold with it’s April 2024-born heifer calf at foot.
It was knocked down to the Goldie family, Newbie Mains, Dumfries.
In the Barlow family’s Denizes herd production sale, it was Denizes Matilda, a four-year-old
cow by the 10,000gns Denizes Impressive 17, which led the bidding at 8,000gns.
Sold with its six-month-old heifer calf at foot, it was knocked down to R.E. and S. Steggles, Norfolk.
Next at 7,000gns was Denizes Melody 22, a nine-year-old cow sold with its six-month-old heifer calf at foot, it was knocked down to James Hodge, Drybridge.
AVERAGES 1 female, £2,940;16 cows with calves at foot, £5,432; 6 cows with calves at foot, £5,513; 2 cows, £3,675;5 in-calf heifers, £5,628; 3 maiden heifers, £4,725; 1 bull calf, £2,625.
Next at 11,000gns was the reserve overall champion Islavale Popeye 23, another from Stewart Stronach and family. Another Islavale Lucifer 20 son, it was knocked down to A. and J. Craig, Castle Douglas.
Norman Robson secured another high price of 10,000gns for Kilbride Farm President 23. By Hiltonstown Lachlan 20, it went home with J. Lawrie, Angus.
A bid of 9,500gns from D. Cleland, Hereford, secured Islavale Perseus 23, a March 2023-born bull, again from Stewart Stronach and family.
Four bulls sold to 9,000gns, the first being Quarryhill Pablo 23 from Geoff and Kate Anderson, Lossiemouth.
Reserve male champion at this year’s Nairn Show, it was knocked down to J.R. Graham and Partners,
Biggar. Next was Delfur Pegasus 23, from Delfur Farms, Rothes. By Woodhall Instinct, it went home with J.W. Gosmore, Tattenhall.
It was another from the Islavale herd, Islavale Preston 23, which was next in at 9,000gns. By Coose Lincoln, which has bred sons to 13,000gns, it was knocked down to J. Anderson and Son, Lauder.
The fourth bull at this price was another from the same home, Islavale Pepe 23. Out of Curaheen Grant, which has bred bulls to 16,000gns, it went home with Robert Bell, Westhall.
AVERAGES
49 bulls, £7,434 (53 bulls, £7594 in 2023).
Auctioneers: United Auctions
Kilbride Farm Prince 23 from Norman Robson, Ballyclare, which sold for 28,000gns to the Barlow family’s Denizes herd, Preston.
Overall Simmental champion, Popes Premier 23 from the Wood family, Preston, sold for 15,000gns to Islay Estates, Islay.
Junior champion Islavale Private 23 from Stewart Stronach, Keith, sold for 12,500gns to J.H. Logan and Co, Ayrshire.
Stirling
Charolais peak at 16,000gns twice
TWO bids of 16,000gns led the Charolais trade with 65 bulls forward selling to an average of £7,977 – back £276 on the year – and a clearance rate of 77%.
The British Charolais Society treasurer, Murray Lyle, said the day’s trade had reflected the ‘extreme trade suckled calf breeders have enjoyed in the last few weeks’.
The first at 16,000gns was the reserve overall champion Goldies Unity, a March 2023-born bull from Hamish Goldie and family, Dumfries. By the 12,000gns Caylers Rocky which has bred sons to 11,000gns, it was knocked down to Jim Hodge, Ayrshire.
Second
The second at this money was Huttonend Ubelter from Sean Mitchell, Penrith. By the AI bull Barnsford Ferny, which bred this year’s Royal Welsh Show reserve male champion and reserve junior male champion at the Great Yorkshire Show, it went home with Bill Bruce, Perthshire.
Two bulls sold to 14,000gns. The first was Marwood Ullapo from Neil Blyth and family, Hartlepool. By a home-bred bull, Marwood Odin,
which has bred sons to 13,000gns, it was knocked down to J. Warnock and Sons, Biggar. A bid from Michael and Melaine Alford, Cullompton, secured the second bull at 14,000gns, Hollywell Unclebob, a Nuthampstead Judas son from John and Sandra Middleton, Frazerburgh.
Another two bulls sold to 13,000gns. The first was from Mathew Milne, Lhanbryde, with Elgin Usain, breed champion at this year’s Black
Isle Show. It sold to James Nisbet, Mauchline.
The second at this money was Balthayock Ushant, from Balthayock Farms, Perth. One of the first sons from the 24,000gns Harestone Ronaldinho, it went home with Robert McNee, Armadale.
Next at 12,000gns was another from John and Sandra Middleton, Hollywell Utah. It sold to R. and E. Chapman, Strichen. The second at this
money was from Bill Bruce, Perth, with Balmyle Uranus. By Balmyle Jasper, which has bred bulls to 28,000gns, it was knocked down to T. Smith and Son, Alford.
Two bulls sold to 11,000gns. The first was Bombax Unit a Harestone Ronaldinho son from the Smeaton family, Angus. It went home with J.M. Fisher, Stranraer.
The second at this money was another from Balthayock Farms, Balthayock Ultimatum. Another Harestone Ronaldinho son, it was knocked down to Ross Farms, Midlothian.
Charolais females topped at 11,000gns for a cow and calf outfit from the Burnett family’s Spittalton herd, Stirling.
The seven-year-old cow Spittalton Nikita was sold with its March 2024born bull calf at foot and Goldies Oasis son, Spittalton Vogue. The outfit was knocked down to C. and C. Farming, Morpeth.
AVERAGES
65 bulls, £7,977 (65 bulls, £8,253 in 2023); 1 cow and calf, £11,550 (1 cow and calf, £4,200 in 2023).
Auctioneers: United Auctions.
Auctioneers:
Reserve overall Charolais champion Goldies Unity from Hamish Goldie and family, Dumfries, sold for 16,000gns to Jim Hodge, Ayrshire.
Marwood Ullapo from Neil Blyth and family, Hartlepool, sold for 14,000gns to J. Warnock and Sons Biggar.
Hollywell Unclebob from John and Sandra Middleton, Frazerburgh, sold for 14,000gns to Michael and Melanie Alford, Cullompton.
Huttonend Ubelter from Sean Mitchell, Penrith, sold for 16,000gns to Bill Bruce, Perthshire.
Reserve overall champion Islavale Popeye 23 from Stewart Stronach, Keith sold for 11,000gns to A. and J. Craig, Castle Douglas.
Second-prize Aberdeen-Angus bull, Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194, from
l Three bulls sell to same price of 10,000gns
ABERDEEN-ANGUS bulls sold to a high of 13,000gns, with 23 bulls sold to an average of £6,076 – down £623 on the year and a clearance rate of 50%.
Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194, a second-prize bull from Johnathan and Lisa Doyle, Cookstown, led the Aberdeen-Angus trade.
By the 15,000gns Galcantray Jedi Eric V287, which bred the Northern Ireland centre record price bull at
for 13,000gns.
Rulesmains Pedro Z819, an
Aberdeen-Angus trade tops at 13,000gns
€18,400 (£15,330), it was knocked down to Neil and Mark Wattie, Alford. Three bulls sold to 10,000gns. The first was Rulesmains Pedro Z819 from
10,000gns.
Andrew Hodge, Duns. It was male and reserve overall breed champion at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show, and it sold to A.W. Neish, Warminster.
The second at this money was the junior champion, Tonley Evoke Z524, from Neil and Mark Wattie. An embryo calf which was placed reserve junior male at this year’s National Show at Kelso, it was knocked down to Muir and Sons, Orkney.
The final bull at 10,000gns was the reserve junior champion, McCornick Empower Z072, from Martin McCornick, Newton Stewart. It sold to P.C. Stovold and Son, Godalming.
Next, at 8,500gns, was Duncanziemere Echo Z510, a January 2023born bull from the Clark family, Cumnock. By Duncanziemere Sportsman, which has bred sons to an
average of 9,500gns, it was knocked down to W. and J. Thomson, Yetholm. Selling to 6,800gns was Mosshall Red Bonanza Z555 from George and Niki Taylor, Blackburn. By Mosshall Red Legacy, which bred the reserve intermediate champion at Stirling in 2022, it sold to David Austin, Gatehouse of Fleet.
Retanach Pacman Z748, a McCornick Dazzle W714 son from Jackie and Philip Strathdee, Huntly, was next at 6,000gns. It went home with J. and S. Garnoch, Huntly.
AVERAGES
23 bulls, £6,076 (25 bulls, £6,699 in 2023); 8 females, £3,426 (17 females, £3,632 in 2023); 2 cows and calves, £3,045 (4 cows and calves, £4,305 in 2023).
Auctioneers: United Auctions
TONLEY SALE TOPS ABERDEEN-ANGUS FEMALES
THE Wattie family’s Tonley herd production sale peaked at 15,000gns for the 15-month-old heifer Tonley Princess Z108. By Kilmaluag and out of Tonley Princess W783, it was knocked down to S. Dick, Stirling.
Three females sold to 10,000gns.
The first was the April 2023-born heifer Tonley Princess Z049, which was best yearling heifer in this year’s North East Club Herd of the Year competition. It sold to Johnathan and Lisa Doyle, Cookstown.
Next at this money was Tonley Annie Z050, an April 2023-born heifer which sold to Brotherton Estates, Angus.
The cow and calf outfit of Tonley Ester R161 and its June 2024-born bull
calf at foot was the final at this money. Dam to the 14,000gns Tonley Eyecandy and full brother to the 13,000gns Tonley Essex, it sold to Taylor Farms, West Lothian.
AVERAGES
8 females, £3,426 (17 females, £3,632 in 2023); 2 cows and calves, £3,045 (4 cows and calves, £4,305 in 2023); 7 cows and calves, £5,085; 14 cows, £3,960; 2 cows, £3,360; 9 in-calf heifers, £3,889; 18 in-calf heifers, £6,784; 4 in-calf heifers, £3,439; 1 maiden heifer, £3,780; 4 heifer calves, £3,990; 1 heifer calf, £1,260; 6 bull calves, £3,675; 1 bull calf, £3,150. Auctioneers: United Auctions.
Johnathan and Lisa Doyle, Cookstown, which sold
Aberdeen-Angus bull from Andrew Hodge, Duns, which sold for 10,000gns to A.W. Neish, Warminster.
Reserve junior Aberdeen-Angus champion, McCornick Empower Z072, from Martin McCornick, Newton Stewart, which sold for
Junior Aberdeen-Angus champion, Tonley Evoke Z524, from Neil and Mark Wattie, which sold for 10,000gns to Muir and Sons, Orkney.
Beef Shorthorn bulls sell to 7,500gns
THE overall champion, Drumsleed Trojan from Gerald Smith, Laurencekirk, topped the entry of Beef Shorthorn bulls at 7,500gns. The first son by Coxhill Pierce which was bought at Stirling at the Coxhill production sale two years ago, was knocked down to Aucheneck Estates, Killearn. Next, at 7,000gns, was the reserve overall champion, Headlind Soldier
from Allan Jackson, Lanark. The November 2022-born bull placed junior champion at the Great Yorkshire Show this year and went home with Low Barrons Green Farm, Kendal.
AVERAGES 5 bulls, £5,187 (7 bulls, £3,225 in 2023). Auctioneers: United Auctions
Overall Beef Shorthorn champion, Drumsleed Trojan, from Gerald Smith, Laurencekirk, which sold for 7,500gns to Aucheneck Estates, Killearn.
Reserve overall Beef Shorthorn champion, Headlind Soldier, from Allan Jackson, Lanark, which sold for 7,000gns to Low Barrons Green Farm, Kendal.
Meonside Broadhooks Serenity, an in-calf heifer from Tom Bradley Farmer, Dumfries, which sold for 8,500gns to Walker of Netherwood, Banknock.
Beef Shorthorn females
BEEF Shorthorn females peaked at 8,500gns for an in-calf heifer, Meonside Broadhooks Serenity, from Tom Bradley Farmer, Dumfries. By Podehole Piper, it sold to Walker of Netherwood, Banknock.
Next, at 8,000gns, was Coxhill Snowflake-S778, an April 2022-born heifer from Lucinda Townsend, Moffat. By Meonside Nidavellir, it was knocked down to J.D. Mcmillan and Sons, Isle of Bute.
Dispersal
The late Gordon Brooke’s Gordon herd dispersal sale peaked at 6,800gns for a cow and calf outfit. This was the April 2019-born incalf cow Gordon Millicent 405, which sold with its six-month-old heifer calf at foot to Evans and Price, Aberystwyth.
AVERAGES
32 females, £3,068 (42 females, £2,535 in 2023); 10 cows and calves, £3,801 (2 cows and calves, £2,048 in 2023); 3 cows, £3,745; 1 heifer calf, £4,200; 5 maiden heifers, £2,520. Auctioneers: United Auctions
Beef Shorthorn heifers.
Allanfauld USA leads Limousins at 12,000gns
l Second top price of 11,000gns
LIMOUSIN trade peaked at 12,000gns, with 38 bulls sold to an average of £6,303 – down £750 on the year – with a clearance rate of 59%.
Archie and John MacGregor, Glasgow, led the trade with the reserve intermediate champion, Allanfauld USA. By Milbrook Playboy, which was bought privately and out of the 250,000gns Milbrook Ginger Spice, it sold to K. Eunson, Orkney.
Next, at 11,000gns, was Goldies Uncle, a March 2023-born bull from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald. By Woodmarsh Regent, which was out of the 50,000gns Millington Highlight, it was knocked down to William Thomson, Fife.
First-time seller
Making 10,000gns was Newtack Turbo from first-time seller Grant Morrison, Keith. By Plumtree Fantastic and half-brother to a 19,000gns bull sold at Carlisle, it went home with J. and J. Pattullo, Angus.
Two bulls sold to 8,500gns. The first, from Stephen and Thomas Illingworth, Lockerbie, was the Haltcliffe Vermount son, Glenrock Utahsaint. Maternal brother to the
25,000gns Glenrock Redemption, it sold to P. McDiarmid and Co, Lawers.
The second at this money was the reserve overall champion, Maraiscote Urbane, from Ian Nimmo and family, Wishaw. By Maraiscote Floyd, which was Royal Highland Show champion in 2011, it was knocked down to Islay Estates, Isle of Islay.
Four bulls sold to 8,000gns. The first was Maraiscote Utwo, another from Ian Nimmo. By Bassingfield Matchoman, it sold to Thomas Meiklem and Sons, Kelty.
Next was the March 2023-born Corsairtly Umbro, from Richard and Kathleen Davidson, Keith. Male champion at this year’s Nairn Show and second at the Royal Highland Show, it went home with Boginduie Farming, Aberlour.
Dyke Urgent from Donald MacGregor, Milton of Campsie, was next at this money. By the 12,000gns Goldies Lordoftherings, it sold to A.J. Robb, Stirling.
Maraiscote Uncletam, another from Ian Nimmo, was the final at this money. By the €11,000 (£9,140) Sliabh Felim Mourinho, it went home with Laga Farms, Orkney.
AVERAGES
38 bulls, £6,303 (29 bulls, £7,053 in 2023); 3 females, £2,205. Auctioneers: United Auctions
Salers sell to 7,400gns
IT was the overall champion, Cammock Sumo, a July 2022-born bull from Niall and Kate Blair of Cammock Salers, Blairgowrie, which led the bidding for the Salers breed. By Bacardi Orleans, which was junior continental champion at the Stars of the Future Show in 2019, it went home with A. Nicholson, By Forres. Next, at 5,000gns, was Rednock
Tam Poll from Gill and Malcolm Pye, Stirling. Out of Rednock Oriana, which was placed breed champion at the Royal Highland Show this year, it was knocked down to Ormsary Farmers, Argyll.
AVERAGES 3 bulls, £5,740. Auctioneers: United Auctions
Goldies Uncle, a March 2023-born bull from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, which sold for 11,000gns to William Thomson, Fife.
Newtack Turbo, from Grant Morrison, Keith, which sold for 10,000gns to J. and J. Pattullo, Angus.
Reserve overall champion, Maraiscote Urbane, from Ian Nimmo and family, Wishaw, which sold for 8,500gns to Islay Estates, Isle of Islay.
PICTURES: ADRIAN LEGGE
Reserve intermediate champion, Allanfauld USA, from Archie and John MacGregor, Glasgow, which sold for 12,000gns to K. Eunson, Orkney.
Lanark Blackface rams sell to £65,000 twice
● Ram lamb averages up £3,000 on the year
RAM lambs sold to £65,000 at Lanark’s two-day sale of Blackface rams where 98 ram lambs averaged £7,938, up more than £3,000 on the year, with 273 shearling rams averaging £2,648.
John Murray, Muirkirk, sold four lambs from his Crossflatt flock, to average £41,500. All four were by Titan, a home-bred son of £160,000 Dyke. The pen leader, out of a home-bred sister to £34,000 Crossflatt Ayr Raid, made £65,000 to Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk, and Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie. Its twin brother then made £60,000 to the Dunlops, Elmscleugh, Dunbar, and the Campbells, Glenrath, Peebles. The third Crossflatt lamb sold at £40,000 to Eoin Blackwood, Dalblair; the Dunlop family, Upper Wellwood; Donald McVicar, Lephinchapel, and Colm McAteer, Drumboy.
Matching the top price of £65,000 were the Blackwoods
with a son of an £18,000 Craignell which went to Thomas Muirhead, Blair Atholl; Aberuchill Estate, Comrie; Jim Burns, New Galloway and Mitchellslacks Farm, Thornhill, with Auldhouseburn retaining a fifth share.
The Wight family, Midlock, Crawford, sold seven lambs to average at £22,314, with a top of £60,000 twice. First was a son of the home-bred Emperor, which went to Auldhouseburn, Glenrath and Elmscleugh. Also making £60,000, was one by a £26,000 Gass, which went to John Murray, the Kays, Gass, and Andrew Cullens, Dollar.
Shearling rams peaked at £35,000 Jimmy and Donald MacGregor. Like their ram lamb, it was a son of £160,000 Dyke ram and sold to Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Crieff; Allan Wight and Malcolm Coubrough, Lammington.
The Campbells sold a son of the £16,000 Blackhouse ram at £16,000 to Burncastle Farming, Lauder; Billy Renwick, Blackhouse, Yarrow, and Derek Redpath, Kelso. Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.
Charollais High Flyers top at 4,000gns at Hereford
SALE leader at 4,000gns at the High Flyers Charollais sale at Hereford was a ewe lamb from William and Carole Ingram’s Logo Durno flock, Aberdeenshire.
By Logie Durno Jackpot out of a home-bred Loanhead Talisman daughter which was a class winner at the Royal Highland in 2019 and 2022 and produced the first prize winning ewe lamb at this year’s Highland and Welsh. It sold to Glen Baird, Armagh, for his Aghavilly flock. Next at 3,200gns was the top price shearling ewe, Pembroke Bling Bling from David Lewis, Narberth. By Knockin Attitude and out of a Sant Andras female by Castellau Ulysses, it sold scanned for twins to Foxhill Benedict, to the Hunter family, Hunmanby, North Yorkshire.
Richard Bamforth, Huddersfield, then paid 2,9000gns for a shearling
ewe by Wernfawr Ace out of a Foxhill Va Va Voom daughter carrying twins to Meolfryn Corker, from Messrs Ingram.
David Lewis then took 2,000gns for Pembroke Black Magic, a Foxhill Va Va Voom daughter carrying twins to Boyo Vancouver which was knocked down to Paul Curran, Brecon.
At the same money from Arwyn Thomas, Whitland, was an Arbryn Attila daughter in-lamb to Arbryn Celt, which was the pick of M.L. and C. O. M. Pugh, Clifford, Herefordshire.
TOPPING the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club sale at Carlisle at 4,800gns was Berryholme Lambda Dandy consigned by the Wright family, Lancashire. The buyer was Messrs Coulthurst, Preston, who also paid 3,800gns for Norwoodbrae Fitz Abbiene from David Howat, Ayrshire.
The pre-sale show champion, Denmire Dumbledore Marie, a heifer from the Dennison family, Ulverston, sold for 2,900gns to the judge, Neil Millar, Kirkpatrick Fleming.
The reserve champion, Feizor Adorable S Flo from David and Will Booth, Feizor, made 2,800gns to Messrs Patterson, Ayrshire.
At the same money was Grayridge Amaretto Rachel, a heifer from David and Callum Gray, Glasgow.
Short-bred heifers from the Walton family, Carlisle, sold to 1,700gns for Beechholme Adorable Barbara.
Bulling heifers topped at 2,200gns for Berryholme Adorable Armana
A Blackface ram from the Blackwoods sold for £65,000 to Thomas Muirhead, Blair Atholl; Aberuchill Estate, Comrie; Jim Burns, New Galloway and Mitchellslacks Farm, Thornhill, with Auldhouseburn retaining a share.
A Blackface ram from John Murray, Muirkirk, which sold for £65,000 to Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk, and Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie.
4,800gns
from Messrs Wright which was bought by Neil Sloan, Ayrshire.
The sale included the Carldanton Autumn Opportunity sale on behalf of Anthony Grimshaw, Bolton, which topped at 3,300gns for Carldanton Boraz Springsteen by DG Boraz, which sold to Messrs Burrow’s Stardale herd, Broughton.
Milking cows and heifers topped at 2,800gns for Carldanton Lambda Sharon, fresh in its second lactation and giving 60kg which went to Messrs McKinley, Stranraer.
To celebrate Farmers Guardian’s 180th anniversary we have added some exciting benefits to our membership packages to give you even more content, networking opportunities and access to future farming insights.
Become a £15.75 per month member for
• Early Digital Access - No more waiting for the post! Get the latest issue a day early via our app.
• Exclusive Reports - Immediate access to three FREE in-depth reports on Diversification, Climate Friendly Farming, and Grants. Plus, future reports.
• Expert Online Events - Join live webinars and roundtables with top industry experts and fellow members, exploring the latest farming trends.
• Premium Networking - Connect with other farmers and professionals at Agriconnect events
like LAMMA, Farm Business Innovation Show, Low Carbon Agriculture Show, and CropTec.
• Editor’s Weekly Digest - Receive a Sunday morning update from Editor Olivia Midgley with insights and highlights from the week.
• Stay Connected at Events - Meet and network with Farmers Guardian at key national events like The Royal Highland Show, The Great Yorkshire Show and more.
Results
WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER – 11AM
HOLSWORTHY MARKET, DEVON. EX22 7FA
HOLSWORTHY DAIRY EVENT
Sale of approx.. 100 Dairy Cattle ~ Show at 10am ~ Sale at 11am
Entries to include a fantastic quality entry of fresh calved Cows and Heifers from multiple pedigree herds and regular vendors. PLUS a consignment of 3 Bulls and 30 Heifer Calves from the pedigree ‘Willsbro’ herd. Catalogue available www.kivells.com
MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER – 11:30AM
EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, EXETER, DEVON. EX2 8FD DISPERSAL SALE OF THE CLARKES HERD OF 177 PEDIGREE CHAROLAIS CATTLE
On behalf of Mr BG Clarke, Premier Barton, Exeter
The Sale comprises:
74 Cows with Calves at foot, 4 Cows, 18 In Calf Heifers, 4 Maiden Heifers & 3 Bulls ❖ Polled Genetics, Closed Herd & BVD Free A fantastic opportunity to purchase quality Charolais genetics! FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, EXETER, DEVON. EX2 8FD
Sale of Dairy Cattle to include 75 Pedigree Ayrshires from the ‘Hilltown’ herd of Messrs Nicholls of South Molton. The Sale comprises:18 Freshly Calved Cows & Heifers, 23 In Calf Heifers, 32 Maiden Heifers & 2 Bulls.
WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER – 11AM HOLSWORTHY MARKET, DEVON. EX22 7FA
Sale of Dairy Cattle to include Herd Dispersal of 60 Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle. Further details to follow.
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER
EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, EXETER, DEVON. EX2 8FD
Herd Dispersal of 240 Holstein Friesian & Crossbred Dairy Cattle. To include 190 In Milk Cows and Heifers & 54 In Calf Heifers. ONLINE BIDDING
NATIONAL CLASSIFIEDS
NORTH WEST AUCTIONS
Thursday 31st October
10am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10:30am 100 CAST/OTM CATTLE 11:15am 550 STIRKS & STORE CATTLE To include Second Show & Sale of 400 Suckler Calves
Thursday 7th November
10am FINAL SALE OF BREEDING SHEEP 10.30am Fortnightly Sale of 6000 STORE LAMBS
Friday 1st November 10.15am 100 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11.15am 300 STORE CATTLE
Tuesday 29th October
11.30am YOUNG HANDLER PRIME LAMB SHOW 1pm PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP
Sale of Farm Machinery, Vehicles and Agricultural Miscellanea On Saturday 2nd November 2024 @ 9.30 sharp
This will be a live On-site Sale. On line bidding also available via Mart Eye. Register to Purchase via www.ruthinfarmers.co.uk
Approximately 2,000 lots of Agricultural Machinery, Implements, Hand Tools
Order of Sale: Tools & indoor items @ 9.30am followed by vintage section, Building Equipment timber etc @ 10am, Farm Implements @ 11am
To be followed by Tractors, Vehichles & ATV’s @ approx. 2.30pm For Full list & photos please visit: www.ruthinfarmers.co.uk ENTRIES SUBJECT
Once again, the British Farming Awards was a great evening, with this year’s Mart’s The Heart winners getting the recognition they deserve.
PROUD TO CHAMPION OUR AUCTION MARTS
Supported by In association with
Guests from all corners of the UK gathered at The Vox, Birmingham, for a fantastic evening to celebrate the best of British agriculture.
Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley got the evening underway and acknowledged the tremendous contribution auction marts make to the industry and the wider rural community. All the winners were announced on the night, with host Vernon Kay presenting the awards.
Auction Cafe of the Year went to Dorothy MacDonald and her team from Dot’s Cafe at Darlington Auction Mart, who won the award for the third time.
Hexham Mart, run by Hexham and Northern Marts, took the Auction Mart of the Year award, and many of the team were there on the night to celebrate despite having a big sale to work the following day.
Young Auctioneer of the Year was awarded to Ben Wilson from Thirsk Auction Mart, who was the youngest ever winner of the award and has already made a big impression at the mart by instigating new sales and bringing in new customers.
New for this year was the Service to the Industry award, sponsored by Farmers Guardian, which went to auctioneering legend Raymond Lund, who is retiring after 38 years of selling at Hawes Auction Mart.
The Hexham Auction Mart team, winners of Auction Mart of the Year, with Richard Webber from sponsor Shearwell Data (right).
Dots Cafe winner of Cafe of the Year with Zanna Dennis, development officer for sponsor Livestock Auctioneers Association (left). PICTURES: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI
Service to the Industry award winner Raymond Lund (left), and Young Auctioneer of the Year winner Ben Wilson (right).
Young Auctioneer of the Year winner Ben Wilson and family with Chris Dodds, executive secretary for sponsor Livestock Auctioneers Association (right), and host Vernon Kay (left).
The Darlington Farmers Mart team.
Jonty Cliffe from Barbers Rural with his wife Lorna Cliffe.
The Craven Cattle Marts team with Farmers Guardian sales manager Gemma Thorpe (middle right).
PROUD TO CHAMPION OUR AUCTION MARTS
Sponsors Livestock Auctioneers Association, Shearwell Data and guests.
Young Auctioneer of the Year winner Ben Wilson (left), with host Vernon Kay (centre) and Kaleb Cooper (right).
British Farming Awards Winners 2024.
Service to the Industry award winner Raymond Lund (centre) with host Vernon Kay (left) and Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley (right).
Andy and Lynda Eadon with Meg and Mark Elliot (Bagshaws LLP) and Scott Ruck (Melton Mowbray) and guests.
Hawes Auction Mart team.
Young Auctioneer of the Year winner Ben Wilson (centre right) and the Thirsk Auction Mart team.
THURSDAY
Monday 28th October at 10.00am
Prize Show & Sale of Cheviot, Blackface & Swaledale Rams
Sale of Texel, Suffolk, Bluefaced Leicester & Continental Rams
Special sale of Breeding Sheep of all classes
Wednesday 30th October at 10.00am
Prize Show & Sale of Breeding Bulls, Heifers & Cows with Calves
To include herd dispersal on behalf of J E Henderson & Sons, Burntongues
35 Spring Calvers with Calves born between April & June 2024
30 Autum Calvers with Calves born between August & October 2024
Friday 1st November at 9.00am
Sale of 2000 Cast Ewes & 7000 Store Lambs
Sale of 750 Store Cattle & Suckled Calves including Prize Show & Sale of Native Breed Cattle
Entries invited by Monday 28th October
Saturday 9th November
Collective Auction of Vehicles (No Cars), Farm Machinery and Associated Tools, Equipment & Firewood
CH1 6EZ
Dispersal of the entire high yielding & high health FORESTGATE herd, the property of IE & TM Speed Ltd. The sale extends to 260 head and comprises 160 cows and heifers in milk, 60 in-calf heifers, 35 heifer calves & yearlings, plus a 18mo Pedigree Angus stock bull. Extremely youthful with 117 milking with their 1st, 2nd & 3rd lactations. Displaying fantastic conformation throughout these uniform, productive and powerful dairy cattle. Cubicle trained, milked 2x & fed on a TMR ration of Grass, Maize, Selco and Blend. Year round calving pattern with a favourable bias towards late summer and Autumn production, with 70 fresh since June and a further 50 to calve before February. Rolling herd average 10,880kg 4.21% 3.41% SCC 165 or 36.1kg daily. The youngstock are modern in type, strong and all by proven sires such as Ridecup, Adderley, Altakevlow, Avery, Afton & Chalet. Vaccinated for IBR, BVD Free (Tag & Test), Lepto (No Evidence), Johne’s monitored. Emphasis on health and production. This is a really genuine (only being sold through injury), high quality dispersal sale and is strongly recommended to all dairy farmers. Sale via MARTEYE. Catalogues available by request, call, text, email for copy.
BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE
Tel: 01228 406200
BORDERWAY MONTHLY DAIRY DAY
Thursday 7th November
Please note change of day
Entries close Wednesday 30th October
Show and sale of 19 PEDIGREE WHITEBRED SHORTHORN CATTLE
Friday 8th November
Show 9.00am Sale 10.00am
Comprising 13 females and 6 bulls
Show and sale of 82 PEDIGREE GALLOWAY CATTLE
Friday 8th November
Show 9.00am Sale 10.30am
Comprising 18 cows incalf/with calves 48 heifers
Sale includes, due to loss of land, reduction sale of WHITEHILL pedigree Galloways
One of the oldest herds in the country comprising 20 cows mostly with calves at foot, 2 stock bulls and 16 bulling heifers
Show and sale of 94 SUFFOLK INLAMB FEMALES & EMPTY EWE
Friday 8th November
Show 11.00am Sale 12.00noon
On behalf of Carlisle & Northern Counties Club
Comprising 1 ewe, 56 gimmers and 29 ewe lambs
Second sale of spring born and hill bred SUCKLED CALVES
Wednesday 13th November
Entries close Wednesday 6th November
Premier show and sale of ZWARTBLES INLAMB FEMALES
Friday 15th November
Entries close Friday 18th October
JACOB INLAMB FEMALES
Friday 15th November
Entries close Friday 18th October
“Red Ladies” Show and Sale of PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN FEMALES
Friday 13th December
Entries close Friday 8th November
PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN BULL & HEIFER CALVES
Friday 13th December
Entries close Friday 8th November
ONLINE SALES
SALE
OF MACHINERY, IMPLEMENTS & HEAVY PLANT items
Sale bidding starts
10.00am Wednesday 6th November until 10.00am Thursday 7th November
Entries close Wednesday 30th October or contact David Holliday 07710 189804, or Iain Dick 07713 599791
To include dispersal sale of Machinery & Equipment on behalf of Messrs Retson & Wright, Oakland, Gretna.
KIRKBY
STEPHEN
Tel: 01768 371385
Luke Fair sale of BREEDING SHEEP
Saturday 26th October – 10.00am
SWALEDALE and other breed ewes and gimmer lambs
Second sale of MULE gimmer lambs, and RAMS of all breeds
To include dispersal sale of 25 Swaledale Ewes from K Sowerby, Brough
505 CATTLE
Prize show and sale of 445 SUCKLED CALVES
50-60 OTM, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE
Monday 28th October – 9.30am Show 8.30am
MIDDLETON MART
Tel: 01833 640281
Show & sale of 150 STORE CATTLE
Tuesday 29th October
Show 9.30am Sale 11.00am
Includes show and sale of Young Farmers Calf Summering Competition Cattle
Also 250 STORE LAMBS & 50 BREEDING SHEEP
Prize show and sale of SUCKLED CALVES
Tuesday 5th November
Entries close 10am Monday 28th October
ON FARM SALES
ON FARM & ONLINE
JALEX SELECT HEIFER SALE
88 Gloverstown Road, BT41 3HY
Friday 25th October - 7.00pm
Bidding via MartEye
Dispersal sale of TRACTORS, MACHINERY & IMPLEMENTS
Saturday 26th October – 10.30am At Robbery Farm, Hunsonby CA10 1PP Penrith on behalf of Messrs Horn
ON FARM SALE
CANNON HALL WINTER WOOLIES
Saturday 9th November – 1.30pm
Production sale of 82 Pedigree Dutch Spotted and Valais Blacknose sheep
On behalf of Cannon Hall Farms Ltd, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT
Sale of 400 Weanlings & Suckled Calves Sale to commence at 10:30am
THURSDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
Pedigree Charolais Cattle Sale
On Behalf of The British Charolais Cattle Society 77 Bulls & 12 Females
Show to Commence at 9:30am, Sale to Commence at 11:30am
Salers Cattle Society Autumn Show & Sale Show to commence at 11:00am, Sale to commence approximately 1:00pm
THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
North West Midlands & North Wales Limousin Club Show & Sale 50 Bulls & 1 Female Show to commence at 9:00am, Sale to commence at 11:00am
THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER MERRY BELLES
Sale of MV Accredited In Lamb Females
To include Badger Face Texel, Beltex, Blue Texel & Dutch Spotted
Entries close Thursday 7th November
SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER
British Limousin Cattle Society Premier Show & Sale 15 Females, 27 Bulls Show at 9.30am, Sale at 12noon Online bidding will be available via Marteye For more information and catalogues, Contact Worcester Office on 01905 769770
AUCTION MARTS
LONGTOWN MART Tel (01228) 791215
Tomorrow, Saturday 26th October at 10am
Show & Sale of 220 Hillbred Suckler Calves & Sale of Store Cattle.
Tuesday 29th October at 10.30am
Weekly Sale of 8,000 Store Lambs
Special late Season Sale of Breeding Sheep
Monday 4th November at 9.30am Tractors, Quad Bikes, Commercial Vehicles, Implements, Machinery, Small Tools & Equipment. In the mart & live online via Marteye.ie
DUMFRIES MART Tel (01387) 279495
Monday 28th October
100 Prime Cattle & Cast Cows at 9.30am
25 Calves & Stirks at 10.30am
400 Store & Breeding Cattle at 11am
12 Noon on Friday 25th October **********************
T HURSDAY LUNCHTIME WEEKLY SHEEP SALE
Entries/Enquiries, contact Ivor Lowe: on 07977 449126 or Peter Oven on 07973 982443 Follow on Facebook for up to date details on
2-MF & Ford Tractors c/w Loader, Sanderson Teleporter Toyota Land Cruiser 5 Door, 2-Land Rover 90 Defenders
Trailers, Implements and Machinery
Non Vat Items, Hay and Straw
Stone Troughs, Sundries and Effects
BLIDWORTH DALE FARM, RAVENSHEAD,NOTTS, NG15 9AL FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2024 AT 10.30am
Claas 510 Arion 4WD c/w Power Loader (18’), Case Puma 155 4WD
Claas Scorpion 7035 (17’) Telehandler And Attachments
Trailers And Bowsers, Land Rover 110 Range Of Pig Arks, Troughs, AI Service Barn
Shelters And Sow Barns, General Sundries, Bulk Leg Bins
Workshop Items and Barley Straw
Catalogues are available to download at www.bagshaws.com
An Online Auction of 400 Lots to include: A Car Garage Dispersal, 2 JCB Excavators, MF Combine, Trailers, Soil Screener. Farm Machinery & Effects. Further details will be on our Online Auction Site & Social Media
Friday 29th November
Thrapston Collective Machinery Sale
Entries close Tuesday 19th November
To include: Tractors, Vehicles, Trailers, Machinery, Miscellaneous, Online Bidding will be available for the Vehicles & Machinery
Shows & Sales
Prize Money of over £4,500
THRAPSTON
Saturday 30th November
TB Exempt Sections
Open & New Classes
Friday 6th December
Prize Giving Dinner
STRATFORD
Tuesday 3rd December
Fat Stock Show
For further information contact:
Alastair Brown: 07885 804450
Jake Wagstaff: 07487 526803 01832 732241 or visit the website for weekly listings of sale entries
Entries & Enquiries to Kyle PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE
Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available) PRIME LAMBS - Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES, RAMS & GOATS
Tuesday 29th October
End of Season Tuesday Sale of 40 RAMS & 300 BREEDING EWES Sale
Monthly Sale of Stirks, Young Stores & Feeding Bulls Entries for catalogue close Friday 8th November Monday 28th October Usual Sale of Fatstock
Including Bulls, Cows with Calves at Foot, In Calf Heifers & Maiden Heifers Sale of 12 ABERDEEN ANGUS FEMALES
Production Sale of 16 BRITISH BLUE FEMALES from the GREYSTONE HERD & PENDLE HERD Border Fine Arts & Collectables
Saturday 14th December Agricultural Themed BORDER FINE ARTS & BESWICK PIECES & New Sale of AGRICULTURAL THEMED VINATGE TOYS & COLLECTABLES (Entries close Friday 15th November)
Ewes Followed by Rams
...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart
SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
Breeding & Store Cattle of all classes inc
5 Longhorn Cows In Calf to Stablizer, 8yo H Garside & Son
5 Cont X Forward Stores, 18mth, H Garside & son
3 Lim Bulls,9mths, J & L Cardwell
25 LimX Strs/Hfrs, 8mths, R Chappell
11 HerX Bulls, 6-8mths, G R Foster & Son
2 Lim bulls,10mo,L & L Thompson
Breeding & Store Sheep & Goats
60 Store Lambs, Jake Smith
40 Store Lambs, Middle Park
Breeding & Store Pigs
20 Pigs, M Hardwick, 18 Pigs, M Oades Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.45am
Entries Invited
Contact Office for Details
WEDNESDAY 30TH OCTOBER
MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
Dedicated Slaughter Market
RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535
350 Prime Cattle 520 Prime Sheep 175 Prime Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am
www.selbymart.co.uk
*ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CURRENT BLUE TONGUE RESTRICTIONS*
Contact Office for Details MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535
www.selbymart.co.uk
TUESDAY 29TH OCTOBER Sale 400 Cattle
Comprising of 20-25 OTM Cattle 20 Feeding/Suckler Bulls & 85 Store Cattle ANNUAL PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF 235 SUCKLED CALVES PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF 40 BREEDING CATTLE
***Sale at 10am prompt***
JOHNS CHAPEL AUCTION MART
SATURDAY 2nd NOVEMBER
Sale of 1400 Store Lambs/Feeding Ewes
NOTE SALE AT 10AM****
GISBURN AUCTION MARTS Auctioneers, Valuers, Agents
Rachel Capstick 07713075659 Jack Pickup 07710708326 Eleanor O’Neill 07706347505
Saturday 19th October
9:30am Weekly CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS
2735+
HEAD
CATALOGUED
Second October Breeding Fair of Sheep 10am 526 BREEDING SHEEP 308 GIMMER LAMBS
11:30am 53 BREEDING RAMS
12:30pm 1846 STORE LAMBS
Thursday 31st October
10:30am REARING CALVES
10:30am PRIME CATTLE inc MONTH END BEEF SHOW followed by CULL CATTLE 11:00am WEEKLY DAIRY CATTLE
Saturday 2nd November
SECOND SHOW & SALE OF SUCKLED CALVES
9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS
10:00am BREEDING & STORE LAMBS
All entries to the office by Tues 29th Oct
Tuesday 5th November LAST MACHINERY SALE OF 2024!
Entries to the yard 8am - 2pm Mon 4th November
Thursday 7th November
10:30am REARING CALVES
10:30am PRIME CATTLE followed by CULL CATTLE
11:00am MASSEY FEEDS with LELY LONGTOWN SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY CATTLE
Saturday 9th November
10:30am REARING CALVES
10:30am PRIME CATTLE
Last chance 24-25 Young Handlers buying is 30th Nov!
HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP 01969 667207 www.hawesmart.co.uk
Friday 25th October 10:30am
Catalogued Sale of 2335 Store Lambs
Tuesday 29th October 10am 2000 Prime Lambs
400 Cast Ewes & Rams
Saturday 2nd November- “Gregg Day” 10am
New Sale fixture- End of season sale of all classes of Breeding Sheep, Gimmer Shearlings & Gimmer Lambs.
Second Show & Sale of Swaledale Breeding Rams followed by sale of all classes of Breeding Rams inc Terminal Sires & BFL’s
Sponsored by W Redfearn & Son (Fencing Supplies) & Agri Lloyd
Friday 8th November
Catalogued sale of 2500 Store Lambs
Catalogue closes Thursday 31st October 12noon
Saturday 16th November
Christmas Show & Sale of Store Cattle. Beef Breeding Cattle & Cull Cows. Ian Atkinson 07957 256337 Kenton Foster 07711 469280.
Libby Bell Auctioneer on 07818435728
When you’re looking for an easy-care breed that delivers consistently high-quality beef from a low input, sustainable system… And gives you access to one of the best paying beef schemes in the country…
Beef Shorthorn Delivers
Miscellaneous Auctions
A FARM DISPERSAL SALE
Friday 1st November at 10.30am
At Main Road Farm, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire. NN6 0HJ
A Sale of over 500 Lots to include: 1996 FIATAGRI F140 4WD Tractor, 1993 FIATAGRI F115 4WD Tractor, 2004 JCB 530-70 Loadall, LEYLAND 270 Tractor, NUFFIELD 3/45 Tractor, 1979 FORD TW20 Tractor, KEENAN 100 Easi Feeder.
A Range of Farm Machinery & Effects. WESTERN 14T Dump Trailer & Other Various Trailers.
A Large Selection of Cattle & Sheep Equipment, To include Feeders, Feed Barriers, Gates & Fencing.
A Selection of over 150 RSJ’s & Shed Frame Parts
A Large Selection of Workshop Tools & Effects.
On behalf of The Late Paul J Abbott
Catalogues will be available on our website or by request on 01832 732241
Auctioneer in Charge: Alastair Brown 07885 804450
ON SITE AUCTION
On Instructions from Delta Farming Limited At Manor Farm, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9LQ
On Tuesday 5th November 2024 at 10:30am Viewing from 10am until 4pm on Monday 4th November
The Voluntary Initiative (VI) seeks a new independent Chair to promote the responsible use of plant protection products (PPPs) through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-based approach.
The Chair will champion the responsible use of PPPs and act as a brand ambassador for the VI. They will be expected to lead and develop VI strategy in conjunction with the VI Strategy Group and engage with Government Ministers, regulators and other stakeholders to promote the aims of the VI.
The successful applicant will have an excellent understanding of agriculture in the UK and a desire to contribute to continued sustainable food and feed production. They will also be aware of the issues surrounding PPPs and the potential impacts of their use on the wider environment.
Able to think strategically, the Chair will need to be an excellent networker and experienced communicator.
Ideally the successful candidate will have experience of managing corporate/ strategic change.
Experience of business and people management would also be advantageous. The role, which is Government supported, requires approx. 3 days per month with some flexibility needed, and will be paid at an agreed rate.
Further
Breed Secretary (Full time, permanent role)
Working Hours: Monday – Friday however with the need for occasional weekend and evening work linked to travel and attending shows/sales and events.
About the Role As Breed Secretary you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the Society and providing leadership to our staff. This role requires a combination of administrative excellence and industry knowledge. The Breed Secretary will work closely with the Society’s council, breeders and various stakeholders to promote the Charolais breed.
We are looking for a dynamic and proactive individual with a strong background in the agricultural sector and a clear understanding of cattle breeding. The ideal candidate will be personable and will have excellent organisational skills and a commitment to the long-term success of the British Charolais Cattle Society.
Competitive package reflecting on the responsibilities of the role
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence Send your CV and covering letter to
UNBERRIED
PROCTER
Henry Lewis ‘Harry’
Passed away peacefully at home on Thursday 10th October 2024 aged 97 years.
Husband of the late Margaret Procter. A much-loved husband of Valerie. Devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather.
His funeral service will be held at All Saints Church, Barnacre on Tuesday 29th October at 11.30am followed by burial in the churchyard.
Family flowers only please. Donations if desired can be given in memory of Harry to help support Marie Curie and All Saints Church c/o the funeral director.
CHRIST-CENTERED CONNECTIONS Do you need someoneto turn your house into a home? Would you like to share your life with someone and not live out your days and nights on your own?
Then call ‘Friends1st’ the Christian introduction specialists and let them introduce you to all our lovely members. We can guarantee you’ll be delighted by the choice we can give you. Call 0121 405 0941to find out how our off-line service works and how we’ll work tirelessly for you! Your future can be different. www. friends1st.co.uk/christian-farmers-dating
• Borehole Drilling
• Treatment & Filtration
• Water testing
In
Within
J.P WHITTER (WATER WELL ENGINEERS) LTD
• BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
• WORK CARRIED OUT TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD
• WATER SYSTEMS INSTALLED
• BOREHOLE PUMPING INSTALLATIONS
• 24HR BREAKDOWN SERVICE
• FREE QUOTATIONS AND SITE VISITS THE POTTERIES GARAGE SMALLBROOK LANE, LEIGH, WIGAN, LANCS, WN7 5PZ. TEL: 01942 871900. FAX: 01942 896843. Out of office: 01942 893660 Visit our Website www.waterwellengineers.co.uk Email: sally@waterwellengineers.co.uk
New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks
Second hand tanks currently available: Mueller 8000ltr, 9000 & 12,000 ltr Fabdec 4000ltr & 6000ltr
Packo RMIB 3800ltr & RMIB 6000 ltr
New Heat Recovery units in stock 01772 780806 www.ddcooling.co.uk
DAIRY FILLING LINE
STEPHEN TAYLOR WILLIAM TAYLOR & SON (PS)
LTD
336 STATION ROAD BAMBER BRIDGE PRESTON PR5 6EH
EMAIL : w-taylor-and-son@hotmail.co.uk
• Daily collections of all classes of cattle direct to our own local UK abattoir - No middle man involved.
• On-farm emergency slaughter catered for, supported with a valid veterinary certificate.
• Same day response guaranteed by fully licensed slaughter men.
• All weekends and bank holidays covered.
• Out of hours, round the clock service, promised at no extra cost to all our customers.
• Private cutting service available with our in-house skilled butchers.
• Highly competitive cutting prices.
• Payment 30 days from collection with detailed BACS remittance, including weight, grade and PPK.
• Out of hours emergency number - Mobile: 07860 636605
BAMBER BRIDGE Lancs, Cumbria, Yorkshire.
TEXT OR TELEPHONE STEPHEN: 07860 636 605 OFFICE: 01772 626 951
MARTLANDS
COLLECTORS OF DEAD ANIMALS THROUGHOUT LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE
Martland’s the name, knackering’s the game Established over 100 years
Livestock Equipment
SUFLEX SHEARLING RAMS
(Pedigree Blue Faced Leicester ram crossed with a Pedigree Suffolk ewe)
Resulting in Outstanding Hybrid Vigour, Growth & Performance
Suffolk Ram Lambs & Shearlings
- MVD Accredited
- Heptivac P Vaccinated
- Red Tractor Assured
- Insured for 4 months
TOP QUALITY
DAIRY CATTLE FOR SALE
A weekly selection of freshly calved & in-calf dairy cattle sourced from the UK. All guaranteed and delivered anywhere in the UK Finance can be arranged.
Please feel free to contact Richard – 07816 173689 John –
BIDLEA HERD
Pedigree Aberdeen
Angus Bulls For Sale
17months old, reared on grass over winter at 1000ft, quiet temperament. Suitable for pedigree herd, dairy and suckler heifers. IBR, Lepto and BVD vaccinated. Fertility test before sale. Ready to work
Telephone: 07871 244149
Macclesfield Forest, Cheshire (P)
BELTEX x TEXEL, BELTEX x CHAROLLAIS & CHARMOISE x BELTEX shearling rams.
Carefully bred for over 20 years, grass produced, no corn. The rams need to be seen. Heptavac P. No silly price. Can Deliver. Grab a bargain £450.00
Ready to work, delivered direct to your farm, very quiet, easy calving. Females available. Health monitored, grass fed, full pedigree with each animal, Red tractor. Semen Available. • Fertility Tested • SAC Premium Health Scheme • From Top Bloodlines •Closed herd
Telephone: 077157 64351
Has a selection of working bulls and bulling heifers for sale From a closed herd. Easy Calving. Telephone: 01978 780368 or 07986 113221 Wrexham (P)
Kurt – 07715 448366 Richard - 07816 173689 Lancs (P)
PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULLS
Easy Calving, Good temperament. Johnes & BVD accredited, lepto vaccinated. Ready for work, Herd never had TB. Also pedigree bulling heifers available Tel: 01948 770408 Mob: 07714 089001 Malpas, Cheshire
Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein /14 ME) £185 ex store
Cereal Mixture (Approx. 14% Protein /13 ME) £205 ex store
Cereal Blend (Approx. 16% Protein /13 ME) £225 ex store
Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein /13 ME) £245 ex store
NEW STORE IN CUMBRIA
One Tonne Bag Collections
Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein/13 ME) £275 ex store
Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein/14 ME) £225 ex store
OIL SEED RAPE STRAW WANTED EX FARM ALL AREAS CONSIDERED
Tel: 07710 338138 or 07860 330299 (T)
quality meadow hay in 90x120x244 bales. Transport can be arranged. Please email juliankirk@hotmail. com or Tel: 07816 909870 (p)
pomace
30dm and Clean fodder beet. Midland and Borders area. Tel: A Whitfield 07885 261391 (T)
CLEANED / WASHED
Fodder Beet. All delivered I D Bailey &
DEMOLITION
Brick rubble, crushed concrete and brick for sale.
Tel: 07976 972356 Charles Shaw (P)
and
if
J E Morten: 01663 734621 High Peak, Derbyshire (T)
CAUTION
We are currently aware of a number of fraudulent advertisers attempting to sell items within the classified section. Whilst we endeavour to protect our readers and pull these adverts before going to press, sometimes they may unfortunately appear in print.
Please be mindful before entering into any deals you PROCEED WITH CAUTION with the seller and do not part with money until goods are received. Farmers Guardian are NOT responsible for any part of the transaction that takes place with the seller and the
Mobilehomes,holidaychalets,loghomes. Allbuilttoyourrequirements,deliveredand erectedanywhere,weofferbuildsinround, 360mm to up log random and cavity square thick.Housessuppliedtomeetbuilding controlregulations.
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.
Farmers Guardian
Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com (hereinafter referred to as ‘Farmers Guardian) may contain advertisements, links to other Internet websites or online and mobile services provided by independent third parties, including websites and telephone contacts of our advertisers and sponsors (what we call “Third Party Sites”), either directly or indirectly. It is your decision whether you purchase or use any third party products or services made available on or via Third Party Sites and you should read below carefully. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to Third Party Sites. In no circumstances do we accept responsibility for your use of Third Party Sites or in respect of any Third Party products. By Third Party Sites we mean websites, online or mobile services provided by third parties, including websites of advertisers and sponsors that may appear in Farmers Guardian. By Third Party Products we mean products or services provided by third parties.
Farmers Guardian contains advertising and sponsorship. Advertisers and sponsors are responsible for ensuring that material submitted for inclusion on Farmers Guardian complies with international and national law. Farmers Guardian (nor its websites) is not responsible for any error or inaccuracy in advertising or sponsorship material.
Any agreements, transactions or other arrangements made between you and any third party named in, on (or linked to from) in Farmers Guardian and its websites are at your own responsibility and entered into at your own risk.
Farmers Guardian promises to develop and operate with reasonable skill and care and will use reasonable efforts to promptly remedy any faults of which it is aware.
Farmers Guardian does not provide any other promises or warranties about its products and services. Farmers Guardian is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. This means that Farmers Guardian does not make any promises in respect of Farmers Guardian or the services and functions available on or through Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com or of the quality, completeness or accuracy of the information published on or linked to from Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com other than as expressly stated above.
The above disclaimers apply equally to your use of Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com without limiting the above; Farmers Guardian and its websites are not liable for matters beyond its reasonable control. Farmers Guardian does not control third party communications networks (including your internet service provider), the internet, acts of god or the acts of third parties.
Farmers Guardian liability will not be limited in the case of death or personal injury directly caused by Farmers Guardian negligence in those countries where it is unlawful for Farmers Guardian to seek to exclude such liability.
Any individual, who is in doubt about entering into a loan agreement, should seek professional advice or consult an authorised person who can assist in relation to entering into a credit agreement. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to these matters, any relevant offer document and in particular, you should seek independent financial advice.
All loans, loan participations and financial products or instrument transactions involve risks, which include (among others) the risk of adverse or unanticipated market, financial or political developments and, in international transactions, currency risk. Lending against non-traditional physical collateral exposes investors to specific risks such as the potential for fraud, theft, damage and illiquidity.
Contact: Leah Halik / Andrew Coney EPC Rating F. Tender Date: 29th November 2024 12
Anywhere and anything considered.
Tel: 01548 562 458 or 07831 368562
Ashleywall5432@gmail.com
Property Landscape Have you considered a career in surveying?
WTel: 07723 332333
GRAZING WANTED
For 500 Home bred Ewes, must be fenced, monthly payments. All areas considered.
Tel: 07855 855 054 (P)
e are seeing an ever-increasing demand for agricultural valuers and many farmers and landowners rely on their trusted advisers to help navigate changing Government policies, climate change and world economics, and embrace new technologies.
All agricultural and rural businesses seem to be struggling to recruit team members; some potential employees may not have the opportunity to join family farming businesses, or they may choose not to but wish to stay in the industry. Have you ever thought about a career in rural surveying? It may be just what you have been looking for, or perhaps more interesting and relevant than you thought.
When searching online, Wikipedia defines us as ‘Traditionally, a land agent was a managerial employee who conducted the business affairs of a large landed estate for a member of the landed gentry, supervising the farming of the property by farm labourers and/or tenants and collecting rents or other payments.’
Historically, this description was correct, but times have moved on and the days of driving around an estate in a defender, donned in tweed from head to toe are declining. As with the agricultural industry, land agents have had to evolve, adapt and stay on top of the ever-changing policies and legislation. Land agents can become qualified chartered surveyors, agricultural valuers and auctioneers, and there are many ways to get there – and it is not just the traditional university route, with apprenticeships becoming ever more popular.
Broadly speaking, land agency can be separated into three core areas: estate management, utilities and infrastructure, and general practice. Your speciality will determine the type of work you undertake and the people you may work with.
At Selby Rural, we are proud to support our hardworking clients.
No two days are the same and the challenges of today shape what the future will bring, particularly as the demands increase on rural land for things such as:
■ The best farming and food.
■ More renewable energy.
■ Nature and biodiversity, and protection of our landscapes.
■ Housing a growing population.
■ Infrastructure – from water to telecommunications.
■ Forestry for timber and carbon.
■ Leisure and public access.
The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) are keen to promote the profession far and wide, and this month, the new initiative called ‘route to rural’ was launched.
Many surveying firms are supporting this initiative, and work experience, school visits at career fairs or informal discussions are being welcomed. CAAV has reported it now has 250 more qualified fellows and almost 100 more in training than they had eight years ago, however, growth of this type of work in the countryside and the new issues to be tackled mean there is more work for more people.
If you have got this far and you are interested to know more, I encourage you to get some experience and visit caav.org.uk for more ‘route to rural’ information. You never know, this could be the career you have been looking for.
Tom Selby is founder and rural chartered surveyor at Selby Rural LLP. Email tom@selbyrural.co.uk, or call 01829 423183.
We’re here to stay - Committed to you in 2024 and beyond.
While 2024 has brought significant challenges to dealerships everywhere, we want to assure you: We’re not going anywhere.
Located in Nateby, Lancashire, we remain fully operational and ready to support you. Whether it’s warranty work, parts supply, or emergency repairs, our dedicated team is just a phone call away. We’re committed to keeping your machinery running smoothly and covering a wide service area to meet all your needs. Count
Pantera 4502 24/36M Contractor boom, 2015, 6200 hours, Lots of spec, call for details & price.
NEW KRONE
Swadro 420 Single rotor Rake.
Swadro 460 Single rotor Rake.
Swadro TC 640 Twin Rotor rake.
Swadro TC 760 Twin Rotor rake.
Vendor 560 4 rotor Tedder.
F320 front mounted mower conditioner, push headstock.
R240 Active Mow rear mount mower, quick change blades.
R280 Active Mow rear mount mower, quick change blades.
R320 Easycut rear mount disc mower conditioner.
R360 Easycut rear mount disc mower.
USED KRONE
Swadro single rotor rake. Swadro 1000 Twin rotor centre delivery rake.
F320 Push mower conditioner, 2016.
Machinery
Edited by Toby Whatley
A Nottinghamshire grower has swapped tracks for tyres on front-line horsepower to meet the needs of an expanding business. Geoff Ashcroft reports.
For all out traction, the Case IH Quadtrac is a tough act to follow.
In the right conditions, its 760mm belts and near 26 tonne operating weight could handle almost anything that Andrew Blagg of Tinkerwood Farming, Shireoaks, Nottinghamshire, could throw at it.
However, the rubber-tracked powerhouse lacked one key criteria – operator comfort.
It is why the farm has replaced tracks with tyres, opting for an articulated Versatile 460 shod on 900/50 R42 Michelin Mach X Bib tyres.
In recent years, the 404ha farming business Mr Blagg runs with his brother Paul and their uncle Michael Blagg, has expanded and the growth is set to continue. With some contract-farmed land up to 10-miles away and some recently acquired local fields that comprise
a thin covering of topsoil over limestone, it was time to reconsider the comfort and cushioning effect of tyres.
Mr Blagg explains: “Some of our land suits a very shallow, min-till approach to avoid disturbing what lies beneath, though the stones do naturally keep rising to the top.
Changing tracks to wheels for productivity gains
“While the STX535 was a great machine that was comfortably on top of the job, its running gear was very unforgiving on such land.
“I found myself trying to drive around stones to avoid the jarring from the running gear.
“I also had concerns over durability of tracks and idlers with the
increased road work we were now doing for land that is contract-farmed.”
He says that while newer Quadtrac models have vastly improved cab suspension, the farm’s 7,500hour 2009-model had always been something of a boneshaker, despite being a big step up from a wheeled STX 325.
“When we bought the Quadtrac, the increase in power and traction bought us time, so we knew that were going to stay with a powerful articulated tractor,” says Mr Blagg.
Cost-effective
“We needed a straightforward and cost-effective power unit and when I spotted the Versatile 460 for sale on the internet, I knew it was worth a closer look.”
The ex-demo two-year old machine arrived via JPM Agricultural from a Versatile dealer in Poland earlier this year and boasts a generous specification. Its rear linkage is complemented by six remote spool valves, plus slab weights on the sides of the rear
Andrew Blagg and daughter Emily are both fans of the Versatile 460 articulated tractor.
Drawbar pull starts immediately behind the centre pivot joint, which makes the most of power and traction.
chassis and a pack of 29 wafer weights sitting directly above the rear axle.
Under the nose are 10 chin weights, raising the pivot-steer machine’s weight to around 24 tonnes and ensuring a 50/50 axle load when pulling.
“Ballast is important and, without an 1,800-litre fuel tank in the rear half of the chassis like the Quadtrac, the Versatile needed to have some weight on the back half of the tractor,” he says.
Impressive
“However, it benefits from a drawbar that pulls from immediately behind the articulation joint, so traction is very impressive for a wheeled tractor.”
He recognises that tyre technology has moved on a lot and says the Michelin tyres are impressive at getting power to the ground.
“We have done some experimenting with various weights and pressures, to get the results we require,” he says.
“We are currently running the Mach X Bib tyres at 0.80-0.96 bar and this translates to a maximum wheel slip figure of 12 per cent when climbing some of the steeper banks that we farm.”
Power comes from a Cummins QSG 12-litre engine, rated at 460hp.
An 11% power bulge lifts this to 512hp at 1,800rpm, while peak torque amounts to 2,300Nm arriving at 1,400rpm.
Power is channelled through a 16x4 Caterpillar powershift transmission which tops out with a 35kph road speed.
It is, he says, to all intents and purposes, a self-propelled drawbar.
“I do like the simplicity of this tractor – it is a fuss-free power unit that just pulls and pulls,” he says.
Primary cultivations are the only
tasks this tractor carries out.
For Tinkerwood Farming, the Versatile spends its days hitched to a 12.4m Bednar Swifterdisc shallow disc cultivator, a six-metre Vaderstad Topdown or a 4.2m Watkins Tri-Till – the latter is the only implement supported on the lower link arms.
Ease
“It handles all our primary cultivations kit with ease,” Mr Blagg says.
“However, I thought I had made a mistake buying the Versatile because shortly after it arrived, it just would not pull very well at all.
“I was sub-soiling for a neighbour and it just felt gutless.”
Andrew admits that after a couple of phone calls to JPM Agricultural and the possibility of blocked fuel filters, he finally opted
to stick his head in the operator’s manual.
“As I had been using old school driving techniques – stick in one gear for the job and run the engine at 1,800rpm – I had not been making the most of the tractor’s capabilities,” he says.
“At 1,800rpm, there was not enough to fall back on.
“The operator’s manual advised running the engine at 2,150rpm and to make full use of the transmission’s auto-shifting function. Suddenly, the thing came alive.”
He says that gear shift settings can be programmed too and, while the tractor does have anti-stall technology, he says those parameters can be set through the in-cab terminal.
“It is very easy to dial the tractor in, to suit each implement,” he says.
It benefits from a drawbar that pulls from immediately behind the articulation joint, so traction is very impressive for a wheeled tractor
ANDREW BLAGG
Running the 900/50 R42 Michelin Mach X Bib tyres at 0.8 to 0.96 bar translates into a maximum wheel slip of 12% when climbing some of the steeper banks the Blaggs use it on.
Andrew Blagg says it does not take long to cover 200 acres of stubble using 512hp.
Machinery
Tinkerwood Farming’s Versatile 460 spends its days hitched to either a 12.4m Bednar Swifterdisc cultivator, a six-metre Vaderstad Topdown or a 4.2m Watkins Tri-Till.
He says: “I can set the highest and lowest gears for the auto-shift to use, though it seems to sit in sixth gear most of the time.
“What I have found is that operating the Versatile in its auto mode gives away very little performance to the Quadtrac, particularly on our clay soils.
“On the stony land, the added comfort of big tyres means the Versatile operates at higher forward speeds, simply because it is far more comfortable. How the tyres
will stand up to the job is something we will have to keep an eye on.”
Mr Blagg says the Versatile is also a lot quieter and the cab is much larger and more comfortable that the Quadtrac.
He says: “There is a huge amount of room to stretch out and the visibility, particularly to the rear, is vastly superior. It seems to be a lot more efficient on cultivation work than the older Quadtrac was and it does not seem to burn through diesel quite as quickly.”
Andrew has praise for the hydraulic system, which he says operates far quicker than what he was used to.
Hydraulics
“I had to make bigger headland turns with the Quadtrac to allow enough time for the hydraulics to lift and lower the implements,” he says.
“Now, raising and lowering kit is much faster, so I can turn around in
less space and get back into work.”
The ability to get over land quickly to make the most of stale seedbeds, he says, is where the Versatile comes into its own.
He adds: “Output on clay soils is broadly similar to that of the Quadtrac, although the Versatile is much more productive on the stony land, simply because of the better comfort provided by tyres. It also travels better on the road, without fear of throwing off tracks or idlers.”
Visibility over the rear of the chassis is said to be generous for a tractor of this size.
The Cummins QSG 12-litre engine boosts from a rated 460hp to a peak of 512hp.
Mitas tyres plans to launch an expanded portfolio of agricultural tyres, with 19 new sizes and designs set to roll off the production line by the end of 2024. James Huyton reports.
Significant production investment following Yokohama Rubber Co’s acquisition of Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) back in 2023 has allowed Mitas to break the mould with 19 new tyre sizes and designs.
A multi-million euro investment to Mitas’ main agricultural tyre production facility based in Otrokovice, Czech Republic is set to boost plant productivity.
Mitas claims the plant’s location is well placed to supply regional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with agricultural tyres.
Elio Bartoli, Yokohama TWS president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region says, “Mitas prides itself in fit-and-forget tyres.
“We want customers to be happy with the product they receive on new machines and increase conversion from OEM to replacement.”
The bulk of recent investment has been focused on factory automation with the introduction of a range of innovative technologies.
Mitas claims the improvements will result in higher production standards, and improved consistency required for high-performance, very high flexion (VF) tyres.
The latest investment in Otrokovice is a new, automated robotic line for bead-wire production.
Automation
Josef Kremecek, director of manufacturing, says: “The benefit of the new technology lies in the automation and association of the three operations in the production of bead wires.
“Until now, each of these operations was carried out separately.
“This will result in the dimensional consistency of our tyres and increase the production quality.”
Mitas has also installed a new calendaring line for steel cord and fabric claimed to increase operation ability by 20-30%. Cord rubberising is one of the key operations at the very beginning of tyre production. The textile cord forms the frame of the tyre, while the steel cords in the buffer section reinforce the
New Mitas tyre sizes
HC1000
VF 380/80R38 CFO
VF 270/95R32 CFO
VF 680/50R46 CFO
HC2000
VF 380/95R38
VF 420/85R38
VF 480/95R50
VF 380/105R54
Investment paves the way at Mitas tyres
Mitas’ 42,980sq.m production facility in Otrokovice, Czech Republic, has seen significant investment since Yokohama Rubber Co acquired the firm in 2023.
tyre, increase its load capacity, and reduce tyre wear.
A number of new tyres in Mitas’ portfolio will incorporate VF technology, indicating the tyre’s ability to perform at higher operating speed, and carry 40% more load at the same inflation rate as standard tyres.
Three new sizes have been added to the HC1000 high-capacity radial
HC3000
VF 1000/55R32 CFO
VF 900/60R42 CFO
AGRITERRA 02
VF 710/50R26.5 IMP
560/60R22.5
SFT (super flexion tyres; IMP version and CHO version)
tyre range which is aimed at the sprayer market. Mitas claims the bead design and sidewall aid the cyclic field operation of sprayers.
Four new VF tyres have been added to the HC2000 line, many developed for the US market, with the
710/60R30 IMP 900/60R32 CHO
The facility’s new calendaring line for steel cord and fabric textile
sizes aimed at high-performance tractors, sprayers and spreaders.
Mitas claims to hold 50% of the European OEM harvester market. To complement the current HC 3000 range, the brand is set to launch two new sizes: the VF 1000/55R32 CFO and VF 900/60R42 CFO.
The VF 710/50R26.5 IMP Agriterra 02 SP (soil protector) is the fourth tyre in this range to feature VF technology. While the identical Agriterra 02 in the Mitas range allows a load capacity of 6,000 kg at 65 km/h and 4.0 bar inflation, the new SP version allows a higher load capacity of 7,100kg at the same speed, with a lower inflation of 3.2 bar, and is aimed at agricultural trailers, sprayers, spreaders and tankers.
cord.
Elio Bartoli
Machinery
Michelin is known for premium agricultural tyres, but its business also extends to the development of tyres for individual products, such as CNH’s largest ever CR11 combine. James Huyton reports.
Pushing the boundaries of tyre manufacturing
Fundamental goals of reducing soil compaction and energy consumption remain at the core of Michelin’s principles as it continues to push the boundaries of tyre manufacturing.
The continued consolidation of the agricultural sector around the world pushes manufacturers to ever-greater size and scale of machinery.
As we see advancements in digital innovation, we still require tangible material development to create the latest product developments, not least the latest architecture in CNH’s range-topping combines.
New Holland’s CR10 and CR11 form what the manufacturer is calling a next-generation of combines.
Conception
These ground-up machines first saw conception back in 2014.
Geert Nerinckx, global product manager for CNH combines, says: “We wanted to make a machine that was as manoeuvrable as the current market options and reduce ground pressure with a higher capacity machine than previous models.
“Yes, the combine is longer, but it turns in a smaller circumference than the current CR10.90 thanks to a specially designed rear axle.” than the current CR10.90 thanks to
greater contact.
Michelin carried out a working demonstration with two New Holland T7s running on the brand’s Axiobib2 VF600/70 R30 front and VF710/70 R42 rear, to demonstrate the effects of correct tyre pressure on fuel consumption.
Although a fully wheeled version of the machine is not available in the UK due to its overall widths of 3.99 metres and 3.79m, the track derivative was also developed in conjunction with Michelin’s sister company Camso, which the French tyre giant acquired in 2018.
Mr Nerinckx says: “Even when operating with a 15.2m header, the CR11 offers a ground pressure reduction of 7% compared to the CR10.90.”
Michelin’s Cerexbib 2 already serves the UK harvester market providing a VF low-ground pressure variant for high-load machines.
Launched in 2011, the Cerexbib was the first VF harvester tyre on
the market, with the latest version adding two further sizes to the range.
In conjunction with the CR10 and CR11, Michelin launched two new sizes within that range with the VF800/70/R46 CFO and VF900/65R46 CFO.
These two new sizes represent an exclusive deal for Michelin to only supply CNH products with these combine tyre sizes for the next two years.
But with the CR10 and CR11 the only two machines in the marketplace capable of taking these tyre sizes, other manufacturers will have to step up with new machines which have the capacity to accommodate such a tyre in the future.
Mr Nerinckx says: “We recently launched an 18m header for the Australian market which was developed in conjunction with Macdon.”
Mathieu Tuffery, technical account manager at Michelin, says: “The larger diameter tyre, extends the air volume so we can take greater load pressure.
“This is important with a combine’s cyclic field operation [CFO], dealing with variable load points as the grain tank fills and empties alongside changing pressures from the header.
He adds: “Granted, this size of tyre already exists for the tractor market, but not a combine, and they have very different working
Mathieu Tuffery says operating VF tyres at lower pressures can achieve 60%
characteristics. We have years of experience in tyre development at Michelin.
“We had to prepare a prototype tyre with different casting than the final product, just to meet the time scales for such a project.
“This meant treads on the prototype had to be filed down to the final size,” he adds.
“Most combine tyres last the lifetime of the vehicle, but we do not have that length of time to test a new product in the field,” says Mr Tuffery.
Using a cyclic testing process to accelerate tyre wear and replicate forces, Michelin could extrapolate data on the tyre viability at the manufacturer’s technology centre in Ladoux, France.
But why is all this time, money and resources being put into the development of VF tyre technology and what positives does it bring to the sector?
Ultimately, machinery has pro-
gressed upwards in size, weight and potential operating speeds and, to follow manufacturer trends, tyre design has been led by market demands.
Soil compaction has become a major industry-wide issue, with Cranfield University claiming a £1 billion (€1.2bn) cost to the UK economy back in 2011.
Headway may have been made since this study, with wider industry uptake of controlled traffic farming and no-till systems offering reduced field compaction.
Contact patch
Michelin claims tyre contact patch area can be increased by 60% just by reducing tyre pressure on VF tyres.
To demonstrate this, Michelin carried out a working demonstration with two New Holland T7s running on the manufacturer’s Axiobib 2 VF600/70 R30 front and VF710/70 R42 rear.
Set at 1.1 bar pressure front and 1.0 bar pressure rear, the T7 consumed 18.8 litres/hectares of fuel with a five-tonne draught load.
In comparison, operating the Axiobib 2 at a lower 0.6 bar at the front and rear, the T7 consumed 15.9 litres/ha of fuel while a achieving a 5.3t draught load.
Mr Tuffery says: “Fuel savings are achievable with the right tyre pressure for the job.
“With VF tyres we can achieve a 60% greater contact patch, reducing wheel slip and saving fuel while helping soil preservation.”
Anne-Laure Fraenkel, project coordinator for agricultural tyres at Michelin, says: “Achieving tyres that can operate below atmospheric pressure of 1.0 bar is a real technical challenge.
“When a tyre is operating at 1.8 bar, air pressure within the tyre carries the load.
“But when you are operating below 1.0 bar, the tyre itself carries
the load,” she points out.
Much of Michelin’s technical development goes into tyre carcase design to ensure VF tyres can perform both in the field and on the road at high loads.
Looking to the future, Michelin aims to continue innovating with tyre design in the sector.
Mrs Fraenkel says: “The industry has to meet the challenges of estimated population growth of 24%, with 69% greater food demand with 5% greater land mass.
“We are on our way to making tyres of the future to help meet these demands with eco-friendly designs and full life cycle assessments, to evaluate the environmental impact of the tyre.
“So far we have found the biggest impact on the usage cycle is working energy efficiency.
“Improving tractive tyre efficiency with the correct tyre pressures, reduces engine load and fuel usage,” she adds.
To fit the larger tyres, CNH had to develop the combine’s front axle and frame around the tyre dimensions.
The Cerexbib2 VF remains Michelin’s flagship harvester tyre, but the two new range-topping sizes are unlikely to make it to this country due to UK road width restrictions.
Michelin’s Valladolid site in Spain makes large tyres for highpowered vehicles
Livestock
Edited by Katie Jones
– 07786 856 439 – katie.jones@agriconnect.com For more livestock content, go to farmersguardian.com/livestock-news-hub
Forage analysis, feed budgeting and flexibility helped the Strathspey Monitor Farm last winter, so what is planned for this year? Emma Penny reports.
Make best use of home-grown feed by fine-tuning rations
For the Smith family, Strathspey Monitor Farmers, precise rationing used to be a way of life when they were dairy farmers.
The results of any ration change could be seen almost instantly.
But now they keep sucklers and produce stores, the impact of feed on performance is much less obvious, much less quickly.
However, as part of the Monitor Farm Scotland programme, a review of the Smiths’ business identified that fine-tuning cattle rationing would help maximise stock performance and make best use of home-grown feed and forage.
This time last year, they started working with SAC ruminant nutritionist Karen Stewart on a project which included feed budgeting, ration planning, data collection and looking at animal health and blood sampling pre-calving.
The Smiths – Malcolm, Sammie and their sons Calum and Hamish – keep 150 spring and autumn calving cows, put to Limousin and Shorthorn bulls.
Cattle are split between the home farm at Auchernack, near Grantown on Spey, and a rented unit nearby, Congash.
The spring herd of about 100 cows is housed at weaning time in November, on a ration of silage and straw. After calving they are turned out to grass in May.
Spring-born calves are housed at weaning on slats and on rationed silage and 3-4kg of a 4:1 mix of 34% protein pellet and barley, though last year this changed to a blend of protein and barley treated with a urea and enzyme product to increase protein levels and make the grain alkaline.
Calves are weighed throughout winter and sold at 12-14 months old from the shed. The autumn herd is also housed at weaning time in November, and are on silage and straw pre-calving. After calving they are offered 1kg barley/head along with about 35kg (ad-lib) silage.
Cows and calves are turned out in February on a 16-hectare (40-acre) wooded area when calves are introduced to creep feed. These cows are heavier than the spring herd, averaging 790kg, compared with the spring herd’s 650kg.
With a range of ages and weights of stock – and a winter which can sometimes be longer than anticipated – feed budgeting is key, says Karen.
Analysing silage for dry matter and
feed value, weighing silage bales and measuring pits at Auchernack and Congash showed what was ‘in stock’.
Then the different groups of cattle (how many in each group, weights, requirements and feeding days) were added in, and a feed budget calculated, she explains.
Budgeting
Karen says: “The forage and feed budgeting spreadsheet is best used as a live document. That way we can ensure rations are being fed in line with the forage and feeds that are available.
“It is also really useful if you have a longer than expected winter, for example.
“A second forage ‘stock-take’ halfway through winter is recommended, and means the Smiths can take action earlier if forage is looking short to prevent sudden ration changes at key times such as calving.”
One pit was resampled in February. The analysis showed a higher energy and lower DM than the initial sample from October, which was a core sample, so rations were recalculated on that basis.
Karen says: “Throughout a pit there will be different fields and areas of varying quality and dry
matter, and it is important to act on these changes. Malcolm is very good at spotting changes in dry matter and the cattle soon tell you as well when they take longer to clear up their feed if it is drier.”
She adds that matching the forage to the cattle was not straightforward as the Auchernack pit was opened first and fed along with some drier bales.
Karen says: “Bales are hard to manage in rationing as they vary in composition and weight depending on their batch and a whole bale is needed. It is harder to split bales for putting into the mixer wagon.”
Rations were tweaked throughout winter, prompted by discussions between Malcolm and Karen looking at the feed budget and cattle performance.
Like many farmers last year, the Smiths had an issue with pneumonia in their spring-born calves just after housing, with 80 calves being treated. This hit weight gain significantly, reducing them to 0.6-0.7kg/day during the outbreak, compared with 1kg/ day typically, although it increased to 1.2kg/day when they recovered.
Karen says: “With a lifetime weight gain of just under 1kg/day, there is scope to improve weight gains to weaning.
“Checking calf weaning weights, adjusted to 200 days, to see how individual dams are performing and looking at the quality of the grazing fields, will help see where improvements can be made. In addition to checking nutrition when cattle are not performing, issues such as health, ventilation, being on slats and having enough feed space can have a big effect.
“For the Smiths there are some changes to the sheds which would help with ventilation and pneumonia risk, as would giving a pneumonia vaccine.”
Time and logistics are issues facing the Smiths. The spring-calving cows are housed a few miles away at Congash and were fed every two days to save time and fuel, but this makes it harder to restrict the ration.
Adding straw helped bulk it up and make the feed last longer without dropping overall protein too far.
Left to right: Calum, Sammie and Malcolm Smith at Auchernack.
A second forage ‘stock take’ helps prevent sudden ration changes.
Malcolm felt some cows were still a bit over-conditioned at calving, while younger, leaner cows were separated from the rest and given 1kg of barley in addition to forage for six weeks to bring them back up in condition.
This year, the aim is to condition score the herd at housing, grouping
cows for separate rationing as early as possible and if possible feed them every day.
Karen says: “Overall, there was a little more silage used this year, due to the youngstock having better access to the forage all day and night.
“In previous years, Malcolm and Calum thought that the spring- and
autumn-born calves cleared up silage by early evening, leaving 10 hours of missed feeding opportunity.”
Weight gains
However, the Smiths used 16 tonnes less barley overwinter to achieve similar weight gains, saving £2,880 with barley costed at £180/t.
Malcolm says: “The feeding recommendations have saved us a lot, and if the calves had not had the pneumonia outbreak, the weight gains would have been better too.”
The youngstock at Congash benefited from silage being as adlib as possible, and Karen suggests the Smiths could look at whether feeding more, getting higher weight gains and selling a couple of months younger would be worthwhile.
She says: “For example, feeding an extra 1kg of barley has the potential to gain an extra 0.2kg/day, which would give value of an extra 43p/day/ animal after extra feed costs if store cattle price was £3.20/kg.
“However, there are a few factors to consider. Would store buyers want them heavier or fatter, would their pence per kg drop?
“Would they reach this potential extra weight gain if there are other limiting factors, such as shed ventilation, and health challenges, such as pneumonia?
“Could they reach higher gains without extra barley by having less of a health challenge or weaning check?”
MORE INFORMATION
For more details on nutrition planning at Auchernack, visit bit.ly/strathspey24
Livestock Welsh Dairy Show
A smaller entry was seen at this year’s Welsh Dairy Show, but standards remained high, with some of the best cattle the Welsh dairy industry has to offer on display. Ellie Layton reports.
Welsh Dairy Show success for Chepstow breeders
l Holstein cow named supreme champion
CLINCHING this year’s Holstein and inter-breed championship were Chepstow breeders, D.W. and D.C. Jones, with Corringham Lambda S Gremlin.
This EX93 classified cow is a Farnear Delta Lambda daughter, which gave 10,000kg in its second lactation.
No stranger to the showring, this year it claimed fourth in the fouryear-old class at UK Dairy Day and first and honourable mention at the Royal Welsh Show.
The judge for the day’s proceedings was Jonny Lochead, who travelled from Dumfries, where he runs the Kedar herd of Brown Swiss.
He said his winner had ‘strength
in abundance’ with excellent legs and locomotion.
After claiming the Ayrshire championship, Cardigan-based Evie Tomlinson, went on to take reserve inter-breed with Allstar Ringer Joybell, by Bluespruce Ringer.
The home-bred second-calver retains her title from this show last year and was breed champion at this year’s UK Borderway Dairy Expo and champion at the Welsh Dairy Show in 2023.
Reserve in the Holstein section was Nethervalley Awesome Rosanne Red a fourth-calver from A. H. Wilson, Cardigan.
The Lucke Absolute Awsome daughter calved down in June and was shown giving 55kg daily.
It was purchased from Robbie Scott’s Nethervalley herd, Ayr, as a
heifer and stood reserve champion Holstein at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year.
The Jersey winner was Mydrim Tequilas Spring Tracy, a homebred heifer in-milk from James Evans, Carmarthen.
The heifer stood reserve interbreed heifer at the Royal Welsh Show and, as a calf, was champion at the South Wales Calf Show and Welsh Dairy Show. Mr Evans runs a herd of 35 Jerseys.
Reserve in the Jersey judging was Riverside Engineer Hazelnut 2, from the Llewellin Family, Newcastle Emlyn.
This June 2019-born cow, by Engineer out of Riverside Tequila Hazelnut 2, was champion at the National Jersey Show in 2022.
A Holstein from the same home as the overall inter-breed champion, claimed the inter-breed heifer title.
This was Wintersell Improbable Mila 6, a February 2022-born daughter of SSI Rengade Improbable.
Reserve inter-breed heifer was Holdontoyourhats Shes The Jees Knee from P. and S. Williams, Haverfordwest, which also claimed the reserve breed title in the Brown Swiss judging.
This January 2022-born heifer in
Results
Dairy
Inter-breed (J. Lochead, Dumfries) Supreme, D.W. and C.E. Jones, Corringham Lambda S Gremlin (Holstein); reserve, E. Tomlinson, Allstar Ringer Joybell (Ayrshire).
Inter-breed heifer (J. Lochead) Sup., D.W. and D.C. Jones, Wintersell Improbable Mila 6 (Holstein); res., P. and S. Williams, Holdontoyourhats Shes The Jees Knees (Brown Swiss). Holstein (J. Lochead)) Sup., D.W. and C.E. Jones, Corringham Lambda S Gremlin; res., A.H. Wilson, Nethervalley Awesome Rosanne Red. Jersey (J. Lochead) Sup., J. Evans, Mydrim Tequilas Spring Tracy; res., Llewellyn family, Riverside Engineer Hazelnut 2. Ayrshire (J. Lochead)) Sup., E. Tomlinson, Allstar Ringer Joybell. NO RESERVE Brown Swiss (J. Lochead)) Sup., Toi Toi Genetics, ToiToi BC My Mums a Hoover; res.,
milk is a Dreamer daughter, which picked up a second prize card at this year’s UK Dairy Day.
The champion Brown Swiss was Toi Toi BC My Mums a Hoover from Toi Toi Genetics, Shrewsbury.
At this year’s UK Dairy Day it was awarded breed honourable mention and was breed junior champion at the 2023 UK Dairy Expo.
Calf show
In the calf section, which takes place on the evening before the main show, it was local, Carmarthenshire breeder, James Evans with his Jersey calf, Mydrim Chocochip Ceres, which caught the eye of Dumfries-based judge, Jessica Miller.
The calf has collected a red ticket on each of its outings so far this year, including the All Breeds All Britain calf show and The Dairy show. The July 2023-born calf is a Avonlea Chocochip daughter.
Reserve went to Arwyn Wilson, Cardigan, with the Holstein Tregibby Rager Lustre Red.
This December 2023-born heifer was a Tregibby Octane Lustre daughter and was champion Red and White at this year’s All Breeds All Britain calf show.
P. and S. Williams, Holdontoyourhats Shes The Jees Knees.
Calf Show
Holstein (J. Miller, Dumfries) Sup., A. Wilson, Tregibby Rager Lustre Red; res., R. B. N. and I. Thomas, Churchvale Lemagic Rhapsody. Coloured (J. Miller) Sup., J. Evans, Mydrim Chocochip Ceres; K. and S. Rickard, Starlet Huxford Kitty.
Showmanship
12
Morgan 12-17 years 1, Isla
PICTURES:
Champion Iwan Thomas; reserve, Isla Arrell. Under
1, Archie Rickard; 2,Maya Rickard; 3, Harri Rhys
Arrell; 2, Elliot Davies; 3, Harri Jones 17-21 years 1, Iwan Thomas; 2, Mia Felice 22-26 years 1, Nia Thomas; 2, Evie Tomlinson; 3. Melissa Fletcher
Holstein and inter-breed championship winner, Corringham Lambda S Gremlin, from D.W. and D.C. Jones, Chepstow.
Ayrshire and inter-breed reserve was Allstar Ringer Joybell, from Evie Tomlinson, Cardigan.
Week beginning October 21
GRASS GROWTH ACROSS THE UK
Scotland
Grass growth Soil moisture (cb)
Soil temperature (degC) Rainfall (mm per week)
DAILY GROWTH FORECASTS
Region Seven-day forecast 14-day forecast
North England 30kg DM/ha (12.1kg DM/acre) 23.5kg DM/ha (9.5kg DM/acre)
South England 30.4kg DM/ha (12.3kg DM/acre) 20.8kg DM/ha (8.4kg DM/acre)
■ Modelled grass growth prediction is also good, with 25-30kg DM/day for the next seven days, then about 20 for the following week – late-season grazing can continue where feasible ■ Ifclosingaveragefarmcoverison target,trytokeepsomegrazedgrassin thediettoreducepressureonscarce
(andcostly)winterforagestocks
■ Earmarked paddocks suitable for early spring grazing must now be closed. Avoid grazing paddocks closed at the start of October, as this grass will be needed more in the spring
■ This is the final weekly bulletin for 2024. We hope you have found the information of use, in what was another challenging year for grazing
GrassCheckGB is a collaboration between The UK Agri-Tech Centre, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Rothamsted Research, AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru, Germinal, Handley Enterprises, Sciantec Analytical, Yara, Pilgrim’s UK and Quality Meat Scotland. Regular updates will appear in Farmers Guardian.
Webinar
What the latest Budget means for farmers
Chair: Alex Black
October 31, 7pm
Head of News and Business, Farmers Guardian
Join Farmers Guardian for an exclusive webinar that dives into the latest Budget announcements and what they mean for the agricultural sector. This event is tailored for farmers, landowners, and rural business leaders eager to learn how these changes could impact their businesses.
Scan the QR code to register for the webinar
Growing up, Dean Saunders always had an eye for British Blue cattle and started his own herd of pedigree British Blues at just nine years old, with a cow and calf at foot bought from Cavan Maguire’s Lancashire-based Navac herd.
While his parents originally kept British Blonde cattle, Mr Saunders says his passion for the British Blue breed became clear from a young age. Following his first cow and calf outfit, a selection of foundation females, including a Belgian heifer, Force de Roupage, and Greystone Opel from the Yorkshire-based Greystone herd, helped him establish the genetics of today’s Maidenlands herd.
Together with his fiancee Emma McAloone, their three-year-old daughter Rosie, dad Fred and mum Carol, Mr Saunders now runs a herd of 15 white British Blue cows, seven coloured British Blue cows and 40 Simmental cows at Maidenlands Tarn, near Ulverston.
Originally owned by Mr Saunders’ grandad, who milked cows in nearby Dalton-in-Furness, Fred and Carol bought Maidenlands Tarn in 2004 and continued to invest in the 59-hectare (146-acre) plot, building a bungalow and several cattle sheds.
And, while the farm has diversified over the years with an on-farm cattery, free-range egg unit housing 16,000 laying hens and investments in renewable energy, pedigree cattle have remained at the heart of the business.
Breeding pedigree British Blue bulls is an important part of the farm business, and producing white bulls for breeding companies is a particular focus for Mr Saunders.
He says: “It all started when Boomer Birch from Cogent came to see us about 13 years ago and said we had a very good white bull. It was called Maidenlands Force and we sold 70,000 straws of semen off him. He did really well.”
Since then, the family has continued to focus on improving the genetics within their white females and have sold seven white bulls to various breeding companies in the last 14 months.
Mr Saunders says: “Maidenlands
n
n
n On-farm cattery
n 50kW windmill and 50kW mounted solar panels with electricity used on-farm and exported to the National Grid
n
A childhood passion for the British Blue breed has seen Dean Saunders succeed in the showring and establish a reputable supply of genetics for the dairy herd. Katie Fallon reports.
Passion for British Blues shines through
Odds On is another good bull we sold to Cogent, and we have several young bulls still going through trials.”
When looking at the desired traits for breeding white bulls, Mr Saunders says the bulls need to be able to throw a calf with a good birth weight and a shorter gestation length to suit the dairy cow.
He says: “When selecting bulls, I am conscious there is a small gene pool within the breed, with four to five bulls that are used heavily. I try to look for bulls that are consistent breeders but will bring new bloodlines into herds and I look at what they are doing in Belgium as they are ahead of us with their genetics.”
Breeding bulls
The family also produces a handful of coloured British Blue breeding bulls, which are sold privately on-farm and at society sales at Carlisle and Skipton auction markets. However, Mr Saunders says their key focus is producing white bulls for breeding companies as this provides a more guaranteed income.
He says: “We have had two or three sale champions over the years with the coloured Blues and have topped trade a couple of times.”
Some of the family’s top prices for coloured bulls include Maidenlands Fagan, which sold for 6,000gns at Carlisle in 2011, and Maidenlands Million Dollar, which sold for 4,700gns.
Mr Saunders says: “We also sold a coloured Blue heifer called Maidenlands Crystal for 6,400gns to Kevin Watret and Andy Ryder back in 2008.”
Females
Mr Saunders says both white and coloured females are mostly retained for breeding, with all females artificially inseminated and flushed for embryos. Only one stock bull is kept on-farm to cover any white females as required.
After struggling to find recipients for their British Blue embryos, in 2015 the family bought a handful of Simmental suckler cows to use as recipients. However, as the quality of the breeding improved, the herd has now transitioned to a fully pedigree herd of 40 Simmental females.
Mr Saunders says: “We now use Simmental cross Luing or pure Luing females for embryo work, and have 20 first-calvers which are used as recipients. After their first calving, they are crossed with the Simmental or British
When selecting bulls [...] I try to look for bulls that are consistent breeders but will bring new bloodlines into herds
DEAN SAUNDERS
Blue and are good for testing young bulls out on.”
The majority of Simmental heifers are retained for breeding, with a view to selling pedigree Simmental breeding bulls at Stirling bull sales in the near future.
Across both the pedigree British Blue and Simmental herds and commercial Luing cattle, a high herd health status is operated, with a Johne’s risk level 1, and all cattle are BVD accredited. Mr Saunders says: “Everything is vaccinated for BVD, leptospirosis and IBR as a blanket cover.”
The bulk of calving takes place over the winter months while stock is housed inside, with cattle grazing over the summer months. Cows are fed home-grown clamp silage mixed with straw, and calves are creep fed.
Passion
Showing cattle is also a passion for the Saunders family, and this year marks their sixth year exhibiting at the Stars of the Future Calf Show at Stirling.
Mr Saunders says: “In our first year showing at Stars of the Future, we had champion and reserve in the senior section of the Blues, and we have shown there ever since.”
This year, the family has a British Blue heifer and bull heading to the
15 British Blue white females, seven coloured British Blue females and 40 Simmental cows
16,000-head laying hen unit
Bull Nose Guard is a sponsor of the Stars of the Future Calf Show and will be exhibited at the event
Farm facts
Emma McAloone and Dean Saunders
PICTURES: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI
Stars of the Future Livestock
event as well as two Simmental calves, all born between January and March this year. “The Blue calves are brother and sister and were embryos out of a 10-year-old cow which we flushed and retrieved 11 embryos from.”
Two of the calves exhibited at last year’s event – a British Blue heifer and a Simmental heifer – have been regulars on the show circuit this year, claiming several championships at local shows.
The family also exhibits at the Royal Highland Show and Great Yorkshire Show each year, and in
2022, they were reserve overall British Blue champions at the Royal Highland with Droit Penny, an in-calf heifer bought from the Droit herd in Northern Ireland.
And, if the beef enterprise and on-farm diversifications were not enough, Mr Saunders has recently developed a product to prevent catching issues with bull nose rings.
After a couple of years working on the product with fellow breeders, Mr Saunders launched the Bull Nose Guard onto the market last year.
“A friend of mine had a couple bulls rip their rings out, so we started trialing some different ideas. We have seen a lot of uptake from breeding companies and pedigree herds.”
With plans to continue breeding white bulls and aspirations to soon sell Simmental bulls at Stirling, the family is focused on producing quality genetics across both the
STARS OF THE FUTURE EVENT INFORMATION
■ The Stars of the Future Calf Show will be held at Stirling Agricultural Centre, FK9 4RN
■ Young handler classes are hosted on Friday, November 8, starting at 7.30pm, with a social gathering throughout the evening
■ Breed classes start from 8.30am on Saturday, November 9
Classes and judges:
■ Aberdeen-Angus: Alistair Cormack, Fife
■ Beef Shorthorn: Boomer Birch, Staffordshire
■ British Blue: Andrew Price, Kent
■ Charolais: David Connolly, Northern Ireland
British Blue and Simmental breeds.
The family is also looking forward to the winter show season, with
■ Commercial: Kevin Ludgate, Bedfordshire
■ Hereford and any other breed: Millie Birch, Staffordshire
■ Highland: Stephen Hunter, Lanarkshire
■ Limousin: William Smith, Republic of Ireland
■ Simmental: John Barlow, Lancashire
■ Continental individual and pair inter-breed: Jason
Wareham, East Sussex
■ Native individual and pair inter-breed: Sarah Wareham, East Sussex
■ Young handler: Jason and Sarah Wareham.
preparations for Stars of the Future well underway.
The Bull Nose Guard was developed by Dean Saunders to prevent catching issues.
A white British Blue cow and calf.
Mr Saunders uses Simmental cross Luing or pure Luing females for embryo work.
Welsh Mules have been at the centre of a Mid Wales farm for four generations and continue to thrive. Ellie Layton finds out more.
Traditionally, the local pure breeds of Cluns and Kerry Hills were the chosen ewe for much of the Mid Wales landscape and this was no different for the Bennett family, who have called Trellwydion Farm, which sits between Builth Wells and Newtown, home since the 1930s.
However, following a switch to the Welsh Mule breed, they have not looked back and it has been the cornerstone of the Bennett family’s sheep enterprise since 1980.
The business is run by husband and wife team, Stephen and Gail Bennett, together with son Huw. Their oldest son Rhys is currently studying a masters degree in architecture in Liver-
Welsh Mules pivotal to Mid Wales farm
pool University and returns home when he can and enjoys helping with building design on the farm.
Trellwydion comprises 130 hectares (320 acres) of land which rises from the River Ithon in the lower ground to peak at 366m (1,200ft).
An additional 81ha (200 acres) of summer grasskeep is taken locally and winter tack grazing is taken annually on the Shropshire border.
The family run a mixed flock of Improved Welsh and Beulah Speckle Face ewes which breed both White Face and Coloured Welsh Mules. Alongside this is a small flock of Bluefaced Leicesters to breed some of their own rams.
A mixed suckler herd is also run on
the lower, sandier ground and housed during the winter. The predominantly Limousin-bred cows are run with pedigree Limousin and British Blue bulls to produce shapely store cattle which are sold in their local market, Knighton, during the spring at 12 to 15 months old.
The herd is mostly spring calving, with around a quarter of the herd calved down in the autumn. Now a closed herd, heifers are retained to keep disease burden risk at a minimum and keep the herd true to type.
Autumn is the busiest time of year for the Bennetts, who sell the majority of their lambs for breeding stock at the Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Association sales held at Hereford market.
Stephen says: “Our family have been selling Mules for 43 years, and we have only ever missed the first sale held and sold at the sales in Builth Wells until the association sales relocated to Hereford Market in 2020.
“When the sale moved to Hereford, we followed and this has proved successful.
“We only sell ewe lambs, allowing them the opportunity to be sold on as yearlings, or settle into their new systems. It also gives us a chance to reduce stock numbers giving the farm a break.
“We breed 90% of our Improved Welsh flock whereas we buy in the Beulahs to breed the coloured Mules,
so naturally the white faces have increased in production,” says Huw.
All lambing takes place inside, starting in March with the Beulahs which see a scanning rate of 180% having been mated with a crossing type Bluefaced Leicester to produce the coloured Welsh Mule.
These are followed by their own flock of white faced Mules which run with a Texel ram, lambing at 200%.
“We retained white faced Mules as we find they are suited better to our farm being out of home-bred ewes, and they produce a clean white-headed lamb,” says Huw.
Lambing
Lambing is completed in April with the Improved Welsh at a 150% lambing rate.
Stephen says: “Most rams are bought locally from the NSA Builth ram sale, although the odd Bluefaced Leicester may be purchased from Carlisle.
“When selecting Bluefaced rams we look for a sharp head, strength, bone and tight skin. For the crossing type, we look for a ‘nice blotchy colour’ face markings which will deliver feminine coloured ewe lambs.”
In recent years, they have been feeding lambs more after weaning, to help get them away quicker, giving the ewe lambs more grazing prior to the sales season.
White face Welsh Mules are bred from the farm’s Improved Welsh sheep.
Left to right: Gail and Stephen Bennett with son, Huw Bennett.
Huw says: “Lambs are weaned from June, and the Mule ram lambs are the first to go off the farm deadweight at the abattoir in Llanidloes once they reach 45kg.
“They are shortly followed by the Texel cross Mule lambs which go liveweight to Knighton.”
About 400 Welsh Mule ewe lambs are sold annually, depending on scanning, with the first run of 200 ewe lambs sold at the first Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Association in mid-September, followed by another 200 lambs sold at the second sale in October. The remainder are kept as replacements.
Gail says: “Breeding the Welsh Mules is the part of the farm we enjoy the most and producing quality Mule ewe lambs is extremely important.”
Selecting sale lambs starts in late July when entries are due and they are supplementary fed in preparation while grazing outside.
Treated
High health is important to the family, so the lambs are treated against scab, fluked, wormed and vaccinated for clostridial disease prior to the sale.
Nearer to the time, their heads are washed, they are clipped around their neck and coloured.
Their passion has been reflected in the sale ring, with the family topping this year’s first sale averages, for their 200 lambs which sold for £212 per head.
Stephen says: “With a Welsh Mule, we want to produce good conformation and good skin and a clean, sharp head.”
Producing a Mule with good colours, flashy white hair and clean legs is key to producing the best example of the breed, and goes a long way in the sale ring, he says.
As a member of the association committee and a breed inspector, Stephen believes what sets the Welsh Mule apart is the breed standard and the faith it gives buyers for the future of their flock or for resale as yearlings.
“Association rules keeps the breed true to type,” he says.
“Lambs must be more than 34kg, out of a hill ewe and have no defects, including their eyes, in the mouth, orf and footrot, the tail must also be docked at three to four inches.”
Farm facts
■ Trellwydion farm rises to 1,200ft over 130 hectares (320 acres) plus local rented ground
■ Beulah Speckle Face, Improved Welsh and Welsh Mules make up the flock, which are run with continental cattle
■ Welsh Mules have been at the heart of the farm for more than 40 years
A selection of Texel-cross Mule ewe lambs are also sold at following breeding sales.
The family has also reaped rewards in the showring, claiming first and reserve breed champion at this year’s Royal Welsh Show with a home-bred coloured ewe lamb, on only their third year competing.
The breed has been instrumental in the farm’s history and, in memory of Stephen’s father, the family has donated the Elwyn Bennett Memorial Cup for the best consignment of 80 or more ewe lambs at the first sale in Hereford.
There is no doubt within the family that the breed will be part of the future at Trellwydion too, with Huw following in the family’s footsteps as the fourth-generation farmer.
Sheep Livestock
Beulah Speckle Face ewes are run with Bluefaced Leicesters to provide the farm with Coloured Welsh Mule ewes for sale.
Sheep have often been the poor relation when it comes to health planning on the farm, but it is not difficult if broken down into manageable areas. Farmers Guardian reports.
The value of flock health planning
Effective health planning should involve the entire farm team, including the vet and any nutritionists or consultants, to ensure all aspects of flock health are covered, according to Dr Foteini Manolaraki, SRUC animal health planning manager.
She says: “A collaborative approach helps in setting realistic and achievable health and production targets. Prioritising and understanding what you aim to focus on for the flock over the next year is crucial.
“Focusing the whole team on prevention rather than cure is key. By adding tasks to the health plan and co-ordinating the whole team’s to-do list, you ensure that the most important tasks are not forgotten.
“This proactive approach keeps everyone up to date and focused on maintaining the health of the flock.
“Every farm is different, so it is important to plan for your own conditions and disease challenges. Tailoring your health plan to your specific needs ensures that you address the unique risks and opportunities on your farm. Regular
health monitoring is vital to pick up the first signs of illness, injuries and overall stock condition.”
There are several health planning tools available for UK sheep farmers, each designed to help manage and improve the health and productivity of their flocks focusing on areas such as:
■ Health records: keeping detailed records of performance, health checks, treatments, vaccinations and breeding data.
■ Disease prevention measures (biosecurity): controlling farm access, quarantining incoming stock or performing tests and treatments during quarantine, managing sick animals effectively.
■ Parasite management and control.
■ Nutrition: Providing a well-balanced diet tailored to the needs of the sheep at different life stages.
■ Performance monitoring: Regularly assessing growth rates, body condition scores and reproductive performance to identify and address areas for intervention.
There are a range of options, including SRUC’s newly launched HerdPlan. Various resources and tools are also available through the National Sheep Association (NSA) and AHDB.
These resources include templates, guidelines and best practices for
Having a plan to manage livestock health can have a wealth of benefits.
creating and maintaining effective health plans tailored to specific farm needs. Many veterinary practices and agricultural consultants offer bespoke health planning services. These services often include regular farm visits, health reviews, and tailored advice to help farmers implement effective health management strategies.
Compliance with standards such as Red Tractor or Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is an important
HEALTH AND WELFARE INCENTIVES
THERE are several health and welfare incentives available for sheep farmers in the UK, designed to support the improvement of animal health and welfare standards.
■ Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway is a comprehensive programme launched by Defra. It includes: Animal Health and Welfare Reviews
Funding for vets to visit farms, conduct health reviews, and provide advice on improving
animal health and productivity. Endemic Disease Follow-Ups Additional funding for follow-up visits to address specific health issues identified in the initial review.
■ Sheep Welfare Strategy 2023-2028
The Sheep Welfare Strategy, established by Ruminant Health & Welfare, aims to enhance sheep welfare across the UK. This strategy includes various initiatives and guidelines to help farmers improve welfare standards and demonstrate progress by 2028.
consideration. A good health planning system should record vet farm visits, and conduct antibiotic and animal health and welfare reviews. This helps in quickly eliminating admin time for both the farm team and the vet team.
Healthier animals enjoy much higher welfare, take less time to manage, and improve the mental health of farm workers. They also have a lower carbon and environmental footprint and use fewer antibiotics. This not only benefits the
Every farm is different, so it is important to plan for your own conditions and disease challenges
animals but also contributes to a more sustainable and efficient farming operation.
It is important to prioritise prevention over treatment by implementing biosecurity measures, regular health checks, and timely interventions.
Dr Manolaraki, says: “Continuous improvement in animal health and productivity is achievable through close collaboration with your vet. By regularly reviewing livestock information together, you can enhance health risk assessments and proactively implement preventative measures.
“Utilising online tools ensures that everyone involved stays informed and receives reminders, preventing important actions from being overlooked.
“This health planning process not only promotes healthier and more productive animals, but can also contribute to increased profitability on the farm.
“You can start by using SRUC’s free online forecasting tool to explore ways [in which] to keep money on farm. This tool can facilitate discussions with your vet and help you incorporate health planning actions that can improve overall financial outcomes.”
Livestock Vermin Control
No farmer wants a rodent problem, but how can you spot it and stop it before the damage is done? Farmers Guardian finds out more.
Winning the war against the rodents
Autumn tends to mark the start of the rodent season with the onset of lower temperatures encouraging rats and mice to seek shelter and warmth.
However, Lodi UK’s pest control technical adviser, Dave Reece, says this year’s rodent pressure has been heightened following the heavy downpours and flash flooding in some areas.
“We have experienced wet weather and, coupled with the cold, this drives rodents to seek shelter and food in buildings and sheds, making them a much bigger problem during autumn and winter,” says Mr Reece.
He says the damage caused by rodents can span beyond carrying diseases and contaminating feed.
“They also have the ability to damage infrastructure and machinery by chewing through electric cables and weakening concrete floors and walls through their burrowing,” adds Mr Reece.
“Not only does chewing through electrical components affect machinery and vehicles, but it can also lead to more devastating outcomes such as fires.”
Mr Reece says on-farm rodent control focuses on three key areas –monitoring, baiting and prevention.
MONITORING: SPOTTING A RODENT PROBLEM
MR Reece says there are several telltale signs which can make an active rodent problem easier to spot.
He says: “Freshly dug rat holes, rat tracks and footprints are clear signs. If there is a 30m stretch with around 30 rat holes, that suggests there could be approximately 200–300 rats just in that area alone.”
He says rat footprints are easier to spot around water sources, such as puddles and ditches, while droppings are another sign that there is a rodent problem on the farm.
“Rats need around 12ml of liquid per 100g of body weight each day meaning they tend to drink two to three times a day, so looking for
footprints in areas near and around water sources will provide an indication that there is a rodent problem,” says Mr Reece.
“However, unlike rats, mice do not need to drink water as they get all their hydration from food.”
He says spotting signs of rats in grain stores can be difficult, but they are much easier to spot than mice.
“Usually you have to have actual sightings of the mice, whereas a rat’s tail leaves swishes in the grain which is sometimes visible,” says Mr Reece.
He recommends regularly walking and observing the farm premises and perimeters to look for signs of rodents and identify problems early.
CHOOSING the right bait is key to implementing a robust rodent control plan, says Mr Reece.
“Choosing a bait which is suitable for your farm system will give you the best outcome possible,” he says.
“If rodents are a problem in grain stores, then using a grain-like product, such as those from the Lodi’s Gems range, will be the most attractive and palatable bait to target rats and mice who are used to eating grain.
“However, there are limitations on where you can place certain baits; for
Dave Reece warns that cold wet weather could encourage rodents to seek out farm buildings.
BAITING: THE RIGHT BAIT FOR THE RIGHT SITUATION
example, grain bait cannot be placed inside the grain store, so blocks or paste would be better suited there.”
He says blocks are also a practical solution for varying weather conditions and often work well around the outside of buildings.
“If you are unsure of which bait you should be using, seeking the advice of an experienced pest controller is recommended,” Mr Reece explains.
“Different products have different formulations and active ingredients and it is essential that you are using a bait appropriate for your set up.”
PREVENTION: REDUCING INSTANCES OF RODENTS
PREVENTION on-farm requires a proactive approach, combining exclusion techniques with deterrents.
“One effective method is using antirodent sprays on areas such as electrical wires and ducting to stop rodents from gnawing on them,” says Mr Reece.
He stresses that maintaining a tidy farm is critical to discouraging rodents from making it their home.
“This includes cleaning up rubbish and feed spills and properly storing grain or hay to make the environment
LEGISLATION UPDATE
FROM July 4, 2024, secondgeneration anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), including bromadiolone and difenacoum, can no longer be sold for use in open areas such as fields and hedgerows due to the risks they pose to wildlife.
Farmers can use any SGAR products purchased before this date until December 31, 2024, after which their use in open areas will be illegal.
Since hedgerows and overgrown areas are common habitats for rodents, farmers will need alternative solutions.
less attractive to rodents,” adds Mr Reece.
“Additionally, sealing holes and repairing any structural damage, such as broken windows or gaps in walls, helps prevent rodents from entering buildings and nesting inside.” He says farmers should also consider whether some water sources are necessary on-farm.
“If you have a disused water trough then removing this can discourage rodent activity as they will move to find a new water source,” he explains.
Baiting made better
■ Use labels on the bait stations to identify which baits/active ingredients have been used
■ Place bait stations in hidden, flat locations
■ Cover and protect bait stations to reduce the chances of them being knocked over
■ Avoid placing bait stations on the rodent’s tracks. Rats and mice are neophobic, so keeping their habits and routes as normal as possible is crucial for successful bait intake
■ Check baiting stations approximately every 10 days
Working Dogs Working with
Trials diary
ENGLAND
October 26. RYEDALE, Roos Furze Farm, Hilston Road, Roos, Hull, HU12 0JB, what3words: slope.coveted. logbook. Contact, G. Blyth, tel: 07766 145 046. PENNARE, Pennare Farm, Veryan, Truro, TR2 5PH, 9.30am start. Contact Trevor Hopper, tel: 01872 501 886. PENNINE NURSERY, High Sanfitt Farm, Addingham, LS29 0JT. Pennine Rules apply. Any competitor running more than one dog must have one booked in before 12pm and take the next available run, contact Carol Mellin, tel: 07891 871 298. YORKSHIRE,Yorkshire Nursery Trial, High Sanfitt Farm, Addingham, LS29 0JT. TRAWDEN, LA6 3HR, what3words: trip.rattled.swooning. 9am start. Two dogs booked in by 12pm, last booking 1pm. Catering is cash only, pennine rules apply, contact Meg Hutchinson, shadwelllivestockandworkingsheepdogs@ hotmail.com
October 26 and 27. NSDA, HG4 4NH. All trials are subject to change depending upon weather conditions, membership £5/pp is due on the first nursery date, Northern sheepdog association rules apply. 9:30am start, last booking in 1pm, only one dog after 12pm. October 27. VERYAN, Pennare Farm, Veryan, Truro, TR2 5PH, 9am start, contact Trevor Hopper, tel: 01872 501 886. NORTH WESTMORLAND, English National Fund Raiser Open, Bennett Head, Watermillock, Ullswater, Penrith, CA11 0LT, 9am start, enter on field by 1pm. SHROPSHIRE HEREFORDSHIRE, Higher Hagley Farm, Obley, Craven Arms, SY7 0BZ, nursery, novice and beginners. 10am start. Tel: 07711 534 504. NSDA.
For winning results
Welsh results
GLAMORGAN, (Judge, M. Ellis) Nursery 1, D. Meek, Wyverne Craig, 16; 2, C. Millichap, Efail Ping, 17; 3, D. Howells, Mick, 18 OLF; 4, D. Howells, Kate, 18; 5, D. Millichap, Rose, 19; 6, M. Edwards, Lexi, 22. Novice. 1, D. Millichap, Efail Chase. 17; 2, D. Millichap, Rose, 21; 3, J. Howells, Millie, 23; 4, D. Howells, Mick, 24 OLF; 5, C. Millichap, Efail Ping, 24; 6, D. Howells, Kate, 24. CARMARTHEN, (K. Broad) 1, M. Jones, Mainstay Maddie, 18; 2, T. Mallon, Halle, 23 OLF; 3, H. Thomas, Nantymoel Trim, 23; 4, L. Williams, Wyverne Winnie, 25 T; 5, A. Driscoll, Abi, 28 T; 6, G. Lewis, Lyn, 30 T. GLAMORGAN, (Malcolm Ellis) 1, D. Meek, Wyverne Craig, 16; 2, C. Millichap, Efail Ping, 17; 3, D. Howells, Mick, 18 OLF; 4, D. Howells, Kate, 18; 5, D. Millichap, Rose, 19; 6, M. Edwards, Lexi, 22. GLOUCESTER AND GWENT, (R. Jones) 1, S. Currie, Tom, 8; 2, N. Matthews, Hilltop Lexi, 14; 3, J.Garland, Rhyswg Fay, 15; 4, B. Lester, Tysswg Lass, 19; 5, N.
Ellingstring, Tranmire, Masham, HG4 4NH. All Trials are subject to change depending upon weather conditions, membership £5pp is due on the first nursery date. Northern sheepdog association rules apply, 9:30am start, last booking in 1pm, only one dog after 12pm, contact Ben Moore, tel: 07743 367 166.
November 2. HOLME NURSERY, Mitchell House Reservoir, Haslingden, BB5 2DL, 9.30am start, catering on field, contact S. Duckworth, tel: 07890 545 437. FYLDE, Hall Croft Barn, Over Kellet, LA6 1AB, 9.30am start, usual Pennine interclub rules apply, contact Mr Longton, tel: 07736 278 398. RYEDALE, Carlton Sandhoe Farm, Carlton, Goole, DN14 9RS, what3words: started. wildfires.outsize. Contact Stuart Walton, tel: 07789 740 122.
November 3. NSDA, Hardraw, Hawes, DL8 3LZ. All Trials are subject to change depending upon weather conditions. Membership £5pp is due on the first nursery date, Northern sheepdog association rules apply, 9:30am start, last booking in 1.00pm, only one dog after 12pm. SHROPSHIRE HEREFORDSHIRE, The Willows, Long Lane, Craven Arms, SY7 8DU, 10am start, contact Jo, tel: 07814 330 861. Nursery, novice and beginners.
WALES
October 26. LLANGELYNNIN, Llangelynnin, LL36 9ND, 8am start, contact, tel: 07979 156 650. PENBWLCH, Llanfarain, 8am start, contact, I. Jones, tel: 01970 617 949. October 26 and 27. NANT-Y-MOEL HILL, Pontardawe,
Matthews, Hilltop Zak, 22; 6, M. Jones, Mack, 27.
English results
NORTH WESTMORLAND, (V. Graham, 54 ran) Nursery 1, T. Birkett (Carnforth) Spot, 81 of 90; 2, V. Meadley (Cockermouth) Jazz, 74; 3, D. Gallagher (Croglin) Mik, 72; 4, P. Ellis (New Hutton) Lyn, 71 OLF; 5, T. Rome (Whitehaven) Ted, 71; 6, M. Elliott (Alston) Betty, 66. Novice 1, E. Hill (Holmrook) Pentre Roxy, 81 of 90; 2, L. Cowper (Threlkeld) Jack, 78; 3, E. Hill, Jess, 75 OLF; 4, L. Cowper, Lottie, 75. New Handler 1, Z. Edwards (Penrith) Queen; 2, Z. Ballantyne (Gilsland) Bec. YORKSHIRE, (Paul Atkinson, 40 ran) 1, C. Kempson, Elstan Glen, 77/90; 2, V. Ibbotson, Sugarhill Moss, 74; 3, C. Mellin, Mac, 72; 4, J. Scrivin, Pinhaw Frank, 70; 5, S. Duckworth, Tom, 69; 6, J. Harrison, Tweed, 68. WESSEX, (H. Long, Kent) Nursery 1, G. Eusden, Jan, 83; 2, R. Hawke, Macey, 66 T; 3, A. Nikalls, Sky, 62 T. Novice 1, E. Anstey, Castlewood Ben, 86; 2, G. Gower, Ayesha, 65; 3, A. Tackley, Bob, 62; 4, G. Gower, Will, 60.
RYEDALE, Novice 1, G. Blyth, Cloddiau Bet, 86; 2, W. Young, Daisy, 76; 3, R. Cole, Pip, 72; 4, S. Aconley, Hilston Rob, 71; 5, T. Bennett, Denny Anni, 70; 6, J. Goulder, Hillston Sim, 69; 7, S. Walton, Brackenholme Dolly, 64; 8, P. Foster, Heather, 55. New Handler 1, L.
SA8 4RT, contact, Floyd Farthing, tel: 07891 246 997. One session Saturday and one session Sunday. Double gather final to be run on Sunday afternoon. 8am start.
October 31. TYNYGRAIG, Talybont, SY24 5HJ, contact, Dewi Jenkins, tel: 07894 718 546.
November 2. RADNOR, Llanfaredd, Builth Wells, LD2 3TE, beginners, novice and nursery classes, 10am start, contact Iwan Rees, tel: 07845 598 584. November 3. THREE COUNTIES, Bribwll, Llanfyrnach, Crymych, SA35 0DA, 8am start, catering. November 16. COEDPERTHIS, Coedperthis, Beulah, Ceredigion, 9am start. Contact A. Evans, 01239 851 014.
November 23. RADNOR, Elan Valley, LD1 6NY, beginners, novice and nursery classes, 10am start.
SCOTLAND
October 26. BARR, Lanes farm, Barr, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9TH. 2032 international fund raiser, entries on £10 per entry, 8am start, catering in field, contact neil.gillon@ hotmail.co.uk.
October 27. ANNUAL HILL TRIAL, Lanes farm, Barr, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9TH, entries on £10 per entry 8am start, catering in field, contact neil.gillon@hotmail.co.uk. KIPPEN, First confirmed 40 dogs, top five places go through to Double Lift final. £100 for overall winner, £50 prize for two dog aggregate. No refreshments, contact Kenny Dickson, 07584 955 158.
Bray, Scalpsie Maid, 62; 2, P. Foster, Heather, 55. FYLDE, (Serena Lopizzo) 1, T. Huddleston, Betty, 83; 2, S. Longton, Len, 81; 3, J. Huddleston, Tizzy, 79; 4, S. Heys, Monty, 75 OLF; 5, R. Scott, Bek, 75; 6, R. Hutchinson, Risk, 73 OLF. DEVON CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS, (David Kennard) 1, J. Watson, Ed, 116; 2, J. Watson, Floss, 114; 3, J. Watson, Wren, 110; 4, B. Watson, Will, 91; 5, B. Watson, Taff, 81; 6, S. Williams, Chase. PLYMPTON, (David Kennard) 1, J. Watson, Ed, 89; 2, J. Watson, Wren, 88; 3, D. Heard, Thistledown Taff, 86.5; 4, J. Watson, Jock, 82; 5, B. Watson, Taff, 75; 6, D. Cole, Tan, 74.
Scottish results
MEY, Open. 1, L. Ronaldson, Bob, 94; 2, M. MacQueen, Texas, 91; 3, J. Grant, Lad, 91; 4, M. MacQueen, Ted, 90; 5, M. Shearer, Rab, 88; G. Simpson, Mick, 83. Nursery M. MacQueen, Ted, 90; G. Simpson, Mick, 83; M. MacQueen, Brian, 76; G. Simpson, Roy, 74; 5, V. Shearer, Rock, 72; 6, J. Grat, Gail, 70; 7, N. Sutherland, Benjie, 65; 8, G. Cormack, Queen, 64; 9, R. Scott, Mac, 63; 10, I. Sutherland, Bob, 62; 11, D. Simpson, Sweep. COLMONEL, (Michael Gallagher) 1, N. McVicar, Mark, 92; 2, M. Young, Tandy, 90 OLF; 3, S. McCulloch, Sam, 90; 4, A. Dawidowicz, Buka, 89 OLF; 5, N. Gillon, Boss, 89; 6, S. McCrindle, Nap, 88.
Mark Macqueen and Ted, winning Mey nursery on their second time out. Ted was purchased in September from the Dolgellau online sale for £6,700 at 22 months old. Bred by K. Pritchard, Brecon, he was sold at 12 weeks to Rory Owen, Brecon, who trained him and sold him earlier this autumn. Ted is a Preseli Kate son by Ross Games’ Scott.
IT was a mixed week for auction marts in England and Wales, with price increases and decreases across all livestock categories.
Steers were up 3.1p/kg to 279.1p/kg, and dairy-sired cull cows were valued at 146.3p/kg, a 0.3p/kg gain from the following week.
However, heifers were down 2.7p/kg to 287.8p/kg, and young bulls decreased by 0.4p/kg to 280.8p/kg.
Sheep values dropped by 1.7p/kg to 278.3p/kg.
Porkers and baconers had grown in value, but cutters reduced by 3.9p/kg.
As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (October 23), UK LIFFE wheat prices for November 2024 were trading at £183/tonne, a decrease of £1/t on the week.
LIVESTOCK
Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg). Week ending October 22, 2024.
Source: LAA/MartEye
Market Prices
DEADWEIGHT CATTLE
STORE SHEEP ENGLAND
DEADWEIGHT SHEEP
DEADWEIGHT PIGS
92.5
Hawes
Hereford Tu 5843 97.3
Hexham Fr 6046 98.6
Holsworthy We\Sa 2036 106.5
Hull/Dunswell Mo 8 68.3 Kendal -Kington Th 36 105.9
have had personally from people saying my videos brighten their days and make a difference makes it worth it.”
Earlier in the year, Charlotte and her husband Roy made the switch to dairy, which has always been their dream.
Dairy herd
Milking 137 Jerseys on two Lely A5 robots, the couple bought the cows as a whole herd, documenting the
arrival of the cows and the building of the shed on social media. They did, however, import whole-herd problems, says Charlotte.
“It is exciting, but it has been a learning curve. We are getting there,” she says.
Across 81 hectares (200 acres), they also lamb about 150 sheep, which are a mix of Texel crosses, Lleyns and a couple of followers.
Rebecca’s family farm in North Yorkshire is a mixed sheep and
arable enterprise, lambing about 150 ewes. The flock is mainly made up of Suffolk cross ewes, which are put to a Beltex tup, plus a few Scotch half-bred sheep, which are put to a Suffolk tup.
They lamb in January to hit the early lamb market, with everything going through Bentham Auction Mart.
She says: “My sister works there so it is quite convenient.
“A lot of the lambs do go into
butchers’ shops, but they have gone through the liveweight market system first, which is really vital to support the marts.
“We are a trial Helix farm in conjunction with Hutchinsons, which means we are trying to look into new technologies and varieties, all with the aim of being as sustainable as possible.
“If we are not financially sustainable, how can we be environmentally sustainable? Some of the farm is
down to Sustainable Farming Incentive [SFI] options and increasing the amount – I have been to a lot of talks on SFI and the conversation is to grab the low-hanging fruit without having to change too many of your practices.
“Being a Helix farm, we already know where we are at with our soil and our cover crops.
“One thing we started last year was herbal leys. If we can capitalise on that for SFI and get extra nutrition for the sheep – we have to try and maximise income in whatever way we can. It can feel scary, but do some research, and if you have to take external advice then that is the best thing to do.”
Transparency
In a nod to Rebecca’s current farming journey, Charlotte acknowledges that this is why it is important to be transparent when sharing content – this is not their hobby, this is their life every day and there is a lot to navigate.
Charlotte says: “You know what I love about Rebecca? She is farming in her own right and can hold a conversation about farming with anybody.
“She can back [things] up with facts and statistics, and that is what sharing the truth on social media is all about.”
I enjoy farming because it is grounding – and to be governed by the seasons is good for mental health
CHARLOTTE ASHLEY
Both also have a passion for trying to encourage people into the industry, hoping to help break down the perception that farming ‘is just manual skilled labour’.
Social media has inevitably made the industry almost ‘fashionable’, but there are real opportunities. Changes, though, need to be made and recognised for agriculture to be on par with other industries.
“As a sector, we cannot pay competitive wages – if we cannot pay people a decent wage, people will choose a less demanding job,” says Rebecca.
“We have to make sure the supply
chain becomes more equitable so farmers can afford to pay their staff, give people holidays and put training in place.
“I recently went to an agri-tech conference, and it showed the amount of innovation and investment going on behind the scenes.”
Next generation
Charlotte has recently spoken with Myerscough College, and there are plans to bring eight youngsters to the farm on a regular basis – educating children, she believes, is the most important thing.
Agriculture has given Charlotte the life and career she never knew she wanted, and to help someone else find their place is something she is keen to do.
She says: “If we can inspire one or two [people], that would be amazing, because that would have been me when I was [young]. But how do you get to the younger ones who do not know this could be for them?
“I enjoy farming because it is grounding – and to be governed by the seasons is really good for mental health. But also, one of the top things for me is being able to feed my children decent food.
“I went to a conference, and it highlighted the amount of people
who eat ready meals. We have our own pork from our pigs – we eat basic food, but it is good food and the children are well-nourished.
“We chop our own wood for our fire. I do not mean this in an idyllic ‘look at me’ kind of way – it is hard graft. But those really basic, simple things that we have got make you realise how lucky you are.”
For Rebecca, working on the family farm and taking the business forward in a somewhat challenging era is a task, but she is right where she wants to be.
To work with her family – and do so in a ‘beautiful environment’ – is, she says, a luxury, but so is taking care of the land.
Opportunity
Rebecca says: “We have an opportunity to leave our stamp on the landscape.
“In the media, people hear about rewilding or planting trees – but farmers are the ones who have the ability to make the landscape look like it does, and it is an honour [to have the] opportunity to be in control of land in the way that we are. A responsibility, but a privilege.”
Farming: The Backbone of B
MORE INFORMATION Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life
Book corner
Seasonal style
WITH an autumnal chill now in the air, get season-ready with this oatmeal jumper that is currently in the Schoffel sale.
Home Made by Kate Humble
AS we head further into the autumn season and the nights draw in, why not try these recipes from Love Brit-
Comfort food
Ingredients
For the pancakes
■ 135g plain flour
■ 1tspn baking powder
■ 1/2tspn salt
■ 2tbspn caster sugar
■ 130ml milk
■ 1 large egg
■ 2tbspn melted butter (allow to cool slightly)
For the toffee apples
■ 1 eating apple, like Braeburn, peeled and sliced
■ 30g butter
■ 30g soft dark sugar
■ Pinch of mixed spice
Method
For the pancakes
■ Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a large bowl. In separate bowl, lightly whisk the milk and egg together, then add the melted butter.
■ Pour the milk into the flour and mix using a fork until it is a smooth batter.
ish Food? Cosy down with a warming butternut squash soup, or treat yourself to toffee apple pancakes.
Toffee apple pancakes
by Seasoned Cookery Courses
■ Put in the fridge for at least one hour.
■ Heat a pan until medium/hot. If not using a non-stick pan, melt a small amount of unsalted butter in the pan. Use a dessert spoon to blob some of the mixture in the pan. Wait until you see bubbles appear on the surface. Flip over. Cook until golden brown and risen to about 1cm. Keep the pancakes warm in a low oven while you cook the remaining pancakes.
For the toffee apples
■ While you are cooking the pancakes, sort the toffee apples. In a small, nonstick pan, melt the butter then stir in the sugar and a pinch of mixed spice. Keep stirring the mixture on a low heat until it begins to bubble. Add the apple and continue to cook for another minute. Do not overdo it or you will overcook the sugar and end up with very sticky toffee apples.
■ When ready to serve, pile the pancakes on a plate and pour over the sticky toffee apples.
Butternut squash soup
Ingredients
■ 3 small butternut squashes
(approximately 1.6kg)
■ 2tbspn rapeseed oil
■ Salt and pepper
■ Freshly ground nutmeg
■ 28g butter
■ 1 onion, roughly chopped
■ 2 carrots, roughly chopped
■ 2 large celery sticks, sliced
■ 2.5cm grated fresh ginger root
■ 1.3 litres vegetable stock
■ Roasted pumpkin seeds
■ 3tbspn red lentils (optional)
■ Crumbled feta (optional)
by Hillfarm Oils
Method
■ Preheat the oven to 180degC.
■ Prepare the squash by cutting in half and removing the seeds. Then cut into 1-2cm cubes (no need to peel).
■ Put the squash, salt, pepper and nutmeg into a roasting tin, drizzle with rapeseed oil and cover with 150ml of water. Roast for one hour.
■ Melt the butter and 1tbspn of rapeseed oil in a large pan. Fry the onion, carrot, celery and grated ginger for a few minutes before adding the stock. Bring to the boil with the lid on and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
■ Remove from heat and add the roasted butternut squash. Liquidise in the pan using a stick blender.
■ Return to the heat and taste for seasoning. If you would like extra protein, add 3tbspn of dried red lentils and simmer for 15 minutes until softened.
■ Serve in warm bowls or mugs, sprinkled with seeds and crumbled feta.
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.
It must be officially autumn now, the leaves in the hedges are changing colour, there is mud everywhere and I am typing this In Your Field while Michelle is watching Strictly Come Dancing.
There is fake tan and fancy frocks, sequins and lots of shrieking which, to be honest, is not dissimilar to the British Farming Awards we attended last week, after being lucky enough to reach the final four for Sustainable Farmer of the year. Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but massive congratulations to Johnny Wake for taking home the award. Well done to everyone who won, was shortlisted or just attended, it really was a wonderful evening and a true celebration of everything that is great about our industry.
Excellent
Vernon Kay was an excellent host for the awards, he really is a natural at making people feel at ease, being serious one moment and then having us all laughing out loud the next.
He also pulled no punches with his opening gambit about the management of farming policy by Whitehall. I won’t repeat what he said, as it would have got swiftly edited out anyway, but needless to say, he won’t be on Defra’s
‘Whatever colour badge they wear, MPs are there to represent us’
Christmas card list. He is also correct, a handful of people hold so much power over us within Government and that power could be used so much better, because, at the moment, farming feels undervalued, threatened and fragile.
Not that any of that is preventing farmers from doing everything they are asked to do. There are thousands of miles of hedgerows being planted, creating valuable habitats and shelter for farm animals and wildlife. Speciesrich grasslands are getting managed to improve their biodiversity, new woodlands, scrubby corners and riparian strips are all adding to the rich mosaic of farmland across the country.
And yet we are told that, not only was there a multi-million pound underspend by Defra once again, but there is also a strong possibility the Budget will put an even heavier burden on the industry with taxes.
Now is not the time to turn the screw on farming, we need a thriving countryside, full of diversity of people and wildlife, a fully functioning food system that rewards best practice and an end to the race-to-the-bottom style of selling.
It may get punters through the door of a supermarket and trusting voters to the ballot box, but it does absolutely nothing for those who are doing their
best to produce food ethically, clean up our waterways and maintain Britain’s beautiful countryside.
What we need is a long-term vision, a land-use framework and agriculture policy that is mapped out now to allow farmers to plan fully and still be here and thriving in 20 years’ time.
One thing we can all do is to put pressure on our local MPs. Whatever colour badge they wear, they are there to represent us.
We can invite them to our farms to show them the actual realities of farming, as many are new to the role and probably haven’t had the opportunity to talk to farmers directly.
NEXT WEEK
North Wales Dan Jones
West Sussex James and Isobel Wright
‘Thank goodness for technology – and dads’
HELEN STANIER
Yorkshire
Helen is a fifth-generation farmer who farms with her parents, David and Anne Shaw, husband, Craig, and their children, Alfred and Hattie, at Grey Leys Farm in the Vale of York. The farm comprises 162 hectares (400 acres) of grass, maize and wholecrop for the herd of 240 pedigree Jersey cows and more than 200 followers.
Ican’t believe I have already been writing for a year. October has been a challenging but exciting month as we continue preparations for the winter. Craig has been creating a hardcore base to store this year’s maize in ag bags for the first time. This will remove our need for in-field clamps, which have been challeng-
ing with the recent wetter winters as they have been difficult to get to and to keep clean.
Additionally, we expect to reduce wastage on the silage and improve overall quality. The dream is for new clamps eventually, so this is a stepping stone to that.
It’s also been a very busy month for calvings. Our dry cows stay indoors for the final three weeks up to calving to receive a low DCAB ration and enable close monitoring as they are housed in the shed in the centre of the yard, and can be viewed by cameras.
Calcium
Jerseys are renowned for being prone to milk fever after calving and, years ago, we did struggle particularly with many of the older cows needing calcium immediately post calving.
Keeping them inside, removing grass from their ration and feeding a specialised dry cow mineral in the
Crossword 1268
last three weeks has in the most part stopped milk fever being an issue in the herd.
We do still get occasional cases, so the ration is analysed regularly, and the mineral balance is changed when needed.
While we calve all year round, we have an increase in calves in October and November with more heifers calving in autumn.
The Jerseys seem to know if you are planning to be away from the farm however. Mum, Dad and I went to a short lunch meeting with our Jersey club last week to return
to four new calves by mid-afternoon. The team had used the well-established protocol for all new calves and had already dipped navels with iodine, fed colostrum and tagged them by the time we returned, so all was well.
It is handy to have cameras in the calving sheds as everyone can see the pens from the office or phones in the night or when we are away.
Dad saw we had a heifer calving at 3am while on a trip to the Isle of Wight. He was soon on the phone to make sure I knew. Thank goodness for technology – and dads.
Send in your correct entries to be in with a chance of winning £20 worth of Love2shop vouchers every month. Send to: Crossword No. 1268, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business
ACROSS
7 Deals with a hundred series of cricket balls (6)
8 Cook posh British fish making twice as much (8)
9 Curiously intervened and brought back into existence (10)
10 Bad to be rejected (4)
11 Compulsory contribution to state revenue and bit of insurance for cab (4)
12 Proportion of scruffy centre-page (10)
13 Surprising predictions for this account in words (11)
18 Widely diffused prohibitions about European plants used as vegetables (5,5)
21 Pinkish-yellow fruit not at first for every person (4)
22 Put an end to large sums of money sent back (4)
23 I fool ad-man about fodder (6,4)
24 Stew ingredient of Peru’s capital and Bretagne oddly (4,4)
25 Set of rooms on one level in tale we’re told (6)
DOWN
1 Overseer’s in favour of rising celebrity (7)
2 Period intervening in poor sentence (8)
3 Inattentive and dozy - shake please! (6)
4 Most confused and dirtiest (8)
5 Earliest’s most courageous, but not at first (6)
6 Conclusions of repairs when money gone (7)
8 Oddly idle ending for firmness of purpose (13)
14 Vegetable for dull inactive people? (8)
15 Outpouring on account of upset wolf (8)
16 To ripen, organised essential organic compound (7)
17 Large black diving duck getting round - one that goes quickly (7)
19 Attract interest in review of court decision (6)
Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture
‘Farmers have been working hard to improve conditions’
Shortages of labour for farmers is nothing new, it is something that has been an ongoing and increasing challenge for many years.
The problem is not just finding the quantity of workers required for especially labour-intensive sectors such as horticulture and fruit growing, but also dealing with the low-quality skills of the available workforce. Brexit made this a much more focused prob-
lem when free access for workers across the EU came to an end, but the pandemic and its aftermath also reduced the labour pool available.
Data from 2021 indicated there were 467,000 people employed in the agriculture industry at that time, with almost two thirds of those being farmers, business partners, directors and spouses; the remaining third, or just over 155,000 people, were employees and casual workers.
Challenges
A lot of the headlines around this issue focused on casual workers needed at critical times to harvest produce and run packing plant, but in recent years there have been challenges in all areas to find good, dependable, skilled staff prepared to do what is often hard physical work in all weathers.
Since Brexit there has been a constant dialogue with the Government of the day to provide visas for overseas workers to support the farming industry. A challenging political narrative has made this difficult, but progress
FG Farm Dog of the Month
has been made and talk of crops not being picked because of labour shortages has abated to an extent.
There have also been renewed efforts to recruit more employees into the industry locally, but that remains an uphill challenge given the extensive other opportunities to work elsewhere and a reluctance to take on the physical nature of the work in farming.
Pay has undoubtedly risen and farmers have also worked hard to improve conditions and mitigate some of the physical aspects of the work through mechanisation.
This of course all comes at a cost and there is constant pressure on farmers to balance doing the right thing in raising pay and investing in better conditions, against the challenge of getting a realistic price for their produce in the face of significant cost inflation.
Effect
The introduction of automation in many areas of farming has moved at pace where it is feasible to reduce labour requirements and new technology is being used to great effect to reduce labour across the industry.
Farmers can often quote greater production numbers and outputs than 10 years ago and with considerably less labour being employed, but this comes at a very considerable financial cost.
The other area that has been a challenge is to provide opportunities for development and learning for those wanting a career in what is becoming an increasingly sophisticated industry using technology and data to drive improved performance.
The demise of national training schemes for farmers, such as the Agricultural Training Board, left some significant gaps, but industry sectors such as pig rearing, poultry and horticul-
ture have worked hard to develop their own successful training schemes.
It is very encouraging to see such a focus on training – not only to develop the next generation of employees, but also to support staff retention when ambitious individuals can see a potentially rewarding career pathway in farming ahead of them.
So, as is often the case in farming, there are plenty of issues to address in recruiting, developing and retaining tomorrow’s workforce.
The industry deserves credit for its efforts to make jobs more attractive and to improve conditions, but there is always more to do.
In the UK, the average spend on food is the third lowest as a proportion of the household budget in the world, just behind the US and Singapore.
That makes our food exceptional value for money, but it also highlights the challenges farmers face in their battle to keep their businesses environmentally and financially viable.
BRIAN RICHARDSON UK head of agriculture at Virgin Money
OFFICIAL BREED SOCIETY CALF SHOWS FOR: ABERDEEN ANGUS -
OFFICIAL BREED SOCIETY CALF SHOWS FOR: ABERDEEN ANGUSBRITISH BLUE - HEREFORD - BEEF SHORTHORN - SIMMENTAL
BRITISH BLUE - HEREFORD - BEEF SHORTHORN - SIMMENTAL
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRADE STANDS, BREED SOCIETY STANDS, SEMINARS, AGRI EXPO STOCKPERSON OF THE YEAR
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRADE STANDS, BREED SOCIETY STANDS, SEMINARS, AGRI EXPO STOCKPERSON OF THE YEAR
DAVID THOMLINSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DAVID THOMLINSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Including FBI Show Preview
Halloween-inspired diversifications, including a sneak preview of the Farm Business Innovation show.
p2 TRENDS
More farmers are diversifying
p4 SPOOKY
A Lancashire farm’s top attraction
p8 PICK TIPS
Building a successful pumpkin business
p10 STAYCATIONS
Growth of farm-based UK holidays
p12 FOOD FARM
Couple diversify with a taste of Cumbria
p14 PLAN SUCCESS
‘Clarkson’s Clause’ could ease diversification
p16 MOVIE TIME
The successes of farms as film sets
p18 ON THE GRID Farm sells carbon credits to F1 team
Connect with industry experts, gain insights on the latest trends, and network with like-minded individuals to explore new diversification opportunities for growth and success.
now REGISTRATION for the Farm Business Innovation Show is now open. Scan the QR code or visit farmbusinessshow.co.uk to register today. ■ Registration is now open.
Farm Business Innovation Show
Diversification
Farmers are diversifying their businesses in order to make them more resilient and sustainable for the future, said NFU Mutual.
More farmers are diversifying
● Diversification drives 13% of farm turnover
By Chris Brayford
MORE farmers are planning to start or further develop diversification activities, according to new research from NFU Mutual.
In its ‘Voice of the Farmer’ survey, which aimed to understand the challenges placed on businesses, UK farmers’ income from diversification enterprises accounted for 13% of farm turnover in 2024 on average, which was the same figure as last year.
New research from the rural
■ Plan diversifications which are a good fit with your farming business
■ Thoroughly review your existing farm business to identify your strengths and areas where you could add value to the existing model
■ Make a full and frank assessment of your assets – including people, land, location and buildings
■ Evaluate whether you have the skills, resources and commitment to make diversification work for you
■ Thoroughly research the market,
insurer also revealed that 40% of the 1,650 farmers surveyed were already running diversification enterprises and had plans to further develop them over the next five years. This was up by 3% on 2023 statistics.
NFU Mutual said 17% of businesses were planning to diversify over the next five years – an increase of 2% from 2023.
Resilient
Farmers were diversifying their businesses in order to make them more resilient and sustainable for the future, the rural insurer added.
Chris Walsh, NFU Mutual’s head of farming and estates, said: “Farmers
local demand, and existing competition for your proposed diversification
■ Work closely with planners, highway authorities and insurers at the planning stage to avoid problems later
■ Cost out plans in detail and include contingency funds to help absorb future price and interest rate increases
■ Research the availability of local workers, which is often a challenge for hospitality or retail diversifications in remote locations
are hardworking and innovative by their nature, and this is helping to create diversifications which complement their farming activities and make their businesses stronger.
Sustainable
“From vineyards and wedding venues to solar farms and wind turbines, farmers are making the most of the resources available on their land to make their businesses more sustainable.
“In many cases, they are also providing career opportunities for farmers’ families, while creating rural jobs and boosting local economies.”
Renewable energy was the most popular form of diversification among UK farmers according to the findings, with 8% operating schemes such as solar power, wind turbines
or anaerobic digesters – up from 6% in 2023.
However, Mr Walsh warned that diversification was rarely a way of making ‘quick money’ and that successful schemes required careful planning, good management and longterm commitment.
“For the vast majority of farmers, running a diversification business is a way of supporting their farming enterprise as EU legacy Basic Payment Scheme support is phased out,” he said.
Success stories
“There are some fantastic success stories out there, such as English wine producers becoming some of the world’s highest rated, [and] fantastic wedding venues and hugely popular glamping sites.”
OF DIVERSIFICATION
Farm resilience & revenue sharing: How BNG works for landowners
Farm resilience & revenue sharing: How BNG works for landowners
Farm resilience & revenue sharing: How BNG works for landowners
Environment Bank’s Estates Director, Tom Mason, explores essential agricultural principles in schemes like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and discusses revenue sharing to support farm businesses.
Environment Bank’s Estates Director, Tom Mason, explores essential agricultural principles in schemes like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and discusses revenue sharing to support farm businesses.
Environment Bank’s Estates Director, Tom Mason, explores essential agricultural principles in schemes like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and discusses revenue sharing to support farm businesses.
What land diversification options are now available?
What land diversification options are now available?
What land diversification options are now available?
There are many diversification enterprises, from environmental schemes to tourism. More landowners are considering options that engage the wider public and involve a complete change in land use, like dog walking fields.
There are many diversification enterprises, from environmental schemes to tourism. More landowners are considering options that engage the wider public and involve a complete change in land use, like dog walking fields.
There are many diversification enterprises, from environmental schemes to tourism. More landowners are considering options that engage the wider public and involve a complete change in land use, like dog walking fields.
Other natural capital options are available, like nutrient neutrality. These typically take land out of agricultural production altogether, and for 80+ years.
Other natural capital options are available, like nutrient neutrality. These typically take land out of agricultural production altogether, and for 80+ years.
Other natural capital options are available, like nutrient neutrality. These typically take land out of agricultural production altogether, and for 80+ years.
But there are also options within the realm of agriculture – providing farmers with other income streams but keeping farming at its core – like the SFI and BNG, where agricultural land use is still associated with it.
But there are also options within the realm of agriculture – providing farmers with other income streams but keeping farming at its core – like the SFI and BNG, where agricultural land use is still associated with it.
But there are also options within the realm of agriculture – providing farmers with other income streams but keeping farming at its core – like the SFI and BNG, where agricultural land use is still associated with it.
How is BNG an opportunity for landowners with holdings of all different sizes?
How is BNG an opportunity for landowners with holdings of all different sizes?
How is BNG an opportunity for landowners with holdings of all different sizes?
Most landowners have areas of land that aren’t as productive. That’s been exacerbated this year, where long periods of poor weather have really impacted farms around the country.
Most landowners have areas of land that aren’t as productive. That’s been exacerbated this year, where long periods of poor weather have really impacted farms around the country.
Most landowners have areas of land that aren’t as productive. That’s been exacerbated this year, where long periods of poor weather have really impacted farms around the country. What’s appealing about BNG is that there is still some carrying capacity of that land. It might involve low-intensity grazing, so there could be a change in the farming system, but it won’t
What’s appealing about BNG is that there is still some carrying capacity of that land. It might involve low-intensity grazing, so there could be a change in the farming system, but it won’t
What’s appealing about BNG is that there is still some carrying capacity of that land. It might involve low-intensity grazing, so there could be a change in the farming system, but it won’t
It’s rare that we take on a site where hay cuts and grazing don’t play a role
It’s rare that we take on a site where hay cuts and grazing don’t play a role
It’s rare that we take on a site where hay cuts and grazing don’t play a role
reduce the agricultural productivity of the land to zero or mean that landowners must engage with some-thing entirely outside their wheelhouse.
reduce the agricultural productivity of the land to zero or mean that landowners must engage with some-thing entirely outside their wheelhouse.
reduce the agricultural productivity of the land to zero or mean that landowners must engage with some-thing entirely outside their wheelhouse.
Also, unlike a lot of rewilding-related projects, BNG doesn’t require huge swathes of land being
Also, unlike a lot of rewilding-related projects, BNG doesn’t require huge swathes of land being
Also, unlike a lot of rewilding-related projects, BNG doesn’t require huge swathes of land being
put aside. We typically look at sites around 20ha where habitat creation supports the wider farming business rather than land use changing across the entire holding.
put aside. We typically look at sites around 20ha where habitat creation supports the wider farming business rather than land use changing across the entire holding.
put aside. We typically look at sites around 20ha where habitat creation supports the wider farming business rather than land use changing across the entire holding.
How can Habitat Banks make land more resilient to support agriculture?
How can Habitat Banks make land more resilient to support agriculture?
How can Habitat Banks make land more resilient to support agriculture?
Environmental projects of all sizes have helped to build farming system resilience. Things like tree and shrub planting supports flood mitigation, and planting meadows or grass habitats helps with soil erosion and runoff.
Environmental projects of all sizes have helped to build farming system resilience. Things like tree and shrub planting supports flood mitigation, and planting meadows or grass habitats helps with soil erosion and runoff.
landowner partners trust us with the ecology, land, and legal aspects of the agreements we undertake with them.
landowner partners trust us with the ecology, land, and legal aspects of the agreements we undertake with them.
landowner partners trust us with the ecology, land, and legal aspects of the agreements we undertake with them.
Securing the planning obligations is handled by us, all the capital works are paid for and delivered by us, and the landowner can be as involved as they choose. If they’d prefer a hands-off approach, that’s not a problem, but most take an active interest in the ecological benefits and want to get involved, and that’s great too.
Securing the planning obligations is handled by us, all the capital works are paid for and delivered by us, and the landowner can be as involved as they choose. If they’d prefer a hands-off approach, that’s not a problem, but most take an active interest in the ecological benefits and want to get involved, and that’s great too.
Securing the planning obligations is handled by us, all the capital works are paid for and delivered by us, and the landowner can be as involved as they choose. If they’d prefer a hands-off approach, that’s not a problem, but most take an active interest in the ecological benefits and want to get involved, and that’s great too.
In terms of land use itself, BNG can help to make the most of land that’s not best suited to farming practices, allowing farmers to focus on areas better suited for intensive livestock management or arable rotations.
Environmental projects of all sizes have helped to build farming system resilience. Things like tree and shrub planting supports flood mitigation, and planting meadows or grass habitats helps with soil erosion and runoff. In terms of land use itself, BNG can help to make the most of land that’s not best suited to farming practices, allowing farmers to focus on areas better suited for intensive livestock management or arable rotations.
In terms of land use itself, BNG can help to make the most of land that’s not best suited to farming practices, allowing farmers to focus on areas better suited for intensive livestock management or arable rotations.
Also, having a diversified income stream helps fill the funding gap, providing some secure income to strengthen other areas of their farm business – like livestock enterprises, barn conversion projects, or upgrading machinery.
Also, having a diversified income stream helps fill the funding gap, providing some secure income to strengthen other areas of their farm business – like livestock enterprises, barn conversion projects, or upgrading machinery.
Also, having a diversified income stream helps fill the funding gap, providing some secure income to strengthen other areas of their farm business – like livestock enterprises, barn conversion projects, or upgrading machinery.
Why are landowners partnering with Environment Bank on BNG?
Why are landowners partnering with Environment Bank on BNG?
Why are landowners partnering with Environment Bank on BNG?
The key thing for landowners is having a clear, visible income stream. You might derive higher in-come from BNG if you did it yourself, but the attraction for our landowners is that they know exactly what their annual payments will be for the next three decades. That’s incredibly valuable from a business planning perspective. We also really prioritise agricultural management. It’s rare that we take on a site where hay cuts and grazing don’t play a role. One landowner had previously sold their dairy herd because it seemed like the most viable business choice, but partnering with us meant livestock could return to their farm.
The key thing for landowners is having a clear, visible income stream. You might derive higher in-come from BNG if you did it yourself, but the attraction for our landowners is that they know exactly what their annual payments will be for the next three decades. That’s incredibly valuable from a business planning perspective.
We also really prioritise agricultural management. It’s rare that we take on a site where hay cuts and grazing don’t play a role. One landowner had previously sold their dairy herd because it seemed like the most viable business choice, but partnering with us meant livestock could return to their farm.
The key thing for landowners is having a clear, visible income stream. You might derive higher in-come from BNG if you did it yourself, but the attraction for our landowners is that they know exactly what their annual payments will be for the next three decades. That’s incredibly valuable from a business planning perspective. We also really prioritise agricultural management. It’s rare that we take on a site where hay cuts and grazing don’t play a role. One landowner had previously sold their dairy herd because it seemed like the most viable business choice, but partnering with us meant livestock could return to their farm.
We’ve built a fantastic team here at Environment Bank and like to think that our
We’ve built a fantastic team here at Environment Bank and like to think that our
We’ve built a fantastic team here at Environment Bank and like to think that our
Why is revenue sharing such an important part of schemes like BNG?
Why is revenue sharing such an important part of schemes like BNG?
Why is revenue sharing such an important part of schemes like BNG?
We have a strong Biodiversity Unit sales pipeline from our Habitat Banks. Any revenue from these sales that exceeds our forecast targets is shared 50/50 with the landowner.
We have a strong Biodiversity Unit sales pipeline from our Habitat Banks. Any revenue from these sales that exceeds our forecast targets is shared 50/50 with the landowner.
We have a strong Biodiversity Unit sales pipeline from our Habitat Banks. Any revenue from these sales that exceeds our forecast targets is shared 50/50 with the landowner.
Any revenue exceeding our targets is shared 50/50 with landowners
Any revenue exceeding our targets is shared 50/50 with landowners
Any revenue exceeding our targets is shared 50/50 with landowners
While our agreements mitigate as much risk as possible for landowners, there is still an element of risk that they are taking, and we felt that this needed to be recognised. They’re tying up multi-generational assets for a considerable time so, if the sites perform better than expected, they should share in the upside.
While our agreements mitigate as much risk as possible for landowners, there is still an element of risk that they are taking, and we felt that this needed to be recognised. They’re tying up multi-generational assets for a considerable time so, if the sites perform better than expected, they should share in the upside.
While our agreements mitigate as much risk as possible for landowners, there is still an element of risk that they are taking, and we felt that this needed to be recognised. They’re tying up multi-generational assets for a considerable time so, if the sites perform better than expected, they should share in the upside.
People can be distrusting of private finance entering the rural space; that’s exactly why our priority has always been securing land under a leasehold model – working with landowners so we can get that money back into the rural economy.
People can be distrusting of private finance entering the rural space; that’s exactly why our priority has always been securing land under a leasehold model – working with landowners so we can get that money back into the rural economy.
People can be distrusting of private finance entering the rural space; that’s exactly why our priority has always been securing land under a leasehold model – working with landowners so we can get that money back into the rural economy.
We also try to use local contractors (or landowners themselves) to deliver habitat creation works. If we used a national contractor to undertake all the work, that wouldn’t benefit the local community.
We also try to use local contractors (or landowners themselves) to deliver habitat creation works. If we used a national contractor to undertake all the work, that wouldn’t benefit the local community.
We also try to use local contractors (or landowners themselves) to deliver habitat creation works. If we used a national contractor to undertake all the work, that wouldn’t benefit the local community.
Above: 20 ha Heacham Habitat Bank Left: Tom Mason and 34 ha Cornwell Habitat Bank landowner Alex Ward
Above: 20 ha Heacham Habitat Bank Left: Tom Mason and 34 ha Cornwell
Ward
Diversification
With Halloween just around the corner, Alex Black visited Farmageddon in Ormskirk, Lancashire, to see how the business has sent shivers down visitors’ spines throughout October as a scare attraction. Read on if you dare.
Halloween offers farmers an opportune moment to think about the ways they could diversify their business and how to attract new customers on-farm.
Pumpkin picking has become an incredibly important venture for farmers at this time of year, but thinking outside the box could reap its own rewards.
One farm nestled in the West Lancashire countryside has embraced the spooky season over the past 17 years with an adults-only scare experience which sends shivers down visitors’ spines.
Farmer Ted’s was born in 2003, after farmer and founder Mark Edwards said the business had to ‘diversify or die’ following a ‘huge change’ for the sector in 2001.
By day, and throughout most of the year, Farmer Ted’s Adventure Farm is a heavenly playground for children with tractor rides, soft play and animals.
The farm has also teamed up with Aardman’s Wallace and Gromit creators to provide the UK’s only Shaun the Sheep adventure-themed play park.
Farm’s immersive
‘scarefest’ attraction proves popular
But since 2007, the attraction has undergone a huge transformation each October to become one of the most chilling attractions in the world, offering an adrenaline-fuelled frenzy of scares, thrills and wild rides.
Courage
People from all corners of the globe have flocked to ‘Farmageddon’ each Halloween season, eager to test their courage and experience attractions from the ‘Beast of Terror’ to the ‘Meat Locker’.
Visitors are looking for an immersive experience, and Farma-
geddon provides effective scenery and staging as well as a large number of people, from those playing the characters, to security and hospitality staff.
Location is also an important consideration, with the venue situated in Ormskirk, just down the road from Edge Hill University and within easy distance of Manchester, Liverpool and surrounding towns, and offering ample room for parking.
The attraction has four ‘scare houses’ providing a twist on the classic haunted house, alongside live music, food trucks, fair-
ground rides and zombie paintball.
While the scare houses took around two hours to complete, there was plenty on offer to make a full night of it.
First up on the visit was the ‘Beast of Terror’ haunted house.
While queuing for the house, guests were entertained by dancers with rock music to put them in the right mood.
Visitors travelled around a labyrinth of corridors, with ‘jump scares’ around every corner.
3D glasses were given out for the Contagion attraction, giving a surreal look to the luminescent
Farmer Ted’s Adventure Farm, near Ormskirk, in Lancashire, transforms into a popular Halloween attraction each October.
Diversification
painted walls and floors, and adding to the effect.
Those with coulrophobia, or a fear of clowns, should give this one a miss.
There was a more agricultural theme for the maze of death, with a Halloween reimagining of the Wizard of Oz, from the scarecrows looking for a brain – yours, of course – to a blood-covered Dorothy, all trying to confuse and direct you until you hopefully escaped out of the maze of fences.
The ‘Meat Locker’ took a differ-
ent direction, with guests first locked in before being greeted by a butcher, with the characters promising more chainsaws than ever before.
Committed
The stars of the show were the committed actors who very much embraced their roles. Wandering around the park were various horror characters, from a ghostbuster and Freddy Krueger to Donald Trump.
While there were queues for
many of the attractions, the characters provided some entertainment for those waiting, with DJs, dancers and music also on site, as well as providing photo opportunities as no cameras were allowed inside the attractions themselves.
There were also fairground rides, although this was not included in the ticket price.
And at night, the funfair gives a rather different vibe to the childhood memories of summer fun.
A paintball ‘warzone’ was also available, preparing those taking
part for the ‘imminent threat of a global zombie plague’, complete with strobe lights, pyrotechnics, searchlights, special effects and water cannons.
For those needing a chance to calm down their heart rate after experiencing the scares, food and hot drinks were available from food trucks, and bars served alcoholic beverages.
Fearsome
Although, be warned, guests trying to enjoy some fish and chips or a doughnut may find themselves joined at the table by one of the fearsome characters wandering around.
All in all, a scarefest-inspired attraction on-farm could possibly be something to think about for next year.
Farms provide a perfect location, generally away from residential areas for noise, with plenty of space for the attractions and opportunities for themes.
Barns could be utilised for seasonal events, and for those who have already diversified into farm attractions, Halloween can be a great opportunity to attract a different crowd looking for alternative entertainment for a nighttime event.
With terror and dread never too far away from the connotations of Halloween, farmers may wish to take inspiration from Farmer Ted’s, as long as it is not too scary.
Farmageddon has four ‘scare houses’ providing a twist on the classic haunted house, live music, food trucks, fairground rides and zombie paintball.
DJs, dancers and music are also on site to entertain visitors.
Hear from industry experts and farmers who have started their diversification journey
Join us 6-7 November 2024 at the NEC Birmingham for FREE access to insightful talks, panel discussions, and workshops, to help you discover income-generating opportunities.
Topics include:
• How to best diversify your land, including Solar, Wind, Biodiversity Net Gain, Battery Storage, Grants, Camping/Glamping, Agri-Tourism, Housing, Carbon Credits and Forestation
• Advice and lessons learned from farmers who have started their diversification journey
Meet some of our speakers
John Gilliland OBE
DSc FRSA FRAgS, Advisor - Agriculture Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
Alex Phillimore Head of Communications and Development - The Farming Community Network
• Real-life case-studies from landowners who have made a profit from diversifying
• Recent tax changes and how they will impact your business
Sarah Wynn Managing Director for Climate Change and Sustainability –ADAS
Roger Morgan Head of Farming and Rural - Farm & General Insurance Consultants
Plus, you’ll get free access to the talks and workshops taking place at our co-located exhibition, the Land, Leisure and Tourism Show!
Hosted by Powered by
Diversification
With pumpkin picking gaining in popularity as a family pastime during autumn, Devon farmers Emily Fleur and Richard Harris have built up a successful joint venture since lockdown. Chris Brayford finds out more.
A thriving pumpkin business
Pumpkin picking has become a popular on-farm diversification for businesses during the autumn months.
With flocks of people gathering to celebrate what has become an annual tradition during October, farmers could take advantage of the pick-your-own market opportunity in order to generate an extra income.
Emily Fleur and her partner Richard Harris, both from farming families in Devon, have turned their shared expertise and passion into a successful farm diversification.
Balancing full-time jobs with the demands of creating their own business, the couple launched Devon Pumpkin Picking, a thriving seasonal attraction in the village of Bickington, near Newton Abbot.
The idea for the pick-your-own business in the orange, winter squash
variety was established during lockdown in 2020.
As an agricultural photographer and marketer, Ms Fleur had been working with pumpkin patch clients, while her fiance, an agronomist by trade, was also involved in the industry.
Ms Fleur says: “We opened the patches in 2021 and it was a mega year for us. People loved the chance to get outside and meet up with friends and family while doing a fun activity after lockdown.”
Rather than using their remote family farms, which had limited access via narrow lanes, they strategically chose two rented plots of land near Newton Abbot and Paignton. These locations were ‘ideal’ for attracting the high footfall needed to make the business a success.
Launching a pumpkin patch is no small feat, and they put in countless
Emily Fleur says marketing is an important part of the pick-your-own business.
The pumpkin patches are grazed by pigs in winter to clear old plants before seeds are direct drilled in May.
hours to ensure everything ran smoothly. From extensive research, to hiring staff, creating accessible parking areas and managing safety, they left no stone unturned.
“We are very heavily staffed compared to other patches; safety is important to us,” she says.
While the pumpkin patches are open every weekend throughout October, as well as during the half term week, the work is all year round.
In winter, a fellow farmer grazes pigs on the patch to clear it of leftover pumpkin plants. By February, Mr Harris begins planning soil considerations and ordering seeds, which are direct drilled in May.
They then spend hours hand-weeding the patches to ensure a successful crop.
Ms Fleur’s marketing expertise is crucial in keeping the business thriving. She manages the website and social media, and maintains relationships with local schools that book educational visits.
By mid-September, the pumpkins are nearly ready and the final task is cutting them from their stalks to harden the skins and eliminate the need for knives to be used on open days.
October marks the busiest time for the farming duo, as the pumpkin patches are open to the public.
Without a booking system, they can better manage the patch, especially during bad weather and, by not charging an entry fee, visitors are encouraged to spend more on pumpkins themselves.
The pumpkins are priced between £1 and £12, depending on the size, with food and drink available on-site for hungry visitors.
As a professional photographer, Ms Fleur ensures each patch is dotted with photo opportunities for families to capture the perfect autumnal shot.
A typical average day for the couple includes rising at dawn to warm soup and heat sausage rolls before loading their trailers with the necessary equipment.
They then head to separate patches to manage the day’s activities, which start at 10am and run until dark.
Even after closing for the day, their work is not done, as Ms Fleur says: “Posting on social media and answering phone calls and emails is one of the most important jobs.”
Meanwhile, Mr Harris handles the practical side, such as charging ma-
chines for the next day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Looking ahead, they are exploring ways to expand and improve their business.
They plan to outsource catering to food vans, allowing them more time to focus on customer experience and growing the patch.
“I would like to do bigger and better photo opportunities,” Ms Fleur says.
“No one goes to a pumpkin patch and does not take a photo, and the beautiful backdrops are a bit of a
unique selling point for us that we want to capitalise on.
“It is about creating a customer base for longevity; I imagine there will be a few businesses that crop up in our lifetime and hopefully, we will have created a following.”
For those considering starting their own pumpkin patch, she emphasised the importance of customer service. She says: “Do not underestimate customer service. Customers online want a response straight away.
“You can lose out if you do not put your customers first.”
Richard Harris and Emily Fleur have opened two pumpkin patches.
Diversification Agritourism
ings, also trouncing last year’s sales.
Demand for farm-based holidays soars
Demand for farm-based holidays is continuing to surge, quashing concerns the ‘staycation boom’ has had its day.
According to figures from booking platform Pitchup.com, searches for camping, glamping and caravaning on farms were up 266% in July this year compared to July 2023.
The growing popularity of agritourism has also been felt at the farm gate with one dairy farmer in Derby-
shire having achieved £140,000 in bookings so far this year – double the revenue the campsite had generated by the same point last year.
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup. com, said the number of pop-up sites listed on the platform was down 10% so far this year compared to last.
Pitchup.com’s most popular pop-up farm campsite, operating under the new 60-day Permitted Development Regulations (PDR), has so far taken £63,000 in book-
As a result, he said farmers were missing out on a growing opportunity to generate significant extra revenue from little extra work.
He said: “The Covid-19 pandemic sparked a resurgence of interest in holidaying in the British countryside, and whereas this was in some sense forced, as people could not go abroad, the impact of that is continuing to endure.
“Nowhere is this more evident than in the agritourism sector, which has grown year on year since the pandemic, and shows no sign of slowing down.
“In fact, the opposite is true. Our farm filter has seen a 266% increase in use this year compared to last, meaning thousands of people are wanting to spend their holidays on working farms.
“For those farms capitalising on tourism, the sector is delivering big returns which are increasingly becoming a vital part of the farm business mix. And there is huge potential in the marketplace for new entrants to get involved.”
Record
The news follows Pitchup.com breaking its record for the biggest number of bookings in a day on July 31 this year.
The platform received a total of 7,657 bookings on that day, overtaking its previous record of 7,446 bookings, which it achieved on August 9, 2022.
Mr Yates said UK holidaymakers were still eager to visit the British countryside despite foreign destinations having been accessible again for more than three years.
“Rumours of the staycation’s death have been greatly exaggerated,” he said.
“The pandemic forced people to rediscover the British landscape, be that coast or countryside, and what we are finding is that desire is not diminishing with time. In fact, it is growing.
“There are a number of people with significant disposable income who have reverted to foreign holidays, but they are combining those with breaks in the UK at other points in the year.
“Those on tighter budgets are continuing to pick the UK for their main holiday destination because of the value for money it offers, the vastly reduced travel time and cost, and the fact that the landscape is as beautiful and changeable as anywhere in the world.
“Farmers and landowners continue to be in a unique position to capitalise on this and help meet the rising demand. Not only will this provide extra income for their businesses, it also plays an increasingly important role in creating sustainable rural communities as tourists spend [money] in the local area.”
One farmer who has noticed an in-
creased interest in farming among her guests is Bridget Gooden, who runs Garslade Farm on the Somerset Levels.
Ms Gooden, who operates the campsite alongside an organic dairy herd, put this down to the ‘Jeremy Clarkson effect’ due to the popularity of his TV show, Clarkson’s Farm.
Ms Gooden said: “Before, people used to ask about bird watching or flooding – things they have seen on the six o’clock news – but now all they want to know is if I watch the programme and if it is true to life.
“[Jeremy Clarkson] has got such a big platform and is controversial, yet a great entertainer. The show has certainly got more people interested in staying on a working farm.”
Ms Gooden added that the cost of living crisis was also playing a role.
“It is a very touristy area around here and some places are very expensive,” she said.
“We try to keep our prices as reasonable as possible and that helps when people are feeling the pinch.”
Nick Kiddy, who runs Eastgate Farm near Royston, in Cambridgeshire, added he gets asked a lot of questions about the farming side of his business.
Mr Kiddy has 101 hectares of arable crops, plus pigs and sheep alongside a campsite.
He said: “Depending on how busy we are, we like to get around everyone when they arrive, and they always have questions about the farm.
“We have lambs grazing in the field, so that generally leads to questions too.
“On the whole, people are very interested in the farming side.”
Potential
Mr Yates added that setting up a camping site was one of the quickest, easiest and cheapest forms of farm diversification, yet still had the potential to generate significant extra income.
The most basic temporary sites
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com
For more on joining an exempt organisation, see P22.
often only need running water and toilets to operate, but generate on average around £13,000 per season.
In England, where PDR for pop-up campsites has been extended from 28 days to 60 days, there is potential to earn far higher sums without the farmer or landowner needing to apply for extra planning permission.
However, adding more facilities, glamping opportunities and caravan
pitches, joining an exempt organisation or securing planning permission to operate all year round can transform a small diversification project into a business turning over hundreds of thousands of pounds per year.
“The great thing about agritourism is that farmers can choose the level at which they want to get involved,” Mr Yates said.
“A small campsite operating un-
der PDR needs little up-front investment to get going and generally does not conflict with the day-to-day running of the farm.
Back to basics
“Often, these back-to-basics sites are in great demand as many people seek a bucolic break in off-thebeaten-track locations away from the main tourist hotspots.
“But farmers or landowners with an appetite to create something bigger give themselves the opportunity to attract families and more mainstream holidaymakers looking for a relaxing break in the country.
“These sites do take more management, but can be extremely profitable and a vital part of the whole-farm income.”
Pitchup.com’s farm filter has seen a 266% increase in use this year compared to last, says founder Dan Yates.
In one of the wettest and most remote parts of the country, a farming couple in Borrowdale have made a success of on-farm diversification. Chris Brayford reports.
Farming duo offers tourists a taste of Cumbria
AN enterprising young couple are securing the long-term future of their traditional hill farm by giving holidaymakers a taste of modern Cumbria.
Dan Simpson and Ruby Cappleman, who run Seatoller Farm, in Borrowdale, serve up freshly made,
BARE-ROOT HEDGING PLANTS AVAILABLE FROM AS LITTLE AS £2.25 PER METRE
stone-baked pizzas which include toppings such as locally sourced Cumbrian chorizo and air-dried ham and chicken to visitors to their campsite, alongside classics such as Herdwick lamb sausages produced from meat from their own flock.
The tasty treats are part of the couple’s extensive diversification
TreesPlease hedging plants are:
· Extremely hardy
· Suitable for plan�ng on most sites and situa�ons
· Available for dispatch all over the UK
· Grown by a dedicated team of growers
· Great for wildlife
monogyna
Contact a member of our sales team for a quote Www.treesplease.co.uk 01434 633049 forestry@treesplease.co.uk
strategy which is helping to ensure their traditional Herdwick and Swaledale flocks will continue to graze the fells for generations to come.
As well as providing locally sourced produce, the couple also run a rustic campsite, holiday cottage, gift and coffee shop, and pizza barn where they make their home-made, stone-baked pizzas.
Long-term future
Ms Cappleman who, along with her mother, makes woollen products for the gift shop, said the campsite was key to helping sustain the farm in the long term, particularly given the removal of subsidies, which is particularly impacting upland farms.
“All our diversifications – the pizzas, the shop and the campsite – are all helping to sustain the farm,” she added.
“We plan our diversifications so they either directly link to or help the farm, such as using our own meat for the pizza toppings.
“The shop is there to sell our craft products that my mum and I make from wool, and products like our Herdwick lamb and mint burgers, which everyone says are delicious.
“Plus, campers can grab a coffee and a croissant in the morning, which saves them having to make their own breakfast or go off site.”
They took on the tenancy of the farm – a National Trust property located in the heart of the Lake District National Park – in 2017, after it had been held by Mr Simpson’s parents for 15 years before that.
When the couple took over, they inherited the campsite and holiday cottage and have worked hard to build on these with the gift shop and pizza barn.
An important part of Mr Simpson’s evenings involves providing farm talks during the holiday season to help inform and educate any guests wanting to learn about traditional hill farming.
“The campsite has been around for many years,” Mr Simpson said.
“In fact, we had the old tenants’ grandson come in for pizza the other week.
“He is now in his 60s and remembers going round the campsite selling milk from the farm with his grandad when he was a young lad.”
Improvements
The couple have improved the site by turning the old dairy parlour into a shower block – with the showers located in the cubicles the cows used to stand in to be milked – and putting a freezer for guests to use in the old bottling room.
“We love the campsite and it is a great addition to the farm,” he said.
“We would definitely recommend providing outdoor accommodation to other farmers looking to diversify because it co-exists so well with the farm.
We plan our diversifications so they either directly link to or help the farm
RUBY CAPPLEMAN
Dan Simpson and Ruby Cappleman took over the tenancy at Seatoller Farm in 2017 and have made a huge success of the campsite and gift shop.
“The two compliment each other, rather than get in the way.”
Location
Seatoller Farm is set against the stunning backdrop of the Cumbrian fells and provides a fantastic base for hill walkers wanting to explore the area.
The couple market the campsite via popular online booking platform Pitchup.com, which helps ensure it is busy throughout their season, which runs from March to October.
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup. com, described Seatoller Farm as a first-class example of how tourism and agriculture can co-exist to
cement the longer-term future of a farm – particularly smaller hill farms.
“They are a really inspirational couple who are making a real success of the farm itself, which in one of the UK’s highest, wettest and most remote locations, is no mean feat,” said Mr Yates.
“At the same time, they are providing amazing holiday opportunities for people to get a real taste of Cumbria – both past and present – through the fantastic local produce they supply, and the farm talks where people can learn all about traditional hill farming.
“Together, these combine to create a great business model that celebrates so much that is wonderful about Cumbria, from the hardy native sheep breeds to the rugged beauty of the landscape.”
For the Borrowdale farmers’ story it is not just farming that is passed down generations, but hospitality, too.
Mr Yates said: “From the thousands of working farms we have listed, we know that many farmers are among the most friendly and welcoming people on earth.
“It is therefore no surprise to learn about farms like Seatoller which have been offering camping for decades.
“This kind of diversification is not new and it is fantastic to see young, ambitious, enterprising people building on this tradition and taking it forward for the future.”
Experts in farm diversification
Can Clarkson’s Clause make farm diversification easier?
JEREMY Clarkson’s foray into farming on television has done a brilliant job of not only entertaining audiences, but also widening the public’s awareness of the challenges and opportunities faced by farmers, particularly around diversification.
Clarkson’s Farm has done well to highlight the bureaucratic red tape that often complicates diversification efforts and his struggles with local planning authorities
over projects such as opening a farm shop underscore a broader issue.
But the former Top Gear star’s experiences have reflected the reality for many farmers who find diversification both a necessary and a challenging prospect.
Mark Turner, a partner at legal firm Aaron and Partners, explains how ‘Clarkson’s Clause’ could help UK farmers who are looking to earn extra money under new planning laws.
UNDERSTANDING ‘CLARKSON’S CLAUSE’
QUITE simply, the clause is a recent change to the legislation under the permitted development order, which makes it ‘easier’ to convert agricultural buildings for a variety of uses and is named after Jeremy Clarkson.
Expanding a farm business can be crucial for maintaining financial stability, especially in the face of fluctuating crop prices and changing agricultural policies.
From barn conversions, holiday rentals to the opening of farm shops, diversification can offer opportunities for farm businesses to add a new revenue stream beyond traditional agricultural activities.
“While the Government
encourages diversification, the reality can be a maze of regulations and difficulties in obtaining permission where required,” Mr Turner said.
“In recent years, the Government has recognised the need to support rural economies through diversification.
“Various grants and schemes are available, aimed at helping farmers explore new business opportunities.
“However, accessing these resources means navigating complex regulations, including obtaining planning permissions, which can be both time-consuming and uncertain.”
PLANNING CHALLENGES
A MAJOR barrier to diversification is the planning system, according to Aaron and Partners.
Legal hurdles, planning permissions and local opposition are common obstacles often encountered.
“Farmers often need to change the use of their land or buildings, which requires planning permission,” Mr Turner said.
“Councils have significant discretion in granting these permissions, leading to inconsistent outcomes.
“What might be approved in one area could be rejected in another, depending on local policies and public opinion.”
In one of the most recent seasons of Clarkson’s Farm, the Diddly Squat Farm owner battled to convert his lambing shed into a restaurant.
Despite the economic benefits and job creation potential the development could have brought to the area, his application faced significant opposition from the local council and residents.
“This reflects a common scenario where the benefits of diversification are weighed against concerns such as increased traffic, noise and changes to the rural landscape,” MrTurner said.
“Farmers need to present strong business cases and often engage in lengthy appeals if their initial applications are rejected.
“This process can be costly and discouraging, particularly for smaller farms without the resources to navigate legal battles.”
The ‘permitted development order’, a recent change to the legislation which sets out what can be done without the need for a planning application, could aim to make diversification easier.
And some think that the changes were triggered by Mr Clarkson’s struggles on the show.
Mr Turner added: “One of the changes is an expansion of the number of uses to which agricultural buildings can be put, including general industrial, storage or distribution, hotels, commercial, business or service and outdoor sport or recreation.
“Other changes include an increase in the size of new buildings or extensions on farms of more than 4.86 hectares from 1,000 square metres to 1,500 square metres, and an increase in the number of homes that can be delivered through Class Q barn conversions from five to 10.
“However, there are a number of caveats and provisions in which applications must be made to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether prior approval is required in respect of highways, noise, contamination, flood risk and more.”
Jeremy Clarkson famously fell foul of the planning system when trying to open a restaurant on his farm.
WHILE there is optimism about the ability to diversify using permitted development rights, many farmers have been surprised by the number of caveats and conditions attached.
“The permitted development order is complex and the requirement, in some instances, to obtain prior approval from the council, which many people see as a quasi-planning application, is seen as having a significant control over farmers’ decisions,” Mr Turner said. Despite these
challenges, many in the sector view the changes as a positive move.
“Mr Clarkson has brought to light the difficulties faced by farmers, including the complexity of even small-scale projects,” he added.
“The recent changes have increased the options available under permitted development rights, with many farmers feeling more confident to pursue new ventures that they might not have considered before.”
SUPPORT FOR DIVERSIFICATION
DESPITE the challenges, there are avenues of support for farmers looking to diversify.
Government initiatives, such as rural development programmes, provide funding and advice to farmers exploring new ventures which aim to stimulate rural
economies by encouraging innovative uses of land and resources.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR FARMERS
FOR farmers considering diversification, understanding local planning policies is crucial.
Mr Turner said: “Engaging with the local community early in the process can also help mitigate opposition.
“Farmers should be prepared to demonstrate the economic benefits of their projects, such as job creation and contributions to the local
Additionally, the NFU offers guidance on diversification, helping farmers understand the legal and financial implications of branching out. economy. Legal advice is often essential in navigating the complexities of planning law.
“Specialist solicitors can help farmers build strong cases and, if necessary, represent them in appeals.
“It is also important for farmers to stay informed about Government schemes and how they might be eligible for financial support.”
A PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH
MR Clarkson’s experience, and frustration, of the planning system in diversifying his farm has shed light on the challenges many farmers have faced, currently face and will face in the future.
The legal and planning hurdles can make life particularly difficult.
Mr Turner added “While the Government encourages diversification as a means to boosting rural economies, the reality on the ground can be daunting. Farmers
LOOKING ahead, a wider variety of diversified uses on farms in the UK could be expected.
Mr Turner said: “Many farmers are likely to be inspired by Clarkson’s example and consider opening farm shops selling produce grown on their farms.
need to be well-prepared, both legally and financially, to pursue diversification successfully.
“That means engaging with local communities, understanding planning laws and seeking professional advice are key steps in overcoming the obstacles.
“With the right support and determination, diversification can offer a viable path to sustainability and growth in an increasingly uncertain agricultural landscape.”
“The increased flexibility and certainty under Class R, which allows land or buildings that have changed use under this class to shift to another use within the flexible use classes, is expected to encourage further diversification.”
Recently, farmers have been given a little more leeway under new planning rules when it comes to diversifying their businesses.
Diversification
Farms have proved a popular destination for film locations. With Arley Hall welcoming an Oscar-winning actor on farm over recent years, Chris Brayford finds out more.
Farms as film locations
Diversifying into film location work can provide a valuable additional income stream for farms and rural estates.
Providing the right location –whether it be a stately home, a cottage, woodland, gardens or moorland – can be a useful source of additional income for rural owners and businesses who are prepared to make their property available as a location for film or TV.
One property which has had great exposure in recent years is Arley Hall and Gardens near Northwich in Cheshire.
Arley Hall has featured heavily in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, starring the Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy, and more recently as a key location for the Netflix blockbuster Fool Me Once, BBC 2’s Gardeners’ World , Coronation Street, and Hollyoaks
Rowland Flower, trustee of the Arley Estate, commented: “We have been fortunate enough to attract a wide array of different film and television productions over the years.
“There is no doubt that maintaining good relationships with location managers; showcasing the entirety of one’s offering; being able to provide extensive parking; and allowing sufficient flexibility during filming all contribute to greater
Cillian Murphy on the set of Peaky Blinders.
success in this potentially lucrative area.”
Martyn Dobinson, partner at chartered accountants Saffery, said there were some important considerations to note. He added: “Professional advice should always be taken before entering into any filming agreements or contracts.”
GET LISTED
APPROACHES out of the blue are rare, so the usual route to making your property available is to register with a location agency. Registration is usually free, although the agency will take a commission if your listing results in a contract. The agency will require a photo portfolio showing what is available so they can pitch your property for productions.
ACCESS
CREWS can vary considerably in size, but feature films need access for truckloads of equipment and baggage. Extensive, accessible parking is usually a must. The property owner needs to specify any access restrictions in their contract with the production company, including which areas are off-limits for filming.
PICTURES:
EXPOSURE
WHERE a property is open to the public, or operates as a wedding venue, for example, exposure through film or TV can increase appeal. It could also add value to your property in the event of a future sale. There are also negatives, however, and for working farms and estates, or where the property is a private home, increased visitor interest and access may not always be a desired outcome.
EXPERIENCE
THERE are non-financial benefits, too. Having a film or TV programme made at your property can be an interesting and memorable experience. You may have the opportunity to meet the actors and production team, or even feature as an extra.
CONFIDENTIALITY
YOU may be required to sign a confidentiality clause to prevent disclosure of what is being filmed. Such clauses apply across all communications, including social media. Any press interest should be referred to the production company.
INCOME
FEES from location work will be unlikely to provide a regular income stream over the longer term. Unless your property is cast as a regular location in a popular TV series, at best, filming income will be sporadic. It can, however, provide a welcome bonus or income boost. Location work for TV commercials can also be lucrative. If you have interesting items, such as chattels, plant, machinery, or even animals, that the production company may wish to use, an appropriate fee should be negotiated.
TAX
THERE will inevitably be tax implications arising from letting your property as a filming location. Income will certainly be taxable, and all tax-deductible costs should be carefully recorded. If a property is let regularly for filming use, there could be Inheritance Tax implications. The implication of the structure of the contract and level of services provided by owners and their staff should be carefully considered.
LIABILITY
THE film company should have its own liability insurance cover for any accidental damage to your property or contents. Be sure that this cover is in place before any activity commences and retain a copy of all necessary insurance documentation. The filmmaker may also want to make changes to your property, such as redecoration. These details, as well as the responsibility for any remedial or reinstatement work, should be agreed beforehand. It is recommended that valuables are stored away safely and securely.
AS SEEN ON BBC COUNTRYFILE
Agricultural drones have arrived.
• 50kg/80L payload
• Go where no tractor or quad can go
• Protect water logged ground. No damage to existing crops
• Whitewash or clean greenhouses or Polytunnels
• Spray Nematodes/slug pellets/ fertiliser
• Spray, cover crops
• Spray rate up to 22 L/min
• Spray width 3.5 to 9 metres
• Granular variable spread rate of up to 150kg/min
• Open fields up to 19Ha/h, orchards 2Ha/h Greenhouses/ Polytunnels 1 Ha/h
A scene from Peaky Blinders, filmed at Arley Hall and Gardens.
Diversification
Carbon sequestration holds added value for arable farm
● Farm sells carbon credits to F1 team
By Chris Brayford
AN emerging new market opportunity has provided a Leicestershire arable farm with additional sources of income while helping to protect the planet.
Property consultants Fisher German have been working with Blaston Farm, in the Market Harborough area, on a project which has attracted the interest of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team.
Headed up by Austrian billionaire Torgen ‘Toto’ Christian Wolf, the Mercedes team has won nine drivers’ championships, six of which were by race car driver Lewis Hamilton, and eight constructors’ championships.
Blaston Farm, owned by Philipson Estates, has engaged with regenerative farming practices for several years, including the creation of wildlife habitats alongside arable land, the use of renewable energy such as solar panels and air-source heat pumps, and participation in Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes to sequester carbon.
As a result of these efforts, the farm has been able to sell credits to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team via carbon finance specialist, Respira International.
Hylton Murray-Philipson, owner of Philipson Estates, said that after having exhausted the soil through years of continuous arable cropping, the heavy clay at Blaston had a 20-year journey of sequestration and recovery ahead.
“Soil organic matter is a much more immediate form of sequestered carbon compared to trees or peatland,” Mr Murray-Philipson added.
“At Blaston Farm, we have worked to improve soil quality by diversifying our crops and focusing on a more natural way of farming, which has enabled the soil to take in more carbon.”
Due diligence
After vigorous analysis from Ecometric, as well as Carbon Direct due diligence testing, the farm’s carbon credits were listed on the Regen Network platform, piquing the interest of the Formula One team.
Mr Murray-Philipson added: “We felt the creation of highly audited carbon credits would be valued by the market, and the fact
that we have sold a number of them to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One has proved us right.
“We are looking forward to continuing to capture more carbon to generate more credits, which are currently listed on the Regen Network platform, and show that other farms – and of course, the environment – could benefit from this practice too.”
Creating carbon credits is relatively new, but the market is emerging at pace.
If a farm’s captured carbon is more than its yearly emissions, it means the surplus can be sold on the open market to private buyers looking to offset their emissions in the form of carbon credits.
Vicky Povey, agri-business graduate at Fisher German, said if a farm can demonstrate that it is sequestering carbon in its soils over time via detailed analysis, it is looking more and more like a viable way of generating extra income.
“Blaston Farm and Philipson Estates are very much pioneers in this regard and have shown that for the right farm, carbon credits are valued by the market,” she added.
“For a company such as the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team to be purchasing credits, it shows the blue-chip firms hold
them in high regard when it comes to offsetting emissions.”
The method is not ‘foolproof’, as Fisher German highlights that the number of credits generated can depend on the type of soil a farm has and the weather conditions.
“When assessing farm suitability for carbon sequestration, it is worth recording fields individually and bearing in mind the trade-offs associated with reduced cultivation,” Ms Povey added.
“We know the soil cannot store infinite amounts of carbon, so it is uncertain exactly how long we can continue to increase soil organic matter.”
Optimistic
However, farmers should still be optimistic and be thinking of ways to enter this growing market in the future by having their soil carbon levels measured against their emissions to generate credits.
She added: “The market is only growing, and as companies are increasingly looking for ways to offset their emissions, it could be a great way to make extra money when farms are often under pressure.
“For farmers thinking about generating carbon credits, it is vital to get expert advice so they can be sure it is a viable option for them.”
The team at Blaston Farm in Leicestershire has worked to improve soil quality by diversifying crops and focusing on a more natural way of farming, which has enabled the soil to take in more carbon.
Cultivating an accessible nature market for farmers
● Biodiversity Net Gain opportunities
By Chris Brayford
FARMERS have been left with a dilemma over the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme, according to a new policy paper from Barclays.
The bank has published a paper outlining recommendations to the UK Government on how to make nature markets work for UK farmers.
Creating New Nature Markets that Work for Farmers, released on October 11, has detailed the driving factors behind the hesitancy among farmers and landowners to issue biodiversity credits under the current BNG scheme launched by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Government to ‘create and improve’ natural habitats.
New property developments must deliver a minimum of 10% uplift in biodiversity, according to the scheme, predominantly relying on nature markets to meet their requirements.
Supporting
Adam White, head of agriculture at Barclays UK, said converting land for biodiversity preservation or carbon sequestration, could provide new revenue opportunities for farmers and landowners while playing a crucial role in supporting the BNG scheme.
He said: “While there is openness to farming alongside preserving and restoring nature, the BNG scheme is currently leaving farmers with a dilemma: take the opportunity early and risk tying up land at non-competitive prices, or miss out on securing a steady long-term revenue stream from their land.
“Our policy paper details a number of policy changes needed to deliver credible and well-functioning nature markets that give farmers the confidence and tools to engage in these new opportunities.”
Barclays has recently collaborated with the Environment Bank to help farmers understand opportunities in the BNG market and to help Barclays’ corporate clients, including UK-based house-builders, which are seeking to fulfil their BNG scheme obligations, to explore opportunities and options in the biodiversity credits market.
The UK’s scheme is at ‘risk’ of being undersupplied with credits due to structural barriers in the level of participation between farmers and landowners in nature markets, Barclays said.
But it said issues could be addressed through targeted policy changes that would further support the delivery of a credible, high-integrity market.
One of the recommendations outlined is to support navigation of land use trade-offs.
“By converting land for biodiversity preservation or carbon sequestration, the BNG scheme and nature markets are providing new revenue opportunities for farmers and landowners, while playing a crucial role in preserving natural capital,” Mr White added.
Evaluating
Defra must provide clarity on the status of land at the end of a 30-year credit, and review the six-monthly time frame of evaluating the prices of credits, to avoid creating a ceiling for market price.
Mr White said: “The Government should publish an overarching Land Use Framework, as Defra originally planned to implement in 2023, providing ‘strategic direction’ on how it proposes to manage complex trade-offs between competing priorities such as food security, emissions reductions, nature and biodiversity preservation and health.
“Communication is needed to build understanding of the requirements and revenue opportunities from BNG, raise the profile of the BNG scheme, and support landowners in making land use decisions.”
Barclays also said the Government must deliver clarity on policy gaps and guidance.
“To bring more credits to the market needed by housing developers that are mandated to use them, the new Government must confirm its commitment to the BNG scheme and finalise remaining gaps in the framework on the treatment of BNG for Inheritance Tax purposes and VAT.
“And Natural England must oversee the continued build-out and delivery of the BNG register, working with Defra to establish a market oversight body to ensure integrity and consistency of the BNG scheme as applied across England.”
Barclays has identified ideas to improve the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme to aid farmers.
He added that committing to the BNG scheme and addressing the current gaps in the policy framework
would provide the new Government with an opportunity to demonstrate its ‘commitment to nature’.
Diversification
Eleanor Hunt, founder of the Woollen Cwtch Company, reveals how she has supported farmers through the creation of wool coffins. Alex Black reports.
Eleanor
of traditional heritage craft skills and techniques in the creation of the
including spinning, feltmaking, weaving and upholstery.
Increased interest in sustainability has provided demand for handwoven woollen coffins, urns and baskets, which utilise the natural properties of British wool.
Eleanor Hunt, who founded the Woollen Cwtch Company in 2021, said her coffins had provided comfort and warmth while supporting British farming through the use of its home-grown wools.
Ms Hunt uses a combination of traditional heritage craft skills and techniques in the creation of the coffins, including spinning, felt-making, weaving and upholstery.
She said the natural fibre had many inherent qualities that made it particularly suitable for application in coffin-making, as it was incredibly strong, versatile, biodegradable, insulative,
Creating sustainable wool coffins
antimicrobial and provided comfort.
“Using traditional heritage craft techniques, it can be processed into beautiful alternative options with infinite possibilities for design,” added Ms Hunt.
It all started during the pandemic, when her grandmother died.
Ms Hunt said: “She was an incredible force of nature, coming from a family of North London tailors to live in mid-Wales during the Second World War, working in forestry for the Land Army. This is where she met my grandfather.
“I made her a promise before she passed that I would use the skills and knowledge I had to build something meaningful that could help make a difference in the world
and to the communities that I love.”
‘Cwtch’ is a Welsh word which does not translate exactly into English, but means a ‘special loving embrace’.
Following the funeral, Ms Hunt
said she started to think about how wool could be used to create a different style of coffin. “Somewhere warm and comforting that represented the people they were for,” she said.
Three years ago, she created the first hand-felted wool coffins for infants and babies, before working on developing full-sized coffins for adults, creating the first woven wool and willow coffin.
“We have had responses about how they look warm and comfortable, saying they were afraid of death and the thought of coffins beforehand,” added Ms Hunt.
Techniques
She has since experimented with different techniques, improving her designs and including even more wool.
The full-sized coffins take Ms Hunt a few days to complete, meaning coffins can be produced to order, but she also has standard sizes already in stock.
“In 2024, my woven wool coffins passed industry standard testing and are now fully accredited for use in both burial and cremation across the UK,” she said.
Ms Hunt said she could make any wool work, allowing for regional designs from across the UK.
“We of course have a huge passion for our own Welsh Mountain Wools and are proud to be part of the growing movement challenging the
Hunt uses a combination
coffins,
The Woollen Cwtch Company has created a Farmers’ Wool Fund, where profits are shared by dedicating a guaranteed amount to the fund for every item sold.
beliefs about the ways in which they can be used,” she said.
In the past, Ms Hunt worked as a lambing hand on a local farm, and rolled for the shearers when possible during the spring season.
With a background in upholstery and felt-making, the work has given her an insight into everything which goes into wool production.
“Inevitably, conversations turned to the returns farmers receive for their wool,” she said.
The company has created a Farmers’ Wool Fund, where profits are shared by dedicating a guaranteed amount to the fund for every item sold.
“The fund is used to make additional payments to farmers for their
They can be used in green burials. The wools nurture the soils; putting wool back into the earth is a great thing
ELEANOR HUNT
wool, creating increased overall returns. It is also used to support agricultural charities, projects, and the increased value of wool for all UK farmers,” she said.
Eco-friendly
The green credentials of wool are also increasingly important to people planning funerals.
“They can be used in green burials, and we also do urns. The wools nurture the soils; putting wool back into the earth is a great thing,” she said.
“Equally, in cremation, you are looking at a natural material that does not release noxious gases when it is burned.”
Diversification
Farmers considering diversification by creating a campsite on their land may not always have to fear the burden of red tape. Chris Brayford reports.
Alternatives when launching a campsite business on-farm
Launching a campsite business can be an exciting venture and an attractive way for farmers and landowners to create another valuable revenue stream.
One of the drawbacks in diversification can be the hassle and delay of obtaining planning approval.
However, there are some relatively straightforward ways to avoid planning obstacles which can help farmers seeking the easiest possible way to fit diversification into their busy workload.
Louise Stone, sales development manager at TruDomes, a British glamping dome manufacturer, says landowners can apply to join an exempted organisation that has the authority to approve sites without the need for planning permission or a licence.
Exempted organisations such as the Greener Camping Club, the Woodland Champions Club, Wanderlust Camping Club UK and the Wild Trails Camping Club can use their permissions to certify members to run sites under their banner.
Sustainable
Sustainable practices and responsible land management form a key component of these types of organisations, Ms Stone says, so if farmers can demonstrate their ability to show the same approach to their land, it could help open many doors to the diversification.
Certain organisations prefer sites screened by trees or hedge banks, but if a site lacks those features it is worth considering the planting of trees or adding other natural screening to improve the appeal of an application.
“Building, excavations and other works may require a planning application which disqualifies a site from certified membership,” Ms Stone says.
“With that in mind, it helps to use moveable composting toilets, portable toilets and off-grid showers for communal facilities.
“Portable structures are usually considered chattels which are ex-
Upgrading a site with glamping units increases nightly fees for each pitch LOUISE STONE
empt from the need for planning approval.
“However, if structures are not easily movable, are attached to the ground or have fixed utility attachments, they may fall into the definition of a building.
“Trailer-mounted facilities are a potential solution, providing they can be easily detached from water, waste and electricity services.”
Offering pitches at the right
price could be the difference between a ‘lucrative income stream’ and a ‘wasted investment’, according to the TruDomes’ sales development manager.
“It is hard to be too precise about expected yield as every site is different,” Ms Stone says.
Charge
“The amount one can reasonably charge depends on a range of factors, including the appeal of the location and the quality of the accommodation and facilities.
“It helps to research other sites in the area and compare their accommodation and amenities.
“That will provide a decent price indicator.”
Consumption tax, including VAT, also needs ‘careful consideration’ and will usually be payable on campsite fees charged when pricing pitches.
“Upgrading a site with glamping units increases nightly fees for each pitch,” she says.
Wood burners, compact kitchen-
Glamping, such as with the use of geodomes, can increase the fees farmers can charge to holidaymakers.
ettes and many other luxury features can be added to elevate a site to the upper end of the market.
Ms Stone adds: “It is not practical for a pop-up site, but it is worth considering as part of an exempted organisation.
“Geodomes are an excellent choice for a better yield: even with facilities limited to the basic provision of toilets and waste disposal, it should be feasible to charge at least £70 per night per unit during peak periods.”
For farmers thinking of starting a campsite, such a venture could provide an additional source of income on farm without the same level of red tape that could usually be expected with other projects such as opening a restaurant.
“Joining an exempted organisation might involve some initial work in making sure all the right boxes are ticked to qualify,” Ms Stone says.
“However, that time is minimal compared to the bureaucracy and delay of a full planning application.”
As the Farm Business Innovation Show prepares to open its doors for
Farmers Guardian looks
What to see at the Farm Business Innovation Show
TOURISM
STAYCATIONS saw a boom in popularity during the pandemic when international travel was limited, but the interest in UK-based holidays has remained high since.
The British public is keen to get out and enjoy the countryside, and on-farm stays are a great way to experience rural Britain.
There are a huge range of options in the market, from classic camping and caravanning to glamping, all the way up to holiday cottages, as well as various tourist attractions, such as children’s play centres and farm cafes, and seasonal events, such as pumpkin patches and Christmas activities.
For those starting small, a camping site can be a good way into the market with minimal expenditure needed.
Others may have unused residential buildings, which are perfect for converting into holiday cottages, or want to look at installing glamping buildings such as pods, tipis or cabins.
Location is a key consideration for holiday lets, with more demand if the farm is in a tourist hotspot or within easy reach of a major city, as well as being close to other attractions and having off-road parking.
Sykes Cottages, one of the exhibitors at the Farm Business Innovation Show, has highlighted the importance of sustainability.
“Sustainable tourism and eco-
friendly living has gained momentum in recent years, with more people seeking to reduce their environmental footprint and impact on the planet by becoming conscious of lifestyle changes,” a Sykes Cottages spokesperson said.
According to Envirorental, Booking. com surveyed 33,000 travellers from 35 countries in 2023, and found 80% of customers said travelling more sustainably was important, with 74% wanting more sustainable options.
Considering renewable energy to power the holiday cottage is one way to boost sustainability.
Insulation and double- or tripleglazed windows is a good way to keep heat in and minimise energy costs.
Water wastage is another area to focus on, with a secondary benefit of a potential reduction in water bills.
Water-efficient shower heads, rainwater harvesting, and checking for and fixing any water leaks could improve water efficiency.
Otheroptionsincludeenergy-saving lightbulbs, recycling facilities and charging points for electric vehicles.
WIN A £500 VOUCHER
Those registering online before the show can enter to win a £500 Sykes holiday voucher. The entrant must attend on the day to be in with a chance to win.
There are a huge range of diversification options in the staycation market.
FARM BUSINESS INNOVATION SHOW
Takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on November 6 and 7. Register via QR code
Diversification
RENEWABLES
WITH the new Labour Government looking to focus on energy generation from renewables and ending the ‘ban’ on new wind farms, there are lots of opportunities in the sector.
For those looking to produce energy to power their own operation, options such as solar panels can reduce bills while those selling into the National Grid can benefit from a new income stream. Speaking at FBI’s
sister show, Low Carbon Agriculture, Jonathan Scurlock, the NFU’s chief adviser, renewable energy and climate change, said: “The ideal scenario would be power generation from solar in summer, switching to that generated from a wind turbine through winter, making farm businesses more resilient at the same time as lowering their carbon footprint.”
VENDING MACHINES FOR DIRECT SALES
VENDING machines could be a perfect fit for farms looking to sell produce directly.
Demand is growing for storage facilities, which could offer farms a diversification option.
STORAGE
STORAGE can be one of the easiest ways for farmers to diversify, offering a relatively lowmaintenance option to introduce on-farm.
For some farmers, it could be a chance to utilise redundant buildings.
Target markets could include householders looking for secure and dry storage for items such as furniture.
With an increased interest in holidaying in the UK, there is large demand for storage of items such as caravans as well as boats and classic cars, with many people unable to store these larger items at home.
Storage is less demanding than many public-facing businesses such as farm shops, although farmers will still need to think about how they interact with their clients.
For those without suitable buildings, shipping containers offer a secure and watertight option on site.
Cleveland Containers will be
BUSINESS ADVICE
NAVIGATING the planning system, tax implications of diversification and finding the diversification that best suits a farm business are all key areas any farmer looking to diversify for the first time or expand their operation will be asking.
Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley will be hosting a panel, alongside speakers from Birketts, Bidwells and Benson Accountants,
speaking about self-storage as ‘the ultimate hands-free business’, with containers, once used exclusively for transporting cargo, now a common sight across the UK for storage and more creative options such as cafes, shops and offices.
Andrew Cumming from Poplar’s Farm in Fairsby was looking for alternative income streams due to the ending of the Basic Payment Scheme.
“Self-storage caught our attention as it aligned with our current operations and required minimal effort on our part,” he said.
“While we explored other options such as glamping, the setup costs and planning permission seemed more complex than selfstorage.”
After discussing with Cleveland Containers at the Farm Business Innovation Show and seeing the containers on site, the farm set up its new self-storage business.
“We started out small, but who knows how big this could grow,” he added.
While many might think of soft drinks and snack products when they think of vending machines, farmers around the UK are using them to sell everything from milk and eggs to potatoes and beef.
The machines allow farmers to sell directly to consumers with produce available 24 hours a day, without the need for a member of staff such as in a farm shop, and allow farmers to set their own price and profit margins.
Those investing in vending machines include John and Jack Allwood, a father and son duo, who set up a machine on Huntington Hall Farm in Cheshire and will be speaking at the show.
Moo’trition provides milk direct to customers, with flavoured milkshakes adding a slightly different twist.
The family also taps into seasonal trends, with their Creme Egg and honeycomb flavours being replaced with white Kinder Bueno and toffee apple for Halloween.
discussing rural planning and business rates.
Marketing will also be a key topic, with advice from Alton Towers Resort on boosting business with video.
Visitors will also be inspired by speakers from a wide variety of farm businesses from glamping to pigs and vending machines to carbon credits.
Many farms have installed vending machines to sell direct to their customers.
