New Holland milestone
‘We are living my childhood dreams’
Emma Gray on how her life on the Isle of Bute has captured the hearts of many
Machinery giant celebrates two-millionth tractor built at Basildon plant in 60th anniversary year
SAFETY WEEK ‘Pace of change still too slow’
To find out how we can protect what matters most to you, search ‘NFU Mutual Farming’ or contact your local agency
Covering small farms, large farms and everything in between.
Provided by NFU Mutual Agents, located in rural towns and villages throughout the UK.
Expert advice to identify the health and safety dangers facing your farm and provide personalised solutions for everyone’s safety.
From pensions to investments, life cover to business protection, we’ve been helping customers with their financial planning needs for 95 years.
Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ
Editor Olivia Midgley, 07787 240 750 olivia.midgley@agriconnect.com
Head of News and Business
Alex Black, 07880 490 486 alex.black@agriconnect.com
Chief Reporter
Rachael Brown, 07974 039 778 rachael.brown@agriconnect.com
News and Business Reporters
Jane Thynne
jane.thynne@agriconnect.com
Chris Brayford, 07773 110 733 chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Business Reporter
Cedric Porter cedric.porter@agriconnect.com
Arable Technical Specialist
Ash Ellwood, 07786 190 188 ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com
Head of Machinery and Farm Technology
Toby Whatley, 07583 054 831 toby.whatley@agriconnect.com
Machinery Reporter
James Huyton, 07787 242 185 james.huyton@agriconnect.com
Head of Livestock
Katie Jones, 07786 856 439 katie.jones@agriconnect.com
Features Editor and Head of Livestock Sales
Angela Calvert, 07768 796 492 angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
Livestock Specialists
Ellie Layton, 07814 997 407 ellie.layton@agriconnect.com
Katie Fallon, 07815 003 227 katie.fallon@agriconnect.com
Online Editor
Emily Ashworth, 07977 706 711 emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com
Creative Services
Mike Begley mike.begley@agriconnect.com
Katie Haydock katie.haydock@agriconnect.com
Picture Editor
Marcello Garbagnoli, 07815 003 236 marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com
Sales 01772 799 500 gemma.thorpe@agriconnect.com
Circulation
Subscription hotline 0330 333 0056
help@subscribe.farmers-guardian.com
Newstrade enquiries
01772 799 434
UK print subscriptions £189; Europe: £226.80; RoW: £283.50. FG digital subscriptions: £109
Published by Agriconnect
THE news that once again farming’s safety record remains worse than any other industry will come as no surprise. As the sector marks Farm Safety Week, it is revealed that 34 people lost their lives on UK farms in the past year alone.
That is 34 families whose lives have been changed forever. Two of the four members of the public killed on-farm were children.
That figure also does not tell the full story of the near misses or life-changing injuries.
It feels like everyone in agriculture has a tale to tell or knows someone who has had an incident on-farm.
With long hours over harvest and the pressures farms are facing, from prices not covering costs of production to labour challenges and the mental health crisis in the sector, it is easy to see why it can be tempting to cut corners on health and safety.
And as Joshua Morland says on page 4, while you may have ‘got away with it’ multiple times before, it only takes one occasion for something to go badly wrong.
It feels like every year, when the latest figures are released, the industry says the same thing
about how terrible the tragedies are, but the culture change needed still does not come.
While the figure has steadily decreased since the advent of Farm Safety Week, the Farm Safety Foundation has said not only does a transformational change need to come, but it needs to come quickly.
Health and safety can often feel like something being imposed, a box-ticking exercise. Many farms will not make a record of ‘near misses’. But noting what happened and why, as well as changing processes, can help avoid that incident.
complacency, having always enough time to do things
The figure may unfortunately never reach zero, but whether farmers are taking risks due to complacency, having always done something this way or feeling like there is not enough time to do things the right way, it is time for real change in agriculture. Nothing is more important than you coming home safe.
On this week’s cover: ‘We are living my childhood dreams’, p92; New Holland milestone, p69; Mart’s the Heart Awards, p34; Future-proofing with robotics, p74; Farm Safety Week, p4; Small European wheat crop boosts UK prices, p14; Royal Welsh Show, p6 & p80.
THE pace of change in the health and safety culture of UK agriculture is too slow, with 34 people killed in farm-related incidents across the UK between April 2023 and March 2024.
Farmers have been warned to avoid complacency, with attitudes to health and safety needing to change.
Four members of the public died following farm-related incidents, including one child killed by a moving vehicle and another by a collapsing wall.
The number of people killed for every 100,000 in a particular industry was 21 times higher in agriculture than the rate across all industries, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics confirmed.
Just days prior to the beginning of the Farm Safety Foundation’s Farm Safety Week initiative to raise awareness of safety in agriculture, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed Co Tyrone farmer Harold Gilmore had been killed in an on-farm incident on July 20.
Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager, said despite a reduction in the number of fatalities, the industry had been slow to change, with families continuing to feel the devastation of losing a loved one to poor behaviour or risk-taking.
Sue Thompson, head of agriculture at HSE, said the industry had failed to properly manage health and safety risk in the workplace, resulting in serious and fatal injuries that could,
safety statistics 7 deaths in Northern Ireland, and one under further investigation 27 deaths in GB
Source: Farm Safety Foundation
and should, have been prevented. And it was time to change attitudes to farm health and safety to a more proactive approach, according to James Harris, recruitment director of REAL Success.
He said: “People still think health and safety is imposed upon them, but we have to cross the bridge between compliance and culture. As long as it is a box-ticking exercise, it is not true farm safety.”
He added most accidents were a result of ‘habit, haste, fatigue or improperly maintained machinery’ and safety should not be an afterthought.
NFU Mutual chair Jim McLaren said Farm Safety Week was a timely reminder to understand the dangers on-farm and how every task had the potential to kill or seriously injure if approached in the wrong way.
Joshua Morland, a mixed beef farmer from Warwick, highlighted the contribution from the pressure farmers were under, after having his
39% of fatalities occur in those aged over 65
88% of UK farmers believe ‘complacency’ is a major contributor to having a farm accident
82% of UK farmers cite ‘attitude’ as a major contributor
foot crushed in an incident in 2020 which led to extensive surgery and the loss of two toes.
He added: “It is so easy to cut corners, and that is when a lot of accidents can happen. We need to take more time to consider how we can minimise risks and remove them completely.
“You might get away with it once or twice, but the reality is there will be a time when you do not, and the impact it can have on you and those around you can be life-changing.”
Farm Safety Foundation chair of trustees James Chapman, who lost his left arm in a pto shaft incident in 2005, said: “My life changed forever following my incident and it happened in a split second with things going wrong and the pressure of needing to get something done on time.
“I made a decision which ultimately cost me an arm and it happened so fast. I want to help people and give them the confidence to say no and to call out practices if they do not feel safe.”
The Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) also launched the third year of its curriculum for an in-person training programme to improve safety in marts.
Zanna Dennis, LAA development officer, said that this year a specialist training unit based around mental health and suicide awareness had been introduced.
“Our livestock markets are proven to be a crucial touchpoint for the farming community. Quite often the auctioneer or market staff are the shoulder to lean on, or the only ear for farmers to share their concerns or anxieties, and often these are concerns hidden from family and colleagues,” she said.
FARMERS Guardian journalist James Huyton has won the Perkins Power on the Farm Award for his feature detailing a test drive of an all-electric UTV.
Judges described the article, ‘Silence is golden with the Polaris Ranger Kinetic’, which compared the electric model of the Polaris Ranger Kinetic to the conventional vehicle, as ‘an article incredibly well written, informative and a detailed account by someone who really knows what they are talking about’ and ‘a useful article helping to slay some of the myths associated with electric vehicles’.
James Huyton (centre) with James Reed, Perkins global original equipment manufacturers sales director and Annette Ward, corporate and marketing communications manager at Perkins.
The award, run by the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, was presented at a ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge, on Thursday, July 18.
Freelance journalist Geoff Ashcroft also came runner-up in the technology category, for a feature, also in FG, entitled, ‘Using rains for the drains’. It reported on a
contractor which had invested in GPS technology and Real-Time Kinematic guidance to replace laser equipment for its tractor-mounted trenching equipment.
By Chris Brayford
FEARS common land family farms will be wiped out have been raised following legal threats to stop socalled ‘overgrazing’ on Dartmoor. Campaign group Wildlife Justice, co-founded by TV naturalist Chris Packham to fight for a ‘better deal for UK wildlife’, confirmed it had written to Dartmoor Commoners’ Council (DCC) regarding its concerns about stocking levels on Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI). The group claimed overgrazing had left areas in an ‘unfavourable condition’.
In a statement published on July 22, the wildlife group threatened to seek a Judicial Review if the DCC did not provide a ‘satisfactory response’ to how it maintains and enhances protected sites on Dartmoor’s common land by bringing heathland back into a ‘favourable condition’.
Robin Milton, Exmoor-based NFU uplands forum representative, said the threat of legal action from Wildlife Justice could begin a domino effect on farms across Britain, with the potential to impinge on farmers’ livelihoods.
He said: “This could just be the beginning of legal action being taken on all SSSIs in the UK.
“Farming families could potentially see an end to their businesses if they are forced to reduce stock numbers.
“What groups like this fail to see is the many benefits farming provides to the landscape, the environment and the economy.
“Taking farms out of production could be devastating for all the factors above and that is really upsetting.
“It is a truly awful situation for farmers feeling fearful about the future.”
Princetown farmer Layland Branfield, vice-chair of DCC’s East quarter, said it was clear the situation had created undue stress to commoners.
He said: “We were extremely disappointed to have received the letter, but we are going to deal with it in the best way we can. The management of common land to which Wildlife Justice refers is largely out of our hands.
“We can only do what we are told by the powers that be at Natural England.
“This situation has only made the life of a farmer even harder than it already is.”
Natural England has been approached for a comment.
Political upheaval was in focus at this year’s Royal Welsh Show as Wales awaited new leadership news. Rachael Brown reports.
● Cabinet Secretary expected to be Deputy
WELSH Labour has a new leader, with Eluned Morgan taking over from Vaughan Gething and poised to become the first woman to lead Wales. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Climate Change,
Huw Irranca-Davies, is expected to become Deputy First Minister. When Farmers Guardian went to press, it had not yet been confirmed if he would remain in his current role.
Mr Irranca-Davies told Farmers Guardian it would be a ‘privilege and an honour’ to continue in the role that he was ‘thoroughly enjoying’.
‘NO
SURPRISES’ WITH SFS, THERE will be ‘no surprises’ when it comes to the final design of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies told the Royal Welsh Show. A pledge which farmers and unions will no doubt hold him to account on, with wounds still sore following the decision of his predecessor to end Glastir at short notice.
Mr Irranca-Davies said: “Partnership working, has to be the hallmark on how we deal with many of the issues.”
After speculation all week at the Royal Welsh Show on whether Wales could be facing its third Rural Affairs Minister in the space of a couple of months, the farming industry hoped for ‘continuity and stability’.
DPJ foundation charity manager Kate Miles said if the Cabinet Secretary did take on the role as Deputy First Minister it would allow the agricultural portfolio to have ‘prominence’. If he continued as Rural Affairs Minister, she said it would ‘allow for continuity and the relationship that has been built so far to continue’, adding it meant the industry could ‘move forwards’ with discussions on key issues.
NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said if Mr Irranca-Davies did stay in post it would be a ‘very positive’ decision.
“For the simple reason I believe he
There is a genuine feeling of somebody who wants to make a difference
ROGER LEWIS
needs to remain in post to get to the final position when we have the scheme oven ready for 2026,” he said.
Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Roger Lewis and chair of NFU Cymru TB focus group said it would have been ‘nothing short of a disaster’ if there was another change in Cabinet Secretary. He said there was ‘no muck or mysteries’ with Mr Irranca- Davies.
Mr Lewis said: “There is a genuine feeling of somebody who wants to make a difference. He is not going to come with all the answers, but to be fair, he has probably signed off more in his short time than what the previous Minister did in many years.”
Speaking at the launch of her leader-
IT is really important the farming community works alongside the commissioners on the farm assurance review.
That was the message from the lead commissioner of the review Dr David Llewellyn.
Speaking to Farmers Guardian, he confirmed the review had received 1,800 responses so far, adding he was confident they would have enough evidence by the end of August.
Dr Llewellyn said he had heard some criticism around the visibility of the survey, but was reassured member organisations had ‘agreed to push the message out’.
He acknowledged the sponsorship bodies, AHDB, NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers Union, were supporting the review, but reassured farmers it would be fully independent and the
commissioners would be free to say what they wanted.
He added: “If we have uncomfortable things to say about what farm assurance is currently delivering or what it could do in the future, then we will say it.”
While Dr Llewellyn acknowledged the review would receive ‘uncomfortable views’ following the spotlight on Red Tractor, he said it would be focused on ‘as many schemes as possible.’
Dr Llewellyn would not give a figure on costs, but said they were ‘seeking value for money’.
“The sponsoring bodies have taken the decision that they want to take a good look at farm assurance and they have put resources into it clearly.
“I think ultimately the proof will be in the pudding, if we produce a
report that people feel is fair to those it concerns then that should be seen as value of money.”
Concerns have been raised about the efficacy and robustness of the farmer survey, claiming the lack of detail required from respondents on the questionnaire could leave it open to abuse.
Chris Dodds, executive secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association, said: “It is concerning if farmers are filling it in multiple times as the data will be skewed.
“But I would say the level of anonymity is there to get those hard-to-reach farmers to take part.
He hoped through the ministerial roundtable the industry would get to a point where all stakeholders can agree on the direction.
“But if there are knotty issues that I have to make a judgment on, that will be me,” he said.
When probed why he would not give an update on the 10% tree planting and 10% habitat proposals, which received an overwhelming response opposing them in the SFS
ship campaign at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this week, Ms Morgan, who is the MS for Mid- and West Wales, said if appointed First Minister she would be the first from a ‘rural constituency; or a constituency or region outside of South Wales’, adding ‘we are here to do things a little differently’. Vaughan Gething will remain First Minister until a confirmed vote in the Senedd.
I think ultimately the proof will be in the pudding, if we produce a report that people feel is fair to those it concerns then that should be seen as value of money
“Farmers sometimes do not want to speak out or are suspicious about data collection. Hopefully this survey will go beyond assured members to reach those who have walked away from schemes such as Red Tractor or have never considered farm assurance,” he added.
DR DAVID LLEWELLYN
For our show reports, results and pictures from the Royal Welsh Show, see pages 78-82.
consultation, he said it was ‘in the mix of what we are discussing’.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Climate Change Huw IrrancaDavies at the Royal Welsh Show. MORE FROM THE SHOW
NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader said it was making the industry ‘nervous’ he was not saying anything ‘more reassuring’.
When put to the outgoing First Minister Vaughan Gething if the delay to SFS was down to the failure of the former FM and the former Rural Affairs Minister, he said it was ‘not productive’ for him to ‘point fingers.’
The Cabinet Secretary was also asked how he would negotiate a budget for Welsh agriculture with a UK Labour Government.
He said there are ‘live discussions’, adding he heard the calls for more money.
“I wish I could wave a magic wand.”
THE management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) will be included in the universal baseline payment for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), after pushback from farmers, farming unions and industry organisations, Mr Irranca-Davies has confirmed. Previously the Welsh Government proposed farmland subject to an SSSI designation would not be eligible for any payment under the universal layer of the SFS, which Farmers’ Union of Wales president Ian Rickman said would have had a ‘perverse effect’ penalising those farming on ‘Wales’ most precious land’.
listening to the concerns of stakeholders, building confidence in the review process’.
By Olivia Midgley
THE burden of regulation is one of the biggest contributors to poor mental health, with farmers often feeling like they are being ‘blamed for everything’.
A panel discussion hosted by rural charity RABI at the Royal Welsh Show on July 22 heard paperwork and bureaucracy, not only held businesses back from the day job, but also caused stress and anxiety.
Farmers Union of Wales president Ian Rickman said: “Farmers feel they are blamed for everything.
“They are out there doing their best to produce food and do the best thing for their animals and their environment and they have this burden.
“It is like saying everything is agriculture’s fault and the industry needs more regulation. [Every time] you get back to the farm and there is more paperwork to do.”
He said a more targeted and proportionate approach to regulation was needed. James Evans, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, agreed and said: “You almost need a degree
now to do the paperwork. People just want to get on and farm.”
Sarah Lewis, president of Wales Young Farmer Clubs, whose son-inlaw took his own life two years ago, urged the farming community to ‘open the floodgates’ and normalise conversations about mental health.
Wales young farmer Ioan Humphreys, a Farmers Guardian Farm24 ambassador, who was in the audience, asked the panel how the industry could break the stigma around talking about mental health.
Jonathan Wilkinson, NFU Cymru dairy board chairman, said it was only when he had suffered a heart
‘REBUILDING trust and confidence among both staff and levy payers’ is the key focus for Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) as it seeks to move on from allegations of bullying and disunity in its organisation.
Speaking to Farmers Guardian at the Royal Welsh Show, HCC chair Catherine Smith, said: “This is now about moving forward and being straight and clear about what
has happened. The show gives us a point of focus on what we need to do to deliver for levy payers.”
Last week HCC published the findings of an inquiry which said its former chief executive Gwyn Howells would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not resigned just days before details were released.
It followed six employees earlier in the year voicing concerns about
a member of staff who they claimed had used bullying tactics.
The internal problems have led levy payers to question whether it was detracting from HCC’s role.
Ms Smith said: “The board is non-executive and non-operational, so we have been trying to make sure the team has capacity in the day job to deliver.”
What do farmers and rural businesses want from the
attack that he realised that stress had been making him ill.
“I took it seriously and we changed our farming practices as a result,” he told the event held in conjunction with Lloyds Bank.
IN a bid to sense check some of the regulation, NFU Cymru launched its online water regulation survey at the show. Ahead of the Welsh Government’s four-yearly review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations, the survey aims to gather feedback on farmer experiences of the pan-Wales regulations which were introduced in 2021.
MORE INFORMATION
Complete the survey at nfu.welcomesyourfeedback. net/s/w15r7n
Addressing the pressing questions and opportunities that lie ahead, Farmers Guardian in partnership with Carter Jonas is hosting an exclusive webinar on Thursday, August 1, at 7pm. This is your chance to join industry leaders and fellow farmers in a crucial discussion about the future of the sector.
August 1, at 7pm.
By Jane Thynne
FARMING Minister Daniel Zeichner said the eradication of bovine TB was his top priority, as he sought to reassure the farming industry the new Government stood ‘absolutely ready’ to tackle the challenges farmers faced.
Speaking to more than 120 NFU sector officials and MPs at the union’s Summer Reception in the House of Lords, the MP for Cambridge said Defra was fully aware of the pressure farmers were under, which was taking a ‘huge toll on people’s mental health’.
Addressing the issue of badger culling – one of the major sticking points between the Labour Party and the farming industry – Mr Zeichner said the party was ‘determined to eradicate bTB by 2038’.
He said: “We absolutely believe we can do a lot through biosecurity, herd management and speeding up the development of a vaccine that works with an effective test. But let me tell you, the Secretary of State has been clear:
the current round of licences will be honoured.
“We are going to beat it. I tell you, I have already said to the department that it is my top priority. So, you have my assurance.”
Mr Zeichner also alluded to the lack of detail in the Labour Party’s manifesto, which had dedicated just 87 words to farming. He said stability was a major factor, and while there might be ‘tweaks’, the Government was not about to overturn all the work farmers had been asked to do.
Mr Zeichner promised food security was ‘absolutely at the centre of Labour’s mission to grow the economy’. He also promised a ‘New Deal for Farmers’ which would boost rural economic growth, a new veterinary deal with the EU to get exports moving, that he would make sure farmers were not ‘undercut by lower animal welfare standards’ in trade deals, to cut energy bills by switching on GB Energy, and to speed up planning decisions.
When asked if farmers could trust the Labour Government to prioritise their interests, NFU president Tom
QUALITY of land must be taken into account in planning permission for developments in the new Government’s drive to get Britain building.
That was the message from Lord Don Curry in the King’s Speech debate on July 18 on the Land Use Framework. There was a potential conflict between ‘raiding the green belt to build more houses’ and ‘food security’.
“Much green belt land is of high quality and could be essential for the production of food in the future,” said Lord Curry.
“It is often too easy to see green belt as a cheaper alternative to the development of brownfield sites, but if an impact assessment were to include the long-term effect of climate change and the loss of food production from these sites, the outcome might look very different.
“Local authorities need to draft local plans which take this into account, and [ensure] that planners are clear about this when granting permission for developments. Food security must be a planning priority.”
On the Environmental Land Management scheme, he highlighted concerns among many farmers – ‘particularly those farming in the pastoral and upland areas of England’ – that the Sustainable Farming Incentive did not recognise the economic, environmental and social value of these family farms.
He asked Defra to review the options available to ensure they were provided with ‘appropriate actions’.
Lord Curry gave the example of it being ‘financially advantageous’ for livestock farms to plough out valuable permanent pasture and sow it with a flower-rich meadow mixture.
Bradshaw said: “I have had a lot of farmers whinging to me about the last five years, and we have to give this new Government a chance to deliver.
“I think it is far too soon to tell
whether they have got farmers’ backs or not, but we have not seen any demonstration that they have not,” he said, adding the NFU was ‘here to work with them to deliver a bright future’.
A SOMERSET dairy farmer has been given a 14-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £10,000 costs after he persistently allowed slurry to run off into a stream near his farm.
David Bartlett, of Upcott Dairy Farm, Sampford Arundel, Wellington, appeared for sentencing at Taunton Magistrates Court on July 18, after previously pleading guilty to three offences brought by the Environment Agency relating to pollution of the Westford stream, a tributary of the River Tone.
Mr Bartlett was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.
During the hearing, the court heard the farm had a long history of failing to properly contain slurry, with Mr Bartlett warned several times regarding pollution.
Overseeing proceedings, Judge Brereton said there were significant aggravating features in the case, including previous warnings to the farmer, his failure to carry out proper checks or make structural improvements, despite having received funds from the Rural Payments Agency to pay for infrastructure which would improve the environment.
THE Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act has now come into force making it illegal to export live animals, including cattle and pigs, for slaughtering and fattening from Britain.
Defra said the legislation would ensure animals are slaughtered in high welfare UK slaughterhouses, as well as reinforcing the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare and boosting the value of British meat.
Baroness Hayman, Defra Minister, said she had ‘fought for many years for this legislation to be implemented’, adding it was a ‘huge win’ for animal welfare.
“These are just the first steps in our plans to implement the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation,” she added.
FARMERS need to transform the way they farm if their businesses are to remain viable in what has been termed a ‘high stakes’ sector, according to a National Audit Office study.
The latest report monitoring the Government’s Farming and Countryside Programme, introduced following the UK’s exit from the European Union, said to achieve the programme’s objectives farmers needed to do much more to improve productivity in order to meet Defra’s goals.
While it noted take-up of schemes was ‘rapidly increasing’, it suggested Defra was paying for actions which do not result in ‘significant immediate change to farming practices’, but merely encouraged farmers to do more for the environment in the long-term.
Defra was also criticised for not providing farmers with enough information and advice to support the new farming model.
In response, Farming Minister Dan-
iel Zeichner said the new Government was committed to Environmental Land Management schemes and restoring farmer confidence, but would not be over-turning the applecart, and would also optimise schemes and grants.
He said: “The Government will ensure our schemes work for those farmers who have been too often ignored – including small, grassland, upland and tenanted farms.”
A Hillsgreen report said 84% of the 950 farmers surveyed intended to grow or keep their businesses the same in the next five years.
● Clarkson voted most popular farm influencer
By Chris Brayford
FARMERS remain upbeat about the future of the industry, despite facing numerous obstacles on-farm.
Agricultural data agency Hillsgreen published its fourth annual ‘Marketing to farmers’ report for 2024-2025 on July 24, taking account of factors influencing farmers and how they make buying decisions.
The report said 84% of the 950 farmers surveyed had intended to grow or keep their businesses the same in the next five years.
In contrast, the report found 7% of
respondents intended to reduce the size of their businesses or exit certain farming enterprises in the next five years, and just 2% intended to give up practical farming altogether.
Farmers had highlighted profitability, cashflow, input costs, loss of the Basic Payment Scheme and Government grants as the biggest determinants affecting their businesses, while land availability, climate change and staffing issues had been identified as issues with the least amount of impact on businesses.
However, only 4% had plans to pass on the farm to a successor.
Figures in the study highlighted 31% of female respondents stated they either made the decisions or made most decisions on-farm, while 47%
of females were joint decision-makers. Only 2.7% of female respondents said they had no influence in buying decisions at all.
About 22% of farmers said YouTube and social media influencers play a role in their on-farm buying decisions, with Diddly Squat farmer Jeremy Clarkson voted the most popular farm influencer.
Andy Venables, chief executive of Hillsgreen, said: “Agriculture is changing rapidly, yet it is clear that despite the many challenges faced by farmers, most remain optimistic about the next five years.
“In a busy, changing world, knowing how to attract, engage and secure farming customers has never been more important.”
By Chris Brayford
FARMING and environmental campaigners have called on the Prime Minister to scale up food production across Britain to save the horticulture sector.
In an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer published on Monday (July 22), the Soil Association urged the Labour Government to save British horticulture by doubling the available land to grow fruit and vegetables from 2% to 4%. It said this could allow farmers to incorporate more sustainable practi-
ces to nurture land, restore wildlife and protect waterways.
The letter has also called on the PM to go further than the last Government and revive plans for a UK horticulture strategy, which was scrapped last year.
Founder of organic veg box company Riverford Guy Singh-Watson, said growing more British fruit and vegetables was essential for the nation’s health and food security.
“Farmers need a fair deal in the supply chain so that nature-friendly farming systems like our own can flourish,” he said, adding too many growers were struggling to stay afloat.
end, we need the return of honesty and decency to our supply chains.”
Report co-author and Soil Association senior policy officer Lucia Monje-Jelfs said British fruit and veg is currently in crisis without Government intervention.
“Our diets are costing the NHS billions every year and the countries we import from are being hit by the impacts of climate change,” she added.
“If we scaled up agroecological horticulture, we could help to reverse the public health disaster, slash farming emissions and restore wildlife.”
“The bullying behaviour of supermarkets and their suppliers needs to
The abattoir sector has also called on Government to continue work to support small abattoirs, with the
• The well-known orange granule
• Optimal nitrogen utilisation
• Maximise crop uptake
• Perfect spreading pattern
www.oci-nutramon.co.uk
The Soil Association has called for a doubling of the land available to grow fruit and vegetables.
Abattoir Sector Group (ASG) writing to the new Farming Minister. It acknowledged and thanked Defra for the positive progress achieved to date, including work towards implementing regulatory easements and reduced administration, and through the investment of the £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund.
ASG said the sector faces a ‘pivotal moment’ following the announcement in May that the Farming Investment Fund would include £3m ring fenced for the creation of new abattoirs. It asked for confirmation the funding for new abattoirs would be approved, highlighting a rise in interest, particularly from farmers wishing to build small abattoirs to support local meat supply chains, more sustainable livestock production and conservation grazing.
ED Miliband did not waste any time overruling the ban to build an enormous £600 million solar farm across 1,130 hectares of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire by Sunnica (Labour Approves Solar Plan, FG, July 19).
Mr Miliband, our New Energy and Net Zero Secretary, says he wants to unleash a ‘UK solar rooftop revolution’, but this solar farm and others will be built on good
ON social media, readers had their say after Quorn said it has worked with food service partners across healthcare, namely the NHS, in providing a mixture of blended meat and non-meat products:
■ “It’s an ultra-processed food. How is that good for patients?”
PAULA SUMMERS
■ “How can the NHS afford to offer
agricultural land, not on rooftops. There are plans to build another gigantic solar farm on land north
Quorn? A balanced diet of seasonal meat and veg is surely more cost effective and sustainable.”
YOUNG FARMER WILLIAM
■ “Surely a proper balanced meal with British meat and British veg would be better for the patients. The NHS doesn’t care about our farmers then.”
KIAN MATTHEW JAMES McVICKER
■ “We’re rightly advised to reduce ultra-
of Gloucester by the same company and another large scale one across farmland in Lincolnshire.
processed food - this encourages it.”
JAMES BURDEN
■ “Don’t they want people to get better?”
CHARLOTTE RUSSELL
■ “Yuck in my opinion, but I would hope it’s clearly labelled so people know what it is they are choosing on the menus provided to patients.”
VICKY SOUTHERN
The housing boom the Labour Party is proposing will result in more farmland disappearing under concrete.
Picture sent in by Ivor’s granddaughter Helen Gould.
Now this new policy attack of sacrificing farm land for solar panels is madness personified and a huge threat to our already very fragile food security, resulting in more imported food and a worsening of the Government’s balance of payments.
Suzanne Greenhill, Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire.
FARMERS are fed up of being cast as the ‘villain’.
You are not the only people. I am for one.
My interest in agriculture started at the age of eight, thanks to Mr R. Collins, Penrhwewair Farm, Llanach.
But Jeffrey Short (who some of your readers will know) said, ‘you cannot educate pork while pigs are around’.
This was something I did not grasp for a number of years, until I realised he was talking about humans.
A third of our food relies on bees. Urban bees need food flowers as
If you have a classic picture you would like to share, please email it to marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com ■
data controller of personal data provided to us. We are a UK company specialising in providing information services including news, analysis, data, pricing, insight and market intelligence to agribusiness professionals across the globe. This policy sets out how we do this and applies the use of your personal data that you disclose to us by entering into our competition to win £200 for the Stockjudging Competition or £20 Love2Shop vouchers for the weekly Crossword Competition, referred to throughout this statement as the “Competitions”. How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by lling 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, rst. 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 sta 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.
well as rural bees. But just as long as there is food on the supermarket shelves, urbanites, along with others, will not care that nature’s needs are linked to their own.
Local Government as well as national Government should be concerned about food security.
To cut down on air miles and also because the world is in such a fragile state as it is.
P.C. Williams, via email.
I WAS intrigued by the statement by Sarah Spencer of Balance Power (Renewables do not need to threaten food production, FG, July 19) that ‘farmers could continue to farm around solar panels, either by planting crops or allowing sheep to graze under them.’
Which crops is she referring to and what machinery or handpicking workforce is to harvest them? How many additional shepherding hours is required per acre of solar panels to carry out the daily check of sheep?
Gillian Herbert, Linley Green, Worcestershire.
Rachael Brown Chief Reporter – rachael.brown@agriconnect.com
HUW Irranca-Davies has been Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister for just over four months and, many would say, has developed a more positive relationship with the industry than had been experienced before.
That said, the bruising Welsh farming feels from years of Government stonewalling remains visible and the ‘toxicity’ around the 10% tree cover continues to be a significant barrier to meaningful Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) discussion.
This week Mr Irranca-Davies tried to offer some reassurance, saying the policy was being ‘discussed and explored.’ But in farmers’ minds, it still sits as a universal action and inevitably a universal sticking point. The Minister acknowledged it was a complex process, but with an overwhelming 12,000 responses to the SFS consultation – the vast majority citing 10% trees as main entry barrier – a little clarity would be beneficial.
Moving beyond trees, there are also still no answers on payment methodology nor the future budget – uncertainties that not only limit on-farm
Background: I am from the North West of England, which is arguably the wettest region of the country.
We take the brunt of the transatlantic rainfall before it hits the more mountainous regions of the Lake District and the Pennines.
I am fortunate that much of my agricultural experience stems from my dad and his land drainage business.
As a child, I would often accompany my dad on jobs while he assessed land and advised on various drainage schemes. Work experience: Over the years, I have gained more skills and experience, with the last year being no exception.
I decided to do my work experience with my dad, and it was a fantastic decision.
The issue of weather and how
it impacts people working with land, has always fascinated me.
However, in the last year, I have seen how bad it really is.
The unforgiving rainfall and sodden ground is not making work any easier for land workers needing to plough and sow fields.
The land is just too sodden, and the rate of infiltration is not anywhere near required levels.
Farmers across the nation are facing these problems daily. El Nino effect: Many people will blame climate change for our increased levels of precipitation and, while that may be true to some extent, it cannot be the only reason Britain’s yields and productivity has been affected.
Instead, we should point our fingers to the El Nino effect.
This is where changes in sea
investment, but also hinder succession and future planning. If Mr Irranca-Davies wants to support the next generation, as he says, then guidance is needed. The reality is, if farmers had been listened to previously, there would have been no SFS delay.
As the outgoing First Minister said, there is no point arguing about the past, it is about how we move forward and as Mr Irranca-Davies acknowledges there are ‘mountains to move’, but it must be done ‘together’ and ‘in partnership’.
temperature in the southern Pacific Ocean have the potential to wreak havoc across the globe. Unfortunately, Britain’s wet weather only gets wetter. Typically, an El Nino year would happen every four to six years.
Oldham, Greater Manchester Evie Winston, 17, has recently completed her work experience at her dad’s land drainage company BPG Contractors. She is from Oldham, Greater Manchester.
However, since 2000 we have recorded seven El Nino-type effects, with one of the major impacts from it taking place in the past year.
Challenges: The recent increased levels of precipitation could lead to this summer being the wettest in 100 years, which is not good news for anyone working in agriculture. Despite facing these challenges, I believe we continue to plough a way forward in working alongside nature to meet the growing demands of our increasing population.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Edited by Alex Black – 07880 490 486 – alex.black@agriconnect.com
For more business content, go to farmersguardian.com/farm-business-news-hub
With harvest now underway here in the UK, Cedric Porter takes a look at what is currently happening in the wider grain market around the world.
SMALL UK and European cereal harvests may support the market, although more plentiful supplies elsewhere may limit gains.
Sunny weather is expected to replace showers by the end of this week in the east of England, although conditions may still be catchy further west and north.
Growers will hope that the beginning of August will herald warmer and drier conditions.
The difficult conditions have been mirrored in the European grain belt. German farming organisations are expecting a 3-6% drop in wheat production this year, which would mean the smallest crop since 2018.
Meanwhile, only 14% of the French wheat crop had been
harvested by July 15, compared to 43% a year ago, according to Government agency France Agri Mer, with a 15% drop on last year’s 35 million-tonne crop expected.
The pressure on European supply contrasts with that in the US.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that 71% of the US winter wheat harvest was done by July 14, which compares to 53% last year and 62% for the fiveyear average.
In the USDA’s July world supply and demand report, it increased its estimate of global wheat production by 0.7% compared to June to a record 796.19mt, which was 0.9% more than a year ago, although stocks remain a little lower.
Other bearish factors include a larger than expected Russian crop, which appears to have weathered
the spring drought. Russian consultant IKAR recently increased its estimate for the 2024 wheat crop by 1.2mt to 83.2mt, although that is 9mt less than last year.
“European markets are definitely more bullish than others, but even globally stocks are still quite tight which could influence the market in the next few weeks,” said Olivia Bonser, senior cereals and oilseed analyst at AHDB.
“The focus is shifting to the size of the maize or corn crop, where there are some concerns. That could give support to the wheat market.”
She added that there was inevitably some pressure on prices at this time of the year when the Northern Hemisphere harvest is at its peak.
Prices may increase later in the season, especially if there were not large supplies from the Southern
Hemisphere in a few months’ time.
At the start of this week, July 2024 feed wheat futures on the London ICE market was £170/t. That was £3/t up on the month, but £30/t less than two months ago.
The November 2024 price was up £1.20 to £196/t on Monday, with the November 2025 price jumping by £7/t in the week and breaking through the £200/t barrier.
Agri-Analytics UK chief analyst Rupert Somercales said: “London prices have held steady over the past month, with a small drop in the Paris market, while Chicago prices have fallen by 10% over the past month. However, the real picture is more nuanced, with Kansas and North Dakota hard red wheat prices strengthening, which suggests a tightening in the supply of milling wheat.”
A SMALL crop this year, high yields and historically high prices mean that wheat is likely to deliver the best gross margins (GM) from next year’s harvest, early analysis from AHDB shows.
However, other crops may also deliver an attractive return on investment too.
Making yield and price assumptions, winter milling wheat is expected to top gross margin at £1,177/hectare, followed by winter feed wheat at a gross margin of £927/ha.
Spring barley’s gross margin is estimated at £179/ha less.
Feed barley, winter oilseed rape, beans and milling oats all have an expected gross margin of more than £600/ha.
Winter rye’s GM is expected to be the smallest, at £392/ha.
However, there is a different order when crops are ranked in terms of return on variable cost invested.
Using that metric, spring malting barley and spring milling
oats deliver the best return at £2.81 for every £1 of variable cost spent on the crop.
Winter feed beans follow closely behind at £2.80, while GM winner winter milling wheat is only in fourth place at £2.71 for every £1 invested.
Spring feed beans and spring linseed also perform better than winter feed wheat, whose return on variable cost invested is £2.43 per £1 spent. The assumptions are made using data from Defra and
the Agricultural Budgeting and Costing Book, using futures and spot fertiliser prices from June 2024 as a guide.
“As expected, winter milling wheat and feed wheat came out as the top two performing crops of those analysed on a gross margin basis – with high yield potentials and considering current UK feed wheat pricing for November 2025,” said Ella Roberts, trainee analyst at AHDB.
“Unsurprisingly, this looks to be a strong incentive to plant wheat for harvest 2025, weather allowing.”
She said in most cases, growing a crop delivers a higher gross margin than opting for an English Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) payment, although AHDB analysis suggests that an SFI option may be better than planting oilseed rape if it is consistently prone to failure.
OUTDATED and unreliable machinery is putting pressure on the traditional thatching industry in England, with labour challenges and the weather also causing problems.
According to Historic England, thatchers’ skills were in high demand, but around 80% of cereal straw for thatching is produced by about 25 English growers.
l Herd sizes continue to increase
By Cedric Porter
MULLER has given notice to 26 dairy farms saying they either do not supply enough milk or do not meet required sustainability or animal welfare standards.
The dairy has said that it has given the farms a year’s notice.
A spokesperson for Muller Milk and Ingredients said: “We have identified a very small number of supplying farms who, when compared with our other suppliers, are not continually meeting our high standards of sustainability and welfare, or provide us with low volumes of milk.
“It is important to emphasise that discussions were held with impacted farms in advance and where notices have been served, these can be rescinded if agreed by all parties. We are providing a full 12-month notice period and will support throughout this period of transition.”
One dairy analyst said if farms were not meeting the standards re-
quired of them or not supplying enough milk, it was unfortunately inevitable dairies would be forced to give them notice.
The analyst, who did not want to be named as they were unfamiliar with the detail of Muller’s actions, added other dairies may want the milk from affected farms.
The notices were unlikely to be covered by the newly introduced Fair Dealing Obligations Regulations which only apply to contracts signed after the law came into force on July 9.
It was not clear what size the 26 farms are, but herd sizes are continuing to increase at a rapid rate. In 2023, the UK average dairy herd
* BOUNDARY & TITLE
* ACCESS PROBLEMS
* EASEMENTS
* LAND REGISTRY
* PARTNERSHIP& INHERITANCE PROBLEMS
* DIVORCE & SEPARATION
Yes that’s right! FREE LEGAL ADVICE on all matters involving land and business disputes. Whether it’s a new matter or a second opinion on an existing case call now and find out what we think and where you stand. For a FREE down to earth opinion on any land or commercial dispute please contact Specialist, Ian Procter (Solicitor) direct at 01254
07970 404 536 supporting the Farming Community. 79 King Street, Whalley, Clitheroe, BB7 9SW.
stood at 170 cows. That was 15% more than in 2018 and 120% higher than 25 years before. Scotland has the largest average herds at 220 cows, up 13% on 2018 and almost double that in 1998.
The size of the average English and Welsh herd grew by 19% in the five years to 2023 at 179, which was 128% larger than in 1998. Northern Ireland has the UK’s smallest dairy herds at an average of 127 cows in 2023 – only 4% larger than in 2018, but an increase of 126% on the 1998 figure.
It is important to emphasise that discussions were held with impacted farms in advance
MULLER SPOKESPERSON
CHEESEMAKER Barbers has loosened its milk pricing regime in order to encourage its farmer suppliers to deliver more milk.
The company has operated a Base Milk Volume (BMV) since 2017, where producers set their own forecasts and are paid the Barbers standard milk price for up to 105% of the forecast volume that is delivered. Payment for excess milk was based on the AHDB’s Actual Milk Price Equivalent (AMPE) -2ppl.
In a statement, Barbers said: “This year, despite the shortfall of milk supply across most of the UK, AMPE has not kept pace with prevailing milk prices – indeed, the Barbers price has outpaced AMPE in every month this year.”
It added that the mechanism has acted as a disincentive for farmers to produce extra milk and so the system is being suspended with no BMV penalty payments incurred for extra milk until the end to the year.
Barbers did say that should the AMPE price increase to levels above the prevailing standard price, then farmers would get the extra. However, it added that was looking unlikely.
The dairy has set a standard August milk price of 41.8ppl, which it claims is the highest milk for cheese price in the UK and represents a 0.25ppl increase which was the seventh of the year.
By Rachael Brown
SHEEP throughput figures for June are showing a ‘concerning trend’ with numbers slaughtered substantially down in the first six months of this year compared to 2023.
Some 5.4 million prime lambs were processed in the first six months of the year, down 9% yearon-year and 6% below 2022 levels.
Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) intelligence, analysis and business insight executive, Glesni Phillips, said it represented a ‘concerning trend’ of consecutive lower numbers.
She said: “This 9% fewer prime lambs equates to a weighty 564,400 head on 2023 numbers and is a knock-on effect of the information we saw in the 2023 June survey, which registered a 10% fall in sheep numbers.
“It depicts a concerning and successive year-on-year trend of a shrinking flock that could have sizeable repercussions for critical
mass and lower production in Wales.”
In total, there were 6.1 million sheep and lambs slaughtered at UK abattoirs up until June, representing a significant 10%, or 699,200 head, decline from the previous year.
But Ms Phillips said the statistics had included adult sheep numbers dropping as well, adding it was possible ‘some could be kept back for further breeding.’
She said throughput of adult sheep in the period was significantly below year-earlier levels, down 16% to 688,600 head, which is the lowest level recorded since the first six months of 2020.
Consequently, the total volume of sheepmeat produced from January to July 2024 was 8% lower than year-earlier levels, at 129,400 tonnes.
Ms Phillips said: “Another factor could be that the weather is impacting on grass growth and setting back finishing until after June.
“But all in all, the numbers are some way behind where we would have thought they would be at this time of year.”
SCOTTISH prime cattle numbers have shown short-term resilience despite the decrease in Scotland’s overall beef herd over the past year.
Data from the British Cattle Movement Service highlights a significant increase in prime cattle numbers on Scottish farms year on year.
According to analysis by Quality meat Scotland (QMS) in April 2024, there was a marked 4.4% increase in the pool of males and beef-sired females aged 12-30 months compared to the previous year.
Iain Macdonald, market intelligence manager at QMS, said: “This is likely to have been even stronger after accounting for age at death and is likely to have contributed to the downwards pressure on prime cattle prices observed in the spring.
“However, a seasonal dip in availability for slaughter has resulted in a
slight price rebound since mid-June, with R4L steers reaching 489.8p/kg at Scottish abattoirs in the second week of July - 1.6% above the earlyJune low, yet still 3.9% below the year-to-date peak in February.”
Driving the year-on-year increase in prime cattle supply on Scottish farms has been a decline in the outflow of store cattle to England and Wales from its peak, alongside the legacy of an increased spring calf crop in 2022.
Mr Macdonald added: “South of the border, the picture is slightly different.
“There was a smaller year-onyear increase in slaughter availability in the first half compared to Scotland and this trend is expected to continue into the third quarter, before potentially tightening compared to 2023 in the run up to Christmas.”
Cover crops, regulations and rural community were all in discussion at Groundswell Outreach event Go Falkland. Ewan Pate reports from the Falkland Estate, Fife.
● Importance of timing highlighted
By Ewan Pate
SCOTTISH Government’s current regulations are restricting the usefulness of cover crops, according to a speaker at last week’s Go Falkland event, an outreach from Groundswell held at the Falkland Estate in Fife.
David Cunningham, director and bio-agronomist with seed house Dods of Haddington, said that in Scotland timing was everything, with some of best opportunities coming when they were used as part of an Environmental Focus Area (EFA) or an Agri Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS).
Mr Cunningham said: “There is, however, a big drawback with these schemes because the earliest cutting dates are so late that the plants have lignified. This means that they need a lot of nitrogen to aid the breakdown of the chopped plant material.”
The regulations specify July 15 as the earliest date for cutting EFA and August 15 for AECS land.
“I believe there should be the opportunity to flail earlier while still allowing for ground-nesting birds,” added Mr Cunningham.
He said cover crops should be as diverse as possible, with at least four or five crop types in the mix.
Polycropping or multicropping
opened up some ‘great possibilities’ now that there was technology to separate post-harvest.
Dr Ali Carley, agroecologist at the James Hutton Institute, carried out research into intercropping and crop diversity.
He said: “Plants compete fiercely with each other, so it makes sense to introduce crops with different resource requirements so that they both benefit.”
Climbing plants, such as peas, were
REGENERATION is not just about soils and farming – the rural community has to be regenerated too, according to Prof Simon Pearson, founding director of the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology.
Prof Pearson was brought up on a farm near Boston, where the soils were all Grade 1 silts capable of growing a huge range of crops.
His father and grandfather used 70hp tractors pulling the modestsized equipment typical of the 1970s. Now, the land is part of a big agribusiness using 250hp tractors.
He said: “I was back there in
2023 and could not walk across the land. The beautiful, friable soils which I remembered had been beaten into submission. Where once there had been 40 farms, there are now only two – the social cohesion has gone.”
The driving force for these changes has been the need to supply food at affordable prices. Earlier in his career, Prof Pearson had worked for a multiple retailer and for a large farming business growing crops and flowers, so he understood how the supply chain worked.
He urged policymakers to think hard
Polycropping or multicropping opened up some ‘great possibilities’ now that there was technology to separate post-harvest, said David Cunningham, of Dods of Haddington.
found to benefit from being grown alongside structural plants, such as cereals, which could benefit from nitrogen fixing. Total yields could be 20-30% higher above the ground with intercropping, but the same could apply underground.
This could be tested by looking at the rhizosheath – the amount of soil clinging to roots of plants pulled out of the ground.
Dr Carley added: “Look at where the roots are placed, how fine they are and how plastic they are. Do they intermingle with those of their co-crop?
about ways to introduce more fairness in the supply chain.
He said there had to be an end to the constant chopping and changing which bedevilled the industry, and that only when that happened would farmers have the confidence to invest in more efficient production methods.
“We have to be realistic, however. There is not much to come in money terms from consumers or the supply chain. So we need to innovate, learn lessons and improve skills,” he said, adding the innovation would come from agri-tech.
He also said the new Government
“Root exudates from the growing tips can include carbohydrates or toxins which work against diseases.”
Dr Joel Williams, international soils consultant, noted the importance of spatial diversity where crops were either grown in a mix or in alternate rows – different shaped leaves growing in a different structure could capture more sunlight.
“Carbon dioxide uptake in a fourway mix can be twice as high as in a monocrop,” he said.
had to tackle the cost of energy, which would in turn boost investment.
Early consideration of possible tax and succession implications of onshore wind developer agreements will be vital, according to Emily Pumfrey.
With the new Labour Government keen to boost renewable energy production, HCR Hewitson’s Emily Pumfrey takes a look at the legal implications of the diversification opportunities. Farmers Guardian finds out more.
● Plans to end ban on new onshore wind farms
FARMERS and landowners who are approached by onshore wind developers are being urged to seek legal advice from the outset to safeguard their interests.
Emily Pumfrey, partner in HCR Hewitsons’ agriculture and estates team, said farmers and landowners were likely to see a surge in interest from developers following the new Chancellor of the Exchequer’s planning shake-up.
She said: “Rachel Reeves’ immediate commitment to end the ban on new onshore wind farms and plans to consult on reintegrating onshore wind into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project [NSIP] regime in England have unsurprisingly sparked industry discussions.
“The news about the possible shift to national Government-led sign-off rather than local decision-making for large-scale wind projects rightfully raises concerns about balancing
future food security against the race to net zero, with more land potentially being taken out of production to accommodate new wind farm sites or other large-scale NSIP renewable projects.”
However, change often comes with opportunity, and Ms Pumfrey said some landowners could potentially be set to benefit.
“With an influx of enquiries from onshore wind developers expected over the coming months following the Chancellor’s announcement, farmers and landowners looking at alternative ways to secure additional income streams should rightly explore potential opportunities.
“However, we strongly recommend that if a developer contacts you with an initial offer, especially if they have already obtained or are looking to secure a connection to the nearby electricity grid, that you seek legal advice before proceeding.”
Ms Pumfrey said developers would be keen to lock down potential
Farmers and landowners looking at alternative income streams should rightly explore potential opportunities
EMILY PUMFREY
sites, but she warned against signing anything without proper advice.
She said: “Entering an exclusivity arrangement or giving consent for the developer to seek a connection to your land can rule out other potentially better offers.
“It is therefore important to undertake proper research, including
evaluating a developer’s experience, source of funding and previous success rate.
“A specialist surveyor or land agent can help you with this.”
She added that early consideration of the possible tax and succession implications of such agreements, as well as what it meant practically for a farm and business, was also vital.
“An opportunity for this type of development is often a once-in-a-generation event and will have a longlasting impact on your rural business for decades to come,” she said.
“Overlooking tax implications can lead to costly surprises further down the line, so it is important to plan for this in advance.
“If you are approached and are considering letting your land as an onshore wind farm, our advice is to proceed with caution and seek professional advice from the outset.
“This will help you to avoid any pitfalls and make the most out of the opportunity,” she added.
IT is hard to believe that dairy farmer Elaine Smith was once scared of cows.
Coming from a non-farming background, she found herself in the industry after meeting her husband Paul, a dairy farmer from Croston, Lancashire.
Fast-forward to now and Elaine is leading the way in farm education, with a passion for bringing children of all ages to the farm’s education centre on-site.
After being a full-time teacher, she has slowly cut down and focused more on the farm in the last five years.
Her lack of knowledge has, she says, helped her better connect to people from non-agricultural backgrounds, and her teaching experience sets her up to communicate in an effective way.
She also says it goes to show just what you can learn from immersing yourself in the industry.
The farm was originally spread across two sites, but their second farm in Eccleston became too much to handle, especially for Paul on his own.
So they decided to sell up and focus on the farm at Croston, pouring their energy into their two passions: dairy and education.
“We needed to change, and it gave us the opportunity to develop the education centre,” says Elaine.
“We wanted to keep the cows but install robots – this lent itself to the education centre, which was always in the background when planning.
“There is a viewing window from the office and the robot room is big enough to fit a school class in. The robots mean that visitors can come and see a cow being milked any time of the day. The dairy is fundamental to what we do.”
There is, she says, a massive disconnect when it comes to where food comes from, but the farm also offers
Elaine Smith has made it her mission to excite children about the world of farming. Emily Ashworth finds out more.
[Children] are open-minded and can make their own
ELAINE SMITH
respite and a natural environment for children to express themselves in. Reaffirming that connection is key to all Elaine does.
“A lot of work goes into producing a litre of milk,” she says.
“Also, I come home and my head is whizzing from teaching all day, but I will go into the cow shed and just feel a sense of calm – imagine what that does for the children.”
Opening your farm up to the public takes a certain amount of confidence, but teaching has given her the knowledge to make it a ‘worthwhile visit’.
Children from the age of four and
upwards are welcome – Elaine even invites A-level students studying the environment and science, with all sessions linking to the curriculum and whatever the specific groups visit the farm for.
She is also keen to ensure their visits are authentic.
She says: “We are a working farm –this is not a petting zoo – and they are coming to understand what we do here, and we are proud of that.”
Elaine took on the NFU’s Farmers for Schools training, and has since experienced things she would never have dreamed of, such as appearing on Countryfile with Adam Henson to talk about the NFU Stem project.
She also visited Number 10 Downing Street after being invited by Akshata Murty, the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife. The idea was to bring children to Downing Street to showcase different industries, including food and farming.
Elaine says: “I was in the state dining room thinking of all the conversations those walls must have heard, and there I was just stood there.
“The children had to invent a canape collection, but the ingredients had to be British. I had to help the children design them and the advertising and present it back to the Prime Minister’s
wife. It was such an honour, and the whole experience was unbelievable –to see the kids’ faces as well.
“The best people to target are kids. They are open-minded and can make their own judgements.”
She has recently been nominated for an Enterprise Vision Award, for her commitment to all of the above and her dedication to making real change.
But Elaine’s main goal is to give children the knowledge to make their own informed choices about food and, whatever that may be, acknowledge that somewhere along the line that food will have been produced by a farmer.
She also links her sessions to land stewardship and the maintenance of the countryside.
But more could be done in schools. She nods to her national curriculum teaching book, which is over 200 pages, yet for key stage one and two there is only one sentence regarding food: ‘Understand where food comes from’.
Elaine hopes to give schools a place to come and do that, and though her Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme, she can fund 25 visits per year – but that is not enough.
“We fill those in no time, and we need to be able to do more,” she says.
“Some farmers in my area do not want to do the Stewardship visits, so why can I not take those, then more kids can come? It means once the 24 visits have gone, schools then have to pay for everything, and I have to choose who comes.”
Elaine wants to focus on the education centre full-time – it is a far cry from the young woman who did not even want to be around cows, but she has found her role in helping bring children a little closer to the industry and takes great joy in seeing them experience the farm for the first time. She says: “Some of these kids have never seen grass, and to see them run in the fields, fall over and laugh and get back up and go again is unbelievable.”.
Elaine Smith encourages others to welcome children on-farm too, to highlight the ‘fantastic’ job they do, and says there is support out there, such as the CEVAS course.
URSULA von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission following a secret ballot in which she secured the backing of 401 MEPs. Ms von der Leyen was first elected in 2019 and will now serve another five years.
Speaking after the vote, she said the result was a sign of strong confidence.
She said: “You can imagine this is a very emotional and special moment for me.”
PROPOSALS to place a price on agricultural emissions by 2030 have caused concerns for the New Zealand beef and sheep industry, despite some positive elements in the country’s draft emissions reduction plan.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland said it was still digesting consultation document and would be working with farmers to develop a comprehensive response.
She said: “Our primary concern is that there are a number of mentions to a definite price on agricultural emissions by 2030.
“There has been a significant reduction in sheep and beef emissions in the last couple of years as a result of afforestation. From a sheep and beef sector perspective there is no need for a price if reductions are already happening.”
She added references in the consultation documents on the intent to put limits on whole-farm conversions to forestry were positive.
“There is absolutely a place for forestry, our concern has always been about the scale and pace of whole sheep and beef farms being sold to convert into forestry for carbon credits. We are also hugely supportive of the integration of trees within farms, which could go a long way towards meeting New Zealand’s climate objectives.”
Ms Acland added that even if some restrictions on afforestation were introduced, land-use change will continue.
“This underscores our argument that there is no need for a price on agricultural emissions,” she said, adding there were better ways of achieving outcomes.
By Alex Black
HEAT and drought could reduce the Ukrainian maize and sunflower harvest by 35% this year, the First Ukrainian Agricultural Co-operative (FUAC) has warned.
Difficult weather conditions were impacting on the harvest, with analysts suggesting there could be a repeat of the 2020 season, when harvest dropped by 35%.
The FUAC said: “Productive moisture reserves are extremely low. Despite the fact that the temperature is expected to drop, the lack of precipitation will negatively affect the development of these crops.
“Nowadays, in particular, corn is beginning to bloom, laying the foundation for yields. And without precipitation, the situation could be quite critical.
“Unfortunately, there could be a repeat of 2020 and 30-35% reduction
in yields. This fact makes some importers stock up on corn while it is cheap.”
Global demand for maize has also increased as Romanian maize has been ‘burned’ by the heat, with about 15-30% of the acreage lost.
The price of Romania origin has jumped up as a result, with Ukrainian maize also increasing on the export market.
The FUAC said: “Demand has
resumed, and European importers have started to build up stocks. Egypt is starting to contract corn, so Ukrainian producers can compete with American and Argentine corn.”
FUAC said the weather could fuel further price rises. However, trade in the sunflower market was currently weak.
The FUAC said: “By the end of the season, this crop will be illiquid.”
The price of sunflower might rise though if the weather impacts crops.
People who have finally managed to clear their land of mines are losing 20-30ha of land to arson
ANDRIY DYKUN
The Ukrainian Agri Council has also said there have been dozens of reports from farmers about the destruction of fields by Russian soldiers, burning hundreds of hectares of crops.
Andriy Dykun, chair of the Ukrainian Agri Council, said Ukrainian farmers were desperate because they cannot protect their fields.
He said: “People who have finally managed to clear their land of mines are losing 20-30ha of land to arson.
“These are large volumes and enormous losses. Without this income, farmers cannot repay the loans they took out to develop their farms.”
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 –
Taking on a Duchy of Lancaster farm five years ago enabled Chris Timm and family to expand their livestock business. Angela Calvert finds out more.
Livestock has always been a passion for Chris Timm, but not just any livestock, it has to be the best, leading to a reputation for breeding and selling quality stock.
He says: “We are commercially minded and aim to breed stock which is fit for purpose and you have to be able to stand behind what you sell.
“The bottom line is important and we are constantly looking to improve what we produce.
“You have to be prepared to change and the business has to evolve to be sustainable in the longer term.”
Although from a farming background, Chris’ family’s business was mainly arable, along with a flour mill, with the exception of his father David, who has bred Suffolk sheep for more than 50 years.
Chris started his own sheep enterprise while still at school and has been breeding Charollais for more than 25 years. In his teens he also had a flock
of Border Leicesters, which he sold privately for £5,000 after advertising them in Farmers Guardian.
Chris says: “My father would not let me put the money in the bank. He said it was better invested in stock, so I bought four older Aberdeen-Angus cows from Tom Brewis and that was the start of my cattle herd.
“Since then, I have continued to
build up livestock numbers, always focusing on trying to improve the quality of stock.”
After leaving school he worked as a self-employed stockman with cattle and sheep, at the same time as managing his own stock.
In 2012, along with his wife Lisa, he took on the tenancy of a 320-hectare (80-acre) farm at Appleton Roebuck,
while at the same time working on a farm with 1,000 ewes and 100 suckler cows.
He says: “When I got to 200 ewes and 25 Aberdeen-Angus cows, I took the decision just to work for myself.”
The couple were rapidly outgrowing the farm and looking for an alternative. But after an unsuccessful application for a Duchy of Lancaster
farm in Scarborough, the estate came back to them and offered them the 129ha (320-acre) West Farm in Pickering.
Chris, Lisa and their three children – Alice, Izzy and Oliver, who are now 15, 11 and nine, respectively –moved to the farm in September 2019.
While it was a welcome opportunity to move to a bigger farm, it was not without its challenges.
Chris says: “It had been used for outdoor pigs, so we have had to reseed the whole farm over the last five years.
“And while there are good buildings, they had been neglected, so there was a lot of work to do.
“It is a hard farm, which is very exposed due to the East wind coming off the North Sea, and it is dry, meaning it can carry more stock in winter than in summer, so we have had to adjust our stock management accordingly.
“We need sheep with wool; peeling sheep are no good to me.”
Producing quality stock, whether for the finished or breeding market, has always been at the forefront of the business.
Chris says: “We are never going to have big numbers, so it is all about maximising income from what we have. We are always aiming for the top end of the market – if it is a butcher’s lamb it has to be the best butcher’s lamb.
“With breeding stock, both cattle and sheep, we follow figures closely,
We are never going to have big numbers, so it is all about maximising income from what we have
CHRIS TIMM
but also bloodlines, putting a lot of emphasis on the female side.”
Around 2015, Chris had started putting a Beltex ram onto Charollais ewes to breed cross-bred rams which have proved to be very popular.
Most are sold to commercial buyers through Bentham and other marts, where they have developed a good reputation and have plenty of repeat buyers.
This cross obviously also produced some very good ewe lambs, so taking this a step further, the best of these are put back to a Texel ram to produce what Chris is now marketing as his own breed, the Yorkie.
Sheep numbers now stand at 350 ewes, which includes Charollais,
In May last year the family took on a butcher’s shop and delicatessen in Pickering.
Texels and Beltex. The farm is also currently home to David’s Boothferry pedigree Suffolks, but these are to be dispersed at Carlisle on August 1.
David says: “It will be a sad day, as I have had Suffolks for 54 years, but we have to keep evolving the business, and we do not really have the time to put into the Suffolks and to show them, which we really should do.”
About 100 pedigree shearling rams are sold every year at Melton Mowbray and Kelso, and the second National Sheep Association sale at Builth Wells, as well as 120 ewes at Melton Mowbray, with 60 ewe lambs kept as replacements. Lambs are only creep-fed from 12 weeks old.
Chris says: “This means we can
see what the ewes are doing – you can cover up a lot of maternal traits with creep.
“We are always looking to keep improving the top end aiming for more efficiency and faster growth. We weed out any weaknesses and any ewes with any kind of issue are culled.”
Half of the ram lambs are kept to sell for breeding and the aim is to sell
The farm has 95 suckler cows, including pedigree Charolais.
Shearling rams for sale this year – Charollais, Texels and Yorkies.
100-plus rams at 850-1,000gns a year.
Historically, the Suffolk and Charollais sheep have lambed in January and the remainder of the flock at the end of February/March. But going forward the plan is to move all lambing to start in mid-March.
the Balbithan dispersal – some from the Hillviewfarm herd and Tweeddale Rosemary, a heifer from Jonathan Watson.
tainable future for the family, in May last year they took on a butcher’s shop and delicatessen in Pickering following the previous owner’s retirement.
One of the first bulls bought was Balthayock Nominee, which has already produced some promising sons, including Wensleydale Tomahawk, which sold for 15,000gns at Stirling in February this year.
Chris says: “Livestock prices have been good recently, but costs keep going up, so we need to see how we can reduce them and also be more labour-efficient. This is a late farm and the grass is not there for the ewes and lambs early on.”
Pedigree cattle are also an increasingly important part of the business.
There are now 65 Aberdeen-Angus cows run under the Wensleydale prefix and, seven years ago, Chris invested in the Charolais breed.
He says: “We wanted an alternative to the Angus, and Charolais have improved in recent years and are now easy calving and are the best feed converters.
“Shed space can be an issue, so I need cattle which can look after themselves and will winter out on kale and forage crops.”
Four females were bought from
■ 129 hectares (320 acres), consisting of 18ha (45 acres) of barley, 4ha (10 acres) of fodder beet, 10ha (25 acres) of kale and the remainder grass
■ 10ha (25 acres) of grass reseeded this year
■ 61ha (150 acres) of herbal leys in Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme
The most recent bull purchase is Barnsford Thistle, bought at Stirling in October last year.
Chris says: “John Morton, former stockman at Gretnahouse, comes once a month or so and has played a big part in turning bulls out for us and I have learned a lot from him.”
Cow numbers now stand at 95 head, including 15 cross-breds used as recipients for embryo work. The aim is to sell 10 Charalais bulls a year and 25-30 bulls in total to average 4,500gns, while gradually increase the value of the pedigree stock.
Chris says: “In a move to make the business more efficient, we are shifting the focus a bit more onto cattle as they are not as labour-intensive.
“Staff are hard to find, so I want this to be a one-man operation.”
In another move to ensure a sus-
■ Farm is in the Countryside Stewardship scheme
■ 350 ewes; all sheep MV-accredited
■ 95 suckler cows, including pedigree Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and cross-breds
■ Cattle in high health scheme: IBR clear, Johne’s level 1, BVD-free, bovine TB four area
Chris says: “It really is our diversification and works well with the farm and has enabled us to create a self-sufficient supply chain. I have always been interested in that side of the business.
“We have had a lot of success in carcase competitions, including winning at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show, where we also won with commercial lambs, but no other experience.
“We had a great deal of advice from family friend Paul Nicholson, who is a lecturer at Bishop Burton College, and we now employ two full-time butchers.
“We supply the shop with about one-and-a-half beasts a week and four or five lambs of our own. It is a big tourist area and a very traditional town, so they do like lamb.
“We buy any additional cattle needed from Thirsk or Malton markets, to support other farmers, and three or four free-range pigs a week from Anna’s Happy Trotters at Howden. We also supply 10 pubs and cafes.”
But it is Lisa who has taken on most of the responsibility for running the shop.
She says: “It has made a massive difference to family life, as I am in the shop every day except Sunday and a few hours off on Mondays, so we have all had to adjust.
“But I do really enjoy it. Even though we have only been there a relatively short time, we have made lots of friends and really feel part of the community.”
Edited by Jane Thynne – 07882 219 917 – jane.thynne@agriconnect.com
For more arable content, go to farmersguardian.com/arable-news-hub
By Jane Thynne
WITH early harvesting providing better-than-expected yields for some, eyes are now turning to what is left in the ground and concerns the lack of sun could still prove problematic.
Ed Horton, a regenerative and organic farmer who manages 3,500 hectares across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, says the sporadic sunshine is causing the ‘usual problems’ as the team attempts to bring in winter barley, oilseed rape and winter wheat.
The farm has three varieties of oilseed rape – Extrovert, Armada and Haneli – planted on 378ha.
Mr Horton says: “We have cleared
all our winter barley and we are twothirds through the OSR.
“I do not want to anger people, but so far, our OSR looks fantastic. We are hoping to get out there and finish, but currently we have more wet weather.”
Mr Horton says that over the past week the team managed to also cut 25ha of winter barley.
New variety
“We went with a new variety this year – KWS Tardis. Considering the year it has had, I am very happy with how it has done.
“Nothing about its growing season was nice; it went in badly, lay wet and had a miserable winter and spring, and it has done okay.”
Mr Horton says average yield has been below the farm’s long-term average, which he attributes to the fact that every field ‘had a bald headland or a patch that just lay too wet’.
Ed Horton, a regenerative and organic farmer, says his wheat crop ‘could really do with some sun now’.
“But in the crops we have been able to bring in, the yield, I would say, is above average,” he adds.
“In March, I thought it was going to be a complete write-off. So yes – it is better than I hoped for. Yes, we have got bare patches, but our OSR on average is outdoing our long-term yield average quite nicely.”
Mr Horton says he is now focusing on the wheat, which currently looks good but is on inspection this week.
“I rubbed out some ears and some grains are looking a little pinched due to a lack of sunshine, but I am hoping it is just the earliest ears that are feeling that. We could really do with some sun now,” he says.
In Whittlesford, South Cambridgeshire, Charlie Deller says despite the ‘torrential rain’ this week, the team managed to complete the winter barley before the storms struck.
“It is all baled and clear, so we now
UNITED Oilseeds has written an open letter to members inviting them to support a new initiative ‘to give oilseed rape in the UK a reboot’.
The farming co-operative and seed seller is launching the project in order to combat the recent decline in planting, which has seen OSR yields fall by 10% or 0.36 tonnes per hectare during the most recent five-year period.
This year will see the smallest area of land in the UK planted with OSR since 1984. According to United Oilseeds, this reduces UK food security on edible oils to just 20%.
Setting out its new drive, United
Oilseeds is appealing to farmers to consider OSR due to its many practical and environmental benefits in reducing pests, boosting yields and supporting biodiversity.
The company’s managing director James Warner says the ‘time is now’ if farmers and the wider industry want to stabilise and improve the fortunes of OSR growing in the UK.
He says: “With the UK crop dropping sharply over the last decade, this year we are likely to import more OSR than we produce for the first time ever,
leaving us in a situation on edible oils that should be viewed as an emergency position from a food security point of view.
“Rapeseed continues to be the best-paying break crop, offering the best gross margins of all the options available to growers, at least on paper.”
Mr Warner says United Oilseeds is hoping to achieve greater industry collaboration in order to improve outcomes for growers.
“I am confident a collaborative approach, supported by concerted effort and additional investment, will yield positive results,” he adds.
have about a week or so before we start the wheat,” he says.
Mr Deller says he planted 36.5ha of Maris Otter, which all ‘looked good’. He says: “The barley has done well – no particular problems. We think it came back about 2.3 tonnes to the acre, but we expected that.”
In contrast to Mr Horton, Mr Deller says he managed to get all the farm’s winter crops in ‘nice and early’, and he adds: “[With] the way our rotations worked this year, we only had one field of spring barley to do. If we had had more, we could have been in trouble.
“The spring barley is looking lovely and has a lot of potential, but I worry the lack of sunshine means the quality will not be there when we come to harvest. But as they are stood in the field they look lovely.”
Created to celebrate British farming! Show your support and receive the latest updates for this year’s campaign and meet our ambassadors.
TAKING PLACE ON AUGUST 8, 5AM to AUGUST 9, 5AM
farmersguardian.com/farm24
Weather patterns are likely to favour the development of cercospora leaf spot in sugar beet over the coming weeks, says BBRO’s Prof Mark Stevens.
● Weather patterns favouring cercospora
By Teresa Rush
BEET cyst nematode, leaf miners, tortoise beetles and black bean aphids are among a mix of pests being found in sugar beet, but none are currently at a level to cause concern, says the British Beet Research
Organisation (BBRO). The large number of beneficial insects in crops are controlling black bean aphids well and growers are advised that sprays to control the pest are unlikely to be needed unless beet are under stress and aphid numbers are above an average threshold across the field of more than 100 aphids per plant.
There have been a number of reports of caterpillars in the beet
crop, particularly on the Suffolk coastline and these appear predominantly to be the Silver Y moth.
“These may have overwintered in the area which is a concern as this pest tends to migrate each year from north Africa and the Mediterranean basin during late spring/ early summer,” says BBRO head of science Prof Mark Stevens.
No cases of beet moth, which caused significant damage in sugar beet crops in 2022, have been reported in the commercial crop, although several adults have been identified around sea beet on the north Norfolk coast.
Leaf spot
Disease-wise, downy mildew, rust, bacterial leaf spot and cercospora are present in crops.
Bacterial leaf spot can be confused with cercospora, so correct identification is essential for control.
Bacterial leaf spot lesions are more irregularly shaped than those of cercospora, with a tan centre and
AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds is asking levy payers to submit ideas for research and knowledge exchange (R&KE) activities to help target its investment.
The approach is centred around a new farmer-led R&KE committee, which considers levy-payer ideas for R&KE activities; reviews research proposals; makes funding recommendations to the Cereals and Oilseeds sector council and oversees R&KE activities.
Newcastle University Farms farm director and tenant farmer, James Standen, who chairs the R&KE committee, says: “AHDB has a long history of funding independent research for the cereals and oilseeds sector. The new R&KE commissioning approach puts farmers at the front and centre of investment decisions.”
Plans to update management guidelines for fungal disease ergot and development of independent
information on growing cover crops are among the first projects to be commissioned under the new approach.
MORE INFORMATION
Levy payers can submit research ideas by emailing research.ideas@ahdb.org.uk; while a new web page provides tips on how to develop ideas and details the process (including timelines): ahdb.org.uk/research-ideas
deep brown–black borders, while cercospora is seen as more regular, circle-shaped spots with reddishbrown margins and tan-grey centres
With the latest results from BBRO’s Spornado spore monitoring network showing capture of cersopora spores in Lincolnshire and Suffolk, Prof Prof Stevens adds that recent and forecast weather patterns are likely to favour development of the disease over the coming weeks.
“With this in mind, use of fungicides with good efficacy against cercospora leaf spot will reduce the production of spores and further infection of your crops,” he says.
MORE INFORMATION
More on sugar beet pests at bbro.co.uk/on-farm/pests; and you can find the BBRO risk forecasting model at bbro.co.uk/on-farm/ cercospora-risk
OVER-yeared winter wheat seed comes with a health warning and growers should check its condition before planting this autumn to ensure plant populations do not disappoint.
That is the advice of Certis Belchim’s seed expert Adam Nears, who says there is likely to be a reasonable quantity of seed carried over from last autumn following many months of wet weather.
He says: “Growers worked hard to take drilling opportunities as they occurred, but there is still a proportion of winter wheat seed sat in sheds this summer.
“There is no reason why it should not be used this year, but it will need a health check and must be drilled into the most appropriate situation for successful establishment.”
Mr Nears believes the most important piece of advice is to get samples of over-yeared seed germination tested.
Stored in a modern, dry, and rodent-free grain store, any loss of germination should be minimal, but where seed has been kept in suboptimal conditions it can be significant.
“Reductions of 10-20% are common, but in much poorer conditions, where moisture or rodents
Growers worked hard to take drilling opportunities, but there is still winter wheat seed sat in sheds this summer
ADAM NEARS
Check the condition of over-yeared winter wheat seed before planting this autumn to ensure plant populations do not disappoint, says Adam Nears.
and insect pests are present, for example, the figure can be much higher.”
Seed treatments may have been applied to the seed, such as a single purpose dressing (SPD), with or without take-all product Latitude (silthiofam) and these will have no negative effect on seed viability, says Mr Nears.
Seed treatment active substances will remain effective when sown within 12 months of treatment, he adds. Where the germination of a treated seed lot is found to be poor, growers should not be tempted to dump or burn treated seed, as
regulations stipulate that it must be disposed of by a specialist contractor.
A final consideration is the situation into which over-yeared seed is planted.
If seed is only treated with an SPD, Mr Nears advises against planting it in a situation where the risk of take-all is high, such as a second or third wheat, as the crop will not be protected against the soil-borne pathogen.
In these cases, it would be best to plant into a lower risk first wheat situation and use fresh seed treated with an SPD + Latitude in the second wheat slot, he says.
DR Tim George, deputy director of the Invergowrie-based International Barley Hub, has been appointed president of the International Society of Root Research, in recognition of his expertise in soil and root science for the James Hutton Institute. Dr George has been working for close to 25 years as a plant physiologist and soil scientist specialising in the dynamics of nutrients in the rhizosphere – the zone of chemical, biological, and physical influence generated by root growth.
Commenting on his new role, Dr George said: “Clarifying the root’s role in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, is extremely important.
“I look forward to spreading the news about the great research being carried out by some of world’s root scientists in this critical area of research which has ramifications for global food security and environmental sustainability.”
Even a resilient barley variety, such as KWS Tardis, benefits from a well-structured production plan.
With the growing conditions we now see, a winter barley variety that grows strongly, stands through to harvest and delivers a good specific weight to access the best marketing opportunities is essential.
Its performance in these three key areas has seen KWS Tardis establish itself as the nation’s most widely-used two-row barley and it remains one of the UK’s highest yielding two-row winter feed barleys.
Commanding 40% of the declared barley acreage in 2023 and with strong sales for sowing this autumn, KWS Tardis is once again shaping up to be the winter barley of choice for many growers, says KWS UK conventional crops product manager Dr Kirsty Richards, who offers several tips on how to get the best out of the variety.
As a resilient variety, KWS Tardis does not have any specific issues that require particular management attention, but it will always benefit from a well-structured production plan based on collective knowledge, she advises.
“We have found the ideal time to drill and at what seed rate, for example, depends very much on the location of the farm, soil type and weather
Growers choosing a winter barley to drill this autumn are advised to focus on a combination of yield, standing power and specific weight. Farmers Guardian finds out more.
conditions at the time of sowing. If you are in the East and going for an early to mid-September sowing window, 230280 seeds/sq.m would be a good starting point, whereas for later sowing in early October or later, 340-380 seeds/sq.m has proven to be optimum,” she says.
Plant growth regulator (PGR) management is also relatively straightforward, but application rates and timings do need to be based on the prevailing weather and growing conditions, says Dr Richards.
“Regular monitoring of crop height throughout the growing season is a good idea with PGR strategy adjusted if the crop is deviating significantly from the desired height targets.”
WINTER barley has much to offer growers going forward, says Dr Richards:
■ Early to mid-September drilling helps take some of the pressure off when drilling winter wheat
■ Timeliness benefit applies through to the spring, as the crop reaches its T0, T1 and T2 application timings approximately
two to three weeks before winter wheat, helping to spread workloads
■ Winter barley’s earlier harvest date reduces pressure in terms of combining following crops, helping to avoid harvesting delays as the weather potentially worsens and it also offers an excellent entry into oilseed rape
PGR effectiveness is often linked to nitrogen management and the variety benefits from well-managed nitrogen application to balance crop nutrition and minimise the risk of lodging.
She says: “Generally speaking, there is no need for seedbed nitrogen and optimum nitrogen timings do not differ from those for other varieties.
“Nitrogen application rates will depend on your own soil reserves and growing situation though, so it is a good idea to discuss these with a FACTS adviser.
“You will need to keep an eye on manganese, magnesium and copper requirements too.”
According to Prime Agriculture agronomist Peter Hitchcock, who advises across 4,000 hectares of cropping and also grows KWS Tardis on the family farm on the Hertfordshire-Essex border, the variety ticks all the boxes.
He said: “It is a good yielder – particularly in the East and on heavy land – it has great specific weight and good standing ability.
“With the weather periods we
Dr Kirsty Richards
tend to get now, you just never know whether a crop is going to stay standing or not, so Tardis’ lodging score helps bring a bit of reassurance.
“We have had zero brackling plus it is very vigorous and very clean disease-wise.
“It yielded well in 2022, and in 2023, we had a record breaker 16ha field of Tardis – dry weight of 11.2t/ha and masses of straw.
“Lots of straw is important for us as we can sell it within the local equestrian and livestock market.”
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796
l 144 ram lambs sell to average £2,634.11
THE Scottish area show and sale of Suffolk sheep at Lanark topped at 40,000gns with a clearance rate of 86%.
Leading the trade at 40,000gns were Iain and Judith Barbour, Annan, with a son of Limestone Online out of a home-bred dam by Crewelands Carolus from their Solwaybank flock. The buyers were Charlie and Tom Boden for the Sportsmans flock, Stockport.
Next, at 30,000gns, from Lilia Hutchinson’s Howgillfoot flock, Kirkby Stephen, was a ram lamb by Pyeston Real out of a home-bred dam
TRADE at the early show and sale of breeding sheep at Malton was firmer than last year, with Suffolk cross gimmer shearlings up £25/ head on the year.
They sold to £285/head for the first prize winners from R.A. and B. Robinson, Hutton Buscel, selling to R. Kirby, Northallerton, and averaged £241/head.
The Suffolk cross Mules topped at £238/head for second prize winners from David Sowersby, Etton, to T. Bannister, Butterwick, to average £218, up £8/head on the year.
Top priced Charollais and Texel cross gimmer shearlings at £260/ head were consigned by W. Dixon, Cranbourne, with the section averaging £245/head, up £23. Auctioneers: Malton Livestock Auctioneers.
by 25,000gns Frongoy Rocket. It sold to Mark and Darragh McMeniman for the Mullinvale flock, Donegal.
ET brother
A full ET brother to the sale leader from the Barbours then sold for 25,000gns to Phillip and Russell Poole for their Salopian flock, Shrewsbury.
Finn Christie, Inverurie, who runs the Maidenstone flock won the female championship as well
as first prize in the novice, reserve male champion, Scottish breed champion and then reserve overall champion, with a ram lamb by Castleisle Blackadder out of a home-bred Howgill Sniper daughter. It was knocked down for 15,000gns to Messrs Innes, Strathbogie, Huntly.
Two lambs sold for 10,000gns apiece. The first from Messrs Sharp, Tenbury Wells, was a son of Sportsmans Striker out of a homebred dam by Strathbogie A Kind of
Sale leader, from Iain and Judith Barbour, Annan, which sold for 40,000gns to Charlie and Tom Boden, Stockport.
Magic, from their Sharps flock. The final bid came from Gordon Mackie for his Drimmie flock, Forfar. At the same money was a ram lamb by 30,000gns Rempstone Gambler out of a Crewelands Kingpin-sired ewe from Messrs Innes, which went to Steven Cobald for the Lavenham flock, Suffolk.
AVERAGES 5 gimmers, £1,732.50; 2 ewe lambs, £892.50; 144 ram lambs, £2,634.11. Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.
AN Abbeyhouse heifer sold at £2,720 to top a run of nine fresh pedigree heifers from Jennings Farmers, Ripon, at Gisburn’s dairy sale.
By Westcoast Perseus out of a 9,215kg Westcoast Yamaska-sired dam, the heifer was one of two at this price, the other being Thornbeck Helix Alicia out of a Smellows dam, from S.J. Sugden, Oakworth, which sold giving 37kg.
Close behind at £2,700 were
R.C. and S.W. Beecroft, Killinghall, with a Sandy-Valley Batman heifer from their Janice family.
Heifers
Non-pedigree heifers peaked at £2,420 for T.A. and M. Crook, Preston.
In-calf heifers sold to £1,700 twice for H.J. and K.L. Blackwell, Gargrave, while a run of 28 bulling heifers from H. and V.E. Jolly’s Fieldside herd, Great Eccleston,
topped at £1,280 for a Cogent Zodiac daughter out of a 13,365kg dam.
Pedigree newly-calved heifers, £2,034; pedigree newly-calved cows, £2,050; non-registered newly-calved heifers, £1,629; nonregistered newly-calved cows, £1,720; in-calf heifers, £1,467; maidens, £948.
Auctioneers: Gisburn Auction Marts.
AT the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club show and sale at Carlisle trade for females topped at 4,200gns for Berryholme Cyprus Rae, a second calver from the Roxy family, consigned by David Wright, Kendal, which sold to Messrs Coulthurst, Preston.
John Greenop, Bridgedale Holsteins, Wigton, sold the heifer, Ortongrange Logistics Flo, whose fourth dam was Berryholme Shottle Flo the 2010 national champion, for 2,900gns to Messrs Veitch, Cumnock. Its three-week-old Jacobs Showtime heifer calf sold for 620gns.
Denmire Milano Silve, the overall champion from the Dennisons, Ulverston, was Denmire Milano Silve bred from an EX93 Sid which sold to Messrs Roberts, Ruthin, for 2,700gns.
The reserve champion consigned by the Brewster family, Glasgow, was Boclair Doc Gypsy by King Doc which sold for 2,700gns to the Millar family, Kirpatrick Fleming. The Boclair herd sold another four heifers to average £2,795, which included Boclair Doc Kalla at 2,950gns, also to Messrs Roberts.
4,200gns
The overall top price of the day of 5,000gns was for Annandale Benno, a young bull by Annandale Kraft backed by 10 generations of VG or EX dams, consigned by Matthew Armour, Moffat. It was knocked down to Messrs Howat, Cumnock, Ayrshire.
AVERAGES
4 cows in-milk, £2,900.63; 78 heifers in-milk, £2,419.56; 2 in-calf heifers, £1,691.25; 1 Holstein bull, £5,250.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
THE VeTech Summer Sensation sale of young Holstein cows and heifers in-milk, in-calf, bulling and heifer calves at Carlisle for the Veitch family, Ayrshire, topped at 3,200gns.
This was for VeTech Logistics Jodie, a December 2023-born heif-
er by Cookiecutter Logistics and backed by 10 generations of VG and EX dams. The buyer was the Logan family for their Holehouse herd, North Ayrshire.
Leading trade for the milkers at 3,000gns was VeTech Pepper Geometrix 2, fresh in January and guaranteed back in-calf to sexed Blondin
Dragon, which sold to Neil Sloan for the Knoweside herd, Auchinleck. Also making 3,000gns was VeTech Remembrance Kim 3, a December 2023-born VeTech Rememberance daughter from the Kim family, which sold to the Gray family for their Grayridge herd, East Kilbride. Next, at 2,800gns, was September 2023-born VeTech Brady Ghostie 3 ET bred from seven generations
of EX dams which sold to Messrs Forshaw, Preston.
AVERAGES
11 cows and heifers in-milk, £2,491.36; 33 in-calf heifers, £1,781.82; 22 short-bred heifers, £1,339.23; 72 bulling heifers, £1,146.54; 39 heifer calves, £755.19. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
THE inaugural show and sale for the Scottish Dorset Breeders’ Club at Lanark topped at 700gns for Sandy Lane Fargo, a shearling ram by Ballytaggart Echo out of a homebred dam by Kildowney Zambezi from Sam Driver’s Sandy Lane flock, Derbyshire. The buyer was A. McKerral, Kilmarnock.
Averages were up for store lambs at Darlington.
THE first store lamb sale of the year at Darlington averaged £104.02, compared to £80.30 at the same sale last year.
Trade peaked at £139/head for a
THE July Jewels sale of Texel and other MV accredited breeding sheep at Longtown saw Texel shearling gimmers average £605.90, up £19/head on the year.
Top price was 1,400gns for a Midcombe Fireball daughter from Gordon Gray’s Ettrick flock, Selkirk, which sold to B.I. and B.M. Mosey, York. Another gimmer by Cosyn Texels Formula One, from the same home, made 1,000gns to H.B. Wharton, Tebay. David Gray, Burrows flock, Lindean, sold Blue Texel gimmers to 500gns three times to Messrs Irving, Mountbenger, and James McElroy, Summerhill. Pedigree Suffolk gimmers sold to 700gns and 600gns from the Vallum flock of Andrew Hewson, Burgh by Sands. Auctioneers: C. and D. Auction Marts.
pen of six Texels from G.H. Lister, Wolsingham, who also sold a pen of 11 at £132/head.
This was matched by S. Pybourne, Wolsingham, with 20 Texels out of
Mule ewes. Plenty of the stronger lambs sold for more than £100, with the smaller runners £85 to £100.
Auctioneers: Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.
AT Skipton’s dairy sale Peter Baul, Ravensgate herd, Bishop Thornton, claimed the top three places in the heifer in-milk show class before going on to become champion with Ravensgate Sassafras Honesty 206. It sold for £2,000, as did its two stablemates, one of which was reserve champion.
The six heifers in-milk averaged £1,958, while two cows in-milk averaged £1,500, topping at £1,700 for a Kenobi-sired second calver from Norman and Chris Bell, Cowling. The next batch of eight in-calf heifers due September onwards consigned by Andrea and Josh Clay, Kilnsey, peaked at £1,750, averaging £1,521.
Leading trade in the in-calf section at £1,780 was the September-due
Westcoast Rhapsody daughter, Whychall Rhapsody Kathleen 2, in-calf to sexed Progensis Total from Paul Hutchinson and mother Karen, Scorton, Richmond. The buyer was Shaun Sowray, Bishop Thornton. The seven Hutchinson in-calf heifers averaged £1,538.
Lofthouse herd
Peter and David Stevenson sold the final 31 heifers from their Lofthouse herd based at Loftus, near Saltburn, ahead of selling their farm. The heifers ranged from close calving to eight months and their leading prices included Lofthouse Sedona Stirkie 47 at £1,700 and a yearling by Denovo 17215 Glory, which made £940 to Mick Blackwell, Gargrave. Auctioneers: CCM.
Next, at 500gns, was the second prize and top price ram lamb, Cowden Gatsby from I. and G. Farmer, Lochgelly. The son of Lanamuir Edward out of Beinn Lair Cocoban by Stobilee Big Show, sold to T.S. Bathgate and Sons, Gorebridge.
Making 480gns was the ram lamb Stobilee Grandfather’s Rights from R. and A. Morton, Stobilee, Lanark, which sold to W.A. Kendall, Drumclog.
Females topped at 450gns for the female champion, a gimmer from Messrs Driver. By Downkillybegs Enhancer out of a Ballytaggart Zoro daughter, it sold online to S. Herraty, Cambeltown.
Topping the ewe lambs at 320gns twice was Christina Johnson, Bamburgh. The first to reach this was a Ballyhamage Dazzler daughter and out of a Sherborne Warfare home-bred dam. The second was by Ballytaggart Elite and out of a Huish Zaki homebred dam. Both sold to Martin Pearse, Devon.
AVERAGES 5 aged ewes, £176.40; 17 gimmers, £252; 10 ewe lambs, £243.60; 1 aged ram, £262.50; 3 shearlings, £437.50; 3 ram lambs, £430.50; overall, £268.42.
Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.
It’s decision time as we reveal the shortlist for Mart’s the Heart Awards, so register your vote at britishfarmingawards.co.uk/martstheheart, scan the QR code below or send o the form on the opposite page.
Supported by
In association with
CARMARTHEN Mart had a di icult few years preceding its closure in 2020, leading to the owners, Carmarthen County Council, to advertise a public tendering process. Nock Deighton Agricultural proved successful and reopened the mart in March 2022. It now sells 1,000 sheep, 100 dairy cattle, 250 calves, 250 store cattle and 70 barren cows weekly, as well as 300 weanlings and 80 bovine TB-restricted store cattle monthly, plus machinery. There is still room for improvement at Carmarthen, but it shows what a dedicated and hardworking team can achieve.
CLITHEROE CAFE is over the moon to be nominated for Cafe of the Year. In May 2021, it was invited to re-open and provide the catering facilities at Clitheroe Auction Mart. The menu has seasonal daily specials and caters for all tastes, from a bacon sandwich to a full carvery for any occasion. It serves co ee and a delicious selection of cakes and pastries made by its own on-site pastry chef. It uses only fresh local produce and is very proud of the team, who have helped create a welcoming and friendly environment for diners.
JOE BOWMAN
(Harrison and Hetherington)
JOE Bowman grew up on a farm near Carlisle, where early exposure to the agricultural lifestyle laid a strong foundation for his future career. In 2015, he joined Harrison and Hetherington and began his auctioneering journey by selling poultry and small machinery. Joe takes pride in working for both sellers and buyers, treating every client with the same level of respect and commitment whether they have one sheep or a thousand. He firmly believes in seller equality, ensuring that every sale is conducted fairly and transparently.
HEXHAM and Northern Marts is honoured and delighted to be recognised and nominated for this award. The company is renowned for having a warm welcome, its customer service, integrity and ambition and its core values. Perfectly situated near the A69 and A68 to serve the agricultural community of the north of England and the Scottish Borders, the centre provides great business opportunities and regularly holds social events for the wider community.
MARKET Drayton is honoured to be shortlisted for this award and gives its sincere thanks to all its clients who use the market and have contributed to its success. It is the team ethos from director through to drover who all display that passion and ‘can do’ approach in order to make the market thrive. Its aim is to enhance its client’s livestock marketing experience by bringing together the rural community and o ering a facility where service and trade matter. Coupled with ever-changing technology, it tries to keep its buyers and sellers informed on a daily and weekly basis.
DOT’S Cafe is led by Dorothy Macdonald, a farmer’s daughter whose heritage spans six generations. Dorothy’s upbringing instilled a profound respect for farming and the environment. She supports this by sourcing local ingredients, turning them into hearty meals and homemade desserts. Dorothy champions British farming, promoting its importance with passion and education. Dot’s Cafe serves as a welcoming community hub where people gather for good food and conversation. Dorothy and her team ensure exceptional service, going the extra mile to make everyone feel at home.
(Darlington Farmers Auction)
GROWING up around farms in the local area, Megan knew the importance of auctions. Since joining Darlington in 2022, she has learned the trade from the bottom up, and recently established a calf sale. She has enjoyed both the time in the rostrum and on-farm building relationships with farmers. Her aim as an auctioneer is to forge, encourage and build on trusting relationships, being a constant in the customer’s life when everything else in the industry can be volatile.
THE Market Cafe has been run by Jenifer Gore and family for the last 15 years. With all food made to order, the team provides a heartwarming service to all customers from near and far. Their focus is on using local ingredients and creating good, wholesome food, but listening and caring is just as important. The cafe also champions and donates to many charities and support visits from the NHS Health Check team and local health counsellors who provide invaluable support for all.
GEORGE STARKIE (Clitheroe Auction)
ALTHOUGH not originally from a farming background, George always dreamed of having a career in agriculture. He first started working at Clitheroe as a clerk, then as a drover, eventually moving on to auctioneering – all while studying a degree in agriculture at Myerscough College. Although he loves the auctioneering side of the role, George says he also enjoys meeting new people and building long-lasting relationships with customers, which is key for an auction mart to thrive.
SKIPTON Auction Mart, owned and operated by CCM Auctions, serves the needs of customers both local and countrywide, with a full range of prime, store, breeding, pedigree, sheepdog and machinery sales. Sales are two days per week year-round, rising to four to six days at busy times. The compact team of auctioneers, o ice and yard sta strive to o er the best possible service they can to all clients at every stage of the marketing experience, welcoming customers to its modern and easily accessible mart on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
THE ROSTRUM CAFE, SELBY JUSTINE Bloom took over the running of the cafe more than five years ago along with a small team of ladies, who meet you with a warm and cheeky welcome. They serve good, old-fashioned, hearty, locallysourced, quality food – from a bacon butty, to a traditional full English breakfast, to the highly acclaimed roast dinners, where all meat is supplied by regular wholesale buyers at the mart. All cakes are homemade by Justine, who also o ers outside catering and private functions.
BEN
(Thirsk Farmers Auction)
NOW 18, Ben first started selling cast sheep on joining Thirsk at 16, and now sells all the store and breeding sheep, taking over the pig section last November and selling a few cattle. Coming from a family farm, he appreciates the role auction marts play in the agricultural industry, not just for business but for friendships and socialising. He says that since he first picked up a gavel and has been able to do what he loves from such a young age, he has been living the dream.
CHRIS DODDS
Executive secretary for the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association which represents livestock markets in England and Wales.
RICHARD WEBBER Director of Shearwell Data, the UK’s largest animal tag manufacturer, based at Whedmoor Cross, Exmoor. He also farms 405 hectares.
This year’s mystery judge of the Auction Cafe category will remain anonymous until the awards evening.
Submit your vote for the chance to win a £200 M&S voucher.
ALL finalists will have their status raised, with a profile in print and online during public voting. Winners of all three awards will be guests at the British Farming Awards, with their awards presented by Farmers Guardian, the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association and Shearwell Data.
Photographs of the presentation will be made available to winners and their companies for their own use and will appear in FG.
Each winner will feature in an in-depth profile in print and online, and will receive a prestigious, cast iron commemorative plaque.
THE Livestock Auctioneers’ Association is delighted to sponsor the awards, which acknowledge the role auctioneers and their businesses play in the livestock industry and the wider agricultural and rural community, a key part of which is ensuring farmers get a fair and true price for their stock. The last year has demonstrated
the importance of the live market when demand outstrips supply, driving prices and creating trends. This is a great opportunity to recognise the role auctions play within the industry.
SHEARWELL Data is delighted to be continuing its support of the Mart’s the Heart Awards. Livestock markets are an integral part of the livestock farming community. Not only are livestock markets a place of business, but also a space where farmers can seek advice and see friends. A WORD FROM THE
CHRIS DODDS Executive secretary, Livestock Auctioneers’ Association.
Livestock markets and the live sale rings are key to a buoyant and competitive livestock farming sector and the future of the UK red meat sector.
RICHARD WEBBER Director, Shearwell Data.
MART’S THE HEART AWARDS 2024 VOTING FORM Go to britishfarmingawards.co.uk/mart, or fill in and return this form
AUCTION MART OF THE
Carmarthen
Hexham and Northern
Market Drayton
Skipton
Please return by August 30, 2024, to: Mart’s the Heart Awards 2024, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.
Joe Bowman, Harrison and Hetherington
Megan Dowson, Darlington Farmers Auction
George Starkie, Clitheroe Auction
Ben Wilson, Thirsk Farmers Auction
AUCTION CAFE OF THE YEAR
Clitheroe Cafe
Dot’s Cafe, Darlington
The Market Cafe, Hereford
The Rostrum Cafe, Selby
To celebrate Farmers Guardian’s 180th anniversary we have added some exciting bene ts to our membership packages to give you even more content, networking opportunities and access to future farming insights.
*Prices correct at the date of print Anniversary o er from £80 for 1 year from £165 for 1 year PLUS FREE ACCESS to Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer magazines in the app
• 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 Diversi cation, 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.
LONGTOWN MART Tel (01228) 791215
Tuesday 30th July at 10.30am
Weekly Sale of 3,000 Store Lambs
Tuesday 6th August at 10.30am
Store & Breeding Cattle
Weekly Sale of 3,500 Store Lambs
Thursday 8th August
Show & Sale for Young Handlers Prize Lambs
Sponsored by The Farmers Guardian
Monday 12th August
Tractors, Quad Bikes, Commercial Vehicles, Implements, Machinery, Small Tools & Equipment. In the mart & live online via Marteye.ie
Monday 26th August
Pedigree Beef Shorthorns
Annual Show & Sale for the Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society
Final entries invited. In the mart & live online via Marteye.ie
Market Results
COMMENCING
Dairies to £3320, £3100 Av £2228, Pigs 240p/kg - £213.60, Calves Lim Bull to £428, Lambs 510p/kg - £234.60, Lambs 361p/kg - £162.45, Ewes £247
Forthcoming Dairy Sale
On behalf of M Davenport, Cote Hill Farm, Osgodby, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire 120 HOLSTEINS & BROWN SWISS
Being the most genuine Dispersal of the entire Herd of 74 Milkers, 22 In-calf Heifers & 24 Youngstock Incl a number of Pedigree Brown Swiss (Cotehill Prefix). Purchasers should note there is a strong summer/autumn calving bias. NMR Recorded, Herd Average: 7407kg 4.45%F 3.57%P cc113. Cubicles & Herringbone. Vacc Lepto, BVD Tag & Tested, Johnes Monitored & TB4.
THIS TUESDAY 30TH JULY 2024 11AM
For Further Details & Catalogues Contact (01889) 562811 Ref: MEE
Store Cattle Sales
400 STORE CATTLE
SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST 2024 – Further Entries Invited
Fat/Barrens: Graham Watkins 07976 370894
Dairies: Meg Elliott 07967 007049 Stores: Mark Elliott 07973 673092
Sheep: Robert Watkins 07929 946652 Visit us at www.leekauctions.co.uk
Followed by ‘LANCASTER LADS’ Show & Sale of Terminal Sire Breeding Rams Catalogue entries by Friday 2nd August
Tuesday 30th July 1pm PRIME LAMBS & CAST SHEEP
Thursday 1st August
10.30am OPENING SALE OF BREEDING SHEEP 11am FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF STORE LAMBS
Thursday 8th August 10am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS
Sunday 11th August North West Texel Breeders Club Show & Sale of 300 Rams & Females
Saturday 17th August
Sale of RARE & MINORITY LIVESTOCK BREEDS Sale of POULTRY, WATERFOWL & EQUIPMENT Catalogue entries by
Saturday 24th August
SHOW & SALE OF
SALE Monday 29nd July 11amBallot entries close Thurs 25th July. Further entries accepted on the sale day. WEEKLY
Tuesday 30th July 12.30pmPrime Lambs & Cull Ewes
Friday 2nd August 6pmSale of 600 Lots Tack, Saddles, Rugs & 50 Horses
Saturday 10th August 10amEntries Close 31st July
July (9am-4.30pm).
WEDNESDAY 31ST JULY
Dedicated Slaughter Market
305 Prime Cattle 450 Prime Sheep 175 Prime Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am
SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST
1st ANNUAL SALE OF BREEDING & STORE SHEEP
Inc Shearling, Ewes, Rams & Store Lambs
60 Suffx/Texx Shearlings, WH Clubley 20 Texx Shearlings, JE Fairweather 30 SuffX Mule Shearling, RG Walter Ryland Ram Lamb, D Peel
5 Blue Tex Shlg Tups & 3 Shear Tups, D Makin Together with Store & Breeding Cattle Store & Breeding Pigs
Entries Welcome Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.45am
Usual sale of 250 store cattle. Special entries include: 130 continental x steers and heifers from Margaretting Hall Farms, Essex. Comprising: 10 cattle 18-24 months. 120 cattle 7-15 months. All are suckler bred and farm assured. These are quality cattle that the auctioneers fully recommend to prospective purchasers. The auctioneers have received many comments from previous buyers stating how well these cattle perform and they should not be missed.
Please see website for further details.
Please note: Saturday September 7thSpecial sale of breeding and store sheep.
Sale
Lambs.
Contact Office for Details MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
Contact Office for Details MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535
RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535
Thursday 25th July 12noon. Tuesday 20th August Evening Show & Sale of 1500 Mule & Cont Gimmer Shearlings & Ewes. Cat closes Thurs 8th Aug. also Sale of Crossing Rams to follow. Ian Atkinson 07957 256337 Kenton Foster 07711 469280
www.selbymart.co.uk
www.selbymart.co.uk
Trade continues to be strong in all categories through the live ring, with slaughter sheep prices dearer on the year and the five-year average. The store lamb market has started strong, with buyers cautiously optimistic for the season ahead. Store cattle trade continues very strong, with numbers tight and demand high; it is very difficult to value stores until they enter the sale ring.
This trade is helped by the strength of the slaughter cattle prices. Cull cows continue to achieve prices that no-one would have expected, with most auctioneers reporting an upward trend week-on-week for the past month.
A big question for us all: Does our new Government truly appreciate the food that farmers put on the table and the countryside they manage and farm? We will find out in the coming months. There have been few assurances announced so far to fill us with hope or clarity as to how Labour will manage rural business support.
Why is there an expectation that farmers should work tirelessly to pro-
duce ‘cheap’ food, when in most cases the price paid is well below the true cost of production? Our livestock producers must receive a fair price for their goods, and if this is not supported by the Government, ex-farm prices need to rise further.
A fair return is needed to give the industry chance to survive and build farmers’ confidence to reinvest in businesses. The country needs to remind itself that no-one can survive without food and remember that the gap between a plentiful supply and a shortage is only a handful of days apart.
What exactly does Steve Reed mean when he promises that food and farming are front and centre of Government policy? Does it mean
that the agricultural budget will be ring-fenced, increased, or reviewed? It is time to clarify and give farmers some degree of assurance.
For decades, the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association has worked tirelessly on behalf of its members and those farmers who use the live auction system. During the last Government, there was a lot of ‘unfinished business’; workstreams were put on hold due to Brexit, Covid-19, avian influenza, bluetongue and the General Election, with the excuse being that the departments were too short-staffed.
These and many other workstreams need to be revisited and concluded.
We have highlighted the need for the six-day standstill, the ageing of sheep by dentition and fairness in the supply chain to be reviewed. Seven years after the start of the development of the Livestock Information Programme, we are still a long way from the service bringing any benefits.
I chair the Livestock Chain Advisory Group, which is made up of representatives from 26 livestock industry trade bodies. The group meets bi-weekly, with Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Daera joining monthly to discuss industry issues and facilitate speakers on topics that we need more information on. This
platform gives us direct access into Government, and it also facilitates the industry highlighting and discussing some major concerns.
One area that needs immediate Government attention is our border controls – there are too many reports of illegal meat entering the UK due to a severe lack of funding and not enough feet on the ground or controls in place. Recent illegal consignments found have included meats from countries infected with African swine fever and foot-and-mouth. The 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak reportedly cost the UK £8 billion (£18bn today).
I sincerely hope our new Government will act swiftly to secure our borders, not just on the commercial import lanes, but also the private and domestic lanes, making sure illegal imports of meat and other products are identified, seized and destroyed. We look forward to working with our new Ministers to strengthen our industry and to keep it at the forefront of world livestock production.
Chris Dodds is the executive secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association. Call 01697 475 423, or email chris.dodds@laa.co.uk
Friday 9th A ug ust 2 024 Show of Store Cattle at 9.00am followed by sale at 10.00am Show of Pens of 20 Store Lambs at 10.00am Sale starting at 9.00am with Cast Ewes.
Schedules can be found on our Website & Facebook.
BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE
Tel: 01228 406200
STORE LAMBS
Monday 29th July - 11.00am Rory Livesey 07535 0015441
BOOTHFERRY & BRIJON SUFFOLK SALE
Thursday 1st August – 5.00pm
Comprising from the Boothferry flock on behalf of C&D Timm 25 flock ewes, 15 shearling gimmer and 19 ewe lambs and from the Brijon flock on behalf of Jonathon Watson 60 shearling gimmers
65 DUTCH SPOTTED
“SPOTLIGHT” SALE
Thursday 1st August
Show 3.30pm Sale 5.00pm
1 aged aged ram, 6 shearling 24 ram lambs 15 shearling gimmers, 19 ewe lambs
With guest consignment of 34 Blue Texels 5 ram lambs, 3 shearling rams 22 shearling gimmers 4 ewe lambs from the Sunnybank flock
93 PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN CATTLE
Friday 2nd August – 10.30am
2nd Major reduction of the SPITTALTON herd on behalf of J Burnett & Sons
47 cows and calves at foot, 3 served cows, 8 incalf heifers, 16 maiden heifers, 1 stock bull
Also production sale from the RONNICK herd for Messrs Dick, 18 cows with calves at foot
Shows and sales of MV accredited sheep 210 PEDIGREE ZWARTBLES SHEEP
Thursday 1st August – Show 5.00pm
Friday 2nd August – Sale 10.00am
Rams: 1 aged, 11 shearlings, 31 lambs
Females: 9 aged, 36 shearlings, 60 lambs 11 unregistered lambs
Friday 2nd August
On behalf of Carlisle & Northern England Branch Show 9.30am Sale 11.30am
rams: 20 shearlings, 153 lambs
females: 17 shearlings, 4 lambs
160 PEDIGREE JACOB SHEEP
Friday 2nd August
On behalf of Jacob Sheep Society Scottish Regional Show 10.30am Sale 1.00pm
Rams: 1 aged, 11 shearlings, 31 lambs
Females: 10 aged, 36 shearlings, 60 lambs 11 unregistered lambs
Summer Selection – Carlisle sale or 163 DUTCH SPOTTED SHEEP
Friday 2nd August
Show 12noon Sale 2.00pm
Rams: 3 aged, 24 shearlings, 51 lambs (1 aged non MV)
Females: 6 aged, 32 shearlings 44 lambs (2 shearling, 2 ewe lambs - non MV)
“August Fair” sale of 1000 EARLY BREEDING EWES
Friday 2nd August – 1.30pm
BORDERWAY MONTHLY DAIRY DAY
Wednesday 7th August
Entries close Wednesday 31st July
Special sale of DUTCH TEXEL SHEEP
Monday 9th September
Entries close Friday 9th August
Annual show and sale of Rare & Minority Breeds of SHEEP, CATTLE, GOATS & PIGS
Saturday 21st September
Including official shows and sale for Dexter & Longhorn cattle, Shetland, Kerry Hill, Hebridean and Manx Lonaghtan sheep Also
POULTRY, WATERFOWL & CAGED BIRDS
Entries close Monday 12th August
Visit www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or follow us
We
SALE OF MACHINERY, IMPLEMENTS & HEAVY PLANT items
Sale bidding starts 10.00am Wednesday 7th August until 10.00am Thursday 8th August
Entries close Wednesday 31st July or contact David Holliday 07710 189804, or Iain Dick 07713 599791
Dispersal sale of FARM MACHINERY, IMPLEMENTS & SMALL TOOLS
at Crowhall Farm, Bardon Mill NE47 7BL on behalf of Crowhall Farms
Saturday 27th July – 10.30am
Online bidding available via MartEye
6th Annual JALEX GIMMER SALE
Friday 2nd August – 7.00pm
At Alexandra Farm, 88 Gloverstown Road, BT41 3HY
400 Suffolk x Cheviot Mules,
200 Suffolk x Cheviot, 300 Cheviot Mules, 100 Texel x MV Accredited Enzo & Toxov acc, Heptavac progamme
All export ready to Mainland UK
Production Sale 100 head
ARDSTEWART BELTEX FLOCK
Saturday 3rd August – 3.00pm
At Ardstewart, Gortaquigley, Raphoe, Co Donegal comprising Beltex gimmer, stock ewes, shearling rams and ram lamb also a quantity of Blueface Texels
All export ready to Mainland UK
With Denis Barret Auctions RSRA 004098
Bakewell Market Results - Monday 22nd July
T HURSDAY LUNCHTIME WEEKLY SHEEP SALE
Entries/Enquiries, contact Ivor Lowe: on 07977 449126
Follow on Facebook for up to date details on Special Entries
STORE LAMB SALE
Thursday 15th August - Alongside Regular Lunchtime Sale
We are now taking entries, please call the Bakewell O ce on 01629 812777 option 3 Farm Dispersal Sales
GAINSBOROUGH HILL FARM, WALSALL, WS9 0ND
SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST 2024 AT 10.30AM County 1164 with Hara Cab, Ford 7840 & Case 1594 4WD’s Land Rover Discovery Sport (19), Major, MF65, MF 20 Loader, Farmall A,13 Trailers, Machinery, Baler General Implements & Arable Equipment Collectables, Workshop Items and Tools, Rural Bygones, Anvils and Collectables Furniture, Non-VAT Household and Garden Items
STREETWAY FARM,LICHFIELD, STAFFORDSHIRE, WS14 0DL
FRIDAY 16TH AUGUST 2024 AT 10.30AM 2 Case Puma Tractors, Isuzu Pickup, Diesel Yard Forklift 2 McCormick Vintage Tractors 6 Trailers and Bowsers, Machinery, Grain Dryer, Potato Equipment Workshop Items, Sundries and E ects
Catalogues are available to download at www.bagshaws.com Email: olivia.fernihough@bagshaws.com www.bagshaws.com Tel: 01629 812777
Tel: 01756 792375 www.ccmauctions.com
Auctioneers: Auctioneers: Jeremy Eaton - 07747 780481 Ted Ogden - 07855 958211 Kyle Hawksworth - 07538 539077 Rob Cloughton 07496 278828
Saturday 27th July
AT EASTHAM HOUSE FARM, GREAT MITTON, WHALLEY @ 11.00am
Retirement Sale
For Mr Stan Ainsworth (who has sold the farm)
More details at CCM Website.
Online Bidding register by Friday 26th July @ 4pm
SatNav BB7 9PH
What3words bikers.recruiter.grants
Monday 29th July
SALE OF REARING CALVES
Sale 10.30am
Entries & Enquiries to Kyle
PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE
Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available)
SALE OF SPRING LAMBS
Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES
Wednesday 31st July
50 FEEDING BULLS Sale 10.00am followed by 5 PRIME CATTLE, 25 BEEF FEEDING COWS, 250 STORE BULLOCKS & HEIFERS & 20 BREEDING CATTLE
Saturday 3rd August
SHOW & SALE OF POULTRY, HATCHING EGGS & EQUIPMENT
Entry Forms Available
(Entries close Friday 26th July)
STIRKS, WEANED & SUCKLED CALVES, BREEDING & CULL GOATS, STORE & BREEDING SHEEP
(Entries close Monday 29th July)
SHOW & SALE OF 115 PEDIGREE DORSET SHEEP
Comprising: 100 Females & 15 Rams
Sale 12.30pm
On Behalf of the Northern Dorset Breeders Club
Dairy Cattle
Monday 5th August
SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY CATTLE
Monday 19th August
SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY CATTLE
Entries & Enquiries to Sarah 07710 795585
Wednesday 7th August
Sale of STORE LAMBS
Prize Show for Beltex x Lambs & LINGFIELDS SUMMER SHEEP FAIR
Special Sale of Suffolk, Continental, Mule & Masham Breeding Ewes & Rams
(Entries close Monday 29th July)
Tuesday 20th August
Annual Show & Sale of SHEARLING GIMMERS
Inc Mule, Masham, Continental & Suffolk x & All Classes of BREEDING SHEEP
(Entries close Monday 12th August)
Pedigree Sheep Sales
Monday 26th August –
PEDIGREE KERRY HILL SHEEP
(Entries close Friday 2nd August)
SPECIAL EARLY RAM SALE
Sale of Suffolk, Charollais & Other Cont Rams
(Entries close Thursday 15th August)
Saturday 31st August –PEDIGREE WENSLEYDALE SHEEP
(Entries to the Society)
PEDIGREE JACOB SHEEP
(Entries close Friday 26th July)
RARE & MINORITY SHEEP
(Entries close Friday 9th August)
SHOW & SALE OF PEDIGREE & PUREBRED GOATS
(Entries close Friday 9th August)
Sunday 1st September –
PEDIGREE VALAIS BLACKNOSE SHEEP
(Entries close Monday 29th July)
Friday 6th & Saturday 7th September –PEDIGREE BELTEX RAMS & FEMALES
(Entries close Friday 9th August)
Saturday 7th September –
PEDIGREE BLUE TEXEL SHEEP
PEDIGREE BADGER FACE TEXEL SHEEP
(Entries close Friday 9th August)
Thursday 19th & Friday 20th September –PEDIGREE TEXEL RAMS & FEMALES
Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders Club
Members Only – Entries Online
www.benthamauc
Saturday 27th July at 11am
3000 EWES & GIMMER SHEARLINGS
Tuesday 30th July at 11am
Special Sale of 2500 STORE LAMBS
Wednesday 31st July
10.30am Fortnightly Sale of Dairy Cattle
Inc. 10 Holstein x Fleckvieh/ Norwegian Red IC Hfrs due August to AA 11am 100-150 Rearing Calves 2.30pm 2000 Cast Ewes followed by 2500-3000 Spring Lambs & 500 Prime Hoggs
Tuesday 6th August
10.30am Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle Followed by STORE CATTLE
12noon 30 SUCKLER BREEDING CATTLE
Inc. On behalf of S Wilman, Braesteads
DISPERSAL OF PUREBRED ANGUS SUCKLER HERD
Comprising-13 Cows & 7 Hfrs with spring born calves; 1 Cow&1Hfr In Calf; 4 Maiden Hfrs 16mo; 1 Ped AA Bull (Pilsbury Einstein Y763) 29mo Proven Bull; Performance tested.
Note: A closed herd providing excellent opportunity to purchase from a very genuine high health herd. Also from JH Lohr Reduction Sale of 8 Cows with Calves Breeding Bulls also inc. 1 Ped BSH, 1 Ped AA 18mo Entries for catalogue close Friday 26th July
Wednesday 7th August
Summer Calf Show (calves 70 days and under)
Tuesday 13th August
Fortnightly Sale of 5000 Store Lambs
Wednesday 14th August
GENUS Dairy Extravaganza Pedigree & Commercial classes
Saturday 17th August
THE RAM-PAGE Summer Show & Sale of 750 Rams Entries for catalogue Wednesday 31st July
Turner & Son
10.30 a.m. Weekly Sale of Cast Cows & OTM Cattle Followed by TB Exempt Cattle
Tuesday 13th August, 2024
SATURDAY 27th JULY
Jacob Sheep Society Central Show & Sale
13 Ewes, 57 Shearling Ewes, 22 Ewe Lambs, 8 Rams, 14 Shearling Rams, 22 Ram Lambs Show at 9.30am, Sale at 11.30am
SATURDAY 3rd AUGUST
National Premier Show & Sale of Pedigree Southdown Sheep Show at 9.00am, Sale at 11.00am
Premier Show & Sale of Oxford Down Sheep Show at 10.30am, Sale at 1.00pm
Genuine Production Sale of the Portmead Herd of Pedigree and Cross Bred Parthenais Cattle
Cows & Calves, In Calf Females, 1 x Bull Commencing at 11.00am
SATURDAY 10th AUGUST
Loosebeare and Whitehart 8th Texel Production Sale 50 Shearling Ewes Sale at 11.00am
Genuine Dispersal Sale of the Highly respected, successful & renowned Haydon Flock (Haydon House Partnership) of Pedigree Bleu Du Maine Sheep 61 Females, 8 Rams, 8 Rouge Females Sale at 12.30pm
Worcester Black Diamond Show & Sale of Zwartbles Sheep Times tbc
Cotswold Sheep Society National Show & Sale Times tbc
Show & Sale of Llanwenog Sheep Males & Females Times tbc
Online bidding available via Marteye
For more information and catalogues, Contact Worcester Office on 01905 769770
NSA EARLY RAM SALE
BRECON LIVESTOCK MARKET, LD8 3EX
MONDAY 5th AUGUST
APPROX 200 RAMS
McCartneys will be offering 50 crossbred Rams including Char X, Texel X and Beltex X.
Live Streaming will be available via Marteye For more information please contact James Amphlett on 07972 653077
TUESDAY 6TH AUGUST – 10AM
TUESDAY 6TH AUGUST – 10AM
EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, EXETER, DEVON EX2 8FD
21st Early August “Mule” Sale of 5233 BREEDING EWES & RAMS
EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, EXETER, DEVON EX2 8FD
21st Early August “Mule” Sale of 5233 BREEDING EWES & RAMS
Comprising 1853 Older Ewes to inc 869 Mule and Masham, 491 Suffolk x Mule, 136 Dorset /Dorset x (90 MV Acc), 110 Lleyns, 90 Texel x and 157 others, to include many flock dispersals and reductions.
Comprising 1853 Older Ewes to inc 869 Mule and Masham, 491 Suffolk x Mule, 136 Dorset /Dorset x (90 MV Acc), 110 Lleyns, 90 Texel x and 157 others, to include many flock dispersals and reductions.
3162 SHEARLINGS
3162 SHEARLINGS
to inc Show & Sale of 1717 N of E Mules
to inc Show & Sale of 1717 N of E Mules (inc. 84 Masham, 12 Dales Mule & 4 Herdwick Mule), also 164 Cheviot Mule, 800 Suffolk x Mule, 251 Texel x Mule, 100 Cont & Cont x and 130 native shearlings. Also 29 Ewe Lambs. 189 Stock Rams to inc 79 MV Acc and 110 Non-MV Acc Rams of varying breeds.
(inc. 84 Masham, 12 Dales Mule & 4 Herdwick Mule), also 164 Cheviot Mule, 800 Suffolk x Mule, 251 Texel x Mule, 100 Cont & Cont x and 130 native shearlings. Also 29 Ewe Lambs. 189 Stock Rams to inc 79 MV Acc and 110 Non-MV Acc Rams of varying breeds.
Exeter- Where quality and quantity sell Catalogues available www.kivells.com or 01392 251 261.
Exeter- Where quality and quantity sell Catalogues available www.kivells.com or 01392 251 261.
FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST – 11AM
FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST – 11AM
EXETER
SALE OF 150 NMR RECORDED HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN DAIRY CATTLE
On behalf of Messrs P *& P Hortron, Dunsford Farm, Swindon, Wiltshire
On behalf of Messrs P *& P Hortron, Dunsford Farm, Swindon, Wiltshire
The Sale comprises 130 In Milk and/or In Calf Cows & Heifers & 20 In Calf Heifers due September-October.
The Sale comprises 130 In Milk and/or In Calf Cows & Heifers & 20 In Calf Heifers due September-October.
Herd Average 9421Kgs 4.26%BF 3.49%P cc188, Calving index 377 Cubicle Housed, Herringbone Parlour milked, High health status
v Herd Average 9421Kgs 4.26%BF 3.49%P cc188, Calving index 377 v Cubicle Housed, Herringbone Parlour milked, High health status
Excellent herd of medium sized modern cows! TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER –
v Excellent herd of medium sized modern cows!
TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER – 10AM
DISPERSAL SALE OF THE ‘ARDINGLY‘ HERD OF 400 PEDIGREE HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN DAIRY CATTLE
DISPERSAL SALE OF THE ‘ARDINGLY‘ HERD OF 400 PEDIGREE HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN DAIRY CATTLE
On behalf of Messrs D Goodwin & Sons of Hill House Farm, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
On behalf of Messrs D Goodwin & Sons of Hill House Farm, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
The Sale comprises 400 In Milk and/or In Calf Cows & Heifers
The Sale comprises 400 In Milk and/or In Calf Cows & Heifers
v Cubicle Housed, Rotary Parlour milked
v **TB4** area
Herd Average 11,331Kgs (3x day milking), All year round calving Cubicle Housed, Rotary Parlour milked **TB4** area
BVD & IBR vaccinated & Johnes Monitored
v BVD & IBR vaccinated & Johnes Monitored
EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, EXETER, DEVON EX2 8FD ONLINE
v Herd Average 11,331Kgs (3x day milking), All year round calving
Thursday 1 August
10.30am PRIME BEEF followed by CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES
11.00am MASSEY FEEDS with LELY LONGTOWN DAIRY SHOW & SALE entries to Eleanor by Monday 29 July Sat 3rd August MONTHLY MACHINERY SALE
Saturday 3 August
9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS
10.30am 2nd SALE OF BREEDING EWES TO INC COLOURED & DORSET BREEEDING SHEEP followed by SUMMER STORE LAMB SHOW entries to the office by Tuesday 30 12noon
Thursday 8 August
10.30am PRIME BEEF followed by CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES
11.00am WEEKLY DAIRY entries to Eleanor 12.30pm STRIKS entries to the office by Tuesday 6 12noon
SEASONAL SHEEP SHOW AND SALES
Sat 3 Aug- SUMMER STORE LAMB SHOW Sat 17 Aug - 1st SHOW OF MULE & CONT SHEARLINGS Sat 2 Sept - 2nd MULE & CONT SHEARLINGS Sat 7 Sept - 1st MULE & CONT GIMMER LAMBS Tue 10 Sept TWILIGHT TUP SALE Sat 14th Sept - HORNED & HILL GOING inc HERDWICKS Sat 28 Sept – 2nd MULE & CONT GIMMER LAMBS Sat 12 Oct- OCTOBER BREEDING FAIR OF SHEEP
YORK MACHINERY TIMED ONLINE AUC
Including 18th VINTAGE & BYGONE AUCTION
STARTS: F RIDAY 2 AUGUST CLOSES: 5 TO 7 AUGUST
Entries includeMF 5445 tractor & loader (06); Lamborghini 115; JCB 531-70; JCB 8008 & 806; KRM Maxi -Mulch; KRM Disco Mulch; Sumo Trio; Weaving rake; Vad Rapid RDA 600S; Horsch Pronto 4DC (07); Sumo DD 3m Direct (16); JD 740A 8M; Warwick 16T grain; Barraclough 33ft bale
See website for further details
A selection of quality breeding stock
Borderway Mart, Rosehill, Carlisle CA1 2RS
Other sales coming soon....
August - Swatragh Friday 16th • Welshpool Friday 23rd
Premier Sale at Carlisle Friday 30th/Sat 31st - Melton Mowbray Saturday 7th September
Lanark Thursday 19th • Junction 36 Saturday 21st
Thainstone Tuesday 24 September
We
We specialise
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
Holme House, Dale, Ainstable, Carlisle CA4 9RH t: 07801 868856 e: info@pedigreelivestockservices co.uk
2024clubsalewillbeheldatCCMAuctions, SkiptononSaturday3rdAugust 100 females & 15 rams entered
ONLINE BIDDING WILL BE AVAILABLE SALE TO COMMENCE AT 12.30PM Online catalogue available from CCM Secretary - Stuart Alderson
Seawell Grounds is a 600ha Ring fenced farm, which includes an Arable and Single Suckler business, based near Towcester, Northamptonshire, farming combinable crops plus Pedigree Charolais and Salers cattle. We have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate who will be capable of overseeing the daily management of the two herds, working alongside our present team
We are looking for a forward-thinking, hands on, enthusiast team member to join us. This stock person will require to have attention to detail and the ability to take on the day-to-day operation of our Pedigree cattle.
The Seawell Herd has a long line of heritage established in the 80’s currently at 300 cows plus followers. We have a high health status, selling quality cattle to pedigree and commercial breeders through out the year, so some experience with preparing cattle for sales would be advantageous.
A good size family house on farm can be provided with a negotiable package.
Role
• Reporting to the Owner
• Working with own initiative, as well as in a team.
• Ensuring the high health status and welfare
• Calving cows
• Record keeping and pedigree paperwork
• Liaising with vets.
• Compliance with Health and Safety
• General Stock work
• Full driving licence
Please apply with CV and references to seawell.charolais@btinternet.com
We currently have a wide range of positions available nationwide to include:-
• Herdsperson, North Yorkshire, 350 cows
• Assistant Manager, East Devon, 1100 cows
• Calf Rearer/GFW, South Wales, 400 cows
Relief Herdspersons Nationwide
LKL provides the perfect solution for finding the very best herd carers and managers. Visit our website for a full list of our current vacancies.
Closing date: 16 Aug 2024 |
Job title: Sales Manager Location: South England
Closing date: 31 Jul 2024
Are you passionate about Agriculture and looking to work for a progressive farmer centric organisa on whose purpose and values are core to our success? Sales Manager Feed - South - £excellent with bonus, company car & benefits
Repor ng to the Head of Agri Feed Sales, you will be responsible for driving front-end commercial ac vity for our Mole Valley Feed Solu ons business. Leading our Southern fieldbased feed sales team you will deliver a consistent sales approach for our Farmer Shareholders and farming customers.
Responsibili es:
• Working with the Head of Agri Feed Sales you will develop a sales strategy that is aligned to the core values and objec ves of the business
• Working alongside Head of Feed Agri Sales to ensure we are aligned in our approach, we are fit for the future and we lead the industry in the delivery of knowledge, services and products
• You will manage a sales team capable of focusing on the customer and responsible for the execu on of the business strategy who have the ability to deliver product specialisms, industry leading knowledge, advice and work together to deliver growth
• Lead the ruminant sales team in the South, sharing knowledge, skills and best prac ce from a commercial and nutri onal perspec ve in order to deliver on our farmer shareholder ambi ons whilst growing margin, volume and revenue
To be successful in this role you will have sales leadership experience gained within the Agri Sector, you are a commercially driven focussed individual with a passion for delivering results.
Our posi ons are supported with a thorough induc on and management development training plan, whilst benefi ng from a range of benefits to include: Company car (extensive list of Electric and hybrid) up to 25% sta discount, 33 days holiday (inc BH) and pension.
For more informa on on any of the vacancies | please go to: JobsInAgriculture.com
to £55,000, plus excellent bonus and benefits
Agri Lloyd are recruiting for a 2 x Regional Sales Managers. One to cover the Welsh region. One to cover the Scottish region.
The Regional Sales Manager will be the driving force behind the territory’s short, medium, and long-term development. The key objective will be to achieve or exceed the region’s sales plan.
Regional Sales Manager - Main duties
• Ensure the overall sales plan for the region • Management of Sales Agents • Prepare annual sales plans.
• Become proficient with the company CRM system and ensure this is kept up to date • Attend relevant trade shows
• Attend farmer meetings.
Regional Sales Manager - About you
At least 3 years sales management experience • Understanding and passion for the agricultural industry is essential. Good understanding of concept selling • Natural rapport builder at all levels • Ability to lead a team effectively.
The successful Regional Sales Manager will have the ability to motivate and engage with their team of independent sales agents and ensure that they are committed to achieving the annual business plan.
For more informa on on any of these vacancies or to see all our current roles, please go to: JobsInAgriculture.com
Closing Date: 1 Aug 2024
A new opportunity has arisen at the College for a Farm Manager to join the team based at our working farm located within the grounds of SMB College Group’s specialist Land-based Brooksby Campus.
Our farm is diverse and at the forefront of sustainable farming. Join us at this exciting time in creating a leading example of regenerative farming techniques. Along with our heard of pedigree Hereford cattle we have a ock of North country mules and arable enterprise.
Working in this role you will be responsible for the livestock, grassland, arable contract and roll out of sustainable farming enterprises and along with the day to day running of the farm.
The successful candidate with have excellent communication skills and a willingness to work with young and upcoming future farmers. Passing on and imparting their own skills and behaviours onto our students. New plans to extend our farm buildings and create an excellent learning environment for our learners is at the heart of all our decisions.
You will have a passion for innovation, bringing new ideas and embedding new technologies into the learning environment.
We o er a wide range of bene ts including:
• Career Average Pension Scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme)
• 37 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Onsite free parking at all campuses
• Professional development opportunities (including support to achieving a professional teaching quali cation)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible Working Opportunities
• Subsidised Canteen
• BHSF Corporate Health Cash Plan option
Purpose of Job
• To liaise with the DOLBC to ensure smooth running of the Farm.
• Responsible for the livestock, grassland, arable contract and roll out of sustainable farming enterprises and the day to day running of the farm.
• This role is an annualised hour’s position of 1924 hours annually.
• Responsibility for the care of livestock during weekends and evenings, late checks
• It is a requirement of the post to live on-site and accommodation is provided as part of the package.
For more information or to apply, please go to jobsinagriculture.com
Location: Lower Treginnis, Pembrokeshire
Salary: £35,000 with accommodation
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Farm Operations Manager to join our team at Lower Treginnis, located on the stunning Pembrokeshire coast and the most westerly farm in Wales.
This is a hands-on role responsible for the management of the farm including the farm buildings, equipment and livestock at Lower Treginnis, currently a smallholding raising pigs, poultry, goats and donkeys with a field-scale kitchen garden.
The postholder will set and deliver the direction of the management of the farm. They will ensure that animals are cared for in line with the charity Animal Welfare policy and that biosecurity measures keep our beneficiaries and animals safe. They will spend a proportion of their time delivering fun and educational sessions on the farm to the young people we work with.
The successful post-holder will have experience working directly with livestock. They will be passionate about nature friendly farming and be looking for environmentally sensitive ways of managing the land for food production. They will also have experience working in partnerships, managing budgets and suppliers.
Deadline for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 31st July 2024
Interviews will be held 9th August 2024
To apply please go to JobsInAgriculture.com to download and fill out our application form, once completed send to recruitment@farmsforcitychildren.org
The Farm
Throstle Nest Farms is a 360 acre, 300 cow family run dairy farm on the Fylde coast in Pilling, Lancashire. The herd of predominantly crossbred Montbeliardes are autumn block calved, TMR fed and milked through a 36:36 Fullwood parlour. The herd is grazed in spring and summer. Milk is supplied to Arla on an Aldi contract.
The Role
As the Farm manager you will be responsible for the day to day running of the farm, managing the staff and all aspects of health and safety. You will work with the Herd Manager in all aspects of feeding, breeding, herd health, welfare etc. Due to the nature of the role you will be required to live on site in the 4 bedroom house provided at minimal rent
The Applicant
Motivated hard working, computer literate, experienced in large dairy herd management whilst also ready for the challenge of running the whole operation and motivating the current team of employees. Finally, there is the opportunity to expand the role further into share farming in the future should you wish.
For more information on any of these vacancies or to see all our current roles, please go to: JobsInAgriculture.com
893660 Visit our Website www.waterwellengineers.co.uk Email: sally@waterwellengineers.co.uk
IN THE AIR
Begin the next chapter of your life. Don’t let your harvest be the only thing flourishing – let love blossom in your fields. Sign up with ‘Friends1st’ and plow the path to a bountiful relationship today. At ‘Friends1st’, we know that life is better when like-minded Christians are brought together to enjoy an life together and share their faith journey. If you’re ready to find someone who shares your values, your Christian faith, and loves you for who you are, then get in touch with our team today. Call 0121 405 0941. www.friends1st.co.uk
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
• High degree of protection against Pneumonia and Scours Grant Eligible
• Can house between 10-12 calves
A weekly selection of freshly calved & in-calf dairy cattle sourced from the UK. All guaranteed and delivered anywhere in the UK Finance can be arranged.
Livestock Supplies Ltd Ashley: 07831 887531, Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476 www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
er fats. PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT 07961 320555
Holstein Freisian Bulls For Sale
Black & White and some Red & White Plenty to choose from - first come first served!
Tel: Ray Brown 01477 532220 or 07885 652718 Cheshire (T)
Have a great selection of 2023 born 12-16 month old pedigree bulls for sale. SAC Hi-Health Member
Tested free of Johnes, BVD, IBR, Lepto, TB 4 Semen Tested, Performance recorded Nationwide Delivery Available Kurt – 07715 448366 Richard - 07816 173689 Lancs (P)
Quality, home-bred Limousin cross British Blue young cows and heifers, with Lim x and BB x calves at foot. Also two excellent Lim x British Blue bulls. Eager for work, all quiet, TB tested and ready to go. ALWAYS NEGATIVE FOR TB Wilf Lomas - 01606 832142 or 07769704628
direct to your farm,
PEDIGREE HEREFORD BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE
Individually Health Tested TB Tested Ready to work
Delivery can be arranged
Tel: 01538 300331 or 07968 622950 Sta ordshire (P)
SOUTH DEVON BULLS
2 - 3 years old. From a long established herd. Good calving record, growth rate & conformation. DNA tested myostatin 0 and 1. Tel:01952 222134 or 07811 593260 Shropshire (P)
months, some by named Sire. TB4, farm assured.
07748 378456 Lincs (P)
Charollais & Texel Shearling Rams
(LIQUID GRAIN TREATMENTS)
For WHOLE AND ROLLED CEREALS
(Moisture Level Between 16% - 22%)
*Applied in one opera on* (No Addi onal Mixing)
*Alkaline Treatment* (Ph 7.5-8.5)
*Protein Incresed*(by 30% - 40%)
*Excellent Stability* Tel: 01387 750459 www.britmilk.co.uk
First cut silages are analysing as high fibre, low in sugar, energy and digestibility
Optimise forage intakes and utilisation by using a molasses based liquid feed to maximise production
High protein and high energy options available to suit a range of needs and systems
Can be fed as part of a TMR of free access via a lick feeder
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 buyer.
PaynettsFarm,CranbrookRoad, Goudhurst,Kent,TN171DY
Tel:01580212141
Mob:07710480259
Email:info@timberspecs.com
Mobilehomes,holidaychalets,loghomes. Allbuilttoyourrequirements,deliveredand erectedanywhere,weofferbuildsinround, 360mm to up log random and cavity square, thick.Housessuppliedtomeetbuilding controlregulations.
Variety of tasks is highlight of rural role
Bespoke Design Service AndTechnicalData
FinanceOptions
Tospreadthecostofyourinvestment, wehavepartneredwithiDeal4Finance andTownandCountryFinancetooffera rangeoffinanceoptionstosuityourneeds, includingmortgagesandshorttermloans.
Formoreinformationonallthebuildingspleasevisitourwebsite. Web:www.timberspecs.co.ukEmail:info@timberspecs.com Tel:01580212141Mob:07710480259
Idecided to embark on the degree apprenticeship route after attending a careers fair at Harper Adams University. I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to complete a degree, while gaining valuable experience within the industry in preparation for a future within rural surveying.
After attending the career fair, I began contacting local firms who I thought may have an interest in taking on an apprentice.
I believe it is important to highlight the qualities you could bring to the business when making an application for any role.
My apprenticeship with Rostons began in September 2023.
I quickly realised the wide variety of work that a rural surveyor completes and I was eager to get involved in the range of services Rostons offers.
So far, I have had the opportunity to not only assist senior colleagues with work they have been undertaking, but also gradually to take on more of my own instructions, which gives me a real sense of pride.
Being able to assist clients with their rural needs is exactly why I chose the career.
No two days are ever the same, but on a typical day I can be doing anything from settling compensation claims for schemes such as the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, to getting out with the drone to monitor land reinstatement.
I have taken a keen interest in the farm support grants that are available to our clients and getting out on farm to advise on these.
More recently, I have been trusted with advertising and selling land, which requires a good level of organisation and professionalism –skills that are vital to anyone wishing to pursue a career in rural surveying.
The degree element of my apprenticeship is conducted at Harper Adams University.
I spend one week a month on campus, where we have a packed timetable of lectures and tutorials.
The teaching week is a great opportunity to catch up with peers and I have made some fantastic friends. This is one of the great benefits of completing the apprenticeship route as these peers will go on to be future allies that I may work with throughout my career.
I am lucky that at Rostons we have weekly training which helps us prepare for our qualifications post degree.
To become a qualified surveyor, I am expected to sit the RICS exam which will assess my theoretical and practical knowledge of the role. Although I will not be sitting this exam until I finish my apprenticeship, I feel it is beneficial to start preparation early.
I am also aiming to sit my CAAV examinations within the next two years, which is for a professional body that advises on rural matters.
My experience thus far as an apprentice has been one of continuous learning which I hope will continue into my second year and beyond.
I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of me and would greatly encourage anyone thinking of a career in the industry to go for it as it is a fantastic way to learn both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills needed for success as a surveyor.
Lucy Sargeant is an apprentice surveyor at Rostons. Call 01829 773 000, or email lucysargeant@rostons.co.uk
Gospel Farm, Hassop, Bakewell
A rare opportunity to acquire 255 acres of ring-fenced land, all over limestone, together with two excellent modern portal frame buildings. The farm has the potential for further expansion and the prospect of an agricultural workers dwelling, subject to planning. Available as a whole or in three lots.
Lot 1 £1,350,000 (Buildings and 196 ac)
Lot 2 £300,000 (58.8 acres)
Lot 3 £85,000 (13.9 acres)
Brook head Farm Stud, Wrexham Road, Bulkeley, Malpas SY14 8BW
• Detached Farmhouse (subject to occupancy condition)
• A two-bedroom apartment
• 27 x Stables and equestrian facilities
• Total plot of approximately 4.81ha (11.88ac).
• For Sale (may Let) by Private Treaty Guide Price £1,250,000
| www.tfazakerleyandson.co.uk
to
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, 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.
BREAKING MASSEY
699, 575, 3070, 3080, 3095, 2645, 6140, 3680 & 8120 Also tractors wanted for breaking Tel: 07710 153603 W.Yorks masseyfergusontractorbreakers.co.uk
Be careful anytime you are asked for personal information. If someone asks, don’t provide the information requested without con rming that they are legitimate.
Farmers Guardian only ever ask for your banking information if you are purchasing a product from us and will always call from 01772 799 500 or 01772 799 400
2009 DEUTZ-FAHR 5690 HTS BALANCE, 1855 HOURS, C/W 20FT HEADER, STRAW CHOPPER, CHAF SPREADER, 540/65R24 X 800/65R32. THIS COMBINE IS IN LOVELY CONDITION HAVING COME FROM A GOOD HOME £59,950
2010 MANITOU MLT 627 TURBO 3982 HOURS, HYDRAULIC PICK UP HITCH, AIR CON. C/W MANITOU TINES. 17.5R24
£29,950
2012 JOHN DEERE 6210R, ONLY 2806 HOURS!!, 40K AUTOQUAD TRANSMISSION, TLS & CAB SUSPENSION, 3 X MANUAL SPOOLS, AIR SEAT, AIR CON, JOHN DEERE 110KG TOMBSTONE WEIGHT. 540/65R30 X 620/70R42
£63,500
2015 KRAMER 8085, 2909 HOURS, C/W SET OF TINES, 2150KG LIFTING CAPACITY, 375/70R20 CONTINENTAL WHEELS AND TYRES
£32,500
Vicon 764 Fanex 6 Rotor Tedder. Farmer owned, serviced up, in excellent condition - just needs some grass £6500 + VAT
New Kubota M6-141U (143hp) Front suspension
New Kubota M5112 (115hp) handy stockman tractor
New Kubata L1552 52hp Cabless tractor, in stock
New Kubota RTV-X1110 c/w heated cab, in stock
New Vicon 8ft plain disc mowers, in stock
New Vicon 8 & 9ft mower conditioners, in stock
New Vicon 4 & 6 rotor tedders, in stock
New Kubota / KV 2.3m Heavy duty flail mowers
New Fleming 8ft heavy duty pasture toppers, in stock
New Chapman Weed wipers Order yours now
New Browns Post drivers log chop & splitters in stock USED MACHINERY
2017 Vicon Fanex 764 Six rotor tedder, farmer owned 2018 - 20 Suzuki KQ500 power-steering, choice of 4 2019 Suzuki KQ 750, power steering, straight ATV
2003 MASTER 270M 27 TON MOBILE GRAIN DRYER, 1,641 HOURS, C/W RETRACTABLE EXTENSION, DUST EXTRACTION, TWIN AXLE, DIESEL BURNER, FULL ELECTRIC DRIVE, ALWAYS DRY STORED, A VERY TIDY EXAMPLE £39,950
2003 LEMKEN 6 METRE HYD FOLDING STUBBLE CULTIVATOR, C/W DOUBLE CRUMBLER ROLLER, 6X PAIRS OF LEVELLING DISKS, 12X TINES, 550/6022.5 WHEELS AND TYRES, NICE ORIGINAL MACHINE
£9,950
2014 MASSEY FERGUSON 7620, 1371 HOURS!!, 50K DYNA 6 TRANSMISSION, SISU TRONIC, FRONT & CAB SUSPENSION, 4 X MANUAL SPOOLS, 540/540E/1000 PTO SPEED, AIR SEAT, AIR CON. 420/85R30 X 520/85R42 £49,500
2023 KRAMER KT276, 156 HOURS ONLY FROM NEW, HYDRO TRANSMISSION, BOOM SUSPENSION, AIR CON, AIR SEAT, 4 WHEEL STEER, REVERSE FAN, RADIO, 3RD SERVICE, LED WORK LIGHTS, C/W PALLET TINES. THIS LITTLE FORKLIFT IS ALMOST LIKE NEW
£49,950
£15250+vat
Blanch RV280 15hp 3 phase rolling mill, 2tph £3500+vat
ex
We take a farmer-centric approach to media. Our job is to help farmers run their farms more e ciently and make better purchasing decisions
Don’t settle for second best
Bucket and Muck Fork & Grab*
The Heavy Capicity range of Merlo telehandlers is designed for handling heavy loads accross agricultural environments. The TF50.8 can also be ordered with: cab suspension, continuously variable transmission and boom side-shift to ensure all tasks can be tackled with one powerful machine. *Terms and conditions apply
Edited by Toby Whatley
– 07583 054 831 –
A Hampshire grower has added a third John Deere 9900i to its fleet to make the most of a short harvesting window for wholecrop forage. Geoff Ashcroft caught up with the team mid-way through its 1,860-hectare harvest.
When all goes to plan, Apsley Farms’ harvesting team has been carving its way through wholecrop at a rate of around 60 hectares/day using a pair of John Deere 9900i self-propelled foragers equipped with Zurn ProfiCut 700 direct cut headers.
Needing 200hp to drive its 16-disc, seven-metre-wide direct cut headers,
both of the 970hp foragers reduce the crop to an almost dust-like 4mm chop length using 64-knife chopping cylinders. It is no wonder then that power consumption is brutal.
That notion is backed up by fuel burn, which sees each forager gulp its way through 1,500 litres of diesel daily, suggesting that the 24.2-litre V12 twin-turbo Liebherr engine in Deere’s biggest chopper no longer seems like overkill.
While the area cut each day might appear underwhelming, the tonnage clamped more than makes up for it.
Every day, the two foragers send a combined total of around 2,200 tonnes of wholecrop into AgBag temporary storage.
And it is still not enough output to ensure dry matter (DM) targets are comfortably met.
“The ideal DM level is 34-46% for our digester to maximise energy production from wholecrop,” explains Ed du Val of Apsley Farms, based at Faulkners Down Farm, Andover, Hampshire.
“We have recognised that the DM window can be just three weeks, but as we know, the weather does influence how long, or short, our harvesting window can be.
“As rye starts to ripen, it can dry extremely quickly and then we can miss the optimum moisture content, towards the end of the season.”
Experience has shown that if the farm is to complete its 1,860ha workload in as little as three weeks, the harvesting team needs to hit a daily target of 87ha.
The DM window can be just three weeks, but the weather does influence how long, or short, our harvesting window can be
ED DU VAL
To achieve that goal, the farm has added a third JD 9900i to its fleet for the 2024 season.
Mr du Val says: “The extra firepower is only needed for wholecrop. We can comfortably bring in the maize harvest with two JD 9900i foragers because the DM content of maize is much more stable, once the crop is ready to cut.”
He says that cropping has been
tweaked in a bid to buy more time with a slightly extended harvesting period.
While the majority of its wholecrop forage requirement comes from rye and oats, the introduction of winter barley has brought some respite, with a slightly earlier start to harvest.
Field size, length of haul and the inevitable breakdowns that can occur all have an impact on productivity. And local dealer Hunt Forest Group has become an integral part of the process.
Mr du Val says: “Dealer backup is essential, and Hunt Forest is superb.
“We have a couple of their technicians on our WhatsApp group, so we can feed back any photos
or videos to help with rectifying a problem. As a result, our breakdowns are mostly a one-visit fix.”
Moving location also comes with downtime, as the farm has chosen to operate fixed-width Zurn ProfiCut 700 direct cut headers.
“There are pros and cons with every system and we have settled on the fixed header width, rather than a folding machine,” he says.
“It is the widest cut and, with the header removed, on-road visibility is better and safer than a folding unit.
“However it just takes more time to attach and detach the Zurn headers and secure them on trailers when we move from farm to farm.
“That said, the whole team helps out to get the job done as smoothly as possible.”
The 2024 season has seen a marked improvement in performance and productivity, not just from the third forager, but also through constant upgrades from Zurn and greater parts availability with UK subsidiary Zurn UK.
Mr du Val says that while the foragers were once overpowered in wholecrop, the balance between header and chopping cylinder is now markedly improved.
“We have gained around 20% more output this year, thanks to Zurn working with us to make several upgrades to the headers for this season,” he says.
“The result is the 7m headers are
a much better match for full power of the 9900’s, and where we used to be over-powered for wholecrop, we are now using every last bit of power.”
The header upgrades include heavier-duty auger drive clutches capable of handling much more power, plus the introduction of on-the-move adjustment of bed tilt, which simplifies the task of moving between standing crop and laid patches.
“We have also got thicker blades too, for the pair of Kuhn-derived eight-disc beds that form the lower section of the header,” he says.
“Where the blades would previously just wear down before we had
The Zurn seven-metrewide 16-disc header has been updated for the 2024 season, with tougher auger drive clutches capable of handling more power.
the chance to turn them, they are now thick enough to allow us to use both cutting edges.”
Apsley Farms’ 6.5-megawatt AD plant consumes about 100,000t of feedstock each year for power generation, with energy extracted from a harvested 3,650ha of maize and wholecrop.
All feedstock is clamped remotely, using AgBag temporary storage that can be sited on field headlands or adjacent to farm tracks, close to where the crops are harvested.
This short-haul approach keeps tractors and laden trailers off public roads, reducing the impact on the local community during harvest.
It also allows the flexibility to haul crop back to Faulkners Down Farm using walking-floor articulated lorries, when forage is required.
“We have simplified in-field haulage and logistics during har-
vest, which lets us operate with fewer, but larger tractors and trailers than we would be able to use if we had to haul on public roads,” Mr du Val says.
K-Two ejector trailers are the order of the day and are favoured for their build quality, specification and lack of tipping body.
While the fleet uses mostly twinaxle Roadeo 2000HP trailers, there has been a gradual shift to larger Compact and Push 2500 tri-axle models in a bid to simplify logistics.
The specification of such trailers is as high as the cost and includes hydraulic suspension, Wabco ABS, 650/55 R26.5 Nokian flotation tyres, front and rear steering axles and full on-board weighing.
Where the twin axle trailers use six weigh cells, the tri-axles operate with eight weigh cells.
Mr du Val says: “We have the on-board weighing set to measure in 20kg increments. And crosschecked on a weighbridge, we are working with a discrepancy of just 2t in every 1,000t weighed, so we are accurate to within 0.2%.”
Technology also has a role to play with such an extensive fleet, given that kit can travel considerable distances from Apsley Farms’ base.
MyJohnDeere provides full telematics, giving Mr du Val instant visibility for productivity, fuel levels, downtime and location.
In addition, all foragers use data sync to share A-B lines for auto steering guidance, making the most of each header’s working width.
“We also have NIR integration, which might have the potential for
greater forage analysis in the future,” he adds.
Clamping is the domain of AgBag sealed storage systems.
The Canadian-built bagging machines used by contractor AB Systems can provide bag diameters ranging from 3m to 4.5m, with the largest used by Apsley Farms for its harvest workload.
Up to 3,000t can be ensiled in a day with the largest machine, and its 650hp Caterpillar engine can pack the contents of a 20t trailer in less than two minutes.
“The flexibility of temporary storage is a great solution for our business,” Mr du Val says.
“There is no need for rolling and sheeting, secondary fermentation is non-existent and, without it, harvesting such a large acreage would not be quite so straightforward.”
Production of the twomillionth tractor took place in the same year the plant celebrated its 60th anniversary.
● Plant marks 60 years of production
By Toby Whatley
NEW Holland’s Basildon production site has built its two-millionth
tractor, the machine coinciding with the plant’s 60th anniversary year.
The unique machine is a 225hp T7.225, which New Holland says represents one of its most popular T7 models produced at the plant. It received a unique livery com-
prising of candy blue body panels, silver and black graphics, featuring the Union Jack and a 2,000,000 Basildon Tractors logo.
The tractor also features black wheel rims with candy blue rim edges.
Production at the plant began in 1964 with its original owner Ford, where the now iconic 2000 Dexta, 3000 Super Dexta, 4000 Major and 5000 Super Major models were initially produced.
Two years after opening, the plant had already produced 100,000 of these machines, which would later become known as the ‘Pre-Force’ series, following the 1968 launch of the ‘Ford Force’ 2/3/4/5000 tractors.
A year later in 1969, the factory produced its 250,000th tractor.
In 1984, the 500,000th tractor was assembled, a model from the Q-cabbed Series 10 range which had been launched three years previously which spanned a power
range from 44hp 2610 to 116hp. Five years later the Basildon plant produced its one millionth tractor.
That year also coincided with 25 years of manufacturing at the site and was marked with the release of the, now-collectable, special edition Silver Jubilee 7810 tractors.
In 1995, the factory produced its 1,500,000th tractor, a Series 40 model.
This machine was assembled four years after the purchase of the Ford New Holland agricultural equipment business by Fiat, which brought an end to the Ford tractors and its association with the factory.
Speaking at the production milestone, Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president, said: “From the tractors of 1964 to those of today, we have come a long way in capability, capacity and technology.
“What is unchanged, though, is our commitment at Basildon and across the whole of our business to continue developing the technology our customers need.”
● Six new rakes and wider mowers added
By Toby Whatley
MASSEY Ferguson has added two new butterfly mowers to its existing DM range with new options, which
claim to improve cutting performance and crop conditioning.
For rake customers, its RK twin rotor rake range has been updated, with six new models, offering users GPS section control across all machines.
The manufacturer’s new mowers are now the largest models in the
range, with overall working widths of 9.6 metres and 10.1m.
Badged as the DM 9614 TL and DM10114 TL, the two operate as standard with a heavy-duty spur gear cutter bar and conditioner.
Conditioner choices include tine or roller systems, with the roller variant now using a direct drive to both rollers and a more aggressive steel-on-steel option.
Massey Ferguson says this layout provides better handling and throughput in heavier, leafy crops, such as lucerne.
Versions ordered in the Pro specification will operate using IsoBus control, which allows operators to automate functions to improve ease of use and forage quality.
Connections for the front and rear mowing units provide manual or automatic side-shift of the front unit, which Massey Ferguson says reduces missed areas on sloping ground Ground pressure is automatically adjusted using the manufacturer’s hydraulic TurboLift system.
Crop merging for Pro models is provided with an optional belt grouper to form swaths from 1.6m to 3m wide.
Six new twin rotor rakes with working widths from 7.6m to 10m have been introduced, with the new models also offered in an IsoBus-controlled operation, which claims to provide speed-related height adjustment, and rotor lift section control.
A new speed-dependant raking height system automatically raises and lowers the machine to maintain the target working height, which Massey Ferguson says reduces contamination within the swath.
A new MyMemory option provides a claimed faster change between fields, by saving the working height, working width and swath width before folding the machine into the transport position.
A new gearbox design allows all the models below the largest MF RK 1102 TRC Pro to fold to less than 4m high without having to remove any tine arms.
Edited by Katie Jones – 07786
856 439 – katie.jones@agriconnect.com
For more livestock content, go to farmersguardian.com/livestock-news-hub
SUPPLYING calves with high-quality nutrition is an essential part of the ‘optimal environment’ required to maximise performance levels in early life.
This was among the key messages delivered during a webinar organised by SAC Consulting, which aimed to dispel some of the myths about calf milk replacers.
Dr Lorna MacPherson, of SAC Consulting, discussed product labels and what farmers should consider when choosing a milk replacer.
She said: “There will be a number of different ways with ingredients of varying quality that you can make up a 24% protein, 20% oil calf milk replacer.
“Essentially, you get what you pay for. If you are looking at the same sort of spec of product and one is a lot cheaper than the other, the clue as to why will be in the list of ingredients.
“It is worth checking the fibre content, as ideally this should be less than 0.15%. The higher the fibre, the more vegetable protein sources will be included at the expense of milk protein sources. But if you are unsure, get some independent advice.”
She added: “It is important to make sure you are weighing out the correct amount for mixing, especially if you are changing products as the density can be different.
“And double-check that you are feeding at the correct inclusion rate. Farmers should be aware of the impact of high osmolality milk replacers, which can lead to dehydration and scours, and this should not be confused with
feeding high levels of milk, which can cause looser faeces but not necessarily a nutritional scour.”
Regarding what recommended
feeding levels were, Dr MacPherson said: “Recommendations by AHDB are now to feed between 15-20% of body weight in terms of volume of milk, and there is a lot of research available that supports feeding higher levels of milk to not only improve growth rates and calf health but also milking performance in the first lactation.”
Dr Jessica Cooke, of Volac Milk Replacers, said that quality pre-weaning calf nutrition really paid off.
“We know that heifers with good growth rates, together with good fertility, as well as being bred at the right time, are those most likely to calve for the first time at 24 months of age with 85-90% of their mature body weight,” she said.
“It is the heifers that calve for the first time at 24 months of age with adequate body weight that we
know have better fertility, produce more milk, have better udder health, and have the best survival.
“All of those traits drive lifetime daily yield – and it is the animals with the highest lifetime daily yields that are going to be the most profitable, and bring with that an environmental benefit in terms of lowering the carbon footprint per litre of milk.”
Dr Cooke recommended feeding calves a milk replacer based on either concentrated whey protein or on a high level of good-quality skim.
She added: “Research work at AFBI Hillsborough highlighted that well formulated, high-quality milk replacers with either skim milk powder at above a 40% inclusion level, or concentrated whey protein as the major source of dairy protein, both deliver comparable animal performance.”
Dr Cooke said this research confirmed that high-quality early life nutrition paid dividends, and she encouraged all calf rearers to be far more discerning over calf milk replacer choice for rearing their milking herd replacements.
“The key is to evaluate value for money carefully when purchasing a calf milk replacer. Always go behind the label and ask your usual supplier key questions. Above all, look for a proven track record of performance,” she said.
Andrew Hodgkins, with his father Chris, has run the Locks New Zealand (NZ) Romney sheep breeding operation, producing rams and ewes selected to thrive in low input situations for the past 20 years.
Based on three tenanted farms in West Sussex, the Hodgkins manage just over 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of predominantly chalk grassland, with some rising to 304 metres (1,000ft).
Each year 3,500 breeding ewes lamb outdoors in April and May. Of these, 1,000 are elite performance recorded females mated to high index imported NZ Romney rams. The rest are commercial Romney ewes and ewe lambs. Total ram sales are between 275 and 300 a year, with some being sold into Europe.
The farm was one of the businesses visited as part of this year’s British Grassland Society’s summer meeting.
Speaking during the farm tour, Chris said: “I am a first-generation farmer who got into farming helping out at the dairy farm over the road after school.
“After going to the Royal Agricultural College and working for the Co-op farms, we managed to get the tenancy at Locks Farm, Washington, in 1982. With little money we bought old draft Welsh ewes and mated them to a Border Leicester ram to produce home-bred Mule ewes.
“By the mid-1990s we were lambing 2,500 ewes, a mix of mainly Mules and Suffolk Mules, all lambing inside in February in a traditional system.
“We employed New Zealand students to help with lambing who were totally amused at how much time we spent helping ewes to lamb indoors; putting them into individual pens and painting numbers on their sides. None of this was helping with mother/lamb bonding.”
Chris said the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001 was a ‘lightbulb’ moment. Although the sheep did not contract the disease, movement restrictions meant ewes were forced to lamb outdoors across the scattered holdings and it was not a total disaster, leading Chris to think this might be a smarter way to work.
The new flock started with English
The British Grassland Society’s summer meeting included visits to livestock farmers in the south of England making low input grassland work for their systems. Sara Gregson reports.
Romneys mated with semen and embryos imported from New Zealand. Live rams were imported from 2006, with more than 50 imported in total since then.
Andrew said: “We have been using the very best New Zealand genetics and have made significant gains.
“Since 2020 we have moved away from using Wairere genetics exclusively and now cherry pick animals from the best Romney flocks in New Zealand. We are now looking at other increasingly important traits such as resistance to worms.”
Ewes are tupped in autumn and
pregnancy scanned in February, averaging 1.85 lambs per ewe. The ewes are separated into those having singles, doubles and triplets. They spend the winter outside and only receive supplementary forage in extreme conditions.
Chris said one of the selection criteria for animals to make it into the Locks recorded flock is that the ewe was first mated as a ewe lamb. More than 800 ewe lambs are mated annually, with the Hodgkins looking for fertile sheep with typically more than 90% conception in their first cycle.
“We aim to breed smaller ewes, as with 3% body weight required as a maintenance ration, a 70kg ewe is more efficient than an 85kg ewe, when producing a 40kg fat lamb,” said Chris.
“This means more stock on the same area of land and greater output.”
All the ewes and offspring in the elite flock are performance recorded. All the data, pedigree, birth details, weaning and growth rates, backfat and eye muscle measurements are all analysed by Sheep Improvement Limited, which holds New Zealand’s
performance recording and genetic evaluation database. These produce estimated breeding values. Tissue samples taken from the best 150 rams give even more detailed information as genomic breeding values.
All three farms are in High-Level Countryside Stewardship schemes, with some ancient pastures bordering the South Downs Way stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne.
The sheep are shorn twice-a-year in June and September, with the wool attracting a significant premium.
Stock are all grass wintered, with some additional grazing in vineyards and cover crops and fodder beet on neighbouring arable farms. All lambs from the commercial flock and steers from the 50-head of Sussex and 25head of Belted Galloway herds are finished and sold to ABP, with the Cowdray Farm Shop also taking eight lambs a week.
Andrew said: “We have developed a ewe that is able to make the best use of our low input grassland, along with the ability to perform under minimal shepherding. Just the sort of sheep to take advantage of the new grassland incentive schemes being offered by Government.”
Since
Into
This is only the beginning
The installation of an automatic feeding system in 2019 was the start of the robotic journey for the Cargill family, who could see that automation would enable them to pursue their aim of getting the most from their herd at the same time as ensuring they had a positive work-life balance.
David Cargill, who farms in partnership with his father Stephen at Hollybank Farm in Ballyclare, runs a fully housed 180-cow pedigree Holstein herd under the Hollybank prefix.
The farm is 182 hectares (450 acres), with 101ha (250 acres) owned and the remainder rented.
Based 213 metres (700 feet) above sea level, growing crops can prove challenging but they are as self-sufficient as possible, with cropping including 16ha (40 acres) of rye, 12ha (30 acres) of winter wheat which is crimped and 14ha (35 acres) of maize grown under plastic. The remainder is down to grass, which has proved very successful with plans to sell this year’s grass standing after last year’s bumper five cuts.
The Cargills are committed to breeding cows with high genetic merit and the ability to produce large vol-
Maximising efficiency from their high performing herd is the aim for the Cargill family who are modernising their system, with the latest edition being four new Lely milking robots. Ellie Layton reports.
umes of high-quality milk in a sustainable manner.
Their farming journey started on the family’s original holding, Fernbank, a 32ha (78-acre) mixed farm, which Stephen purchased from his wife’s father. Then in 2013 they took the opportunity to purchase the neighbouring farm, Hollybank, and start a dairy farm from scratch.
David is on the family farm fulltime, while Stephen works on the farm part-time alongside the running of a timber business.
Stephen says his experience of dairy started in college at Greenmount and now David, who is an engineer by trade, has been given the chance to return home and start the family’s dairy system which has followed a careful planning phase.
David adds that following the purchase of Hollybank, they removed all the old buildings to allow them to maximise the potential for the new unit. This includes a multi-functional shed which covers three silage pits, a youngstock shed, cubicle shed which houses the milking robots and a dry cow shed which is also used to finish their dairy beef and neighbours their custom Lely Vector kitchen.
He says: “Our venture was planned around our desired farming system, but with labour and engineering high on the priority list to achieve the best
possible results. We did not want to rely on labour availability and worklife balance is a big consideration, so this has all been factored to produce what we have today.”
When establishing the herd, they decided to purchase and rear youngstock to ensure the best start was given to produce a more productive cow, which David believes was the best choice they could have made despite being a longer process.
Despite early exploration with robot milking when they established the new dairy in 2013, a decision was made to install an 18-point swing-over parlour in 2016 following difficulties with technical support at the time.
David says: “Conventional milking worked successfully, however following the sudden loss of our herdsman last spring, it made us re-evaluate our labour situation. You must have a quality of life in any job, and agriculture is one of the trickiest. Farming is repetitive, but it must be enjoyable, otherwise you cannot get good retention of staff.”
And with long milking times for their three times-a-day system, the decision was made to return to robotic milking, this time with the recent installation of four Lely robots in July, which included the company’s 50,000th unit.
David says he was encouraged to move back into robots, after eight years of milking through a conventional parlour, having been impressed at the level of support which has been provided since he invested in a Lely Vector feeding system two years ago to feed both the dairy and dairy beef cattle.
Stephen adds: “We want to be milking cows for generations to come, and that is why we have made the investment – everything we do, we do for our long-term future – just like we galvanise steel on the yard, we want to galvanise our business.
“A major reason for installing robots was to increase the potential of our high-performing cows, while reducing labour costs. We know that our cows are capable of high yields, so by introducing robots, we will be able to do both.”
The cows are averaging 39 litres per day at 4.2% butterfat and 3.2% protein, with a somatic cell count of 130,000.
Reintroducing automation is something that David believes will aid their high attention to detail protocols to promote cow health, helping them to attend to what is not visible to the human eye.
And this has been proven to them, by the improvements which have been seen following the introduction of their Lely Vector.
Feeding accuracy, measured by the feed requested versus what is loaded, is hitting 97.8% at Hollybank and feed waste has been reduced, too.
This has improved fresh cow health, with ketosis incidence going from 20%
A Lely Vector feeding system was invested in two years ago to feed both the dairy and dairy beef cattle.
to 5% and a considerable reduction in milk fever, with no cases seen over the past 12 months.
Stephen says: “Prior to installing the Vector, I could tell the difference between the rations made by three different team members.
“This consistency has made a huge difference to cow health, while feeding time has also been reduced from four hours daily to just four-and-a-half hours per week, despite feeding more diets which has enabled us to save more than £25,000 in labour.”
But David says the benefits go beyond economic savings, with milk yields lifting almost immediately by two litres a cow and milk from forage also increasing from 3,700 litres to 4,100 litres annually.
Heifer growth rates have improved significantly which has enabled the Cargills to reduce the age at bulling to 12-13 months, lowering the age at first calving by two months to 22 months.
As well as providing the best for their cows once in production, calf health is an important part of the system for the Cargills. Their speciallybuilt youngstock housing gives their heifers the best possible start.
Reared on the same yard, their building has a polycarbonate roof, to allow natural light in while the slatted shed sides are opened most of the time to promote ventilation. They have recently started trialling a microbial smoke bomb, which helps them check ventilation while sterilising surfaces and benefiting calf health.
The calves are penned individually for the first two weeks, fed eight litres of milk a day, with 1kg of milk powder and are transitioned onto automatic calf feeders alongside straw. At 10 weeks they are transitioned onto an 18% protein nut, when chopped silage is added to straw.
The specially-built youngstock housing gives heifers the best possible start.
Calves also have access to old matted cubicles from weaning to train them for later life.
The calves are on a vaccination programme, receiving a vaccine for IBR, BVD, leptospirosis, salmonella and RSV.
David says: “Our calves are happy, healthy and full of energy, which has resulted in recently installing lockable barriers to safely handle them.”
■ Milking 180 Holsteins
■ Yielding 39 litres a cow daily at 4.2% butterfat and 3.2% protein
■ Cows are genomic tested
■ Sexed semen breeding followed by Aberdeen-Angus
■ Four Lely A5 Astronauts recently installed
■ The farm has a 100kW solar panel system
company Viking Genetics recently held a conference where updates on research and milk price predictions were given. Ellie Layton reports.
A STUDY carried out in 2023 has compared the performance of threeway cross-bred cows against purebred Holstein cows.
Carried out by Italian professor of animal science Dr Giovanni Bittante, the study looked at a range of body measurements, as well as different metrics of the cows’ productivity and production efficiency.
The study involved 791 cows, 440 cross-breds (comprising a cross of the Viking Red, Montbeliarde and Holstein breeds) and 351 pure-breds, managed across two herds.
Within each herd, cross-breds and pure-breds were managed as one group, being reared and milked together and fed the same diets.
The heart girth, height at withers, and body length were measured, and body condition score (BCS) was determined on all cows on a single test day.
Dr Bittante said: “The body weight of 225 cows was used to develop an equation to predict weight from body size traits, parity and days in milk, which was then used to estimate the total body weight of the group and protein and lipid contents of each animal.”
Dr Bittante said that he found that combining measures of production and efficiency traits related to body composition and the energy cost of production seemed to be more effective criteria for comparing cross-bred and pure-bred Holstein cows than just milk, fat, and protein yields.
“Evidence suggested that mainten-
A study compared pure-bred Holsteins with cross-bred cows across a range of body measurements. Cross-bred cows
ance energy requirements may be closely related to body protein mass and we believed Holstein and crossbred cows may be different in body composition, so we measured their net energy for maintenance,” he said.
“On the same day that body measurements were collected, individual test-day milk yield and fat and protein contents were retrieved once from the official Italian milk recording system.”
It was found that cross-breds had similar predicted body weight and net energy for maintenance when compared with the Holsteins.
However, net energy for mainten-
ance of cross-breds was 3.8% lower than that of the
Dr Bittante said: “We also found that in our environment, cross-bred cows yielded 4.8% less milk and wasted 3.4% less energy than the pure-bred Holsteins.
“When comparing genetic groups with production traits, it suggested that the cross-breds and pure-breds have the same ability and efficiency per unit of body protein mass.”
Looking towards the end of life, Dr Bittante observed cull cow carcase traits in a separate trial.
This trial involved data taken from
ALSO speaking at the conference, dairy market analyst Chris Walkland, said he predicted a plateau in prices ahead of autumn.
He said: “We have had a good run of milk prices, which has been echoed globally, although I think it may be ending as we start to see a plateau trend amid steadying prices.”
Despite the spotlight on the dairy sector not always being positive, Mr Walkland reassured farmers that this was an exciting time to be in the dairy industry,
with significant investments from processors and fellow dairy farmers being made.
Mr Walkland said: “Although producer numbers have fallen over the past decade, by up to one third in some counties, businesses are expanding and, as a result, we are still seeing the same production levels.”
However, he added the cost of staying in production was increasing and environmental demands were also stronger.
He said: “European politicians are forgetting about food production,
18,014 cross-bred and Holstein cows slaughtered in four slaughterhouses, with all cows graded using the EUROP grid.
Dr Bittante said carcases from culled cross-bred cows graded 13% higher for fat compared with culled pure-bred Holsteins from the same herd.
He said: “Despite Holsteins having a higher body weight, cross-bred cows exceeded their carcase weight and their higher fat level translated to their lower maintenance cost. Holsteins displayed a higher protein level, which comes at a higher production cost.”
and they are obsessed with emissions and water regulations.
“Of course, there needs to be a handle on nitrates, water quality and similar aspects, but one day they will wake up and say we have pushed this too far; food is too expensive and there will be a revolt.”
To help secure the market for dairy products in the future, Mr Walkland said there was a need to ‘prove consumers wrong’. He said: “We need to give them permission to eat our dairy products without guilt.”
Scotland 49.5kg
Grass growth Soil moisture (cb)
Soil temperature (degC) Rainfall (mm per week)
Region Seven-day forecast 14-day forecast
North England 81.9kg DM/ha (33.1kg DM/acre) 60.6kg DM/ha (24.5kg DM/acre)
South England 64.4kg DM/ha (26.1kg DM/acre) 66.4kg DM/ha (26.9kg DM/acre)
Scotland 75.7kg DM/ha (30.6kg DM/acre) 44.9kg DM/ha (18.2kg DM/acre)
Wales 92.2kg DM/ha (37.3kg DM/acre) 60.2kg DM/ha (24.4kg DM/acre)
■ Recent recorded grass growth has exceeded the long-term average and is predicted to surpass both last year’s average and the average in the next seven to 14 days which will boost production across grazing and silage areas. Take ‘opportunity’ and main crop silage harvests to build up stocks ■ Reported metabolisable energy values are sub- optimal, so there is still
need for corrective action to ensure quality pasture for the remainder of the grazing season, especially with good recovery growth forecasted ■ For ‘earmarked’ paddocks or fields which need improvement, get spraying and cultivations underway to ensure seeding is done in time for full plant establishment and any necessary post-emergent weed control
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.
Exhibitors from all corners of the UK graced the livestock rings in Builth Wells to battle for best in show at the Royal Welsh. Ellie Layton and Katie Fallon report.
THERE were emotional scenes in the beef rings at the Royal Welsh Show where the inter-breed title was awarded Ian Nimmo and family, Wishaw following a tough year, with his home-bred Limousin heifer, Maraiscote Tangerine.
Ably shown by Sophie Harvey, the Morhan Peter-sired daughter is out of home-bred cow Maraiscote Orange. It is on a winning streak, clinching its second inter-breed championship
title in the last 10 days after attending the Great Yorkshire Show.
The heifer was also reserve interbreed beef and Limousin champion at the Royal Highland Show. Last year it won reserve Limousin and junior inter-breed beef champion at the Royal Highland Show and Limousin champion at the Great Yorkshire Show.
The Charolais champion, Teme Poshtotty, was tapped out as reserve from the Corbett family, Knighton. Following its reserve inter-breed title at the Great Yorkshire, the fouryear-old cow was shown with its
November 2023-born heifer calf at foot, Teme Uptown Girl, a Lochend Shell daughter.
Earlier this year it was inter-breed champion at Aberystwyth Show and had a successful time in Builth Wells last year, claiming reserve breed champion. Poshtotty is an artificially inseminated (AI) daughter of the 70,000gns Barnsford Ferny daughter out of home-bred cow Teme Ivory.
Inter-breed judge, Leicestershire-based Steven Edwards, said:
“The Limousin heifer was beautifully prepared and shown, she was correct throughout and balanced while being good on her feet. The Charolais was in excellent condition following her first calf and they made an eye catching outfit.”
British Blue champion went to Scotland with Kevin Watret, Annan, and Solway View Tamsin. The April 2023born heifer is a Boherard Overdose daughter and an ET calf out of Solway View Peach. It was junior champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show and last year was champion at the Stars of the Future Show.
Jones, Ceredigion.
Beef
Inter-breed (Judge, S. Edwards, Leicester) Supreme, I. Nommo, Maraiscote Tangerine (Limousin); reserve, Corbett family, Teme Poshtotty (Charolais).
Welsh Black (M. James, Carmarthen) Sup., H. Jones, Gwarcwm Macsen; res., G. Jones, Hafodesgob Branwen.
Hereford (A. Massey, Lancashire) Sup., L. Bowen, Cleland 1 Regal; res., W. Awan, Midford 1 Elke 1st.
British Charolais (D. Connolly, Co Down) Sup., Corbett family, Teme Poshtotty; res., K.S. Thomas, Moelfre Union.
British Blonde (C. Hopley, Cheshire) Sup., J. Hickin, Penwen Toppsy; res., S. Mitchell, Hutton Thea.
British Limousin (M. Massie, Ellon) Sup., I. Nommo, Maraiscote Tangerine; res., M. Cormack, Foxhillfarm Titan.
Beef Shorthorn (G. Towers, Northampton) Sup., B.M. Birch, Highsky Erins Enchantment; res., M. Cormack, Willingham Spitfire. British Blue (A. Price, Kent) Sup., K. Watret,
A black Highland heifer took the breed champion title, Lady White 144th of Balmoral from Coul Estate Partnership, Lagan. The 2021-born heifer was bred by Balmoral Estates and is a Prionnsa Dubh 3rd of Balmoral daughter.
The Welsh Black championship title went to a six-year-old bull, Gwarcwm Macsen from Huw Jones, Ceredigion, who runs 10 cows on their mixed beef and sheep farm. Macsen is a Seisiog Max son and won breed champion at Aberystwyth Show in June.
British Blonde champion was awarded to Ceredigion-based Jonathan Hickin with his January 2021born heifer, Penwen Toppsy. An AI daughter of Hashtag, it is out of homebred Penwen Poppy Moo, and was also breed champion at the Royal Three Counties Show in June.
Topping the Herefords was Glamorgan breeder L. and L. Bowen with Cleland 1 Regal. Bred by Nesbitt Farms, it is a six-year-old son of 10,800gns Solpol 1 Kitkat and out of Cleland 1 Treat 17th.
Boomer and Millie Birch, Stafford, claimed the Beef Shorthorn cham-
Solway View Tasmin; res., Rhiwonnen Blues, Bringlee Tansy. Highland (D. Logan, Scotland) Sup., M. Bradley, Louis of Earn; A. Perkins, Sean Geal of Tregallon. British White (P. Pennington, Shropshire) Sup., D. Wright, Castleton Ken; res., A. Hamilton, Dallyashes Tespestry. Red Polls (J. Brigg, Hereford) Sup., J.C. Draw, Wheatfield Freddie; res., T.H. Moreton, Lady Kenya. Simmental (S. Gummow, Cornwall) Sup., C. Croft, Clonagh Regal Fortune; H. Grant, Lynfield Precious. South Devon (R. Hadley, Warwick ) Sup., A. Plain, Foxhole Cherry 10; res., C. Page, Providence Raider. Aberdeen-Angus (J. Ford, Kelso) Sup., M. Alford, Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499; res., M. Alford, Foxhillfarm Princess Caroline Y167. Salers (A. Hughes, Gwynedd) Sup., Sup., Gwawr Griffiths, Parys Sweetie Pie; res., B. Facon, Gentons Simba. Commercial (D. McPherson, Northumberland) Sup. O. Williams, Lulu; res., S. L. Bett, Electra. Baby beef (D. McPherson) Sup., E. Pennie, Queen Bee; res., I. J. Phillips, Black Market.
pionship with home-bred three-yearold Highsky Erins Enchantment. It was shown with its October 2023born bull calf, Highsky Tomohawk, by Highsky Roger.
No stranger to the showring, Enchantment was part of the Burke Trophy winning pair at Three Counties Show and inter-breed title winner at the 2024 Royal Bath and West Show.
The Carrarock Chalkie daughter is out of one of Caramba Erins Enchantment which was voted the breed’s ‘Miss Europe’ in 2022.
Taking the ticket in the commercial championship was the Williams family, Anglesey, with a black Limousin heifer, Lulu, bred/exhibited by Aled Roberts. The April 2023-born heifer has Limousin breeding on both sides. After winning the heifer championship, Lulu took overall commercial champion and supreme against the baby beef champion. Weighing in at 502kg, this was its first show since the UK Agri-Expo last winter.
Standing reserve was another Limousin heifer, Electra, from Stuart and Lindsey Bett, Stirlingshire. The 600kg heifer was bred by Balfour Baillie, Orkney, and is
Ceredigion.
and Millie Birch, Stafford.
a daughter of Ronick Redhot. It was commercial champion at the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows.
Snaching the baby beef title was Queen Bee, a 394kg Limousin heif-
er from E.H. Pennie and Son, Mongomery. Reserve went to Ifan and John Phillips, Newcastle Emlyn, with Black Market, a Limousin heifer bred by Berwyn Hughes, West Wales.
Lloyd Family Award (Judge, K. Hovers, Powys) Supreme, Welsh Hill Speckle; reserve, Welsh Mountain Hill.
Inter-breed (Judge, J. Sinett, Carlisle) Sup., A. Oare (Suffolk); res., A. and H. Jackson (Dutch Spotted).
Inter-breed ram lamb (G. Probert, Worcester) Sup., Curran family (Charollais); res., Thornbury Texels (Texel).
Inter-breed ewe lamb (G. Probert) Sup., Clanfield Texels (Texel); res., Jones family (Beulah Speckled Faced).
Welsh Mountain (E. Evans, Clwyd) Sup. and sup. female and res. fem., E. Roberts; res. and sup. male, T.R. Hulme; res. male, H. Davies. South Wales Mountain (A. Richards, Bridgend) Sup. and male, A. Davies; res. and fem., H.O. Vicary and Son; res. male, H.O. Vicary and Son; res. fem., A. Davies.
Black Welsh Mountain (W. Workman, Powys) Sup. and fem., G. Williams; res. and res. fem., H. Bown; male, G. Hughes; res. male, D. Rowlands.
Badger Face Welsh Mountain Torddu (C. Joseph, Powys) Sup. and male, A. Hemmings; res. and fem., M.D. and D.L. Evans; res. male, N. Dillon; res. fem., A. Hemmings.
Badger Face Welsh Mountain Torwen (D. Williams, Ceredigion) Sup. and male, G. Lloyd; res. and female, D.M. Evans; res. male, J. Evans; res. fem., L. Evans. Balwen Welsh Mountain (N. Owen, Powys) Sup. and male, C.H.P. and M.A.M. Williams; res. and fem., D.R.L. Williams; res. male, M. and G. Howells; res. fem., A. Harries.
Inter-breed sheep and Suffolk champion, from Arnold Oare, Brimford.
Reserve inter-breed sheep and Dutch Spotted champion, TipTop Encore, from Ali and Hannah Jackson, Annan.
Bluefaced Leicester champion, from Sophie Harding, Shrewsbury.
Charollais champion, from Logie Durno, Aberdeen.
Welsh Hill Speckled Face (E. Harding, Gwynedd) Sup. and male, T. Roberts; res. and fem., T. Evans; res. male, B.L. and J.E. Jones; res. fem., M. Davies. Beulah Speckled Face (R. Evans, Powys) Sup. and male, E.B. and S. Jones and Son; res. and fem., A.D. and E.E. Richards; res. male, F. Caegwyn; res. fem., E.B. and S. Jones and Son. Hill Radnor (T. Evans, Powys) Sup. and male, D.C.L. and C.L. Williams; res. and res. male, K. Jones; fem., D.C.L. and C.L. Williams; res. fem., J.A. and M.E. Jones and Hughes. Kerry Hill (J. Rowe, Leominster) Sup. and fem., H. Owens; res. and res. fem., E. Owens; male and res. male, J. and P. Owens. Brecknock Hill Cheviot (M. Evans, Carmarthenshire) Sup. and fem., I.G. and M.E. Jones; res. and male, B.P.M.L. and R.E. Thomas; res. fem., B.P.M.L. and R.E. Thomas; res. male, T.D.J.M.L. and E.E. Rees. North Country Cheviot (R. Strawhorn, Dumfriesshires) Sup. and male and res. male and res. and fem. and res. fem., B. Baker. Exmoor Horn (D. Butt, Somerset) Sup. and male, M. Buckingham; res. and res. male, W. Awan; fem., W. Awan; res. fem., L. Floyd. Herdwick (J. Wilson, Cumbria) Sup. and sup. male and res. male, L. Wilcock; res. and sup. fem. and res. fem., T.D. Davies. Jacob (S. Dalrymple, Scotland) Sup. and male, L. Trumper; res. and fem., D.W. and S.L. Harries; res. male, J. and A.W.M. Evans; res. fem., L. Trumper. Ryeland (D. Duggan, Herefordshire) Sup. and male, R. Howell; res. and fem., M. Bevan; res. male., A. Davies; res. fem., L. Howell. Coloured Ryeland (J. Donovan, Carmarthenshire) Sup., B. Summerfield; res., C. Bailey. Dorset Down (J. Hebditch, Somerset) Sup. and
TAKING the honour of inter-breed sheep champion at the Royal Welsh Show was the Suffolk champion from Arnold Oare, Brimford. The Rhaeadr yearling is a Dunfell Dynamite-sired ewe and is out of a Lakeview ewe. It was purchased last November and
fem. and res. fem and res. male, S. Stamp; res. male, A. Evans.
Southdown (S. Smith, Powys) Sup., G.L. Richards; res., Sargent, Wakeham, Dawson and Hamer. Llanwenog (P. Ebbsworth, Ceredigion) Sup. and sup. fem. and sup. male, H. Evans; res. male, G.W. Evans.
Bluefaced Leicester (S. Crozier, Dumfriesshire) Sup. and fem., S. Harding; res. and male, J. Griffiths; res. fem., P. May; res. male, O. Bennett. Welsh Mule (G. Rees, Powys) Sup., R.B.W. Hughes; res., E.H. Bennett.
Charmoise Hill (J. Powell, Powys) Sup. and fem. and res. fem., B. Summerfield; res. and sup. male, S. Williams; res. fem., I. Jenkins. Valais Blacknose (D. Hodge, Devon) Sup. and male, J. Wood; res. and res. male, H. and P. Garrod; fem., G. Jones; res. fem., H. and P. Garrod. Oxford Down (R.J. Richardson, East Yorkshire) Sup., A. James; res., C. Clarke. Clun Forest (B. Francis, Shropshire) Sup. male, M. Eckley; res. and sup. fem. and res. fem., A. Pennell; res. male, I.T. Davies. Dorset Horn/Poll Dorset (I. Davies, Powys) Sup. and male, R. Fitton; res. and fem., R. Fitton; res. male, S. Clarke; res. fem., G. Jones. Lleyn (A. McDonald, Ireland) Sup. A. Davies; res., Twose Farms. Border Leicester (D. Whyte, Glasgow) Sup. and male, R. Aitken; res. and fem., R. Jones; res. male, R. Evans; res. fem., R. Aitken. Hampshire Down (T. Hunter, Lincolnshire) Sup. and fem., E. and B. Jones; res. and male, S. Harries; res. male, S. Harries. Shropshire (J. Brigg, Herefordshire) Sup. and fem., Coleman family; res. and res. fem. and sup. male, S. Farquar; res. male, O. Powell. Suffolk (P. Greaney, Monmouthshire) Sup. and
was breed champion at Shropshire Show, while its full sister was champion at the Royal Highland Show. Reserve supreme sheep was the Dutch Spotted champion, a twoyear-old ewe, TipTop Encore, from Ali and Hannah Jackson, Annan.
The home-bred ewe placed breed champion at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows earlier this summer.
fem., A. Oare; res. and res. fem., D. Jones; male, A. Oare; res. male, G. and B. Ingram. Any other pure native lowland or continental (S.P. Davies, Powys) Sup., C.W. and O. Phillips; res., Clanfield flock.
Wiltshire Horn (J.W. Brigg, Herefordshire) Sup. and fem. and res. and male, B. and H. Thomas; res. fem. and res. male, W. Roberts. Zwartbles (F. Brown, County Durham) Sup. and fem., H.W. Sloan; res. and res. fem., N. Millar; male, D.L. and C. Jones; res. male, G. and L. Owen.
Bleu du Maine (I. Davies, Ceredigon) Sup. and sup. fem., N. Millar; res. and res. fem., Haydon flock; sup. male, D.L. and C. Jones; res. male, A. Stamp.
Charollais (D. Roberts, Shropshire) Sup. and fem., G. and B. Ingram; res. and res. fem., A. Davies; sup. male, R.G. and R.A. Jones; res. male, D. Curran. British Berrichon (D. Gwynne, Powys) Sup., A. Bowen; res., G. Benyon-Thomas. Beltex (A. Bishop, Gloucestershire) Sup. and fem., H. Owens; res. and res. fem., L. Swinnerton; male, L. Williams; res. male, A. Groucott.
Blue Texel (S. Wood, Aberdeenshire) Sup. and fem., C. Howells; res. and male, R. Francis; res. fem., R. Francis; res. male, A. Froggatt. Texel (K. Kermode, Isle of Man) Sup. and fem., J. Theyer; res. and res. fem., G. Williams; male, J. and J. Aiken; res. male, J. and E. Amphlett. Dutch Spotted (D. Guthrie, Selkirkshire) Sup. and fem., A. Jackson; res. and male, D. Witcomb; res. fem., H. Sloan; res. male, Lochlad Farming Partnership. Badger Face Texel (F. Forsyth, Castle Douglas) Sup. and res., O. Watson.
Another in the judge’s final lineup was the Bluefaced Leicester yearling ewe, Shrewsbridge Starappeal, from Sophie Harding, Shrewsbury. It claimed female champion at the Royal Highland Show.
They were joined by an aged Charollais ewe from Logie Durno, Aberdeen. The Boyo Vancoover daughter was reserve inter-breed at the Royal Highland Show.
North Country Cheviot
Finishing the judge’s line-up was Monmouthshire-based Ben Baker’s North Country Cheviot, coming from his BB flock which wiped the breeds’ board. The champion was a home-bred yearling ram sired by Smerlie Xtreme.
James Theyer, Oxford, picked up the championship with his Texel yearling ewe from his Clanfield flock, ably shown by Harley Turner and sired by the 170,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice. It was female champion at the Royal Three Counties Show.
Champion any other continental went to an aged Rouge ram from Herefordshire breeders Colin, Wendy and Owen Phillips’ Power-
North Country Cheviot champion, from Ben Baker, Monmouthshire.
house flock. Tullyvallen Aga Can is a Crawfordsland Young Gun son which won reserve inter-breed title at the Three Counties Show.
Scooping up the champion in the Badger Faced Texel section was Ulverston-based Oliver Watson’s yearling ewe, Cleenagh Dolly. Sired by Cleenagh Bodybuilder, it is fresh from its breed win at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Carmarthen-based Caryl Howells won the Blue Texel championship with her February-born yearling, Caryls Blues Her Majesty. The Trisant Godfather-sired yearling stood reserve breed champion in 2023 at the Royal Welsh Show.
Jacob champion was awarded to the Trumper family, Monmouthshire, who claimed the title back for the first time in 10 years with Beiliau Churchill. Their yearling ram is a Kingarrow Hulk son and was reserve male champion at the Royal Three Counties Show.
Topping the Brecknock Hill Cheviot classes was a February 2023- born yearling ewe from the Jones family, Brecon.
Hannah Owens, Prestigne, picked up the Kerry Hill champion
with a ewe bred by Rob and Jean Price, Powys. This is the showing debut for the Woodhouse-sired ewe, bred by a ram purchased from the Owens family.
The inter-breed ram lamb championship, judged by Geoff Probert, went to a Charollais bred by David and Paul Curran, Talgarth from their Wernfawr prefix. The December born lamb is a Glyncoch Ace son out of a full sister to their successful ram, Wernfawr Stormer.
Any other continental champion, an aged Rouge ram, from Colin, Wendy and Owen Phillips, Herefordshire.
Jacob champion, from the Trumper family, Monmouthshire.
Reserve went to Bromyard with Nick Legge’s Texel ram Thornbury Hulk, exhibited by his stockman, Peter Stubbs. The February born lamb is sired by Ettrick Grey Goose.
Coming up trumps in the interbreed ewe lamb class James Theyer, Oxford, with a February-born Clanfield Texel. The 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice daughter is out of an Expression ewe. The reserve went to a Beulah Speckled Face ewe lamb from the Jones family, Carmarthen.
CLINCHING the pig inter-breed title was the Welsh champion from Julian Collings, Cornwall. Clowen Model 42 is a July 2023-born Welsh gilt, by Offham Ivor and out of Clowen Model 26.
It also claimed the renowned Pig of the Year title at this year’s Great
The gilt is on a winning streak having claimed four breed championships already this year at Devon, Royal Cornwall, Great Yorkshire and now the Royal Welsh Show.
Inter-breed pig and Welsh champion, Clowen Model 42, from Julian Collings, Cornwall.
Yorkshire Show, marking the family’s second consecutive year winning the prestigious award. Judge Sharon Barnfield, Gloucestershire, who breeds Berkshire and Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, said: “She is typical of her breed with a beautiful topline, good feet and she just keeps walking.”
Inter-breed (Judge, S. Barnfield, Gloucestershire) Supreme, J. Collins, Clowen Model 42 (Welsh); reserve, H. Heeley, Alkington Peterlad 2 (Berkshire).
Welsh (H. Loveless, Dorset) Sup. and fem., J. Collings; res. and res. fem., C. Taylor; male, T. Evans; res. male, J. and S. Harmer. Any other modern breed (H. Loveless) Sup. and fem., A. Carter; res. and res. fem., C. Gittins; male, J. and A. Agriculture. Tamworth (M. Snell, Somerset) Sup. and fem. and res. and res. fem., B. Warren; male, S. Nicholas; res. male, B. Warren. British Saddleback (M. Snell) Sup. and fem., A.
Reserve supreme went to the Berkshire champion from Shropshire-based Harri Heeley. This was a February 2024-born boar, Alkington Peterlad 2, by Fairoaks Peter Lad 19 and out of Boswick Louise 24.
Phillips; res. and res. fem. and male., E. Paddock; res. male, M. Georgiou.
Any other traditional (M. Snell) Sup. and fem., A. Carter; res. and res. fem., C. Gittins; male, Boughey Livestock. Berkshire (M. Snell) Sup. and male, H. Heeley; res. and fem., H. Heeley; res. male, J. Tiley; res. fem., H. Heeley.
British Lop (M. Snell) Sup. and fem. and res. and res. fem., J. Collings; male, J. Collings. Middle White (M. Snell) Sup. and fem. and res. and res. fem., M. Paddock; male, M. Paddock; res. male, O. Giles. Pietrain (H. Loveless) Sup. and fem. and res. and res. fem., G. and A.
IT was the Holstein champion which claimed the supreme dairy title in the Royal Welsh Show dairy rings. From the syndicate comprising Dylan Davies, Nick Haines, Nick Sercombe, Brian Yates and David Jones, it was the first time out for the fifth calver, Dulais Silver Lustre.
Residing with part-owner David Jones, of Wiltor Holsteins, Monmouthshire, the September 2017-born cow was purchased for 40,000gns from the Welsh Sensation sale in June last year. Having last calved in February, it was shown giving 50 litres daily.
With his champion stood before him, judge Michael Gould, Shropshire, said: “She is an absolutely fantastic cow, an easy winner for me today and nearly the perfect cow.”
It was the Jersey champion, November 2018-born Whitefire Dazzler Flamingo, from Kevin and Sian Rickard, Newport, which stood reserve. Classified EX92, the fourth calver was shown giving 40 litres daily and placed honourable mention at the show last year.
The heifer inter-breed championship also went to the Rickards, with their home-bred first calver, Starlet Haniko Atlee. Shown 50 days fresh and out of Wiltor Crushabull Atlee, it was exhibited at last year’s show as a maiden heifer.
In reserve was the Jersey, Mydrim Tequilas Spring Tracy, a home-bred heifer in-milk from James Evans, Pembrokeshire. The heifer was champion at last year’s South Wales Calf Show and Welsh Dairy Show.
Reserve in the Holstein section was Nethervalley Awesome Rosanne Red, a fourth calver from Hefyn Wilson, Cardigan, shown four weeks fresh and giving 62 litres daily.
Reserve Jersey champion was Mydrim Victorious Tara, from Philip and
Inter-breed (Judge, M. Gould, Shropshire) Supreme, D. Davies, N. Haines, D. Jones, N. Sercombe and B. Yates, Dulais Silver Lustre (Holstein); reserve, K. and S. Rickard, Whitefire Dazzler Flamingo (Jersey); junior sup., K. and S. Rickard, Starlet Haniko Atlee (Holstein); junior res., J. Evans, Mydrim Tequilas Spring Tracy (Jersey). Holstein (D. Hodgson, Carlisle) Sup., D. Davies, N. Haines, D. Jones, N. Sercombe and B. Yates, Dulais Silver Lustre; res., A.H. Wilson, Nethervalley Awesome Rosanne Red. Ayrshire (I. McLean, Co. Antrim) Sup., E. Tomlinson, Allstar Ringer Joybell. Jersey (R. Saxby, Devon) Sup., K. and S. Rickard, Whitefire Dazzler Flamingo; res., Manning and Murray, Wyreforest Kingston Legends. Dairy Shorthorn (D. Winnington, Staffordshire) Sup., Thomas family, Drisgol Bridesmaid 123; res., Thomas family, Drisgol Belladonna 451. Brown Swiss (W. Young, Yorkshire) Sup., D.W. and Katal, Infinity Sissy 8; res., Toi Toi Genetics, Kedar Aurora.
Emma Manning, Shrewsbury. Only its first time out, the second calver was shown giving 32 litres daily.
The Thomas family, Pembrokeshire, were champions in the Dairy Shorthorn rings with their second calver, Drisgol Bridesmaid. Brought out by Sion Thomas, the home-bred cow was classified VG88 as a three-year-old and was breed champion at last year’s show. Standing reserve was another from the same home, Drisgol Belladonna, a first calver shown giving 34 litres daily.
Champion in the Brown Swiss section was Infinity Sissy 8 from the partnership of Daniel Weaver, Staffordshire, and Katal Holsteins, Derbyshire. The third calver, which was shown six months fresh and giving 44 litres daily, was grand champion at this year’s Cheshire Show. Reserve was Kedar Aurora, a February 2017-born, Jolhafs Nesta Jenor daughter from Toi Toi Genetics, Shropshire.
The Ayrshire championship went to the Tomlinson family, Leicestershire, with Allstar Ringer Joybell, by Bluespruce Ringer. The home-bred first calver was breed champion at this year’s UK Borderway Dairy Expo and at the Welsh Dairy Show in 2023.
July 27. ABERNANT, 50th Trials, Tafarn y Cwm, Abernant, SA33 6ND, signposted, contact Huw Evans, tel: 07721 386 617, open and combined national, young handler, 7.30am start, catering and bar, enter on field. NEW CROSS AND DISTRICT, Brenan Field, New Cross, SY23 4NA, contact John George, tel: 01974 261 510, open national, novice national, open South Wales and novice South Wales, 8am start, enter on field, catering available. HENRYD, Henryd North Wales Sheep Dog Society Affiliated Societies, open trial, LL32 8DJ, 8.30am start, tel: 07702 016 812. RHESYCAE, North Wales Sheep Dog Society Affiliated Societies open trial, Rhesycae, CH8 8JQ, 8am start, tel: 01352 780 271.
July 28. RHOSGOCH, North Wales Sheep Dog Society Affiliated Societies open trial, LL66 9AA, 8am start, tel: 07703 483 863.
July 29. BUGEILIAID UWCHALED, North Wales Sheep Dog Society Affiliated Societies, open trial, LL23 7ED, 7.30am start, tel: 07772 748 316. August 3. LLANWRYTD, Ffos Fields, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4RS, open and novice national, combined runs, young handler trophy for under 25s, two sessions, 7.30am start, catering, contact Hilary Davies, tel: 07977 543 239.
August 4. LLANFAIR CAEREINION, Plasiolyn farm, SY21 ODJ, local Montgomeryshire and overseas, prizes and cups, 12pm start, contact Heulwen Davies, tel: 07740 355 017. August 7. LLANFAIR CAEREINION, Open, class two and young handler, under 26, 7.30am start, enter on field, contact Heulwen Davies, tel: 07740 355 017.
August 7 and 8. LLANBRYNMAIR, Clegyrddwr, Llanbrynmair, SY19 7DY, first day, open and novice national, 8am start, second day, local
Montgomeryshire, 4pm start, contact Elgan Jarman, tel: 01650 521 269. August 8. TALYBONT, Llety Ifan Hen, Bontgoch, Talybont, SY24 5DR, open and novice national, open and novice South Wales, 8am start. NEWCASTLE EMLYN, Cillfallen, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9PY, open national only, full course, shed, pen and single with collared sheep, 8am start, entries in person, catering available, contact Arwyn Organ, tel: 07464 648 490.
August 10. CWMSYCHPANT, Waun Fields, Rhydowen, SA44 4QA, open and novice national, combined runs, open and novice South Wales, combined runs, 8am start, catering, contact Sulwyn Jenkins, tel: 07971 442 462. August 10. CYNGHORDY, Talgarth Field, Cynghordy, open and novice, combined runs. 7.30am start, contact Philip Jones, tel: 07950 442 874.
July 25-28. HIGH HILLS, Running and double gather followed by final on July 28, to include two brace runs per day, top eight from each day go to the final, contact Laura, tel: 07772 910 087.
July 26-27. HUSBANDS BOSWORTH AND THEDDINGWORTH, Husbands Bosworth Hall, LE17 6LZ, radius increased to 40 miles of Husbands Bosworth, open to three dogs, contact Helen Crane, tel: 07708 237 464, or helencrane88@ outlook.com. DEVON AND EXMOOR, Borough Farm, Mortehoe, Woolacombe, Devon, EX34 7HE, classes for novice championship for Devon and Exmoor Ordinary members only; novice driving championship, Devon and Exmoor Ordinary members only, new handlers, open to all, 10am start, followed by Maltese cross championship classes, contact Julie Tucker,
tel: 07970 033 813 or julie@bearwoodfarm.co.uk.
SIMONBURN CHARITY, NE48 3AF, enter on field, first 40 dogs, 9am start, contact John Tulloch, tel: 07921 853 079.
July 28. GARGRAVE, Holme House Farm, Gargrave, Skipton, BD23 3PR, 9am start, first 50 dogs, contact John Bechwith, tel: 07931 118 571, entries taken on the day. MID SHIRES, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1LB, for pre-entry and further details contact Gill Burbidge, tel: 07950 738 732.
July 29. CROPREDY, Thornby Farm, Thornby, Northampton, 8.30am start, entries, £8 per dog, contact John Aldridge, tel: 07737 073 714. July 30. RYDALE, Welburn Park, Welburn, YO62 7HQ, contact the show office or website for pre-entry and start times.
July 31. DEVON AND EXMOOR, Pennywell Farm trial, Pennywell Farm, Lower Dean, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0LT, classes for open driving, best young handler and double fetch, 9am start, contact Julie Tucker, tel: 07970 033 813 or julie@bearwoodfarm.co.uk.
August 2-3. MACCLESFIELD AND DISTRICT, Sutton Hall Farm, Sutton, Macclesfield, SK11 0HE, entry form available on Macclesfield Sheep Dog Trial website or email entries@ macclesfieldsheepdogtrials.co.uk.
August 3. OSMOTHERLEY, Home Farm, Thimbleby, Northallerton, DL63PY, open trial and novice handler, judge P. Simpson, 10am start, if running two or more dogs one must be booked in before 12pm, two and three dogs must book in before 2pm, entry fee open £5, entry fee novice £2, handler not to have been placed top three in an open trial, contact Brenda Swinbank, tel: 07761 619 494. LOW THORNEYBURN, NE48 1AW, enter on field, 9am start, two dogs booked in by 10.30am, contact Jim Fyall, tel: 01434 270 460.
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to sponsor the Working Dogs pages in Farmers Guardian for 2024. Wishing all triallists the very best of luck.”
Christopher Ware Managing director
at Gilbertson & Page,
manufacturer
of Dr. John’s foods for dogs.
MATHON (Judge, D. Millichap) Open, 1, Meirion Jones, Kennox Bob, 7; 2, Angie Driscoll, Kinloch, Taz, 8; 3, Karin Haker, Case, 9; 4, David Howells, Wyverne Pip, 9; 5, Iwan Rees, Pentre Jax, 11 OLF; 6, Iwan Rees, Pentre Meg, 11. Novice, 1, Meirion Jones, Kennox Bob, 7; 2, Stan Harden, Kennox Fly, 14; 3, David Howells, Cai, 15 OLF; 4, Karin Haker, Chloe, 15; 5, Tony Mallon, Irtlands Jazz, 17; 6, Bryan Pugh, Sweep, 18.
LILBURN (S. Mcculloch) 1, C. Balmro, Liz,
July 27. DOON VALLEY, Dalfarson Park, Dalmellington. Entries on field, maximum two dogs, £7 per dog. 7.30am start, no double dogs after 12pm.
July 28. BURNFOOT, Blackaddie Sanquhar, DG4 6JJ, entries to Wullie Welsh, tel: 07854 508 013. CHARITY OPEN, Achunabust Farm, Reay, KW14 7RR, trial is in aid of Heart and Stroke Scotland, catering and toilet facilities on field. Novice handlers and spectators welcome. Tel: 07487 312 046.
July 31. COWAL, PA23 8QS, 7.30am, max 75 dogs, entry fee £10 per dog, two dogs per handler, entries to Caroline Joelsson via caroline@eyeam.se.
July 28. BURNFOOT, Blackaddie Sanquhar, DG4 6JJ, entries to Wullie Welsh, tel: 07854 508 013. CHARITY OPEN, Achunabust Farm, Reay, KW14 7RR, in aid of Heart and Stroke Scotland, catering and toilet facilities on field, novice handlers and spectators welcome, tel: 07487 312 046.
July 31. COWAL, PA23 8QS, 7.30am, max 75 dogs, entry fee £10 per dog, two dogs per handler, entries to Caroline Joelsson via caroline@eyeam.se.
August 3. EDDERTON, Edderton farm, IV19 1JU, first dog run at 8.30am, fundraiser for Scottish national 2024, novice handlers welcome, £10 per dog, judge George Simpson, contact Gert Van Dyck, email: gert.van.dyck@hotmail.com, tel: 07873 877 310.
August 4. BIRTHWOOD, Birthwood Farm, ML12 6QD, open hill trial, 550-yard outrun, entry fee £10, all proceeds to the 2024 International, entries to birthwoodbordercollies@yahoo.com, contact Hazel Brown, tel: 07590 480 688.
Source: LAA/MartEye
2/980.0 3/980.0 20/52.1 50/315.1 48/254.2 20/207.5 23/130.0
Source: IAAS/ScotEID
Source: LAA/MartEye
Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg). Week ending July 23, 2024.
CATTLE prices decreased across all categories at auction marts in England and Wales this week.
Steers had decreased the most in value by 3.0p/kg to 271.2p/kg, while young bulls were down 3.0p/kg to 259.4p/kg.
Heifers and dairy-sired cull cows both reduced in price by 2.4p/kg to 279.0p/kg and 153.0p/kg respectively.
Sheep prices were up 0.5p/kg to 301.9p/kg.
All pig categories increased at marts, with cutters up the most by 18.2p/kg to 207.0p/kg.
As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (July 24), UK LIFFE wheat prices for November 2024 were trading at £194.85/tonne, an increase of £3.10/t on the week.
N/S
SOURCE: LAA/MartEye
SOURCE: LAA/MartEye
SOURCE: LAA/MartEye
Estimates. ENGLISH DELINKAGE REF DATA: average of 2020/21/22 claims. Seller’s 2023 claim not
Estimated return £1.20/£1 ref amount with buyer’s delink payment less than £30,000 post-transfer. Subject to Delinkage values 2025-27. BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN: English: Defra estimates £20,000-£200,000/unit excluding VAT and associated fees, subject to lot size. Last tender July 15, 2024, next September 9, 2024. NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY: Long-term sales all types agric man excluding specialist habitat creation. Nitrates £3,000-£4,000/unit (£18,000£206,000/ha); phosphates £50,000-£65,000/ unit (£2,000-£169,000/ha). CARBON: Woodland Carbon >£35/WCU >£25/PIU. May 2023 WCG reverse auction average £19.76. WATER: English abstraction licences less than £3-£15/cu.m.
Source: Townsend Chartered Surveyors
3.
Emma Gray’s farming life on the Isle of Bute has captured the hearts of many. Emily Ashworth speaks to her about her achievements so far and the unexpected fame that came her way.
mma Gray is literally living her dream. After numerous appearances on muchloved TV programme This Farming Life, two book deals and a move back to her homeland in Scotland, she feels complete.
Farming with her husband Ewan and her young son Len, the family can now – finally – reap the rewards of their hard work and are in a ‘good place emotionally and financially’.
The family farm on the Isle of Bute, a Scottish island off the mainland, and their mainstay is sheep and cattle, alongside a thriving sheepdog business which is – of course – what Emma is known for.
As tenants, they have worked hard to get themselves into the position they are in today.
Emma says: “The first couple of years were hard; we were feet first and needed to make it work.
“Taking the time to smell the roses is such a cliched thing, but there is nothing else we need now, so we want to take the time to enjoy it.
“If someone told me when I was younger that this is where I would be, I would never have believed them. We are living my childhood dreams – but better.”
The farm is just short of 283 hectares (700 acres), with 40.5ha (100 acres) of arable land, and 60.7ha (150 acres) of rough ground.
The rest is permanent pasture, running 35 suckler cows and 650 cross-bred ewes to produce terminal sired lambs.
version. Organic farming naturally mirrors the way they do things, especially since they have never really used fertiliser.
But the next step in their journey has just begun, as they have recently finished their organic con-
This will be the first year the couple can market their lamb as organic.
Emma says: “I am interested to see the market for them. People are a lot more awake to chemicals, pesticides and fertiliser, and the lamb we produce is organic just as it is – it has lived off grass its whole life and hardly seen a day inside.
“But I think there are lots of better ways to market lamb anyway. Nobody gets a taste for it until they are older, and it is quite a strong meat.”
and signed herself up to a course in Northumberland for a year, specifically designed for shepherding.
She was able to take a dog at the same time and get it trained, but it was here that she also put down her first farming roots.
“It was really influential, and I learned a lot,” says Emma.
“What I have achieved with the dogs has given me confidence as well. The world record sheepdog price was pretty cool, and I have won various nursery trials – I have been competing for 20 years and now feel comfortable with who I am.
18 months old. The farm’s island location presents them with some complications – particularly with boats to the mainland in winter.
The couple were finding themselves loading lambs and booking them into market, only to get to the boat and hear it was not running.
Since they changed their system a few years ago, cattle are sold as forward stores in autumn at about
Taking stock straight to the store market has worked well for them.
But Emma’s passion is still dogs. Her talent is renowned in the industry and her name is still synonymous with the eventful sale of her dog at Skipton sheepdog sale in 2020 – a record-breaking sale which hit 18,000gns.
“It takes you achieving things to feel comfortable with things, but I love it when people come to me at the mart and talk to me about bloodlines or problems they have. You can network a lot.”
But in order to be a good handler you need to understand how your sheep react and move, she says.
As a youngster, she initially started out with border collies and felt a strong connection to them.
That is when she began training
Patience and consistency are also key, of course, but if you do not understand sheep, you are not going to get it, she adds.
There is the historic aspect too; going out in the elements to work the dog with the sheep is something Emma feels privileged to do.
“You get the impression you are walking in the footsteps of farmers from years and years ago,” she says.
“You go out with your dog and your stick, and the problems now are the same as hundreds of years before.
“There will be a ewe lambing a lamb with two legs backwards and
If someone told me when I was younger that this is where I would be, I would never have believed them
EMMA GRAY
Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK
Kent
Dan Hawes grew up on an arable farm in Suffolk and now produces strawberry and raspberry plants for the UK fruit market with Blaise Plants, sister company to Hugh Lowe Farms, Kent. The business grows outside, under tunnels and in glasshouses and produces more than four million plants a year. The arable side includes environmental schemes, with a mix of wheat, oilseed rape, beans and barley crops.
Blink and you miss it. It’s busy in the propagation world, and the last few weeks have flown by.
All the raspberry plugs have arrived and been planted. These will produce what we call longcanes, and will produce fruit early next year.
We’ve also pushed on with the strawberry tip taking and striking and, given current progress, we should have finished planting everything outdoors in the next few days, which just leaves the glasshouse plants.
This dull weather has actually worked in our favour, as when you’re planting what is simply a stolon cutting with little if any roots, 30degC sunshine is not ideal.
Thankfully the reservoirs are reasonably full and the irrigation guys do a great job at keeping the moisture up for the first week at least.
It is amazing just how much better everything looks with a bit of greenery in and, when the roots form, you know it’s going to plan and you can back off
‘It is amazing just how much better things look with a bit of greenery in’
with the sprinklers and focus on root development.
We’ve been involved in some new variety selection trials this year.
Sending some fresh cut tips into the EU has to be one of the most stressful things I’ve done.
I’ve not exported anything before and naturally it’s slap bang in the middle of our busy period which isn’t ideal.
I hate doing things where I don’t really know what I’m doing, and this was certainly one of them at the start.
Application for export, done, phytosanitary inspection, done, cut and prepared, done, paperwork with pack-
aging, done. If they were to get stuck at customs for any length of time it would be all wasted time, of which it has consumed plenty.
It’s a bit like when you go on holiday, but have that feeling you’ve forgotten something, except you can’t just buy more when you get there.
I’m happy to report it was a successful trip and, by 10am the next morning, they were where they needed to be. Not bad for a seven-day turnaround.
A bit closer to home we’ve had a local NFU Next Gen event this month, the first in a few years and the first one I’ve been able to get to. It was an
YOU have been telling me this week that although the weather has been quite mixed, jobs on the farm have mostly been completed and all that is needed now is a period of fair weather. Well that is what we have been looking for and, although there have been some signs of dry conditions starting to take hold, models continue to ‘argue’ about when, where and for how long.
Earlier in the week, there was some consistency in the trend towards pressure rising into August and the month itself, while not totally dry, may be one of more drier days and warmer temperatures. It does seem that we
will be working hard with you on the WeatherLive telephone service (see the panel, right, for charging information) to spot upcoming windows and to get the timing right for any hay-making and the start of harvest.
The word ‘consistency’ is one I have chosen carefully as this reveals how we should approach using longer range models as forecasting evolves and predicting for several weeks ahead becomes possible (note I say ‘possible’, not ‘accurate’).
By monitoring the longer range models, comparing them regularly, and not falling into the trap of choosing
the weather we want to see, farmers will be able to ascertain the best times for such things as planting or cutting.
As artificial intelligence (and machine learning) create ever more forecasts, the reliability of the longer range models should improve.
Assessing probability is something that farmers should now be familiarising themselves with, as this may become an important part of communicating future forecasts.
I’ll write more about this in future columns. Forecasts can go awry, but given the knowledge above, farmers are perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the new technology.
evening for a bit of social, having a go at paddle tennis, which most of us had never played and I had never heard of. Think of it as a cross between tennis and squash, with little bit of table tennis mixed in. It was great fun and a really good evening, finishing off with food, an NFU update and a few points on the new Government. Well worth getting involved.
And as I write this, following suit with all the other social media posts I’ve seen, there’s been a little nibble in the oilseed rape which will be done by the time you read this if the weather plays ball, which fingers crossed it will.
For location specific forecasts visit farmersweather.co.uk and for video updates go to weatherweb.net or call the number below. Call Farmers WeatherLIVE
Scottish Borders Kate Rowell
Lancashire Amy Wilkinson
Cornwall
Alan Carter farms in partnership with his parents, Paul and Christine, on a 162 hectare (400-acre), 400-cow dairy unit at Constantine, Cornwall, with 130 milking cows, supplying Saputo. Alan, also a Parish Councillor, and his wife Sarah, have two children, Ross and Dana.
As you are reading this, we will be on holiday in Mid Wales.
This is the furthest we have travelled since we have had children and we have been looking forward to spending some quality time together.
It will be the first time I have been away from the farm for a year and, with the long winter, having the extension built and the unexpected passing
of Sarah’s Dad during this time, I’m feeling very ready for the break.
We have lost another seven cows as bovine TB reactors. Three failed on the gamma test and four on the skin test.
There was no correlation between the reactors on the two different tests.
One of the reactors was a purchased cow and we will only get half compensation value for this. It is a very unfair penalty, when the only reason we are buying cows, is because bTB is taking away ones we didn’t plan to lose.
During the spring I was asked if I would judge the cattle section at Praze Fair Show. It took place on the second Saturday of July with classes for uncalved dairy and beef heifers and beef bulls.
We exhibited there when they first started cattle classes at the show a few years ago, and Dad has judged in the past. It was well supported with eight in the dairy maiden heifer class.
The beef classes gave me a bit more
of a challenge. We keep a lot of beef cattle on the farm, but with them being maximum 50% beef bred, I’m used to seeing them a little leaner than the South Devons, Simmentals and Limousins I was faced with.
But I enjoyed placing them and I had agreement from Dad, who knows more about beef animals than me.
Last week we had a spell of good weather that allowed the silage fields at Bonallack to be cut for the second time. They yielded 220 bales that were brought back to Trengilly to be wrapped.
Dad started cutting on the Tuesday afternoon, then the mower needed a part replacing and we had a routine vet visit, so didn’t get back to silage
making until Wednesday afternoon. I went down to spread the couple of fields already cut, a rare outing for me, as Robert does most of the tractor work, and I prefer livestock work way more than machinery.
I didn’t finish until 5.30pm, then came home to milk. I knew I would be missing the children going to bed, so I popped in to see them before I started milking.
Ross asked why I was so late and I told him I’d been in the tractor getting the silage ready.
In all seriousness he asked if it was my first time driving the tractor. That must be the reason why if people ask the children where I am, they always say milking and not tractor driving.
Send in your correct entries to be in with a chance of winning £20 worth of Love2shop vouchers every month. Send to: Crossword No. 1255, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9NZ.
1 Snare male swan we originally bred (6)
5 Italian bottle’s a complete disaster (6)
10 Steal firearm (5)
11 Kind of loaf where you may be now (9)
12 Large shepherd dogs, natives of a French region (9)
13 Female record for woolly ruminant animals (5)
14 Some person or other, extremely large, backward and slightly odd for starters (2-3-2)
16 One who hesitates giving victory sign before going into battle (7)
18 River pressure to observe, we’re told, where water probably ultimately goes (4-3)
20 Concerning indications, engages for a further period (7)
22 Flung from one side to the other we hear (5)
24 Not evilly going berserk in a vigorous manner (9)
26 Disorderly red cattle made a noisy commotion (9)
27 Somewhat crow announcing second mowing of grass (5)
28 Rats turning up, vile first and last! Deprive of food! (6)
29 New York’s poor quality whiskey for a night flight? (6)
2 Deviously outface heartless boss to bewilder (9)
3 Start of welcome warmth produces cereal crop (5)
4 Dull brownish yellow on a large old wild ox (7)
5 After golf warning cry, was turning back - acted in advance! (7)
6 Surprisingly he advises sticky things (9)
7 Coarse, essentially cocky and vulgar (5)
8 Snag served up by soldiers for body’s functioning units (6)
9 Liberally shower Beatles’ sergeant? (6)
15 What’s left after washing up; it’s said to be dull! (9)
17 Immediately OK on an opponent’s ground (5,4)
18 Frisky cat he’d unfasten (6)
19 Unfavourable publicity on poetry (7)
20 Make new request for simple wind instrument child at first dropped (7)
21 Saw, for example, northern meadow (6)
23 Respond concerning theatrical performance (5)
25 Slipped up, offer redress to some extent (5)
Answers to crossword 1253: Across: 1 Polish, 5 Hijack, 10 Cheep, 11 Telescope, 12 Apartment, 13 Shoed, 14 Suggest, 16 Reptile, 18 Debated, 20 Borders, 22 March, 24 Ownership, 26 Onionskin, 27 Dense, 28 Celery, 29 Sweden. Down: 2 Opera, 3 Impatient, 4 Hottest, 5 Holster, 6 Jests, 7 Crocodile, 8 Scraps, 9 Needle, 15 Gabardine, 17 Partridge, 18 Damson, 19 Door key, 20 Bananas, 21 Supper, 23 Hinge, 25 Hence.
Let’s get one thing straight – we are experiencing a ‘space race’. Not in the heavens above, but down here on earth.
At a time when land is expected to do so much – feed us, house us, power us, employ us, store carbon, store water and provide a secure home for nature – space on the ground is at a premium.
Producing a lot of food from a small space is a good thing, as maintaining or even shrinking the footprint of agriculture leaves space for nature.
One of the worst things we can do for our climate and biodiversity crises is to take more land under the plough or under the cow – that is not just my view but one shared by a number of organisations with environment at their hearts.
The World Resources Institute and the Intergovernmental Sciencepolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services are just two.
Yet, in the past 60 years, we have taken more than five million sq.km – an area two-thirds of the size of Australia – into agriculture.
be smart and the people I met for my book, Land Smart, are just that: farmers, including Rod Smith, Tim Parton, James Brown, John Shropshire, Rachael and Geraint Madeley-Davis, Andrew Brewer and many more.
While there is no simple solution, their manifesto would include more reliance on soil biology and less on added chemistry, developing new crop varieties bred to thrive in a regenerative system and deployment of climate and nature friendly fertilisers (they do exist).
to many farmers, so how about something a little spicy to finish? Biofuels from virgin crops are mostly a dumb use of land.
TO listen to Tom Heap talk about his new book, Land Smart, and his thoughts on balancing food production with the environment, scan the QR code or go to farmersguardian. com/podcasts
But, and it is a big ‘but’, intensive farming, with its reliance on artificial nitrogen, vanishing peat and corrupting the soil, will not see many more tomorrows. It is literally unsustainable.
Also, with its enormous footprint of water and air pollution, natural harm and climate change, it is not truly intensive as its impact is far from confined.
To acknowledge and begin to answer this challenge, you need to
This month we introduce you to Wren, our livestock reporter Katie Fallon’s eight-month-old border terrier, pictured with Katie’s four-year-old godson Bobby. If you would like your canine companion to be featured next month, please email pictures to marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com.
The thoughts above might cast me as a ‘sparer’ in the ‘sparing versus sharing’ debate on optimum land use, but I totally reject this binary division as there is huge potential to relieve pressure from the land squeeze by using your patch for more than one thing.
The same field can yield a bumper harvest and store more carbon in the soil. A solar farm can yield energy, grazing and space for nature. A housing development can store flood water. A new warehouse can (and, in my view, should) be topped with PV panels. Forests can provide carbon storage, humming habitat, construction timber and space for recreation.
Stacking different land uses on the same plot has some heavy-weight support – the Royal Society, the UK’s premier science institution, has recently published a report entitled ‘Multi-functional landscapes: Informing a longterm vision managing the UK’s land’.
But this plan does not just need clever people to write it, it needs clever people to deliver it. Doing one thing with your land is simple, balancing competing demands or even crafting them to work together demands real ingenuity. We should give greater respect to skilled land managers and invest more money in their education.
Much of this menu might appeal
Their life cycle climate credentials are frequently dubious, they yield pitiful amounts of energy per sq.m compared to solar (often less than 2%) and directly or indirectly they rob land from nature. They are undeserving of public subsidy.
