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Published by Agriconnect
Welcome note
Online furore highlights delicate balance of the public’s support
THE delicate balance of public support for farming has been brought into focus this week with the row over methane inhibitor Bovaer, as dairies fielded floods of questions.
While initially it may have been easy to dismiss the concerns as purely ‘conspiracy theories’, it was soon clear the controversy had permeated much deeper into the public consciousness.
Speaking to various dairies, their phones had barely stopped pinging with emails, social media posts and calls asking for reassurance.
Some of those dairies distancing themselves will no doubt have benefited from picking up new customers, but the wider impact on the public perception of the dairy industry is important to consider. As Robert Graham at Graham’s the Family Dairy said to me, consumers are back to seeing dairy for what it is, a fantastic, nutritious and natural food. That is something the industry does not want to put into question.
The Food Standards Agency has confirmed milk from cows given Bovaer as a feed additive to reduce methane emissions is safe to drink.
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But the whole incident shows we need to make sure we are taking the public with us in everything we do, as their support at the supermarket tills or the farm gate is critical to the industry. And there was another great show of public and industry support last week outside the Scottish Parliament at an NFU Scotland organised rally. From where I was stood directly outside Holyrood, I saw a fan-
tastic turnout, larger than hoped for, with support from across the whole supply chain.
Martin Kennedy’s call to action for the associated industries to make their voices heard clearly paid off, and it really illustrates just how crucial agriculture is, not just to individual farm businesses but the entire rural economy and beyond.
In Scotland, in particular, farming is so closely tied to culture, tradition and identity, as well as underpinning a world-leading food industry and the UK’s most valuable food and drink export, Scotch whisky.
There were people there of all ages, myself included, but the real focus was on the next generation.
From SAYFC calling on the Scottish Government to ‘match’ their ambitions, to little farmers riding on toy machinery and holding up placards, farmers who are protesting, whether at Holyrood or Westminster, Belfast or Cardiff, are fighting for those they want to see follow in their footsteps.
And with more protests now planned in London and elsewhere, it is crucial they stay at the front and centre of the campaign to Save Britain’s Family Farms.
MORE DETAILS Visit farmersguardian.com/ familyfarms for in-depth Budget analysis and for the latest campaign news.
Champion lambs set new Skipton record. See p29. it is crucial they stay at the
Speaking up for farming since 1844
p32.
Arla defends use of Bovaer feed additive
l Dairies ‘inundated’ with concerns
By Rachael Brown
ARLA has defended its project to ‘trial’ the use of Bovaer, a methane-reducing feed additive on 30 of its farms, after the announcement sparked deep division, with members of the public raising concerns around safety, resulting in some dairies and farmers in the dairy sector distancing themselves from the product.
Cork dairy farmer Peter Hynes, who runs a pedigree Holstein herd and is not an Arla farmer, has been feeding Bovaer to his cows as part of a total mixed ration diet since the end of 2022.
Attack
He described some reaction to the project as a ‘direct attack on food safety standards’.
He said: “Bovaer is the most researched methane-reducing feed additive in the world. If we allow the food safety standards that we adhere to and that we believe in, to be attacked so vigorously on social media, it will have long-lasting implications for the entire agricultural industry.”
He said it was disappointing that farmers and dairy processors ‘did not fact check the misinformation that was being spread’, adding he was shocked that the industry had ‘left Arla out to dry’.
Mr Hynes said it was crucial for farmers to show consumers that they embrace science and research and
were willing and able to reduce emissions without compromising food safety.
An Arla spokesperson said Bovaer had already been extensively and safely used across Europe and at no point during the trial would there be any impact on the milk it produced as it does not pass from the cow into the milk.
Approved
“Regulatory bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority [EFSA] and UK Food Standards Agency [FSA] have approved its use based on evidence that it does not harm the animals or negatively impact their health, productivity, or the quality of milk,” the spokesperson said.
The FSA confirmed milk from cows given Bovaer as a feed additive to reduce methane emissions was
It does not harm the animals or negatively impact their health, productivity, or the quality of milk
ARLA SPOKESPERSON
safe to drink and had undergone rigorous testing.
Dairy UK chief executive Judith Bryans said there were many different strategies that could be adopted to reduce methane emissions and that adding methane inhibitors to feed was just one potential way.
She said while it was ‘understandable’ people may question new innovations in feed, she cited the EFSA and FSA, which have all approved the use of Bovaer and found it to be safe for cows and humans.
A spokesperson from DSMFirmenich, the Dutch owner of Bovaer, said: “The current misinformation around Bovaer is just another example of how scare stories can proliferate online.
“‘Fake news’ is now incredibly common, but we should stick to the facts: this is an important scientific innovation in the fight against climate change and it has been confirmed as totally safe, both for the cow and for consumers of milk and dairy products.”
Robert Graham, managing director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, which supplies products to major retailers nationwide, said he had received a large number of customer enquiries about Bovaer and had posted on social media to state that their farms were not using it.
He said this was not about opinion, it was about fact.
“Our job was to give customers the facts – we do not add it,” he said.
Eddie Andrew from Our Cow Molly, who processes and sells his own milk from his farm in Sheffield, had
Farmer protests to head back to London
FARMERS and business owners are being urged to take part in a West End meet-up event organised by the farmers behind last month’s 40,000-strong Westminster protest.
Merseyside farmer Olly Harrison has announced the next phase of the ‘We Just Want to Feed You’ campaign, which will take place at a so-far unnamed West End venue on December 16.
Speaking to Farmers Guardian, Mr Harrison said it was important to ‘build on the momentum’ following the Westminster protest, which saw thousands of farmers take to
the streets of London to protest the ‘family farm tax’.
He said: “We want to open this up to more businesses because the cut in Business Property Relief, which was also in the Budget, affects all kinds of businesses – bakers, brewers and so on. It goes well beyond farming.”
The news comes as further protests are to be held simultaneously in London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh on Wednesday, December 11.
The events are being co-ordinated by founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster.
Ms Webster, who led a tractor pro-
test through Dover last week, said: “We were promised a new deal by Keir Starmer to improve food security with a new EU Veterinary agreement to ensure protection from lower standard imports.
“But Rachel Reeves instead betrayed farmers with a disastrous Budget which delivered a poisonous cocktail and a hammer blow.”
Protests have also been held at Holyhead port, Wales’ biggest port, with organisers warning further protests should be expected.
Forty tractors were parked in front of the port, causing delays to services.
also been ‘inundated’ with questions. He said he believed the industry had always done an ‘awful job’ of explaining the methane cycle and felt like it was just another stick to beat farmers with.
He added the public did not really understand the additive and what it meant for their milk, so they were naturally concerned by what they had read.
NFU dairy board chair and Vale of York dairy farmer Paul Tompkins said questions remained around long-term efficacy, practicality across different farm systems, cost and consumer buy-in.
He said: “The level of attention methane inhibitors have received over the past week has been a valuable reminder that we must tread the path towards sustainability with care and wider engagement.”
WELSH FAMILY FARM SUPPLIES DOWNING STREET CHRISTMAS TREE
BRITISH growers have been celebrated in a Christmas tree lights switch-on at Downing Street. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was joined by public sector workers outside Number 10 on Monday (December 2) to reveal the winning tree and wreath which will be seen by dignitaries from across the world in an appreciation of British growers. Welsh family-run business Evergreen Christmas Trees, based in Powys, supplied the Nordmann Fir tree after being named champion Christmas tree grower in a competition by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association earlier this year.
Tories demand vote on Budget
THE Conservative Party has appealed to rural Labour MPs to join them in a vote to overthrow the ‘family farm taxes’ introduced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget.
Using ‘Opposition Day’ to hold a debate on the recently announced measures, Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins begged Parliament to stand by Britain’s farmers in the face of this ‘tragedy’.
“They are the best in the world. They feed us and now they need us,” she said.
Ms Atkins opened the debate by saying farmers had been ‘driven to despair’ by Labour’s actions. She listed a raft of charges which she said, ‘are all conspiring against our rural economy
and the survival of British farming’.
Ms Atkins queried the Government’s figures and cited industry analysis which has found five times as many farming businesses would be affected than Defra claimed.
“Awkwardly, the figures quoted by the Chancellor contradict those used by Defra,” she said. “It would appear the left hand does not know what the far-left hand is doing.”
Back constituents
The former Health Minister appealed to rural Labour MPs to back their constituents and not to just ‘tow the party line’.
“It is clear our city-dwelling Chancellor, Secretary of State and Farm-
ing Minister do not understand the countryside,” she added.
In response, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Conservatives utterly failed the farming industry during their 14 years in Government, forcing more than 12,000 farmers and agricultural businesses out of business.
“They sold out British farmers in trade deals, left farms facing rocketing energy bills and allowed £300 million earmarked for farmers to sit idly in the Treasury’s coffers instead of in their pockets.
“This Labour Government’s commitment to farmers remains steadfast because food security is national security.”
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES
Scottish farmers were out in force in front of the Scottish Parliament last week.
l SNP says it has heard ‘loud and clear’
By Alex Black
SCOTTISH farmers turned out in force in front of the Scottish Parliament last week to make their voices heard, calling on the Scottish Government to ‘match’ the industry’s ambitions in this week’s Budget.
Unveiling the plans on December 4, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “Our rural communities are important and more than £660 million will support the crucial contribution of Scotland’s farmers, crofters and the wider rural economy.
“Mairi Gougeon has told me about the discussions she has had with the farming community and their concerns about recent decisions by the UK Government. As asked for by farmers, we are returning in full the savings which were used in previous Scottish Budgets through a new capital transformation scheme with £20m in 2025/2026 and the remainder in 2026/2027.”
Ahead of the Budget, about 1,000 people were in attendance in Edinburgh on November 28, after NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy appealed to the whole of the food industry to turn out.
Politicians from the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Liberal Democrats spoke alongside industry representatives, but Scottish Labour and the Greens failed to put anyone up to speak.
Ring-fenced fund
Mr Kennedy highlighted the discontinuation of the ring-fenced fund for agriculture.
He said: “It is now solely within the Scottish Government’s remit what they do and how much they give to agriculture.”
He highlighted the increase in
Farmers make views heard ahead of Budget
the block grant, which the NFU wanted to see reflected in funding for agriculture.
“Let us not forget this is not just about farmers and crofters, this is the whole supply chain,” he said, adding that unless the industry was able to continue growing food at an affordable price, the infrastructure around that will collapse.
“Long-term, the implications will be much harder on those who are really struggling, because the food price will inevitably then go up.”
This is not just about farmers and crofters, this is the whole supply chain
MARTIN KENNEDY
NFU CYMRU PUTS FORWARD KEY PRIORITIES FOR WELSH BUDGET
MAINTAINING the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) budget for 2025 must be the key priority for Welsh Government when it publishes its draft budget for 2025-2026 next week, said NFU Cymru.
The union’s president Aled Jones said the ‘certainty and stability’ of an ‘adequately funded BPS’ was key, as well as restoring the rural affairs budget to the level it was in 2022 ‘as a minimum’.
Rural affairs
Mr Jones said the rural affairs budget, which represents ‘2.1% of total Welsh Government budget’, was subjected to the ‘most significant cuts’ in the last
budget at the end of 2023, and does not reflect the importance of the domestic Welsh food and drinks sector and the value of its export markets.
NFU Cymru is also concerned about the way in which future agricultural support funding will come from UK Treasury to Welsh Government.
Mr Jones said he was ‘deeply concerned’ any future adjustments to agricultural funding into the Welsh block grant would be ‘subject to the Barnett formula’.
NFU Cymru’s own calculations suggest for any potential future funding uplift from UK Treasury, under this arrangement ‘Wales will only
receive 42% of the funding uplift it might otherwise have expected if the current formula based on agricultural production levels across the UK was maintained’.
The union ‘rejects’ the idea that adjustments to agricultural support funding can be done by simple population-based Barnettisation and instead must ‘reflect the scale and weight of the agricultural sector in Wales’.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has announced he is standing down, despite narrowly winning a vote of confidence, stating he believed his position had become ‘untenable’.
Holyrood rally: Scottish farmers make their feelings known
n “We are concerned about our future. We want to make sure Scottish Government is going to allocate enough funds to keep us afloat. Farming is not making a huge profit at the moment, so we do need that support to keep us going.”
ALISON WATT, MIXED FARMER IN KEITH
n “My son is here, I have a daughter here as well. Hopefully they will be the fifth generation on the farm. We just need a good Budget being delivered to the industry so we can secure food production for the future. The industry is pretty much on its knees at the moment, so I want assurance that the kids can farm at home as well.”
SCOTT CAMPBELL, ARABLE FARMER IN ABERDEENSHIRE
n “We are trying to save our farm really, we feel like it is under threat. I have two young kids, a son and a daughter, both working on the farm. I want them to continue working on the farm.”
LYNN NELSON, DAIRY FARMER IN FIFE
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Taskforce launched to boost UK tree-planting
A GOVERNMENT taskforce has been launched in order to boost tree planting across the UK.
The taskforce, chaired by the forestry Ministers from the four nations, has been brought together to drive forward the UK’s tree planting in order to meet collective net zero targets.
The move is part of what the Government calls its ‘critical mission to make the UK a clean and green energy superpower’.
The announcement comes after a commitment in the Budget to provide up to £400 million in England across the next two years (2024/25 and 2025/26) for tree planting and peatland restoration.
Forestry Minister Mary Creagh said: “This Government was elected on a mandate to protect and restore nature. That is why today I am proud to fulfil our promise to set up a Tree Planting Taskforce that will oversee the planting of millions of trees across our four nations.
“Trees deliver huge social, environmental and economic benefits – from absorbing carbon dioxide, cooling our cities, improving well-being and helping reduce NHS costs, while a thriving forestry sector supports green jobs and drives economic growth.”
Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We all have a collective interest in increasing woodland cover and obtaining the multiple benefits this will bring, especially for climate change and addressing biodiversity loss.
“Currently Scotland has delivered around 75% of all new woodlands in the UK. In 2023/24 we created 15,000 hectares of new woodland and this accounted for over 50% of the UK target.”
NATURAL England has claimed nature recovery on Dartmoor has been stifled by challenging behaviour from farmers and overgrazing.
On Monday (December 2), environmental campaigning group Dartmoor Nature Alliance (DNA) published evidence that was submitted by Natural England to the David Fursdon independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor last year.
Since the report, Defra said it would create an independently chaired Dartmoor land-use management group, with National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker at the helm.
The Government also said it wanted to rebuild trust and confidence.
Natural England claimed despite ‘significant’ public investment, Dartmoor’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) were still in a ‘poor state’ due to land management practices such as overgrazing, draining and burning. It highlighted sheep numbers which had been maintained at the ‘high end of allowable ranges’.
Land management agreements on Dartmoor had also failed due to a ‘history of noncompliance’ with difficulty establishing consensus among farmers, it said. The documents also dis-
Natural England says that Dartmoor’s SSSIs are still in a poor state.
closed ‘challenging and confrontational behaviour’ from farmers had stifled ‘innovation and progress’ in agri-environmental agreements.
Nature campaigner and DNA member Tony Whitehead said the Government must stop using taxpayers’ cash for failure on Dartmoor.
NFU Uplands Forum representative and Exmoor farmer, Robin Milton, said blaming farmers was not the answer.
He said: “You cannot argue that there is a problem with biodiversity, pollution and climate. But if you blame people managing the land in response to the policies put on them for years, you will not gain their trust.”
He added farmers were looking at
setting up an environmental farmers’ group in the area to protect cultural security, adding the younger generation would walk away if they could not see a viable future.
A Dartmoor Commoners’ Council member, who wished to remain anonymous, said farmers had been complying with regulation, and Natural England had a responsibility to back commoners with funding which could make a real difference in restoration while supporting producers.
A spokesperson for Natural England said it was working hard to rebuild trust and understanding and that it was important parties came together to co-design a vision for sustainable management.
RSPCA Assured announces new welfare standards for pigs in 2025
RSPCA Assured has announced new welfare standards for pigs which come into effect in 2025.
These will include the introduction of split-sexing of male and female pigs once they have reached a liveweight of 50kg, the transportation of cull sows and boars and how surplus piglets are managed and with what equipment.
The announcement comes as an undercover investigation by Animal Justice Project exposed evidence of animal cruelty at a boar stud farm in Norfolk linked to supplying pork and ham to UK supermarkets.
Most of the new RSPCA Assured
standards must be met by March 3, 2025. However, it said a ‘few changes’ may require some farms to make adjustments, and will therefore not come into effect until March 3, 2026.
A spokesperson for the National Pig Association said ongoing discussion between the assurance body and members was needed and that new requirements should not only be evidence based, ‘but also financially assessed and feasible’.
“For example, the new requirement for split sexing will add cost and complication for many units,” the spokesperson added.
● ‘Collaborative approach’ to regulation
By Rachael Brown
DELAYED payments, the delisting of products without reasonable notice and forecasting are the main complaints levelled at retailers by suppliers, Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) Mark White has revealed.
Addressing delegates at this year’s CLA conference, Mr White said he preferred to take a ‘collaborative approach’ to regulating the 14 retailers within his remit, adding that although he had the power to ‘investigate and impose fines’, he ‘usually’ found this was not needed.
He added: “Intervening as soon as I become aware of an issue, and ideally before a supplier has acted to
Delays and delisting are GCA’s priorities
its detriment. I found this is the most effective way of quickly resolving supplier issues.”
Mr White said he raised issues directly with retailers using the code compliance officer in a way which ‘protects suppliers’ confidentiality’.
“Depending on the issue, I may also raise the concern with the buying or commercial director of the retailer, or even the retailer’s chief executive, and ask them to resolve it,” he said.
He added the risk of investigation
Daera accused of failing farmers on bTB
DAERA’s latest review of Northern Ireland’s approach to tackling bovine TB is an ‘insult’ to farmers who have suffered ‘huge financial losses’ and are struggling with the ‘mental strain’ of coping with the disease, the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has said.
According to the union, the review contained ‘no meaningful action’ to address the crisis which was ‘rapidly escalating’, putting all farm families across NI ‘at risk’.
UFU president William Irvine said Daera’s bTB strategy failed to address all sources of infection and the situation in NI was ‘worsening by the day’.
“Annual herd incidence has risen from 10.15% to 10.41% in just two months, and bTB reactor rates in NI have hit a new record high,” he said.
Have
He accused Daera of ‘kicking the can down the road’.
A spokesperson for Daera said the Chief Veterinary Officer’s review of bTB in NI offered a ‘comprehensive analysis’.
“It consists of almost 40 proposals across three key pillars: the importance of people to ensure that we work in partnership to reduce disease levels; measures to limit and prevent the spread of bTB from cattle to cattle; and proposals to address the transmission of bTB from wildlife to cattle,” it said.
Daera confirmed a new bTB partnership steering group will be established by January, which will carefully consider the CVO’s proposals to develop a delivery plan by March 2025.
was, of course, an ‘important motivator’ for retailers to comply.
“I consider investigating when I have reasonable grounds to believe the retailer has breached the code,” he said, adding the scope of the GCA’s work was set by the code’s parameters.
Retail price
Mr White emphasised his role did not allow him to intervene on retail price or how retailers managed consumer relationships.
But he was committed to supporting ‘effective’ communication between retailers and suppliers and ‘preventing retailers imposing undue requirements onto their suppliers’.
PICTURE:
Results from the GCA’s 2024 annual survey showed an ‘improvement in treatment of suppliers’.
“Suppliers experienced a 3% fall in code issues,” he said, adding there was also a reduction in complaints across all issues.
He said ‘too often’ farmers were unclear whether the code applied to them.
“If a producer supplies directly to a retailer they are covered by the code, but given some arrangements are very complex and changing, I am happy to hear from all producers facing issues relating to the 14 retailers,” he added.
The 2025 GCA survey opens from the middle of January for six weeks.
Down on the Farm
you sorted
your jobs for the winter?
Two jobs that that will deliver in spades for next year’s growing season are servicing your fertiliser spreader and drawing up a farm nutrient management plan, updating, refining and drawing on previous year’s experiences.
If it’s your first time drawing up a plan, fields with similar management and soil fertility can be grouped together to cut out duplication. There is a regulatory requirement for farmers to prepare a nutrient management plan. If you’re paying someone to prepare a nutrient management plan for you, make sure they’re FACTS qualified.
Now is good time to service your fertiliser spreader for next season. Considering the value of fertiliser and the importance of spreading it accurately, we can’t stress enough how important this job is. The cost of
The Groceries Code Adjudicator Mark White said he had the power to ‘investigate’ retailers but he ‘usually’ found this was not needed.
servicing a machine may come to the value of a tonne or two of fertiliser, but the cost can be easily recouped over the course of a season if a faulty ma-chine has been rectified, and regular servicing extends the working life of a machine.
We would encourage all operators of fertiliser spreaders to check that settings are compatible with the fertiliser products being used. The icing on the cake would be to carry out a tray test before you begin spreading fertiliser to ensure that the machine is spreading the product accurately over the chosen spread width.
The last variable in accurate spreading is the quality of the fertiliser. Remember Yara’s product quality guarantee when buying your fertiliser for the spring ahead!
with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.
Industry leaders and Dorset Council farm tenants have called for greater scrutiny.
● Tenants await findings of strategic review
By Chris Brayford
DORSET Council has made over £6 million from sales within its councilowned farm estate portfolio during the past 10 years.
Through a freedom of information (FOI) request submitted by Farmers Guardian, the local authority confirmed last month it had made 12 ‘transactions’ within its County Farms Estate which included the sale of whole farms, parcels of land and residential properties between 2014 and 2024.
The total generated from the sales was £6,678,700, the FOI revealed.
Dorset Council said it had either reinvested funds back into the farm estate or the money was ‘amalgamated’ within the council’s overall capital budget.
The local authority said it did not hold information on the number of farms sold in the estate which have remained as farm businesses.
‘Greater scrutiny’
It comes after industry leaders and Dorset Council farm tenants have raised concerns about the future of the estate after councillors had called for ‘greater scrutiny’ of its current asset portfolio during a full council meeting in October.
Michael Harris, a Dorset Council tenant since 2017 and owner of Hilfield Herefords in Dorchester with 30 breeding cows, claimed there were farms within the estate which had been ‘left to rot’ for years without investment.
Council generates more than £6m from farm portfolio sales
He said he had also failed to get answers on the future of his tenancy which is due to expire in 2027.
“Tenants are stuck in perpetual limbo,” he said.
“We need answers about the future of farming on the estate now.”
Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn has called
INVESTMENT NEEDED TO ‘SAFEGUARD’ COUNCIL FARMS
LOCAL authorities must invest in their council farms and ‘safeguard’ them for future farming generations. This was the key message given to Mid & South Pembrokeshire Labour MP Henry Tufnell at a recent farm visit in Pembrokeshire with members of Farmers’ Union of Wales.
As part of the visit, the ‘importance of tenant farms to rural communities’, and the ‘many challenges’ tenants faced were highlighted to Mr Tufnell, as well as the changes to both Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPS) from April 2026 and the impact it will have on the agricultural sector.
The visit took place on Gerwyn Williams’ farm, near Letterston. The majority of Mr Williams’ farm is under a Pembrokeshire County Council tenancy, and he has been farming the land for over 40 years, with his father the previous tenant on the farm.
Mr Williams spoke about the work he had undertaken over recent years through Welsh Government hedgerow improvement schemes, as well as maintaining a suckler cow herd on the 36.5-hectare farm.
Discussing the challenges facing Pembrokeshire tenant farmers, Mr Williams highlighted the impact that compliancewiththeWaterResources Regulations Act - introduced earlier this year – has had on the farm, and thecontinuedimpactand‘uncertainty’ stemming from bovine TB policy.
Mr Williams, who is also Farmers’ Union of Wales Pembrokeshire chair, said: “For young farmers in particular, tenant farms can provide a golden opportunity to nurture the next generation of farmers.”
Mr Tufnell said tenant farms were ‘vital to the agricultural sector’ and it was ‘imperative that local authorities continued to invest in and safeguard these farms’.
on Dorset Council leaders to release the findings of a yet undisclosed strategic review into the management of its County Farms Estate carried out earlier this year.
The council said it was ‘misleading’ to suggest there were plans to sell off farm assets on the estate and that it was still finalising its Farm
and Rural Estate Strategy which was due to be released in the near future. A Dorset Council spokesperson also said it remained ‘steadfast’ in its support for British farmers, and it was currently working to review priorities for the estate in its Strategic Asset Management Plan once ‘decisions have been made by the council’.
New NSA survey on sheep worrying
THE National Sheep Association (NSA) has called for farmers to complete its latest sheep worrying survey to help it gain an up-to-date insight into the issue’s ‘continued severity and impact’ on the UK sheep industry.
For more than 10 years, the NSA has gathered farm data to help raise awareness of the problem and to improve education, guidance and co-operation with the wider public.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “NSA urges anyone previously affected by this issue to complete this year’s survey.
“Your contribution helps to create a more accurate representation of the intensity of the matter, which is critical for NSA when working towards an increased understanding of the problem, whether that be among the dog owning population or those responsible for legislating on this devastating issue.”
Farmers are encouraged to com-
plete the survey, which can be found on the NSA website www.sheepworrying.org.uk. The deadline for the survey is February 21, 2025.
Take the Lead signs
FREE signs warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock are available through Farmers Guardian’s Take the Lead campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association.
To request yours, send a stamped, self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4 Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.
● It follows inquest into trailer decoupling death
By Gareth Hughes
A CORONER has highlighted the dangers of trailer couplings not being checked regularly and urged various bodies to address the issue.
It follows an inquest into the death of 47-year-old Jon-Paul Prigent in Old Whittington, near Chesterfield, in July, 2020.
Mr Prigent was giving his daughter a driving lesson when a trailer carrying a load of soil became detached from the tractor towing it, rolled down a hill and overturned onto his car, crushing him.
The inquest was deferred until after a trial at Derby Crown Court when John Banks, from Chesterfield, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. He was given a 16-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months.
Inquest findings
Following an inquest, Peter Nieto, senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report raising concerns arising from evidence he heard.
The recipients of the report include the Secretary of State for Transport, Driving Standards Agency, NFU, Agricultural Engineers Association, British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association and Health and Safety Executive.
Industry urged to act on trailer dangers
The inquest heard the tractor and trailer were owned by a skip hire company and the trailer decoupled when the tractor went over a speed bump.
The decoupling occurred due to a combination of factors, including that the components had worn down, the trailer was carrying 13.8 tonnes when it was manufactured to carry only 10t, the load was unevenly distributed and if the coupling had been checked the weakness would probably have been spotted.
“Independent professional vehicle testing is not legally required for tractors and trailers used for agricultural purposes,” said Mr Nieto, adding this placed the responsibility on the user.
He has also expressed concern tractors and trailers driven on roads below 25mph are not required to be fitted with safety features to prevent decoupling, and that basic hitch hooks and ring coupling systems are a risk on public roads.
The organisations have until January 21 to respond, either explaining what steps are being taken to address his concerns or detailing why it is felt that no action is necessary.
Disparity between deaths on rural and urban roads
ROAD safety campaigners have launched a Code for Countryside Roads after latest analysis revealed 70% more deaths occur on rural roads than on urban highways.
According to NFU Mutual’s study of recent Department for Transport (DfT) figures, 969 people died on rural roads in 2023 in comparison with 571 urban road fatalities.
New code
As a response, NFU Mutual has partnered with the four UK farming unions along with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Farm Safety Foundation, British Horse Society and Older Drivers Forum to create a Code for Countryside Roads to promote the safe, considerate use of countryside highways.
Publishing its findings in the 2024 Rural Road Safety Report, NFU Mu-
tual found that collisions on rural roads are around four times more likely to result in a fatality. In 2023, an average of one in every 32 collisions (969 of 31,183) on rural highways resulted in a death, compared to one in every 122 (571 of 69,706) on urban roads.
The insurer said the figures reflected a persistent trend of disproportionate danger on rural roads and the tragic and avoidable loss of hundreds of lives each year in the UK’s countryside.
The Code for Countryside Roads has been developed in consultation with its campaign partners and based on feedback from over 700 members of the public.
The Code explains what drivers can expect while driving on a rural road and also urges them to plan ahead and think carefully about the journey.
The report has called for professional testing of agricultural vehicles.
Miscalculated
THERE can be little doubt Labour has miscalculated both the numbers affected by its Inheritance Tax (IHT) reforms and the emotional strength of farmers’ resistance.
Many in the farming community are desperately worried, but if Labour’s mind is to be changed we need credible, reasoned arguments with reliable statistics that will allow Labour a way out and ensure public sympathy stays with us.
Two themes are emerging where I believe our arguments are weak and easy to discredit: the numbers debacle and the blame game. These arguments are becoming more polarised because legitimate fears are being stoked for political purposes, not least by the far right.
Social media reactions
READERS had their say after Farmers Guardian announced it was partnering with sheep farmer and former teacher Olivia Shave in her petition to showcase the need for a fresh outlook on learning:
■ “I wish more schools could have
This will do nothing to break the log jam of entrenched positions, but they will make it harder for Tom Bradshaw and colleagues to win the arguments.
In all my seven decades I can never remember two sides in an industrial or political dispute presenting supposed evidence that is so incredulously far apart.
The NFU and CLA are right to say, based on Defra’s own assessment of farm acreages, that around 70,000 farms could
gardening clubs and grow produce. Childrengetsuchsatisfactionfromthem.”
CHRIS WILLIAMSON
■ “When we were young we knew where our food came from because we used to work the land to get it. Kids today have been raised on technology
be affected, but on its own that is a meaningless statement because the payment only becomes due when the named owner dies.
HMRC’s actual evidence of how many eligible farms make Agricultural Property Relief claims each year has been much manipulated to produce the Government’s 500 figure, but even the most pessimistic reading of their stats suggests a maximum of 1,000 affected per year.
gadgets rather than being outside in nature. It’s not just the schools’ responsibility to teach kids.”
TEREASA CULLIGAN
■ “Everyone should work on a farm at some point in their lives.”
JONNY SCURFIELD
At that rate it would take 70 years to affect all those who currently fear being drawn into the equation.
That should be enough time for even the most recalcitrant to get some succession plans in place.
The NFU and CLA must acknowledge that we are not about to see two-thirds of our farms suddenly pushed into bankruptcy.
Almost everyone I heard interviewed said IHT was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’.
They cite the end of the Basic Payment Scheme, ludicrous international trade deals, failure to deliver a Brexit that actually helps farms, constant change of farming ministers and non-farmers inflating land prices to take advantage of IHT laws.
One person interviewed by Farmers Guardian last week said she had asked her local Conservative MP ‘to speak up for us’. Who was in power when all of the above calamities occurred? How can all these issues be laid at Labour’s door? Play this game and Labour will just keep telling us about the £22 billion black hole they inherited.
Labour may have taken soundings from the Islington Farmers Collective, but they need to smell the real coffee.
It is time to ditch their blinkered approach and engage with people who really know and understand the industry. However, we need
farm. Sent in by Hannah Boonham.
controller of personal data provided to us. We are a UK company specialising in providing information services including news, analysis, data, pricing, insight and market intelligence to agribusiness professionals across the globe. This policy sets out how we do this and applies the use of your personal data that you disclose to us by entering into our competition to win £200 for the Stockjudging Competition or £20 Love2Shop vouchers for the weekly Crossword Competition, referred to throughout this statement as the “Competitions”. How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by filling in the form on our website www.fginsight.com OR printed form when entering the Competitions. If you have entered the Competitions via our site we may also collect some technical information about how you use our site, for example, the type of device you are using, your operating system, IP address, uniform resource locator (URL), clickstream and length of visit. How we use the information you provide: We will use your personal information: • to administer the Competitions, on the basis that the use of your personal data for this purpose will be necessary to enter you into the competitions and, if you are successful, contact you to notify you of your prize; and, • if you are new to Farmers Guardian and where you have agreed to this, to provide you with news and updates from time to time about our services; and, if at any point in the future you do not wish to receive any news and updates from us or from, you can unsubscribe from our marketing list at any time by following the steps below. To unsubscribe from any communications using the link on the email we send you or by emailing us at dataprotection@farmersguardian.com. We will not use your information for any purposes except those listed in this policy without letting you know and getting your permission, if necessary, first. Who do we share your information with? We will not disclose your information to any third parties without your consent, except where: • it is necessary to enable any of our staff, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers or commercial partners to provide a service to us or to perform a function on our behalf; • we have a legal obligation to disclose your information (for example, if a court orders us to); or • there is a sale or purchase of any business assets, or where Farmers Guardian or any of its group companies are being acquired by a third party. Where we use third parties as described above to process your personal information, we will ensure that they have adequate security measures in place to safeguard your personal information. For how long do we keep your personal information? We keep your personal information for 36 months for the purposes for which it was collected or for any period for which we are required to keep personal information to comply with our legal and regulatory requirements, or until you ask us to delete your personal information. Your rights: You have a number of rights in relation to your personal information. These include the right to: • find out how we process your personal information; • request that your personal information is corrected if you believe it is incorrect or inaccurate; • obtain restriction on our, or object to, processing of your personal information; • ask us not to process your personal information for our own marketing purposes;
both sides to shed the dogma and prejudices.
The proposal to allow older farmers more time to organise succession plans is a good starting point. In return, the Government needs to define exactly who they are trying to target. They may even find there is widespread public support for closing tax loopholes and taxing those most able to pay – that would be a win-win.
Sam Sykes, Barnsley.
Autumn
leaves
WE have a Prime Minister called Sir Keir Starmer, Unfortunately he is not a friend of the British farmer, He protects himself in a suit of armour, And probably buys his ham from a place called Parma.
We have a Chancellor called Rachel Reeves, Who has stolen more from the people than all the thieves. In the Labour Party no-one any longer believes, In the next election they will fall with the autumn leaves.
Mike Durston, via email.
Jane Thynne News & Business Reporter – jane.thynne@agriconnect.com
Fighting for the future Leader
IF one positive can be pulled from the wreckage of the Chancellor’s recent Budget, it has to be the industry’s desire to unite in the fight for its future.
While hopes were raised that NFU president Tom Bradshaw’s tete-a-tete with PM Sir Keir Starmer would signal a sea change, the silence from Defra policymakers has remained deafening – piping up only to deliver another blow with the ‘pause’ in critical Capital Grant funding.
Yet farmers fight on. More protests are planned in the coming weeks, with reports of co-ordinated tractor demonstrations descending on the four UK capitals; the farmers behind last month’s Westminster rally have further events forthcoming; and the NFU continues to keep the farming story in the minds of the general public with pieces popping up across mainstream media.
Farmers’ voices are being amplified in Parliament too, and even environmental groups are piling on the pressure regarding funding cuts and missed climate and nature targets.
It is also worth remembering there are practical steps that can be taken to maximise support and access to information. This week sees the launch
Young Farmer Focus
‘We are keen to keep hill traditions alive’
History: My family has a rich history of sheep farming and we are keen to keep hill traditions alive at our farm.
Danygraig Farm, our family business, was purchased by my grandfather, Dilwyn John, more than 50 years ago. When he arrived at Danygraig, he carried out a lot of work.
He developed the land to make it more fertile and he modernised buildings, but stock was his passion. His great ambition was to be at the top of his breed, the South Wales Mountain, which he admired and appreciated a great deal.
Studying: After returning home two years ago after studying agriculture at Pencoed College, I started to become more involved in the running of our business with the help of my parents. We run about 700 Glamorgan type South Wales Mountain ewes, alongside a flock of Badger Face
Texels and Black Welsh Mountain sheep. In total, we manage 101 hectares of land, which includes grazing rights on Vaynor and Cilsanws common.
Ewes: Our ewes with single lambs run the hill for most of the year, and are brought down for seasonal jobs such as ear marking, shearing and weaning. They are brought down to tup and are usually down from around October until the beginning of December.
The ewes are then wintered on the hill and fed blocks until they come down for lambing.
Before we start lambing in April, the ewes are scanned to an average of 140% and the twins are brought down to be lambed inside while the singles stay on the hill.
We are fortunate that the hill is quite dry, so we feed blocks outside and supplement with a small amount of concentrate.
of Farmers Guardian’s monthly Ask the Expert column, which is focusing, unsurprisingly, on the coming tax changes. Lisa Millington, a partner in HCR Law’s private client team, answers questions relating to elderly parents and the avoidance of succession planning.
There are also some grants left to grab as our funding special points out, and alongside this, Farmers Guardian is hosting a free webinar on December 10 to discuss the opportunities available for 2025.
Defra may not be listening, but farmers should be assured that the rest of us are.
I think our Glamorgan breed is a neat and compact sheep. Passion: I inherited a passion for nurturing the Welsh hills and the sheep that graze them thanks to my grandfather who sadly passed away last year.
The busiest and my favourite time of year is ram sale season.
This is something my grandfather took great pride in and something
which has been passed down to me. Ambition: It is our ambition to breed high-quality stock and we have a very proud reputation in Penderyn.
I hope to have a long and successful future in farming.
But I think there will be a lot of change and there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the future of agriculture in Wales.
However, I believe young farmers are more important than ever.
It is vital that young people remain in the industry because if not, hill farming traditions could be lost forever.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Elin Meredith
Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan Elin Meredith, 22, is a third-generation sheep farmer. She and her family run more than 700 Glamorgan type South Wales Mountain ewes across 101 hectares.
Elin Meredith
Edited by Alex Black – 07880
Dairy market holds steady
● Most buyers hold prices for January
By Alex Black
ARLA has raised its December milk price with other dairies holding steady for January.
The co-operative’s on-account price for conventional milk will increase by 0.89ppl to 48.54ppl from December 1, with the organic price also up 0.89ppl at 58.52ppl.
The dairy said global milk supplies were stable and retail sales were growing, however this growth is softening compared with previous months and the commodity and retail markets were stabilising. Overall, it said, the outlook was stable.
First Milk has announced that from January 1, 2025, it will hold its member milk price at 45.35ppl for its manufacturing standard litre, including the member premium.
Mike Smith, vice chairman and farmer director, said: “With stable markets and our business performing in line with our expectations we will hold our milk price for January. We continue to work hard to maximise returns for our members.”
Muller will also hold its price at 42.25ppl for January, including its 1ppl Muller Advantage Premium which is paid quarterly in arrears.
Saputo said its headline milk price remains for January at 43ppl.
See it at Lamma 15-16 January at the NEC
After eleven monthly milk price increases during 2024, Barber’s Cheesemakers will hold its price in January at 44.85ppl for the Barber’s assured standard litre.
Barber’s Cheesemakers said dairy markets were facing ‘symptoms of adverse turbulence against recent record-breaking UK daily milk volumes’.
“AHDB reports that in recent years there has been a significant shift to autumn calving. This combined with the improved ratio of ‘milk price to feed’ appears to be stimulating significant additional milk volumes impacting market returns.”
It said this had impacted wholesale cheese markets.
“Hopefully the poor weather experienced in the past week will add calm to both the surge in milk supply, and the market sentiment,” it said.
Increase in births
Births to dairy dams in the third quarter of the year have totalled 458,473 head, according to BCMS data.
AHDB livestock analyst Annabel Twinberrow said: “This marks the highest recorded figure for Q3, and an increase of 3% compared to the same period in 2023.”
However, year to date registrations were only up 0.8%.
“This would indicate a change in the months of calving but also a slight increase in calvings overall could indicate a degree of herd expansion and less culling as a result of better prices.”
Stable global milk supplies have allowed prices to hold for January, with Arla raising its December price.
MMG DAIRY FARMERS GAINS DPO RECOGNITION
MMG Dairy Farmers has confirmed it has been granted recognition as a Dairy Producer Organisation (DPO).
Benefits include being recognised by Defra as the de facto negotiating body for a group of producers, the ability for MMG to act fully on behalf of producers when dealing with proposed milk supply contract changes, looking out for the producers’ best interests and ensuring Muller has a requirement to consult with a representative body before making changes.
It said it would also ensure milk price discussions were transparent and justifiable going forward.
Grant Hartman, chair of MMG Dairy Farmers said: “Becoming a DPO reinforces our working relationship with Muller, and ensures we are being governed in a professional manner.”
“As a board, we are excited by this step and look forward to representing our members as the UK’s largest Dairy Producer Organisation.”
MMG Dairy Farmers is the representative body that represents
approximately 1,200 dairy farmers which supply Muller Milk & Ingredients. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 provided for the creation of DPOs to act as official representative bodies negotiating on behalf of a group of dairy producers.
Paul Tompkins, NFU dairy board chair welcomed the news.
“We know that by working together and ensuring producers have stronger representation, we can improve fairness and transparency across the supply chain, drive better relationships with our customers, share risk and work together to achieve thriving, sustainable supply chains.”
He added that he hoped MMG would act as a catalyst for more to consider this approach.
There are currently four registered DPOs in the UK including Dairy Crest Direct, Milk Suppliers Association, MMG Dairy Farmers and Selkley Vale. Defra confirmed there were no pending applications for DPOs.
BLETSOES has announced it will hold its final sale at Stratford-upon-Avon Livestock Market on December 17, highlighting the ‘significant challenges currently facing the livestock sector’.
It said it was withdrawing fulltime auction services from the mart after 15 years.
However, it hoped to continue annually with outdoor breeding sales in late summer and early autumn.
It thanked buyers and vendors for their ‘loyalty and dedication’ and its staff, as well as thanking the owners of the market, the Cook family.
“The withdrawal of our full-time auction services at Stratford reflects the reality of reducing stock numbers nationally and the increasing financial pressures on the agricultural industry, including the recent announcement by the Government to increase National Insurance contributions by employers.
“These factors have made the continuation of this market unsustainable.”
However, it added its dedication to auctions remained ‘unwavering’ highlighting its recent investment at the Thrapston Auction Centre.
For more highlights from the event, see pages 22-23.
With global trade in focus after the US election,
● Domestic stocks could be reduced in UK
CHALLENGES across wheat and cereal commodity markets and the threat of a global trade war were the key messages which emerged from this year’s CropTec Market Outlook seminar.
AHDB cereals and oilseeds senior analyst Helen Plant said prices on the whole ‘were softening’ and ‘not behaving as expected’ in the face of tight supply.
The wheat market for 2024 so far had been challenging, she said, driven primarily by conditions in Ukraine and Russia, which suffered an early drought, as well as across central Europe, especially in the dominant grain territories of France and Germany, where heavy rainfall hampered the growing season.
Ms Plant said while there had been a ‘noticeable contraction’ in supply, demand for varieties containing the highest proteins was one positive which could be taken from the season.
Early concerns for yields in the US and Canada had also not been realised, boosting supply as US production rose in October, alongside exports which benefited from lower availability from competitors such as Russia.
For 2025, Ms Plant said a slightly reduced UK planting area, coupled with another wet harvest and autumn drilling, meant domestic stocks could be reduced.
However, she added ‘low stocks would only become a problem if there was a threat to global supply’ but, despite growing concerns regarding a more protectionist US under President-elect Donald Trump, she said analysts did not foresee any significant shortages.
Helen Plant said prices on the whole ‘were softening’ and ‘not behaving as expected’ in the face of tight supply.
Global markets eye US ahead of Trump return
The imminent arrival of Mr Trump was the subject addressed by chief analyst at Agri-Analytics Rupert Somerscales. He said: “Whatever else we can say, at least the next few months will be exciting.”
Concerns
Although Ms Plant had alluded to concerns over raised tariffs under the coming US regime, Mr Somerscales said many of Mr Trump’s targets, including Canada, China and Mexico, were also key US export markets, so he expected some negotiations to take place ahead of any imposition of trade barriers.
However, the change in the political order would make the situation in Ukraine more serious.
He said: “The port of Odessa rem-
Farmers rethink fertiliser plans
SUSTAINABILITY is the watch word of current and future fertiliser markets, according to Finley Hawkins, senior fertiliser business development manager at Frontier Agriculture.
Speaking as part of the Market Outlook seminar, Mr Hawkins said recent geopolitical, climate and the changing retail supply chain had all affected fertiliser use and demand.
Decrease
In 2022, the UK fertiliser market stood at 3.5 million to 4m tonnes, but over the past two years that figure has fallen to between 1.9-2.2mt.
Mr Hawkins attributed this to high costs sparked by the war in Ukraine,
which had led to farmers using more considered applications, as well as greener alternatives.
In terms of forward-planning, Mr Hawkins said there were three areas farmers should focus on.
He said: “At this time, I would advise growers to reassess the optimum nitrogen rate looking ahead to what might be a fall in the wheat prices.
“Secondly, it is important to keep an eye on imports – what is there in terms of choice and availability? And finally, I would think about bringing any purchase decisions forward a little bit, owing to availability and especially as we are only a couple of months away from application.”
ains the most important aspect. Ukraine must try and hold that port. “If Russia is given land as part of
a deal or takes the port, then it will be nearly impossible for Ukraine production and exports to continue.”
FG Ask the Expert
With the Autumn Budget putting succession in the spotlight, Farmers Guardian has launched Ask the Expert to put readers’ questions directly to industry specialists.
Succession questions answered
QIs spreading an Inheritance Tax (IHT) payment over 10 years interest-free?
A Where an IHT liability has arisen and is paid over 10 annual instalments, interest usually applies to the unpaid balance. However, the Government has said the payment of IHT attributable to farmland can be made over 10 annual instalments interest-free.
It is expected that this will only apply to the IHT payable on the agricultural value of the land, but the industry awaits the draft legislation.
Q
What can you do when your 93-year-old dad still owns a huge chunk of the farm and is still a part of running it?
A
This is one of the trickiest situations now facing farming families, as historically the advice has always been to hold on to the land. Lifetime gifting should not be ruled out, but it is a fine balancing act. If the land is given away now and he fails to survive seven years
but dies before April 2026, there will be no IHT if 100% Agricultural Property Relief (APR) can successfully be claimed, but the benefit of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) uplift will be lost because holdover relief will have to be claimed.
If the land is given away now and he fails to survive seven years but dies after April 2026, there is a potential IHT charge and the benefit of the CGT uplift will be lost because holdover relief will have to be claimed.
However, taper relief will start to apply to reduce the IHT liability arising if your father survives more than three years from making the gift.
In either case, your father will no longer be able to derive a benefit from whatever is given away.
A good starting point would be to calculate the potential IHT liability based on how the ownership sits now, and then work out how much he can afford to give away.
It is then a question of assessing
the IHT benefit of trying to make a gift versus the loss of the CGT-free uplift which would apply on death.
QI want to prepare for IHT changes and look at passing on the farm, but we live in the farmhouse. Can we pass on the business and remain living where we are?
AThere is no reason from a legal perspective why not, but it might mean the complete loss of APR on the farmhouse.
However, if this can be passed on tax-free or with minimal tax using the available Nil Rate Bands and Residence Nil Rate Bands, it might be worth considering.
QMy parents have always put off succession planning. It is a conversation we have never been able to have, but the Budget has pressed home the need. Where do we start?
AThere are plenty of professional advisers ready and willing to
help, and while the cost can be offputting, it is an investment in the future of your farm.
Conversations to have in advance include how long your parents envisage wanting, or needing, to work on the farm; who would take over the running of the farm if something happened to your parents tomorrow; who is envisaged to be running the farm in five, 10 or 15 years’ time; and whether the farm is intended to be preserved for future generations.
Professional advisers can then help implement plans, or if conversations are too difficult, there are professionals who can facilitate discussions.
NEXT MONTH’S FG
ASK THE EXPERT NEXT month, the topic will be grants. If you have a question, email fgeditorial@farmersguardian.com ■ Visit farmersguardian.com/ asktheexpert for more information ?
There are professional advisers who can help facilitate discussions about succession, says Lisa Millington.
LISA MILLINGTON Partner in HCR Law’s private client team and tax and succession planning expert
● Planning policy shift opens opportunities
By Alex Black
CHANGES announced in the Autumn Budget have made major adjustments in the context of selling land.
The changes to Inheritance Tax have caused concern among agricultural landowners, with the consensus it will lead to more land coming to the market.
Ian Barnett, national land director at Leaders Romans Group, said: “However, the ‘silver lining’ for those contemplating developing and selling their land is emerging planning policy.
“Following the Government’s revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework, which published for consultation in July and is due to be confirmed before Christmas, there will be a greater window of opportunity to achieve planning permission on greenfield land, including in some circumstances within the green belt.”
He said structuring a deal with a promoter or housebuilder in a way that minimises tax exposure while maximising the value of the land should be a priority for landowners seeking to develop their land.
He added partnerships could offer
Budget alters 2025 land market context
much more than a straightforward sale. Good planning could maximise land usage or tap into additional funding streams such as biodiversity net gain credits or by making land available as suitable alternative natural greenspace.
For those considering a sale, entering an agreement where sale is sold subject to planning consent, with planning consent, or involving options and promotions agreements, can significantly increase the value of the land.
Considered approach
Mr Barnett added: “Value can be increased further with a considered approach to the various tenures that make up a profitable site – from Build to Rent and the private rented sector through to the best mix of residential and commercial units is the type of planning advice which can considerably increase profitability ahead of a land sale.”
While it seemed the Government was adopting a pro-development plan-
Feather
The Government has remained vocal in its commitment to housebuilding.
ning agenda, Mr Barnett warned the planning process remained slow.
However, not all Labour planning policies would benefit land sales, with landowners concerned by a potential increase of compulsory purchases which Mr Barnett warned could have ‘unintended consequences’.
However, he added while there
would be administrative and political obstacles facing the decisions the Government has taken, it remained vocal in its commitment to housebuilding.
“The planning system is at the very start of that process and so positive change is needed, and quickly, to free up land to deliver on the Government’s bold ambition,” he said.
Global Ag View
With Donald Trump having selected his Agriculture Secretary, Emily Ashworth spoke to US farmer Sarah Delbecq on what the sector needs to see from the new Government.
Trump pick wants to ‘make agriculture great again’ in US
●
No
replacement for expired Farm Bill in place
DONALD Trump’s victory is heralding a new era for the US food industry, thanks to key appointments in the health and agriculture sectors.
Robert F Kennedy, who was named by the president-elect as Health and Human Services Secretary, has vowed to wage war on processed food, touting a ban on food dyes, certain chemicals and seed oils, while also increasing access to raw milk.
This week saw Mr Trump announce the appointment of Brooke Rollins who will head up the Department of Agriculture.
In her statement on X, she thanked Mr Trump for the opportunity.
“It will be the honour of my life to fight for America’s farmers and our nation’s agricultural communities. This is big stuff for a small-town ag girl from Glen Rose, Texas – truly the American Dream at its greatest,” she said, adding: “Who is ready to make agriculture great again?”
Agricultural issues
Sarah Delbecq, an arable farmer in Indiana, said agricultural areas in the US tended to vote Republican, and given the population of farmers makes up a small percentage of the country’s entirety, agriculture’s issues had not been at the forefront of the campaign.
“At best, we might get a shallow shout out when they make a stop somewhere rural, but there will not be discussion or debate for the issues that directly impact agriculture,” she said.
She added most may have been voting for reasons ‘not connected to agriculture’.
Global market
Ms Delbecq grows corn, soyabeans and wheat, all of which are commodity products with a large global market.
She said she hoped prices would remain strong, but acknowledged emerging markets and other countries were ‘only getting better’ and were developing the infrastructure to participate in the global marketplace.
It is also important, she said, to keep a strong relationship with existing global trading partners.
“It is unclear whether an ‘America First’ strategy will accomplish this,” she added.
from bushels of corn, to meat and corn-based ethanol, as well as animal feed.
She hoped agriculture would not become a bargaining tool, with the industry needing stability.
Tariffs were something Mr Trump continued to focus on, and China, Mexico and Canada have recently hit back saying this could hit the US economy hard.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week has said the Government would most likely shun a trade deal with the US.
Ms Delbecq said part of a successful future was not having retaliatory tariffs placed on US agricultural commodities.
Renewable energy was a concern too, and Ms Delbecq hoped the US Government would see agriculture as a key player in facilitating this. She added most of the sector was attempting to learn more about the new Agriculture Secretary.
WANTED
While domestic demand may be limited, she said the US should concentrate on the renewable sector and exports.
The corn industry, for example, wants grain exported in ‘all forms’
There was also the issue of getting Congress to make progress, highlighting the 2018 Farm Bill had now expired and there ‘does not seem to be any intention to get something in place anytime soon’.
US president-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brooke Rollins to head up the US Department of Agriculture.
Farm Profile
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
When John Bailey and Heather Benbow sold their vet practice, they embarked on a lifestyle change which saw them become farmers for the first time. Tom Hunt reports.
Developing a milk sheep enterprise in Derbyshire
After buying not one, but two farms, John Bailey and Heather Benbow started milking sheep to make cheese in the Derbyshire Dales.
John says: “I never thought I would be able to retire and just read a book, so after the sale of the vet practice we discussed our options and, with a fondness for sheep and a passion for cheese, we bought two former dairy farms and applied for planning permission.”
The planning permission was not just for a sheep shed, but for an on-site creamery, hotel, farm shop, charcuterie, bar, restaurant and visitor experience with a children’s petting farm.
Wakebridge Farm, in the village of Wakebridge, which is close to Crich, home of Crich Tramway Village, has a fascinating history, which John saw as another reason to bring it back from the brink.
He says: “The dilapidated buildings date back to the 18th century, but the history of the farm goes back to the Doomsday Book.
“Former owners of the land include Anthony Babbington, who lost the estate and his head when he plotted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I.
“The estate was also owned by Sir Walter Raleigh and Peter Nightingale, an uncle of Florence Nightingale.”
Upset plans
To kick-off the farming enterprise, John and his family bought 160 East Friesian milking sheep from Germany. The aim was to start milking in 2019, but sadly the Covid-19 pandemic upset their plans.
John says: “DeLaval delivered the parlour and our automated feeding Optimat system, but they were subsequently unable to allow their technicians to travel from Sweden to fit the machinery because of travel restrictions.
“We had 160 sheep which we could not milk and our plans were put back at least three years as a result of a variety of problems caused by
Allowing for some wastage we have a maximum output of about 40 tonnes of cheese per annum
JOHN BAILEY
Covid-19 and delays with getting planning consent.”
The farm started milking in July 2023 through the 36/36 rapid exit parlour and, since then, the flock has grown to 800 ewes. Lambing is three times a year, with 85% of the ewes lambing three times every two years.
John says: “We sell the lambs at six months old and will soon start to adapt our breeding to increase lamb size by bringing in Charolais and Texels.”
In April 2024, the farm lambed 400 ewes and, as part of the three lambings in two years system, a further 60 were
lambed in July, with 300 more due to lamb in November, which will see the flock ready to milk the 650 target by spring 2025.
John farms in partnership with Heather and their children David, Victoria and Hannah.
“My son David and son-in-law Dan
John Bailey farms at Wakebridge Farm, close to Crich, Derbyshire.
Farm Profile Derbyshire
are our cheesemakers, and Hannah works with her husband Jason to tend and milk the flock.
“We are all invested in the business and have made it a family ambition to see the farm and all its buildings reimagined for the future.”
He says that the initial flock of 160 was a real handful because the sheep were housed in old dairy buildings.
John says: “We had a new building erected to house the sheep because managing feeding was too labour intensive and there was not enough space.
“As part of the planning for the new building we looked at an automated feeding system to save time and improve nutrition.”
This system is designed to feed forage and supplements to cows, but was adapted to feed the sheep flock.
John says: “It has taken the pressure off us and works remarkably well, plus the sheep like it and get excited when it powers up. We load it with silage, hay and concentrate, along with mineral supplements, and it handles the feeding out and pushing up.”
An OptiWagon robot is fed from the mixing and cutting distributor using a conveyor. It then travels around the shed to feed out and push up the forage.
Cost-effective
John says: “It is a cost-effective solution for us because we need to keep our labour costs down and we have an ever increasing flock to feed.”
The parlour is equally important to his time and labour-saving efforts.
He says: “Hannah and Jason had never milked an animal prior to us
■ 800 East Friesian milking sheep
It takes 6,000 litres of sheep milk to make one tonne of cheese.
moving here and starting the farm with us. However, the parlour is ever so easy to use, and they can milk up to 300 sheep an hour.”
There are cluster removers, and sheep are fed in two drops during milking to encourage them to stay in the parlour until milking has been completed. Ewes have eartags which provide milk yield data and there is an auto-shedding function at the exit to separate problem ewes into a pen.
John says mastitis cases are rare and that they have decided on a cull rather than treat strategy to keep cell counts low. The flock is milked once
a day, but he is considering moving to twice a day soon.
He says: “We milk at 6am and could incorporate a second milking at around 4pm. However, we are uncertain of what yield we will get from a second milking and whether this will be worthwhile when compared to the labour cost.”
Milking
The flock is milked for eight months and grazed following drying off.
The lactation period yields about 250 litres per ewe milking once a day. With a flock of 650 in-milk all year
■ 85% of ewes lamb three times in two years
■ Ewes produce 250 litres/day on once-a-day milking
■ A variety of cheeses are produced including Wakefield White, a clothbound cheese which won gold at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards
■ Future plans include a farm shop, accommodation, bar and restaurant and visitor attraction
round, this amounts to 243,750 litres for the whole flock.
John says: “We need 6,000 litres to make one tonne of cheese. Allowing for some wastage we have a maximum output of about 40t of cheese per annum.
The farm started milking in July 2023 through the 36/36 rapid exit parlour.
Farm facts
“This is the goal, and we are almost there. I am currently forecasting this yield for 2025.”
To keep up this yield, the farm has opted for a Mediterranean-style system using teasers to synchronise lambing and breed from the flock three times a year.
John says: “All the ewes are lambed indoors, and all lambs are given 50ml/kg of colostrum within two
hours of birth by bottle or tube. We do not ring at all.
“We breed 20% as replacements and the rest will be crossed with Texel or Charolais to produce bigger lambs for market.”
He adds that longer term, the farm will introduce a genomic testing programme to improve yield and also help manage any potential disease problems.
To further automate the farm, John is looking into a more efficient lamb feeding system.
John says: “At the moment we use individual feeders, but these have to be individually cleaned. We are looking at a double pipe feeder that is easier to clean.
“Milk is piped automatically and there is an inbuilt temperature sensor.
“Crucially, it also tells us how much milk each lamb is taking, which will enable us to identify sick lambs faster.”
Away from the day-to-day of milking the flock, the family is tasked with making cheese and developing the rest of the site into the visitor attraction John has applied to build.
He says: “David and Dan, having never made cheese before, have reinvented themselves as magnificent cheesemakers and filled our creamery with superb maturing cheeses which we sell locally and will soon sell online, through other mainstream retailers and from our own shop.”
The farm makes a variety of sheep milk cheeses. Wakebridge White is a clothbound pressed sheep cheese with a rich, mellow and rounded flavour.
John says: “It won gold at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards and the judges commented that it was ‘a beautifully presented clothbound cheese, with a wonderful deep cream nutty nose’.
“They said that ‘in the mouth this cheese produces waves of delight; it just keeps giving’.”
Other varieties include: Hey Ewe, a younger, sweeter version; and Blue Baa-bara 9, a mild creamy sheep’s
cheese which is sweet with a distinctive blue taste.
There is also a blue-veined cheese called Wakebridge Blue, which has a rich, strong flavour.
John says: “We also buy-in cows’ milk to make our Derwent White, an old-style Derby cheese, and Derwent blue, a creamy blue-veined cheese.”
Located a few hundred metres from the popular Crich Tramway Village, John hopes that by adding accommodation, a bar and a restaurant, that the farm can attract tourists to spend some time and money as part of their visit to the Derbyshire Dales.
Investment
He says: “Our choice to farm and invest in this site is one we want to share. Visitors will be able to stand on a viewing platform to see the sheep being milked and can enjoy our cheese in our on-site bar and restaurant.
“We will also be selling the cheese and local produce in our farm shop.”
While the full extent of the farm’s portfolio of businesses is still to be realised, there is also room for growth for the flock.
John says: “We could extend the shed; we have left space to do so and grow to milk 850. For now though, it would be good to consolidate what we have, finish developing the site and start marketing ourselves as a visitor experience.
“The cheese is already selling well through local delis and shops, but it will be great to sell it here from our own shop in the near future.”
Ewes produce 250 litres/ day on once-a-day milking.
Wakebridge Farm, near Crich, Derbyshire.
Edited by Alice Dyer – 07966 445 458 – alice.dyer@agriconnect.com
Keeping ahead of future challenges was a key theme at this year’s
Alice Dyer, Ash Ellwood and Olivia Midgely report.
The recent announcements on Agricultural and Business Property Relief dominated many of the events and conversations among farmers at this year’s CropTec show, which took place at Stoneleigh last week.
Opening proceedings, NFU deputy president David Exwood said farmers had been left to deal with a ‘callous and chaotic Government policy’ that had been ‘dropped like a bomb’. But he said following talks between union president Tom Bradshaw and the Prime Minister, there was a glimmer of hope that the policies may be reversed.
“We have found ourselves in the worst position we have been in for some time with a callous and chaotic Government policy, dropped like a bomb, which has undermined the industry and targeted the wrong people. The targets are not misaligned, they are bent.
“Behind every farming business is a family. Family businesses get the job done. That is why they deserve to be protected.”
Mr Exwood praised the industry’s show of unity in Westminster on November 19 and said it was
Resilience, weather and water take centre stage at CropTec show
now down to the Government to respond.
While he was hopeful of some change in direction, he urged farmers to ‘take control of what they can’, now.
“Work closely with the supply chain and find a contract that gives you a more certain income –budget certainty that you cannot find from Government,” said Mr Exwood.
“The Sustainable Farming Incentive is slow and it is not perfect, but it is open and if you can apply, you should. It will give you guaranteed income for three years.
“Keep investing. If we sit back,
freeze as a business and shut the chequebook, we shut suppliers’ businesses too.”
He highlighted the need to look after the workforce and encourage them ‘to stick with us through difficult times’.
He also called on businesses to integrate new technology, collaborate more, ‘get off the farm, learn and listen’, in order to help businesses increase efficiency and grow.
MORE INFORMATION
Listen to the podcast featuring David Exwood by visiting farmersguardian.com/podcasts
David Exwood
MORE FROM CROPTEC
For more highlights from the event, see page 15.
CropTec Arable
Min-till failures
Andrew Ward speaking at CropTec about his experiences with growing beans for baked beans.
AFTER dropping the use of a conventional plough on his farm in 2003 and attempting to incorporate a shallow cultivation system, Mr Ward now believes that too much emphasis has been placed on the environment and climate change.
He said that lighter cultivation methods have negatively impacted both the yield and income on his farm and has since decided to revert to full inversion tillage.
Analysis of an eight-year cultivation trial found that a direct drilled field outperformed its cultivated competitor in only one year out of eight.
Worst
BAKED BEANS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD
THE UK population consumes more than 300 tonnes of canned baked beans per day, however, currently each can is imported from countries such as the US, Canada, Ethiopia and China.
In a bid to gain UK access to the crop, Andrew Ward, of Roy Ward Farms based in Lincolnshire, is in his second ‘baked bean’ growing season and aims to increase seed stocks and provide the crop for UK-based trials.
Addressing the CropTec audience within the Innovation Theatre, Mr Ward said: “Last year we drilled nine acres and all the
crop that was harvested – apart from one tonne – went into successful canning trials with Warwick University.”
Mr Ward has since drilled 60 hectares of the beans. Of the total 60ha area, 20ha were planted with a sugar beet drill with a companion crop of black oats broadcast to aid harvesting.
Companion
“The reason we drill with a companion crop is because the beans grow very low, so you need a specialist type of machine to harvest them. When they are
ACCESS TO WATER IS ‘BEST IT WILL EVER BE’
BY 2050, the Midlands can expect summers that are 2.6% warmer with 16% less rainfall, and warmer winters that are approximately 13% wetter, according to Severn Trent Water.
Not only does this pose challenges to crop production, but it also means water companies will struggle too.
Availability
Speaking at CropTec, Richard Reynolds, senior agronomy adviser at Anglian Water, said by 2050, the water company was predicting 38% less water availability as a result of a drier climate, tightening of abstraction licences coupled with a forecast 18% increase in population in his region, which is the driest and lowest lying in the UK.
“We could see a 503 megalitre a day deficit,” Mr Reynolds said.
“We are currently using 12,000-
drilled with black oats, [the black oats] pull the beans up [taller] to help harvest.”
However, a heavy downpour equating to 27mm meant that the 20ha drilled with the sugar beet drill was immediately lost and the remaining 40ha drilled with a Simba Free Flow seed drill only achieved 50% germination, he said.
“People might say that it is not a viable crop because if it was wheat, you would pull it up and re-drill it, but we had no more seed to drill so we had to make sure we got it to harvest so we can grow some more the following year.”
13,000 megalitres a day, so by 2050 we expect a lot of deficiency compared to where we are now.”
He said that based on these predictions, farmers needed to
“Our standard cultivation system is a Simba solo [cultivator] with a freeflow drill, and every other year [except one year that made a profit], we lost money on the direct drilled-only field and the worst yield was in 2022 when we lost £520/ha,” he said.
This year he has changed his methods by swapping back to using a Simba Solo cultivator before drilling.
“We have gone back to doing things properly and have mole drained a lot of the fields.
“We have 500 acres without a crop to harvest simply because we have been scratching the surface [with cultivations] trying to cut costs and all that has done has cut our yields and cut our margins.”
Have your say on water
BASIS technical manager Harry Henderson highlighted the importance of farmers having their say in Defra’s latest consultation: ‘Drought: how it is managed in England’, which closes on January 10.
■ Visit gov.uk/government/ consultations
Water.
recognise ‘this is probably as good as it is going to be’ for water abstraction, so measures should be taken on-farm to mitigate such challenges.
This includes the use of datadriven decision support tools including soil moisture sensors, drip irrigation and better weather data to prevent overwatering. He added: “Invest in on-farm reservoirs or rainwater harvesting systems to secure supply during dry periods. Maintaining soil health with the use of cover crops, reducing compaction, and increasing organic matter will also improve water retention.”
Richard Reynolds, of Anglian
Arable Recommended List Report
A ‘barn-filling’ Group 4 feed wheat and a new Group 1 milling variety were highlights of the 2025 AHDB Recommended List for cereals. Alice Dyer reports.
‘Barn-filling’ feed wheat to have widespread appeal
● Winter wheat RL has 10 new varieties in total
WITH a very high treated yield of 105%, rising to 111% in the North region (based on limited trials) and a strong disease package, soft Group 4 variety RGT Hexton is expected to have widespread appeal.
It has a Hagberg of 236, specific weight of 77 and is rated medium for distilling.
AHDB Recommended List (RL) manager Dr Paul Gosling says: “Disease-wise it is a bit below comparator varieties on rust ratings, at 7 for yellow rust and 5 for brown rust, but it has the highest septoria rating of the soft Group 4s at 6.8.”
Andrew Creasy, arable technical manager at RAGT, says it is a consistent performer across a variety of situations.
“It produces the goods as a first or second wheat on light or heavy land and can be sown from the last week of September onwards.
“Growers do not have to worry about pushing harvest back too much, as it is a medium-maturing type with short, stiff straw and a decent specific weight, providing useful insurance if harvest is delayed.”
It is also resistant to orange wheat blossom midge.
“We think RGT Hexton will have widespread appeal across the UK,” adds Mr Creasy.
“The variety has no Achilles heel,
BYDV TRAITS OFFER ALTERNATIVE MARKETS
THE influx of six new wheat and barley varieties added to the cereal Recommended Lists with a specific recommendation for resistance or tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) mark a step change in the way varieties are being chosen.
Dr Gosling says: “The lists now feature varieties that deliver more diverse and stronger genetics. It is no longer about dirty, barn-filling varieties dominating the lists – it is about providing choice that meets the needs of the RL’s diverse users.”
One Group 2 wheat addition is RGT Goldfinch, the latest wheat to emerge from RAGT’s Genserus breeding programme, which provides protection against BYDV.
Robust
Although it recorded relatively low yields at 89%, it offers a very robust disease resistance package with a 7 for mildew and septoria, and 9 for rusts, and combines orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) with BYDV resistance. It also shows good baking quality with a
and the combination of yield and suitability for distilling make it even more attractive for growers in the North.”
Hard Group 4
Added to the hard Group 4s, is another high yielder, KWS Scope at 108%, rising to 111% in the West. It is rated medium for distilling and has good resistance to septoria at 6.5, although its untreated yield is lower at 85%.
With a spec weight on the higher end at 78.9, it also has good lodging scores of 8 and is very stiff strawed, says Dr Gosling.
“However, with an eyespot rating of 4 it might not be a variety for a second wheat situation.”
The winter wheat RL has 10 new varieties in total, which cover key
high protein of 13.1. It is likely to appeal to many growers, especially those interested in lower-input systems, says Dr Gosling.
The additional resistance to OWBM means RGT Goldfinch growers can make use of the £45/hectare payment under the Sustainable Farming Incentive for growing an arable crop without insecticide.
“It came close to becoming a Group 1, but slight inconsistency in baking quality was found. It has later ripening at +3 but probably will not be grown in
milling sectors and provide strong steps forward.
After waiting several years for a new Group 1 variety, KWS Vibe is the second to arrive in not so many years. Listed provisionally, its status will be confirmed in spring by UK Flour Millers. In testing it has shown good grain and baking quality, with good protein levels of 13.2, a Hagberg of 283 and a treated yield of 98%. Dr Gosling says its good disease resistance package and high untreated yield of 89% will make it attractive to Group 1 growers. Dr Gosling adds: “Disease resistance is where KWS Vibe really scores, with 8 for yellow rust, 6 for brown rust, 6.6 for septoria – the highest on the Group 1 list – and an untreated yield which is way ahead of competitors.”
the North anyway. Where it scores very strongly is resistance. It offers a niche for people looking to cut out insecticide or end users looking to marry high quality with no insecticide.”
MORE INFORMATION
Five new barley varieties also offer specific recommendations for tolerance or resistance to BYDV, a novel trait added to the RL in the last few years. Read more at farmersguardian.com/arable
Soft Group 4 variety RGT Hexton offers a strong disease package.
Group 1 variety KWS Vibe has shown good grain and baking quality.
Bamford. The most impressive Group 3 wheat to hit the UK market in years.
Bamford is the highest yielding UK soft wheat on this year’s Recommended List - with standout figures of 106% treated and 92% untreated, there is no competition.
Bamford offers an enviable agronomic and disease resistance package that sets it up as one of the most competitive varieties available.
Bamford has unbeatable end-market flexibility as it delivers to feed, distilling, UK export and biscuit milling quality, making it the ideal choice in volatile market conditions.
Bamford is the wheat you can totally trust to deliver the best gross output potential.
Bamford is your unrivalled top choice for 2024.
BAMFORD
Speak to your seed merchant today about availability.
Despite the challenges growers faced in 2024 also being seen in AHDB variety trials, the 2025 Oilseeds Recommended List showcases large yield increases in several categories. Alice Dyer reports.
OSR shows yield leap across regions
● Two newcomers added for the North
WITH high treated yields of 108% across all regions, LG Adapt sits as UK highest yielding on the new oilseed rape list. It has a strong disease resistance package with a 7 for light leaf spot and 6 for stem canker, which is similar to its comparator varieties, plus a breeder’s claim for podshatter resistance, says Recommended Lists (RL) manager Dr Paul Gosling. All other varieties added to the list are region-specific. However, Dr Gosling adds: “The regions are fixed but that does not mean you cannot grow them out of this area. Look at the characteristics and see if it matches what you want.”
For the North, which includes the whole of Scotland and northern
England, there are two new recommendations – LG Avenger, and conventional variety, Powerhouse.
LG Avenger has a very high yield of 106% in the North and good light leaf spot resistance at 7.
Dr Gosling says: “With a stem canker rating of 5 and a 7 for light leaf spot this is similar to its comparators. However, it is susceptible to verticillium, but this is less of an issue in the North.”
Conventional
Powerhouse from Elsoms is the only conventional to be added to the list, offering a step up in yield at 102%, making it the highest yielding conventional variety for the North.
Its disease package compares well with other conventionals, with a 7 for light leaf spot and 5 for stem canker, says Dr Gosling.
CLUBROOT ON THE RISE
WITH milder and wetter autumns, several Recommended List trials have been lost due to clubroot in recent years. The disease appears to be getting more prevalent, so two additions with clubroot resistance are likely to interest growers, says Dr Gosling.
Crusoe from NPZU and Cromputer from DSV offer significant advances in pest and disease resistance over the current varieties, with Crusoe also offering higher yield in all regions.
Clubroot variety yields have traditionally slipped behind more conventional varieties, but
Crusoe offers a big step in yield at 103%.
Stem canker
Dr Gosling adds: “Its stem canker of 7 is also well ahead of its comparators. It has moderate resistance to verticillium, so better than comparators, and turnip yellows virus [TuYV] which comparators do not have.”
Cromputer also offers a step up in yield for clubroot varieties, with a gross output of 98%. It scores well on disease, with a 5 for stem canker, 6 for light leaf spot, plus moderate resistance to verticillium and TuYV, he says.
the seed. Conventional varieties seem to perform better in the North compared to hybrids, but we are not sure why that is the case.”
Conventional varieties seem to perform better in the North compared to hybrids, but we are not sure why that is the case
DR PAUL GOSLING
He adds: “Conventional varieties tend to lack traits in hybrids such as turnip yellows virus and pod shatter. But many growers favour them because they can homesave
For the East/West region, newcomer Maverick from NPZU has the highest yield with a gross output of 109%. It also has good disease resistance, including a rating of 9 for stem canker, but it lacks pod shatter resistance.
Hinsta from KWS and Magelan from Limagrain are slightly lower yielding, both at 106%. Apart from a lower stem canker resistance of 5, these two varieties have good pest and disease resistance, says Dr Gosling. Magelan is also one of the few varieties that offers moderate resistance to verticillium.
MORE INFORMATION
The online RL 2025/26 tables can be accessed via: ahdb.org.uk/rl. The booklet edition will be available in January.
LG Adapt has high treated yields of 108% across all regions, with region-specific Magelan yielding 106%.
Edited by Angela Calvert –
07768 796 492 –
For more sales content, go to farmersguardian.com/shows-sales
Dark Diamond Suffolks to 14,000gns
l Balquhain flock realises 7,000gns
LEADING the trade at the Dark Diamonds show and sale of pedigree Suffolk females at Carlisle at 14,000gns was a ewe lamb from Melvin Stuart’s Birness flock, Ellon. By Crewlands Megastar out of a home-bred Limestone Legacy-sired daughter, it sold to Stephen Cobbald, Acton, Suffolk. Next, at 7,000gns, was a ewe lamb by Castleisle Blackadder from Graeme Christie’s Balquhain flock, which was knocked down to Messrs Boden, Stockport.
L. and M. Liggett, Co Tyrone, sold a ewe lamb by Sportsmans Scholesy from their Carony flock for 6,000gns to Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley, and then paid 5,000gns for a shearling gimmer by Salopian Scideria carrying twins to Kings Cross from Stewart Craft Farming’s Lakeview flock, Glenrothes.
Also making 5,000gns was a ewe lamb by Frongoy Cannon from T.A. Irwin and Sons, Kings flock, which sold in a two-way split to Messrs Millar and Ferguson, Duns, and Messrs Arnot, Kelso.
A 542kg British Blue cross heifer from R.T. and J. Critchley and Sons, Preston, won the championship in Gisburn’s Christmas primestock show before topping the sale at 840p/kg (£4,552.80) when selling to retail butchers S.R. Hallworth, Whalley, Clitheroe.
For the reserve champion, judge Jimmy Wood, Bowland Foods,
Preston, tapped out a British Blue cross heifer from D.M. and R.E. Capstick, Swinden Moor. The 636kg heifer also won the best exhibitor-bred class and made 500p/ kg (£3,180) to on-site butchers Countrystyle Meats, Lancaster.
The Critchley family also sold a 526kg Blue cross heifer to Chorley butchers K. and J. Green, at 620p/
£4,552.80.
Flying trade for cull ewes at Bentham
TRADE for cull ewes reached unprecedented levels at Bentham, with several pens £300/head plus and topping at £400 plus twice. Firstly, for Beltex from Ben Thompson, Sedbergh, and then for Texels from J. Garth and Son, Clapham, with a pen of five from E. Astley, Morpeth, at £395/head.
The pre-sale show champions, a pen of five Texels from Lucas and Nairey, Blackburn, made £380/head.
Heavy ewes saw a sharp increase generally selling around £200. Suffolks topped at £238 for I.D. Rawlinson, Ulverston.
Strongest pens
The strongest pens of Mule ewes were £140-£170. Best of the horned ewes also reached heights not seen for a while, with the best £100 plus topping at £130 for Dalesbreds from G.C. and P.M. Haygarth, Wigglesworth.
Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.
Store
cattle in demand at Leyburn sale
kg (£3,261), and a 628kg Limousin cross which made 490p/kg (£3,077). They also took first and second in the Young Farmer class when Emily Critchley’s winning 488kg Blue cross heifer made 450p/ kg and Thomas Critchley’s blue rosette heifer sold at 496p/kg (£2,529).
Steer class
The steer class winner, a 726g Limousin cross from E.J. Ward and Sons, Nether Kellet, made the section’s top price per head of £2,686, while the Capsticks’ 640kg Limousin cross achieved the highest price per kg at 375p, selling to Countrystyle Meats.
Bulls peaked at £2,742 for a 788kg Blue cross for J. and G. Huck, Skipton.
D.A. Wilcock, Ashton-in-Makerfield, won the trophy for the highest annual prime ring throughput, and on the day, sold six steers and heifers to average 402p/kg.
BRIAN Phillips, Northallerton, judged the show and sale of store cattle at Leyburn where, for the second year running, the championship went to Guy and Oliver Hird, Whashton, with a home-bred Limousin heifer which sold to the judge for £1,940.
Reserve champion went to the Bainbridge Brothers, Marrick, with a British Blue heifer which sold for the joint top price of £2,250 along with the first prize bull, a pedigree registered Limousin, from David Amsden, Hawes.
Brian and Robert Fawcett, Bishopdale, sold a Limousin heifer at £2,000, with their 16 heifers averaging £1,871 and their 16 steers averaging £1,844. Phil Simpson, Richmond, sold 17 steers to average £1,758 and 12 heifers to average £1,592.
Limousins
The first and second prize Limousin steers made £2,000 and £1,960 for Luke and Beth Wilkinson, Leyburn, and Georgina Laws, Hauxwell, sold her third prize Limousin steer for £2,050.
Auctioneers: Leyburn Auction Mart.
From left: Judge Jimmy Wood, Alex Dew, of sponsor NFU Mutual, and vendors Charlotte, Tom and Emily Critchley, with their champion British Blue cross heifer, which sold for
PICTURE: WAYNE HUTCHINSON
Prime lambs to 636p/kg at Wharfedale
● Pair of Beltex lambs win championship
AT Wharfedale’s Christmas show and sale, the champion lambs were a pair of Beltex from Andrew Barrett, Stainburn, which went on to sell for £280/head (636p/kg) to J.B. Wilkinson and Sons, Rawdon, for their chain of Yorkshirebased shops.
Reserve
Reserve champion went to Jordan Swires, Beckwithshaw, with the winning over 42kg continental lambs, which sold for £218/ head (501p/kg), going to the same buyer.
In the cattle section, the champion was a home-bred 685kg
steer shown by Richard Stevenson, Farnley, which sold for 500p/kg (£3,425/head) to Messrs Wilkinson.
In reserve was a 640kg heifer from David Groves, Arthington, which sold for 430p/kg (£2,752/ head), again to Messrs Wilkinson.
Cull cows topped at 185.50p/kg (£1,484) for a black and white shown by Dave Ryder and family, Lindley, which went to Harry Thompson, Gargrave.
A lamb was also sold for charity, donated by John and Mary Carr, Askwith, for Leeds Hospital Charity, which raised £1,520.
Robert Weatherhead donated two lambs for Crohn’s and Colitis UK, which raised £1,540. Auctioneers: Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart.
Hexham sees strong store cattle trade
THE sale of 368 store cattle at Hexham averaged £1,620 throughout, with steers levelling at £1,688 and heifers £1,466.
The sale peaked at £2,180 for a Limousin bullock from Ian Hamilton, Claywalls, with a Charolais cross from the same home making £2,160 and the run of 16 averaging £1,968/head.
The female trade topped at £2,100, paid by Messrs Lee, Agars Hill, for a British Blue cross heifer from John and Daniel Whiteford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, whose 15 heifers averaged £1,751.
Will Davy, Warton, averaged £2,037 for seven Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus cross steers, topping at £2,140 for a 31-month-old steer.
Charolais cross
The 11- to 17-month-old class topped at £1,920 for a Charolais cross steer from Steven Crozier, Ecclefechan.
Beef Shorthorns sold to £1,780 for a steer from Walker Bros, Satley, with Messrs Walton, Greyside, topping at £1,750 for steers and £1,760 for heifers. Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts.
Dairies sell to £3,450 at Market Drayton
THE Western Holstein Clubsupported Christmas dairy show and sale at Market Drayton topped at £3,450 for the reserve champion, the pedigree heifer, Astonpool Have A Halo, from M. Weaver, Stone.
The champion was the pedigree cow, Armsdale Sound System Sunkist, from D. and J. Armstrong, Bunbury, which sold for £3,100.
Pedigree heifers from Lachstone Farms, Northwich, sold to £3,300, while R.J. Rees, Brecon, sold to £2,950 and R. and J. Merrett, Gloucester, sold to £2,900.
Pedigree second calvers sold to £3,200 for D. and A.C. Shakeshaft, Ellesmere, to £2,800 twice
for L.F. Horton and Son, Northwich, and to £2,800 for Messrs Armstrong and K.J. Morris, Redditch.
Commercial heifers topped at £3,150 for Messrs Weaver, £3,000 for R.W. and E.E. Edwards and Sons, Whitchurch, and £2,850 for Messrs Morris.
In-calf heifers sold to £1,750 and yearling heifers to £900.
A 35-month-old Limousin breeding bull sold for £3,800.
Auctioneers: Gwilym Richards with Market Drayton Market.
Pateley Bridge champion tops 600p/kg
AT Pateley Bridge’s Christmas show and sale, the prime cattle were judged by Charles Ashbridge, of Taste Tradition, Ripon. He awarded the championship to a British Blue heifer from
Liam Rodney and Katie-Anne Challis, Masham, which weighed 565kg and was bought for 600p/kg (£3,390) by Nick Dalby on behalf of Kendall’s Butchers, Pateley Bridge.
prime lambs were judged by
on behalf of Yorkshire Halal Meat Suppliers, with the championship going to a pen of three 52kg Texels from Russell and Amy
Peel, Glasshouses, which went on to sell for £300/head (576p/kg) to the judge.
The
James Blenkhorn,
Auctioneers: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Farmers Auction Mart Co.
A British Blue heifer, from Liam Rodney (pictured middle with baby Ralph) and Katie-Anne Challis (right), Masham, which sold for £3,390 (600p/kg). Pictured with judge Charles Ashbridge (left).
Left to right: Amy, James, John and Russell Peel, Glasshouses, with judge James Blenkhorn, with their champion lambs, which sold for £300 (576p/kg).
Mart’s the Heart Sales Champion lambs set new Skipton record
● 188 butchers lambs
NOT only did the Leach family, Hebden Bridge, successfully retain the supreme prime lamb championship for the third year running at Skipton’s Farmers Guardian-supported Christmas showcase, but they also sold their 44kg Beltex cross trio for a record £800/head to James Robertshaw, of Robertshaw’s Farm Shop, Thornton.
Reserve lowland and reserve overall champions were 39kg three-quarter Beltex lambs from Anthony and Emma Thompson, Foulridge. They sold for £210/head to Claire Mellin on behalf of Cropper Family Butchers and Deli, Accrington, which also paid £240/ head for the young handlers champion, a 49kg black Beltex lamb from 11-yearold Isobel Thompson, who also received the Hannah Brown Memorial Trophy.
The untrimmed championship went to James Towler and Sammy Fawcett, Grindleton, with a 50kg Beltex cross Texel trio which made £210/ head to Hamlets Butchers, Garstang.
Clinching the hill lambs championship for the fourth year running were the Hutchinson family, Faceby, with a trio of 50kg Scottish Blackface wethers, which sold for £230/head to the judge, Ross Greenwood, of Craven Farm Butchers, Gargrave.
The 188 butchers lambs averaged £173.65/head or 391.1p/kg (SQQ 431.5p/kg).
Prime cattle
A Limousin cross British Blue heifer from father and son, Francis and Andrew Smith, Masongill, took supreme honours in the prime cattle show and sale, while also realising the day’s top price of £4,565 (799.5p/kg) to co-judge Mr Robertshaw.
The 19-month-old 571kg heifer bred by K. and A. Brown and by Limousin sire, Cloughhead Napoleon, earned them their first ever Christmas haltered fatstock crown followed by the champion female rosette and then overall victory.
Reserve champion went to John Stephenson, Bordley, with a 544kg Limousin cross heifer which sold for £2,499 (459.5p/kg) to Ross Greenwood, Craven Farm Butchers.
To find out where we will be next, go to farmersguardian.com/mth-roadshow
The Stephensons took the unhaltered championship with a 14-monthold 586kg British Blue heifer which sold for £2,399 (409.5p/kg) to Kitson and Sons Butchers for its north-east shops. Kitsons also paid £2,310 (384.5p/kg) for the unhaltered reserve champion, a 601kg heifer from the Baines family, Gisburn.
The champion steer, weighing 563kg, was from Jim and Christine Scriven, Elslack, and sold for £2,385 (424.5p/kg) to Craven Farm Butchers.
Reserve steer from June Dowie and Jennifer Hyslop, Settle, weighed in at 650kg and was knocked down for £2,414 (371.5p/kg) to Hartshead Meats, Mossley.
Pigs
Daniel Thackray, Fewston, retained the supreme pig title he won in 2023 and 2021 with three 90kg purebred Pietrain cutters which sold for the top price of 325p/kg (£292.50/head) to Mr Robertshaw.
The reserve champion rosette went to D. and A. Livestock, Harrogate, with their 116kg Large White trio shown by David Walmsley. They sold to Stephen Taylor, of W. Taylor and Son, Bamber Bridge, for 232p/kg (£269/head).
A total of 24 prime pigs with an average weight of 106.37kg levelled at £224.91/head (211.4p/kg).
Martin and Val Brown, Leyburn, clinched a supreme and reserve championship double in the lamb carcase competition with a brace of continental class-winning Beltex cross carcases. The victor had a liveweight (LW) of 45kg, deadweight (DW) of 26.4kg, killing out (KO) percentage of 58.7% and AHDB grading of E3-, the reserve LW 36kg, DW 22.3kg, KO 61.9% and E2. The title winner topped the section at £620 (£23.48/kg) and the reserve made £500 (£22.42/kg), both to Cropper Family Butchers and Deli.
A total of 29 carcases, the majority Beltex, sold to an overall average of £208.98/head or £9.34/kg.
Auctioneers: CCM.
Martin and Val Brown (right) with their lamb carcase champion and reserve, joined by judge Gerald Medcalf and his grandson Henry Hitchen.
Members of the Leach family, Hebden Bridge, with their prime lamb champions which sold for £800/head, joined by judge Peter Briggs (second from the right), of Bowland Foods, Preston.
Cattle champion, a Limousin cross British Blue, from Francis and Andrew Smith, Masongill, which sold for £4,565 to James Robertshaw, Thornton.
Pig champions, pure-bred Pietrain cutters, from Daniel Thackray, Fewston, which sold for 325p/kg to James Robertshaw, Thornton.
PICTURES:
Ludgates win champion and reserve
● Family’s supreme sells for £5,600
AT the 154th Winslow Christmas primestock show and sale held in the town square, champion and reserve in the cattle section came from the Ludgate family, Leighton Buzzard. Claiming the supreme title was the Young Farmers class winner, shown by Will Ludgate, a 704kg Limousin heifer which went on to sell for £5,600 (795p/kg) to the Bell Hotel, Winslow.
Brother, James, took the reserve ticket with the winning halter-led 640kg heifer, which made £4,100 to Hayden Lloyd, Wales.
Steer
Champion steer and best opposite sex to the champion went to Tarry and Todd, Lincolnshire, with a 698kg British Blue steer which sold for 360p/kg to the judge, Richard Taylor, Derbyshire.
The second prize winning 668kg heifer from J. Claridge, Middle Claydon, made 440p/kg, a 788kg steer
Supreme champion and Young Farmers class winner, a Limousin heifer, from the Ludgate family, Leighton Buzzard, which sold for £5,600.
from Frank Page, Northamptonshire, sold for 365p/kg, and a 678kg Aberdeen-Angus heifer, from Will Ketley, Colchester, made 400p/kg.
The champion lambs were a pen of four from W. Bartlett, Winslow, which sold for £290/head to Pak Mecca Meats, Birmingham, which also paid £220 for the reserve champions, four Beltex crosses from D.W. Gurney and Son, Milton Keynes.
The Young Farmers champion
Limousin heifer claims York supreme
THE prime cattle championship at York’s Christmas show and sale went to J.R. Johnson and Son, Terrington, with a 560kg home-bred Limousin heifer which went on to sell for £6/kg (£3,357.20) to the judge, Harry Bromwich, Haxby.
The reserve champion was a 620kg Limousin steer from Wagstaff Bros, Sutton-on-the-Forest, which made £4.10/kg (£2,538.90) to A. Laverack and Son, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.
For the second year running the champion bull was from T.H. Kilby and Son, Thorp Arch, this time with a 620kg home-bred Limousin which sold for £4/kg (£2,476.90) to the Swales family, Knavesmire Butchers, York.
Reserve champion was a 746kg British Blue bull from S. Beachell and Son, Beswick. It made £3.80/kg (£2,831.07) to Ralph Pearson, Oakenshaw.
The winning black and white bull from Alan Sykes, Whixley, weighed 592kg and sold for £3.08p/kg (£1,820.40) to Bowland Foods, Preston.
A 678kg Aberdeen-Angus bull from
Supreme champion, a Limousin heifer, from J.R. Johnson and Son, Terrington, which sold for £6/kg (£3,357.20) to judge, Harry Bromwich, Haxby.
the Bailey family, Hemingfield, won the native class before selling for £3.01p/kg (£2,037.39) to J.A. Jewitt, Spennymoor.
Prime lambs topped at £210/head (404p/kg) for the winners of the heavyweight class, a pen of three Rouge cross Beltex from K. and A. and
E.E. Avis, Hensall, which sold to Knavesmire Butchers.
The second prize winners and reserve champions were a pen of three Beltex from Andrew Dobson, Holtby, which made £175/head to Harry Bromwich Family Butchers. Auctioneers: York Auction Centre.
lambs from A. Amor, Gloucester, were 47kg Texels which made £220/ head to the Bell Hotel.
THERE was a record show entry of 121 prime cattle at Carlisle’s Christmas show and sale, where the championship went to a 602kg Limousin heifer from L. Hopwood, Cheshire. It went on to sell for £3,130.40 (£5.20p/kg) to the judge, James Nisbet, Nisbet Family Butchers, Ayr. In reserve was the Young Farmers class winner, a 604kg Limousin cross heifer for Rachael Graham, Brampton, which sold for £5/kg (£3,020). A 683kg Limousin heifer from Messrs Dent, Appleby, made £2,728.59, selling to R. and J.P. Mulholland Butchers, Great Orton. Steers sold to £2,778.53 for a 795kg Aberdeen-Angus cross from Messrs Crichton, Egremont.
Winning native
The winning native was a 592kg Galloway steer from Kilnstown Farm, Bewcastle, which sold for 333.5p/kg (£1,974.32) to Jewitt Meats, Spennymoor.
Top steer price per kilo was 365.5p for the winning British Blue cross from Messrs Park, Dalpeddar. Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Working sheepdogs realise £14,800 high online for Kevin Evans’ Tilly
KEVIN Evans, Brecon, topped Skipton’s online sale of working sheepdogs at £14,800 and also headed the unbroken prices at £2,300.
Sale topper was Tilly, a fully-trained 17-month-old white and tan bitch by the Swedish-bred dog, Middery Frank, which sold to Kenny Donald, Dalrymple.
Carol Mellin, Oakworth, sold her February 2021-born black and white bitch, Pentre Bet, a daughter of Tanhill Glen, for £8,500 to Jock Sutherland, Durness.
Mr Evans also sold the 2022-born tri-coloured fully broken dog, Storybrooke Guy, for £7,000 to Lara Sander, Germany. His unbroken section leader
was Talley Roxy, a six-month-old red and white bitch by Thornbury Max, which made £2,300 to Meryl Evans, Corwen.
Topping the part-broken prices at £4,100 was David Wood, Derwent, with his May 2023-born black and white dog, Mirk, by Kevin Evans’ Kemi Bert, which went to Malcolm Wright, Buxton.
AT Bakewell’s Farmers Guardiansupported Christmas show and sale the show of livestock is held on Sunday afternoon alongside other festivities and a carol service, with the sale taking place on Monday.
Claiming the prime cattle championship and selling for the top price of 900p/kg (£5,814) was a home-bred black 646kg Limousin heifer from Tom and Jack Gratton, Riber, who were presented with the Devonshire Cup by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
The buyer of the champion was Ben Savage for his butcher’s shop in Sheffield.
The reserve champion was a 694kg black British Blue heifer from the Dickinson and Powdrill team, Mackworth, which went on to sell for 500p/kg to the co-judge, Laurie Ibbottson, Dovecote Park.
Best opposite sex to the champion was a 628kg British Blue-sired bullock from Michael Wynne, Mat-
To
Bakewell champion sells to 900p/kg high
lock, which made 430p/kg (£2,700) to Woolley Bros, Sheffield.
The High Peak Livestock Society Cup was won by local store cattle exhibitor Jonathon Hall, Longnor, with a 534kg red Limousin heifer which sold for the day’s second top price of 550p/ kg (£2,937) to Ian Meakin, Leek.
The winner of the young handlers class was 17-year-old Ruby Astley.
Prime lambs
There were 250 prime lambs in front of the judge, Matthew Prince, Stonedge, who awarded the championship to Jane Bonsall, Ashbourne, whose medium weight class winners, 46kg lambs, sold for 540p/kg (£248.40/ head) to Rob Foster, Retford.
The winning lightweight lambs weighing 41kg from M.F. Wayne and S. Allen, Thorpe, made 360p/kg to A.J. Green and Sons, Stokeon-Trent.
D. Fotherby and Sons, Wormhill,
sold the winning heavyweights, 49.2kg lambs for 368p/kg to Mr Meakin.
M. Najib and Sons, Foston, paid 294p/ kg for the winning 39.4kg native lambs
Buyers gathered in the ring as the cattle champion went under the
From left: Jack and Tom Gratton, Riber, with their champion prime beef animal, a Limousin cross heifer, which sold for 900p/kg, with buyers Harry Singleton and Ben Savage, of Savage Butchers, Sheffield.
from G. Ford, Whaley Bridge, and 298p/kg for the winning 55.4p/kg Mule lambs from R. and L. White, Ashbourne. Auctioneers: Bagshaws.
Judge Mathew Prince and Jane Bonsall, Ashbourne, with her medium weight class champions, which sold for 540p/kg to Rob Foster, Retford.
PICTURES: JOHN EVESON
Selling of the champion pen of sheep underway at Bakewell.
hammer.
Auctioneer Oliver Hiles
Defra has been urged to adopt a ‘transparent, consistent approach to agricultural support’ which genuinely reflects the needs of rural Britain.
Farmers ready to deliver, but need ‘tools and trust’ to do so
The farming industry has called for ‘immediate clarity’ from Defra on future funding plans, adding it is vital that Defra adopts a ‘transparent, consistent approach to agricultural support’ which genuinely reflects the needs of rural Britain.
National Sheep Association policy manager Emma Owen said if the Government was serious about its environmental and food security ambitions, it ‘must invest in the people at the heart of these goals’.
“Farmers are ready to deliver, but they need the tools and trust to do so,” Ms Owen said.
Agricultural adviser and owner of SRH Agribusiness Simon Haley said the recent Budget announcement seemed to be ‘taking a direct aim at farmers across the scale’.
“From Inheritance Tax to Basic
Payment Scheme delinking payment reductions, the fact that Capital Grant scheme offers are now on hold is the cherry on the top of an otherwise unwanted cake for the industry.
“It leaves the industry now seriously wondering how stories coming out of Defra swing from a £358 million underspend of the agriculture budget for the past three years in one vein, to there potentially not being enough in the pot to fund Capital Grants that ‘achieve specific environmental benefits’.
“All while the Sustainable Farming Incentive [SFI] is lauded as a way to take up practices that ‘protect and benefit the environment, and support food production’,” he said, adding it was ‘just another day in Whitehall’.
The advice from the agri-consultancy team at Knight Frank was to ‘be ready’. Farmers should do what they can now to prepare and set out
objectives for the year ahead. Whether they need to apply for planning permission for a diversification or infrastructure project, or plan detailed hedgerow or tree planting schedules for the SFI.
Act now
Simon Britton, head of agri-consultancy at Knight Frank, said: “It can often take months to put local authority consents in place, and the same for banks to approve funding for these projects. Although we do not yet know when all the grant funding schemes will reopen or quite what they will look like, my advice would be to start acting now to make the grant application process smoother when it is available.”
North of England rural property agency H&H Land and Estates said it had raised ‘serious concerns following the Labour Government’s recent sus-
pension of all Capital Grants’, a decision which has left farmers across the country facing ‘increased uncertainty’.
The Rural Payments Agency has halted grant offers, indicating budget pressures due to a surge in applications, but has provided ‘no communication or guidance to advisers, applicants or farmers’.
H&H Land and Estates said the suspension affected a ‘wide range of onfarm investments that grants have previously supported’, including silage clamps, slurry stores, dry stone walls, fencing and new hedges, adding these grants have been ‘integral to helping farmers meet environmental standards and daily working practices’. It said the delay was ‘compounding the uncertainty in the agricultural sector, preventing essential investments in environmental stewardship and farm infrastructure’.
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Pause on Capital Grant items sends out ‘mixed messages’
Farmers must be told of Labour’s complete plans for the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes if they are to be allowed to plan effectively, the NFU has urged.
According to the union’s senior countryside adviser, Claire Robinson, the promises of a simple and smooth transition from legacy schemes felt like something that was yet to materialise for farmers awaiting news on what comes next from Government.
The call comes after Defra announced 76 Capital Grant items for farmers would be ‘temporarily closed’ to new applications due to ‘unprecedented demand’ and a need for funding to be ‘prioritised to where it is most needed’.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) confirmed it would continue to accept new applications for woodland tree health grants; Capital Grant plans and management plans to support the development of a new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreement; as well as protection and infrastructure grants and higher tier grants to help support the delivery of ‘high-value environmental benefits –such as rewetting peat’.
Ms Robinson said farmers had engaged with stewardship Capital Grants which support environmental delivery, ‘to only find the application window is suddenly closed for a review’.
“Many are waiting for decisions on applications submitted several months ago. This has created uncertainty and gives mixed messages to those embracing ELMs.”
Dorset organic dairy and beef farmer Sam Vincent applied for the hedgelaying and planting agroforestry tree funding options, only to realise he had made a mistake.
He said: “I rang the RPA on the Monday to ask them to reject that application so I could then redo and add the tree guarding option on. Of course by then it all had been put on pause, which is typical. I cannot do much about it now.”
Mr Vincent said he may need to look at funding tree planting and tree guarding himself or explore private options.
“Capital Grants should have continued to have payments capped in order to remain available to a wider group of applicants.
“It is disappointing that those of us who support the Government’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive actions, such as agroforestry, now face no funding to carry out the planting and guarding of the trees.
Hedge planting and hedgelaying season is getting underway [but] unfortunately it looks like there is no funding and [it is] likely to be halted for 12 months – more delays.”
Sudden blow
NFU deputy president David Exwood said the ‘sudden closure’ of many of the Capital Grant applications came as a ‘real blow’ to its farming members, many of whom rely on these grants to ‘achieve their environmental ambitions’.
He said: “The messaging of this is confusing – farmers and growers are being asked to adopt measures to improve the environment, but have been left in the lurch without access to the key grant schemes which will enable them to do this.
“With applications timed specifi-
cally to fit in with the farming year and enterprise activities, and no confirmation that all applications already in the system will progress, it is incredibly frustrating and unhelpful that members will receive no further information until next year.
“The whole agricultural transition has lurched from one crisis to another. This is only the latest scenario where Defra has failed to provide clarity and certainty.”
The National Sheep Association (NSA) described Defra’s announcement as ‘deeply concerning’, especially at such a critical time when sustainable farming and nature recovery ‘demand urgent and sustained investment’.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “The abrupt suspension of the Capital Grants is a further betrayal of commitments to support rural livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
“Farmers are the custodians of our landscapes and biodiversity. This withdrawal jeopardises their
ability to deliver vital environmental benefits while maintaining food production. It undermines confidence in Government support and sends the wrong message to those striving to achieve net zero and sustainable farming goals.”
Details
Ms Robinson added there was also ‘a lot of fog’ around the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (and the outstanding 14 SFI endorsed actions) offer, which she hoped would start to ‘lift’ with more details expected to be published by Defra later this month.
“Whatever the actual timeline for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier applications, it is certain no-one will be applying in January. Higher Tier actions require input from Natural England or Forestry Commission advisers to develop bespoke management requirements. That will take a month or two. The publication of the Higher Tier offer will at least allow that activity to start.”
Funding for tree planting and hedgelaying will be affected by the hold on Capital Grant applications.
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service has outlined funding advice available for Scottish farmers and crofters to help ‘enhance their farming businesses, improve profitability, output and sustainability’.
FARM ADVISORY SERVICE (FAS)
IF you have specific areas of interest or concern, FAS offers farmers and crofters Government-funded specialistadvicewhichcouldsupport farmers and crofters in building a sustainable and profitable business.
Farmers can choose from 13 topics, including woodland management and creation, soil and nutrient management, animal welfareandholisticplansforcrofters.
FASsaidalmost‘1,500farmingand crofting businesses’ took advantage of this support in the last year.
The benefits shared by users includedbetterplanninganddecisionmaking, financial improvements and livestock and crop enhancements. Daye Tucker, of Carbeth Home Farm, who received specialist advice from
Funding for Scotland
WHOLE FARM PLAN
IF you are a farmer or crofter in Scotland and looking to receive Basic Payment Scheme payments, FAS said you must ‘demonstrate preparations for the Whole Farm Plan by May 15, 2025’.
It said you will need to start carrying out ‘at least two plans or audits for your business, which are intended to review and baseline your current land
FAS, said: “It helped me to focus at a time when farming is going through enormous challenges.”
FAS said the Scottish Government funds two specialist advice options per business, ‘with up to £3,200 available to help you address weaknesses and improve profitability, output, or sustainability’.
and livestock management practices’.
Options include a carbon audit, biodiversity audit, soil analysis, animal health and welfare plan or an integrated pest management plan.
In addition, farmers and crofters in Scotland will need to demonstrate thattheyare‘consideringappropriate actions and/or management changes specific to their business that can be implemented’ to ensure their ‘future agricultural activities are sustainable and deliver Scotland’s visions for agriculture’.
FURTHER SUPPORT
FOR additional information on the requirements of the Whole Farm Plan, FAS encourages businesses to refer to the following resources: ■ How to Get Started with
CARBON AUDITS
FAS said the announcement of the Whole Farm Plan requirements had caused a ‘surge in demand for carbon audits’, which can be implemented to meet agricultural businesses’ 2025 baseline.
Due to the volume of demand in the last five months, the FAS carbon audit scheme has been paused to allow for the delivery of audits. However, it said funding was still available for businesses to conduct a carbon audit through Preparing for Sustainable Farming.
Carbon Audits – Information helping farmers in Scotland: fas.scot
■ Preparing for Sustainable Farming: ruralpayments.org
■ Preparing for the Future – Helping farmers in Scotland: fas.scot
Brian, Farmer in South Wales
Blending of public and private finance ‘feels slow’
The ‘blending of public and private finance’ for agriculture is a popular Government phrase, but progress towards achieving that blend feels ‘slow’.
That was the message from policy analyst at Savills Rural Research, Jennifer Hawkes, who said with a tax-payer-backed agricultural budget of just £2.4 billion, private funding opportunities were ‘undoubtedly a developing area’.
However, as Ms Hawkes cautioned, those opportunities may not yet have reached a ‘suitable level of maturity to provide a meaningful source of funding to the industry’.
Ms Hawkes said there was ‘real scope’ for the private sector to make a ‘meaningful contribution’ to the agriculture sector as it transitions away from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), but it was ‘not obvious where the opportunities lie for farming businesses’.
She said: “In the next few years, mobilisation of private funding will be key. As supply chains become legally bound to improve their sustainability, they will need to do more to support and incentivise changes in farming practices.
“But perhaps more direction is required from the Government to kickstart a broader range of activity.”
The changes to agricultural and business property relief announced in the Chancellor’s Budget, Ms Hawkes said, ‘overshadowed’ a more immediate threat to farms’ balance sheets: ‘a sharp and sudden reduction in BPS de-linked payments in 2025’.
The private sector may offer an opportunity for funding to some farmers.
She said, in the new year, reference amounts (average of BPS claim in 2020, 2021 and 2022) over £30,000 will be reduced by 100%.
Below this point, they will be reduced by 76%, capping the maximum de-linked payment at £7,200.
In response, Ms Hawkes believes farming businesses may seek to ‘bridge the gap with alternative Government grants’ such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS), but also explore what opportunities are available via private funding.
Incentives
She highlighted incentives offered by water companies to improve water quality in catchment areas, including Severn Trent’s environmental protection scheme, STEPS.
“The scheme offers various options to encourage environmentally beneficial management and improve water quality,” she said.
“Examples include fully funded stock fencing near watercourses in areas with cryptosporidium risk (50% funding elsewhere), £30,000 grants for creating pesticide washdown areas and various payments for cover crops and grassland.”
She also highlighted an innovation grant of up to £7,500 offered by Anglian Water, which is aimed at reducing
the financial burden of implementing on-farm measures to reduce pesticide and nutrient runoff and soil erosion.
Ms Hawkes said: “Some are designed to prevent double payment for the same actions, meaning they cannot be combined with payments from the SFI or other Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes for identical work.
“Instead, they serve as an alternative rather than a supplementary topup. However, certain actions within these schemes are unique and fall outside the scope of ELM, thereby presenting additional funding opportunities.”
Ms Hawkes also highlighted initiatives which exist within the supply chain in the form of training rather than financial incentives, ‘supporting farmers in the transition to sustainable practices, ultimately to benefit the optics of supply chain sustainability’.
She said these schemes offered a chance for farmers to ‘upskill for free’, fostering an understanding of sustainable practices, which would ‘enable them to achieve the most value from future ELM offerings’.
“What is increasingly clear is that it pays to be sustainable in the post-Common Agricultural Policy world. A premium is available for regeneratively farmed wheat, banks offer preferential rates to those who are farming sustain-
ably, and Government schemes reward environmental practices.”
Ms Hawkes said as the decrease in de-linked payments hits, it was evident ‘there would be no cut-and-paste replacement for the schemes of the past’.
“While a change to sustainable practices can be supported by the schemes and initiatives mentioned above, it remains a large, and rather expensive gear change for many; often requiring new equipment, training and an initial hit to yields in transitional years,” she said.
Roadmap
Defra Secretary Steve Reed announced a 25-year farming roadmap when he addressed delegates at the CLA conference last month, and Ms Hawkes said she expects the sustainability theme to continue.
She said: “It is clear the future of farming hinges on adaptability and innovation, and while the path forward may be challenging, the opportunities for those who embrace sustainable practices are vast.
“The key to thriving in this new landscape will be leveraging every available resource, from Government grants to private funding, to ensure farming businesses not only survive, but flourish in a rapidly evolving agricultural environment.”
Jennifer Hawkes
Final call for Welsh funds
Farmers in Wales are being urged to move quickly if they intend to apply for any remaining grant schemes.
That was the message from senior policy adviser at the Farmers’ Union of Wales Rebecca Voyle, who said while Welsh Government funding schemes in 2025 would focus on preparing for the launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026, some schemes such as Growing for the Environment remained open for applications, but farmers had only until December 13 to apply.
She said the scheme provided support for the ‘establishment of a range of crops to be planted in the spring and summer of 2025, including mixed leys, protein crops and unsprayed cereals’. Alongside this is the Small GrantsHorticulture Start Up scheme which
Webinar
closes on January 10, 2025 . It provides ‘funding to support entry into the horticulture sector’ either as a ‘diversification within an existing agricultural business or as a standalone new enterprise’.
The Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture Scheme is also open for applications until January 17, 2025, and is ‘available to farmers and existing horticultural producers to support the development and establishment of agricultural diversification and commercial horticultural enterprises’.
In 2025, farmers with habitat on their land will be able to apply for the Habitat Wales Scheme. Ms Voyle said the application process would be via the 2025 Single Application Form, but those intending to apply would ‘need to comply with the scheme rules from January 1, 2025’. She said existing Habitat Wales Scheme Commons
Grant funding: What farmers and rural businesses should look out for in 2025 December 10, 7pm
Chair: Rachael Brown
Chief reporter, Farmers Guardian
Join this Farmers Guardian webinar which will provide analysis of future grant funding heading into 2025, following recent announcements from Defra that some capital grant items have been put on hold. Speakers will discuss the funding and grants available through Defra going forward, alongside alternative non-governmental opportunities. The session will provide the latest updates on Environmental Land Management schemes, including progress on the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship. Practical advice on grant applications will be a focal point of the discussion, with tips on crafting strong proposals to help you secure grant support.
Scan the QR code to register for the webinar
agreement holders would have the opportunity to extend their agreement until December 31, 2025.
For the organic sector, she said the Organic Support Payment would be maintained for 2025, with claims being made via the 2025 Single Application Form.
In terms of small grants, the Small Grants – Environment scheme will open between January 13 and February 21, 2025, and ‘provide funding for actions such as hedgerow restoration and creation’.
Ms Voyle added the Small Grants –Efficiency scheme would once again be open for applications between March 3 and April 11, 2025, offering
funding ‘to help farm businesses improve their technical, financial and environmental performance’.
In addition, funding is available through the Woodland Creation Planning Scheme, which remains open for applications for ‘large woodland planting areas or for those areas which are not suitable for the Small Grants –Woodland Creation scheme’.
As part of the SFS preparatory phase in 2025, £14 million has recently been committed to a number of these schemes, but Ms Voyle said the industry awaited confirmation of funding for the Basic Payments, Organic Support and Habitat Wales schemes, and the associated SFS budget and payments.
Various schemes to support farming businesses are open for applications in Wales.
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CHRISTMAS DEADLINES
Store Cattle Sales
SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE Thursday 12th December at 11:00am
✰ 18 INCALF HEIFERS from PD & JL Biss & Billingsmoor Farm Ltd (Organic)
✰ 19 HEIFER CALVES from DWC & AC Brunt & Gorvin
Farm Partnership
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LIVESTOCK MARKET
Gloucester & Border Counties Texel Club
Show & Sale of In Lamb Ewes & Ewe Lambs
Show at 10.00am, Sale at 11.00am
Chaileybrook Platinum Anniversary Celebration Sale 25 In Lamb Southdown Ewes & 5 Southdown Ewe Lambs including a guest consignment from the Littlebrook Flock Sale at 12noon
Badger Face Texel Sale of In Lamb Ewes & Ewe Lambs Sale at 1.00pm
Blue Texel Show & Sale of In Lamb Ewes & Ewe Lambs Show at 11.00am
Sale following on from Badger Face Texel at 1.00pm Ryeland Rubies
Inaugural Sale of Ryeland & Coloured Ryeland In Lamb Ewes & Ewe Lambs from six of the most noted flocks in the breed: Bryn Caffo, Cagedale, Catherton, Hawthorns, Mansel and Allerdale. Sale at 2.00pm Online bidding will be available via Marteye For more information and catalogues, Contact Worcester Office on 01905 769770
FRIDAY 13th DECEMBER (11am)
AT MARKET DRAYTON MARKET, TF9 3SW (moved from Norton, Gloucester for sale convenience) DISPERSAL SALE OF THE NORTON COURT FARM HERD
160 DAIRY CATTLE
★ Holstein Friesians, Montbeliarde X, Brown Swiss X, Scandinavian Red X, Jersey X ★
Complete dispersal sale on behalf of Long Partners following the recent sale of the farm. Sale consists of almost 280 cows in milk together with youngstock and machinery. Herd is all year calving but note that over 80 sell fresh in the last few weeks! Holstein herd but with many of the younger cows being first cross Monty or Viking Red Super robust cattle capable of fitting all systems. Currently 9500kg on simple grass/ maize TMR with modest concentrates. Access to Summer grazing. Note the constituents of 4.7% fat & 3.7% protein SCC110!! Over 130 of the milkers sell in their 1st lactation! All cows cubicle housed and milked 2x daily. Very good health status with recent full herd clear TB test. Catalogues available by request and via our website. Sale pictures & info on our Facebook page. INCLUDED - ‘20 KEENAN 400 MECH-FIBRE DIET FEEDER, ‘19 REDROCK 4000G SLURRY TANKER C/W7.5M FOLDING TRAILED SHOE, FARMHAND 4M GRASS DRILL, KUHN TRIPLE MOWERS, CALF TEL HUTCHES, SHEAR GRAB, LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT. LIVE ON MARTEYE.
TUESDAY 17TH DECEMBER (11:00AM)
THE
WILTOR “WINTER MILK EXTRAVAGANZA”
CHURCH FARM, WILCRICK, MAGOR, MONMOUTHSHIRE, NP26 3DA
Featuring the entire July – December calving portion of the renowned WILTOR herd, the property of D W & C E Jones. Probably the most exciting sale of ‘24 and contains 100 head of which 60 top class milkers sell in full production together with select youngstock from the very best of Wiltor. Many milkers sell giving 40 – 60kg! Whether looking for top class, young tank fillers or the next show winner or a world renowned pedigree to add to your herd, this sale contains a multitude of all of them! Very rare opportunity to purchase cattle of this calibre. Make plans to join us for this special sale and open house – promises to be a great day out! Live on Marteye! Transport available to all parts of the UK! Catalogue and sale pictures on Facebook. Further details next week.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR SALE INFO & PICTURES!
Brockholes Arms
Claughton On Brock, Preston PR3
be penned by 9.30 a.m. 10.30 a.m. Sale of 100 Store Cattle Show Calves to be penned by 10.30a.m. 11.30 a.m. 60/80 Rearing Calves, Weanlings & Stirks
2024
6.00 p.m. Dressed Poultry Sale
See Website For Full Show Schedule www.garstangmart.co.uk
The sale of Cae Hoeden offers potential purchasers an exciting opportunity. Lot 1 comprises of 119.79 acres or thereabouts of land including a substantial character farmhouse in need of renovation and modernisation plus a range of farm buildings (mainly traditional). Lot 2, on the other hand, extends to 19.95 acres or thereabouts of land including a traditional farm building with Lot 3 extending to 4.69 acres or thereabouts of land only.
Lot 1: £1,000,000 to £1,300,000
Lot 2: £170,000 to £240,000
Lot 3: £30,000 to £60,000
Informal Tenders to hand by no later than 13th January 2025 (12 noon)
Please contact our Menai Bridge office on 01248 362524 or visit our website, Rightmove or OnTheMarket A list of partners is available at any of our offices / Mae rhestr gyflawn o’r partneriaid ar gael yn ein swyddfeydd: Offices at: Wrexham • Denbigh • Abergele • Menai Bridge • St.Asaph Livestock Market www.jonespeckover.co.uk
CLITHEROE AUCTION MART
SALE+HILL XMAS SHOW
Tuesday 10th December
12.30pm - Prime Lambs & Cull Ewes, Hill Xmas Lamb & Ewe Show- Pens of 4 Judging 11.30am
Thurs 12th – Sat 14th December Viewing of items Thurs 12th, Fri 13th 9am-4pm and Sat 14th 9am-12noon
FORTNIGHTLY STORE CATTLE SALE + CALVES/ STIRKS
Thursday 12th December 12.30pm
Sale of Young Bulls, Store Heifers & Steers. Rearing calves 12 noon
To include Christmas Store Cattle show Classes for Bulls, Heifers, & Steers Under/ Over 12months + Calf Show
HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP 01969 667207 www.hawesmart.co.uk
Friday 6th December 10:30am
Catalogued Sale of 1011 Store Lambs
Tuesday 10th December
Christmas Show & Sale of Prime Lambs
Classes for pairs Bel & Tex, other breeds pens of 5 Judging 8:30am Sale 10am
Sponsored by Hammonds Butchers, Ms Tophams, & Northern Fallen Stock Ltd 400 Cast Ewes & Rams
Christmas Show & Sale of Calves. Judging 10am Sale 10:30am
Sponsored by Genus Breeding & Wensleydale Creamery.
(Shows for regular vendors only)
Friday 20th December 10:30am
Catalogued Sale of 1000 Store Lambs
Entries close Thursday 12th December 10am
Saturday 18th January 2025
Show & Sale of Individual Registered Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on behalf of the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Assoc and on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Assoc, also Sale of other Individual Pedigree Females Entries close 30th December.
Tuesday 18th February
Show & Sale of Prime Lambs for Young Farmers for the JW Cockett & Son Shield.
Sponsored by Lane End Farm Shop
NORTH WEST AUCTIONS
Monday 9th December
Sale of CALVES Sale 10.30am Entries & Enquiries to Kyle PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE
Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available) SALE OF PRIME LAMBS - Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES, RAMS & GOATS
DAIRY CATTLE
Final Dairy Sale of 2024
Circa 20-25 fresh cows and heifers inc. 12 fresh heifers from Messrs Baines Carriver herd at East Rounton following private herd dispersal Entries & Enquiries to Sarah 07710795585
Wednesday 11th December
3,456 STORE LAMBS & FEEDING EWES
Inc Addingham Sheep Breeders Annual Charity Show & Sale of Mule Wether Lambs Sale 10.00am Main Ring
Inc XMAS SHOW FOR BEST BULL, BEST STEER, BEST HEIFER (Entries close Monday 2nd December)
www.auctionmart.co.uk • T:01200 423325 Jeremy: 07815 727993 • George: 07412 165873 ONLINE MACHINERY SALE DRESSED POULTRY SALE WEEKLY PRIMESTOCK
Friday 20th December 4pm- Sale of Turkeys, Geese & Capons
Every Friday: 10:15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 10:15am 100 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 11:15am 300 STORE CATTLE –Friday 13th December Christmas
CATTLE 11:15am STIRKS & STORE CATTLE
Tuesday 17th December ALL CLASSES OF PIGS
Agricultural Themed 293 BORDER FINE ARTS & BESWICK PIECES & New Sale of AGRICULTURAL THEMED VINTAGE TOYS & COLLECTABLES
Viewing from 9.00am Sale 10.00am
PEDIGREE SHEEP
Annual Winter Show & Sale of 23 PEDIGREE TEXEL FEMALES Sale 10.30am followed by 13 PEDIGREE BELTEX FEMALES 18 PEDIGREE BLUE TEXEL FEMALES & 150 WINTER SHOW STARS Sale approx. 11.30am
Annual Winter Collective Sale of 150 Beltex/Texel Females (Enquiries to Ted Ogden 07855 958211)
CRAVEN FEATHER AUCTIONS
Christmas Show & Sale of POULTRY, WATERFOWL, HATCHING EGGS & EQUIPMENT
Judging 10.30am Sale 11.00am
Wednesday 18th December
Sale of FEEDING BULLS, PRIME CATTLE, BEEF FEEDING COWS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE (Entries
FGBuyandSell.com
BORDERWAY INLAMB FAIR
Friday 13th December – approx. 1.30pm
Tel:
THE UK’S PREMIER ELITE DAIRY SALE 95 WORLD CL ASS LOTS SELL
The Black & White Sale Preview
Friday 6th December – 7.00pm THE BLACK & WHITE SALE on SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER 10.30am
View the online catalogue www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk
CHRISTMAS PRIMESTOCK SHOWS AND SALES
Kindly sponsored by Grange Quarries, Eric Hall Livestock Agent, Lancashire Meats, Yorkshire Halal & GT Tyres, Carlisle
Sale bidding starts 7.00pm 11th Dec, finishing from 7.00pm Thursday 12th December
KIRKBY STEPHEN MART
Tel: 01768 371385
Christmas prize show and sale of PRIME & LIGHTWEIGHT LAMBS and CAST SHEEP
Tuesday 10th December
Show 2.30pm Sale 4.30pm
Sponsored by Eden Farm Supplies, Bridgedales Nutrition, CL&C Steadmans (Butchers) & H&H Insurance
BENTHAM AUCTION MART
Tuesday 10th December at 10.30am 6000 STORE LAMBS
Wednesday 11th December
11am Christmas Show & Sale of REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS
2.30pm 2500 Cast Ewes & 3000-4000 Prime Lambs
Inc. Christmas Show & Sale of PRIME LAMBS (Lowland Breeds) Lambs for judging to be penned by 2.15pm
CHRISTMAS IN THE MART
Friday 13th / Saturday 14th December
Inc. Friday Evening
Farmers Carol Concert & Charity Tractor Run. Friday & Saturday Christmas Fair with superb selection of tradestands etc.
Tuesday 17th December
10.30am Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle Christmas Show & Sale of 500 FARMERS STIRKS, YOUNG STORES & FEEDING BULLS
Wednesday 18th December
Fortnightly Sale of Dairy Cattle Two Auction Mart Shares (Top Ring at 7.30pm)
Saturday 21st December at 10.30am DRESSED POULTRY
Saturday 28th December at 9.30am CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS ONLY YFC Singles Competition
Prizes for Best Single Prime Lamb (Lowland & Hill Breeds) & Best Presented Prime Lambs & Vendor shown by a Young Farmer (Under 27yo). Judging at 10.30am
RTS
Richard Turner & Son
WEEKLY SALES
PRIME SHEEP
Every Thursday at Thrapston
STORE & BREEDING SHEEP & CATTLE, CALVES, PIGS & GOATS
Every Saturday at Thrapston ALL CLASSES OF SHEEP & PRODUCE, POULTRY, PLANTS & SUNDRIES
Every Tuesday at Stratford
Thrapston Livestock Market
Saturday 7th December
Smallholders Sale
To include: Poultry, Goats, Pigs & Sundries
All Poultry must be pre-booked prior to the Sale. No late entries will be accepted.
Saturday 14th December
A Sale of 500 Lots of Pet Food & Sundries – 12 Noon
Saturday 21st December Christmas Dressed Poultry Sale – 12 Noon
2130+ HEAD
2)Cont41kg+ 3)Native 4)Hrnd/Hill 5)Mule/Mash 10:45am 4 SHEEPDOG PUPS, 20 GOATS, 12 BREEDING EWES, 11am 2097 STORE LAMBS, XMAS SHOW
Wednesday 11th December
7.30pm ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE with Clitheroe Brass Band, Clapham Bethel Choir and charity raffle for RABI & Field Nurse, raffle tickets on sale at the office now, all very welcome - FREE ENTRY Thursday 12th December
10:30am REARING CALVES
10:30am PRIME CATTLE followed by CULL CATTLE
11:00am WEEKLY DAIRY- Entries to Eleanor by Mon 12pm
12:30pm STIRKS inc CHRISTMAS SHOW classes for best: (1) Male (u.12mo) (2)Female (u.12mo) - Entries to the office by Tue 10th Saturday 14th December
9:30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP inc CHRISTMAS SHOW, Show 9am Classes: (1) Cont (2) Horned/Hill Going (3) Mule/Masham CHARITY PRIME LAMB SALE show 10:30am. Donate a lamb to be sold through the prime ring for Charity. Our continued charities of choice are RABI, Northwest Air Ambulance & Yellow Wellies, all entrants receive a complimentary dinner. YOUNG FARMERS SINGLE PRIME LAMB SHOW
Judging 10.30am -18 & under - Best: (1) Continental (2) Native 11.00am WEEKLY PRIME LAMB SALE
10am BREEDING & STORE CATTLE entries by Tues ADDITONAL FESTIVE SHOW DATES
Thurs 19th Dec SEMEX & JAMESON DAIRY entries by Friday 13th Sat 21st Dec FESTIVE DREESED & LL POULTRY SALE
CHRISTMAS SHOW SCHEDULES ONLINE NOW!
Stratford Livestock Market
Tuesday 10th December
Dispersal Sale of 20 Horse Drawn Carriages Harness & Sundries – 10am
Online bidding will be available for the Carriages from 12 Noon
A Sale of 500 Lots of Pet Food & Sundries – 10am
Tuesday 17th December Christmas Dressed Poultry
For further information contact: Alastair Brown: 07885 804450 Jake Wagstaff: 07487 526803 01832 732241 or visit the website for weekly listings of sale entries
www.bletsoes.co.uk
Next Tuesday 10th December at 9am, Monthly Machinery Sale
Over 1000 lots, to include: Quads, Vehicles, Trailers, Various Machinery, HDX 1000 Hi-Tip Dumper, Sheep Scales Race etc, Excavator Buckets, Kontinents Gang Mower, Mortimer Pedestrian Roller, Sisi Grass Slitter, Twose Grass Harrows, HD Log Spitter, AG 125 Dispenser, NC Yard Brush, IAE Cattle Crush, 15 step Chequer Plate Stairs, Twose Buck Rake, Hardi Crop Sprayer, Grass Harrows etc, Lawnmowers
Photographs online
info@ashleywaller.co.uk
Stockjudging Competition
To be in with your chance of winning up to £200, test out your judging skills by entering our annual beef stockjudging competition.
Test your stockjudging skills and win up to £200
This year’s beef stockjudging competition is now open for entries. Our annual competition is once again sponsored by Show Time, supplier of specialist livestock products for cattle, sheep, horses and other animals, covering the UK and Europe.
How to take part
Take part by pitting your judging skills against those of our professional judge to be in with the chance of winning one of three cash prizes.
The first correct entry to be drawn at random will receive our top prize
of £200, while two runners-up will each win £50. To be in with a chance of winning, you need to rank the four animals pictured (one being the animal you rate most highly), in the same order as our judge.
Complete the entry form opposite and return it to: Showtime Stockjudging Competition, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ, by January 31, 2025.
ENTER ONLINE
Alternatively, you can enter the competition online at farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging
ANIMAL X ANIMAL Y
Carlisle:
Skipton:
Dungannon:
JobsinAgriculture
The University of Edinburgh is an exciting, vibrant, research led academic community offering opportunities to work with leading international academics whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world.
Research & Farm Animal Technician
The Opportunity:
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is looking for an experienced farm animal technician based at the University of Edinburgh dairy herd at Langhill Farm. You will organise and assist student teaching classes at RDSVS farms, including Langhill Dairy Unit and Easter Bush sheep flock, as well as facilitate research work on RDSVS farms.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
Your skills and attributes for success:
• You will have extensive knowledge and experience of practical dairy farming and animal husbandry.
• You should have good IT skills, including the use of farm software.
• You will have good understanding and experience of large animal research and the Home Office Legislation under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986.
• You should have experience of teaching veterinary or agricultural students.
• You must possess excellent communication skills as you will be expected to coordinate with researchers, veterinary teaching staff and students.
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
• A competitive salary of £33,882 to £39,105 (UE06)
• See staff benefits page for full Comprehensive Staff Benefits details (opens in a new tab)
The closing date for applications is 18th December 2024
This is an inspiring, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We will support and nurture your talent, reward success and integrate academic, professional and personal career goals, as well as give your career the benefit of a great and distinguished reputation. You will benefit from a reward package that includes a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts and much more.
Committed to Equality and Diversity.
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. www.ed.ac.uk/jobs
smaXtec Ltd
Job Title: Area Sales Manager | Location: National Closing date: 27 Dec 2024
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Proactively covering and growing your territory Identifying and acquiring new customers with your strong hunter mentality and closing skills Providing expert advice and support potential customers to understand their individual needs & challenges and offer suitable solutions Effectively using our CRM system to manage customer contacts, sales activities and market information Representing smaXtec at trade shows and customer events
Working closely with other teams to ensure a seamless customer experience
REQUIREMENTS
• Proactively covering and growing your territory Identifying and acquiring new customers with your strong hunter mentality and closing skills Providing expert advice and support potential customers to understand their individual needs & challenges and offer suitable solutions Effectively using our CRM system to manage customer contacts, sales activities and market information Representing smaXtec at trade shows and customer events Working closely with other teams to ensure a seamless customer experience
• Proven track record in sales within the dairy sector or related industries as well as in-depth knowledge of the dairy farming sector & associated technologies Excellent interpersonal and consultative skills complement your ability to analyse customer needs and offer tailored solutions Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize and manage time High self-motivation, energy, and perseverance to achieve or exceed your sales targets Your broad network in the dairy industry sees you as trusted and competent partner driving licence and motivation for sales in the field.
OUR OFFER
This role offers the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team committed to providing our customers with excellent service and innovative solutions. We offer a competitive and attractive salary and commission package, modern equipment (laptop, iPhone, branded clothing,…) As a team, we work together sustainably and with full commitment to improve herd health on dairy farms worldwide, while at the same time reducing labour and costs.
You will receive a comprehensive Onboarding, the trainings you need to be successful and excel in your role. Check out what our convinced customers say about the smaXtec system: https://smaxtec.com/en/our-testimonials/
For more information or to apply, head to JobsInAgriculture.com
FGBuyandSell.com
CULTIVATE LOVE
Cultivate love alongside your crops and let your family tree blossom. Discover a rooted partnership with ‘Friends1st’ – where the seeds of romance are sown. Harvest a future filled with shared dreams on your farm. Join ‘Friends1st’ –the introduction agency for Christians that has successfully introduced many farmers to their soul mate. We can do it for you too. Call our friendly team on 0121 405 0941 today to find out how to get started. Or for information view www.friends1st.co.uk/ christian-farmers-dating.
We invite you to join us as a Regional Farmer Producer Member on the British Wool board….
At British Wool, we’re all about maximising returns for our farmer members. We’re entering an exciting phase, raising awareness about the sustainability and value of British wool, whilst remaining focused on cutting operational costs and boosting returns to provide a more secure future for every British Wool member.
We are looking for farmer representatives who can guide us in seizing these opportunities, ensuring long-term value for all our members. Find out more by scanning the below QR code.
For any general enquiries relating to these elections please contact Kam Dlay-Lewis on 01274 688666 or Gareth Jones KamDlay-Lewis@britishwool.org.uk or garethjones@britishwool.org.uk
QR code takes to the full notice on the website: www.britishwool.org.uk
PUMPING INSTALLATIONS
• 24HR BREAKDOWN SERVICE
• FREE QUOTATIONS AND SITE VISITS THE POTTERIES GARAGE SMALLBROOK LANE, LEIGH, WIGAN, LANCS, WN7 5PZ. TEL: 01942 871900. FAX: 01942 896843. Out of office: 01942 893660 Visit our Website www.waterwellengineers.co.uk Email: sally@waterwellengineers.co.uk
Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence
Stephen Lee Riley trading as Riley Mixed Concrete Ltd of Dunnockshaw Farm, Burnley Rd, Dunnockshaw, Burnley, BB11 5PP is applying for a licence to use Dunnockshaw Farm, Burnley Rd, Dunnockshaw, Burnley, BB11 5PP as an operating centre for 5 goods vehicles and 2 trailers.
Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice.
QUICKTHORN
Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.
FGBuyandSell.com
Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein /14 ME) £180 ex store
Cereal Mixture (Approx. 14% Protein /13 ME) £205 ex store
Cereal Blend (Approx. 16% Protein /13 ME) £225 ex store
Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein /13 ME) £245 ex store
NEW STORE IN CUMBRIA
One Tonne Bag Collections
Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% Protein/13 ME) £275 ex store
Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein/14 ME) £225 ex store
BEESTON GATE FARM, BEESTON, NR. TARPORLEY, CHESHIRE CW6 9NN www.livestocksupplies.co.uk
NEW Premium Products
Inc. Rolled Barley, Maize Gluten, Hi Pro Soya, Malt Pellets, Sugarbeet Pellets, Oatfeed Pellets & Syrup Suitable for Cattle and Sheep
Premium Starter 18% Bulk £245 ex - Bags £255 ex Premium Grower 16% Bulk £230 ex – Bags £240 ex Premium Finisher 14% Bulk £220 ex – Bags £230 ex Bespoke Rations available to your requirements
FODDER BEET
Cleaned, Competitive Prices, Direct from the grower
Collect or Delivered in all sizes of loads
Tel: 07843 012225
Lancs
TOP QUALITY
Fodder Beet for sale. Can be washed. Please enquire for prices. Ormskirk area
Tel: Andrew Webster 01695421714 -07721 742204
All sheets and fittings are available in 7 di erent colours and can be delivered direct to your farm within 5 working days (with o oad included).
Although every advertisement is carefully checked,occasionally mistakes do occur.We therefore ask advertisers to assist by checking their advertisements carefully and advise us immediately should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE INCORRECT insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advert.
includingmortgagesandshorttermloans.
cing.co.uk Nationwide (T)
Property Landscape Challenges, trends and what comes next
In recent weeks I have been asked numerous times about what is going to happen to land values next year and whether the Budget will impact on prices.
Before we look forward to 2025, let us take stock of what has gone before.
The land sales market throughout 2024 has shown strength, despite an ever-changing political and economic backdrop.
Early spring saw a steady rise in average prices for all types of land, generally between 5% and 10%, with regional variations being much more apparent than in previous years.
There was also a large disparity in the price between the best quality arable land and the slightly poorer grassland.
Levelled
This increase levelled off throughout the year due to the pressures of higher interest rates, decreasing commodity prices and narrowing of farm profit margins.
The range of buyers has remained similar to previous years, with farmers, investors and those wishing to purchase for environmental reasons (carbon offsetting and biodiversity net gain) all in the marketplace to purchase land.
In recent months the uncertainty following the General Election, and the subsequent Budget, may have initially tempered some peoples’ enthusiasm to purchase land.
Implications
The potential tax implications of the Budget (subject to being approved or amended in the Finance Bill) will surely be a consideration for anyone looking to purchase land in the future.
While, historically, tax has never been a principal driver for land values, the old adage of ‘they are not making any more land’ will certainly ring true and those
farmers who are looking to expand a farming enterprise will undoubtedly still seek to secure land when the opportunity arises, despite potential changes to any kind of Inheritance Tax relief.
The amount of agricultural land being available for farming purposes is likely to continue to decrease, particularly with the current Government’s policy on housing development.
A reduction in supply may well keep prices similar to the current level.
Realignment
It is too early to predict exactly what will happen in 2025 and beyond, but it is my feeling that land will continue to be sought after, although there may be some realignment as to the level at which farmers or investors are willing to part with their hardearned money.
The demand for the lower grade land from those with environmental considerations may lessen the gap in values for the better quality land.
Anyone looking to buy or sell should plan carefully and take the relevant advice to ensure asset values are maximised.
Annabel Fearnall is a partner at Barbers Rural. Call 01630 692 500, or email a.fearnall@ barbers-rural.co.uk
To the front there is a sweeping tarmac drive with parking for several cars.
SUBJECT TO AN AGRICULTURAL OCCUPANCY CONDITION
GUIDE PRICE: £750,000 (Ref: C394)
NORWICH, Garvestone
PROPERTIES FOR SALE
A 4 bedroom house in a good sized plot and in a quiet rural location. Scope to improve and extend.
SUBJECT TO AN AGRICULTURAL OCCUPANCY CONDITION
GUIDE PRICE: £335,000 (Ref: C388)
ESSEX, Little Totham
The Laurels is a 4 bed bungalow built approximately 25 years ago of traditional brick and tile roof. It sits in a plot of roughly 0.2 hectares that also contains a single room annex, garaging and former kennels (morerecently used as pony stabling). The property is presented in excellent condition having been recently redecorated.
SUBJECT TO AN AGRICULTURAL OCCUPANCY CONDITION
GUIDE PRICE: £1,150,000
WEST SUSSEX, Cowfold
A well-presented three bedroom detached bungalow with large garden, garage, land, outbuildings and parking located in a sought-after countryside location.
SUBJECT TO AN AGRICULTURAL OCCUPANCY CONDITION GUIDE PRICE: £650,000 (Ref: C390)
MILTON KEYNES, Aspley Guise
A well-presented Five-bedroom detached house with a large garden, double garage, rear patio, parking and paddock to front, located in a sought-after countryside location.
SUBJECT TO AN AGRICULTURAL OCCUPANCY CONDITION
GUIDE PRICE: £1,325,000 (Ref: C393)
Webinar
Grant funding:
What farmers and rural businesses should look out for in 2025 December 10, 7pm
Chair: Rachael Brown Chief reporter, Farmers Guardian
Join this Farmers Guardian webinar which will provide analysis of future grant funding heading into 2025, following recent announcements from Defra that some capital grant items have been put on hold. Speakers will discuss the funding and grants available through Defra going forward, alongside alternative non-governmental opportunities. The session will provide the latest updates on Environmental Land Management schemes, including progress on the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship. Practical advice on grant applications will be a focal point of the discussion, with tips on crafting strong proposals to help you secure grant support. Scan the QR code to register
Sponsored by
Annabel Fearnall on changing land values
Annabel Fearnall
Farmers Guardian
Finance: Terms & Conditions
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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.
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trailed straw chopper, full spec, excellent order, £9750
2018 Abbey 2000 gal. slurry tanker, 28.1 x 26 tyres, very tidy, £9950
2023 Quicke 150 shear grab, c/w Euro brackets, as new, £1850
Ken Wooten 25’ bale trailer, 340 (mini super single wheels), tidy, £3995 McConnel & Slewtic 9 foot toppers, 2 rotor/4 blade, good condition, From £895 Nutritech 10 cube tub mixer, front conveyor, good auger and blades, £1795
2014 John Deere 331 mounted 3m mower conditioner, good order, £4250
2022 Bunning 90 rear discharge spreader, full spec, very tidy, £20950
2017 Bunning 75 rear discharge spreader, full spec, due in, £18950 2010 AJP 5.5 rotor spreader, wide tyres, as new, £4500 2007 Class & JF Stoll mounted 9’ disc mowers, tidy,
Claas Liner 470 single rotor rake, very tidy,
John Deere 6250R 2021, 1605hrs, AutoPowr, 50k, F/Links PTO, Hyd Stabilisers, Electric Mirrors, LED’s, £166,000 + VAT
HILUX INVINCIBLE X Double cab 2.8 D-4D Auto. 2023, 7126 miles, lots of spec. £39,995 +VAT.
NISSAN
TOYOTA
NEW
£28,495 +VAT.
NEW ISUZU DMAX UTILITY Double cab with Diff lock.
£30,095 +VAT.
Machinery
Edited by Toby Whatley
– 07583 054 831 – toby.whatley@agriconnect.com
For more machinery content, go to farmersguardian.com/machinery-news-hub
With farmers and agricultural workers planning to spend time in the workshop over the coming weeks, Jane Carley spoke to experts about reducing risk.
A handle on workshop safety
It is that time of year when workshop tasks beckon, but as machines continue to get larger it is important to consider health and safety when working around them and handling components and service items.
David Knowles of Safestate Consulting explains: “You should avoid manual handling where possible –some jobs are best left to a dealer service engineer with a fully equipped workshop. But if it cannot be avoided, assess the risks associated with the task first to minimise the risk of injury.”
Following the health and safety risk principles of ‘avoid – assess – reduce’, Dr Knowles advises that the approach should be to consider:
■ The task itself.
■ The load being handled.
■ The individual carrying out the task.
■ The environment in which it is taking place.
■ Task: Changing wheels from row crops to flotations.
Q Can we avoid it?
A Generally not, but it is worth researching the latest tyre designs to see if one tyre can be used for more of the year, or considering if one tractor can be dedicated to row crop work.
Q What are the risks?
A Jacking the tractor safely, and moving heavy and unwieldy objects.
Q What are the preparations that should be made and procedure to be followed?
A Ensure that you have suitable axle stands in place and use appropriate lifting gear, which is covered by LOLER regulations. Ensure that the wheels are stable and secure when being moved.
Q Is there any equipment that will make it safer/easier?
A Hydraulic trolleys or rollers can be useful to safely move the wheel to and from storage.
■ Task: Replacing a worn or damaged tyre.
Q Can we avoid it?
9Pagesof
A Weigh up cost versus convenience and greater safety of using a tyre specialist.
Workshop tasks on the to-do list? Include manual handling in your risk assessment.
Q What are the risks?
A Jacking the tractor safely, the weight of the tyre, risk of explosion. What are the preparations that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A A cage must be used for inflating the new tyre.
■ Task: Replacing mower blades or flails, or power harrow blades.
Q Can we avoid it?
A Preventative maintenance or choosing more appropriate blades for the conditions could reduce the frequency of this task.
Q What are the risks?
A Safe lifting of the implement to access the blades; handling sharp objects.
Q What are the preparations that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A The implement should be safely lifted on the tractor hydraulics, but consider using a trestle or axle jack as a failsafe.
Protect hands and feet from sharp blades with suitable gloves and safety footwear.
■ Task: Repairs to implement guards and structure.
Q Can we avoid it?
A Regular checks and preventative maintenance.
Q What are the risks?
A Safe lifting of the implement, sharp objects.
Q What are the preparations
that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A The implement should be safely lifted on the tractor hydraulics, but consider using a trestle or axle jack as a failsafe.
Remove the component from the machine for safe repair.
Protect hands and feet from sharp blades with suitable gloves and safety footwear.
■ Task: Handling sheet metal or large parts/containers of spares.
Q What are the risks?
A Weight, balance, sharp objects.
Q What are the preparations that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A Wrap the edges of sheet metal
Workshop Tips Machinery
for safe handling. Split components into smaller containers.
While there is no legal maximum weight, 25kg is the recommended maximum load for manual handling.
n Task: Handling hydraulic cylinders or hoses.
Q What are the risks?
A Injection of hydraulic fluid which can lead to serious injury or even amputation. Handling unwieldy objects.
Q What are the preparations
that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A Visual inspection of the hose to ensure it is depressurised. Use of correct PPE – leather gauntlets rather than latex gloves.
n Task: Moving lubricant containers or other bulk liquids.
Q What are the risks?
A Handling of heavy objects, risk of spills of harmful substances.
Q What are the preparations that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A As with components, products should be decanted into smaller containers to give a maximum weight of 25kg. Lighter loads also minimise the risk of glugging/splashing.
n Task: Pressure washing or repairs of larger machinery.
Q What are the risks?
A Working at height, which has its own regulations. Lifting and handling objects at height.
Q What are the preparations that should be made and what is the correct procedure?
A Consider installing a gantry to safely reach areas of machines which are located above shoulder height. Consider the safe lifting of tools, equipment or components to carry out this type repair or maintenance.
More details
n For more detail on manual handling, the Health and Safety Executive’s Farmwise publication has useful information in chapter 21.
You can also download a manual handling assessment tool from hse.gov.uk/msd/mac n Safestate Consulting helps clients comply with the vast range of safety and environment safety legislation requirements, adopting a personal approach producing cost-effective and proportionate responses to real risks.
Safestate offers a wide range of in-house safety management courses
Appropriate gloves to protect hands are part of essential PPE for many tasks.
Consider safe ways of accessing jobs high up on large machinery, and how to lift equipment or parts.
Bulk containers can present manual handling challenges – consider decanting liquids into smaller volumes.
Machinery
EIMA 2024 presented new machinery and technology for large-scale growers and high-value crops. Toby Whatley reports.
EIMA 2024 show report
Held biennially in the historic Italian city of Bologna, the EIMA International event provides a variety of machinery like no other, reflecting the diversity of crops and produce grown and marketed in Italy.
The European-wide challenges and downturn in the agricultural sector were reflected in the event, with the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the FederUnacoma, reporting that
‘the national production of technologies of agriculture is set to close the year with a 19.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2023’.
Despite the economic challenges, multiple manufacturers used the event to present new products and technologies, with a continued focus on improvements in productivity and automation. Several new concepts were shown for the viticulture sector which, within the Italian market, has been supported by sustained grants.
PICKING up an innovation award at the event, Dieci’s Fast Attach quick hitch carriage for its telehandler range was shown for the first time.
Created to provide mechanical, hydraulic and electrical connections without a manual input, the system uses a series of flat-faced hydraulic connectors
and electrical terminals integrated within the locking pin system.
When a suitable attachment is fitted to the carriage and fully secured, the hydraulic and power services are joined, allowing attachments such as shear grabs and bucket brushes to be attached or removed without the operator leaving the cab.
ALTHOUGH no longer a major brand in the UK, the sister brand to McCormick, Landini, remains a significant market player in Italy and southern Europe, with a strong following for its fruit and vineyard tractors.
Operating with a hybrid diesel/ electric drive, Landini’s Rex4 uses a generator and battery to power twin motors in the front axle, with a conventional mechanical drive to the rear, with overall power provided by a 110hp engine.
Landini claims this layout provides several advantages, including a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, increased steering angle though the removal of the front prop-shafts and an improved traction and climbing performance, as the ratio between the front and rear is infinitely variable.
The battery power is also used in operating the cab suspension system, which uses active dampers which is claimed to react against vehicle movement and reduce vibration by 15%.
JOINING a now extensive list of manufacturers supplying split hopper front tanks, Kuhn used the event to preview its TF2300C.
Using a pressurised design, the 2,360-litre tank with 60/40 spilt operates with the manufacturer’s Optiseed metering system which allows claimed application rates of up to a max-
CLAIMED to be the world’s largest power harrow, the 10m-wide Jumbo X was presented as a pre-production design by Maschio.
Operated as a semi-mounted implement with internal road transport wheels, the 7.5-tonne unit uses a centre three-metre section and two 3.5m outer decks to cover the working width.
Using a telescopic folding chassis to
imum of 500kg/hectare at 15km/h. Units can be supplied with a support frame or the displayed front packer with four 822mm diameter tyres.
Control of the system is IsoBus integrated and includes automatic GPS switching and variable rate applications. Prices for the unit start at £24,625.00.
lift and lower the wings, the overall machine is claimed to fold within three metres for road transport. Maschio says the 10m version has been developed in response to user demands for wider machines to maximise the field productivity of high-horsepower tractors, with a claimed input requirement of 450hp. Prices and market availability have not been announced.
KUHN TF2300C FRONT TANK
DIECI FAST ATTACH
MASCHIO GASPARDO JUMBO X 10M POWER HARROW
LANDINI REX4 ELECTRA HYBRID TRACTOR
FALC BIO FAST FLAIL HEADER
OPERATING as a hybrid wholecrop header and flail mower, Falc’s 4.8-metre-wide Bio Fast has been developed to provide Biomass collection of crop residues from crops including grain maize, sunflowers and oilseed rape.
The 3.5-tonne header is operated with a self-propelled forager and uses either hammer or Y flails to cut and lift material into the centering auger and chop cylinder.
Input power is split from a single input shaft to either side of the header, with each 2,400mm-wide
rotor and auger powered separately.
Brackets to mount to Claas, New Holland and John Deere foragers are offered.
The increased interest in the collection of crop residue for biogas generation and animal bedding is a reflection of the increased costs of straw and the sustained higher gas prices in Italy and southern Europe, which has pushed the demand of further green energy systems to maximise the value of cropping.
DEUTZ FAHR SMART VINEYARD TRACTOR (SVT)
DESCRIBED by the manufacturer as ‘a tractor as a sensor’, the SVT concept was presented at the event to give an insight into the development direction Deutz Fahr is progressing, with its narrow tractors for fruit and vineyard applications.
Based around the Series 5 DF/ DS/DV TTV range, the system
PRESENTED as a concept prototype, Merlo added to its future TurboFarmer electric offering with a 30.9 model, which sits below the larger 43.7 which was originally shown at Agritechnica in 2023.
Overall, the machine capacities of a three-tonne lift and seven-metre reach are proposed.
Specific technical details are limited, but the design will use a lithium-ion battery pack and should provide sufficient performance for eight hours of work.
Charging will be offered in either
230v single-phase or 380v threephase variants. Similar to the current E-worker compact electric machine, separate motors will be used to provide power for the transmission and hydraulic circuit.
The development of the powerpack forms part of a wider development process to create an electrified design which could be introduced into other currently diesel-powered machines to provide faster development of all-electric versions as market demand increases.
allows the tractor to be operated fully autonomously or with an operator depending on the task.
Using a range of sensors, the tractor will collect crop and field data for agronomic and growth monitoring, which is claimed can be used to make real-time decisions and changes for tasks such as spraying or fertiliser application.
James Huyton takes a look at how one start-up contracting business has made its first step onto the machinery ladder with an iconic John Deere 7530.
Contracting with cost-effective kit
The capital costs of new machinery can be a real stumbling block for a start-up contracting business, making it difficult to get on the ladder.
This was the challenge faced by Lancashire-based Mark and Sara Calderbank when they set up Calderbank Agri, just over 18 months ago.
They considered a number of tractors for the start-up business, but ultimately wanted a machine that would cover a wide range of farm duties to maximise their work opportunities.
“We looked at a number of tractors
on the market, but we did not want to tie ourselves down with a hefty finance package in an already competitive contracting market,” says Mr Calderbank.
He said it was important that the tractor was familiar and easy to use and fix, especially when running an older machine.
“I always knew I was looking for a John Deere; cut me in half and I am green and yellow inside,” jokes Mr Calderbank.
“My first tractor when working at D&C Wrennall Engineering and Contracting was a 7530. Their reliability and size have made them a sought-after tractor recently.
Sellers
“So with a 7530 in mind, we posted a wanted advertisement online and sellers came to us. We looked at half a dozen machines at the time, but a Warwickshire-based contractor’s machine caught my eye.
“The 7530 had 11,500 hours on the clock when we bought it, with a possible head gasket fault. Although we took a chance on the tractor, at just over £30,000, it was some cheap high horsepower to start out.”
Mr Calderbank says once he had got the tractor home, his first job was to strip the cylinder head and send it off to be re-skimmed.
Then, after running the machine for a few months, they had issues with the transmission overheating.
Mr Calderbank says: “D&C Wren-
nall Engineering stripped the transmission for us. It turned out to be a worn cam gear driving the air pump that was not pushing the oil out of the casing, causing it to overheat.”
Buying a high-hour, older tractor has certainly not been repair-free for Mr Calderbank.
“We have done the brakes, a new hollow shaft for the pto, a new turbo and manifold and we had some issues on the lift that local dealer, Cornthwaite Group, sorted out,” he says.
“When you listen to the list of jobs the tractor has had done now, it sounds like a bottomless pit, but I think we are on the better side with them.
After buying the John Deere 7530, Calderbank Agri chose to hire a Massey Ferguson 2170 baler to keep capital costs low in its first season.
“Especially with an older machine, good backup is essential. I can fix most things in the field with our mid-mounted toolbox, but sometimes you just need an engineer and parts in the field.
“Cornthwaite Group has given us great service and backup in a challenging season.”
Mr Calderbank has also recently replaced the tyres on the 7530.
After pricing up a few brands they decided to go with British rubber and some Tianli tyres.
“The price and, with a ten-year warranty on delaminating and cracking, meant that I could not justify the cost of other brands. Even BKT fell short,” he explains.
Mr Calderbank mounted a camera system with night vision to the back of the baler to help with visibility.
Mark Calderbank
Starting out, they hired a Massey Ferguson 2170 baler from Robert Lonsdale Agricultural Services.
Mr Calderbank says: “I still think the Massey makes one of the best straw bales. Most of our bailing work is in straw and I knew the 7530 could handle it.”
Putting out 220hp and 1,800N/m at the shaft, Mr Calderbank’s 7530 certainly is not short of power when considering its 180hp rating new.
“We have worked some long hours this season and the catchy weather has made it difficult keeping up with baling,” he says.
“So we fitted a camera on the baler with night vision. It is just handy if I am backing up or watching for that first
bale to drop so we can check the length. With all the screens, I was running short of three-pin plug sockets.”
Toolbox
The mid-mounted toolbox has proved invaluable this baling season, holding a host of tools, spare parts and the air line for cleaning down at the end of the day.
“We cover a range of contracting jobs from ploughing to baling, mowing, muck spreading, carting and hedge cutting,” he adds.
Fitted with a front pto and fivetonne front linkage, the 7530 handles a set of Krone triple mowers well, says Mr Calderbank.
“One of the biggest problems with
the 7530 is the halogen lights; they are only like candles when you are mowing,” says Mr Calderbank.
After already upgrading the headlight bulbs to LED’s, the first chance he gets, Mr Calderbank next plans to put a full Kramp LED light pack on the tractor.
One of the main reasons Mr Calderbank opted for the high-houred 7530, was its spec.
He says: “It pretty much had everything on it apart from electric mirrors and hydraulic stabilisers. One thing I miss is automatic differential lock, but it is not the end of the world.
“We have covered some acres ploughing this season, so I piped a fourth spool through to the back of
After buying the 7530 with 11,500 hours on the clock, a number of jobs were carried out to bring it up to scratch.
the tractor from the mid-mount to operate the hydraulic top link.
“I can just tweak the top link through the rocker switch on the back of the joystick.”
Mr Calderbank said that while he likes a good amount of tech on tractors, the 7530 does the job.
He adds: “We managed to pick up a GreenStar receiver and screen through social media, we mainly use it for mapping fields. If we wanted to make the step up, we could always retrofit the latest G5 screen and receiver.
“New tractors have some nice luxuries and, do not get me wrong, I would like to make the step up to a 6215R at some point, but at the moment the 7530 is everything we need.”
New manifold and turbocharger.
Transmission stripped to solve overheating issue.
New head gasket and cylinder head re-skimmed.
Mr Calderbank pulled an extra spool to the rear of the tractor from the mid-mount to operate the top link.
The rocker switch on the armrest-mounted joystick now operates the hydraulic top link.
Livestock
Edited by Katie Jones – 07786
For more livestock content, go to
Advances in the use of reproductive technology within the UK sheep sector was one of the topics up for discussion at the Sheep Breeders Round Table held at Castle Donington. Angela Calvert finds out more.
The use of surrogate sires may enhance the efficiency of sheep production in future.
Use of surrogate sires could be an option in the future
Surrogate sires which essentially act as mobile artificial insemination (AI) units, disseminating high value genetics by natural mating, could become reality in the coming years, Emily Clark, research group leader at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, told delegates at the Sheep Breed-
IAN McDougall, of Farmgene, explained the difference between traditional embryo transfer (ET) and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) .
For ET the donor ewe is superovulated to produce multiple ova which are then fertilised, usually by artificial insemination (AI).
The fertilised ova (embyros) are collected several days later via laparotomy while the ewe is under
ers Roundtable event at Castle Donington.
While the work was only at the ‘proof of concept’ stage and would require further regulation before it became a commercial option, Dr Clark said the technology could significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of sheep production in the UK.
general anaesthetic. The embryos are transferred to recipient ewes using a laparoscopic technique or frozen.
Laboratory
Whereas in IVF oocyte maturation, fertilisation and embryo development occurs in the laboratory.
Oocytes are collected from un-ovulated follicles using laparoscopy. They are then transferred to the
The surrogate sires are rams which cannot produce their own semen as a result of editing the gene NAN0S2, but are otherwise physiologically normal and should have all the characteristics of a good ram, such as good libido and mobility.
They can be of different types, for example, hill or lowland, depending on the environment they will be used
laboratory, matured, then fertilised to become embryos.
Embryos are grown to six-day-old blastocysts in specialised media in an incubator.
Success rate is usually about 40% with four to six blastocyst embryos per IVF collection, which are either frozen or transferred to recipient ewes.
This procedure is not widely available commercially in sheep.
in. Donor rams would be those with desirable genetics, for example, higher feed efficiency rates or be lower methane-emitting animals.
They would donate testicular tissue and then, using spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transfer, the genetics of the donor would be transplanted into the surrogate rams. This process would enable the surrogate rams to propagate semen with the genetics of the donor ram by the natural mating process, rather than by the use of AI.
The offspring of surrogate sires are not genetically edited or modified in any way, which should eliminate concerns about genome edited products in the food chain.
Dr Clark said: “We would initially create a nucleus flock to produce a small number of surrogate sires for proof of concept which could take three to four years, but would then be more quickly able to develop
Robots measure nature-friendly practices on-farm
A CORNISH farmer is trialling different approaches to improve soil health while reducing erosion and flooding –and using robotics technology to help him measure his success.
Working in a group of farmers across Cornwall, with Innovative Farmers and Farm Net Zero, Malcolm Barrett, who farms at St Tudy, trialled methods of sowing maize that minimise ploughing. This including using ‘strip-till’ machinery which disturbed the soil in strips, rather than ploughing the whole field.
Since reducing the use of the plough on his farm via a variety of min-till methods, it has helped Mr Barrett see dramatic improvements in his soil with less flooding and more worms.
Now the University of Plymouth has partnered with the trial as part of its ongoing research into the potential for agri-tech innovations to support land and water management.
The university is pioneering the development of sensors that estimate soil organic matter and moisture levels, using natural radio-
This means that instead of having one ram disseminating high value genetics, we could have thousands EMILY CLARK
multiplier units to supply larger quantities of surrogate rams, which would then be able to carry the genetics from a donor ram of choice.
“This means that instead of having one ram disseminating high value genetics, we could have thousands which would greatly accelerate the speed at which we can achieve breeding goals offering an alternative to AI for genetic improvement,” she added.
activity signals that come from all soil minerals.
This can provide data to help farmers see how effective their practices have been across a field and help them to plan how to better manage soils and water and improve productivity.
The research aims to show how the sensors can give the farmer a full picture of a field instantly on-site using hundreds of datapoints, rather than sending away a few soil samples to a lab, waiting for results and then hoping those samples are representative of the whole field.
Platform
Sensors can be carried around the field to collect data, but this has now developed into cutting edge technology where the sensors operate on a robotic platform.
The robots can be programmed to travel more slowly and accurately than walking, creating more consistent data and reducing work for the farmer or adviser.
Mr Barrett says: “We are learning
THE future use of embryo transfer (ET), could be changing, according to Farmgene’s Ian McDougall.
He explained that currently, ET was mainly used for the production of pedigree sheep and was reliant on high prices being paid for some of these animals.
There was also the export of embryos to New Zealand, Australia, the EU and central and South America, but again this was dependant on demand from these countries for British sheep genetics.
Mr McDougall said: “The rise in popularity of Texels post foot-anmouth in 2001 led to a dramatic increase in the use of ET.
“The introduction of new breeds, such as Valais Blacknose, Blue Texels and Dutch Spotted, also fuelled an increase in the use of ET which peaked in 2021.
“Not much changed in traditional ET methods from 1994 to 2024 apart from the use of a different superovulation hormone, the use of CIDRs and different anaesthetic protocols.
“However, times are changing.
more about what the soil can do for us and what we can do for the soil. It is helping everyone by helping the environment and we are getting huge benefits on our farm too.
“If we can understand our soil and our crops more, we can farm smarter by targeting our approach. Having thousands of data points from the robotic sensors helps to build a whole picture – then we can see if there is certain areas that need attention and single out management practices that work.”
Prof Will Blake, director of the Sustainable Earth Institute at the University of Plymouth, says: “This trial has meant we can get our science out of the lab and test it in a real-world setting, feeding back into other research programmes we are working on.
WHAT NEXT FOR EMBRYO TRANSFER?
Animal welfare concerns about the invasive nature of ET could lead to a ban on the surgical collection of embryos and regulation of recipient selection.
“There is also potentially a ban on the use of PMSG based on animal welfare issues relating to its production – it is already banned in Switzerland.
“We can work without PMSG, but it will be tricky and we would need to move ET further into the ewe’s natural breeding season and make more use of teaser rams to synchronise ewes.
“There is reduced domestic demand for ET due to less available cash in the sector combined with the rising cost of ET, mainly due to increased vet costs, largely as a result of the cost of superovulation hormones doubling in four years.
Completed
“Some breed societies are changing rules to discourage ET and some breeds have completed the ‘ET cycle’, that is their numbers are where they need to be.”
As to the short-term future, Mr McDougallsaidanimalwelfareoutcomes would need to be considered and an
“In this field lab, we are using robotics to deploy soil assessment solutions that the world could take on. It is great to be working with real farms –codesigning research questions with farmers is really important as it makes the technology we develop genuinely useful.”
Mr Barrett has also just signed up as a demo farm for a separate project called Agroecology at Scale where his farm will be used to demonstrate nature-friendly practices and inspire other farmers, so this sort of evidence and technology is extremely helpful.
The university hopes that this project will allow researchers to further develop the tech using other robotic platforms to explore biodiversity and crop factors as well as soil health.
alternative to PMGS found, but ET could be combined with other advanced technologies such as IVF and gene editing and the use of sexed semen.
However, this would be expensive and the structure of the sheep industry would need to change to accommodate this.
On a positive note, future demand for ET could be driven by dam line sires, with desirable traits such as high tolerance to roundworms, low methane emissions, terminal sire lines with favourable genes for meat eating quality, or easy lambing and high lamb survival.
Looking further ahead, Mr McDougall said if the UK sheep industry became more like that in New Zealand, pedigree breeding would shrink significantly resulting in very little ET in pedigree sheep.
But export may increase if UK sheep have genes desired by other countries. Surgical embryo collection may be replaced by laproscopic collection, IVF may become more successful and affordable and sexed semen must be available.
Malcolm and Catherine Barrett are trialling robotic technology on their Cornish farm.
Sons of Leeds dominate AHDB genomic rankings
l Denovo 20893
Harmony in top spot
FORMER top 10 sire, Denovo 20893 Harmony, has edged its way into the number one position in the new young Holstein sire ranking for Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI), published this week by AHDB.
This bull is one of five sons of Denovo 2776 Leeds in the top 10, reflecting the heavy use of this high production and health bull as a sire of sons, and generally building on his sire’s milk quality and environmental credentials.
Excels
With a genomic PLI of £928, Harmony excels in production, with a Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) of 1,109kg milk, 57kg (0.13%) fat and 41.8kg (0.05%) protein, and has an outstanding FeedAdvantage (FAdv) of 300.
This means its daughters are efficient converters of feed into milk and are expected to consume, on average, 300kg less dry matter in one lactation than daughters of a bull with a FeedAdvantage of zero. Calculated in part from the bull’s
DNA and in part from his daughters’ expected smaller size than average (Maintenance Index is -29), this all contributes to their lower carbon footprint, expressed through the bull’s EnviroCow of 5.2 – the best of the Holstein breed.
The new entrant in second place is T-Spruce Denovo Zest, a paternal half-brother to the number one sire. Zest transmits good udder health
(-14 SCC, -1 Mastitis), a high Lameness Advantage (LA) of 2.8 and a PLI of £920. He also has the equal highest Type Merit of the top 20 bulls at 1.24.
Outstanding
Two further Leeds sons fill third and fourth position, the first being the outstanding protein transmitter, Denovo 20723 Columbia,
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR KETTLE IN DAUGHTER-PROVEN HOLSTEIN RANKINGS
MILK solids improver, Bomaz Kettle, has climbed to the top of the daughter-proven Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) rankings.
This son of De-Su 14222 Kenobi stands out for its combined fat and protein of 93.6kg, which is backed by +0.29% fat and +0.21% protein.
Now with 208 UK milking daughters and many more internationally, this bull’s PLI has risen to £847.
Second
This move edges long-time leader, Genosource Captain, into second position, now with a PLI of £799.
Captain’s 1,274 UK daughters help earn it the accolade as the highest milk transmitter in the top 20, now with a Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) of 1235kg. Westcoast River, an
established bull at the top of the £PLI rankings, now ranks third (PLI £782) and remains one of the
best health transmitters of the
Bomaz Platt is a new entry in
The top of this £PLI ranking is where breeders can go to find the Holstein breed’s most outstanding production, health and efficiency
MARCO WINTERS
which has been edged down from its former number one position, now with a PLI of £902. Completing the quartet is fourth-ranking Denovo 20771 Segment, another strong production sire, whose PLI is £901. New, in fifth position, is Badger Siemers Day Trip (PLI £895) which transmits an exceptional daughter lifespan (+180 days), great udder
fourth position, having graduated from the genomic young sire list with a PLI of £779.
Just one point behind, HulStein Cowboy climbs into fifth place (PLI £778) with strong udder health features (-28 SCC, -3 Mastitis).
Platt -
n 5: Hul-Stein Cowboy - £778
n 6: Winstar Graziano - £762
n 7: FB Kenobi Targaryen - £750
n 8: Progenesis Wimbledon - £741
n 9: Denovo 14744 Ginetta£723
n 10: Denovo 16219 Aladdin£722 Top 10 available Holstein bulls with a daughter proof
Bomaz Kenobi 8823, paternal sister to Bomaz Kettle.
breed.
AOT Jared Haskel, third dam of 29HO21534 Harmony.
Top 10 Holstein genomic young sires
n 1: Denovo 20893 Harmony£928
n 2: T-Spruce Denovo Zest –£920
n 3: Denovo 20723 Columbia£902
n 4: Denovo 20771 Segment£901
n 5: Badger Siemers Day Trip£895
n 6: Cogent B Advantage - £890
n 7: Denovo 20668 Hierarchy£879
n 8: Badger SSI Elvin Penarol£873
n 9: Winstar Reggie - £864
n 10: Bomaz Lambert P - £862
health (-2 Mastitis) and shorter than average gestation length (-3).
Marco Winters, head of animal genetics for AHDB, says: “The top of this £PLI ranking is where breeders can go to find the Holstein breed’s most outstanding production, health and efficiency bulls for use in their herds, but they can also find many more exceptional bulls further down the list.
“Those who have already used Leeds may have to dig deeper, but as always, they can re-rank bulls on the AHDB website for traits they particularly wish to improve, whether that be fertility, cell count, feed efficiency or any other parameter for which a genetic index is calculated.”
Top Holsteins hard to beat compared across breeds
WITH breeding choices complete in most autumn-calving herds, attention is turning to herds calving next spring, which can look to the new Spring Calving Index (£SCI) ranking to make their breeding choices.
Black and whites feature heavily in this across-breed ranking, as despite the penalty they may incur for size and any inferiority in their milk quality compared with some other breeds, their high kg milk solids potential, alongside the improvements they have made in udder health and fertility, can be difficult for others to match in an overall selection index when compared in a ranking across the breeds.
Superb
As such, we see a leading Holstein sire, Bomaz Platt, taking first place, thanks to outstanding milk solids production, superb improvements to daughter cell counts, and good daughter fertility.
These combine to earn the bull an SCI of £653.
Similar features see the dominance of the second and third
placed bulls – notably including superb daughter fertility and mastitis resistance in second-placed Progenesis Wimbledon (SCI £644) and substantial reductions in cell counts from third placed Winstar Graziano (SCI £630).
Those who prefer to emphasise the Jersey breed in their tight block calving, grazing-based, spring-calving herds, will find the high-flying VJ NR Haugaard Nibali Nibiru also features in the top 10, with an SCI of £556.
Stability with other breed rankings
THE new Jersey Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) ranking represents something of a reshuffle, with all former top 10 bulls remaining in the top 12, making way for just two newcomers high on the AHDB-published list.
Moving up to take control is VJ Kibsgaard Jocko Jojo, with a PLI of £477, reflecting good production figures (418kg milk and 38.5kg fat plus protein) alongside a favourable Mastitis Index of -2.
Excellent
This bull is followed by last time’s front-runner, VJ NR Hauggaard Nibali Nibiru, with a PLI of £439. Nibiru is a high milk quality bull (+0.22% fat, +0.18% protein) with excellent health traits, which earn him a HealthyCow of £186. Similar stability in the Ayrshire ranking sees all five of the top bulls retaining exactly their previous positions. Holding on at num-
ber one is Tontine Astorwell, a UK-bred bull with extreme production figures (809kg milk) and good udder health (-15 SCC). His PLI is £532.
VR Hakvin retains second place, now with a PLI of £502 and with a good Lifespan (+97 days) and daughter Fertility Index (11.9), ahead of VR Venom (£466), VR Vilano (£449) and Whinnow Origin (£426).
A similar stability exists within the Friesian £PLI ranking, with Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud retaining its lead (PLI £300) and continuing to stand out for high protein (11.7kg) and good SCC (-10).
Inch Hearty (PLI £249) remains in second and transmits exceptional lifespan (+107 days), and keeping third position is Catlane Cromwell, which transmits improvements to mastitis (-3) and high overall health (HealthyCow £168; PLI £247).
Climbing up to fourth place is Dalino (£222) and edging into the top five is Langley Berkley (£217).
Friesian
The Friesian £PLI ranking for young genomic sires shows a similar stability, with just a minor re-ranking among the top five bulls. The former number four, Wyev-
alley Veritas, rises to take the lead, continuing to show excellent health traits (HealthyCow £163) and earning a PLI of £323. It is followed by high daughter fertility transmitter, Goonhilly Coverack (PLI £321; FI 4.1), and high protein sire (13.2kg, 0.05%), Goonhilly Cornelly, with a PLI of £303.
Top five bulls for non-Holstein breeds
Jersey
n 1: VJ Kibsgaard Jocko Jojo£477
n 2: VJ NR Haugaard Nibali Nibiru - £43
n 3: VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus - £429
n 4: VJ NR Haugaard Hays Hauga - £401
n 5: VJ Hoeholt Jern James - £371
Ayrshire
n 1: Tontine Astorwell - £532
n 2: VR Hakvin - £502
n 3: VR Venom - £466
n 4: VR Vilano - £449
n 5: Whinnow Origin - £426
Friesian
n 1: Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud £300
n 2: Inch Hearty - £249
n 3: Catlane Cromwell - £247
n 4: Dalino - £222
n 5: Langley Berkley - £217
Bomaz Bob 6207, third dam of Bomaz Platt.
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Productivity boost this winter with strategic worm control
As cattle are housed for winter, it is the perfect time to remove parasites they have picked up over the grazing season.
Effective parasite management at housing not only protects animal health, but also maximises the productivity benefits of your winter feed investment.
Peter Howard (below), veterinary adviser at Boehringer Ingelheim, explains the major parasite threats facing cattle at housing time, and offers practical strategies to manage them.
1
Start with a review of the grazing season
PETER says: “Before deciding on housing treatments, review the past grazing season. Consider weather conditions, grazing management, animal movements, known parasite threats on your farm and any wormers given over summer.”
Taking stock of these factors will help identify which animals are at risk of carrying parasites into housing, and can inform both immediate treatment needs and next year’s parasite control strategy.
Main parasites
The four main parasites which pose the greatest risks during the housing period are: liver fluke, lungworm and the gutworms Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia spp.
Addressing these parasites now can prevent significant health and productivity setbacks in winter.
2 Lungworm: Still a risk in late autumn
PETER says: “Lungworm was once thought of as a summer disease affecting mainly youngstock. But with warmer, wetter autumns, lungworm risk can extend well into the season, and longer grazing seasons have left many cattle exposed to late infections.”
This shifting lungworm risk can impact adults as well as youngstock, especially if they have not received low-level exposure to build immunity or if they have come from a lungworm-free farm to one with a lungworm presence.
Without prompt intervention,
3 Gutworms: Assess risk by age group
ON most farms, cattle will be carrying gutworms (Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia spp.) into winter, but treatment needs vary depending on the age and immunity of each group.
● OLDER CATTLE: Cattle generally build immunity to gutworms over the first few years of life, reducing the risk of clinical disease in adulthood. However, a high worm burden can still suppress milk yield in dairy
lungworm infections may worsen respiratory health issues over winter.
Practical advice
● Monitor regularly: Watch for signs of lungworm infection, such as coughing shortly after housing, especially in calves, first-season grazers and any adult cattle which could be naive to lungworm.
● Treat quickly: If you notice signs of infection, consult your vet as soon as possible. Many housing wormers, such as IVOMEC® Classic, IVOMEC® Super, and EPRINEX®, target lungworm along with gutworms, but double-check to ensure that all at-risk cattle are covered.
cows and impact fertility, ultimately affecting herd profitability.
● DAIRY HERDS: Bulk milk tests taken during the grazing season can reveal antibody levels to Ostertagia ostertagi. High antibody levels often indicate the need for treatment, so discuss any concerning results with your vet.
● YOUNGER CATTLE: For calves and first-season grazers, gutworms can be particularly harmful. Untreated infections reduce growth rates, leading to delays in reaching bulling or finishing
4
Liver fluke control: Protect performance and profits
LIVER fluke is prevalent throughout the UK and Ireland, especially on mixed farms with both cattle and sheep. This parasite does not provoke an immune response, so cattle remain vulnerable throughout their lifetime and are likely to be infected over the grazing season.
Peter says: “Unlike lungworm or gutworm infections, cattle do not develop protective immunity to liver fluke. As a result, most cattle on affected farms will have picked up some level of infection over summer.”
● PRODUCTION IMPACTS: Liver
weights, and increasing costs associated with expensive winter feed. Even second-season grazers are at some risk and should be monitored closely if housing treatments are not given.
● PASTURE HISTORY: Using faecal egg counts from earlier in the grazing season, along with records of pasture movement and prior wormer treatments, can help assess likely gutworm burdens by housing time.
A key concern in youngstock is Type
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fluke reduces growth rates in young cattle, depresses milk yield in dairy cows and degrades carcase weight and quality in beef cattle. Furthermore, the presence of liver fluke at slaughter can lead to income losses.
Treatment at housing
● Most liver fluke in cattle at housing will be in the late-immature and mature stages, which are the most damaging to health and performance.
● Prompt removal of these stages can mitigate production impacts and prevent further health issues.
CONSIDER RESISTANCE ISSUES: Rising resistance to triclabendazole, the only treatment for acute fluke
disease in sheep, is especially concerning on mixed beef and sheep farms. Peter suggests reserving triclabendazole for sheep, and using alternative treatments for cattle.
IVOMEC® Super, which contains clorsulon, effectively targets mature liver fluke in cattle.
As a combination product with ivermectin, IVOMEC® Super also treats roundworms and some external parasites, providing a dual-action solution at housing.
Be mindful of meat and milk withhold times for treated cattle.
Super is a tried and tested dual-active anthelmintic containing ivermectin and clorsulon, proven to control roundworms, liver fluke and external parasites. Suitable for use in youngstock and adult cows up to 60 days before calving.
EPRINEX® Pour-On is a tried and tested zero-milk withhold wormer which treats and provides protection against reinfection with the most pathogenic gutworm species, Ostertagia ostertagi, and the cattle lungworm for up to 28 days. For more information,
2 ostertagiosis, a potentially severe condition caused by gutworms encysting in the stomach wall during winter, then emerging in spring. This mass emergence can cause significant gut damage, rapid weight loss, profuse diarrhoea and, in severe cases, death.
● PROACTIVE TREATMENT:
Administering a suitable wormer at housing can prevent Type 2 ostertagiosis and help young cattle maintain steady growth through winter.
● DAIRY COWS: Treatment options for lactating cows are limited, but fluke control is still essential. Consider treating any cows in their drying-off period, and plan accordingly to manage liver fluke. IVOMEC® Super can be used in dry cows up to 60 days before calving.
● BREAKING THE CYCLE FOR NEXT YEAR: To reduce pasture contamination in the following grazing season, consider testing later in winter using faecal egg counts. This can reveal any remaining liver fluke in housed cattle, allowing for targeted treatment before spring turnout.
5 Next steps: Plan ahead for a productive winter
HOUSING offers a crucial opportunity to address the parasites which could otherwise impact herd health and productivity through winter and beyond. Work with your vet or local animal health adviser to build a housing treatment plan tailored to your herd’s needs.
Diverse herbal leys could provide an answer to improved livestock growth rates, resilience during extreme weather and reduced reliance on anthelmintics for worm control. Jane Brown reports.
Trial looks at value of grazing sheep on herbal leys
After years of experimenting with multispecies leys, Chris Berry jumped at the chance to hold a farm trial examining their role in worm burdens. Keeping 960 Highlander, Romney and EasyCare ewes alongside 60 Angus suckler cows, he was interested in maximising growth rates while minimising anthelmintic use.
Farming 182 hectares (450 acres) at the part-owned, part-tenanted Higher Thornton Farm in Kenn, Devon, he joined forces with the Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovative Farmers, a project run by the Soil Association.
Alongside Matt Smith, of Trenfanck Farm near Launceston, Cornwall, and Mark Hayman, at Higher Coombe Farm, Bradninch, Devon, he sowed a variety of herbal mixtures to compare lamb worm burdens and growth rates.
Speaking at a recent farm walk, Rob Purdew, of the Farm Carbon Toolkit, said weaning causes ‘physiological stress for lambs’.
He said: “That can cause a sudden increase in the worm burden, knocking growth rates and affecting lamb health. However, there is some evidence it can be offset by secondary metabolites and higher protein contents in forage, so the trial looked to find an appropriate herbal ley mixture to deliver this.”
The trial compared four different forages: Mainstar forage rape; the farmer’s standard grass mix with perennial ryegrass (PRG), white clover and a festulolium; a one-year plantain, chicory and
crimson clover mix; and a more complex herbal ley.
Sponsored by DLF, the complex mixture was designed for maximum growth rates, with high protein and metabolisable energy. It comprised 45% grasses including PRG and Timothy, 35% legumes, 10% plantain and 8% chicory.
Monty White, agricultural project manager at DLF, said: “It had a lot of dicotyledonous herbs, which pass rapidly through the rumen.”
He added that grasses take six hours to be processed by a sheep, while herbs take two to two-and-ahalf hours – this quicker process and utilisation means they can spend more time eating, thus increasing dry matter intakes.
Chicory, sainfoin and plantain have an anthelmintic effect in their own right, but their deep roots also bring up minerals from the soil, improving animal health. In addition, plantain
Matt
and
and chicory are structurally beneficial against nematodes, as the larvae cannot climb them, reducing intakes by grazing stock, said Monty.
“Herbs are also very nitrogen hungry, so it is good to pair them with nitrogen-fixing legumes.”
Results
The leys were strip grazed for about a month in summer, with the lambs weighed on and off to measure daily liveweight gain, with faecal egg counts and soil health measurements taken, too. When averaged across the three farms, the results showed no difference in daily weight gains between the leys. However, within farms there was significant variation between the forage crops.
At Higher Thornton, the lambs averaged 185.6kg/ha (75kg/acre) growth – which was just more than 0.2kg/head per day – on the forage rape, 222kg/ha (89.8kg/acre) on plantain and chicory, 61.6kg (24.9kg/acre) on the herbal mix and 54kg (21.8kg/acre) on the grass mix.
“We have had more questions coming from the trials than we have had answers.”
One definite result was a bigger uplift in soil health from the chicory/plantain and herbal ley than there was from the forage rape and grass control.
“Five weeks after establishment, there were more roots, more worms and a better structure,” said Mr Purdew.
At Trefanck Farm, one field was direct drilled, and showed a tighter soil structure with worse establishment than those fields which were cultivated with a subsoiler and harrow.
“It is definitely better value to get a good establishment,” added Mr Purdew.
Five weeks after establishment there were more roots, more worms and a better structure
ROB PURDEW
This had a direct impact on finishing times; on the chicory and plantain mix, lambs took 56.5 days to finish at 40kg, compared to 144 days on the grass mix.
The carbon footprint was therefore 61% lower, at 1.61 tonnes per 100 lambs on the chicory and plantain mix, against 4.13t on the grass.
“That is a part of the story we cannot ignore,” said Mr Purdew.
There was little difference in faecal egg counts across the farms, although there were variations within farms, he added.
So while the results were somewhat inconclusive, and more trials are required, there were some clear lessons learned – one of which is to use funding from the Sustainable Farming Incentive to trial different herbal leys on your own farm, said Mr Berry. He has learned a lot from his own trials, and now has a system that works extremely well.
The ewes lamb in March, mostly outdoors, and are initially set stocked, before being broken into four groups of about 250 head and rotationally grazed.
Mr Berry said: “We move them every two or three days and follow them with the cows, who do a great job of resetting the pastures without nibbling out the bottom of the sward.”
The leys have a rest period of 35-
Smith sowed a variety of herbal mixtures to compare lamb worm burdens
growth rates.
40 days before being grazed again, allowing them to recover on what is quite a dry farm.
The cows play an important role in the rotation, hoovering up worms and extending the grazing interval. Weaned in November, Mr Berry out-winters youngstock, aiming for 0.5kg/day growth rates before they speed up in spring to finish at 17-22 months.
Mr Berry weighs his lambs regu-
larly and only drenches if they are not performing.
He said: “You need to look at the whole farm and consider the weather and trace elements – there is so much that we blame parasites for.”
Anthelmintic resistance is a huge issue and farmers must use every tool in the box to tackle it, including breeding sheep that are more resilient to worms, said Mr Smith.
That means sheep which can
continue to thrive despite a high worm burden – something that is a very heritable trait.
Positives
Mr Smith said: “We are getting a lot of positives which we never set out to achieve by breeding for resilience – like more dung beetles, which break down dung more quickly and get it into the soil.”
So what advice would the ex-
perts offer as a result of the trial? Mr Purdew said he would add white clover to the one-year chicory/plantain ley to make it last two years – and potentially add Mainstar to the mix for even higher yields.
He added: “It is a £2/kg difference between an off-the-shelf herbal mix and a gold standard one – that is £30/acre but you will get that back in performance.”
Chris Berry
Matt Smith
Monty White
Rob Purdew
Pneumonia, or bovine respiratory disease, remains a major challenge, however early detection will maximise a successful outcome. Farmers Guardian reports.
Importance of early detection and treatment of pneumonia
●
Use of NSAIDs brings several benefits
T HE long-term economic consequences of pneumonia, or bovine respiratory disease (BRD), are well documented. In dairy herds, damage to the lungs in the first eight weeks of life of a heifer calf has been shown to result in a 509-litre decrease in milk production in the first lactation.
And in beef systems, the presence of lung damage in finished animals has been linked to up to a 202g reduction in daily liveweight gain from birth to slaughter.
Tim Potter, veterinary surgeon and senior clinical director at Westpoint Farm Vets, says pneumonia can be caused by a variety of different bacteria and viruses, and this is important to remember when considering treatment protocols and how disease prevention is approached.
He says successful management of pneumonia begins with a commitment to rapid and accurate identification and then the administration of the correct treatment.
Dr Potter says: “Technology is now offering solutions for better disease detection, with systems available that will detect disease based on temperature, alterations in activity and feeding behaviours. However, it remains essential that all members of the team can accurately identify pneumonia as early as possible so that the correct treatment can be given.”
He says to remember that animals will not always show all the symptoms of pneumonia, and what they do show can vary in severity.
Respiratory scoring
He adds that the development of respiratory scoring systems, such as those from the universities of California or Wisconsin, can guide users through the symptoms of pneumonia and help in the diagnosis of the disease.
He says: “Rapid treatment begins with the health planning process. Agreeing treatment protocols with your vet will enable you to ensure that there are no delays in animals getting the correct treatment.
“Your vet will advise on the most appropriate antibiotic to treat the bacteria that cause BRD. There are
treatment of pneumonia and that animals return quicker to normal feed intakes.
It is essential that all members of the team can identify pneumonia as early possible so that the correct treatment can be given TIM POTTER
no specific treatments for the viral causes of pneumonia, so the other key part of any treatment protocol will be a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID].”
He says the use of NSAIDs in the treatment of pneumonia is now commonplace and brings several benefits.
Studies have shown that there is a consistently faster reduction in rectal temperature when NSAIDs are used alongside antimicrobials in the
There is also evidence that use of an NSAID in the treatment of pneumonia can help decrease the incidence of lung lesions at slaughter, which are linked to poorer growth rates. Products are available that combine an antibiotic with a NSAID and many producers find these a convenient way of treating animals, as they ensure the animal receives both the antibiotic and NSAID without needing two injections.
Immune status
Dr Potter says “Pneumonia is a multifactorial disease, and prevention must be approached in a holistic manner for it to be effective. Improving an animal’s immune status will ensure it is best prepared to fight off disease.
“Good immunity starts with excellent colostrum management and can then be boosted by a vaccination programme which is targeted at the specific viruses and bacteria causing a problem on your farm. Ensuring the environment is correct and buildings are well ventilated will also help prevent disease by reducing stress and minimising exposure.
“Ideally, we would prevent pneu-
monia, but given this disease’s multifactorial nature there is always going to be a risk of it occurring, so it pays to be prepared. By rapidly identifying and treating cases you will improve the response to treatment and see a quicker resolution of clinical signs and you are also less likely to have to re-treat cases.
“Treating cases earlier will help reduce the spread of the disease through the group and so you are less likely to see new cases. Ensuring pneumonia is treated as soon as possible will also reduce the amount of permanent damage to the lungs and will reduce the negative impact of this disease on future growth and productivity,” he adds.
Symptoms of pneumonia
■ Raised temperature (above 39.4degC)
■ Increased breathing rate (above 30 breaths per minute) and effort
■ Head down and looking depressed
■ Coughing
■ Nasal discharge (initially clear and watery, but will change to yellow and thick as the disease progresses)
Management and treatment of BRD in beef systems is best approached holistically, says Tim Potter.
Working Dogs
VIKKI AND SUGARHILL MOSS WIN AT YORKSHIRE
VIKKI Ibbotson and Sugarhill Moss claimed first place at the Yorkshire trial, which was held at Peter Simpson’s Woodmanwray Farm, Dacre. Becky Galloway judged the 24 dogs entered.
For winning results
English results
NORTHUMBERLAND, Whitfield (Judge, M, Elliott) (17 ran) 1, D. Henderson, Burndale Jet, 84; 2, P. Telfer, Telf Can, 73; 3, B. Jordan, Dove, 72 OLF; 4, C. Balmbro, Jim, 72; 5, M. Davidson, Clover, 70; 6, M. Davidson, Jill, 67. Novice, 1, W. Smith, Storm, 57. WESTCOUNTRY, Great Champson Farm (D. Kennard) Maltese cross, 1, D. Cole, Sam, 63; 2, D. Cole, Mac, 54; 3, S. Short, Kerry, 52 OLF; 4, T. Nicholas, Ruby, 52; 5, J. Tucker, Wyverne Chip 48; 6, F. Davis-Russell, Todd, 46. Driving (C. Worgan) 1, D. Cole, Juno, 73 OLF; 2, R. Edwards, Uskvale Wilson, 73; 3, D. Kennard, Bet, 72 timed; 4, A. Hendy, Spike, 71 OLF timed; 5, P. Davis-Russell, Joss, 71; 6, R. Greep, Doug, 68. SURREY, South Chailey (J. Bastable) Nursery (24
ran) 1, M. Banham, Beacons Ben, 93 of 100; 2, J. Watson, Mick, 92; 3, P. Griffiths, Duchy, 87; 4, J. Watson, Jake, 84; 5, A. Nikalls, Sky, 58. Novice, 1, J. Watson, Matt, 88 of 100 OLF; 2, W. Cole, Moss, 88; 3, J. Watson, Max, 86; 4, E. Anstey, Castlewood Ben, 77; 5, L. Taylor, Wish, 76; 6, G. Gower, Ayesha, 71. RYEDALE, Carlton (A. Wilkinson) Nursery (26 ran) 1, S. Walton, Brackenholme Dolly, 81; 2, D. Bristow, Greenhow Tess, 72; 3, J. Howard, Misbourne Rosie, 71; 4, B. Galloway, Shadwell Shep, 70; 5, S. Walton, Bran, 62; 6, G. Blyth, Cloddiau Bet, 61. Novice, 1, J. Atkinson, Sandy, 60; 2, K. Acres, Malta Bess. New handler, 1, L. Bray, Scalpsie Maid, 62; 2, J. Porteus, Graylees Tig; 3, S. Beaton, Jim. YORKSHIRE, Dacre (B. Galloway) (24 ran) 1, V. Ibbotson, Sugarhill Moss, 76 of 90; 2, R. Fielden, Sam, 70 OLF; 3, A. Grant, Pip, 70; 4, R. Atkins, Jos, 69; 5, S. Duckworth, Tom, 68; 6, S. Duckworth, Baw Sweep, 66. FLYDE, Quernmore (D. Jenkins) Nursery (38 ran) 1, T. Huddleston, Intac Betty, 82; 2, C. Kempson, Glen, 81; 3, T. Birkett, Jim, 77; 4, C. Kepson, Tweed, 76; 5, M. Hutchinson, Tenley, 72; 6, J. Ashworth, Zac, 71 OLF. NORTHERN, Bowes, Co Durham (L. Morland)
Nursery (37 ran) 1, Robert Hutchinson (Bowes), Maggie, 84 of 90; 2, Robert Hutchinson, Rob, 81; 3, Robert Hutchinson, Jet, 80; 4, A. Temple (Holmrook), Jet, 75; 5, K. Cropper (Shap), Blade, 72; 6, R. Dupy (Bowes), Ginny, 66. Novice, 1, A. Temple, Hilltop Rita, 72 of 90; 2, E. Hill (Holmrook), Pentre Roxy, 65; 3, E. Hill, Jess, 60. New handler, 1, C. Longstaff, 60. NORTH WESTMORLAND, Hutton in the Forest, Penrith (L. Threlkeld) Nursery (48 ran) 1, M. Elliott, Drift, 74 of 90; 2, O. Dean, Skye, 70; 3, Thomas Longton, Gyp, 69; 4, D. Scrimgeour, Winter Crag Nyx, 66; 5, G. Fearon, Greg, 65; 6, T. Birkett, Spot, 62. Novice, 1, E. Wills, Gail, 72 of 90; 2, M. Fearon, Jock, 70; 3, A. Temple, Hilltop Rita, 64; 4, E. Hill, Pentre Roxy, 63. New handler, 1, M. Barker, Lucy; 2, Z. Edwards, Queen. NORTHERN, Hamsteel Hall, Quebec, Co Durham (A. Ridley) Nursery (36 ran) 1, F. Crowe, Reggie, 82 of 90; 2, A. Hunter, Tilly, 81 OLF; 3, R. Hutchinson, Rob, 81; 4, A. Dick, Spot, 76; 5, A. Temple, Jet, 75; 6, A. Grant, Pip, 73. Novice, 1, P. Ellis, Tip, 90 of 100; 2, R. Crowe, Joe, 86; 3, L. Morland, Dusk, 70. New handler, 1, K. Wilkinson, Ned, 64.
Trials diary
ENGLAND
December 7. NORTHUMBERLAND, Cowden Burn, Birtley near Bellingham. RYEDALE, Manor Farm, Boynton, Nr Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO16 4XJ, Beginners nursery novice, start 10am, field entry, £2 per entry, contact: Trevor Fields, tel: 07980 010 757. FLYDE, Fylde Nursery, Hall Trees Farm, Chipping, PR3 2NF, 9.30am start, usual Pennine interclub rules apply, contact: Mr Longton, tel: 07736 278 398. SHETLAND, Everor Nursery Trial, Tangwick, Eshaness, Shetland, ZE2 9RS, the Everor Nursery Trial will commence after the conclusion of the Northmavine Nursery Trial, 12pm, £10 per entry, pre-entry, contact: Daniel Mainland, tel: 07748 582 031, or email: dmainl16@hotmail.co. uk. TRAWDEN, E. Thornally and E. Street, Hull House, Hellifield, BD23 4JP. RYEDALE, Trevor Fields, Manor Farm, Boynton, YO16 4XJ, contact: T. Fields, tel: 07980 010 757. December 8. NSDA, Kirkby Fleetham DL7 0RS, c/o Dick family, contact: Andy Grant, tel: 07710 825 836, Northern Sheepdog Association rules apply, 9:30am start, last booking in 1pm, only one dog after 12pm. MID SHIRES, field postcode to be confirmed, Barston, Solihull, Warwick, B92 (TBC), 8.30am start, Nursery/Novice/Beginner trials, contact: Gill, tel: 07950 738 732, or email: gillburbidge2014@gmail.com. ROMNEY MARSH, Whitehall, Ludgate Lane, Lynsted, Kent, ME9 0RF, Nursery, Novice, other, 10am, field entry, cost per entry £3 per dog, contact: Liz Lauder, email: romneymarsh123@gmail.com.
NORTHUMBERLAND, Cavil Head, Acklington. December 14. RYEDALE, Raylia Dugmore and Will Young, Crosscliff, Langdale End, YO13 0LN, What3Words: ///afterglow.nights.vegans, contact: R. Dugmore, tel: 01723 882 434.
NORTHUMBERLAND, Dykehead Farm, Rochester. December 15. MID SHIRES, Framland Farm, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1LB, 8.30am start, Nursery/Novice/Beginner trials, contact: Gill, tel: 07950 738 732, or email: gillburbidge2014@gmail.com. WESSEX, Great Homewood Farm, Honeypot Lane, South Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4QL, Nursery and Novice trial, contact: Elaine Anstey, tel: 07778 677 955, or email: vernonanstey@btinternet.com. December 21. TYNWERN, Llanrhystud, SY23 5BD, 9am start, contact: Emyr Lloyd, tel: 01974 272 282.
December 22. STUART WALTON, Sandhoe Farm, Carlton Goole, DN14 9RS, What3Words: /// started.wildfires.outsize, contact: S. Walton, tel: 07789 740 122.
WALES
December 7. SOUTH WALES NURSERY FINAL, Carmarthen, contact: Anna Prothero, tel: 07795 178 451, or email: anna_prothero@hotmail.com.
Farming: The Backbone
Kaleb Cooper has loved agriculture since being little, and regardless of the fame he has earned as Jeremy Clarkson’s farming confidant, he is still passionate about the industry and keen to promote it. Emily Ashworth finds out more.
Christmas in the Countryside
He might be one of the nation’s most wellknown farmers after shooting to TV stardom on Clarkson’s Farm , but there is no doubt that Kaleb Cooper’s feet – or wellies –are firmly on the ground.
His passion for farming has continued to grow, and showcasing the industry to the public has become another job on its own for the 26-year-old.
Now a best-selling author with a sell-out farm-themed tour, Kaleb has released his third book, It’s a Farming Thing , which is a memoir-style insight into his love for agriculture.
He says: “Farming gets a lot of negativity, and I wanted to show the youngsters how I started out in farming.
“I have got a young following and feel drawn to help them and highlight why farming is so good for me and how it could be for other people too.
“It is a way of life; farmers would not be doing what they are doing if they did not love their job.
I have got a young following and feel drawn to help them and highlight why farming is so good for me and how it could be for other people too
KALEB COOPER
“Farmers will relate [to the book] but I wanted to get to the general public and show them what we love doing the most and show them the traditions – our history goes way back.”
Kaleb’s other labour of love is The Kaleb Cooper Agriculture Bursary. Keen to encourage people
to think of farming for a career, he launched the bursary with The Royal Agricultural University in 2023.
Having come from a non-farming background himself, giving young people the support they need to develop their careers is a cause close to his heart.
And, he says, there is no point talking about it – you need get people on-farm and show them what life in agriculture is truly all about.
“People say farming is incredibly hard and you do not make any money. There is a lot of negativity, but I am a very positive person and think farming is the best thing in the world,” he says.
“It keeps my family afloat, it pays my bills – I have got my own business, and I employ seven other people.
“There is a career – you just have to know whether you can do it or not. Now, how do we [find that out]?
“You have got to get students on-farm for a day – you will lose half of them because it smells, but then half of them will have a good
A Kaleb Cooper Christmas
time and connect that they are eating the honey that has come from those bees or drinking the milk from the cows.
“Then you will lose another 20% because maybe it is too cold in the winter, and you are left with 30% who could be hooked.
“Farming takes a certain breed – I like to compare people to cows.”
Journey
His own journey is a testament to how young people can make it in the industry. He says that farming saved him, in a way, after he ‘lost himself’ slightly as a child when his parents split up.
From the age of 13, he has been working endlessly to build his own empire and his book documents all of this, complete with pictures of his childhood. It has been, he says, quite emotional reflecting on it all.
Alongside his contracting business, he is currently rearing a couple of Oxford Sandy Black pigs as well as about 188 cattle, which go to the local butchers or into Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub (The Farmer’s
PICTURE:
KALEB COOPER
Dog) and a few Wagyu cows, which are being bred for his wedding next year.
“There are also 21 dairy cows, and a local young farmer milks them and rents them off me,” he says.
“He wanted to up his milk in the tank, but he could not afford more cows, so I bought some and helped him put robots in.”
Valuing food
Another section in the book focuses on food, urging people to value what they eat more.
He says that Christmas is the only time of year that the country seems to get excited over food, but there needs to be a bigger focus on the welfare standards British agriculture has.
“Look at America and Thanksgiving – that holiday is to be thankful for food and farmers. Why are we not celebrating what we are growing in this country?
“People have got it in their heads
Farming: The Backbone of B
I have worked so hard [...] I do get people coming up to me thinking I am just on TV, but I am still working; I am still a farmer
KALEB COOPER
that food is too expensive, but food keeps us alive – not your Xbox, or your lovely jeans.
“We should be spending more on food. People buy these things in fancy packaging, but they are paying for that packaging. You may as
well go and buy it from a farm shop or a butcher. Your butcher or local farmer will become your best friend, and they will be so grateful,” says Kaleb.
Bringing his family up on a farm is also a dream come true. It is scary in terms of farm safety, he says, but watching them learn the ways of life in the countryside is special –with a dose of realism.
He says: “My little boy loves tractors and cows. I have a cockerel that fights him, and he just says: ‘Shall we eat it?’”
Book giveaway
Christmas traditions
So, what does Christmas look like in the Cooper household? With two young children, the excitement must be palpable.
Kaleb’s family have their own little traditions, but there is ‘a different feel in the air’ and everyone gets stuck in to help with the animals.
As for the food, well, it is Christmas after all, he says.
“Throughout the day, I will just pick – I love the turkey wings, so I will eat those and get told off.
“Then I will probably dip my finger in something left over on the side and get told off again,” he says.
“We will then sit down for a roast dinner, but by that time I am probably not hungry because I have just eaten all day.”
Kaleb’s life has certainly changed, but shooting into the spotlight has not changed his approach to work. In fact, it has simply given him the platform and the means to shout about the industry he loves.
He says: “It is challenging, enjoyable and rewarding. I have worked so hard – I do not think people realise how many hours I work, and I do get people coming up to me thinking I am just on TV, but I am still working; I am still a farmer.”
MORE INFORMATION Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life
FARMERS Guardian has three copies of Kaleb Cooper’s latest book, It’s a Farming Thing, to give away. If you want to be in with a chance of winning a signed copy, visit farmersguardian.com/kaleb to enter.
PICTURE: EXPECTATION
The World According to Kaleb: On Tour is available to watch on Prime Video .
Perfect present Winter watch
KELVIN and Liz Fletcher are back with their brand-new series of Fletchers on the Farm, documenting farming life with their four young children. And in this series, there are some new additions to the farm. Watch on Sundays on ITV.
LOOKING for the perfect gift this year? With winter in full swing, keep someone cosy this Christmas with this matching hat and scarf set.
Bakewell Hat And Scarf Set, various colours, £69.95, Schoffel Country
Butcher’s corner
Butcher Jonny Farrell urges people to keep it simple this year and shares his recipe for the perfect Christmas ham –you can even cook it before the big day.
JONNY Farrell has worked all over the world, but after founding Butcher Farrell’s Meat Emporium in Ormskirk, Lancashire, he is dedicated to showcasing the farm-to-fork process and bringing customers a little closer to the industry.
He says: “I absolutely love Christmas: the cheery people, the beers after a shift, the crazy long days and then relaxing with food and family.
“In my house, we love a feast with multiple meats. My stance is it has to be a free-range bronze turkey and a roasted gammon to accompany.
“Customers seem to become stressed about cooking more than one meat, but the gammon can be cooked the day before, sliced and reheated easily enough. And do not forget to use your leftovers to build the ultimate Boxing Day sandwich.”
Ultimate roast ham Butcher Farrell’s
Ingredients
■ Buy a good UK gammon from your local butcher, around 2.5kg
■ 1 sliced carrot
■ 1 sliced celery
■ 2 garlic cloves
■ 2 bay leaves
■ 2 tbsp marmalade
■ 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
■ Orange juice
■ Dark rum
■ Hot honey (honey with chilli)
Method
■ Preheat the oven to 185degC.
■ Pop the joint of gammon into a pan of cold water with the sliced carrot, celery, garlic and two bay leaves.
■ Bring to the boil, then simmer for
two hours. Carefully skim off any scum that rises to the surface.
■ Take out and leave to dry on a roasting tin while you combine two tablespoons of marmalade, a splash of orange juice, a squirt of hot honey, one tablespoon of wholegrain mustard and a decent splash of dark rum in a pan.
■ Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the mixture is sticky. Be careful not to let it burn.
■ Use a sharp knife to remove the skin. Then, using the tip, trace a diamond design across the fat.
■ Stud with cloves at the points where the diamonds meet and carefully apply the first glaze to your gammon joint.
■ Place into the oven and roast for 45 minutes, glazing every 15 minutes.
Market Prices Primestock
ENGLAND
SCOTLAND
Source: LAA/MartEye
Source: IAAS/ScotEID
Market Prices Store Cattle
ENGLAND
SCOTLAND
Figures show livestock numbers first, then average price per head.
As Farmers Guardian wentto pressonWednesday(December 4),UKLIFFEwheatpricesforMay 25weretradingat£185.5/tonne,a reductionof£5/tontheweek.
Source: LAA/MartEye
LIVESTOCK AVERAGES
Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg). Week ending December 3, 2024.
Source: LAA/MartEye
Market Prices
DEADWEIGHT CATTLE
STORE SHEEP ENGLAND
DEADWEIGHT SHEEP
N/S deadweight prices for the week ending November 30, 2024.
DEADWEIGHT PIGS
WALES
SCOTLAND
WEANER PRICES
HAY AND STRAW PRICES
GOOSTREY: Mon, hay, round bale to £24/tonne, square bale to £110-£120/t, small bale to £140; haylage, square bale to £68-£69/t, round bale to £48-£105/t; grass silage, round bale to £50/t; wheat straw, square bale to £100-£118/t, round bale to £100/t; barley straw, square bale to £106 to £112/t; oat straw, square bale to £104/t.
Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK
DAN JONES
North Wales
Dan Jones farms 650 ewes at the National Trust-owned Parc Farm, which sits on the Great Orme, a limestone headland which rises up 208 metres (682 feet) on the North Wales coast near Llandudno. His Farm Business Tenancy covers the 58 hectares (143 acres) at Parc Farm, plus 364ha (900 acres) of grazing rights on the hill.
In the face of recent challenges, it can be difficult to find a silver lining in the world of agriculture.
A new Government with new policies and agendas has thrown the spotlight onto farming once again. New worries and uncertainties are piled upon the day-to-day stresses we all wake up to.
My current headaches are worm resistance in lambs and the unprecedented loss of rams during tupping. It’s enough to once again question the sanity of my career choice.
Yet, amid these difficulties it’s important to remember that farming is a calling for many, a way of life, and an essential part of society. It is also reassuring to learn that in the main, the public gets it, they see the bigger picture and are supportive of farmers.
Last week Arla announced trials of the feed additive Bovaer on 30 farms across the UK.
The additive, which claims to reduce methane emissions from cows, has sparked concern among some consumers, raising questions about its safety and the ethics of introducing additives into the food chain.
The public’s passionate response to Arla’s trial demonstrates an ever
‘Farming is a calling for many, a way of life and an essential part of society’
growing interest in understanding what goes into the food we consume.
Consumers are no longer satisfied with simply trusting the companies that produce their food.
Last week, we as a family had the opportunity to spend an enjoyable day at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair – a vibrant two-day event packed with competitions and enthusiastic crowds.
I found myself constantly engrossed in captivating conversations. There were some intriguing suggestions for this column – many involving our new Government, but not all entirely suitable for print.
During the show, Deputy First
Farmers Weather by Dr Simon Keeling
Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced the latest Sustainable Farming Scheme, Wales, proposals, addressing key changes being made to the controversial scheme, including the removal of the requirement for farmers to maintain a minimum of 10% tree cover.
The announcement came as a welcome relief.
These adjustments, which are definitely a step in the right direction, brought a sense of optimism and hope for the future of Welsh agriculture.
It also highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between policymakers, farming unions, environmen-
Once cold air arrives, it is hard to get rid of
THE Atlantic jet stream has strengthened again this weekend and is forcing low pressure systems to rush east across the Atlantic.
It is bringing gales and heavy periods of rain. As I type, the main low pressure systems are expected to be passing over the south, or to the south of the UK.
However, this southerly track encourages winds to turn more northerly through the British Isles, bringing colder temperatures and wintry showers.
Once cold air arrives at this time of year, it tends to be hard to get rid of, especially if it is in for more than a
couple of days. The density of the colder air can also encourage higher pressure to form.
That is what will happen this weekend west of Ireland. The buckling of the jet stream and accompanying cold air will be building pressure and then further increases the northerly winds, bringing more cold temperatures, denser air, and perpetuating the cold conditions.
Risk
Add to that colder air in Europe and, as soon as the winds turn more northeasterly, the risk of showers increases. As temperature fall, so the
risk of these showers turning to sleet and snow increases too.
So, we are going to be on watch at weatherweb.net through this weekend and into next week for signs of these phenomena occurring.
I do have a slight concern that if temperatures fall far enough across England and Wales, it may be difficult to get rid of the cold for several days.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will probably fair better with a flow coming more from the Atlantic, allowing temperatures to be a little milder. It means some busy days ahead and all eyes down for sleet, ice and a risk of snow.
tal groups and farmers to ensure that the needs of the agricultural sector are properly understood and addressed.
As I drove home through the surrounding Welsh countryside, I reflected on the day, and the resilience of farmers and the farming community. It is so much more than profit. It’s a way of life and the backbone to rural communities. It’s the pride in our produce. It’s moving with the times, while holding onto our heritage and traditions for future generations.
I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. May 2025 bring you prosperity and continued progress.
For location specific forecasts visit farmersweather.co.uk and for video updates go to weatherweb.net or call the number below.
NEXT WEEK
Cornwall Alan Carter
Kent Dan Hawes
‘This is bureaucracy at its most perverse’
JAMES AND ISOBEL WRIGHT
Devon
James and Isobel, with their two young children, recently bought their first farm, and plan to run beef and sheep over 13.8 hectares (34 acres), renting a further 44.5ha (110 acres). James works for tech firm Breedr as UK country manager. You can follow them on Twitter @jpbwfarm.
Back in June, we were full of excitement as we applied for planning permission to add a bedroom and an open-plan kitchen and dining room to our home.
With a new baby arriving in the spring, it felt like the right time to upgrade our farm worker’s house – built 30 years ago – to make it fit for family life for the next 30 years.
Today, after months of delays, countless extensions and endless backand-forth, our council has indicated they would refuse our application.
The decision is devastating– not just emotionally, as we prepare for our third child – but financially, too. We’ve already spent thousands of pounds on surveys and planning consultants.
With no realistic path forward, we’ve withdrawn the application.
But the nightmare does not end there.
Threatening
The council is now threatening enforcement action over the agricultural tie on our house because I work in addition to farming.
Let that sink in: we’re a family of four, soon to be five, not only facing a lack of space for our growing family, but now also the possibility of being evicted from our home – or facing yet more thousands in fees to fight it.
This is bureaucracy at its most perverse. It has a pathological aversion to
Crossword 1274
anything outside the norm – anything that dares challenge the status quo.
It’s the same mindset that led the Treasury to recommend Labour implement the ‘family farm tax’.
They either didn’t understand, or care, that farms have been exempt from Inheritance Tax not as a loophole, but as a necessity. Family farms cannot survive such burdens.
I’m 32 years old, a first-generation farmer. We own 34 acres and rent another 120. I have two children in the local school and a third on the way.
We run 45 suckler cows and a flock of sheep. I work off-farm to ensure we can keep the lights on and food on the table. Surely, I’m the kind of person policy should be designed to support?
And yet, here we are – trapped in a
system that seems designed to crush people like us.
The ‘experts’ will say I should keep quiet, keep my head down, and not draw attention. But that’s exactly why systems persist.
It’s how bullies and jobsworths thrive, and why meaningful change never happens.
I ran for Parliament in July because I believe we need more people in Westminster who have built businesses, who understand what it’s like to raise a young family in modern Britain, and who know the relentless challenges faced by rural communities.
One day, I’ll be asked what drove me to push for radical change in the way our Government operates. Moments like this will be my answer.
Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture
‘Nature-friendly farmers must be financially rewarded if we are to meet targets’
Regenerative farming and nature-friendly farming have become popular buzzwords in recent years.
This reflects a growth in awareness of how, as farmers, we need to be guardians of the countryside. However, I still believe we need more support to help us look after nature.
I have farmed the 400 acres of Lark Rise Farm in Cambridgeshire, owned by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT), for more than 30 years.
Thanks to the foresight of its founders, Robin Page and Gordon Beningfield, the CRT was ahead of its time.
Today, their original thinking that farmland has a pivotal role to play in supporting nature is rightly at the forefront of environmental policy.
Pioneered
I fully back the Government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and have pioneered many of the practices contained within them during my years at Lark Rise.
It is now crucial to understand the importance of biodiversity in our landscape and to provide financial incentives for its protection and promotion.
It is undoubtedly too grandiose to suggest the Government has taken some of our practices in hand, but
looking at the SFI, it certainly makes me feel like I have been consistently at the forefront of regenerative farming for years.
Equally, I feel that more needs to be done to help farmers support the environment around them.
While I accept the CRT model is not for everybody, the Government must continue to financially reward nature-friendly farmers if we are going to meet international targets to help reverse biodiversity decline.
Farming the way I do and successfully balancing the needs of food production has been a labour of love.
Over the years, the farm has been divided into smaller parcels of land, with wildlife-friendly habitat created to support many species of birds, mammals, insects and spiders, and the vegetation they live in or feed on.
It is my strong belief that nature should exist across all my farmland and not only be confined to small areas within it.
I am immensely proud of the many achievements at Lark Rise, including the Red List Revival Award for ‘highest density of grey partridge’ and the return of breeding lapwings as well as yellowhammer, corn bunting, linnet and skylark.
We also recently received news that we have an extremely high level of rare
arable weeds too, showing the breadth of our nature recovery.
When in my tractor, I am always amazed by the number of birds following me, demonstrating how many invertebrates there are living in the soil.
From day one until now, my remit from the CRT has been to farm in a style that mixes both modern technology and traditional methods to reverse biodiversity decline.
If you get the bottom of the food chain right, then species higher up should thrive. I welcome the ‘low-input harvested cereal crop’ SFI option.
If you live with broad-leaved weeds in your crops, the insects will follow.
Complex
The system is complex and our success is not just down to luck, but thanks to hard work, careful planning and consideration for wildlife.
The SFI, which I hope will remain and be improved upon, is taking us in the right direction.
Although, there really does need to be greater help to encourage more farmers to take it up.
Farmers and farming practices are central to reversing nature’s decline.
Therefore, I urge all those involved in the farming industry to play their part and for the Government to ensure
the financial incentives for protecting nature are enough to allow positive change for nature to happen at scale.
If we do not fight for the environment and fail to offer adequate rewards for farmers for protecting it, nature will disappear from the countryside. That is a future I do not want to imagine.
We need investment to secure a healthy and resilient future for farming, while also restoring our natural landscapes and wildlife.
And we need to make sure this stays at the forefront of Government policy.
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