Nurturing our brightest talent is key to industry’s future
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NEW year brings a fresh start and new perspective. And what better way to bring in 2025 than with an issue of Farmers Guardian dedicated to the future leaders of our industry.
It is only by investing in young people that farming can benefit from their fresh perspectives and ideas, while ensuring the continuity of agricultural traditions and knowledge for generations to come.
The young farmers featured in FG are helping to revitalise rural communities by creating jobs and boosting local economies, alongside boosting food security by producing high-quality food.
businesses and Young Farmers’ Clubs across the nation.
For young Cumbrian farmer Sean Mitchell, having his own farming business had always been a dream. From a young age, he wanted to run a pedigree beef herd alongside his family’s dairy cows and sheep.
And following the adage of ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’, Sean’s story not only shows the passion that our young people have for the industry, but also demonstrates the level of determination which is needed to succeed in farming today.
LISTEN TO THE FG PODCAST FOR weekly podcasts bringing you the latest news, engaging debates and real farmer stories from across the UK, scan the QR code or go to farmersguardian. com/podcasts
From our cover stars, Poppy and Josie Lewis, who are farming harmoniously with their parents in what is a gradual and wellthought-out approach to succession in action, to new entrants Ryan and Emily Lanfear, who saw a gap in the market for a machinery hire business to serve the needs of their local farming community and beyond.
This is just a snapshot of the talent and enthusiasm which is rising through the ranks and being nurtured in communities,
We hope you enjoy this issue of FG and we look forward to seeing you at our first event of the year, LAMMA (on January 15-16), where among the very latest in technology and innovation, we will be hosting a Careers Zone dedicated to showcasing the opportunities for young people in agriculture. event of the year, LAMMA in technology and innova-
Speaking up for farming
Young farmer making his mark with pedigree cattle. See p60-62.
What’s inside?
Industry leaders set out hopes for 2025
l IHT debate looms over farming sector
GOVERNMENTS not recognising the ‘unintended consequences’ of the decisions they have made and will make going forward was outgoing NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy’s biggest fear looking ahead to 2025.
He said the UK Government’s ‘ill-informed’ position on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief ‘massively impacted’ family farm businesses across the UK.
Mr Kennedy said the ‘eternal optimist’ in him made him convinced the industry could spur the UK Government to change its position in 2025.
“For as long as it takes, we will keep fighting this until we do get that change,” he said.
With a more positive outlook, he said Scotland was in a ‘fantastic place’ to produce food both here and for the world, emphasising Britain’s high animal welfare standards and environmental credentials.
He said: “When it comes to [the] brand and quality we have in Scotland, and here in the UK, we have got a right to be shouting about it from the treetops. This is the industry we cannot do without, and I think the penny is beginning to drop with governments. I think there is still a long way to go, but our consumers are fully on side.”
He hoped that in 2025 there would
Abattoir murder
A MAN has been charged with murder and possession of class A drugs after the death of a man at the Farmers Fresh abattoir in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
Police were called to the premises on Rouncil Lane just after 6pm on December 20 and found the body of James Bosworth, 21, of Nottingham. He had suffered multiple injuries.
Stuart Baker, 43, of Etsome Terrace, Somerton, was remanded in custody during a hearing at Warwick Crown Court on December 23 and will appear before the same court on January 20.
be more momentum behind getting farming, food production and environment into schools to teach the next generation about the food they eat.
He said: “Talk about [agriculture] in a positive manner, and talk the industry up – we have a right to do so.”
Inspiration
National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said he was looking for some early progress in 2025, getting away from the ‘concern, anxiety and frustration’ which gripped the sector at the end of 2024.
He said he hoped Defra’s future farming schemes would continue to ‘grow’ and ‘reward’ climate- and nature-friendly farming.
Most of all, Mr Stocker wanted to see policy come together to give farmers the ‘inspiration, confidence’ and financial incentives to invest.
And 2025 was time for the Govern-
ment to ‘stand up and show its true colours’, he added.
“Food and farming is our biggest manufacturing industry. It needs investing in and nurturing,” he said, adding farming could deliver on public health and the environment, too.
In the pig sector, chief executive of the National Pig Association Lizzie Wilson said it was ‘naive’ to think the new Government would be more supportive of farming, following earlier promises and ‘positive’ relationships built with Defra Ministers.
“Unfortunately, we are yet to see evidence of this,” she said, adding she wished the Government would adopt more ‘collaborative approach to working with the industry’ next year.
While she was optimistic about Defra’s new food strategy, she said funding for the Dover Port Health Authority was a priority, with illegal imported pig meat routinely being seized.
Defra announces neonicotinoids ban
GROWERS have warned of a ‘worrying precedent’ after the Government announced a neonicotinoids ban ‘to protect bees’.
The move comes ahead of the publication of a new UK National Action Plan (NAP), which will set out how pesticides can be used sustainably.
The legal requirements for emergency authorisations have not changed and any applications for 2025 will be considered under the law as it stands.
NFU Sugar Board chair Michael Sly
said neonicotinoids were a vital tool in protecting sugar beet from the virus yellows disease and the Government’s review of the Emergency Authorisation process (EA) could limit British sugar beet growers’ access to crop protection products, ‘which they use in a targeted and responsible way’.
“It could set a worrying precedent regarding the principle of the EA process if the Government simply has a list of products which are unable to be applied for,” he added.
Martin Kennedy Lizzie Wilson
DAWN OF A NEW YEAR ACROSS RURAL COMMUNITIES
THE sun has risen on a New Year for agriculture, with farmers looking ahead to see what is on the horizon for 2025.
She said the Government must ensure that Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency were properly resourced in 2025 to cope with disease threats.
For AHDB’s levy payers, chief executive Graham Wilkinson said by ‘working together’, the challenges the industry would face in 2025 could be turned into ‘opportunities’.
“I believe we can strengthen our reputation even further for producing sustainable, high-quality food,” he said.
AHDB’s ‘Let’s Eat Balanced’ campaign returns in 2025, focused on protecting the industry and ‘promoting the benefits’ of British produce.
Mr Wilkinson said AHDB wanted to continue building on its recent export successes, including the reopening of pork markets in China, and expand opportunities for British red meat and dairy for consumers to enjoy all year round.
He also said AHDB would work hard to ‘champion the environmental credentials of the industry’ through
its ‘baselining pilot’ with ‘exciting updates’ in the new year.
When it came to tenant farmers, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) George Dunn said the appointment of a new Tenant Farming Commissioner in spring 2025 was ‘highly anticipated’ to tackle the ‘huge issue’ of poor relationships.
Legislation review
The TFA was also looking for Defra to ask the law commission to conduct a review into the legislation covering landlord and tenant relationships, looking at compensation provisions, taking land back in hand for development, as well as the definition for agriculture and rules of good husbandry, which he said were both written in 1947 and needed reform.
Looking to the future of farming in Wales, NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader hoped 2025 would be the year to inject ‘positivity and ambition right back in the Welsh agricultural industry’.
She gained a lot of confidence from a petition with consumers in Cardiff in 2024, which supported Welsh Government to properly support farmers financially in Wales to produce food.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) was a shadow over the sector, but as a third-generation farmer, Ms Reader said the ‘fight’ continued.
She said these farms were ‘here for the future’ and not just there for the farmers but for the ‘whole of society’ to deliver on food security, nature and the cultural heritage of rural communities.
She said: “2025 will be another rollercoaster, but I am definitely up for the challenge.”
Farmers’ Union of Wales president Ian Rickman said the review into the Welsh Government’s water quality regulations would be a focus for early 2025.
“Hopefully, we can get some positive change next year to regulations and make them more workable for farmers, and ease that regulatory burden,” he said.
Bovine TB continued to be an issue
across Wales, but with the bTB Governance Board and Technical Advisory Group set up, the industry hoped to begin to see ‘positive steps’ in 2025.
Overall, Mr Rickman wanted the new year to ‘bring stability’ for Welsh farmers, with clarity on the future budget and the economic modelling of the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
In Northern Ireland, similar to Wales, bTB continued to be an issue, as well as challenges around IHT changes and the agricultural budget.
Ulster Farmers’ Union president William Irvine said: “The budget is unchanged, and inflation has left that budget out of date. As it stands, within NI, we do not know where that just transition fund comes from. If that fund is not new money, then it will be the most unjust transition ever.”
He said while there would be challenges, having spent a lifetime in agriculture he always looked on the bright side, and with ‘good health and good weather’ he wished the farming community a ‘successful and prosperous 2025’.
● Steve Reed insists changes were necessary
DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed has told the industry the changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) are necessary to deter wealthy, non-farming investment buyers from purchasing farmland for tax reasons, but the justification does not add up alongside changes to Business Property Relief (BPR).
That was the message from Michael Miller, agriculture, farms and estates partner at law firm Spencer West.
He said: “I was kept busy before the Budget arranging transfers and assignments of farmland to the next generation when farmers rightly feared the worst from the Chancellor due to all the rumours they were hearing.
“And post-Budget, my farming clients have been rightly exercised by the changes proposed to the Inheritance Tax [IHT] payable on farms.”
He said Mr Reed had assured the industry changes were necessary to deter wealthy individuals buying land due to APR.
He said: “But if that is the justification, then the proposed changes are disingenuous if BPR is also included within the new £1 million limit allowed
Michael Miller, agriculture, farms and estates partner at law firm Spencer West.
As Labour keeps its course on the changes to Inheritance Tax, Spencer West’s Michael Miller looks at what politicians are missing.
APR justification does not check out
for APR. If APR is used to relieve farmland and buildings when administering an agricultural estate, then
BPR is used to cover the livestock and machinery.”
He highlighted a non-farming investment owner would not hold livestock and machinery, just agricultural land.
“There is plenty of manual labour involved, but you also need farmland in order to practice the art of producing food.
TURBINES FOR REPOWERING
He said: “If BPR is also included, it becomes apparent why the ordinary farmer feels beleaguered by the proposed changes to IHT, since most family farms, once equipped with livestock and machinery, as well as land, are likely to exceed the limited allowance and be caught by the tax.
Liabilities
“A tax becomes iniquitous if different people have different liabilities when acquiring or disposing of the same class of property.
“Under current regulations, different people offering to buy the same house at the same price could all potentially have to pay different amounts of Stamp Duty.
“And now it appears that IHT due on a farm is heading in the same direction.”
Mr Miller questioned why an elderly farmer who had been told to hold title to the farm due to APR will now be faced with a bill, when a younger neighbour will likely have the luxury of time to gift the land.
He said: “I remember someone once asked me when considering farm inheritance, long before there was any mention of a cap on APR: ‘Was he left the farm, or was he left the work?’”
He added this was the dichotomy he did not think politicians comprehended.
He said: “Farmers are working class, and yet they also own land.
“But nowadays, when chicken is merely regarded as blotting paper for curry sauce, consumers are divorced from the countryside and sadly do not understand what is involved in food production, or sometimes even where it comes from.”
But Governments should ‘owe more’ to rural populations and have a duty to fully understand the implications of proposals before implementation and that they may need refining. He said: “There have to be smarter ways of deterring non-farmers from buying farmland than kicking the primary food producers.
“I can certainly think of more effective means to exclude or deter investment buyers without potentially hitting all commercial farmers.”
Nowadays, when chicken is merely regarded as blotting paper for curry sauce, consumers are divorced from the countryside
MICHAEL MILLER
Shoppers pick fresh to beat inflation
● Milk, butter and sparkling wine sales fall
By Cedric Porter
FRESH meat, fruit and vegetables were among the fastest growing food categories in 2024, as shoppers turned away from meat-free products along with milk and butter.
Consumers turned instead to chocolate in 2024, with the category showing the fastest growth of any, at £533 million, according to the survey by NIQ (formerly Neilsen) in conjunction with The Grocer magazine. Champagne and sparkling wine had less to celebrate as they were in the top 10 fastest shrinking categories.
Fresh meat sales were up £481m, fresh fruit up £463m and fresh vegetables up £374m. Poultrymeat and eggs were also among the top 10 fastest growing grocery categories.
For many foods in the top 10, it was higher prices rather than greater volume of sales which drove value growth.
Change in habits
Inflation in butter prices over the last three years has meant shoppers have cut back their purchases and there is a continued shift away from liquid milk to dairy products.
Rachel White, managing director UK and Ireland at NIQ, said: “Shopping habits have changed once again.
“What we are seeing in this year’s survey is a return to scratch cooking and the preparation of fresh meals.
Top 10 fastest growing groceries in 2024
SOURCE: NIQ
1 Chocolate: +£533 million
2 Fresh meat: +£481m
3 Fresh fruit: +£463m
4 Fresh vegetables: +£374m
5 Fresh salad: +£285m
6 Crisps and snacks: +£248m
7 Fresh poultry: +£248m
8 Eggs: +£246m
9 Light wine: +£242m
10 Sweet biscuits: +£239m
Top 10 fastest falling groceries in 2024
SOURCE: NIQ
1 Milk: -£223 million
2 Toilet tissue: -£106m
3 Butter, spreads and margarine: -£64m
4 Spirits: -£53m
5 Meat-free: -£37m
6 Frozen fish: -£21m
7 Sparkling wine: -£20m
8 Kitchen roll: -£13m
9 Champagne: -£12m
10 Dry pasta: -£7m
“Perhaps this is a nod to trends in healthier living – with consumers taking the time to prepare meals together, sourcing fresh and healthy products and consuming less alcohol – but it is also a product of the cost of living crisis, as shoppers cut back on takeaways and eating out to save money.”
Fresh meat, fruit and vegetable sales were all up in 2024.
9th to 25th
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see the wonders of the world from an agricultural perspective, while travelling with likeminded people. Connecting you with farmers all over the world, each tour is created with exactly the right mix of agriculture, sightseeing and recreation for a one of a kind travel experience.
Young farmer and calf deliver message to Westminster
A YOUNG Farmer has attempted to capture the hearts and minds of the public regarding the future of farming following the Government’s Inheritance Tax changes.
Bella Passmore, 12, from Wallingford in Oxfordshire, was joined by her pedigree Limousin heifer calf, Vicky, and Conservative MPs, including the party leader Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins, at College Green, Westminster, on December 17, as she delivered a petition with more than 215,000 signatures calling on the Government to reverse the family farm tax.
Beef and arable farmer David
Passmore said his daughter had symbolised the next generation of Young Farmers who were concerned about their future.
“This policy to tax farm businesses out of their livelihoods is shameful and abhorrent to the hard working farming families,” he
said, adding future farmers were sending a clear message to the Prime Minister and Chancellor that they ‘want a future in farming’.
Too many farmers dependent on Government schemes
● Two-thirds of farms ‘barely viable’
By Rachael Brown
FUTURE financial support will be based on paying farmers for public goods, with businesses in the past being too dependent on Government schemes to make up for low profitability.
Speaking at a webinar hosted by the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said a key theme from the debate around Agricultural Property Relief (APR) reform was the ‘low level of returns’ among farm businesses.
“Two-thirds of farm businesses are barely viable and relying heavily on these state interventions,” he said, adding the question of how to get a fairer distribution of resources in the supply chain was a long running question.
He said there was a need to move to ‘something different’ to get farming on a ‘more businesslike level’.
TFA chair Robert Martin said it was a ‘disservice’ to suggest farmers would want to depend on schemes, if they were getting a true price.
“I do not think you should expect to be surprised when people jump into schemes – when the Basic Pay-
Mr Zeichner criticised the previous Government for designing a system on a ‘first come first service basis’, and not thinking about when the money runs out.
Sign ups
He said schemes at the start were not attractive for farmers but this has changed, with more than 67,000 farms signed up.
The Minister said he was ‘increasingly looking at’ ways to distribute resources in a ‘fair way’ to cope with demand, adding it was not ‘fair’ that a ‘few claimants’ could take a large amount of the re-
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said despite Ministers previously claiming it was about tackling tax avoidance, the Prime Minister’s words showed it was ‘simply an indiscriminate revenue-raising measure with no thought given to who it impacts’.
sources, if they are delivering environmental benefits.
He added funding must be distributed ‘geographically and by sector and so on’.
TFA chief executive George Dunn asked the Minister if he understood the ‘upset’ around Inheritance Tax reform.
Mr Zeichner outlined the ‘potential benefits’ to the policy, from stopping land grabbing for tax purposes, and driving ‘generational change’ but ‘frankly’ the Chancellor also needed to raise money.
He stressed the aim was always to ‘protect small family farms’, and the debate has generated a ‘range of ideas’ which he was ‘looking closely at’.
On the same day, in a House of Commons debate, Defra Secretary Steve Reed accused the Conservatives of trying to ‘weaponise’ personal tragedy when referring to an incident with a farmer believed to have died by suicide citing concerns about IHT changes.
“Where there is mental ill-health, there needs to be support for it and the Government is supporting in it,” he said, highlighting the Conservatives’ record on farming when in power.
Bella Passmore with her calf Vicky at College Green in Westminster.
Diversification pressure rises for farmers
● New businesses can present challenges
By Rachael Brown
THE Chancellor’s Budget introduced a rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions and ‘unfavourable’ reforms to Inheritance Tax for family farms.
These measures, combined with the ‘looming and accelerated phase-out’ of the Basic Payment Scheme, could dramatically increase the financial burden and pressure on farmers to find alternative income streams.
That was the overriding messa-
ging following a survey by law firm
Shakespeare Martineau, which found that out of 250 agricultural and small businesses, almost a quarter (22%) had identified the need to diversify their operations for business survival, while 30% planned to make changes before passing it on to the next generation.
Amy Cowdell, head of agriculture at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Farming businesses are being squeezed from all sides. The implications of the Autumn Budget are especially stark for farming families, with higher tax liabilities threatening the viability of passing farms to the next generation.”
She said transforming old out-
A survey has shown that farmers are under pressure to find alternative income streams.
buildings into commercial units and creating wedding venues out of barns was nothing new, but were now complemented by more novel enterprises, such as selling ecosystem services.
She said diversification could sometimes ‘be a lifeline, but could also be fraught with challenges’.
Risks
“Every move carries legal, tax, financial and operational risks,” she said.
According to Ms Cowdell, the Environment Act 2021 mandates that developers deliver ‘at least 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) on projects’, giving farmers an opportunity to ‘sell off site biodiversity units
THEM THE BEST START
to developers by engaging in rewilding efforts’.
The survey found while 44% of farming businesses saw this as a chance to boost income, 22% remained sceptical about its benefits, particularly given the longterm land commitments of BNG agreements.
Ms Cowdell said values must be carefully considered.
She said: “While a BNG agreement may look good income-wise, land needs to be set aside for a minimum of 30 years, which could reduce its capital value.”
She added that it took the land away from food production and potentially more profitable revenue streams, such as hospitality.
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Global Ag View
With Swiss agriculture contemplating how it mixes its centuries-old way of life with the demands of modern consumers, Alex Black spoke to farmers in Switzerland about how they see the future.
Swiss farming’s future balances modernity with unique traditions
The sound of cowbells, farming on the extreme slopes of the Alps and the cheeses which are used around the world in classic Swiss dishes such as fondue and raclette are what come to mind when many people think of farming in Switzerland.
But striking a balance between the traditions which underpin and provide a unique selling point for Swiss farmers and the reality of modern agriculture is key for those who have been farming there for generations, and hope for their children and grandchildren to carry on.
Farms in Switzerland are generally on a smaller scale than here in the UK, with Swiss Info putting the average size at 21.8 hectares. There was also an increasing shift to organic production with 16.5% of farms organic.
Traditional family farms still play a huge role in Swiss agriculture. Twins Hanspeter and Jurg Iseli, alongside their brother Urs, farm in the Alps and produce cheese.
The farm was built by their great uncle in 1948, with the brothers working there since 1988.
The farm is split into three, one at 620 metres (2,034 feet), one at 900m (2,950ft) and one high in the
Alps, which the 42 cows and farmers moved to in the summer, as farmers there have done for generations. The family also kept pigs.
The grass in the mountains gives a different flavour to the cheese and allows it to be sold as alpine cheese, and achieve a higher price.
The cheese was made on-site at the farm by Hanspeter Iseli and sold locally.
He said: “It goes to local market, to stores in different villages and we also directly market the cheese.”
Around four tonnes of cheese is produced each summer.
Gruyere
On a larger scale, Gruyere cheese, from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, is in demand around the world.
The export market is of huge importance to the industry, but challenges arose from others producing cheese labelled as Gruyere.
Directer of the Gruyere Interprofession organisation Philippe Bardet said: “A lot of people make cheese and give it the name Gruyere, but we are the area named Gruyere. Our cheese is so good.”
Around Europe and in countries including South Africa, the name Gruyere is protected.
But it was not so simple elsewhere. Swiss people who had moved to countries such as the US or New Zealand have taken their traditions with them, creating cheese which is called Gruyere. But Mr Bardet highlighted this cheese does not use the same production methods, or the same alpine milk, as traditional Gruyere.
In 2023, the US Courts of Appeals ruled the name could be used to label cheeses from outside of the Gruyere region.
While milk prices in Switzerland seem enviable to British farmers, at around 95 Swiss cents per litre for Gruyere in August 2024 (84ppl), there are strict rules on production.
“No silage is allowed,” Mr Bardet said.
“You have bacteria. If you have it in the cheese, it can effect the cheese.”
There was a debate over the use of robotic milking. Robots were prohibited with concerns it would affect
the composition of the milk and make it unsuitable to create Gruyere with.
But for the next generation, already facing challenges in coming into the industry, the use of robotics to improve work-life balance was appealing.
William Macheret is a 23-year-old farmer with 22 cows on 35 hectares, with the family farm producing milk which goes into Gruyere production. He is the fourth generation to work on the farm, with his great grandfather having purchased it near the end of World War One.
To keep the farm viable, Mr Macheret was looking to increase milk production, with the alternative being to call time on milking.
He added this would be particularly hard on his father.
“There is a lot of emotion in agriculture,” he said.
But as part of taking the farm forward, Mr Macheret wanted to install robotic milkers to give him more flexibility. Unlike, Mr Bardet, he believed they could be compatible with production.
“No-one would want to work like my father works. There is another way to work. For the young, we want flexibility,” he said.
William Macheret
Gruyere cheese, from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, is in demand around the world.
The Iselis’ farm is split into three, one at 620 metres (2,034 feet), one at 900m (2,950ft) and one high in the Alps.
He added the milk price was high, but the industry needed it at that level because of the requirements.
Hof Spych is a dairy farmer in Switzerland, milking around 65 cows and supplying milk to Emmi, which creates milk products including the Cafe Latte range which appears in UK retailers.
The farm has 65 cows and uses a high input system, milking via robots. She also highlighted the worklife balance.
“Why buy a farm if you have to work so hard? We like the quality of life. We live in a very beautiful place,” she said.
“We do not have a lot of days off or holidays.”
Low income
She added milk producers had a low income by Swiss standards.
“There are so many nights I could not sleep, from one night to the other. We have a big loan, how can I pay that back?
“I am still very sure I made the correct decision.”
Why buy a farm if you have to work so hard? We like the quality of life. We live in a very beautiful place
HOF SPYCH
While consumers in Switzerland generally held their farmers in high regard and trusted them, farmers often felt their problems were not understood.
Veganism in Switzerland is higher than in many other countries, estimated at 8% in 2023, according to Statista, more than double the rate in the UK.
Jorg Buchi farms 30 Brown Swiss cows on 30ha in Heuruti near Elgg,
with 14% of the farm set aside for biodiversity.
He uses Instagram to spread the message about agriculture.
He said: “I like to educate people about farm life and inform people about it. People trust in farmers in Switzerland. We always think people do not understand us and do not understand our problems.
Down on the Farm
Increasing nutrient planning and milk from forage
If you haven’t done so already, sit down and complete a nutrient management plan and a liming plan for the year ahead. I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but it can’t be stressed enough.
If new soil test results have been received, then use them and don’t leave them in a drawer or your inbox! It mightn’t be long before slurry is spread, so knowing where to spread it and how much, is the starting point to using this resource wisely. Completing a plan, allows you to buy the fertiliser you need rather than the fertiliser you always buy.
For those in NVZ’s take note of when manures and fertiliser can be spread, where you can’t spread them and assess the risk of run-off before spreading.
“I always answer criticism with facts.”
Soil fertility is key in growing forage, and the worry is when the milk to feed price ratio is high, farmers might place less emphasis on growing sufficient high-quality forage. No na-tional data exists, but industry figures indicate that milk from forage is on a decreasing trajec-tory year on year.
We seem to be feeding cows more like sows than cows. We have the climate to grow grass and clover to convert into milk by optimising grazed and conserved herbage in the diet of dairy cows.
It’s not a straightforward sum of feeding more concentrate to produce more milk, this over-simplifies the reality and doesn’t take account of more subtle extra costs associated with pushing for more milk, by feeding more concentrate and less forage.
with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.
Hanspeter Iseli makes cheese on-site.
The Iseli family milks 42 cows.
Policies inflated land prices
MOST of the reports and letters about the potential harm of the change in Inheritance Tax (IHT) have referred to the fact that the return on capital employed in farming is less than 1%.
The cause of the inflated price of farmland is the perverse tax policies of all Governments over the past 45 years which have favoured investment in landed property with generous tax breaks.
In 1979 I wrote to the Chancellor, Geoffrey Howe, who was reported to be planning to exempt farmers from Capital Gains Tax when they sold land for development, provided that they invested the money in more land within three years.
I told him that this would increase the price of land, attract
speculators to invest and make it impossible for young entrants to obtain land.
Any commodity which is in limited supply and is rising in price always results in further increases in price.
The reply from the Treasury told me that the points I made would be noted, but the Chancellor went ahead with his plan, no doubt influenced by the farming lobby.
Margaret Thatcher’s Government in the 1980s accelerated the rise in the price of landed property when she sold council houses at giveaway prices and allowed banks to provide mortgages.
This diverted money away from productive industry and into housing which became a more attractive investment.
Since the 1980s, the high price of urban houses has contributed to the rise in the price of farms. In the past, a farmhouse was insignificant
when estimating the sale price of a farm. Now the house may be worth more than half the farm’s price.
Until Governments accept that the present tax system needs to be radically reformed, all the dreams they have to remove poverty and ensure prosperity for everyone, will always be dreams and never become reality.
The detrimental taxes on earned incomes and trade should be gradually reduced and then abolished.
The burden of taxation could be placed on the annual rental value of land, urban and rural, which would be sufficient to provide for all the necessary functions of Government.
Urban land is only about 10% of the total area, but it has about 90% of the total land value and would contribute most of the annual rental value.
Increased economic prosperity will be only be ensured through
incentivising the use of land to its optimum potential and reducing the costs of employment and trade.
The Government’s focus on charging IHT on the inflated price of farmland which was caused by interference, through Government tax policy in the market for land, is peevish and will not produce much revenue.
The large estates which are owned by family trusts will not be caught, neither will farmers who have already provided for transfer to the next generation and those who have not, have time to start the seven year avoidance process before April 2026.
The increase in National Insurance will have a greater impact on farmers than the change in IHT, directly through their own employment costs and indirectly through reducing the amount of money consumers will have available to buy their produce.
Duncan Pickard, Fife.
A sacred trust
FAMILY farms are worked as a sort of sacred trust and the inheriting generation has usually begun working on the farm from around the age of three, when they were old enough to be told to, ‘stand in front of that gap in the hedge while we run the sheep through to the shed’.
The meaning of ‘sacred’ is, perhaps, an unknown quantity to most politicians, and ‘trust’ almost certainly so.
The farming community coming together to fight the Inheritance Tax changes is doing it for the generations to come, as they have worked the land for the generations to come, dealing with appalling weather, increasing input costs, stifling regulations, decreasing
sitting on its back. Sent in by her daughter Sharon McManus.
have a classic picture you would like to share, please email it to marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com
data controller of personal data provided to us. We are a UK company specialising in providing information services including news, analysis, data, pricing, insight and market intelligence to agribusiness professionals across the globe. This policy sets out how we do this and applies the use of your personal data that you disclose to us by entering into our competition to win £200 for the Stockjudging Competition or £20 Love2Shop vouchers for the weekly Crossword Competition, referred to throughout this statement as the “Competitions”. How we collect your information: We collect the personal data you have provided to us by 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;
Hazel Beaty (nee Potts), proudly showing off the first prize winning Galloway at Brampton Show, Cumbria, with her brother David
income and a lack of understanding from the Government and general population they feed.
Gillian Herbert, Herefordshire.
Fairness needed
IF a farmer wants to keep a farm as a working farm, I do not think that it is fair that the parents who have worked hard all their lives have to give it away before they die.
They have had to work long hours and levy expensive machinery because they cannot get labour.
They do not know what they themselves will need in old age, they might have to go into a care home, for example.
Also, the son or daughter might die before them, or they may have a divorce.
Would it not be fair to pass it on when they die as long as the family keep farming it? If not, pay the tax.
We need farms to provide us with food. Investors who buy farms can get subsidies for planting trees, solar farms or building.
If farms are bought by investors they should be let on a fair rent to tenant farmers on a long-term tenancy.
Name and address supplied.
Rachael Brown Chief Reporter – rachael.brown@agriconnect.com
Farming Minister starting to show clear frustrations Leader
FARMING Minister Daniel Zeichner is caught between his allegiance with his party and the Government, and the farming sector he represents.
In recent weeks, his public appearances have been largely one of collective responsibility and towing the party line, with farmers questioning ‘what about us’?
But his appearance in a recent webinar for the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) showed hints of underlying frustration, and areas which were hindering him from getting on with the job.
After all, feeding the nation and delivering on climate, in his own words, is one of the biggest tasks in Government, and one which, to his own admission, must have farmers’ support.
He cited several frustrations in his half-hour slot from financial constraints in meeting demands for schemes, their
complexity and lack of flexibility, as well as problems around administration and computer systems.
But as TFA chair Robert Martin said, Government cannot be surprised farmers are now rushing into schemes, with the Basic Payment Scheme ‘disappearing off the edge of a cliff’.
It feels the fallout from Inheritance Tax (IHT) reform is distracting Defra from delivering the agricultural transition. So let us hope the New Year will bring an end to the IHT hangover.
While the Minister said they were ‘listening’ and ‘closely looking’ into ideas, I am not naive enough to think a U-turn on IHT reform is something the Chancellor has as one of her New Year’s resolutions.
But while the conversation is ongoing, I feel optimistic there is scope for tweaks and amendments to be made.
If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com
Harry Suckling
Holbrook, Suffolk
Harry Suckling, 23, is a potato grower from Holbrook in Suffolk.
Harry Suckling
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner
Edited by Alex Black – 07880 490 486 – alex.black@agriconnect.com
For more business content, go to farmersguardian.com/farm-business-news-hub
● Government policy weighs heavy on sector
SHEEP sales have provided memorable moments for farmers across the calendar in 2024, with trade showing consistent strength throughout the year.
Skipton Auction Mart’s Ted Ogden said nothing more than ‘good old-fashioned supply and demand’ can explain the last year’s trade.
Paradoxical as it may seem, strong value in the markets could signal a much more serious struggle for the sheep sector and UK agriculture as a whole as it endures in a tumultuous time for the industry.
An increasing awareness of low stocking numbers has surrounded auctions in the last 12 months.
The challenges of hill farmers were highlighted. Changing Government policy, reduction in support, repurposing of agricultural land and wider economic challenges have all played their part in forcing farmers to reduce stock over time.
Livestock Auctioneers Association executive secretary Chris Dodds said the country was ‘generally short of supply’ and trade was strong when supply was short.
Supply and demand was the key driver of trade at marts this year. Tom Ryder takes a look back at 2024.
With fewer sheep going through the rings, there has been competition among buyers which has been a boost for those stood beneath the auction block, with values of fat lambs and cull ewes driving prices for breeding stock.
Scott Donaldson, managing direc-
tor of H&H, said: “Prime sheep rings at St Boswells, Wooler, Carlisle and Kirkby Stephen have also seen buoyant trade throughout the year.
“Quality lambs regularly sold above £4/kg, with heavy lambs frequently exceeding £200 per head, and top export lambs hitting £5/kg.
“High prices in prime and store rings have led to rising breeding stock values.
“Reduced breeding sheep and cattle numbers across the region have driven increased demand, with all classes of stock achieving higher prices,” he added.
This year has highlighted how interconnected the sheep industry is. Strong trade in the finished lamb market has rippled throughout.
Pedigree
The pedigree trade has followed suit, with many markets reporting record prices and consistently high averages yet again – a trend which now spans further than just the last year.
Mr Dodds said: “There is always going to continue to be a strong demand for high genetic animals and I expect there to be strong trade into next year.
“People are looking to improve their flocks and to do that you have to improve the genetics for your farm.”
Changes to Government policy have played their part in shaping the trade.
Reductions in subsidies, the introduction of more environmental initiatives and the continued
With fewer sheep going through the rings, there has been competition among buyers which has boosted returns.
focus on sustainability have taken their toll on the sector.
Schemes which have encouraged farmers to reduce their grazing in favour of rewilding and conservation will no doubt continue into 2025.
Mr Ogden said: “Government policy is aimed at reducing stocking levels in the uplands.”
But there was a ‘knock-on effect’ of availability of stock for lowland areas, with sheep starting on the hills and moving down.
“The Government wants cheaper food, but while the policy is reducing stocking numbers, they must accept that prices are where they are on a supply and demand basis,” added Mr Ogden.
Mr Donaldson said: “The Government’s decisions on Inheritance Tax relief, National Insurance contributions, fertiliser taxes, and the withdrawal of VAT exemptions for double cab pickups have dealt a heavy blow to an industry vital to feeding the nation.
“In the latest Budget, our Government hit the farming and rural communities with a number of blows.”
While market prices have been strong, there are growing concerns around not only the viability of sheep farming, but agriculture as a whole and its importance in rural communities.
As sheep stocking numbers decline, public attention needs to be
I cannot promise [strong trade] will be enough to make up the difference of the support farmers used to get. To keep all our livestock
farms viable, the prices need to increase more still
CHRIS DODDS
drawn to these communities the impact the loss of stock and livestock farmers will have on them.
Mr Ogden encouraged the Government to remember ‘agriculture has been a massive part of rural communities for generations’.
“People inadvertently get work from food production, whether it be walling, tractor driving, mechanics, milk tanker drivers, chemical – anything that goes to the farm gate.
“If stocking numbers continue to reduce, it will hurt rural communities as well.”
Cost of production has remained a topic of discussion for farmers around the marts, with serious investment needed in feed, fertiliser, labour and energy.
Mr Dodds said: “I cannot promise [strong trade] will be enough to make up the difference of the support farmers used to get.
“To keep all our livestock farms viable, the prices need to increase more still.”
Reality
Further food price increases might cause tension with consumers already struggling, however, Mr Ogden said this was the reality which comes with the ‘food standards that Government wants’.
“It would be utterly wrong for the Government to push standards for us to farm to, then import food that is not to that same standard, just because it is cheaper.”
Record-breaking prices and a sense of real community at auction marts have provided much-needed positivity.
Moments such as a trio of 44kg Beltex crosses selling for a record
£800/head at Skipton earlier this month will be remembered quickly, and have helped to boost confidence.
This year’s highlights deserve to be celebrated as the sheep trade has provided welcome positive headlines, but it must also serve as a wake-up call to those in power that farming needs support before too many of its hill farmers exit the industry for good.
Looking to 2025, sale director and auctioneer at United Auctions John Roberts said: “As an auction mart we can only deliver as good a trade as we can, and as good a service as we can for our farmers.
“There is no reason coming into 2025 that trade should not remain strong.”
Mr Donaldson added: “I remain very optimistic about the future of livestock farming in our region.
“We have the land, climate, knowledge and expertise to thrive in abundance, so we need to make sure that we encourage our sons and daughters to consider farming a real future.”
Mr Dodds said there was no doubt supply would be tight again and he did not expect values to decline.
“The live auction market has driven the trade for the last three years and I can see it continuing to do that.”
Careers
Many in the farming industry have long championed getting agriculture into schools. With last year’s Budget announcement and the need for more consumer clarity, now is the time to try and embed farming into the national curriculum. Emily Ashworth reports.
FG joins education petition
● Aims for learning to be more inclusive
IN an effort to embed rural education into the national curriculum, Farmers Guardian is partnering with sheep farmer and former teacher Olivia Shave, founder of Ecoewe, and her petition to showcase the need for a fresh outlook on learning.
In June 2024, Olivia started the petition Integrating rural roots education for a sustainable future in the hope it would empower young people to explore aspects of agriculture such as soil health, biodiversity, water management, social values, fairness and connectivity within our food and natural systems.
But it goes beyond learning. A better understanding of food production and the land will lead to better informed food choices, and the impact this could have on wider society could ultimately lead to a healthier nation. Having created a framework outlining where the current curriculum falls down, Olivia is keen to make learning a more inclusive place for all children, recognising that individuals, all with their own circumstances, learn differently. Encompassing rural education could bring benefits to learning environments across the country.
FG online editor Emily Ashworth said: “We are really proud to support
health, nurturing minds, understanding the environment and how it works and how we all play a part in sustaining it through the choices we make.
“So much can come from rural matters being taught in school and FG’s various campaigns embody the purpose of this: that farming plays a vital role across society.”
Working alongside Olivia is Claire Mackenzie, producer of the documentary Six Inches of Soil. With a passion for regenerative agriculture, they both hope to make a positive change to the future of education.
Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com
For more features, go to
farmersguardian.com/farm-life
Working together to manage the 200-plus milking herd as well as an on-site adventure farm is key to the success of the Lewis family’s Clerkenhill Farm, Haverfordwest. Rachael Brown finds out more.
Family unit at the heart of Pembrokeshire dairy farm
Poppy and Josie will be the fourth generation of the Lewis family on the farm and, in recent years, have taken over greater responsibility for the herd, with the help of their parents Richard and Dawn, while their other sister Heather manages the family farm park.
But while they all have their individual responsibilities, with Richard being the go-to for fixing things on the farm and mum, Dawn, affectionately referred to as the ‘backbone’ of the farm, the business truly thrives when everyone mucks in wherever needed, including all siblings and sons-in-law.
Not forgetting three-year-old Erin and one year-old Dewi, who have both been on the farm since they were six weeks old, according to mum Josie.
The family is currently milking 210 British Friesians on a grazing-based system, with the aim of turning out on May 1, and they say the cows suit their ‘low-cost system’.
Averaging around 6,500 litres, they are not aiming to push ‘massive litres’.
Quality
Poppy says: “Friesians produce a really nice amount of milk, but we do not try and milk massive quantities, so they do not need to be fed all varieties of high-quality food. Grass, silage and cake in the parlour is more than enough for them.”
Josie says the grazing system also suits the farm business.
She says: “The cows being out on fresh grass is the most efficient way we can feed them to produce good-quality milk.
“We also run a strict back-fenced grazing system which all our stock are trained up on from six months of age, so it means we can manage our land to get the best out of our grass.”
Josie and Poppy say they ‘count themselves lucky’ to have role models in their grandparents and parents and, when thinking about the future of the family farm, Josie says she hopes to follow in her parents’ footsteps and continue to farm together for as long as possible.
“We are very lucky that we have each other; we get on really well,” Josie says.
Poppy adds: “We all complement each other. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and they really do combine to make a perfect team.”
Their mum Dawn agrees, but emphasised the importance of
The cows being out on fresh grass is the most efficient way we can feed them to produce good-quality milk
JOSIE THOMAS
communication when running a farm.
“Like in any other industry, if it
Josie Thomas and Poppy Morgan are the fourth generation at Clerkenhill Farm.
Farm Profile Pembrokeshire
Left to right: Poppy, Dawn, Josie and Richard Lewis.
We have a stream, we do not want to pollute it, we do not want to see those trees die, we love trees. We really do care
RICHARD LEWIS
is yours you work harder for it,” she says.
In 2018, Richard and Dawn sat down with Poppy and Josie to discuss the farm’s future.
They both knew the sisters had the work ethic and the passion to continue, but it was an early conversation that was needed before going ahead with an investment into a new 24/48 GEA swingover parlour.
Previously they had a 12/24 DeLaval swingover parlour.
“It had the milk jars in it, so it was pretty old-fashioned,” Poppy says.
Richard says: “It has come at a very good time; Dawn and I are still here to advise and help, but we can step back a little bit.”
Responsibility
Josie hopes being given more responsibility will mean one day there will be a ‘smooth transition’ to pass over the farm, but admitted when her parents do go on holiday, she and Poppy realise how much they need them.
“The last time was the first time they have gone away and nothing major has happened.
“One time they went, we had a power cut and we could not get the
electric going. Another time a bull knocked over a wall.”
Poppy says her parents have invested heavily in the farm to set it up for the future.
As well as the new parlour, they have installed a plate cooler, solar panels and looking into a heat recovery system, to make the farm more efficient.
The solar panels have helped to halve electricity bills in the summer.
The family is also very passionate about farming with the environment, with the farm surrounded by woodland.
Richard says: “We have a stream, we do not want to pollute it, we do not want to see those trees die, we love trees. We really do care.”
Another big investment was putting in a bigger slurry store on a block of ground close by, in response
to the Welsh Government’s Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations, allowing them to handle muck more efficiently.
Poppy says the family farm is always trying to move with the times, with demands for the environment and food production ever evolving.
“We try to keep up and stay ahead. That way we can hopefully stay in business and keep going,” she says.
Opportunity
With that in mind, Dawn and Richard saw an opportunity in 2002 to set up a family farm park on site, recognising the farm’s prime location next to a main road.
The park is open during the summer months and includes an adventure castle, farm trails, frisbee golf and crazy golf, as well as chance to meet the farm animals and watch milking.
Dawn says it has come with challenges, but they have built the park up slowly over time, focusing on creating a family offering that was not too commercial but provided highquality customer service.
Richard says: “It has become a big part of the farm business; we would seriously miss it if we did not have it anymore.”
They say they hope to continue diversification on farm.
This year, they are trialling a small Christmas event, where the public can meet the animals and watch the milking from the viewing platform, something which they offer throughout the year for schoolchildren.
They have also discussed the possibility of a farm shop.
Poppy says diversification on the farm was a great way of ‘keeping the public on your side’.
Pembrokeshire Farm Profile
She says: “I always feel very proud of my parents for setting the park up. Mum and Dad say they would stand out on the park and they would only have one customer, but they did that [year after year], that is why it is what it is today, because they stuck it out.
“If you saw it in 2002 compared to now, it has come a long way, purely through persistence and imagination.”
On the theme of stepping out of your comfort zone, Josie and Poppy have both completed their artificial insemination and foot trimming courses, which both say has massively impacted the farm business in a positive way.
Marketing
The family also believes marketing British farms and British food is an integral part of securing their farm’s future.
Poppy and Josie have set up their own Instagram page ‘Sisters in Wel-
lies’, which has more than 11,000 followers and more recently started uploading weekly YouTube videos to educate the general public about farming, at a time when they believe the industry is receiving bad press through lack of understanding.
Poppy says people absolutely love it and enjoy learning about the farm.
On their platform, they have documented the farm’s bovine TB struggle, which sparked a lot of interest.
In the last couple of weeks, the farm has tested clear of bTB for the first time in four years, although there was some cautious optimism until the Government confirmed the result.
Richard says: “It is a clear test, which is definitely a sense of relief. If we can remain in this place where we are now for a few years, it is what we would want.”
The situation of bTB on the farm was also the main driver towards using sexed semen.
Poppy says: “We were losing massive numbers of young lovely heifers, so we needed to replace them as soon as possible. Sexed semen was the best way to make sure we had plenty of replacements coming into the herd.”
The threat of bTB is not the only risk many family dairy farms are having to contend with currently, with changes to Inheritance Tax being another cause of worry.
Poppy says it would not just be an ‘inconvenience, it would literally be the end’.
Proud
“Josie and I would be extremely proud to take on the farm, but we would be starting on a complete downer and have a massive bill to pay.”
Richard says: “When we pass the farm to our girls, they have not suddenly got magic money, they have got exactly the same business to run as what we had – how are they sup-
■ British Friesian herd milking more than 210 cows
■ Total herd of 500 including youngstock
■ Grazing May 1 to end of November
■ Supplying Freshways
■ Averaging 6,500 litres
■ Farm Park opened in 2002
■ Parlour viewing platform for school visits and wider public
posed to borrow what could be another million pounds to carry on farming the business we have now?”
Josie says: “You work hard for your future. It does feel like they are taking it away from you.”
The family’s focus is now continuing to build the farm’s future, with possibly expanding the herd slightly, while sharing the best of British farming and dairy with the general public.
Josie says: “Something that will forever make me proud is when the cows are out grazing.
“They are just so happy and then you bring them into milk and that happiness shows in the quality of the milk which we then produce.
“Happy herd and happy farmers, that is something that will always make me proud.”
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The family has used sexed semen to replace young heifers lost to bovine TB.
The Lewis family started their family park diversification in 2002.
Poppy says her parents’ persistence and imagination made the park attraction thrive.
Arable
Edited by Alice Dyer – 07966 445 458 – alice.dyer@agriconnect.com
Careful planning, flexibility and mitigating as much risk as possible can help farmers profit when it comes to spring cropping. Farmers Guardian reports.
Maximising spring crop gross margins
With adverse weather throwing rotations up in the air, Hutchinsons farm business consultant Will Foyle shares his thoughts on mitigating as much risk as possible when it comes to spring cropping to maintain gross margins.
He says: “The last two seasons have shown just how much we can no longer rely on suitable conditions for autumn drilling and, for many growers across the UK, spring cropping has become a backstop to ensure there is crop to harvest come the summer.”
To balance out the risk versus the benefit of spring cropping and protect gross margins as much as possible, Mr Foyle suggests working to a planned acreage, but being responsive to the season and being quick to alter this acreage once the spring arrives.
“A level of intentional, planned spring cropping, to which additional cropping can be added, has clear benefits rather than a haphazard, last-minute approach,” he says.
“This can be as simple as ensuring all machinery is working and ready to go as soon as conditions allow.”
He uses the example where a level of intentional cropping has clear benefits in terms of access to contracts.
He says: “If contracts are already in place for some crop, then it is easier to build on these if needed, rather than starting to look for contracts out of the blue.
Easier
“In a similar way, if already growing sugar beet, then it will be easier to slightly increase quota if required to do so, rather than starting from nothing and fighting every other grower also trying to get their hands on new quota.
“Another advantage would be easy access to home-saved seed from the previous spring.”
Also consider how the crops fit within the farm system, he advises.
“The gross margin is important for business planning, but remain aware that crop values can change quickly, so selecting the best crop for the farm also depends on agronomic and market factors,” he says.
“Spring cropping does not have to be the more obvious ones such as barley or pulses, it can also offer a chance to look at potential opportunities for
SOURCE: HUTCHINSONS
Although barley is an obvious choice for spring cropping, others such as sugar beet or maize might be considered, says Will Foyle.
sugar beet or maize for anaerobic digestion or even let-out potatoes.
“Spring oats performed well last year, are cheap to grow, and have a slightly wider drilling window.
“The sustainable farming incentive (SFI) has also opened up some new windows for spring opportunities with lower risk and volatility than traditional spring cropping; many growers are bolting on stewardship or SFI options.
Low-input
“If growing a low-input cereal after a winter cover crop, you are getting £365/hectare before even starting.
“From a gross margin point of view, that brings an element of risk mitigation against a more volatile crop.”
However, he cautions this must be well thought through as it requires a three-year commitment so cannot be reduced once agreed, but can be increased.
“In some situations, it is worth looking at a spring crop such as
malting barley rather than a second wheat, he continues.
“Looking at the gross margin for a spring malting barley crop in a good year that yields up to 7 tonnes per hectare, it can be as much as £900/ha.
“In comparison, for a second wheat yielding 8.5t/ha, the gross margin would be much lower at £700/ha.
“Also in this scenario where autumn drilling is difficult, it would be better to focus on getting the first wheats drilled in good time and accept a spring barley would be a more sensible option, rather than trying to get a second wheat sown at the same time that will potentially struggle and detract from the first wheat focus.”
Spring cropping
Will Foyle
Hartpury students toast cider success
By Alice Dyer
● Heritage apple species preserved management and experiential learning, final- year BSc Hons agriculture students took on the challenge of planning, harvesting, pressing and marketing the cider as part of their supply chain management module.
HARTPURY University is celebrating the success of its student-led cider, now being served on draft at its Legends student bar and the 4ED Hartpury Stadium.
The cider, made using apples grown at Hartpury’s heritage orchard and blended with locally-sourced cider apples, is a product of the handson efforts of university agriculture students who have been involved in every step of the process.
As part of the university’s commitment to sustainable resource
The cider project also features in the MSc sustainable agriculture curriculum as part of sustainable resource management in the land-based industries module.
The orchard at Hartpury University has a collection of heritage apple varieties – some dating back to the 17th century – serving as an important gene bank of rare and historical species.
Varieties such as the Orleans Reinette, alongside cider-specific apples such as Dabinett and Browns sourced from local growers, ensure
Hartpury students at the cider-making facility.
that the cider is both a sustainable and local product.
University students involved in the project gain experience in sustainable agriculture, resource management and supply chain operations while supporting local businesses and preserving biodiversity.
Stephen Watson, lecturer at Hartpury University, says: “We are pleased to announce that Hartpury Cider is now available in the students’ union bar and at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium.
more from an FG membership
“Our award-winning cider, created by our agriculture students in partnership with a local cider maker, is a truly local and traditionally made product.
“The project not only gives students experience in the production and marketing of the product, but also helps us to protect our heritage orchard and manage it sustainably for future generations.”
The cider recently won a bronze award at the prestigious Bath and West Cider Championships.
As the Government moves forward with legislation to support precision breeding, a discussion session at the CropTec Show addressed some of the challenges and opportunities the new technology presents for the arable sector. Teresa Rush reports.
Precision breeding progress
Opening the discussion in the ‘Future of Arable: Gene Editing’ panel session at CropTec, NFU vice-president David Exwood suggested gene editing (GE) was going to become ‘one of the really valuable tools’ in arable farmers’ toolboxes.
He said: “Volatility, uncertainty [and] climate change are here to stay. We will need every tool available to be resilient in the future as arable farmers, and I am sure GE will play a key part.
“I am very pleased that the Government is prepared to take on the secondary legislation, so we are at the stage where this is now potentially going to turn into a reality on our farms very soon.”
Oxfordshire farmer and founder of the BOFIN (British On-Farm Innovation Network), Tom Allen-Stevens, told the session that the first gene-edited crops to be grown in farmers’ fields in Europe would be planted next autumn as part of the £2.2 million PROBITY project (see box), which will provide a platform to test non-commercial precision-bred crops on-farm.
Mr Allen-Stevens said: “We are bringing the first gene-edited crops onto commercial farms right here in England. We are currently multiplying up the varieties, and we are going to introduce them onto farms across the country.”
Bayer corporate engagement lead Mark Buckingham described how precision breeding would provide a third approach to plant breeding.
“Precision breeding is a different technology. It is precise like genetic-
#PROBITYPledge
FARMERS and stakeholders from across the industry are being invited to engage in a nationwide discussion on precision-bred crops and their potential impact on agriculture.
The #PROBITYPledge campaign aims to provide farmers with accurate information and a platform to voice their opinions.
MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about the PROBITY project and sign up to the pledge, go to: bofin.co.uk/probitypledge
ally modified [GM], but we are working with genes already present in the species – the same genes that you can work with as a conventional breeder,” said Mr Buckingham.
A number of countries have started to develop new regulatory regimes for GE, he said. Argentina has had what is seen as a progressive system for supporting GE in place since 2015, and Canada and the USA have also established precision breeding regimes.
Progress
“Over the last few years, we have seen progress in Great Britain leading to the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023, which gave Government the power to make new regulations for GE,” said Mr Buckingham.
These new regulations are expected to come before Parliament in early 2025.
Mr Buckingham added: “The regulations are for England only. We will get a plant breeding regulation for England, which we have not seen before. We need to talk to stakeholders, but we are excited about the potential this innovation brings; it is important technology that will allow breeders to be precise and develop better varieties faster.
“There are lots of applications
where GE is a quicker route to a really valuable product.”
Rothamsted Research scientist Prof Nigel Halford explained how CRISPR GE technology had been used to reduce the asparagine content of wheat grain.
“We are doing that because asparagine is converted to a toxic contaminant called acrylamide during processing,” he said.
Acrylamide is a regulatory compliance issue for food businesses, with maximum levels expected to be set in the EU in early 2026.
“We have used CRISPR to knock out one or two asparagine synthetase genes in wheat, so the genes are ineffective.
“And it works; we get 100% knock-out, and we get asparagine down in our best lines to 10% of the parental control. And the acrylamide in bread made from that grain is undetectable.
“Once the editing is done, we can segregate the way the genes deploy – they are no longer required and we end up with a plant which has no additional genetic material; it just contains a targeted mutation. And of course, mutation is nothing new; it occurs naturally all the time,” said Prof Halford.
Responding to questions on the relevance of precision breeding to
English arable farming, Mr Buckingham said there was a need for precision breeding to come forward in England in a way that was as close as possible to the conventional breeding system.
“So that breeders can work with it and bring forward products at a reasonable cost in a reasonable time,” he added.
Changing attitudes
He suggested that attitudes to technology and innovation in agriculture had changed in the three decades since the introduction of GM, with climate change a key driver of this change.
“I think there is an expectation that we are innovating; the potential is enormous across all crops,” he said.
Mr Allen-Stevens told the session that a key aim of the PROBITY project was to identify the potential benefits of precision breeding for farmers.
He said: “This technology is not going to go forward unless farmers are happy with it, unless farmers can see the benefit, and we need to explore those benefits.
“What we are trying to do with our PROBITY platform is to involve farmers right at the start of that discussion. As soon as a trait is stable
Left to right: Mark Buckingham, Tom Allen Stevens and Prof Nigel Halford.
Several gene-edited traits conferring agronomic benefits are already available overseas in salads.
and proven in the laboratory, let us put it into the hands of the farmer.
“As farmers, as agronomists, we take varieties and we look at them, we explore them, we find out what their strengths are, and it is only through that process that we can understand where this technology will take us. That is why it is so important that we as farmers lead this discussion and shape the technology within the industry.”
Several GE traits conferring agronomic benefits in salads, cereals and potatoes were already available in other markets, said Prof Halford.
“I was eating gene-edited tomatoes in Japan three years ago. Japan,
implacably opposed to GM since the 1990s when GM became available, has adopted GE enthusiastically.
“There are multiple gene-edited varieties on the market in the US, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. We are miles behind; we need to get on.
Disease control
“Disease control in cereals will be really important. We have already seen a mildew-resistant, gene-edited wheat licensed in China earlier this year. Bruising control technology is already in place in potato crops.”
Mr Buckingham said the first products to come to the market should offer direct benefits to con-
sumers. Gene-edited strawberries with a longer fruiting season and baby leaf salads with improved nutritional profiles and taste are already available in the US. However, building consumer trust and working with the supply chain would be important.
Mr Allen-Stevens agreed: “If consumers do not trust the technology, farmers are not going to grow it.”
With agricultural regulation a devolved issue, Scotland and Wales will make their own decisions on whether to permit the cultivation and marketing of gene-edited crops, and there were several questions about what this might mean for farmers.
With this in mind, Mr Buckingham highlighted the need for good stewardship.
“If we are careful, if we manage it with good stewardship, we can perhaps make a start with horticultural crops in England.
“We have got to get to the point where we are regulating in a really proportionate way and bringing forward the breadth of innovation that is possible across the sector.
“We are taking a step, and it is an excellent step in the right direction, but we have got to keep moving and keep innovating, both in the lab and in our regulations,” said Mr Buckingham.
There are multiple gene-edited varieties on the market in the US, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. We are miles behind; we need to get on
PROF NIGEL HALFORD
We are bringing the first geneedited crops onto commercial farms right here in England. We are currently multiplying the varieties TOM ALLEN-STEVENS
Edited by Angela Calvert
– 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com For more sales content, go to farmersguardian.com/shows-sales
LONGHORN HEIFER SELLS FOR 6,000GNS McCARTNEYS, WORCESTER SETTINGanewrecordforasenior Longhornheiferwhensellingfor 6,000gnsatWorcesterwas
WHINNOW Gateway, a British Friesian bull from the Blamire family, Thursby, sold for 10,000gns at Carlisle, setting a centre record. The buyer was the Tincknell family, Somerset.
USK VALE FLOCK SETS TEXEL EWE RECORD HARRISON AND HETHERINGTON, CARLISLE
A 2021-BORN Texel ewe from Willy Davies and Paul Rowlands, Llandrindod Wells, sold for 45,000gns at Carlisle to Messrs Powell, Ross-on-Wye.
VALAIS BLACKNOSE RECORD OF 30,000GNS HARRISON AND HETHERINGTON, CARLISLE
NEW RECORDS AT BADGER FACE WELSH MOUNTAIN SALE McCARTNEYS, BRECON
SETTING
a new ram lamb breed record of 2,250gns at Brecon was a Badger Face Welsh Mountain lamb from Gareth Jones, Felingym, which went to Aron Hemmings, Llanfynydd.
TALYBONT RAMS SELL TO 26,000GNS CLEE TOMPKINSON AND FRANCIS, TALYBONT-ON-USK
THERE were new highs seen at the Talybont Welsh ram sale as Lewis Pritchard, Crickhowell, sold a yearling ram for 26,000gns to Rob Davies, Brecon, setting a new breed record.
CHRISTMAS CATTLE CHAMPION SELLS FOR £16,000 MELTON MOWBRAY MARKET
SELLING for £16,000 – which is thought to be the highest ever price for a Christmas primestock animal – was a British Blue cross
BLUEFACED LEICESTER FEMALE RECORD OF 14,500GNS HARRISON AND HETHERINGTON, CARLISLE
heifer from Charlotte and Georgia Davies, Gadersby, which sold to Philip Menday of The Bell Hotel, Winslow.
PICTURE: MACGREGOR PHOTOGRAPHY
PICTURE:
PICTURE:
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Show 9.00am Sale 11.00am
1 ewe, 17 gimmers and 21 hoggs
LEICESTER
INLAMB FEMALES
“CLASSY LASSIES”
43 CROSSING TYPE
Saturday 4th January approx. 11.30am
9 ewes, 22 gimmers, 18 ewe hoggs
BLUEFACED LEICESTER
INLAMB FEMALES
“BLUE BELLES” 122 TRADITIONAL TYPE
Saturday 4th January
Show 9.30am Sale 11.30am
23 ewes, 83 gimmers, 16 ewe hoggs
Special January show and sale of STORE CATTLE
Wednesday 15th January
Entries close Thursday 9th January
Tel: 01768 371385
New Year show and sale of 400 STORE CATTLE
Monday 6th January
Show 8:30am Sale 9:30am LOCKERBIE MART
Tel: 01576 202332 Show and sale of NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT
INLAMB FEMALES
Saturday 8th February
Entries close Friday 10th January
Tel: 01768 371385 STORE CATTLE
Tuesday 14th January
Entries close 10am Monday 6th January
NATIONAL CLASSIFIEDS
SALE OF CALVES Sale 10.30am Entries & Enquiries to Kyle PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE
Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available)
SALE OF PRIME HOGGS - Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES, RAMS & GOATS
Show & Sale of DAIRY CATTLE
Entries
The Dispersal Sale of the NMR Herd of the milking portion and close to calving incalf heifers to be
✰ SERVICES TO: Holsteins & Jerseys For Johnson Partners
(Removed from Weston Farm, Warmbrook, Chard for convenience of sale) ** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **
THE 96th MIDSHIRES PRODUCE AUCTION.
Approx 5,000 Tonnes on Farms and Estates in the Central Midland Counties.
To include a comprehensive selection of HAY, STRAW, HAYLAGE & SILAGE in all sizes, easily accessible to towns in the midlands including: Banbury, Burton Overy, Coventry, Daventry, Henley-in-Arden, Husbands Bosworth, Kenilworth, Leicester, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Northampton, Nuneaton, Rugby, Towcester and Warwick.
Together with:
Clamped and Baled Silage easily accessible to Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands and Rugeley in Staffordshire. Plus:
400 Tonnes Maize Silage at Henley-in-Arden, 300 Tonnes Maize Silage at Sapcote, Leicester (Dry Matter: 34.2, D Value: 73.4, ME: 11.8, Protein: 5.9, Starch: 37.5),
200 Tonnes Maize Silage at Marston, Sutton Coldfield,
200 Tonnes Maize Silage at Church Lawford, Rugby, 200 Tonnes Grass Silage at Rowington, Warwick. Also included: Hay & Straw for delivery. And: 2004 JCB 8052 5-Tonne Excavator (to be sold at 4pm).
Entries inc. Pure Lim Cow IC due March, 6 Here/Lim Cows due April & May, 2 Here x Cows w/Calves (RWB) 200 STORE CATTLE
inc. Annual Consignment from G Haygarth of 7 Blue Grey Hfrs 16-17m
Wednesday 8th January
10.30am Fortnightly Sale of Dairy Cattle 11am 100-150 Rearing Calves
2.30pm 2500 Cast Ewes & 3000-4000 Prime Hoggs
Tuesday 14th January
Fortnightly Sale of 4000 STORE HOGGS
Entries for catalogue close Friday 3rd January
Tuesday 21st January
Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle
Monthly Sale of Farmers Stirks, Young Stores & Feeding Bulls
Entries for catalogue close Friday 10th January
Tuesday 28th January
1st Winter Sale of In lamb Breeding Sheep Fortnightly Sale of Store Hoggs
Saturday 1st February
Annual Multi Breed Sale of Individual Breeding Sheep Dalesbred, Swaledale, Herdwick, Cheviot, Blue Faced Leicester, Teeswater & Others
RTS
Richard Turner & Son
NORTH WEST AUCTIONS
LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS
GISBURN AUCTION MARTS
Auctioneers, Valuers, Agents
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION ON Tuesday 7th January 2025 at 2.30pm. Lutterworth Rugby Football Club, Ashby Lane, Bitteswell, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4LW (3 Miles from Junction 20 of the M1 Motorway) What3words: ///facelift.testing.prevented.
Rachel Capstick 07713075659 Jack Pickup 07710708326 Eleanor O’Neill 07706347505 Eli Tattersall 07955288800
Saturday 28th December
9:30am Weekly CAST SHEEP
GISBURN AUCTION MARTS Auctioneers, Valuers, Agents
Saturday 4th January
9:30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS 11am OPENING SALE OF STORE HOGGS list online
Thursday 9th January
10:30am PRIME CATTLE then CAST CATTLE
10:30am REARING CALVES
11:00am WEEKLY DAIRY CATTLE - Entries to Eleanor 12:30am STIRKS - Entries to office by Tue 7 th, 12noon
11:00am MASSEY FEEDS with LELY LONGTOWN show & sale of DAIRY CATTLE - Entries to Eleanor
Saturday 4th January
9:30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS
11:00am NEW YEAR SALE OF STORE LAMBS - Entries to office Thurs 2 nd Jan, 12noon
Thursday 9th January
10:30am
11:00am
9:30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS
10:30am OPENING SALE OF BREEDING & STORE CATTLE - Entries to office by Tue 7 th Jan, 12noon
Saturday 11th January
9:30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME LAMBS
10:30am OPENING SALE OF BREEDING & STORE CATTLE - Entries to office by Tue 7 th, 12noon
Thursday 16th January
10:30am PRIME CATTLE then CAST CATTLE
10:30am REARING CALVES
11:00am SEMEX UK & JAMESON FEEDS - show & sale of DAIRY CATTLE Entries to Eleanor by Mon 13 th, 12noon
Saturday 18th January
INC 1ST SALE OF IN LAMB SHEEP
9:30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS
10:30am BREEDING SHEEP & GOATS followed by STORE HOGGS - Entries to office by Tue 14 th , 12noon
LANCASTER AUCTION MART
Tel: 01524 63308
Every Friday: 10:15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 10:15am 100 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 11:15am 300 STORE CATTLE
J36 RURAL AUCTION CENTRE Tel: 015395 66200
Every Monday: 10am PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP
Every Tuesday: 1pm PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP
Saturday 4th January PEDIGREE SHEEP DAY
Show & Sale of 59 Pedigree Texel Females On behalf of North West Texel Breeders Club Featuring the Beautry Flock Dispersal Show & Sale of 18 Pedigree Beltex Females On behalf of Beltex Sheep Society Society Sales of Pedigree Females also for 18 Dutch Spotted & 7 Badger Face Texels
Thursday 9th January ‘NEW YEAR SHOW’ 10am REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10:30am CAST/OTM CATTLE11:15am STORE CATTLE Catalogue Entries Close Thursday 2nd January
Tuesday 14th January 10:30am ALL TYPES OF PIGS
Thursday 16th January 10:30am 5000 STORE HOGGS
Saturday 25th January ‘DIAMOND DELIGHTS’ Rough Fell Females on behalf of the RFSBA Swaledale & Bluefaced Leicester Females Also this day Multi-Breed Sale of Individual In-Lamb Breeding & Commercial In-Lamb Sheep Entries Close Friday 3rd January
Monday 27th January Milking Herd Reduction of 50/60 Cow & Heifers (due to change in farming policy) on behalf of MH&SJ Morris, Wraysholme Tower
MACHINERY SALES
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
Title: First name: Surname: Address: Postcode: Year
Contact Office for Details MART OFFICE: 01757 703347
RICHARD HAIGH 07768 594535
Contact Office for Details MART OFFICE: 01757 703347 RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535 www.selbymart.co.uk
JobsinAgriculture
Warwickshire College Group
Job Title: Lecturer in Agriculture | Location: Moreton Morrell, Warwick | Closing date: 20 Jan 2025
An exciting opportunity for a Lecturer in Agriculture has arisen at Moreton Morrell College. We are looking for a passionate individual to join our team on a permanent, full-time basis. With solid experience of UK agriculture, in both the land based and arable industries.
This role is based in the UK and will be working on site in our UK based College. In order to comply with our mandatory pre-employment checks, the successful candidate will be required to provide original identification documents in person to our UK based HR Team.
Protection of children and young persons (the children’s act 1989)
Any offers of appointment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB), a certificate of good conduct if applicable, plus receipt of satisfactory references, Occupational Health clearance, an understanding of safeguarding and qualifications verification. An Enhanced DBS check is required for this position as you will be working within “Regulated Activity” within a specific place (i.e. the College).
This role is classed as working within Regulated Activity. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. By applying for this position, you agree to an Enhanced DBS check in line with DBS regulations.
Background to the post
As one of the largest further and higher education colleges in the UK, with unique colleges across two counties, we aim to deliver learning experiences which lead to the development of wider skill bases and improved destinations for all of our students. The Agriculture department is looking for a highly motivated individual with qualifications and extensive experience in UK Agriculture both Livestock and Crops to teach on L1 - L3/T-level programmes and be course manager for one or more courses.
Our recent Ofsted inspection highlights our success and strong focus both on students and on meeting industry needs. We are also one of only five colleges in the UK to be granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers by the Privy Council – meaning our higher education academic quality and standards are equal to any university.
Main tasks
• Teaching – The person appointed will be able to contribute to the teaching programme delivering the subject.
• Preparation and Assessment – The person appointed will develop and produce teaching materials as required and the relevant paperwork associated with the planning and assessing of the course. He/she will undertake assessment, produce a relevant scheme and keep accurate records.
For more information or to apply, head to JobsInAgriculture.com
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Suddenly on 16th December 2024 at home. Brian aged 51 years of Hothersall. The dearly loved husband of Jean, much loved father of Maisie, Charlotte and Freddie, a loved brother of Janet, Carole and Angela, a dear son of the late Geoff Blezard and loved by all the family. Reposing in ‘Peacehaven’ Chapel of Rest. A service will be held at St. Wilfred’s Church, Ribchester on Monday 13th January at 12noon followed by cremation at Preston Crematorium at 1.30pm. Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Brian, if desired, are invited for either Yellow Wellies or Field Nurse and can be left at the service or c/o Miss Carole Blezard, Scale House Farm, Conder Green, Lancaster, LA2 0BQ. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/memory-ofbrian-blezard
Funeral arrangements by Brian Price and Son Ltd., Funeral Directors. Tel: 01200 441297
COATES ALAN
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Dearly beloved partner of Diane, loving father of Peter and Roger, caring brother of Olive and dear brother in law of Tony.
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The funeral service will take place at Preston Crematorium on Friday 10th January 2025 at 11:15am. Family flowers only please and donations if so desired to North West Air Ambulance.
All enquires to William Houghton Funeral Directors, Chapel Hill, Longridge. Tel: 01772 782291.
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MASHAM
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Details From Val Lawson Oak Bank, Bentham, Lancaster. LA2 7DW Tel/Fax: 015242 61606 email: vallawson@tinyworld.co.uk Amanda Burgess 07889 802276 www.masham-sheep.co.uk
The British Pig Association is the breed society for 14 pig breeds including 10 native breeds on the UK breeds at risk register To buy the best visit the website for details of sales PO Box 1542 Cambridge CB1 0JS www.britishpigs.org
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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.
Property Landscape
What about the value of live and dead stock?
The farming world has, quite understandably, been up in arms over the autumn Budget proposals to make far-reaching changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) rules.
Commentary has predictably concentrated on the planned amendments to Agricultural Property Relief (APR).
However, it is important to appreciate that the £1 million limit detailed in the Government’s initial proposal also includes Business Property Relief (BPR).
When the Treasury worked its figures on APR applications to assess the potential impact of the changes, what it overlooked were all the farming claims for BPR.
Farmland is eligible for APR, but many other farming assets are not, and diversified farm enterprises, such as a farm shop or renewable energy installation, are currently likely to be eligible for BPR.
Traditionally, farm livestock, machinery and equipment do not qualify for APR, but they are business assets that should qualify for BPR under the current regime.
So, these do not appear on statistics for APR, but they are very important reliefs for a working farm.
For example, a reasonablesized dairy farm could have £1m worth of livestock and £500,000 worth of machinery.
Machinery
A poultry unit could have vast sums tied up in housing equipment and machinery; and an arable farm could easily have £1 million or more invested in machinery.
The net result would be that all the reliefs would be used up even before we get to consider any land holdings.
What this means is that the value of farm live and dead stock
will become far more important in future when considering potential IHT liabilities.
Historically, with full BPR available, it may sometimes have been perceived that there was no need for absolute accuracy in the values of live and dead stock.
Probate
Often the figures in the accounts that would be used in a probate application might have been out of date, or written down with depreciation and therefore not representative of real market value.
It will be a brave solicitor, after April 2026, who submits a probate application which includes values for live and dead stock without a formal valuation from an agricultural valuer.
An accurate, current assessment of the value of live and dead stock is likely to become key to all future probate applications and I would point out that members of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) are uniquely qualified and experienced to give expert advice on the valuation of all farming assets.
Mike Taylor is junior vice-president of CAAV and senior partner at Barbers Rural. Call 01630 692 500, or email m.taylor@barbers-rural.co.uk Treasury needs to consider BPR effect
•
•
•
•
If you think that your land has potential for development, or you have been approached by a developer, then you will need expert advice that is not available at traditional sources.
Mike Taylor
AND ERECTING
Finance: Terms & Conditions
Finance: Terms & Conditions
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regard to these matters, any relevant
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The cost and complexity of new machinery, combined with tighter weather windows to complete tasks, has brought many farms to question the balance of hiring machinery as and when required compared to the costs of ownership for two or three days’ work a year.
Working to address this challenge, Gloucestershire-based new entrants Ryan and Emily Lanfear have established and grown their machinery hire business L4 Agriculture, which focuses on providing tractors, trailers and implements for farmers and contractors to gain additional capacity or offer machinery for a fixed time period.
Mr Lanfear says: “I am not from a farming family but have worked in the industry since 2005, initially on a local arable farm during harvest, before starting a service engineer apprenticeship with a New Holland main dealer.”
Business needs
Working as a service engineer and moving into machinery sales in 2011, Mr Lanfear built up a strong understanding of the needs of farming businesses and the challenges facing his customers when weighing up the costs of new machinery.
Initially establishing the business near his home in Marlborough, Wiltshire, Mr Lanfear used capital released from the sale of his flat to purchase a pair of used Richard Western SF16 HS trailers, which he hired out on a weekly rate to provide additional harvest capacity for a large estate and for a seasonal user with the rear doors removed to transport Christmas trees.
“I purchased my flat with a sig-
Three New Holland T7.245s were added to the fleet specifically for a long-term airport customer.
As someone who was working in agriculture but not from farming, the move into machinery hire was an opportunity for
to build a successful business model. Toby
Ryan Lanfear
Whatley reports.
Machinery hire takes off for new entrants
nificant mortgage when I was quite young and worked hard to pay it off with my salary from my job in
machinery sales. When we sold the property, I wanted to invest the money into something which would give a return but also did not tie the capital up and make it difficult to access,” he adds.
The business moved to its current location in 2022 near Hartpury, in Gloucestershire, when the couple moved into the 40-hectare grassland farm owned by Mrs Lanfear’s father. This has allowed the couple to expand the services the business offers, and has provided a central location to store, clean and service the machinery operated.
Sponsorship
Shortly after moving to Gloucestershire, Ryan received sponsorship through the Barclays Eagle Labs business start-up programme. The programme is designed to support new businesses with backing and advice on growing their income and scaling up their business.
Mr Lanfear says: “The Eagle Labs course ran over several months and included specific sessions on marketing, cashflow management and how to grow the business, and it has really helped us with the direction we are pushing the hire fleet and machinery in.”
With the demand continuing to increase for hire services, Mr Lanfear expanded their portfolio with the addition of a New Holland T7.225 to provide general tractor hire and the ability to offer a complete tractor and trailer service.
In addition to this, they were operating four Richard Western 16-tonne trailers, so increasingly needed a machine to move them about, which also coincided with the reduction of many of the hire fleets held by dealers, which helped to push work to L4 Agriculture.
“Dealers were reducing their hire fleet as stocking and financial pressure to move units made it a
Ryan Lanfear focuses on providing tractors, trailers and implements to farmers through his hire company.
more challenging service to provide, which has been a benefit to us,” he adds.
The tractor hire part of the business has grown quickly and during a meeting with a supplier at LAMMA 2024, they ordered a further three New Holland T7.225s, with one fitted with a loader, and a larger T7.270.
The delivery of the additional tractors coincided with Mr Lanfear leaving his sales role and working full-time on L4 Agriculture, which gave much more time for the business, but also put greater pressure on it to grow and expand.
Last year was a busy year, with the purchase of two McConnel PA6567T hedge cutters, an NC 616 dump trailer, two SF14HS Richard Western trailers and two 3,000gallon Hi Spec tankers, in addition to three more T7.245 tractors.
Demand
Mr Lanfear says: “I appreciate we have added a lot more machinery to the fleet, but it has all been based on demand, much of it long-term, and customers have fed back to us that they need to have access to well-maintained and capable machinery to provide for their customers during peak times.
“One of the hedge cutters has been on a long-term weekly paid hire to a county council which did not have the budget or demand to own its own machine, and the three T7.245 tractors were ordered specifically for an airport customer which requires the tractors to operate snow ploughs and ice brushes during autumn and winter.”
Alongside their hire business, the buildings and farmland are used to work with Hartpury University to provide a bed and breakfast service for its dairy youngstock, alongside providing on-farm education to the students.
I want to keep the business to a size I can manage and not generate excessive overheads while giving great customer service
RYAN LANFEAR
Mr Lanfear says: “Hartpury typically keep 75-90 animals here to graze in the summer and house in the buildings during winter. It gives us an income but also has opened a mutual working relationship with the university, with the farm taking one of the Hi Spec tankers on long-term hire since it was delivered, alongside the tractors for various field tasks.”
As the business progresses, the couple are focused on how they want to grow it, and the next steps they would like to take.
“I want to keep the business to a size I can manage and not generate excessive overheads while giving great customer service. We have been approached by NC to sell their products and have been approached by a couple of other manufacturers too, and it is something we would like to progress.
“Having the farm at home now means we can use the machinery available in the hire business to operate the farm efficiently, but also build a sustainable business I can pass to our sons who are farming mad,” he adds.
The home farm works in partnership with Hartpury University to rear its dairy youngstock.
A pair of Hi Spec 3,000-gallon tankers are operated by the business.
Two McConnel hedge cutters have provided a good income alongside trailer hire.
The hire business started with trailer hire, with a pair of Richard Western SF16 HS trailers.
When Neil Green started contracting in 1992, the route to buying his first tractor was, like many others, through finance. However, more recently he has adopted a financefree farming approach to tractor and machinery ownership. Geoff Ashcroft reports.
Derbyshire livestock farmer and contractor Neil Green is bucking the trend when it comes to operating a fleet of tractors and machinery. That is because his tractors are a throw-back to a simpler time, and represent an 80s and 90s extravaganza.
Mr Green says his career of chasing the dream with newer kit in search of more output while swallowing ever-increasing costs reached a turning point around 10 years ago, with the realisation that most of his eggs had collected in one customer’s basket. His then frontliner, a 50km/h John Deere 6930 tractor bought for around £40,000, had clocked up about 9,000 hours over 13 years in his ownership, and was up for replacement.
He says: “You want bigger, better, more powerful, but it costs more – a lot more. And with the benefit of hindsight, you quickly realise that it will not always earn you any extra money, but it will create more stress.”
He adds that while the 6930 had not lost much of its value, the next step up was an eye-watering leap in financial terms and tractor complexity.
“It led me to scale back what I was doing and focus on supporting a lot more local farms,” he says.
Finance-free farming offers farmer sanity over vanity
“Now, most of my work is within an eight-mile radius.”
Lower risks
Ultimately, it has proved to be a decision that has lowered the risks faced by his own business while providing better long-term security, and that JD 6930 was the last tractor Mr Green bought with the help of finance.
His scaled-down contracting business continues to include hedge cutting, but on a more manageable scale, with the lion’s share of the workload handled by his JCB 3CX backhoe
loader, covering on-farm ditching, drainage and track repair work.
“I no longer want kit that constantly throws up fault codes and needs a laptop to sort out,” he says.
“I am handy with the spanners, so I now buy kit that I can repair myself, in my new era of finance-free farming.”
At Oxclose Farm, Riber, near Matlock, Mr Green and his wife Sarah, along with son James, usually keep around 80 head of cattle and are looking to grow this enterprise with a setup that revolves around 10 pens, with 10 calves per pen.
Stock arrive as calves and are reared to around six-nine months of age when they are moved on to a regular buyer as stores. While the livestock customer provides a bespoke ration as part of the stock rearing process, Mr Green produces around 150 round bales of haylage each year. While he operates his own mowing, tedding and raking equipment to manage dry matter content, a neighbour provides the baler.
In addition, a flock of pedigree Jacob sheep provides a supply of fat lambs that are sold in boxes, with very little going to waste.
“We even sell the skins as rugs,” he adds.
At its peak, Mr Green’s contracting business saw him spend up to six months contracted to Strawsons on potato work, cereal harvest and cultivations, with his own grass silage workload using a JF900 trailed forager for local customers dovetailing in between.
His first tractor was a four-wheel drive 1989-model International 956XL, bought at three years old for the princely sum of £12,000. A succession of Case MX tractors followed, then a foray into green with a JD 6920 and ultimately a JD 6930.
The current tractor and machin-
The line-up of appreciating assets at Oxclose Farm puts cost-effective power at Neil Green’s fingertips.
Neil Green relies on a fleet
: A JCB Fastrac 145 with a bolt-on timber crane is currently the go-to for field work.
With a modern classic, you can invest in that tractor and upgrade it and still have something that holds its value
NEIL GREEN
ery ensemble could be viewed as something of a time warp. While the newest models are nowhere near vintage, the youngest mule in the fleet is his 1999-model 6,000-hour JCB 3CX Sitemaster in Contractor specification.
Cost-effective
It is joined by a 5,000-hour 1992 JCB Fastrac 145 with bolt-on timber crane and a 15,000-hour 1996 JCB 530-70 Farm Special telehandler for lifting and loading needs.
The cost-effective fleet collection does not stop there. A pair of 1982 classics, in the guise of an International 955XL and a David Brown 1490, are used for hedge cutting, while a mint-looking 2,500-hour International 454 spends its time on yard sweeping duties with a linkage-mounted hydraulic-powered road brush.
“The 955XL carries a Spearhead 605 hedge cutter that I bought new, while the David Brown 1490 is fitted with a McConnel PA32,” he says.
“The McConnel is only for in-field work, as it is a right-hand mounting, which is no good for roads. But the
biggest advantage is that you can repair this stuff quickly and easily.”
Not all his purchases have been operation-ready. The Fastrac 145 came with its transmission in a box, and was viewed as a project, given the purchase price of the tractor.
“It is a handy bit of kit, as I do a lot of snow clearance work for Derbyshire County Council, so it is a comfortable, agile solution for a mostly road-based winter road clearance contract,” he says.
“And the timber crane is really useful for fetching timber back to the yard for our wood-burning heating system.”
There are a further two tractors currently going through comprehensive overhauls. One is a cabless Track Marshall 90 that is currently having an engine rebuild, and is used for mole ploughing, and the other is a four-wheel drive, 1992-model John Deere 3350. This wide-step, high-lift, 40km/h model has been undergoing an extensive rebuild so it too can be put to work.
“It has needed quite a lot of repairing, but by the time it is finished, it will owe me around £25,000 not
including my labour,” he says.
“What could you buy for £25,000 that is ready to work? You would need twice that for something considered decent, and even then it could still break down. The difference is, my kit will be a lot cheaper to repair.”
He says that when completed, the TB Turbocharged JD 3350 will be put to work on the farm with the knowledge that it will comfortably do everything that the Greens need it to do. And it is unlikely to depreciate.
Upgrade
“With a modern classic, you can invest in that tractor and upgrade it with items like a better seat, retrofit GPS and better tyre technology, and still have something that holds its value,” he says.
“Arguably, you will have a tractor with far better build quality than many of today’s modern tractors. This kit worked well in 1992, so why should it not continue to deliver in today’s environment?”
Mr Green accepts that he may well be reliving his youth with tractors that he once experienced, but says the ability to blend farming with contracting, using a collection of working classics has become very enjoyable again.
“It could be the whiff of black smoke, the noise, the emotion of it all, but it really is far less stressful and puts a smile on my face every time I start an engine,” he says.
“And every day that I work is now for me, rather than spending two days or more each week working just to cover the repayments for a very expensive tractor purchase.”
This 32-year-old John Deere 3350 will owe Neil Green around £25,000 once its restoration is complete.
A pair of 1982 two-wheel drive tractors boasting no more than 90hp are the mainstay of hedgecutting duties at Oxclose Farm.
Biennial livestock event EuroTier, held in Hanover, Germany, attracted more than 120,000 visitors to view the latest machinery, equipment and technology available for the livestock sector. Chris McCullough reports.
Heavy influence of robots and AI in EuroTier exhibits
Farming is constantly evolving and so too are developments in technology to ensure farmers can carry out their work more efficiently. Robots and au-
tonomous vehicles were plentiful at EuroTier, held in November, and, with rapid advances in the use of artificial intelligence, exhibitors were keen to outdo each other with the latest gizmos and gadgets.
LELY’S autonomous zero grazing machine, Lely Exos, created a lot of attention on the stand. This machine cuts the fresh grass, transports it to the shed and distributes the grass to the cows.
A number of machines are already operating in the Netherlands with further sales expected across Europe and beyond next year.
And Kuhn had its Aura robotic mixing and feeding machine on display.
The Aura can load itself with
silage via its loading head, weigh and add other ingredients, mix the ration and deliver it to the cows in the barn.
Aura has a 3cu.m mixing tank equipped with two vertical augers.
For increased longevity of the machine, the lower part of the tank and 100% of the mixing augers are built with K-NOX technology, which guarantees a service life six times longer than the steel grades traditionally used on mixers.
GOTLAND AB MOVING FLOOR CONCEPT
SWEDISH company Moving Floor
Gotland AB has developed a pen for weaned or finishing pigs that effectively cleans itself by rotating the floor and scraping away the manure and urine.
The conveyor belt rotating floor is powered by air compression requiring eight bars to operate at previously set time intervals.
The company says this has the advantage of a pig unit with up to
85% lower ammonia emissions, compared to a normal pig barn.
It is a wooden structure covered in stainless steel with an average energy consumption of under 100 kWh/pig/year.
No water is required to clean the floor and the system saves on labour costs.
AQUACLIM WATERBED
EUROTIER hosts many forms of cow mattresses, but one of particular interest was the new Aquaclim waterbed system from Bioret Agri.
This unique design features the company’s already established Aquastar waterbed mattress incorporating a water pocket cooled by a refrigeration system.
When the cow lies on the bed her excess body heat is effectively removed by the water system that
keeps the cow cooler, reducing heat stress. It is designed to provide optimal bedding comfort and effective thermal regulation in all weather conditions, even extreme ones, and for high-production cows.
Bioret says the water pocket applies uniform pressure across the entire contact surface, ensuring optimal blood circulation without pressure points, particularly around the udder.
Hard work and dedication have seen Sean Mitchell’s dreams become reality in both the show and the sale ring. Katie Fallon reports.
Young farmer making his mark with pedigree cattle
Growing up on his family’s mixed farm in Cumbria, 24-year-old Sean Mitchell has always had a passion for working with pedigree beef cattle, a passion which has seen him take the national show circuit by storm and achieve a top price at this year’s October Stirling Bull Sales event.
Farming together with his parents, Alistair and Alison, brother Aiden and sister Carla, at Grassknop Farm near Skelton, Penrith, Mr Mitchell runs a herd of 30 pedigree beef cows plus followers, comprising Charolais, Limousin, British Blonde and Belted Galloway breeds.
The family also milks 160 Holstein Friesians, alongside running
a flock of 600 commercial ewes and 50 pedigree ewes including Suffolk, Rouge and Traditional Bluefaced Leicesters across 162 hectares (400 acres) of tenanted grassland and 20ha (50 acres) of arable land.
But Mr Mitchell’s has always had an interest in working with pedigree beef cattle, starting with the family’s British Blonde cattle and his mum’s herd of pedigree Belted Galloways.
Mr Mitchell says: “We have always had British Blondes on the farm and my granddad was the first person to import the breed into the UK. We lost them in foot-andmouth, but have since built them back up again.”
With a childhood dream of run-
ning his own pedigree herd, nine years ago Mr Mitchell bought a Charolais heifer from Peter Vassey’s Edenhurst herd.
Since then, numbers have grown to a modest herd of seven breeding females, four heifer calves and a bull calf, under the Huttonend prefix.
Market
Mr Mitchell says: “I went through every breed and picked the one that I liked. I knew the Charolais already had a market around here.
“I fell in love with that first heifer and have been building the Charolais herd up ever since. We still have a home-bred line out of that original Edenhurst heifer.”
Over the years, Mr Mitchell has purchased a selection of breeding
females from noted Charolais breeders to help shape his herd, including the Allanfauld herd, North Lanarkshire, the Harestone herd, Banchory, and the Gretnahouse herd, Gretna.
With all cows served via artificial insemination, Mr Mitchell says he chooses bulls based on what works for his herd.
He says: “Genetics wise, I try what I like the look of, and I know what my cows click with.”
After carefully developing his herd over the past nine years, selecting bulls and buying in new female breeding lines, Mr Mitchell’s hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed, with his patience paying off both on the show circuit and in the sale ring.
Mr Mitchell has been growing his pedigree Charolais herd for the past nine years, purchasing breeding females from noted Charolais breeders to help improve genetics.
With countless rosettes displayed along the farmhouse’s kitchen beams, Mr Mitchell says some of his big wins have happened in the past two years, including Charolais champion at the Royal Welsh Show in 2023, with a heifer named Harestone Rapunzel.
He says: “Winning the Royal Welsh in 2023; I did not expect it.
“But it is what you work for, it is the dream and I think it will hit me like that every time it happens.”
Mr Mitchell’s winning streak continued into 2024, claiming the British Blonde championship at the Great Yorkshire Show with a home-bred heifer named Hutton Thea, and reserve Belted Galloway champion at the Royal Highland Show.
His success carried on into the winter show season, where he placed junior continental inter-
breed champion at the Stars of the Future calf show in Stirling with a Charolais heifer, as well as judging the pedigree Charolais calf classes at LiveScot in November.
Mr Mitchell says: “I have always been interested in showing cattle. Showing helps with selling stock, and selling pedigree breeding stock is the goal.”
Achieved
His goal was achieved in October at the Stirling Bull Sales, where Mr Mitchell claimed joint top price in the Charolais breed with his homebred bull Huttonend Ubelter which sold for 16,000gns, nine years to the day that he got his first Charolais heifer.
He says: “The years before now have been building up to this good year. Nobody sees the time spent in the shed in summer before the
shows and the sales. It has taken me nine years to get here.
“I was told as a kid, the more you put in the more you get out of it and leading up to the bull sales I wash the cattle every night. I am a perfectionist and if I do not think something is good enough, it will not make it. I will not take something that is average.”
Since 2018, Mr Mitchell has been selling pedigree Charolais bulls at Stirling, with Belted Galloway bulls sold at Castle Douglas.
He says: “16,000gns is my best price to date for a Charolais bull and we have had others to 9,000gns and 6,500gns.”
The family has also been successful selling Belted Galloway bulls, with a top price of 14,000gns, as well as selling to 11,000gns and 10,000gns this year at Castle Douglas.
And if showing and selling his
The more you put in the more you get out of it and leading up to the bull sales I wash the cattle every night
SEAN MITCHELL
own stock was not enough, since 2019 Mr Mitchell has been running his own business dressing cattle for shows and sales.
He says: “I started helping one or
Young Limousin bulls from Mr Mitchell’s Huttonend Limousins pedigree herd which he started three years ago.
Mr Mitchell says showing helps with selling stock.
PICTURES: JOHN EVESON
Harestone Rapunzel, pictured after winning the Charolais championship at the Royal Welsh Show in 2023.
High-yielding cows are bred to a Holstein Friesian bull and low yielders are bred to a British Blonde bull.
Livestock
two people who saw me at sales and have done it ever since.
“Now I have five main clients; I go on-farm, break the cattle in and clip them, then they bring the cattle to the sales.
“A couple of them show as well, so their cattle will come here to the farm for the summer.
“When they are here, I know they are getting washed and fed every night.”
It was through this that Mr Mitchell ventured into the Limousin breed after attending more Limousin sales with his clients.
Three years ago, he purchased a
cow and calf outfit from the Lancashire-based Procters herd and an embryo transfer heifer calf from Breconside Limousins, Moffat, which formed the start of Huttonend Limousins.
The herd now stands at four cows, an in-calf heifer, two bull calves and one heifer calf.
Since then, Mr Mitchell has placed junior male Limousin champion at Stars of the Future in November with a home-bred bull calf named Huttonend Vinnie, and has two bulls entered into the Limousin bull sale at Carlisle in May.
He says: “I also had my first Lim-
ousin heifer go to the Red Ladies sale at Carlisle in December and won best extra small herd and best 2024 bull calf in the Northwest Limousin herd competition for 2024.”
Show team
With his sights set on the interbreed championships next, Mr Mitchell has a show team of 32 animals heading into the 2025 show season, including both his own and his clients’ cattle.
He says: “I cannot do it without all the people that help me though, it really is teamwork.”
Farm facts
■ 160 Holstein Friesians milked twice a day with milk sold to Meadow Foods
■ High-yielding cows are bred to a Holstein Friesian bull and low yielders bred to a British Blonde bull
■ Majority of Holstein Friesian heifers retained as replacements or used as recipients for pedigree beef embryo work
■ Home-grown clamp silage fed to the dairy herd and beef cattle, with sheep fed silage bales and clamp silage at lambing
■ Suffolk and Rouge ewes lambed in December and January, and the Bluefaced Leicester ewes lambed in February and the commercial flock in March
■ Heifers, Limousins and British Blonde cattle calve in January to take advantage of the trade in May, with the Charolais and Belted Galloways calving in April
And while preparations for the coming show season begin, Mr Mitchell also aspires to one day take on his own farm and run a cattle livery, to expand his current cattle dressing business.
He says: “I really want to have my own spot with my cattle, a flock of pedigree and commercial sheep and ultimately have a cattle livery, but as a young person in agriculture it is difficult.
“You just do not know what is going to happen. It seems like the Government does not want farmers and, as a young person looking into farming, you cannot do it, you cannot progress and it feels like they do not want you to.”
But for now, with his Charolais and Limousin herds both established in numbers and quality, the focus remains on continuing to produce top-quality breeding stock.
Mr Mitchell says: “I would rather keep the herd small and keep them well.”
I cannot do it without all the people that help me though, it really is teamwork
SEAN MITCHELL
Pedigree Charolais, British Blonde and Belted Galloway heifers at Grassknop Farm.
The farm has 160 Holstein Friesians which are milked twice a day.
As
Recent research at Rothamsted compared the effects of cell grazing to the more conventional set stocking approach. Lydia Wombwell reports on the findings.
Project compares cell grazing with conventional set stocking
● Webinar explores results from study
REGENERATIVE farming techniques often adopt rotational or cell grazing to boost productivity, soil health and biodiversity, and a sixyear project at North Wyke, Devon, has compared the environmental impact and productivity of cell grazing versus set stocking.
The results were discussed by Dr Jordana Rivero, head of Rothamsted research, at a recent Pasture for Life webinar.
She said the project started in 2018 and has so far reported findings for the first four years of research, while the last two are still being investigated.
“For this project, we had 1.75-hectare set stocking fields and 1ha cell grazing plots split into 42 equal-sized ‘cells’ from which stock were moved either every day or every other day,” said Dr Rivero.
Autumn-born dairy cross beef steer calves arriving at around six months old were randomly allocated to groups. They were grazed for two consecutive seasons with the aim of finishing off grass by 24 months of age.
Scientists looked at the impact of the two systems on the soil chemistry, including pH, organic matter, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), nitrogen and carbon levels.
“At the beginning of the experiment, the carbon content was similar
within the different fields, averaging 3.49g/100g,” said Dr Rivero.
“During the experiment, soil carbon peaked in 2020 for set stocking before declining, while with cell grazing it increased year on year.
“At the end of the fourth grazing season, carbon content under set stocking had decreased to 3.20g/100g, whereas under cell grazing, it had increased to 4.24g/100g.”
Soil analysis
Soil analysis revealed that, with both methods, soil pH was maintained while P and K indices increased over the four-year period. This did not vary between grazing methods; nor did soil compaction in the top 5cm, despite cell grazing areas carrying twice the stocking rate and up to 40 times the stocking density.
The research also investigated the impact of the two grazing systems on soil organic matter.
“For the first three years, there was a clear trend of increasing organic content in both grazing methods, particularly in cell grazing,” said Dr Rivero.
Anecdotally, the cell grazing plots saw more earthworms than the set stocking plots – a sign of good soil health. However, during the fourth year, the soil organic matter decreased slightly in both methods, although it is unclear why, resulting in a net gain of around 1% organic matter over the four-year study.
Pasture quality samples were taken every fortnight to assess crude protein
and metabolisable energy (ME) content. In the cell grazing fields, samples were taken from the area to be grazed the next day and in the set stocking fields at random, to represent what the animals were eating that day.
Over the four years, the dry matter (DM) forage production was 39% higher in the cell grazing method on average, and in year four it was 53% greater, at 11.5 tonnes DM/ha (4.6t DM/acre) versus 7.5t DM/ha (3t DM/ acre). Crude protein content was variable, averaging 13.7%, with no clear trend when comparing grazing methods. But ME content was consistently higher in the cell grazing method, averaging 11.2MJ/kg versus 11.0MJ under set stocking.
The botanical composition was assessed at the beginning and end of each grazing season. Changes were driven by selective grazing; in set stocking, animals were able to be fussier, and did not eat the non-palatable crops while overeating the more palatable crops, added Dr Rivero.
After four grazing seasons, the cell grazing enclosures saw an expansion of perennial ryegrass and consistently included white clover in both spring and autumn. The set stocking enclosures also began the fourth grazing season with better perennial ryegrass cover than before, although still less than the cell grazing enclosures.
However, by the end of the fourth season, the perennial ryegrass cover in the set stocking enclosures dropped to just 20%, whereas other
grasses such as Yorkshire fog became more dominant.
The study also compared animal behaviour, welfare, health, productivity, and carcase and meat quality.
Dr Rivero said: “We also introduced pedometers later on in the research, which looked into data like the cows’ step count, standing time, standing bouts, lying time and lying bouts. Animals in the set stocking paddocks were more active, taking more steps and having fewer lying bouts than in the cell grazing, however animals in both methods had similar standing durations.”
Takeaways
The project found three main takeaways for livestock farmers when it came to soil health, carbon removal, and the quality and quantity of pasture, said Dr Rivero.
“Cell grazing, despite the higher stocking densities, had a positive impact on soil health and led to an increase in soil organic matter and carbon content.
“Cell grazing consistently surpassed set stocking in both the quality and quantity of pasture. The cell grazing forage maintained a higher ME content, resulting in better output per hectare.”
Finally, both grazing systems showed similar nutrient leaching potential and soil compaction.
“But cell grazing greatly enhanced the diversity of plant species by promoting the growth of perennial ryegrass and white clover,” she added.
PICTURE: JOHN EVESON
For Dutch farmer Judith de Vor and her family, a sustainable dairy business is one that will still be thriving 100 years from now. Liz Falkingham finds out more.
Dairy farmer, Judith de Vor, describes cows and land as her ‘capital’ and, as a result, she says it makes sense to put a lot of effort into them.
Mrs de Vor, who along with fifthgeneration farmer husband, Rick, and their three children, runs the 40-hectare (99-acre) farm De Elihoeve at Snelrewaard, near Utrecht, says: “For a modern dairy business, it is all about seeing the ecological, social and economic demands as interconnected and treating them in a holistic way.
Old principles and modern techniques
“I would say we farm in a regenerative way using old principles alongside modern techniques.
“We are aiming for one million kg of milk annually from our 120 cows, while protecting bird and insect species and reducing our environmental impact.”
The latter remains a key focus of Dutch politics and one which brought widescale protests from the farming community in the wake of tough regulations around nitrate use, slurry applications and livestock numbers.
At a farm level, while De Elihoeve is
not within a Natura 2000 protected nature area, there are still requirements for 3-6-metre buffer zones around waterways and a strict window for slurry applications.
She explains: “Our land is divided into 26 parcels and each one is surrounded by water, so you can see that this means a considerable amount of land where we cannot inject slurry.
Judith de Vor sees the economic, ecological and social aspects of farming as interconnected.
“The lack of flexibility around the timing of slurry applications means there is no account taken of weather conditions, so there are situations where you can feel under pressure to apply it, despite less-than-ideal conditions.”
With land prices in the range of 110,000-120,000 euros/ha (£90,69098,934/ha), expanding land holdings to increase the area for slurry applications is not financially viable.
The cattle sheds at the farm have slatted floors so that slurry is separated and collected, and the cows are out as much as possible to minimise slurry production.
For some, the answer has been to pay to have slurry taken away.
However, they can then find themselves in the position of having to buy in artificial fertiliser to meet nitrogen and phosphate requirements.
Mrs de Vor says: “It is an unintended consequence of regulations brought in by politicians who are responding to global pressure to address climate change without fully understanding
De Elihoeve farm is divided into 26 parcels of land each surrounded by water.
the impact at farm level. The cost for us is between 25,000 and 40,000 euros to have our manure disposed of, which will have a significant impact financially.”
Methane emissions remain another area of political focus and the cows at De Elihoeve are fed an additive which works to reduce methane emissions.
The additive was trialled at the farm as part of a two-year research project initiated by dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina, which also incentivises its farmer producers to meet sustainability goals via the Foqus planet programme.
“It is not just about meeting fat and protein levels, or hygiene requirements, anymore.
Carbon
“Now, carbon footprint, biodiversity, soil management and animal welfare – including the average age of cows in the herd – all play a key part and, for farmers meeting these goals, there is a premium on the milk price,” says Mrs de Vor, who is proud to have several cows more than 10 years old in the herd.
For 2023, this premium was 3.50 euros/100kg (£2.89/100kg) on top of an average milk price of 51 euros/100kg (£42/100kg).
Mrs de Vor says: “I like the idea of being rewarded for the effort being made to meet sustainability goals. The co-operative has also branded some of
Farm facts
■ Concrete clamps are used for the silage, and the feed ration includes clover-rich grass and maize silage along with concentrates and by-products including brewers’ grains, fruit and potato waste
■ Around 30kg/day of silage or fresh grass is fed per head, along with 10kg/head of maize and by-products and 5kg/head of concentrates, according to stage of lactation and the dry matter of the forage
■ Milk fat and protein is currently averaging 3.7% and 4.7% respectively
its products to reflect their sustainability credentials and consumers have shown they are willing to pay a higher price.”
After Mr and Mrs de Vor took over the farm from Mr de Vor’s parents in 2011, there was a sustained period of investment needed to bring the buildings and equipment up to date.
While this was challenging, it was also a great opportunity to remodel the business with a focus on future sustainability, explains Mrs de Vor.
She says: “The farm now generates its own energy via solar panels and the plan is to invest in a small wind turbine which will help us meet future energy regulations and provide us with winter
energy. We have looked to add other innovations, including using the heat from milk to heat water.
“When we talk about sustainability, we do not just mean building something which will be there for our children, but something which will still be thriving in a century – the land in this area has been farmed for 1,000 years, and it is important to make an effort to ensure that tradition lives on.”
There is no doubt a great deal of effort does go into the farm, which is run solely by the couple, with occasional help from Mr de Vor’s father.
Because of the demands of running the business day to day, raising a family and Mrs de Vor’s work both on
and off farm to communicate farming methods to the general public and various organisations, it has been crucial to make good choices about where to focus their energy.
Mrs de Vor says: “For example, our youngstock go off the farm at six months old for rearing by a retired dairy farmer and do not return until just prior to calving.
“We also use contractors for drilling and for silaging the grass and maize, as it does not make economic sense to have large machinery which is only used for a short period each year.”
Visitors
Fitted in around the day-to-day management of the farm are Nuffield scholarships, hosting 10,000 visitors a year at the farm and regular national and international travel to speak at conferences and events.
Mrs de Vor is a member of the Global Farmers Network and TeamAgroNL, both organisations which bring farmers together with the aim of promoting the sector and its aims.
She is also a powerful advocate for women in agriculture.
■ The aim is to have cows out as much as possible, but the farm’s peat soils can get very wet so at times when the cows cannot go out they are housed and fresh grass is brought to them
“It would be easy to look back and blame our parents or grandparents for not making more effort to communicate about farming, but of course back then more people were more closely connected to the countryside so there was not the same need. Now, there is a big gap and it is down to us as farmers to bridge that gap,” she says.
“We recently hosted someone from Greenpeace whose role looks at the sustainability of agriculture. I did not expect to have much in common, but when we sat down and talked, it was clear there was more common ground than we realised – and that is why communication is so important.”
Not from a farming background herself, and with a previous career in public administration and politics, Mrs de Vor is passionate about agriculture and positive about its future.
She says: “Complaining about regulations and politicians is not going to change things, but finding solutions and working to get our message across will. We farm in the green heart of Holland and I love what we do to produce food in a way that balances economics and the environment.”
Judith and Rick de Vor, with their three children.
The family targets one million kg of milk annually from their 120 cows.
Concrete clamps are used for the silage.
Market Prices Primestock
ENGLAND
Source: LAA/MartEye
YOUNG BULLS
Market Prices Store Cattle
SCOTLAND Latest data available.
ENGLAND
Latest data available.
Figures show livestock numbers first, then average price per head.
Two aspiring farmers who took part in Nuffield Farming Trust’s inaugural Next-Gen
Scholarship, a project aimed at opening up the prestigious scheme to a younger audience, talk to Jane Thynne about their experiences.
A world of opportunity
Launched in October 2023 as part of Nuffield Farming’s ‘Developing Young Talent’ initiative, the initial Next-Gen Scholarship programme was created to connect young industry participants directly with leading farmers, offering those aged 18-24 a unique opportunity to engage with Nuffield Farming Scholars and learn from their experiences.
According to the Trust, it was decided in the first instance to offer the inaugural scholarship to candidates from the Northern Irish dairy industry to stand as a lasting legacy in the region.
Bronagh Dempster, 24, says: “I grew up in a rural community, but I had no agricultural experience in my family. My dad is in finance and my mum is in the civil service so it is very, very different. But being near so much agriculture sparked something inside me and I ended up studying it at university.”
Bronagh spotted the advertisement for the scholarship while she was hoping to make a more permanent move into dairy from her job in poultry. Although she had worked part-time at a dairy farm on the weekends, she was worried she would not be experienced enough to impress the judging panel.
“I found out I had passed the first stage and was called to do a presentation at the Assembly Rooms in Belfast. That was nerve-wracking, but 10 days later I was told I had got through and that was amazing,” she says.
Originally, the scholarship was to be offered to two people, but the judges were so impressed they put through three candidates: Bronagh was announced alongside Ewan McCracken and Kirsten Henry. The fully funded scheme took in more than 45 UK farms, travelling over 3,000 miles in just 28 days.
It is easy on-farm to get bogged down in the day-to-day but this experience really showed me just what people can do when they take a bit of a risk and put their minds to it
BRONAGH DEMPSTER
“We got a date, a postcode and a phone number and off we went,” says Bronagh.
For Ewan McCracken, the scholarship took him on the next stage of his journey following university in Dublin and his travels to Australia and Asia.
Unlike Bronagh, Ewan is from a family of dairy farmers based in South Belfast, but he was keen to find out how other farmers managed their businesses.
“I had no idea what it was going to be like,” says Ewan.
Career development
“I knew I was going to work on the farm and I did not want to just get stuck in a routine. This seemed like a very good way of developing my career and getting some networking done with the wider agricultural community – and that is what it has done, completely.”
The tour kicked off in Leeds in June 2024. Tom Rawson, now chair of Nuffield, presented the trio with a list of
farms where dairy scholars would be waiting to offer accommodation, information and advice.
Ewan says: “We were told to ask lots of questions and learn as much as we could. The three of us became very clear as it went on as to what we each wanted out of the experience.”
From Yorkshire, the team headed to Wales where they caught up with the members of the Nuffield Dairy Tour, before heading to Dumfries and back to England.
Both Bronagh and Ewan are quick to express how much the experience has affected their chosen careers. For Bronagh, the tour reinforced her passion for dairy and her belief that her future lay in the sector.
‘Art of the possible’
“It showed the art of the possible basically,” she says.
“Just having the time to meet so many fantastic farmers and to find out about their businesses. It is easy
on-farm to get bogged down in the day-to-day, but this experience really showed me just what people can do when they take a bit of risk and put their minds to it.”
In Ewan’s case, experiencing life on larger farms that run huge numbers of cattle and teams of staff made him recognise the benefits of his own family farm.
“A lot of the farms and the scale at which they work is very impressive. I learned so, so much but it also made
me appreciate my own farm and helped me to decide the kind of farmer I want to be,” he says.
“We may only have 250 cows but I want to be my own boss. I do not want 40 or 50 employees and to feel like I am in HR. For me and where I am from, it is about family farms, and I am more than happy with that.”
Ewan and Bronagh agree the scholarship is a fantastic way of introducing young people to both the world of Nuffield and a particular sector.
Nuffield’s Next-Gen Scholars left to right: Ewan McCracken, Bronagh Dempster and Kirsten Henry.
Bronagh says: “I would encourage everyone to apply – 100%. I have no reservations in my mind; if you are passionate about what you want to do and you have a willingness to learn, this is absolutely the opportunity for you.
“It gave me the determination to become someone of value to the industry and to genuinely be of help to the farming industry.” MORE INFORMATION Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life
APPLICATIONS for the 2025 Next-Gen Scholarships are open until January 31. Available to those aged 18-24, two scholarships will be offered with up to three places each: one for dairy applicants throughout the UK and one for poultry applicants residing in Scotland only. ■ Fordetails,visitnuffieldscholar.org
In Your Field
Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK
JAMES ROBINSON
Cumbria
James farms Dairy Shorthorns east of Kendal, Cumbria, with his parents
Kathleen and Henry, wife
Michelle and sons Robert and Chris. The fifth generation to farm at Strickley, he is also vice-chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
In mid December, Michelle and I celebrated a good friend’s 40th birthday at the farm which she has recently begun managing.
Apart from excellent food and drink (way too much), there was a cracking set from superstar DJ and farmer Andy Cato, most of us there sporting thick winter jackets and bobble hats as we bounced about to classic rave and dance tunes in one of the farm buildings.
Birthday girl Claire gave us a farm walk and filled us in on her plansand dreams for the farm which she now manages. It is a blank canvas, having been set-stocked with sheep for years.
Improve
Regenerative farming will be carried out, fields divided up, first with electric fences and then newly planted hedgerows, with mob-grazed hill cattle rotated around the new smaller fields, to allow plenty of long rest periods and trampling of the sward, to build organic matter and improve soils.
Community involvement will be very much part of the future of the farm, with a community-based orchard, volunteer days and knowledge sharing, and eventually small businesses in some converted buildings.
All this got me thinking, if we were
‘True sustainability is about much more than just carbon and trees’
to have a blank canvas style approach on our own farms, would we be doing the things we are now? Or have a million different circumstances driven us to where we are?
Would we be comfortable with the level of capital borrowing needed for such meagre returns, as recently highlighted by the Agricultural Property Relief situation, if we were to take a step back and look at our farms with an objective eye? As an industry, we have ended up chasing an ever-decreasing monetary portion of the food sector, with input prices heading upwards.
The borrowing isn’t just financial either, we are borrowing precious time away from our family too, yes I
know that family farms are run with ‘everyone mucking in’, but being able to separate ourselves from the ties of the farm is virtually impossible, and that often puts an unwanted strain on relationships.
We are borrowing from our own good health as well, long hours, little time away, hard graft, it wears us all down eventually, no matter how young and enthusiastic we once were.
But changing from the farming systems is hard when the banks need their monthly mortgage repayment.
Jumping off the hamster wheel of high input/output driven management has to be more than a leap of faith, it has to be backed up with sound
business planning and it has to involve banks who understand that the current systems are unsustainable.
Farmers, banks and every part of this wonderful thing we call farming, have to realise that having healthy, happy farmers and their families, working in a way that gives the land the best chance for surviving an uncertain time filled with rocky geopolitics and climate extremes, is the only way that they will get any sort of return.
True sustainability is about much more than just carbon and trees, it is looking after the land, biodiversity, and community, but more importantly, it is about looking after ourselves and our families.
NEXT WEEK
North Wales Dan Jones
West Sussex James and Isobel Wright
‘I am pleased to report the audit went well’
HELEN STANIER
Yorkshire
Helen is a fifth-generation farmer who farms with her parents, David and Anne Shaw, husband, Craig, and their children, Alfred and Hattie, at Grey Leys Farm in the Vale of York. The farm comprises 162 hectares (400 acres) of grass, maize and wholecrop for the herd of 240 pedigree Jersey cows and more than 200 followers.
Every year I promise myself two things: that I’ll get organised for Christmas early and that I will load farm assurance documents on to the portal as I go along to save time before the visit.
Needless to say, I had done neither, so when farm assurance rang to book in our audit in mid-December and re-
quested that everything be put on the portal before their arrival, it made for a very busy and stressful few days.
All the 157 documents I needed for the audit were ‘filed’ carefully around the office.
However, uploading them between farm jobs took a very long time, making for very late nights and missing several of the children’s pre-Christmas events. I’m pleased to report that the audit went well – just an old fence to replace, drain cover and areas to tidy, on the ‘to do’ list.
Shopping
Mum and I did a hasty Christmas shopping trip the day after the visit and I did make it to the Nativity, because some things just can’t be missed. I will be more organised next year, honestly.
Since the news of the Bovear feed additive trial broke, we have had a huge number of enquiries about what the Jerseys are fed on and we have seen an uplift in sales through the vending machines and our farm shop
Crossword 1278
partners. The enquiries have come from people of all demographics, showing the importance that is now placed on knowing where our food comes from and how it is produced.
Despite the reassurances from the Food Standards Agency, the customers we have spoken to continue to be very sceptical about the use of Bovear and do not think a ‘quick fix’ is the answer to methane reduction.
Others questioned whether cows were really the problem. Our preferred strategy for methane reduction on farm would be through better breeding and efficiencies and I expect that much more research needs to be done on any benefits for the
Jersey cow and grazing cows in general.
I was invited to attend a panel meeting at our local Holstein breeders club this month, to speak about our Jersey herd and my journey in farming.
I spoke alongside two inspiring young farmers who have taken on their family farms. We discussed many topics including genomics, diversification, staffing and grants.
Despite all the challenges they face they both spoke with optimism and absolute passion for their cows and their farms.
Only time will tell for all our futures, but it was an enjoyable evening.
‘Inspiring the next generation is crucial for the industry’
My career path has been a perfect storm of uninformed decision-making entangled with the desire to prove myself as independently successful while being told ‘if you want to farm then you have to marry a farmer’.
In our family, teaching was the career path for women, while men farmed. Therefore, I dragged myself through university and qualified as a secondary school art teacher, enjoying five years in the profession, but always feeling the pull back to farming and the rural sector.
Now, in my early thirties, I work for GSC Grays, the rural land and property specialists, as part of their marketing team. The opportunities this company offers to young people are astounding, inspired by the support that founder and managing director Guy Coggrave received in his own early years.
From work experience to graduate schemes and their new apprenticeship programme, GSC Grays offers the next generation invaluable, practical experience in the rural sector including farm consultancy, land agency and estate management –opportunities I wish I had known
about when exploring my own career options. Careers advice at my school consisted of lunchtime sessions spent exploring alphabetised lever arch files in a small, dimly lit room. I vividly remember searching under ‘A’ for agriculture and ‘F’ for farming to no avail – yet astrophysics and film directing were apparently considered more viable options.
At that time, little did I know the many different roles encompassed within agriculture and that being involved with farming did not just mean sitting on a tractor.
Career possibilities
With advances in technology and mechanisation bringing much needed efficiencies to agriculture, there are now endless career possibilities for those interested in digital technology, design, science or business studies. Farm robotics, technology for agronomy, land mapping and carbon-focused digital apps all provide modern alternatives to traditional farming roles.
However, the industry also needs to ensure that opportunities exist for the next generation of grassroots farmers. New entrants and the younger generation can bring
OLIVIA RICHARDSON
Marketing executive at GSC Grays
much-needed enthusiasm and broader commercial experience that injects fresh ideas into the traditional ways we produce food.
In this industry of tight margins and price pressures, access to capital remains one of the greatest challenges – and for new entrants to farming, even more so. That said, support is now available to address this challenge. ‘Oxbury New Gen’ offered by Oxbury Bank – the only UK bank dedicated to the rural economy –provides funding to a new generation of farmers alongside free business advice from independent farm advisory services.
Positive impact
GSC Grays is one of Oxbury’s trusted partners, assisting with the development of business plans to give farmers the best chance of success. Friends of mine who have benefited from the scheme speak incredibly highly of their experience, and having seen the positive impact both personally and professionally, I can only applaud this innovative approach.
As we enter a new year, it is easy to
dwell on the challenges brought by last autumn’s Budget and question why anyone would want to enter an industry so disrespected by Government.
However, we must continue to support and inspire new minds to see beyond the traditional image of a farmer and embrace the diverse opportunities the sector has to offer while continuing to produce the world’s highest standards and quality of food.
Let us all work together to educate, support and develop the next generation of agricultural professionals, in whatever form that takes.
We must continue to support and inspire new minds to embrace the diverse opportunities the sector has to offer, says Olivia Richardson.
