The Rural Business School Issue 49 - Summer 2015
Succession planning Bishop Bill Dairy Lameness Grandfather rights Leisure courses
Advice Days: Bicton - 18th July
Bicton - 25th August
Merger ensures bright future for the land-based sector
Editorial
It has undoubtedly been an extremely difficult time of late with prices depressed across all of the major sectors. Fortunately the weather has been broadly favourable with many reports of good silage being produced both in terms of yield and quality and cereals overall are looking good according to our commentators (page 3). There are signs that the situation in beef, cereals and eggs is showing some improvement, but there is no sign of this in the dairy market (page 21); the combination of high production levels round the world and the major domestic supermarkets squeezing the liquid price through their use of milk (bought by 99% of households) to try and stem their loss of footfall to the ‘discounters’ is to say the least, problematical. Over the past twelve months, we have all been made very aware of the huge opportunities in agricultural and food production predicted as the global population increases to nearly 10 billion by 2050; along with increasing incomes in developing countries and the consequent consumer demand for a more varied diet - particularly a greater demand for livestock products, we are assured that the longer term picture is rosy for UK agriculture. Indeed there will need to be a 60% increase in global agricultural output, according to the government’s ‘AgriTech Strategy’. It is very hard for many milk producers to appreciate
Director: Richard Soffe FRAgS page 2 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
this currently, however; we see global milk supply outstripping demand and so it is very difficult to see any medium term improvement, let alone in the short term. Indeed at the 2015 Bishop Bill Lecture, Professor Alan Buckwell was fairly optimistic that we would be able to meet the challenges of producing adequate food by 2050 (page 7). It would seem that implies that there will not be the assumed relative improvement in price to the farmer. Many would question therefore whether a significant and sustainable increase in prices and returns is now realistic, even over the longer term. Professor Blackwell’s caveat was that there needed to be an increase in expenditure on research to achieve those goals; there is some funding coming through under the Agri-Tech Strategy’, but the impression given was more would be needed, to repeat the achievements of the twentieth century when the development of high yielding cereals and the development of modern fertilisers and pesticides so dramatically increased food production, both here and overseas. When we look at all that is happening in biological
science within the ‘hot’ topics of genomics and synthetic biology, it would seem that we are on the cusp of huge technological advances again, however. The discovery of genes that confer key traits is being accelerated and synthetic biology with the increased use of ‘gene editing’ and other techniques, will give the precision to allow accelerated progress in plant and animal breeding, with knock-on effects in nutrition and outputs. The likelihood is that these will improve returns through reduced costs rather than improved prices and already advances are coming through both in improved disease resistance in livestock and plant breeding (News, pages 17). Within the RBS, our role will be to ensure that both future and existing knowledge continues to be communicated to those who need it either through conventional (see Diary dates, page 27) or more modern means of communication (page 16). Now that Bicton College is working with The Cornwall College Group (page 4), this role will be strengthened considerably to the benefit of the agricultural sector across the south west. Paul Ward
Contents Industry Comment 3 RBS News 4 RBS Projects 12 Market Monitor 22 Guest Articles 24 News 17-25 Diary Dates 27-28
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ARABLE: Fungicide programmes have now been completed and crops are looking well. With sunshine through the critical grain fill period, the potential looks promising. I am writing this mid-Atlantic after returning from a visit to Chicago for the International Oilseeds Producer Dialogue annual meeting. Little did I know that whilst away, markets would take off. I have read reports of the heatwave at home and across Europe starting to make markets nervous. Two weeks ago whilst in Norfolk the impact of the dry spring was already evident with wheat dying off on the light sandy soils and farmers irrigating spring barley. In the American mid-west the problem has been too much rain. We drove past flooded fields of Corn (Maize) and the impact of the waterlogged soils was clearly evident. Farmers were already concerned about nitrogen losses and considered that the impact on the soya crop could be significant. In the meantime it presents an opportunity for us to sell into ……… or will the market tighten and it will pay to hold? Next week I will be in Brussels for a DG Agri meeting and will be taking careful note of how member states describe the conditions in their own countries; all useful information to help the marketing decisions that have to be made. Despite the hard work since last
harvest the real outcome for the forthcoming year will become clear in the next 8 weeks. Mike Hambly, Westcott Farm Partnership, Callington & BCE Chairman, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. BEEF & LAMB: The balance of supply and demand for prime cattle has recently tipped in the producer’s favour resulting in a very welcome strengthening in price. Supplies have tightened and may continue to do so. Cull cow trade is currently improving with outlets competing for the right type of cows. A sharp fall in prices offered for New-Season Lamb has encouraged some producers to wean and select ewe lambs for breeding instead of sending into the flat trade. The strength of sterling is still curbing the export market leaving higher numbers to be accommodated at home. (02-07-15) Sue Rowe, CQLP DAIRY: The spring and early summer weather has led to good grass growing conditions; we have achieved good utilisation by controversially buffer feeding the high yielding cows and pushing the lower yielding group to graze harder. This has resulted in higher butter fat yields, compared with years prior to this one.
The grazing platform residuals have been good. We have just started calving; the first few are stale cows which are in-calf to Fleckvieh and have produced good healthy calves. We have 90 dry cows at present so will be busy in the near future. The maize crops have been struggling up to now, but look to be turning the corner. Preparations are being made for whole crop and crimp, so it will be a busy month. Simon Ward, ST & AL Ward, Wadebridge EGGS: Fortunately, news on the poultry front is not as bad as many of the other sectors at the moment. The egg price has remained the same for as long a period as I can remember and, although rising a little now, feed prices have been relatively low. As businessmen, this is something that helps greatly - more consistency and less volatility. Having said that, it is only natural that we always want, and indeed often deserve, a little more. Consequently, I got quite excited recently when a friend rang to say that he had just heard on Steve Wright that the price of eggs was due rise by 50%. Such a shame then that our egg buyers don’t seem to listen to the radio! Ian Davey, Davey’s Cracking Good Eggs, Saltash
Industry Comments
The state of farming in the south west - your views. Here we list some of your comments on the current state of agriculture in the westcountry.
For more information If you would like to share your views in a future issue, please contact Becky Butland on 0845 458 7485 or email gc@duchy.ac.uk.
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RBS News
Strengthening the rural economy of Devon and Cornwall By Jamie Reed
The official launch of the partnership between The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) and Bicton College has been celebrated, with an event at the Devon County Show. Specially invited guests and a number of industry partners attended the traditional cream tea, where the future plans and vision for the newly merged organisation were laid out.
to increase participation in urban areas, such as Plymouth, through the project at Derriford and through our combined resources, we are aiming to create a world class centre for applied research in the farming industry, further enhancing opportunities for growth in rural industries across the South West.” In February 2014, Duchy
College, through its Rural Business School, was the first land-based College in England to receive the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for leadership of skills development across the region’s rural economy. Regional Director of the South West NFU, Melanie Squires, said, “It is vital the South West has strong and viable land-based colleges to support our fantastic agricultural industry and its affiliated sectors, which are such
an important part of the region’s economy. This merger will help to secure the future of both Duchy College and Bicton College, ensuring they prosper into the future and helping to raise the bar of academic achievement even further.” Dr Phil Le Grice, concluded, “We are hugely grateful for the support we have received
from organisations and businesses, such the NFU, Young Farmers, County Landowners Association, Rothamsted Research North Wyke, Plymouth University, Exeter University and the hundreds of employers who have engaged with our apprenticeship programmes, too many to mention. We will continue to engage with them, growing and adapting our offer to the needs of the regional economy.”
THERE’S MORE TO DUCHY AND BICTON COLLEGES THAN YOU THINK. The merger has created one of the country’s largest land-based providers of education and training, with over 1,200 acres of land in Devon and Cornwall being used for industrybased research and training. Head of Rural Economy at TCCG, Dr Phil Le Grice, said, “Partnerships, education and research are the keys to securing the future of the rural economy of the south west. Both Bicton College and TCCG have extensive links with local page 4 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
schools and employers across the region and a shared passion for providing young people with the right skills: skills that meet the needs of industry.” TCCG currently has over 40,000 learners working towards a range of qualifications, including research masters and degrees; 2,000 of those students are specialising in the rural economy, to include food, agriculture and horticulture. Dr Le Grice
Dr Phil Le Grice, Amarjit Basi and guests at the merger launch at Devon Conty Show continued, “The merger gives us an opportunity to work more closely together to enhance the reputation of our landbased specialisms. Our partnership will extend choice and access to agricultural training, skills and study across Devon and Cornwall.
We have an incredible range of specialist courses on your doorstep, across Devon and Cornwall. From entry-level to postgraduate study, we offer the following: Agriculture Animal Management & Vet Nursing Business Countryside, Conservation & Gamekeeping Early Years & Forest School Equine Floristry Food Manufacturing & Technology
Foundation Learning Horticulture Land-based Engineering & Construction Plant Military Academy Outdoor Pursuits & Adventure Sports Public Services Sport Tree Surgery
T: 0845 60 50 455 E: enquiries@duchy.ac.uk W: www.duchy.ac.uk
“We have already signalled our intention Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 5
NFU Mutual teams up with the Rural Business School to help farmers plan succession Leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual, has joined force with the Rural Business School in an initiative to help farmers make effective succession plans. A recent study has shown that fewer than half of UK farmers have succession plans in place. The need for more information and practical help on farm succession planning was highlighted by recent research commissioned by the insurer in conjunction with the Farmers Weekly, which revealed that 54% of UK farmers have not made succession plans. This equates to more than 40,000 farms nationwide. Three quarters of successors believed that this threatens the future of farms. The partnership will help farmers plan who will take over their farms. The joint initiative will involve research projects and a series of seminars around the UK to provide farmers with information on the options available to them to hand on their farms, while treating all family members fairly. They will also help farmers find ways to broach the delicate topic without causing family disputes. Announcing the partnership at the Royal Cornwall Show on 5th June, Lindsay Sinclair, NFU Mutual Chief Executive, said, “This is the start of
a working partnership which we hope will help farming families across the UK hold meaningful succession planning conversations and take the appropriate steps towards putting an effective plan in place. Working with Richard Soffe and his team at Duchy College’s Rural Business School and other experts such as Professor Matt Lobley from the University of Exeter, we intend to provide practical tools and guidance to the farming community. Together we will be running a series of seminars for farming families around the UK which will take place at the end of this year, and continue into 2016. “As a mutual dedicated to farming and rural communities, NFU Mutual supports its members on issues of concern and importance. And it’s very clear that in today’s highly competitive agricultural marketplace farmers who plan ahead to make the best of their resources are going to be best placed to thrive and grow. However, the daily
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Bishop Bill Lecture: Can we, can’t we, will we, won’t we, feed the ten billion? Guest Speaker: Emeritus Professor Allan Buckwell, IEEP Senior Research Fellow 30th April 2015 By Becky Butland
The Seventh Bishop Bill Lecture was delivered by Institute for European Environmental Policy(IEEP) senior research fellow Emeritus Professor Allan Buckwell. Over his career, Prof. Buckwell has spent time as an agricultural economist specialising in agricultural and rural policy at various academic institutions, worked for the CLA and been involved in debates on how to balance the CAP as a policy for food and environmental security. Prof. Buckwell is one of the lecturers at the Rural Business School’s Challenge of Rural Leadership course.
pressures of coping with whatever the weather chooses to do, the fickle commodity markets, and the hundreds of tasks which farming involves means that taking steps to make long-term plans can easily be put on the back burner. That’s particularly the case on livestock farms where the day to day workload makes it hard to take time out for planning.” Richard Soffe, Director of the RBS, said, “The Rural Business School has been involved in succession planning for some time, working alongside partner organisations such as the University of Exeter. We believe our experience in helping farmers plan their finances means we can play a useful role in
Exeter University’s Prof. Lobley with Richard Soffe and Lindsay Sinclair raising awareness of the issues around succession planning and providing the tools farming businesses and families need to make informed choices. We’re delighted to be able to work alongside NFU Mutual to get the message and practical guidance out to as many people as possible.”
For more information Please contact the Rural Business School on 0845 458 7485 or rbs@duchy.ac.uk
Prof Buckwell began by outlining the challenges the world is facing with the global population expected to continue rising to 9-10 billion by 2050, with some research predicting over 11 billion by 2100, although the increase will be at a slower rate than currently seen towards the end of the century. The challenge this brings with it is: “can we survive and maintain this increase?” The population growth is variable across the world with more developed countries seeing lower rates of increase than less developed regions and countries such as China seeing a reduction in their population. Factors that have affected the growth rates have been economic development and improved health care, reducing the death rates.
Prof. Buckwell went onto discuss the principal drivers of change, stating four as: 1. Population 2. Income 3. Diet change 4. Climate change Economic growth cannot continue indefinitely as there are finite resources available. After seeing huge economic growth in China and Brazil over recent years, their growth rates are now at a lower level. Diet change comes as a result of income rising, moving from a subsistence diet to a more varied diet, with an increase in meat consumption. This in turn instigates changes on the demands of agriculture with livestock consuming resources such as crops.
If the world was to only see huge increases in population, income and diet, the world would be able to adapt and cope. The big ‘game changer’ of the four is climate change. Increasing levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the burning of fossil fuels is affecting agriculture with farmers suffering loss of crops through volatile weather and increased livestock disease, which in turn affects diets with concerns over food
Prof Allan Buckwell availability. Agriculture is not innocent in this GHG increase, they are also a significant contributor accounting for a third of emissions globally and 7-9% in the UK, through methane produced through livestock production and nitrous oxide released during the nitrogen cycle in soil and fertiliser use. The challenge of
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feeding the growing population is not just about production. Food insecurity is a challenge that needs to be overcome, with famine and chronic malnutrition caused through poverty, conflict and lack of government control as well as in emergency situations such as earthquakes, floods and drought. There is also the problem of waste, both on farm and also later in the chain at restaurants and in homes. Measures are now being implemented to overcome this, but it takes time to take effect. Overconsumption is another area of concern, as is the variable and low productivity in land use in many regions. Pressure placed on resources such as land, water, energy and minerals need to be addressed. Water is the most limiting factor and currently 12% of UK land is developed and this is increasing steadily; however Prof Buckwell is not worried currently that this resource will run out and there are ways to make the land that does remain more productive. Productivity is now increasing at a decreasing rate, this is because funding for research and development in this area was stopped. If money could be redirected to this area, yields could begin to improve further
and in ways pressure on these resources could be reduced. Environmental degradation of agricultural development through a decline in soil fertility as a result of soil erosion, water and atmospheric pollution, habitat and species loss, destruction of cultural landscape and the loss of vital ecosystem services all lead to the question ‘is British agriculture sustainable with these problems?’. Sustainable activity can continue indefinitely; agriculture needs to establish if there are limits and if there is what they are so they can begin to adapt and change their practices before it is too late. John Bebbington, Bishop Bill lecture guest speaker in 2011, spoke about sustainable intensification, which needs more research to be undertaken, but would allow production to continue on the same or reduced area, but would require an increased level of knowledge per hectare to allow increased production to be achieved. If these challenges are not met, the consequences will be food price inflation, crisis and conflict, with food stock decreased and increased prices. Starvation and malnutrition will continue and increase in the poorest countries.
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Uncontrollable migration will occur with people moving to where food is more plentiful. Further environmental degradation will occur as agriculture will try to increase production to meet demand. Changes that could occur to meet these challenges include moving to a sustainable diet consisting of less meat, reducing GHG emissions and crop consumption and less sugar as recommended to improve health. There will also need to be changes to reduce waste throughout the food chain from farms to consumers, resulting in less production required so more people could be fed. Sustainable intensification of production is vital for agriculture to change; more attention needs to be paid to the following with money needing to be spent on research for intensification, soil management and reducing the leakage of diffuse pollution of air and water. Increased levels of management for biodiversity and ecosystem services need to be carried out, we are currently not achieving the goals set, but we do know how it needs to be done, so this knowledge needs to turn into action, suggested Prof Buckwell.. Other areas that could be developed include
vertical agriculture with crops grown up walls in cities, alga-culture in deserts, growing algae in tubes which could then be fed to livestock, reducing their consumption of crops. In order to overcome these problems, multiple solutions need to be found as there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution when there are so many variations in climate, soil type, economies etc. Prof. Buckwell concluded by saying, “We can and we will feed ten billion. In order for us to do this, we must focus on consumption as well as production. Recognise the complexity and diversity of agriculture. Constantly up-skill for knowledge of intensive farming. Emphasise research and development, innovation and knowledge exchange – get funding redirected. Further liberalise trade in both products and ideas and finally we must get our policies in better order.”
For more information If you are interested in attending a Bishop Bill Lecture, please contact the Rural Business School on 0845 458 7485 or rbs@duchy.ac.uk.
Teagen - A Duchy College postgraduate swimming against the current. Britain’s most threatened mammal, the humble water vole, ‘Ratty’ of the Wind in the Willows fame, has a new champion in Cornwall, ex Duchy student, Teagen Hill. Westland Countryside Stewards set up the Bude Water Vole Project and recently appointed Teagen Hill as its Conservation Officer. The project has had great success in re-introducing the ‘little chap’ to the Bude catchment and walkers now enjoy hearing the familiar plops of the aquatic mammals as they launch themselves into the water. These were familiar sounds throughout Britain before the arrival of the deadly American mink, released into the environment by misguided activists, with devastating results.
The slim mink is a voracious predator, which has targeted water vole as its main food source, reducing the population by 97%. Indeed, in Cornwall the water vole was extinct. Teagen is playing a major part in eradicating mink from Cornish waters, an absolute pre-requisite to the successful re-
introduction of the water vole. She and her team have proved it is eminently possible by the overwhelming success they have achieved in Bude. Teagen joined Duchy College in 2008 to undertake the National Diploma in Countryside Management and an NVQ in Environmental Conservation. She went on to read a Foundation Degree in Rural Environmental Management which she converted to a full degree in Rural Business Management, finally leaving Duchy in 2013. During her five years at Duchy she participated fully in college activities and played a major role in organising Countryside Day, an occasion when five hundred Primary School pupils were invited to the Duchy campus to enjoy a range of outdoor activities like pond dipping and woodland walks. Whilst studying she augmented her meagre funds by working at a bakery in Bude, so that she could emerge at the end of her studies with a nest egg; a mark of her
commitment to hard work and determination. Her environmental experience is far reaching in that she carried out ecological projects in Troodos Mountain National Park in Cyprus, assisted in the water vole release featured on BBC’s recent programmes called the Burrowers and furthermore has been involved in water vole release projects and has carried out research on Cornish mammals. In her current post she is not only deeply involved in the re-introduction of water voles throughout Cornwall, but is also managing Kilkhampton Common for the local community. As part of her duties, she is monitoring butterfly numbers on the Common and has found an exciting range including Fritillaries,
Teagan Hill Browns, Blues, Whites, Coppers, Red Admirals and Peacocks, amongst many others, whilst avoiding adders and wild bees. She has successfully run water vole seminars at village halls and local education institutions. Somewhere, amongst this busy schedule she finds time to read, computer gaming and walk.
For more information Please contact us on 0845 6050 455 uni@duchy.ac.uk or www.duchy.ac.uk for information on degree level courses.
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Georgie Dudden – Wellpark Sports Horses The story of Georgie Dudde, who has set up a successful equine business following her degree level equine studies at Duchy College. Georgie Dudden finished her A-Levels at Tavistock College and then studied her foundation degree (FdSc) in Equine Sports Performance and Coaching part-time at Duchy College whilst working at TB Equestrian near Bodmin. Finishing her degree in 2013, the theory she learnt at College together with the practical experience gained at work enabled Georgie and her mother Sharon to set up Wellpark Sports Horses – a 16 ha competition and schooling yard near Launceston. Georgie said, “I learnt so much at Duchy College about bringing on youngsters, growth rates and why it’s so important to not rush a 3 or 4 year old, plus lots about fitness and nutrition whilst competing”. Georgie always knew she wanted to work
with horses, and knew it would be mean hard work and lots of hours, but had her heart set on a career in the equine industry from a young age. She particularly enjoys breeding quality youngsters, watching them learn and develop from foals right through to competing successfully at events. With around 35 horses at any one time, as well as breaking, schooling and competing horses for clients, Wellpark also breed competition horses (by Kings Composer, Dalcotes Kreighoff Ninth House and Hallmark DS) and offer a DIY livery service. In recent years, Georgie has gained a reputation for successfully producing well-mannered, wellrounded horses with a calm and caring attitude. Georgie continues, “We haven’t had to do
C&G Level 4 Diploma in Agricultural Business Management Last Opportunity to Apply for September 2015 – a few places remaining This is the highest work based qualification in Agriculture that City and Guilds offer. It is part time, being a day a week of College attendance for the winter months and spans two years,
much at all in the way of advertising; most of our new clients come to us via recommendations which I think speaks for itself”. Georgie’s favourite moments of her equine career so far were going to the Pony Club Championships, and getting to her first 1* event a couple of years ago. She is now looking forward to continuing to build the business, taking clients’ horses out to compete at all levels and competing at the Regionals for Badminton Grassroots, as well as BD
Georgie Dudden Novice Regional finals. Georgie adds, “One tip I would give anyone considering turning their passion for horses into a career, would be to get as much practical experience as you can alongside your College work with a wide range of horses. This will allow you to put the theory you learn in the classroom into practice straight away whilst it’s fresh in your mind”.
The programme focuses on grazing livestock, dairy, sheep and beef. You can study through the new Higher Level Apprenticeship which covers most of the cost. The programme aims to develop management skills and knowledge for either practising or aspiring managers with an overall aim of increasing performance, efficiency and business
management and thus farm profit. Most of the learning and assessment are through application in your own work place i.e. “theory in to practice”. College attendance is limited to 25 days for each winter period and assessors visit the farm on a regular basis. Top industry specialists are used to deliver the College days. There are a number of visits. The programme encourages considerable discussion The programme comprises Advanced Technology (Nutrition, Breeding/Fertility, Health, Environment, Grass and
Expand your mind to the current issues facing the rural industry Develop your leadership skills Advance your strategic thinking A masterclass in leadership
The Challenge of Rural Leadership Course January 2016
For information on the course please contact course director: Richard Soffe Email: leadership@duchy.ac.uk Web: www.ruralbusinessschool.org.uk/20th-challenge-of-rural-leadership Tel: 0845 458 7485
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Something to sell? Looking to buy? Advertise in the The Rural Business School and reach over 10,000 readers! Land, stock, machinery, goods, services etc. Charges: 50p per word plus £5.00 for a photo. Call 0845 458 7485 to place your advertisement or e-mail gc@duchy.ac.uk Cheques payable to ‘Duchy College’. We reserve the right to refuse submissions. Advertisers are liable in law not to mis-represent any offerings for sale, under the Business Advertisement Disclosure Order. We accept no responsibility for the contents of these advertisements.
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Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 11
RBS Projects
Healthy Livestock dairy lameness strand a SUCCESS! By Faye Shepherd
Faye Shepherd of the Rural Business School’s Healthy Livestock team analysed the data generated though the Healthy Livestock’ project’s work on dairy cow lameness for her Research Masters (ResM) degree dissertation. Faye reports on how her results demonstrate the successful outcomes of the programme. Lameness is a common condition in cattle, particularly in the dairy industry. It is a condition that can be extremely painful and is considered by many to be the most significant welfare issue affecting cattle. Not only that, but lameness can greatly affect productivity and profitability- resulting in losses through treatment costs and the associated drop in milk yield. Typical lameness prevalence (percentage of lame cows in a herd) in the UK was reported to be 36.8% (Barker et al., 2010). However, more recent data for the South West of England indicated lameness prevalence of 26.5% (Shepherd et al., 2012). In 2008, consultation with the industry, farmers and stakeholders identified lameness as a key issue to tackle, and was therefore built into the Healthy Livestock (HL) project. HL was a Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funded scheme page 12 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
the Healthy Livestock Scheme saw a mean reduction in lameness prevalence of 6%. That’s a staggering improvement of 22% - one in every four cows lame to one in every five. Interestingly, farmers who participated in only 1:1 stages of the Healthy Livestock lameness strand saw a mean lameness prevalence reduction of 8.4% (a 31% reduction), whereas those who only undertook group stages of the healthy livestock strand saw a lesser mean reduction of 2.5% (a 9% reduction). There was no significant difference between the
which ran from 20092014 aimed at improving animal health by reducing disease. The effectiveness of the lameness strand, which was based on Bristol University’s Healthy Feet Project, was recently investigated and the results explained. The lameness strand consisted of a number farmer focused training options, varying from group training, awareness meetings and foot trimming courses to more individualised on farm 1:1 vet consultations, identifying predominant hoof lesions and lameness risks resulting in a farm specific lameness control plan.
All participating farms underwent an initial mobility score to determine their baseline lameness levels. Farmers then selected which funded activity to undertake. Once the farmer had completed the funded activity, a final mobility score was undertaken to determine whether there had been a change in lameness prevalence. Pre-intervention lameness prevalence was 27% ranging from 3% to 77%. Post-intervention herd lameness prevalence was 21%, ranging from 3% to 58%. Overall, farmers participating in
number of stages the farmer attended and the change in prevalence. The housing type, farming system, breed, herd size and farm size all had no significant effect on the change between pre and post intervention lameness prevalence. These research findings concur with previous research that positive changes on farm are most likely to occur on a 1:1 farmer: vet basis. Whilst it is preferable to undertake 1:1 work with vets, it can be costly. With the addition of 70% Healthy Livestock funding, it made the training more
accessible. Although direct interaction between farmers and vets is a more expensive way of providing training than group training, it has a greater impact upon lameness levels on farm. This must be considered when shaping future interventions.
control plan tailored to their farm. As demonstrated by the success of the Healthy Livestock project, this is something that should be adopted in order to promote cattle welfare, improve productivity and in turn, increase profitability.
The work by Bristol University and Healthy Livestock has been furthered by DairyCo who have produced the Healthy Feet Programme. Trained DairyCo Mobility Mentors guide farms through a series of training elements, which results in a lameness
References Barker, Z.E., Leach, K.A., Whay, H.R., Bell, N.J., and Main, D.C.J. (2010). J. Dairy Sci. 93, 932–941. Shepherd, F., Whitaker, T., and Ward, P. (2012). Advances in Animal Biosciences, p. 183.
Gut worms without scours – the silent enemy By Claire Reigate
Roundworms are responsible for considerable production losses in the UK livestock industry. When we think of worm infections, we often think of scours and dirty bums as an obvious clinical sign. However, there is in fact a highly pathogenic roundworm species that does not typically cause scouring in infected animals and is an emerging problem in the UK. Haemonchus is a bloodfeeding roundworm that causes blood loss, inappetence and anaemia and in severe cases death in a very short space of time.
and is a huge problem is places such as southern Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand but becoming more frequent here in the UK albeit in patches.
It is a roundworm that resides in the abomasum of its host predominantly infecting sheep, but it can cause disease in cattle, goats, deer and llamas. It is typically associated with warm, wet tropical and sub-tropical climates,
The lack of scouring is not the only difference with this worm species: unlike scour worms, it is the adult worm that causes disease as opposed to the developing larvae. It also thrives better in hot humid climate but
appears to be adapting to the cooler UK weather, and adult ewes are susceptible as they do not build up a strong immunity. The adult worm is about 2 – 3 cm long, and has a spiralling gut giving it a twisted, striped appearance, hence the nickname barber’s pole worm. Within its mouth parts it has a piercing lancet which it uses to attach onto the abomasal
lining and feed on its host’s blood. When the worm moves to a new feeding site, the damaged lining continues to bleed. The female worms can produce about 5,000 – 6,000 eggs per day and so in warm temperatures with high humidity, disease onset can be sudden. Each worm can remove about 0.05ml of blood per day, so sheep with 5000 Haemonchus can lose about 250ml of blood daily, hence the
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severity of this disease. Haemonchus infections can be described as chronic, sub-acute or acute. Chronic infection is when the host is able to cope by compensating for the blood loss by replenishing red blood cells. Sub-acute is when the host is struggling to replenish blood cells at the same rate as the blood loss, but just about coping, and acute is blood loss is more than the sheep can cope with. The lifecycle for Haemonchus is similar to that of other ruminant gut worms, except that Haemonchus requires warmer temperatures and cannot tolerate the cold as well. Unlike the other
FAMACHA score card
ruminant gut worms present on farms here in the UK, most infective L3 die over winter, however some infective larvae are able to survive the winter inside of the host in a clever strategy called hypobiosis, or larval arrested development.
The Sustainable Intensification Platform: the Big Ask
Hypobiosis is similar to hibernation. The infective larvae are consumed by the host, they migrate into the tissues and they ‘hibernate’. They cease development and do not feed or grow. In spring, as the climate becomes more favourable, these hypobiotic larvae reemerge, taking advantage of the pregnant ewes’ supressed immune system and continue their development into adult worms often causing
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Increase productivity
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Use resources more efficiently
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Protect and enhance the environment
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Remain competitive within volatile markets
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Improve resilience in the face of an uncertain climate
Source: www.nda.agricza
page 14 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
SWARM hub
By Stuart Knight, NIAB
You could be forgiven for thinking that whoever dreamt up sustainable intensification was mad. Did they pause to consider what, in practice, they were asking farmers to do?
ewes to have a high FEC around lambing, This is known as the periparturient rise, or spring rise, and it is a significant source of pasture contamination. So how can farmers control Haemonchus? Pasture larval levels are highest from the summer onwards in the second half of the grazing season and so this is when farmers expect to see scouring with worms; this, however, is not the case with Haemonchus, so they need to be aware of the other clinical signs including weight loss, bottle jaw, anaemia, and wool-slip. These signs can resemble those of fluke infection. Scours can be present when Haemonchus is part of a mixed burden of several different types of worm. Researchers in South Africa have developed a FAMACHA© scorecard which can be used to detect anaemia, by grading the colour of the eyelids. The principle of detecting anaemia by inspecting the eyelids of suspected cases can be applied on farms here.
A Katahdin ewe with bottle jaw Source: http:// mdsheepgoat.blogspot. co.uk/2013/07/what-isbottle-jaw.html An integrated parasite control plan as recommended by SCOPS (www.scops.org.uk ) will reduce the risk of haemonchosis. Regular faecal egg counting, drench checks, watching for clinical signs and good quarantine protocol is important, as is discussing any concerns with your farm vet. A team of research at Bristol University are undertaking a study looking at Haemonchus and its control on UK farms. If you have had a Haemonchus outbreak on your farm in the past 24 months and are interested in participating, please complete this online survey: www.surveymonkey. com/s/sheep_worms . Alternatively contact Hannah.rose@ bristol.ac.uk for more information.
I’m sure they did, but I can imagine they concluded that we don’t have a choice if we want our farming industry to be profitable, feed a growing population and meet society’s other needs from the same land area. Our aim within the SIP is to provide tools and demonstrate approaches that can help to make all of this possible. However, we cannot offer silver bullets. Rather the answers are I believe already out there on farm, in the form of current best and innovative practices, often under the banner of Integrated Farm Management. So: Why is the SIP needed? It will facilitate wider capture sharing and demonstration
of practices, through case study farms and networks. It will propose better ways of guiding farmers and advisers through the maze of information available, to help them determine which practices or combinations are best able to deliver the desired outcomes. And it will provide ways of assessing the impact of those practices on the overall economic and environmental performance of a farming system. Why is the SIP different? It brings together an unprecedented community spanning universities, research institutions, farming industry, environmental organisations and policymakers, all working together to address the challenges. Farmers are integrally involved as participants in the research, not just a target for knowledge transfer. For both the research and knowledge exchange the aim is to build on what already exists and to encourage others to develop them further.
Why did I want to lead on a SIP Project? I was brought up on a farm and have always loved farming. Sustainable intensification involves huge challenges but also great opportunities. I’m thrilled to be working with such an experienced and diverse research team and that applies to the farmers in our case study networks as well as our many partners in the SIP. I believe that we can learn from one another and together contribute to a profitable and sustainable future for the industry. Stuart Knight is Deputy Director of NIAB, and Project Leader of Project 1 of the SIP. This article has come from SIPScene, the newsletter for the Sustainable Intensification Research Platform. The first edition which is out now essentially forms an introduction to SIP and outlines the planned research as well as containing some wider ‘thought pieces’ and views from in and around the Platform. Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 15
The Sustainable Intensification Research Platform (SIP) is a multipartner research platform funded by Defra to explore the opportunities
and risks for sustainable intensification, from a range of perspectives and at a range of scales across England and Wales. Sign up for the free newsletter
to make sure that you are up to date with all the latest research and developments through the project by emailing Jennifer.Preston@niab.
News
com or read more about the project on the Rural Business School website.
A potato made with gene editing Farming Futures 21st April 2015
Manure management and reducing costs – do you know what you are applying? By Becky Willson & Claire Reigate
As the silage season is well underway, and everyone is out spreading muck on the aftermath but do they know what they are applying in terms of nutrients? If they don’t they can easily find out by downloading the freely available Farm Crap App. The Farm Crap App helps farmers decide the right time to apply manures and slurries for maximum economic value and minimal environmental impacts and highlights the value of the manure to the farm business. It works by calculating crop available nitrogen, phosphate and potash in cattle slurry, pig slurry, FYM and poultry manure at different application rates based on season, crop and soil type. The app includes an image library which allows users to be able to visually assess what they are inputting in terms of nutrients. As well as this the app can be used for record keeping and nutrient management planning. Farmers can set up each field, then input spreading events, either retrospectively, or in the future, then all of the data stored within the app can be exported (in the form of an Excel spreadsheet) via email
to anywhere, including the farm computer. These records can then be kept or incorporated into a nutrient management plan. Better manure management has multiple benefits. Firstly, there are the below ground benefits of a healthier soil. Using slurries and manures increases levels of soil organic matter (SOM), which has been shown to have declined in many UK soils over the past two decades. SOM not only boosts soil biology (by providing a food source), but it also affects the physical and chemical properties of soil, improving soil structure, root penetration, water infiltration and improving crop productivity and quality. Understanding when and where nutrients are used by crops and applying nutrients both in manures
page 16 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
applications adversely affecting water quality but also the release of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from the soils when nitrates are not being taken up by crops. In an era of rising costs and decreasing returns, ensuring that applied nutrients are used to grow crops and not enrich watercourses makes good business sense both financially and environmentally. The app demonstrates the affect that season and timing has on the amount of nutrients available to a crop, and makes nutrient management planning easier as it does all the calculations for you. Also, field records stored on the app are not stuck on the farm PC, but are in your pocket!
and slurries, and fertilisers at a time when the crop is looking for them to grow will minimise overapplication and ensure
that the right amount is put on at the right time. This will reduce not just the risk of diffuse water pollution and manure
The data within the app comes from industry averages of the nutrient content of different slurries and manures and the percentage of that nutrient that is available to the crop depending on when and how you spread it. The Farm Crap App was developed as part of the RDPE-funded resource management project the Swarm Hub (www.swarmhub.co.uk) in collaboration with North Wyke, Rothamsted Research. The Swarm Hub is still live and full of useful, non-biased practical information that comes from scientific research not only on nutrient management but also soils, energy efficiency, water and renewables.
The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of the Rural Business School, Duchy College or the Cornwall College Corporation.
With gene editing, small companies think they can very quickly develop new crops for a fraction of the typical cost—even in species so far mostly untouched by biotechnology, like avocados, sorghum, and decorative flowers. A gene-edited potato that does not accumulate sugars in low temperature storage will last longer, and when it is fried it does not produce as much acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen. The Ranger Russet potato has been developed at Minnesota University. The potato was bred with the help of gene editing, a new kind of technique for altering DNA that plant scientists say is going to be revolutionary for its simplicity and power. The technology could also be a way to engineer plants that avoid the stigma, and the regulations, normally associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the US Department of Agriculture has indicated that the potato will not need to be regulated like GMOs. Most genetically modified crops that have been grown commercially so far incorporate genes from bacteria and public opposition and regulatory requirements make these transgenic plants expensive to develop. Scientists say that the same technologies are going to allow far more sophisticated engineering, including manipulation of photosynthesis to make plants grow faster and yield more food. The next step, according to scientists at Penn State University Yang says, will be to change the DNA letters of plant genes, swapping one plant’s version of a gene for that of another known to offer, say, resistance to diseases such as blight.
Bee scandal New Scientist 4th April 2015 A re-analysis of data from a study at the Food & Environment Research Agency (FERA) by researchers at Sussex University suggests that wild bumblebees colonies in farmland can be expected to be adversely affected by exposure to neonicotinoids. The EU banned the pesticides in 2013 after laboratory studies demonstrated the damage caused by pesticide-laden pollen fed to bees. The FERA study was the first to look at bees in the wild and found no relationship between pesticide residues and health of bee colonies. The reanalysis found that in fact 50% fewer new queens in the hives near where neonicotinoids had been used. There is still no clear evidence that neonicotinoids kill bumblebees, however. Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 17
SKILLS
Skills in Agricultural and Horticultural Crops BASIS Soil & Water
‘Grandfather Rights’ News continued from page 17 for plant protection Bugs on patrol | New Scientist, 6 June 2015 products to end!
As a BASIS approved training provider Duchy College RBS has delivered a range of crops based courses over many years, including:-
A current exemption in UK law, commonly known as ‘grandfather rights’ currently allows anyone born before 31st December 1964 to use plant protection products (PPPs) authorised for professional use on their own or their employer’s land without having to hold a certificate of competence, although they should still be suitably trained and competent for the job.
•
BASIS Foundation in Agronomy (Grassland and Forage Crops)
•
Nutrient Management Planning
•
Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS)
management and good practice. The training includes:-
•
BASIS Soil and Water
•
•
BASIS Certificate in Crop protection Management
Soil protection and soil health
•
Prevention of water and wind erosion.
For Autumn 2015 we already have a BASIS Soil & Water course planned, which is designed for those who wish to pass the BASIS examination leading to a Certificate in Soil and Water Management. Also for advisers, farmers and farm managers who wish to improve their awareness, knowledge and skills in soil and water management - two essential components of modern agriculture. The Soil & Water training is aimed at farmers and advisors looking to advise on fertiliser use, environmental page 18 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
•
Mechanics, economics and environmental aspects of cultivation.
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Soil physical properties – texture and structure.
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Soil organic matter.
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Soil water properties.
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Drainage and irrigation.
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Plant macro/ micronutrients and fertiliser planning.
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Manures and soil organic inputs to enhance crop growth and their effects on diffuse pollution.
This course will take place on 8th,9th,12th and 13th
th
Countryside changes ‘more damaging’ to bees than urban sprawl | Connected Reading University 29th May 2015
Riparian buffer strip October with the exam on 20th October and will cost £875, inclusive of the exam fee. If you are interested in any of the courses mentioned above or to book your place on this upcoming Soil & Water course, please call the Rural Business School on 0845 4587485. Other future courses being considered are:•
BETA (Biodiversity & Environmental Training for Advisers)
& •
Certificate in Garden Care
For more information Please visit www. basis-reg.com
Through ‘re-wiring’ the genes of gut bacteria, scientists are able to chase and destroy microbes which make animals sick. Experiments in Singapore have shown that the approach has significantly increased the survival rates in mice. Using the tools of synthetic biology, scientists are able to ensure that bacteria have new combinations of genes, which give the microbes the capacity to detect and fix specific problems. Welcome to the age of smart probiotics. Studies of the so-called ‘microbiome’ are increasingly common and although initially targeting human health – will this apply to animal health in the future?
This exemption will end on the 26th November 2015 meaning that anyone not qualified will not only be unable to use sprays, they will also be unable to purchase them. Hundreds of farmers have either already completed a ‘Grandfather rights’ course through Duchy College since the beginning of the year, or are booked to attend over the next few months. The course consists of one days training at the College with a practical demonstration, then an on-farm assessment for either tractor mounted sprayers or hand held applicators, on a date
farmers attending a previous ‘Grandfather rights’ course through the RBS arranged between the farmer and the assessor. Participants have commented on the ‘relaxed and informative’ nature of the first day, and that it’s good to meet with farmers and growers from different areas.
For more information For further information or to book your place on an upcoming course please call the Rural Business School on 0845 4587485.
Under-threat bees have suffered more from changes to rural landscapes over the past century than from expanding towns and cities, claim scientists at Reading University, who have analysed records going back 80 years and found that wildlife habitats near new towns, supported greater insect diversity than those in more rural areas. They found that while changes within many natural wildlife habitats had a role to play, the diversity of bee and wasp species was heavily influenced by land use changes in the surrounding areas. While the majority of sites studied experienced a loss in species numbers, sites such as woods or heaths surrounded by arable farmland suffered far more than those where urban areas had grown up, the scientists found. Rural landscapes in Britain have become increasingly dominated by large expanses of monoculture, which has helped boost crop production, but without a mixture of habitat and food sources, biodiversity can suffer. Insect-pollinated cash crops, such as oilseed rape, beans, strawberries and apples, produce more and better-quality yields when they are pollinated properly.
Disease resistant genetics | SAC Sheep & Beef News June 2015 The dairy industry is beginning to select bulls for their improved resistance to disease i.e. bulls which have an above average immune response when they are Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 19
We would like to know what you are interested in.
Junior Tractor Driving & Safety First This two day course will help make young people aware of the hazards of farm machinery and tractors. It is suitable for young people from 13+ who are regularly around farmyards or in contact with farm machinery.
At the RBS, we are arranging a variety of leisure courses and short training workshops on a variety of subjects and interests. We like to offer a wide range of courses, such as Deer Butchery, Gluten Free Baking and Floristry. You will find information on these courses in the list on the back few pages of this newsletter.
The course will include:- Tractor Driving, Health & Safety Awareness Using Machinery, Basic Maintenance, Rules & Regulations. Next Dates: Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th August 2015 Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th August 2015 Friday 14th & Saturday 15th August 2015
Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 8PB th
th
Monday 17 & Tuesday 18 August 2015
Duchy College, Rosewarne, Camborne, Cornwall,TR14 0AB
£135 per person
9.30am - 4pm
Of particular interest is a Corn Dolly workshop in August when you will learn about this traditional craft and begin to make your own corn dollies. During this fun and practical afternoon you will hear some of the history of this ancient craft whilst learning some of the practical skills involved in weaving corn
dollies. You will learn about the material used, how to prepare it and a spend time practising the weaving and plaiting techniques. This will be held at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland on Wednesday 12th August starting at 1pm and the price is £45 per person including tea & coffee and materials. You may also be interested in our Basket Weaving or Pasties and Pies workshops. If you have anything you would like to learn more about or ideas for workshops please let us know.
Please bring a packed lunch and drinks
ALL participants MUST wear steel toe-capped boots and clean overalls. Booking is essential If you are interested in attending this course, would like more information or to book please email rbs@duchy.ac.uk, or call 0845 458 7485.
challenged with a ‘new’ antigen. Canadian research has shown that the effectiveness of an animal’s immune response has heritability of around 25%. Bulls are challenged with two different mild diseases and their immune response measured to identify ‘high immune responders’ (HIRs). HIR cows in a trial in the USA, for example, had 27% less mastitis and 32% fewer retained placentas. Daughters of HIR bulls also had a 25% reduction in cases of pneumonia. Geneticists are now developing genomic markers to identify HIR bulls and eliminate the need for testing bulls and measuring their immune response. When cheap genomic tests become available, they will rapidly become a crucial tool for beef and dairy cattle breeders.
Fruit farmers use sex chemicals to manage pests | Farming Futures, 19th June 2015 Fruit farmers around the world are managing pests by spraying their orchards with pheromones—the communicative sex chemicals that insects emit— confusing the bugs and reducing their impact on the crops and reducing reliance on pesticides. One of the main ways in which insect pests cause damage to fruit, is when a male and a female mate; the female lays eggs on the fruit, and the eggs hatch into larvae that then feed upon that fruit. For example a codling female moth will find mates by emitting pheromones that communicate its sexual readiness and location. When males sense those pheromones, they seek the female out for mating, but on a farm equipped with pheromone dispensers, male moths will end up at one of the misters, not next to a female. They are not able to mate and the local pest population will drop as the insects’ lovemaking habits are continually thwarted. Although chemical pheromones are more expensive than chemical pesticides, they are more cost-effective over the long run.
High sugar consumption linked to obesity | Connected Reading University 29th May 2015
Duchy College, Rural Business School, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 8PB.
Guest of honour for the Annual Prize Day at Duchy College’ Stoke Climsland campus in June was Lord Curry of Kirkhale CBE, who presented the certificates, prizes and special awards. page 20 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
News continued from page 19
People who eat more sugar are much more likely to be obese than those who eat less, according to Reading, Cambridge And Arizona State Universities’ scientists and overweight people are more likely to underestimate how much sugar they eat than those with a healthier weight. They compared sugar intake Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 21
Market Monitor
Farmers learn from DairyCo Research The Research Day hosted at Manor Farm, St Clears, Carmarthen, showcased the latest developments and advice to over 200 farmers.
DairyCo provides a brief overview of the latest economic developments in the dairy industry and also highlights recent research and projects undertaken by DairyCo that may interest dairy farmers and students in the south west.
Andy Dodd, AHDB Dairy Technical Extension Officer, told farmers they can evaluate the genetic potential of their replacement heifers from August with AHDB Dairy’s youngstock herd genetic report. “These proofs will double the reliability compared with non-genomically tested heifers, providing a more accurate prediction of their strengths and weaknesses.” In addition, Dr Jenny Gibbons, AHDB Dairy R&D Manager, explained that the cost of calf mortality is often overlooked. “By understanding the costs, farmers can look at making changes to ensure optimum economic efficiency of their heifer-rearing enterprises.’’ Professor Jon Huxley presented findings from an AHDB Dairyfunded study into early detection and treatment of lameness. Cows with either sole ulcers, sole haemorrhage or white line disease were treated immediately with a range of options. Those receiving hoof trimming, a footblock and a non-steroidal antiinflammatory achieved the best results. Another study examined cow comfort and found that some cows laid down for three hours a day
page 22 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
Luke Crossman If Tesco and Sainsbury’s start losing shoppers as a result of being uncompetitive, there will be pressure to reduce the price they charge. A “retail price war” could ensue.
while others laid down 17 hours. Dr Nick Bell, Researcher at the Royal Veterinary College, urged farmers to ensure lying areas are soft, deepbedded and dry, and provide the cows with enough space to lie down and rise with ease. According to AHDB Dairy R&D Manager, Dr Debbie McConnell, spike and sward lifting aeration have a positive effect on soil structure, encouraging oxygenation and improving water infiltration. However, there can be a short-term yield penalty associated with aeration, resulting from root damage, she warned. So, it is important to identify why aeration is necessary, with any aeration being completed in the autumn to minimise yield loss. Dr Lizzie Sagoo, Soil Scientist at ADAS, showed how slurry hydrometers can provide a quick reading of the dry matter content in manure. From
Andy Dodd, Jenny Gibson and Carys Owens this, slurry nitrogen levels can be calculated, and manure and supplementary fertiliser applications can be more accurately tailored to the crop’s requirements. Morrisons reduces 4 pint price, will others follow? Morrisons has decided to follow the likes of Aldi, Lidl and Asda by offering 4 pints of milk for 89p. The move to offer ‘everyday low prices’ is no doubt a way to entice shoppers back through the doors, but will it result in Tesco or Sainsbury’s reducing their milk from £1 for 4 pints, asks Luke Crossman, AHDB Dairy Senior Analyst. Milk is an important product for both consumers and retailers, as 99% of households purchase milk according to Kantar Worldpanel, so supermarkets will want to be price competitive.
However, the key point for farmers is whether any changes in retail prices will affect farmgate prices? Morrisons has stated that the recent price cut will be ‘swallowed’ by the supermarket while Tesco and Sainsbury’s continue to offer cost of production contracts, so, even if they were to follow the price cuts, farmers supplying them should not feel any direct effect in the short term. However, how long can low retail prices go on? Selling milk at 89p for 4 pints makes it hard for supermarkets to make much, if any, profit on that particular product. However, supermarkets are currently using milk as a low margin or even negative margin item, as they have done in the past, at times, in order to encourage footfall into stores. If this method allows them to gain sufficient profits from other product lines, it is likely they will continue with this approach in the short term at least.
Previously, the question has been asked if this approach could have lasting effects on the consumer perception of milk as a valuable sources of nutrients. The evidence from other “price wars” on beans and bread, for example, is that this is unlikely because these products are such a core fixture of household purchasing. That said, farming unions are likely to take the retailers to task on this issue because, for those who supply non-aligned pools, the squeeze on price will slightly increase pressure on farmgate prices. China’s return to global market delayed by high stocks China’s imports of milk powders may stay restrained for longer than expected. According to the USDA’s Beijing bureau, the Chinese have 300,000 tonnes in carry-over stocks, almost twice as much as previously estimated. The adjustment comes from higher than expected domestic production combined with a small drop in consumption. The increase in powder production has been attributed to a requirement that processors honour prior contracts to purchase milk from farmers, which was subsequently turned into powders. As a result, forecasted imports for 2015 have been revised downwards by 33% to 400,000 tonnes. With the Chinese buying around one-third of the total WMP traded globally, any slowdown in their purchasing will keep global prices under pressure.
News continued from page 21 in 1,700 people in Norfolk, UK, using two different methods: self-reported sugar consumption and sugar levels in urine samples - a more accurate and objective test. They found that those who actually consumed the most sugar, as measured with the urine test, were 54% more likely to be overweight than those who were objectively shown to be eating the least sugar in their diet. The findings highlight how previous studies on sugar and obesity, which have relied exclusively on self-reported diet questionnaires to estimate sugar intake, may have been compromised and led to a misrepresentation of the facts.
Loss in body condition often precedes lameness | Farming Futures, 19th June 2015 Managing body condition score to peak yield could be key in addressing lameness, say researchers who have studied how cows mobilise fat from a protective foot pad in the hoof. Nottingham University trials have shown the “direction of causality” in claw horn lesions. This is the conundrum over whether, as a general rule, ‘thin cows become lame, or lame cows become thin’. The findings link high yielding cows to be “predisposed” to lameness issues as they lose more Body Condition Score (BCS). Central to understanding the issue is the role of digital cushion in protecting the hoof from impact. Three cylindrical bodies of fat placed in parallel at the bottom of the hoof are responsible for “transferring and displacing” force during the initial foot strike action of walking when the load is maximal. When BCS drops, cows can mobilise fat from the foot pad, slimming down the digital cushion. The work suggests that managing body condition score to peak yield could be key in controlling white line disease and soul lesions.
Not to be sneezed at | New Scientist 11th April 2015 Researchers at Imperial College have found that children living in rural areas seem to get less hay fever than those growing up in urban areas. They claim, “The best thing you can do for your children to stop them from getting allergy is to expose them to a cowshed in for one hour in the first six months of life”.
Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 23
Guest Article
A brighter future for new dairy farmers?
News continued from page 23
Modern dairy farming is driven by the need to lower production costs and operate at close-to world prices. This has led to larger herds and capitalintensive operations. But a pioneering Hampshire farmer has developed an alternative business model based on small herds and local distribution.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women could be putting the health of their babies at risk by switching to organic or long-life UHT milk, suggest Reading University scientists. They found that milk certified as ‘organic’, as well as conventional long-life milk treated at ultra-high temperatures (UHT), was a third lower in iodine than conventionally-produced fresh milk. Researchers said the findings had potentially serious public health implications, as most iodine in our diet comes from milk products. Iodine is particularly crucial for the brain development of babies, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy, when iodine deficiency in mothers during these stages can lead to children with a lower IQ. Iodine deficiency was endemic in parts of the UK, with hundreds of thousands of people in the 1930s and 1940s suffering. Britain solved its problem by the enrichment of iodine in milk from supplements given to dairy cows. People are increasingly buying organic and UHT milk for perceived health benefits or convenience, but the research shows that this trend could have serious implications for public health. Previous research has shown that up to 70% of teenage girls across the UK are now iodine deficient, with a decline in milk consumption thought to be the most likely cause.
Organic and long-life milk ‘risk to children’s IQ’ – new study | Connected Reading University 29th May 2015
By Graham Harvey. Pasture Promise Ltd.
With the aid of a grant from the Prince’s Countryside Fund, Nick Snelgar has developed low-cost systems for milking small herds and for processing the milk on-farm. Contrary to the views of economic pundits, he’s discovered there’s a sizeable market for fresh, local milk. For the past 18 months he’s been selling his branded, “fair and local” milk to shops and homes around Martin in Hampshire. Sales have gone from 200 litres a week to 2,500 litres a week. Customers are willing to pay up to £1.25 a litre for milk that’s from grass-fed cows and is fresher than anything on sale in supermarkets. In 18 months Nick has lost no customers. At these prices a young farmer with just 20 cows and milking once a day could sell milk at 40p a litre and expect to make around £37,000 a year. The on-farm processing unit handling the milk of three such micro-herds would itself make a net annual profit of just over £100,000 a year. This is page 24 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
While large, efficient dairy herds are likely to go on supplying milk at close to world prices, we could see the proliferation of small, mainly grass-fed herds supplying the growing numbers of people who want a fresher, local
Nick Snelgar using his mobile milking parlour product. After decades of decline could we be about to witness a new golden age for British dairy farming?
For more information based on a throughput of 6,000 litres a week and a producer price of 40p a litre. Nick’s figures are staggering. They show there is a huge, profitable and largely untapped market in Britain for fresh local milk. It means anyone able to rent 20 hectares of pasture can now set up a profitable dairy business. Three 20-cow micro-herds could share a centrallypositioned processing unit. Alternatively a larger herd of 60 cows could run its own processing unit. The system is designed to be low-stress for both cows and farmer. Nick recommends once-a-day
The farms processing unit milking and a milk yield of just 5,000 litres a cow. By processing the milk on-farm – or having it processed locally – the farmer is independent of large dairy companies and supermarket price pressures. Nick now hopes to see his system rolled out across the UK with a new generation of young, entrepreneurial dairy farmers taking up the challenge. If he’s successful we could see a two-tier milk market develop in Britain, not unlike developments in brewing. Record numbers of independent microbreweries now operate alongside the big beer companies.
Are you interested in hearing more about microdairying? Please contact Graham Harvey on slowley@globalnet.co.uk or call the Rural Business School to register your interest in attending an event aimed at exploring this exciting opportunity in more detail.
Advice Days Bicton - 18th July Bicton - 25th August Please call 0845 6050 455 for more information
You can now claim Dairy Pro CPD points through The Rural Business School. Please contact BASIS to claim your Dairy Pro CPD points.
The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of the Rural Business School, Duchy College or the Cornwall College Corporation.
Why finishers should use EBVs | SAC Sheep & Beef News June 2015 Most finishers buying stores completely ignore Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs). Those that do think about them consider them as a tool for breeders and not to improve the profitability of finishers. The most accurate EBVs are those associated with growth and carcase quality – key factors influencing profitability of the finisher. Growth has a major impact on days on the unit and hence total costs; carcase value has a major impact on total returns. While most breeders now take EBVs into account when purchasing bulls, paying a premium for those with better figures, they completely ignore passing the information to their customers when selling stores. Supermarkets on the other hand have already begun to utilise EBVs to improve the carcases of the cattle they purchase with several subsidising semen from superior bulls for their beef group breeders. Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 25
Cornwall Grassland Society County Field Day On a glorious day in April, Cornwall Grassland Society members met for their annual Field Day. This year the hosts were West Cornwall Grassland Society. 150 members of the agricultural community met at Treworgie Farm, Manaccan. After coffee, the county chairman, Brindley Hosken, welcomed everyone and introduced Roger and Dorothy Jenkin, the hosts of the morning farm walk. Roger explained the background and history of the farm and then proceeded to show everyone around and then with his son, Hayden, explaining how they were managing the cows for high yields and good fertility in an intensive system .Roger’s daughter, Christina gave a short presentation on the calf rearing protocols on the farm. The group then visited the new cubicle shed, which had been designed for cow comfort and ease of management. The cows were looking very contented.
The next stage of the visit was for us all to mount trailers and travel to the `off ground`, two miles away , stopping at Roscruge Beacon to admire the magnificent views on
the way . Everyone could appreciate the difficulties of driving tractors and trailers on such narrow and twisty roads. It was then back to Treworgie for a pasty lunch and a chance to socialise. After lunch, the silage competition results were announced, the competition having been judged previously by George Hext and Robert Northcott of Cornwall Farmers. The competition this year was won by Alan Hancock of Holsworthy.
It was then back on the trailers again to drive the short distance to Lanarth Farm for the second farm walk. Here the chairman introduced Micky Tyler, who proceeded to explain the philosophy of their
page 26 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
grassland management, a much more extensive system than the morning’s visit with Higher Level Stewardship a key part of the management. He then gave a brief run through of their sheep enterprise and of the breeds used for the best results. We then travelled to an area of land that had been broken in from Goonhilly Downs, where Jeremy Clitheroe from Natural England explained how they were managing it to encourage rare plants that could only be found on the Lizard Peninsula. This was followed by a short walk on some very soggy grassland. It was then back on the trailers and back to Treworgie. A vote of thanks to the host farmers
was given by Andrew Bray. The chairman thanked the sponsors of the day and everyone who had helped make the day a success. The event finished with a cream tea before everyone departed to their own part of Cornwall.
For more information There are currently four local Grassland Societies in Cornwall: Bude, North Cornwall, South East Cornwall, West Cornwall, which together form Cornwall Grassland Society. If you would like to join or further information, contact the RBS in the first instance.
Diary Dates Course title
Date/Time
Emergency first aid at 16/07/15 9amwork – level 2 4pm
Venue
County
DCS
Cornwall £95
Safe use of quad bikes and routine maintenance
16-17/07/15 9.30am-4pm
Devon Tamara Training, Woolacombe Farm, Bere Alston, PL20 7EB
Herdperson course
18/07/15 9am5pm
Keeping pet chickens
Cost
Contact RBS
£230
RBS
DCS
Cornwall £275
RBS
18/07/15 10am4pm
DCR
Cornwall £45
RBS
Safe use of pesticides – Grandfather Rights, PA2
22/07/15 9am4pm
DCS
Cornwall £200
RBS
Herdperson course
25/07/15 9am5pm
DCS
Cornwall £275
RBS
PA1 & PA6 principles of safe pesticide application
29-30/07/15 9am-5pm
DCS
Cornwall £325
RBS
PA1 & PA2 principles of safe pesticide application
4-5/08/15 9am5pm
DCS
Cornwall £350
RBS
Junior tractor driving
10-11/08/15 9.30am-4pm
DCS
Cornwall £135
RBS
Trailer handling and reversing
12/08/15 9am4pm
DCS
Cornwall £75
RBS
Felt making for beginners
12/08/15 9.30am-1.30pm
DCR
Cornwall £47
RBS
Allotment gardening
12/08/15 10am3pm
DCR
Cornwall £30
RBS
Corn dolly workshop
12/08/15 1pm5pm
DCS
Cornwall £45
RBS
Junior tractor driving
17-18/08/15 9.30am-4pm
DCR
Cornwall £135
RBS
Practical gardening
19/08/15 10am3pm
DCR
Cornwall £45
RBS
Summer 2015 | The Rural Business School | page 27
Course title
Date/Time
Venue
County
Chainsaw occasional user – City & Guilds NPTC level 2
25-26/08/15 9am-5pm
DCS
Cornwall £305
RBS
PA1 & PA2 principles of safe pesticide application
26/27/08/15 9am-5pm
DCR
Cornwall £350
RBS
Safe use of pesticides – Grandfather Rights, PA6
03/09/15 9am4pm
DCS
Cornwall £200
RBS
Training you and your 06/09/15 10amgundog 1pm
DCR
Cornwall £25
RBS
Deer butchery course 08/09/15 9am5pm
DCS
Cornwall £99
RBS
Pruning orchards and 19/09/15 10am3pm fruit for autumn and winter
DCR
Cornwall £45
RBS
Your garden soil
23/09/15 7pm9pm
DCR
Cornwall £35
RBS
Gluten free baking
26/09/15 10am4pm
DCS
Cornwall £55
RBS
Calf rearing
26/09/15 10am4pm
DCS
Cornwall £75
RBS
Introduction to welding
03/10/15 9.30am-3.30pm
DCS
Cornwall £99
RBS
Basis soil and water
08/10/15 Exam 20/10/15 9am5pm
St Neot Village Hall
Cornwall £875
RBS
Key to icons
Cost
Contact
For more information
Agriculture general
Dairy
Beef
Sheep
Poultry
Arable/Crop Production
Resource Management
Machinery
Pets
CPD
Countryside
Rural Crafts
Equine
Leadership & Management
Food & Drink
Forestry
Horticulture
General/ Other
page 28 | The Rural Business School | Summer 2015
Please call 0845 458 7485 or email rbs@duchy.ac.uk for more information. Our full list of events is available at: www.ruralbusinessschool.org.uk
Key to abbreviations DCR - Duchy College Rosewarne DCS - Duchy College Stoke Climsland ESF - European Social Funded (eligibility rules apply) FF - full fee