Farming

Back British Farming

November saw the seventh annual Back British Farming Day with support across Westminster, says NFU county advisor Gemma Harvey

On Wednesday 2nd November, the NFU hosted the seventh Back British Farming Day at Westminster. Throughout the year we ask MPs to show their support for farming, and Back British Farming Day is a chance to celebrate all things great about the British agricultural industry, with politicians, NFU members and the public. As part of the day, the union asked MPs to wear the NFU’s iconic lapel badge to show their support for British farming. During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) a sea of wheatsheaf badges could be seen on MPs’ lapels on both sides of the chamber, signifying their support for the role that British farmers play as food producers and caretakers of our environment. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak voiced his support for British farmers and everything they do for our rural communities both during PMQs and on social media. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also showed his support for the day by wearing the wheatsheaf badge throughout PMQs. On social media thousands of farmers and members of the public posted photos and messages to say why they value British farming so highly, the hashtag #BackBritishFarmingDay reached more than six million people, helping us trend at number five on Twitter in the UK. As part of the day, the NFU hosted a breakfast reception in the Houses of Parliament, with more than 100 parliamentarians in attendance, including North Dorset’s Simon Hoare MP. During the reception, the regional winners of the NFU’s Community Farming Hero awards were announced. Defra Secretary of State Therese Coffey and Farming Minister Mark Spencer presented the awards. The Community Farming Heroes, farmers who have gone above and beyond for their communities, were nominated by their MPs. A wealth of nominations were received from across the South-West region, with Andrew and Alison Musson declared the winners. Beef and sheep farmers from Devon, the couple foster children and have played an invaluable role in providing a safe and supportive home for some of Devon’s most vulnerable children. Over the years they have looked after around 90 children.

NFU President Minette Batters at the Community Farming Hero awards

PROTECT YOUR BIRDS

If you keep poultry or captive birds, they are at risk from Avian Influenza (bird flu). There are a number of steps that you can take to reduce the risk of your birds being infected by this notifiable disease. Good biosecurity practices such as an enhanced hygiene routine are central to this. Use the following top tips to make sure you are doing all you can to protect your birds…  Tick all of the following practices that you are already doing and think about how to implement those you are not.

Housing

You should house your birds in line with government guidance

Ensure that wild birds, rats and mice cannot access the area where your birds live

Check for any leaks in the roof to prevent water getting into the area where your birds live

Water sources

Prevent your birds from sharing nearby ponds and waterways with wild birds. For example, by netting areas of standing water, such as ponds, preventing bird access

Cleanse and Disinfect

Regularly cleanse and disinfect hard standing areas your birds can access

Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect all equipment, such as feeders and drinkers regularly

General

Carry out effective rodent control

Limit the amount of people who have access to your birds

Speak to your vet if you are worried about the health or welfare of your birds

Feed and Water

Do not feed or water your birds in areas which can be accessed by wild birds

Always clean up any feed spillages to discourage wild birds, rats or mice

If you feed wild garden birds, make sure you do this in a separate area, as far away as possible from your captive birds

Clothing and Footwear

Ensure that all clothing and footwear are washed thoroughly before you come into contact with your birds

Use specific footwear when accessing the area where your birds live - do not access the area where your birds live wearing footwear you have worn elsewhere, e.g walking the dog as this can increase the risk of cross contamination

For more information visit - www.countrysideonline.co.uk/birdflu

The great British turkey gamble

Guaranteeing a fresh turkey for your Christmas table may be a tricky call this year, says Andrew Livingston

Sadly, this year will be the first time in years that we as a farm aren’t growing our own turkeys. With Avian Influenza (AI) continuing throughout the year we couldn’t risk having 30 or so turkeys potentially contracting the disease and infecting our shed of free-range layer hens. I miss the sight and sound of the gobbling giants down our drive, but I am definitely going to enjoy a plucking-free Christmas this year!

Turkey roulette

It hasn’t been a good year for the turkey industry. Last year, Norfolk, the traditional home of turkeys, survived AI; this autumn the county has been decimated with cases. The Animal Plant Health Agency’s map of cases is horrific viewing. Turkeys and geese are more affected by AI than other poultry, which means that when one farm goes down it’s just a matter of time before neighbouring farms fall to the disease. If you can’t do without a turkey on the table this Christmas, my personal suggestion is that you buy early and have a frozen one on standby; waiting for freshfarmed turkey is a game of Russian roulette this year.

Vaccines and superchilling

One point of good news for the industry is that the government this year reintroduced the process of superchilling. Reserved for seasonal birds such as turkeys, geese and ducks for Christmas, super-chilled birds are frozen rapidly and then defrosted in December to be sold on the supermarket shelves. Superchilling storage has no effect on the meat taste or texture. Of course, just because your turkey is in the fridge doesn’t mean it’s actually fresh. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is advising consumers buying turkey, duck, capon or goose products in the run-up to Christmas that they may have been previously frozen and defrosted before being placed on sale as chilled. The products should be clearly labelled as ‘defrosted’ and are suitable for home freezing if the label says so. So if you are picky, choose carefully and read the smallest print on the label. Ultimately, it’s a bit late for this Christmas, but this means that next year birds can be slaughtered in the summer, frozen and then defrosted for Christmas to avoid the risks of bird flu. Further ahead, there is brightening news that Norway has begun using AI vaccines on their birds. The government will have to make a sharp U-turn on the vaccine policy, but something needs to change as compensating farmers is costing the country millions of pounds. Currently poultry is not vaccinated due to the risk of bird flu going into the food chain and infecting the public. Like the Covid vaccine, the AI counterpart doesn’t stop birds from catching the disease but just prevents death. The risk is then what effect the disease has on humans if they eat infected meat. You could say turkeys voting for the vaccine is the same as them voting for Christmas, but I have heard first-hand accounts of the effect of the disease on a flock of birds and it is harrowing. It’s not just the financial implication for farmers … it’s the mental strain of having thousands of birds culled by the APHA - if they haven’t all died before they get there. If you’re lucky it may be turkey for Christmas this year. But if something doesn’t change soon, prepare to be carving Christmas trout on the big day!

Settling in to winter on the farm

As the season turns, life in the Tarrant Valley slows. James Cossins finds it’s a time for looking ahead – to TB tests, feed stocks and some stability

With more than 200mm of rain (eight inches in old money!) in November, the Tarrant has finally decided to start flowing again; Tarrant Rawston had been dry for five months. I am sure that we will need more rain to top up groundwater levels as the borehole level on the farm is still below normal. The countryside looks particularily green for this time of year; the grass and winter crops are still growing as the temperatures remain mild with very few frosts to date. On the farm we are getting settled into our winter routine. With most cattle now housed there are the daily feeding and bedding up tasks to carry out. The cows are milking well with good quality feed stocks available, but there is a concern as to how long they will last through the winter. With the long, dry summer, our grass and maize harvest yields were down on average, and with winter feeding starting earlier than usual we will have to do some careful calculations to determine our feed stocks. There are local forage auctions in the area during the winter, so buying in feed may have to be an option.

Awaiting the vaccine

We will be carrying out a TB test on all our cattle early this month, having been clear for six months. Fingers crossed that we do not have any reactors. It seems that with the current control measures in place there has been a 50 per cent reduction in new cases and where there is a breakdown, fewer cattle appear to become infected. I certainly can’t wait for the cattle vaccine to be available, so that cattle can be protected and not needlessly infected and then have to be slaughtered. I believe the vaccine is still three to five years away, although trials are happening now.

Paying the price

A lot of media attention has been given to the shortage of eggs in the supermarkets. Egg producers have been saying for many months that there will be a shortage of eggs unless a realistic price is paid to them. Feed and energy costs have risen considerably but the supermarkets appear unwilling to pay more. What is even more frustrating is that the price to the consumer has actually risen but that increase has not been passed on down the chain. Many egg producers have either stopped producing entirely or have cut back production, which is all about completing the cycle. If farmers feel it is not economically viable to produce then they won’t start the next production cycle. A certain supermarket (which proudly ‘supports British Farmers’) are now importing eggs from Italy.

Hoping for stability

More than 80 members of Dorset NFU heard President Minette Batters going through the issues we face and how we are trying to address them. She said she was on her fourth Prime Minister and third Minister for the Environment – let’s hope for some stability and some clear agreed policies on the way ahead for food and farming.