18 minute read
Farming
Farming If you could choose a season for a day
Country Diary with AJ Selby
May brings flocks of pretty lambs, skipping by their fleecy dams. Imagine a scenario if you will, that once you have shuffled off of this mortal coil, you are allowed one day back in England in any season of your choosing. Would you go for a long, lazy day in July, maybe sitting by a riverbank under an azure blue sky watching the dragonflies at work, and then repairing to the village green in the evening as the long shadows fall across the cricket pitch and the match nears its conclusion? Maybe autumn would be your choice; tracts of ancient woodland cloaked in burnished gold and russet and incredible fungi poking out of the leaf litter on the forest floor. Or mid-winter, when the land is stilled by a blanket of snow as a long walk takes you back to a crackling log fire and a hot drink. Tempting those days may be, but for myself there is only one choice; a perfect day in late May when I am roused early by the mind-blowing crescendo of the dawn chorus in full voice. As the wispy morning mist burns away and the sun rises, I watch the swallows at work darting all over the meadow full of wildflowers, skimming the top of the vegetation for insects. The trees are in full leaf, every hedge carries beautifully crafted nests with eggs or fledglings, with a profusion of stitchwort, cow parsley, ragged robin and foxglove on their banks. Is there a better place to be in the world than England in late spring when the explosion of colour and life and song and sun combine to make a magical landscape that takes the breath away? A lovely May day is really something special. Spirits are raised, the countryside is busy and there is so much to look at and enjoy. The sunshine brings out the best in man and beast, and across the meadows the lambs are at play. One cannot fail to smile at their antics, bouncing vertically on the spot, jumping over their siblings and running rings around their mothers. Young calves are also out in the fields by the end of the month enjoying their first taste of spring grass, and safe in the knowledge that the worst that they will face is an occasional horse fly or iterant wasp. Winter goes too slow, spring goes too quick so savour every moment of every day and drink in the glory that is our countryside at the finest time of the year. A.J. Selby
Killer Sudoku Pro Jumbo 3D Sudoku
48× 23+
3 6 1 8 3 2 5 9 7 4 11+ 15× 63× 6 4 5 9 7 1 6 3 8 2 40× 1 15+ 30× 7 3 2 4 9 8 5 1 6 12× 25+ 15+ 12+ 3 4 5 6 8 7 2 9 1 18+ 48× 2 7 6 1 5 9 4 3 8 18× 1 56× 30× 9 8 1 2 3 4 7 6 5 18+ 2÷ 21× 5 6 7 9 4 1 8 2 3 72× 480× 3 8 9 3 5 6 2 1 4 7 2× 16+ 14+ 1 2 4 8 7 3 6 5 9
Brain chain (Hard)
9 4 2 3 6 8 8 3 9 4 1 6 6 7 5 3 2 9 5 7 17 9 42 8 56 1 3 7 2 5 6 8 3 9 1 4 3 5 1 9 4 6 7 8 2 9 1 35 7 46 8 25 1 7 8 3 9 4 6 2 7 3 6 2 9 1 4 5 8 2 1 4 4 9 3 7 8 5 9 1 67 5 32 8 4 5 2 8 6 9 4 1 7 3 1 2 94 5 68 3 7 5 6 3 9 7 8 1 2 4 7 2 5 6 8 3 5 7 3 1 8 7 6 2 5 8 1 9 8 1 7 4 3 6 5 4 9 2 8 1 6 4 5 4 3 1 7 9 6 2 1 7 5 2 8 8 7 4 1 5 9 3 6 2 9 4 3 1 8 5 6 1 7 4 6 9 2 8 5 3 1 6 4 9 5 8 7 2 5 2 8 9 3 6 9 4 7 3 9 2 6 3 1 7 8 4 1 5 3 2 6 9 6 2 7 7 1 49 4 4 5 23 6 8 81 3 9 2 7 5
Puzzle solutions
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Cryptic Crossword
C H I A N T I O G L E S O S A A M T H R U S T S G O L E M A D U T R I A T H E T A E N A B L E I G R N E N N E A T E N A D H E R E S N M I F W
P A P E R S A L A R M S R N S T V A T A C I T U N H E A R D A H E E I E B O Y D A S A R U L E
WEDNESDAY MAY 5TH GENUINE HERD DISPERSAL Ceasing Milk Production
50 Friesian Holstein Dairy Cattle Predominatly HB Cubicle Trained Milked by Lely MK 4 Robots Herd Ave 7,500 Ltrs CC200 All year Calving to sexed Semen & Pedigree Hereford Sweeper Stock Bull Potkiln 1 Jumbo
Held in Ring 2 after the Weekly Sale of commercial Dairy Cattle TB Tested 05.04.21
Plus 20 HB In-Calf Friesian Holstein Heifers Calving at 2 Years of age Due July/Aug to Hereford Potkiln 1 Jumbo WEDNESDAY 5TH MAY Sale of Pigs WEDNESDAY 12TH MAY Sale of Reared Calves MONDAY 17TH MAY Sale of TB Restricted Cattle SATURDAY 22ND MAY Sale of Poultry FRIDAY 28TH MAY
Sale of Store Cattle to include Organic
Strict Social Distancing rules apply. Everyone to provide their own face masks. Face masks to be worn at all times Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick,
Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QB Tel 01373 830033 Email: info@fromelivestock.com Website: www.fromelivestock.com
TRACTOR DRIVER/ AGRICULTURAL LABOUR REQUIRED for North Dorset based contracting business. Monthly pay, please send CV to trfoote87@hotmail.co.uk or call 07891927207
Conyers
Country Outfitters
(Justin J Frampton) R.F.D.13D New or Secondhand Shot & Air Guns, Rifles and Repairs. Game, Coarse & Sea Angling Equipment
Est 1886
3 West Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7AW jay@conyers.biz www.conyers.biz Tel: 01258 452307 Mob: 07973 642278
We provide a friendly, local service at competitive prices. Based at Redlynch near Bruton, we supply Car, Commercial, Agricultural, Plant & 4x4 tyres and offer a 24hr breakdown service. We won’t be beaten on price.
Call us on 01749 813957 or 07971 012628
or find us at
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Mobile Service
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ATV SPRAYING, AGRICULTURAL & PADDOCK SERVICES. CALL 07711 980871
Air Ri昀es & Air Pistols wanted Any make or model Any condition Call 07970 742471
FARMERS. FREE RABBIT PROTECTION by experienced vermin controller. 07875821628.
Variety of POL HYBRID PULLETS now available. 07545 468700
QUALITY HAYLAGE, D1010 Bales, 6ft, 4 strings with 8 wraps, a large quantity, Mark 07860 759996
The permitted development rights under the General Permitted Development (England) Order 2015 (GPDO) provide farmers and landowners with agricultural buildings the opportunity to change the use to up to 5 dwellings of varying sizes under Class Q. There are a number of restrictions for using Class Q, the key issues being that the building(s) need to have been in agricultural use on 20th March 2013 and as part of an established agricultural holding and the building needs to be capable of conversion which would be demonstrated via a structural engineer’s report. The other permitted development right available to agricultural buildings allow for the change of use from agricultural to flexible uses of up to 500 square metres which can include office use, storage and C1 hotel use which includes guest houses. The benefit of Class R is that it does not require the agricultural building to be structurally capable of conversion. However, Class R simply allows for the change of use and does not include the operational development which would be submitted as a full planning application once the change of use has been established. By utilising permitted development rights it provides a cheaper and quicker route than full planning. The advantage of prior approval applications is that they are only assessed on the criteria laid out within the GPDO instead of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Authority’s Local Plan policies which are generally not in support of development in rural locations. Class Q and Class R can both be used to create a ‘fallback’ position which relies on the principle of residential or a flexible use being established and then allowing for a full planning application to be submitted to possibly demolish the existing and alter the siting to a more suitable location. AssetSphere are experienced in dealing with complex sites which require a strategic approach to planning and utilising permitted development rights to achieve a long term goal and increasing the value of capital assets.
For help with permitted development rights, please call Alex Orttewell or Richard Edge on 01935 852170 or email info@assetsphere.co.uk
Farming Brightly coloured birds a stunning sight
Packed programme for Sherborne YFC
Young farmers held their first meeting for a while this week, and agreed the following activities: April 29 7.30pm – Bale art with the theme of thanking keyworkers. May 13 7.30pm - Tug of War practice/ planned walk May 27th 7.30pm – Fish & Chips at Weymouth beach June 10 7.30pm – picnic and rounders. If you’re interested in joining, email sherborne.yfc@yahoo.com
CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS For cow tracks / retaining walls. Contact Ricky or Robert at Liquiline Limited. 01258 830324 / liquiline.co.uk
GILLIES AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING. 07903 972905. Tractor & 14 ton dump trailer. Tractor & sf12 silage trailer available for immediate hire Reader Nick Dibben took these wonderful pictures of kingfishers in flight in Blandford, showing their true majesty –and why farmers try to make their land as wildlife friendly as possible. Aren’t we lucky to live where we do?
For those For those whose farmers TV volume 38 The High Street, who drove is now Wimborne BH21 1HT tractors
at 50! Tel: 07514 417556 8.30am – 4.30pm in the 70s!
COME FOR A FREE 1 HOUR HEARING TEST! 0% interest payment plans available for hearing aids We will welcome you all with open ears!
GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT
Forthcoming Dairy Sales
Telephone: 01278 410250. Email: livestock@gth.net SEDGEMOOR AUCTION CENTRE NORTH PETHERTON, SOMERSET, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) Thursday 13th May at 11.00am with the Heifer Calves The May Collective Dairy Sale of 200 DAIRY CATTLE
* 80 Freshly Calved Cows & Heifers from Beneknowle, Clevian, RD Hodge & Son, RC & JL Pickering & Sons & Leading South West Breeders
*12 Incalf Heifers from RD Hodge & Son
*48 Bulling Heifers RD Hodge & Son, from Roundhillsfarm & Wrackleford
** Live bidding on MartEye, please register in advance at gth.marteye.ie **
MAY
Tues 25th SEDGEMOOR AUCTON CENTRE. The Dispersal
Sale of 250 ORGANIC Crossbred Dairy Cows and
Incalf Heifers together with Dairy Equipment for
RV Edmunds & Son Ltd (Removed from Redlands
Farm, Pedwell, Bridgwater for convenience of sale). Online Timed Auction
MAY
Tues 18th
ONLINE TIMED AUCTION (https://gth.
auctionmarts.com) of Dairy Equipment, Farm Machinery and Livestock Equipment for MJ Lock & Partners (Bury Hill Farm, Pulborough, West Sussex).
Sedgemoor Auction Centre
North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF (M5, J24) Telephone: 01278 410278 www.gth.net TOTAL STOCK FOR THE WEEK 6027
Stock from across the West Country, sold to buyers from throughout the Nation Returns for Saturday 24th April 2021
DAIRY CATTLE (68) Heifers to £2320. Others £2280. Cows to £1650. Others £1600. (1516) STORE CATTLE & STIRKS - FORWARD STORES (946) Steers to £1550 (CHX). Others £1505 (LIMX) £1490 (CHX) & £1475 (LIMX). Heifers to £1390 (LIMX). Others £1380 (BRB) £1350 (BRB) & £1350 (LIMX). GRAZING COWS (15) to £1215 (LIMX). SUCKLERS (7) to £1070 for a cow & calf. £1020 for a He bull. STIRKS (563) Steers to £1045 (LIMX). Others £985 (LIMX) £975 (LIMX) & £970 (LIMX). Heifers to £970 (LIMX). Others £940 (LIMX) £880 (BRB) & £825 (LIMX). CALVES (455) - Beef Bulls to £490 (BRB). Others £472 (CHX) £462 (LIMX) & £445 (BRB). Heifers to £425 (BRB). Others £390 (LIMX) £385 (BRBX) & £380 (CHX). Black & Whites to £180. Others £148. (2088) SHEEP STORE LAMBS – Friday (317) to £149. Others £140 & £138.50. Overall Ave £95.77. CULL EWES & RAMS (609) Ewes to £176. Others £150 & £145. Rams to £146. Others £145 & £141. Overall Ave £92.60. GOATS (14) to £127. Overall Ave £97.93. COUPLES (403E & 600L) Doubles to £368 (£122.67/life). Singles to £280 (£140/life). Overall Ave £63.50/life. ORPHAN LAMBS (98) to £41 (3x). Overall Ave £11.10. (118) PIGS – WEANERS (45) to £50. CULL SOWS (4) to £134. FORWARD STORES (89) to £155. BREEDERS Sow & 9 piglets to £198.
The West Country’s Gateway to National Abattoirs Returns for Monday 26th April 2021
PRIME CATTLE (150) Steers UTM av 208.6ppk to 231.0ppk & £1,687.08. Others 224.5ppk, 222.5ppk (2x) & 220.5ppk. Others £1,674.80, £1,614.48 & £1,586.20. Heifers UTM av 204.6ppk to 232.5ppk and £1,535.73. Others 231.5ppk, 231.0ppk & 227.5ppk. Others £1,426.36, £1,413.63 & £1,413.03. BARREN COWS (42) Continental av 153.0ppk to 173.5ppk and £1,437.31. Others 168.5ppk. Others £1,241.25. Native Beef av 142.3ppk to 159.5ppk and £1,266.90. Others 158.5ppk. Others £1,197.70. Dairy av 111.1ppk to 143.5ppk and £1,160.64. Others 139.5ppk. Others £978.67. FINISHED SHEEP (1590) Hogg ave 278.08ppk to 291.0ppk and £166.00. Others 289.0ppk (2x) 286.0ppk (2x) & 285.0ppk. Others £164.00, £160.00 (3x) & £158.00. Lamb ave 343.60ppk to 382.0ppk and £163.00. Others 378.0ppk & 368.0ppk. Others £154.00 & £153.00.
FORTHCOMING SPECIAL SALES
For full COVID-19 rules on market attendance and up to date sales list please refer to our website https://www.gth.net/ sedgemoor-auction-centre and/or Saturday market report https://www.gth.net/market-reports.
APRIL
Fri 30th.....
MAY
Sat 1st......
Mon 3rd....
Fri 7th.......
Sat 8th......
Sat 8th...... Wed 26th.. Store Lambs, Cull Ewes & Rams & Goats. Gates
Open 12 Noon Sale 4pm
Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock
10am Ring 2
Normal Monday Market Prime Cattle, Barren Cows, Prime Lambs & Killing Ewes Store Lambs, Cull Ewes & Rams & Goats. Gates
Open 12 Noon Sale 4pm
Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls 12.30pm (Limited to 200 Head) Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 10am Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows. Stock to be booked in
with the market of昀ce by 19th May. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or CSC.TBlicensing@apha.gsi.
gov.uk Sale commences 4.30pm Sat 29th Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am
Ring 2
Farming Parched earth causing severe problem
Ruth Kimber’s Farmer’s Diary
One swallow doesn’t make a summer, the old saying goes. We were delighted to see our first two swallows arrive on March 31, however we haven’t seen any more, which is unusual and a bit worrying. The grass situation is now severe as far as grazing animals is concerned. Crops are struggling, beans, rape, spring-sown cereal to name a few are crying out for a good drink. The frost and cold winds added to bright sunshine has really dried everything out, including the foliage on plants. Watching the cows going into milking, they create a dust storm! Even the fence posts are loose, as the clay has dried out and shrunk, with limited grass, the cattle reached through the fence to graze, testing and often breaking the fence. There are always consequences! However, our cattle are content and at the moment we still have silage reserves, not so for many of our farming friends. The price of forage is high and the price of milk at farm gate too low. A very uncomfortable place. The farm is preparing the maize fields, spreading farm yard manure, then incorporating it, ready to plant the seeds, but again we must be guided by the weather, we still have time. We had a family meeting to discuss what turkey poults (day-olds) to order, a lot of crystal ball gazing and whatif conversations! We have to get the order in early to enable the poult growers to prepare the turkey hens to lay the right strain and numbers of eggs to be set ready for hatching in June. We had provisionally put in an order in February, but felt we needed to tweak it. It’s only eight or nine weeks till we take delivery of the dayolds. Tom, our son and chairman of Somerset NFU, has several meetings to attend, by zoom, lots of discussions about the regulations proposed for the new ELMS scheme, information to give and questions to answer from the government. Let’s pray that the family farms will be properly considered, as it is often these farmers that understand their farm and wildlife best, and produce high quality, sustainable and welfare friendly products already. The payments are essential to make up the difference of what the farmer is paid for their produce by middlemen. Kimbers’ Farm Shop BA9 8HD on Wincanton Racecourse road B3081 Open Tuesday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm.
Mob: 07966 244536
Hydraulic Hose Specialists and Stockists to the Agriculture, Forestry, Automotive and Transport Industry
Pneumatic fittings Quick release couplings Air brake fittings Pressure wash hoses + lances Hose clamps Up to 1 ½ “Hose stocked Hydraulic Hoses Variation of oils Mobile service available
Cote Farm Works, Kilmington, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6RF
Email: hoses@ardiesels.co.uk
SCRAP METAL RECYCLING WESSEX METALS
STURMINSTER NEWTON & BLANDFORD AREA WANTED
Scrap Metal, Cars, Heavy and Light Iron Farm And Factory Clearance Weighbridge TOP PRICES PAID
Skips/HAIB lorry available for onsite collection Tel 01258 860 166 or 07974 822 243
Farming Retirement & anniversary celebrations
By Alice Miller BVSC DBR MRCVS Friars Moor Livestock Health
At Friars Moor this week we have been reflecting on what feels like the end of an era, as we say goodbye to two of our most longstanding vets and much-loved colleagues, husband and wife team, Julian and Alison Allen, as they embark on retirement together. We are truly thankful for their constant devotion to the practice and congratulate them both on their professional achievements. Julian qualified from Cambridge University and then spent time studying and teaching in America and Canada. It was at the University of Guelph where Julian met Alison, a Canadian vet student. Luckily for us at Friars Moor they both moved back to the UK and settled in Dorset. Julian joined Friars Moor in 1994 where he became senior director and farm vet, and Alison joined the practice in 1998 where she has been a small animal vet and clinical lead. We are very lucky to have had the privilege to work with them both and benefit from their neverending support, experience, and dedication to the practice. They have helped to develop the inclusive, family environment that continues to make Friars Moor such a special place to work, and the longstanding, exceptional retention rate of staff is testament to this. Julian and Alison have immeasurably contributed to the success and growth of the practice, and we whole heartedly wish them every happiness in their wellearned retirement. As Friars Moor continues to expand, it now runs as two businesses, with the small animal and livestock health sides. Together the pet and farm animal businesses employ over 70 staff members, across three branch practices in Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Shaftesbury. On the 4th May, our Blandford branch will celebrate its 10-year anniversary! We would like to thank our hard-working team at Blandford and take this opportunity to thank our wonderful pet and farm animal clients. We are unable to celebrate in person, so instead will do so virtually with two competitions running for anyone and everyone to get involved with. Please visit our Facebook pages (Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic and Friars Moor Livestock Health) for the competition posters or email: competitions@friarsmoorvet s.co.uk for more information. The branch not only services small animal clients in the area, but also is home to a farm animal pharmacy meaning our Blandford and South Dorset farm clients can access well-stocked supplies and are able to drop in samples for laboratory testing. Located on the Sunrise Business Park we are easily accessible too!
Urgently wanted COWS COWS COWS
To receive top price for all barren cows. Brookfield Livestock Marketing Limited. Payment on the day of purchase. Haulage arranged 07811 381 159
Independent veterinary services for livestock in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire
Collection points for livestock medicines and supplies at Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Shaftesbury Please call the office on 01258 472314 www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk
