Farming

Farming Blandford Press book a tracker’s bible

AJ Selby enjoys following animal tracks in the snow. Picture: Alain Audet

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Country Diary with AJ Selby

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Anne Bradstreet

I have to confess that I enjoy a winter snowfall and revel in its purity and cleanliness. When I was growing up it was almost unheard of to have a winter without snow and I remember the years of excessive snowfall and cold. My first was the prolonged freeze of 1962/63 (I am sure older readers will recall 1947 too) as a lad who was only too happy to go sledging with his father. I was working on the farm for the next two bad ones in 1978/79 and the bitterly cold 1981/82. In December 1981, when the freeze started, we saw the record low temperatures for that month in the UK with a record-beating -25.2 degrees C (-13.4 degrees F) in Shropshire. January topped that with -26.1 C (-15 F) also in Shropshire, a record English low for any month in any year, with Braemar in Scotland taking the record for the UK of -27.2 C (-17 F). I enjoy a cold day but those nights were extreme in my little cottage with just an open fire and no central heating. I love the first flakes of winter when the temperature stabilises, the wind drops and whiteness envelops the land. Pristine snow has a magical quality that brings everyone out to enjoy it. Walking into the woods the snow is thinner there but still covers the woodland carpet. It’s a great place to follow animal tracks, something I used to do a lot with my copy of Mammals of Britain: Their Tracks, Trails and Signs, first published by the Blandford Press in 1967. It helped differentiate between the footprints of a fox or badger, roe or fallow deer and, from the stride length, if an animal was walking or running for its life! The trees too, are seen in a different light with thick layers of snow on bare branches and conifers bent over with the weight of their burden. There is an overriding stillness and quiet after fresh snow, with everything deadened by the blanket of whiteness all around. The occasional robin will venture out and shiver atop a branch and trill his weak winter ditty. Birds need a lot of feed to survive so don’t forget to put some out along with some fresh water too. A.J. Selby

Farming We need to tackle waste after Brexit

Ruth Kimber’s Farmer’s Diary

Happy New Year – what will it bring? The vaccine promises a return to some sort of normality. Let’s hope some positive lessons will also be learnt. The importance of family and friends has never been more pointed, so many key workers have really stepped up to help. Hospital workers, but also those who care for the vulnerable, keep food on shelves, remove waste and keep services going. A big thank you to you all. Our own shop staff and suppliers have worked really hard to keep our shop going and safe. Thanks to our customers for their support and loyalty. Farmers have just kept going and produced high quality food. As we go into Brexit our farmers will continue as ever. In the early days of consultation, food production wasn’t even mentioned! However recent events have pointed to the importance of food security based on home production. No one will have the nation’s food supply more at heart than the nation’s farmers and growers. Food production, animal and environment welfare, with improved soil, water and air quality should be key. These are all our responsibility, not just farmers and land owners. Reducing waste, currently at 3040% would be the easiest way to help deliver the above. In my life, all of which I spent on farms, the value of food has continually decreased, driving farmers to produce more to stand still. We have been directed by governments of all colours to rip out hedges, drain land, increase production and produce ‘affordable food’. And we have done. The trouble is everything has been measured and driven by money. Now we are being accused of polluting the land, water and air! Not congratulated for producing high quality, high welfare value food while looking after nature to the best we can. Yes, improvements can be made, but can only be achieved by realistic food prices, or a grant scheme to make up the shortfall. Grants for waste management or nutrient capture of general farmyard manure would be one big hit. Enabling farmers to store valuable manure, then use it more effectively to grow crops, reducing the use of chemicals. Politicians, advisors and civil servants need not only to speak with industry representatives, but also get onto farms and see the real situations on the ground, before they decide our futures. We all can make a difference, waste is the biggest in my view, whether it be food, fuel, water or any other ingredient to our lives. In the meantime farm life during winter can offer challenges: frozen water pipes, slippery yards, engines that don’t want to start and winter animal ailments, just like us, they too have health problems in the winter! On a more cheerful note, we had a flock of fieldfares visit the farm. I just love to see these annual migrant visitors. Our farm shop was extremely busy ever since March, Christmas was particularly hectic. As last year we have closed the shop for a week to give our staff a well-earned break. We reopen on January 8. Winter opening times at Kimbers’ Farm Shop. Charlton Musgrove BA98HD Tues-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sun-Mon closed.

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Farming Agricultural shows to be held in 2021

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By Karen Bate After a tumultuous year, rural life will once again be celebrated as the Royal Bath & West of England Society has announced it will be hosting five shows in 2021.

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This year, the society has managed the covid-19 and financial risk, so the events will be aimed at specific target markets with some of the competition being held behind closed doors. But, the shows will go on. Thursday 6th May Grassland UK This show is aimed at farmers and contractors who are passionate about growing and feeding grass with a focus on seed choice, grazing techniques and demonstrations of silage making equipment with demonstration plots positioned right across the showground’s 240 acres. May 21st and 22nd: The new Bath & West Equine Showing Show. Staying covid secure, this behind-closed-doors show will attract the usual high standard of show horses and ponies including qualifiers to HOYS Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th June: The Bath & West Great British Country Festival. The show that everyone knows and loves will be refined to recognise the likely continuation of social distancing regulations, but the show, as always, will feature an exciting array of activities, demonstrations and entertainment. The main ring will be packed with show jumping, the speed of the pony scurry, the ever-popular Pony Club Games and the majestic Heavy Horses with further excitement

provided by Paul Hannam’s Quad Bike Stunt Show. Sheep, pigs, cattle and milking demonstrations will be showcased while the popular Farming for The Family section will provide interactive experiences for all the family. Other favourites will include a food hall experience with a strong focus on cider and honey. The Wurzels will be making a welcome return to complement the array of performers around the Main Lawn and Woodland & Countryside Conservation area. Plans for a livestock showing event to be held later in the summer will be confirmed in the next few weeks. This event will feature the competitive showing which would normally take place at the Royal Bath & West Show, but due to covid-19, will be better suited behind closed doors this year. October 6th – 40th: Annual Dairy Show. This popular farmers’ trade event brings together livestock farmers and professionals from over the UK to explore new technologies to support and increase productivity in farming. The society’s chief executive Rupert Cox said: “2020 has been such a disappointment for everyone in the agricultural show sector. “It is a great fillip to be able to announce a programme of events that we believe, subject to further covid-19 regulations, will provide all our supporters and stakeholders with some positive news to take into next year. “While our new festival will feel slightly different to the usual Royal Bath & West Show, we know that the entertainment and diverse interests at the ‘Great British Country Festival’ will provide a great day out for all the family, in a covid-19 secure environment. “We are also excited to host three specialist shows in summer and autumn for our farming community as we recognise that even in difficult times, the agricultural sector is the core of our charitable objectives.”

Farming Animal and product export changes

By Alice Miller Friars Moor Livestock Health

I hope all the readers have been able to enjoy this season’s festivities despite the restrictions and continued concerns surrounding the pandemic. As with many businesses the veterinary and farming industries are also having to prepare for the legislative changes that will be implemented on January 1 once the Brexit transition period ends. I thought it important to reiterate these changes and have included useful reference links for further detailed guidance. The new rules with regards to the export of live animals and animal products come into effect immediately on January 1, 2020. This means an Export Health Certificate (EHC) will be required when moving both live animals and animal products to the EU and Northern Ireland. The new EHC must be issued and signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV). At Friars Moor Livestock Health, we have been preparing for these changes and have ensured that our large team of OVs are ready. OVs must have received specific training to be qualified to issue EHCs. When first announced there was a predicted shortfall in the number of qualified OVs trained to issue the required certificates. But, with the help of government funding, several of our farm vets have taken the time to train in this area and are qualified to meet this increased demand. We are more than happy to assist with all aspects related to live animal, product, and germ plasm exports for your business. If you are unsure how your business may be affected by Brexit visit: gov.uk/transition If you are a business preparing for these changes, certain actions need to be completed, and these can be found via the following link: gov.uk/prepare-toexport-from-great-britain-from-january2021 For further guidance on exporting goods to Northern Ireland use this link: gov.uk/government/collections/movinggoods-into-out-of-or-through-northern-i reland-from-1-january-2021

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As well as the certification changes, farmers exporting live animals must identify them with a GB country code on their ear tag. You can order these tags from your usual tag supplier. For cattle or sheep with two existing ear tags a further GB tag must be added if your existing UK double tags do not state GB. For further guidance on this and other information with regards to live animal and product export use this link: gov.uk/guidance/exporting-animals-andanimal-products-to-the-eu-from-1-januar y-2021 We are more than happy to answer any further questions you may have, so please contact us via the office on telephone: 01258 472314 or email: farmoffice@friars moorlivestockhealth.co.uk. I would like to wish everyone a happy new year and all the very best despite the inevitable challenges that we face at this time. Twitter: @AliceMillerVet Email: alicemiller@friars moorlivestockhealth.co.uk WEDNESDAY 13th JANUARY Sale of Dairy 10 Freshly calved Friesian/Holstein Heifers & Cows Quality Stock Genuine reason for sale (Herd Reduction) More entries expected WEDNESDAY 13th JANUARY Sale of Pigs Sale of Sheep to Include: 47 In-Lamb Ewes due Feb/March FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY Breeding Sheep Sale to be held the last Friday in the month FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5TH & 12TH CANDLEMAS SALES Large numbers expected Entries now being taken

Strict Social Distancing rules apply. Everyone to provide their own face masks and gloves. Face masks to be worn at all times Website: www.fromelivestock.com Frome Livestock Market, Standerwick, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QB Tel 01373 830033 Email: info@fromelivestock.com Website: www.fromelivestock.com

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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