Farmers Guardian 5th January 2024

ART OF HILL FARMING UNIQUE WAY OF LIFE SHOWCASED – P76

January 5 2024 | £4.10 | Become a member from £2.09 | farmersguardian.com

THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE MACHINERY

LIVESTOCK

ARABLE

John Deere 6155R a versatile performer

Cold turkey on inputs and a switch to regen

Cover crop destruction options this season

PAGE 56

PAGE 62

PAGE 21

EXCLUDED

● Red Tractor review under scrutiny ● NFU denies ignoring farmer views FARMERS have hit out after being excluded from a stakeholder survey about Red Tractor which was seeking views as part of a review into the assurance body.

Red Tractor said the threepage questionnaire was shared with about 200 members of its governance board before Christmas, with feedback only required from board members.

Since the news of the survey came to light, farmers have reacted angrily, accusing the organisation of disregarding farmers’ views and calling the review a ‘waste of time’.

The NFU has appointed independent consultants Campbell Tickell to carry out two reviews following the row over the assurance body’s proposed introduction of a Greener Farms Commitment module in October last year.

Governance Rutland-based arable farmer George Renner said he ‘no longer had faith’ in the review’s outcome,

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adding it brought into question the governance of NFU. “How on earth can they get an objective review on how Red Tractor engages with farmers without engaging with farmers themselves,” he asked, adding he did not feel represented by the NFU. Mr Renner said he was concerned the development of the environment module was happening in the background.

West Midlands farmer Colin Bowen said on X that farmers were being ‘deliberately’ ignored as key stakeholders of Red Tractor in an attempt to ‘influence the outcome’ and deliver the module.

Reassure But NFU president Minette Batters moved to reassure farmers, confirming on X the second review led by NFU and AHDB would allow everyone to get involved, adding, ‘absolutely no-one is being excluded’.

Stakeholders had until January 3 to fill out the document.

Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) chief executive George Dunn claimed

if he had not approached Red Tractor and the NFU asking how to take part in the governance survey, he would ‘still be sat here waiting’.

In its response, the TFA gave a damning review of Red Tractor governance, strongly disagreeing with the statement that the body was

PICTURE: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

By Rachael Brown and Jane Thynne

‘responsibly governed’, that it delivered on its objectives and that the body listened and responded to the views of stakeholders.

It called for Red Tractor to be ‘more open and accountable’ to its farmers, CONTINUES ON PAGE 3

NEW YEAR CHEER Arla price jumps 3.08ppl Page 12

03/01/2024 16:45

The Elzinga family pride themselves on the regenerative way they farm in the mountains of Idaho. See p18-20.

Horticulture growth on hold

INSIDE

January 5 2024 2

NEWS

67 WORKING DOGS

10 COMMENT

68 MARKET PRICES

11

LETTERS

12

BUSINESS

76 FARMING: THE BACKBONE OF BRITAIN

Industry figures recognised in New Year’s Honours List

16 18 21

Managing risk is increasingly important

GLOBAL AG VIEW

Bright future expected for UK exports

FARM PROFILE

American ranch reaps the benefits of regen ag

ARABLE

A look at the cover crop destruction options available this season

26 SALES

Beltex top Procters dispersal at 9,000gns

56 MACHINERY

John Deere 6155R proves to be a versatile performer, plus fodder beet gives contractors a lift

62 LIVESTOCK

Going cold turkey on inputs and switching to regeneration

Global Ag View

16

2 | JANUARY 5 2024

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Ben Smith’s triple title win in festive season

New book on hill farming showcases unique way of life

78 IN YOUR FIELD

Including updates from Amy Wilkinson, Lancashire, and Kate Rowell, Scottish Borders

78 WEATHER 79 CROSSWORD 80 FARMING MATTERS

‘Do not rely on the way you have done things previously’, says NFU Mutual Risk Management Services’ Andy Manson

6 2 PAGE S

ads of classified r e starts aft p29

AHDB EXPORT FOCUS

The levy board discusses new markets and opportunities for UK farmers in 2024.

By Rachael Brown FRUIT and vegetable growers were shelving plans for growth due to the soaring cost of production over the past two years, putting the future of UK horticulture industry at risk.

A new report commissioned by the NFU found costs of production had increased by almost 40 per cent in the past two years, with energy costs rising by 218 per cent, fertiliser by 47 per cent and labour costs by 24 per cent. The crops impacted most by these increases included strawberries, tomatoes, apples and lettuce.

The report also warned production costs, along with ongoing global volatility, were the ‘new normal’ and businesses should not expect the situation to change any time soon.

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett said he was ‘seriously concerned’ to hear growers were cutting production for this coming season, adding they were doing everything they could to ensure the supply of homegrown fruit and vegetables on supermarket shelves.

He said sustainable energy supplies, access to skilled labour, productivity investment and supply chain fairness were all critical to maintain the growth of the sector.

The Government has committed to a consultation into the horticulture supply chain which Mr Emmett welcomed, but he added many businesses continued to face ‘difficult

We are only 50 per cent self-sufficient in vegetables and 15 per cent selfsufficient in fruit MARTIN EMMETT customer relationships’ and contract planning cycles which were ‘out of sync with production cycles’.

“It is crazy to think that, at a time when we want people to eat more healthily, we are only 50 per cent self-sufficient in vegetables and 15 per cent self-sufficient in fruit,” he said.

Jack Pearce, director of Alfred G Pearce, which is a root vegetable growing and processing company based in King’s Lynn in Norfolk, said the sector was facing a ‘perfect storm’ and that it was a ‘worrying time’.

He added his business had not yet been forced to cut production levels but had instead considered changing what to grow and methods of production.

“Growing under polythene incurs exponentially high costs,” he said.

“But without it our yields would fall and there could be crop loss. Some days you just do not know which way to turn.

Something somewhere has to be done.”

Farmers raise Ag Bill funding concerns SCOTTISH farmers have questioned how they can carry on farming without increased funding to maintain a ‘fair wage’ for their work.

Concerns have been raised on how the Scottish Government will apportion ‘fair and balanced’ funding under the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill.

The Bill, which was at draft legislation stage, had been announced in September to reform support mechanisms in farming and food production as a response to ‘future social, economic, and environmental changes’, with the idea of a four-tiered system to replace the current Common Agricultural Policy.

Jo Hunt, a crofter from Knockfarrel Produce in Dingwall, said he had room for enthusiasm but was largely discon-

nected from the Bill. He added it did not have the ‘bite’ to reward and fund farmers for making the huge transformation needed towards sustainable farming practices.

Mr Hunt said that if the Bill did not look like it could support him to make a ‘real living wage’, he would not be planting vegetables in 2024 because he would make a loss.

Jonnie Hall, NFU Scotland director of policy, lamented the ‘frustratingly slow’ progress and suggested secondary legislation could determine the future direction of the Bill for farmers.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said the Bill would allow for ‘adaptive support’ for farmers, crofters and land managers in the near, medium and long-term future. farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 16:29

NEWS r2023 sees above

average rainfall

FARMERS are facing huge losses in the wake of Storm Henk, which saw areas of the UK record more than 33mm of rainfall in just a matter of hours.

According to the Met Office, Sennybridge in Powys was the wettest place in the UK, notching up 33.2mm of rain, while parts of Scotland, including Kinloss and Lerwick, recorded zero hours of sunshine and more than 21mm of rain.

Storm Henk followed hot on the heels of Storm Gerrit, which saw buildings destroyed as tornadostrength winds ripped through parts of the North West in the final week of 2023.

Rob Atkin, a mixed farmer from Uttoxeter, said the continued wet weather was taking its toll on all aspects of the business.

“The farm is permanently wet.

We have been drilling about 100 acres with winter wheat and I would say at least 30 per cent of

During Storm Henk, areas of the UK recorded more than 33mm of rainfall in just a matter of hours.

Storms ravage UK it is wet and failing. We were due to crop another 100 acres with beans, but that may have to now go

From page 1 with farmers often feeling ‘powerless’ and see the standards ‘almost as a licence to trade’.

The current review was set to appraise Red Tractor’s decision-making procedures and its transparency, examine who was consulted by Red Tractor in its development of standards and look at the balance of this feedback and how Red Tractor engages with stakeholders.

A second investigation looking at the wider role of assurance schemes will follow. According to Red Tractor,

PICTURE: ALAMY

By Jane Thynne

the findings of the governance review were expected to be revealed at the next NFU Council session.

A Red Tractor spokesperson said: “The stakeholder survey in question is one part of the ongoing NFU Governance Review which is being carried out by independent consultants Campbell Tickell. It is about Red Tractor, but it does not belong to Red Tractor.

“We continue to co-operate fully with this review process.”

Campbell Tickell was approached for comment.

to spring corn as it is just not worth risking it. We are also having to spend more on hay to keep the younger cattle dry,” he said.

Mr Atkin added he was also now beginning to worry about medium to long-term damage, with soil being eroded.

“We may also have to think about earlier drilling as we cannot afford to keep losing on getting the crop in,” he said.

According to the Met Office, 2023 gave both Wales and Northern Ireland their warmest years on record. However, the UK saw 11 per cent more rain than average, with a provisional figure of 1,289.8mm.

The year included the UK’s sixth wettest March and July, plus jointsixth wettest October.

Patrick Sleigh, who is an arable farmer and potato grower from

Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, said the persistent wet weather was also having an impact on personal well-being.

“It has been non-stop since October and it can really start to get you down,” he said.

Mr Sleigh added many of the area’s problems could be addressed by bodies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and local councils carrying out routine maintenance.

Common sense He said: “What we need is a common sense revolution. If ditches and drains are regularly managed, flooding would be less of an issue. Farmers should also be allowed to play their part. But we are constantly stopped from doing our jobs.”

Here for the rainy days as well!

Chris Day on Tel: 07769 705004 Tenant Farmers farmersguardian.com

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chris.day@abfltd.co.uk JANUARY 5 2024 | 3

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THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ Editor Olivia Midgley, 07787 240 750 olivia.midgley@agriconnect.com Head of News and Business Alex Black, 01772 799 409 alex.black@agriconnect.com Chief Reporter Rachael Brown, 07974 039 778 rachael.brown@agriconnect.com News and Business Reporters Jane Thynne jane.thynne@agriconnect.com Chris Brayford, 07773 110 733 chris.brayford@agriconnect.com Business Reporter Cedric Porter cedric.porter@agriconnect.com Arable Technical Specialist Ash Ellwood, 07786 190 188 ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com Head of Machinery and Farm Technology Toby Whatley, 07583 054 831 toby.whatley@agriconnect.com Machinery Reporter James Huyton, 07787 242 185 james.huyton@agriconnect.com Head of Livestock Katie Jones, 07786 856 439 katie.jones@agriconnect.com Head of Livestock Sales Angela Calvert, 07768 796 492 angela.calvert@agriconnect.com Livestock Specialists Ellie Layton, 07814 997 407 ellie.layton@agriconnect.com Katie Fallon, 07815 003 227 katie.fallon@agriconnect.com Online Editor and Features Editor Emily Ashworth, 01772 799 446 emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com Head of Creative Services Gillian Green, 01772 799 417 gillian.green@agriconnect.com Picture Editor Marcello Garbagnoli, 01772 799 445 marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com Sales Director Stephanie Ryder, 07917 271 987 Stephanie.ryder@agriconnect.com Group Publisher Ben Briggs ben.briggs@agriconnect.com Circulation Subscription hotline 0330 333 0056 help@subscribe.farmers-guardian.com Newstrade enquiries 01772 799 434 UK print subscriptions £189; Europe: £226.80; RoW: £283.50.

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NEWS Defra Secretary Steve Barclay was due to lay out his plans for the sector at the Oxford Farming Conference, with one eye on the election battle ahead. Rachael Brown reports.

More options for SFI announced by Defra rNew support for

Steve Barclay has unveiled updates for SFI and CS schemes.

uplands and grassland DUBBED by the Defra team as ‘the biggest upgrade’ to the UK’s farming schemes since leaving the European Union, Defra Secretary Steve Barclay used his first Oxford Farming Conference speech to announce a series of updates.

Funding uplifts, a streamlined single application process and additional support for the roll-out of new technology were due to be announced at the conference yesterday (January 4).

Speaking to Farmers Guardian ahead of the two-day conference, Defra said there would be a 10 per cent increase in the average value of agreements in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countrywide Stewardship (CS) schemes, driven by increased payment rates.

But some in the industry questioned whether these payments were based solely on income forgone and whether farmers in reality could still run a ‘profitable farm business’ alongside environmental work.

Defra also revealed 50 new actions which included support for uplands and grasslands, adding there would be premium payments for actions with the biggest environment impact such as £1,242 per

hectare for connecting river and floodplain habitat and £765 per hectare for nesting plots for lapwing.

Mr Barclay believed the implementation of such improvements would help to ‘strengthen supply chains and deliver the Government’s commitment to produce at least 60 per cent food we eat here in the UK’, adding the schemes were designed to work for all farm types and sizes with thousands of farmers across England already taking part.

The question of whether SFI would ensure sustainable food production remained viable in England was something which concerned the NFU, with stakeholders worrying

Conference focus on diversity COMMUNITY and diversity was in clear focus for this year’s Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), with chair Will Evans hailing the event’s strength in connecting people.

Mr Evans said while the conference had ‘always embraced change’ it had embraced diversity and inclusion in the past decade.

“I truly believe we have so much to celebrate and share around the theme of diversity — our huge range of entrepreneurial farming businesses which have done so much to shape our historic landscape, our many native livestock breeds, our world-leading agricultural scientists, our precious environment that all of us are so

focussed on improving, and some of the safest and highest quality food produced anywhere in the world, to name just a few,” he said before the conference.

“But most of all, it is the incredible people in farming which make it such a special industry to be a part of, and this is what we want to celebrate at OFC.” He also highlighted the significant challenges the industry was facing on labour, supply chains, alternative income streams and in attracting new entrants.

He said: “Diversity means everyone and every topic is included — OFC will showcase the true power of diversity.”

whether the focus was solely about meeting environmental targets.

NFU director of policy, Andrew Clark, asked if the SFI was ‘trying to deliver a sustainable farming system, which has food production and environmental production hand in hand’ or whether it was separating them out.

He said transparency was key and farmers needed to know the business detail for these options, which he claimed did not exist right now.

“If Defra wants to see good uptake it has to provide that business critical detail,” he said.

Viability The NFU repeated its calls for a midterm review, to ensure all sectors across agriculture remained viable, following the implementation of the schemes. How schemes would work for tenants was a major concern, with NFU vice-president, David Exwood saying the union wanted to closely monitor whether large areas of land were being taken out of active farming and if tenants were being impacted.

Mr Clark said one of the biggest worries for the industry right now, was the uncertainty a speculated early election could bring, with the possibility of these options not being implemented at all, while direct payments continued to go down.

Mr Exwood added: “Farmers cannot operate in a landscape of permanent political insecurity, they need to plan.” farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 16:25

UP TO £4,600 FOR EVERY 10KM

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15/12/2023 10:39 02/01/2024 09:29

NEWS

Industry figures recognised in New Year’s Honours List rLeaf chair given OBE for services to farming

By Jane Thynne INDUSTRY leaders, agricultural community champions and celebrity farmers are among those named in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Philip Wynn, chair of Leaf since 2017, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to farming and the environment.

Lincolnshire-based Mr Wynn has enjoyed an illustrious career in agriculture, which has seen him head up the Nevile Estate in Lincolnshire – one of Leaf’s first demonstration farms.

Dennis Matheson, chair of the Welsh Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE), recognising the farmer’s outstanding service to

Philip Wynn

Dennis Matheson

Melinda Raker

the tenanted sector of agriculture in Wales.

Mr Matheson said he was ‘totally astounded and delighted’.

He said: “I proudly accept the award

on behalf of all the team at the TFA and would pay particular tribute to our chief executive George Dunn, who has worked tirelessly since devolution to raise awareness of the unique position of those that farm nearly 30 per cent of the land in Wales not farmed by owner occupiers.

“In addition, I would like to thank my vice-chair in Wales, Elwyn Evans, for his support, encouragement and practical input.”

Other members of the industry to receive MBEs included Andrew Arbuckle, trustee and fundraiser for the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution, for services to farming and community in Fife; East Sussex-based John Simpson for services to agriculture and the

community of Lewes; Melinda Raker, founder and patron of Norfolk-based Yana (You Are Not Alone), for services to rural mental health and well-being; Harper Adams University secretary Catherine Baxter for services to higher education; and Helen Keys, of Queen’s University Belfast, for services to entrepreneurship and innovation in farming.

Alongside these was Adam Watson, a dairy farmer from Coleraine in Co Londonderry, who was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to mental health in the farming community in Northern Ireland, and possibly the world’s most famous dairy farmer, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis, who has received a knighthood.

LAA to host new platform walk-through THE Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) has announced a walk-through of its new market prices platform on January 9 at 2pm.

Its new platform went live on January 1 at marketplaces.laa.co.uk.

AHDB will be no longer hosting this service. The demonstration will include new features and details of its subscription plans.

LAA executive secretary Chris Dodds said: “The new platform is part of our strategic move to support the wider agricultural industry by bringing people, auction markets and prices together in one live hub.”

The launch event will be shared through LAA’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Tenant farmers feeling ‘bullied’ by landlords TENANT farmers and industry leaders have highlighted the ‘bullying’ in the sector, with many landlord-tenant relationships ‘far from ideal’.

In a Christmas card to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), one tenant farmer thanked the organisation for all they do to ‘stop the bullying going on in the farming tenancy industry’.

TFA chief executive George Dunn said the promotion of good relationships was at the heart of TFA’s ethos, and while there were many examples of good relationships, there were also many which were ‘far from ideal’.

“It is extremely sad when we receive heart-wrenching correspondence from tenant farmers who feel bullied and marginalised by their landlords 6 | JANUARY 5 2024

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or those representing their landlords,” he said.

He added they would always call out bad practice.

While he acknowledged there would always be issues of dispute, he said these must be approached ‘fairly, proportionately and respectfully’.

“Tenant farmers must not be treated by their landlords or their representatives as second-class citizens which, so often, can be the case,” said Mr Dunn.

Baroness Kate Rock, who was in charge of the Rock review into the tenanted farming sector, said it demonstrated why there was a need for a tenant farming commissioner.

It comes after Defra launched a

new call for evidence into the tenanted sector, including the potential role of a tenant farming commissioner, which it said was seeking views from across the sector on areas where poor practice may have occurred and how tenants, landlords and advisers could encourage more collaborative relationships.

Open The call for evidence is open until February 8.

NFU land management adviser Eleanor Griggs said the union had been holding meetings with members and there would be a national webinar next week to go through the consultation process.

Tenant farmers must not be treated by their landlords [...] as second-class citizens which, so often, can be the case GEORGE DUNN farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:56

MORRISONS LAUNCH FIRST ‘BUY BRITISH’ SECTION ONLINE

“

It’s great to see Morrisons launching a ‘British’ section online to signpost shoppers to British produce – something we have been asking retailers to commit to since 2016.

”

A campaign calling for retailers to have a ‘Buy British’ section online, led by Dr. Luke Evans MP, gained a significant victory as Morrisons launched a dedicated ‘British’ tab on its website. The supermarket pledges to expand this selection and promote new lines based on customer focus and seasonal availability. Over 27,000 people have supported the campaign through an NFU petition, gaining government endorsement on Back British Farming Day and called for industry-led action by supermarkets.

TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS Become an NFU member today NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 nfuonline.com/membership

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15/12/2023 14:26:40 02/01/2024 09:32

NEWS With increased workloads putting extra pressure on civil servants, Rachael Brown spoke to employees about calls for a four-day week trial.

Defra work culture in spotlight rStress sparks call

for four-day week

POOR staff retention is exacerbating the stressful environment and increased workload say staff working

EXCLUSIVE for Defra, with calls for a four-day week trial to retain talent and attract new people into the department.

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Defra staff say increased workloads and poor pay are causing staff to leave.

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, including staff from Defra, the Rural Payments Agency and the Marine Management Organisation, have called for a pilot scheme to assess the benefits of a four-day week on well-being and productivity for staff.

The union proposed a 20 per cent reduction in working hours, with no loss of wages – a similar practice currently being piloted within the civil service in Scotland.

Leaving Leah Coyne, a PCS rep working at Defra, said people were leaving for better paid jobs, adding Defra was ‘unwilling to bring pay in line with other departments’ and unable to compete with private sector wages.

She said: “It is something we are

seeing a lot and it leaves a lot of pressure for those of us who are left working in the department.

“That work is still there. People have increased workloads, are more likely to work overtime and a lot of the time that overtime goes unpaid.”

She said the high workload puts people under stress meaning ‘people go off sick and burn out faster’, adding that it becomes a ‘spiralling issue’.

Ms Coyne added: “Defra wants to deliver the best service it can to farmers and other customers.

“It can only really be in the best place to do that, if it has a wellresourced staff, and happy staff.

“It is really in everyone’s interest to get the best working conditions we can.”

When Ms Coyne joined Defra two-and-half-years ago, she said she

Livestock Dog walker worrying impact trampled on New Year’s Day highlighted A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital with a broken leg after being trampled in Yorkshire on New Year’s Day. A statement from the Edale Mountain Rescue Team said: “A couple out walking over Totley Moor with their dog, had a chance encounter with a small herd of cows. One of the group found themselves between the cow and dog and sustained a lower leg fracture. We were able to drive to the lady who was being assisted by other walkers, fortunately one was a nurse.”

She was flown to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield by the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.

CHESHIRE police have warned of the impact of livestock worrying after pregnant sheep were injured in an attack.

Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team said the incident had taken place in Middlewich on December 19, when a farmer’s neighbour heard dogs barking in the early hours of the morning with sheep running up and down a field.

The dogs had reportedly escaped from their home.

One sheep had its fleece pulled from its body with cuts to its ear, while another was left lame and had cuts to its ear. farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:42

NEWS

Travel the World With an Expert guide See World famous sights

Defra wants to deliver the best service it can to farmers. It can only really do that, if it has a wellresourced and happy staff LEAH COYNE

was ‘excited’ to be working in a big Government department for the first time.

“Like most civil servants, we really enjoy and appreciate delivering a public service, we feel like we are doing something good.

“But once you have been in the job for a while, it can make it difficult to remember why you first wanted to join and the reasons you were doing it.

“I have had a real terms pay cut for every year I have worked at Defra, so you start to feel undervalued.”

Ms Coyne said with the challenges of net zero and food security, she believed Defra was one of the departments which should see increased resources and support, adding she and other PCS members were disappointed that Defra, at this stage, was not willing to consider the pilot or test the benefits that a four-day week could potentially bring.

A response from the Permanent Secretary, Tamara Finkelstein,

Defra Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein. farmersguardian.com

p8 9 Jan 5 RB OM AB KH.indd 3

which was shared with Farmers Guardian, said Defra group organisations had no plans to explore a fourday week, saying it had ‘a duty to provide value for money to the taxpayer’, adding it would be ‘unaffordable’.

PCS rep James Dawes, based in Worcester, has worked across Defra for the past decade.

He said the proposed four-day week had attracted a lot of interest from members and non-members and he was keen to continue ‘moving forward’ with the pilot, regardless of the ‘knee jerk’ reaction.

“Staff retention and employee burnout are things Defra has acknowledged it wants to tackle, so it is disappointing to hear a flat refusal of this campaign being put forward,” he said.

Concerns News of piloting a four-day week has not been welcomed by many farmers.

While Mr Dawes said he understood their concerns, he reiterated he was not envisaging a time when there would not be anyone for a farmer to contact within Defra.

“This is exactly why we want a trial. We would need to trial it in different areas. Customer contact would be one place where we would have to trial it.”

With the rolling out of new agricultural environment schemes and ongoing policy changes, he said it was in Defra’s ‘best interest to retain staff knowledge’.

“It comes down to staff retention and keeping that knowledge in place, which comes from a better work/life balance at our end.

“Anything that will help with staff retention now is worth a trial, you would think.”

A Defra spokesperson said: “The well-being of our skilled staff continues to be our top priority.

“While there are no plans for a four-day work week, we offer a number of options to support our staff in working flexibly in addition to several supported leave arrangements.”

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LEADER

Olivia Midgley, Editor – olivia.midgley@agriconnect.com

Farmers need consistency and future-proof policies

And finally...

This week’s Farm Profile (see pages 18-20) is a wonderful insight into an Idaho family farming operation which is focusing on growth and succession.

DEFRA is well-known for its revolving door and our exclusive report (see p8-9) on workplace culture at the department will bear no surprises.

With it having as many bosses as it has in the last 13 years (10), the number of employees coming and going must be well into the thousands.

When dealing with a complex brief such as agriculture and the environment, plus a raft of new schemes and moving parts, it is vital staff are informed and invested. But seemingly when staff do manage to get their teeth into the detail they move or are moved on.

High turnover of staff is a pain for any business and undoubtedly causes employees to become stressed and demotivated, with time and money lost.

As the Government has no doubt concluded, a four-day week is not going to solve a problem like workplace culture. A shift in culture can only come from the top, and it will be interesting to see if Steve Barclay has the time to turn things around.

While farmers will certainly have sympathy for those driven to the brink at the helm of the Defra

machine, its miscommunication – sometimes lack of communication – and beleagured computer systems have caused untold stress on the farmers that rely on them.

An efficient and effective department – one which arguably has one of the most important briefs in the whole of Government – is essential to build resilience into the sector and help farming businesses prosper. Without that, there will be no Defra.

On the subject of resilience, our story on page 3 illustrates the sheer volume of rainfall in the last few weeks, with some farmers seeing a year’s worth of rain in December alone.

With 2023 being the first year to break the 1.5degC threshold and extreme climatic events becoming more frequent, the climate emergency is just one area that will require collaboration to achieve workable solutions.

It also shows why all industry stakeholders – from farmers to policymakers and back office civil service staff – are all a vital part of the mix and must be fully invested in agriculture’s future.

YOUNG FARMER FOCUS ‘I hope I can still make a positive difference’ Education: I grew up on a mixed livestock and arable farm in Bedfordshire.

When I was 18, I was struggling to find the right career path. I had always enjoyed geography, but I wanted to be a rural surveyor.

So I studied rural enterprise and land management at Harper Adams University, which meant I could combine work with studying.

However, it was during the challenging times of Covid-19 when I realised how much I enjoyed teaching and coaching others.

Teaching: This was something I was destined to do, leading me to complete my degree at university with the intention to then move into teaching.

I am now teaching geography and sport at Bedford Greenacre Independent School. I have really enjoyed being able to pass on some 10 | JANUARY 5 2024

p10 Jan5 KH AB OM.indd 2

real-life experiences of the rural world and dispel many myths about British agriculture - even in areas of geography which do not directly involve farming.

My time as a former NFU student and young farmer ambassador has very much helped me to do this.

I hope some of my lessons are encouraging the next generation about the great future of British agriculture and how they can be a part of it themselves.

Young Farmers: Young Farmers has always been so important to me, and I do not know another organisation like it.

Recently, my friends Timo Cooper and Molly Bampton have written for this column - I would not have met them without Blunham and Bedfordshire Young Farmers’ Club.

I set up my own rural studies discussion group for students in year nine to year 13 in January, and I am

Thomas Saunders Oakley, Bedfordshire Thomas Saunders, 23, is a farmer and a geography and sport teacher from Oakley in Bedfordshire.

Thomas Saunders hoping we will be able to have some strong debates and discussions about topics revolving around British agriculture.

Hopefully, this might take a similar form to a Young Farmers’ ‘brainstrust’ competition.

My main goal for this is to increase the knowledge levels of students and encourage their support for farming.

I hope they will understand the need

to get behind the ‘back British farming’ message for themselves.

While I am not farming full-time, I still like to involve myself in general farmwork whenever possible.

Difference: However, I hope I can still make a positive difference to British agriculture through an alternative route in the classroom. I want to make a difference through rural studies.

If I could, I would tell my younger self just to enjoy the moment and live for the present day.

I always tried to map out my future from a young age, but exciting opportunities can take you by surprise which cannot always be planned.

MORE INFORMATION If you would like to be featured, email chris.brayford@agriconnect.com farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 16:10

Write Letters to the Editor, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ Facebook facebook.com/FarmersGuardian Twitter @farmersguardian Email fgeditorial@agriconnect.com

LETTERS

NE failures are nothing new YOUR front page headline ‘NE Failures’ (December 15) is nothing new and does not just apply to Dartmoor. Over the last four decades, Natural England (NE) and its predecessor has been a disaster for upland farmers, agriculture, nature and the public who have paid for this out of their taxes.

NE has followed a policy of ‘one-size-fits-all’ that was and still is too prescriptive and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of grazing livestock being removed.

No account is taken of the fact that every grazing common is different and no two years on the same common are alike because of differing weather conditions.

Farmers’ vital local knowledge has always been ignored.

These devastating reductions of flock numbers with every new so-called ‘environmental scheme’ has resulted in the breakdown of the hefting system in many areas or led to complete removal of flocks.

Unless upland farmers can see a more secure financial future with sustainable grazing flock sizes, they will quit.

NE is supposed to be overseen by Defra, but the head of NE, Tony Juniper, is a keen rewilder and it seems NE has taken even more powers for itself over the years.

Perhaps NE’s ultimate aim for rewilding is for farmers to quit.

Although there is now a new Defra Minister, nothing will change before the next election.

Suzanne Greenill, Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire.

Contact us ■ IF you would like to send us a letter for consideration, please note that our email address has now changed to fgeditorial@agriconnect.com

FG CLASSIC ★★★

1963

Henry Stephens at the 1963 Truro and District ploughing match with his International Harvester B414 and Ransomes Ts63 plough, where he won the YFC class. Sent in by his son Andrew Stephens.

If you have a classic picture you would like to share, please email it to marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com

Keep fighting for our industry WITH the continuing destruction in the Middle East, we all have to ask ourselves: what are the most important industries mankind needs on a daily basis?

In order of importance, fresh water, food, energy and transport are needed every day for the incarcerated 2.5 million people of Gaza in the now destroyed natural and built environment around them.

With climate change kicking in on a global scale for the rest of us, the business of food production is becoming increasingly difficult.

With our island nation importing more food to feed a growing population, we are heading towards economic suicide for our farming and national economies.

Of all fruit and veg consumed in Britain 70 per cent is imported. Spain has only six months of fresh water left to supply its food industry and its own people, with heat stress making

the quality and quantity of food production more difficult.

It is, therefore, potentially very dangerous and irresponsible for our Government to let us go down this route, as farming has to be a medium to long-term sustainable business to continue to supply food to our people. The present balance between food production and the environment is completely wrong, and for us hill

livestock farmers (about 25-30 per cent of our land surface) it is driving us out of business and may never return until it is too late.

Keep fighting for what we know is a very important industry to be a part of, and I wish you all a happy New Year.

Stephen Ramsden, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Social media soundbites ENVIRONMENTALIST Chris Packham’s social media post promoting The Vegan Society’s #Veganuary campaign included a picture of celeriac soup with the caption ‘...maybe meal of the year’ went viral. Here are some of the best comments.

■ “You do what you want mate.

I’m having some pork chops.”

JEREMY CLARKSON @ JeremyClarkson ■ “Given deer populations are continuing to have huge negative impacts on woodland biodiversity,

regeneration and expansion could you not consider some wild venison in that Chris? Glenfeshie and @Natures-Voice Boat of Garton will be in the thick of culls for biodiversity in January.”

BEN CLINCH @WoollyMaggot ■ “My honest opinion is that I think by going vegan you will live about the same time as everyone else it will just seem a lot longer.”

GRAHAM TWEED @gtweed ■ “Seasoned beef brisket, ready for slow cooker, #meatanuary is the way forward.”

ED QUILTER @QuilterEd

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farmersguardian.com

p11 Jan5 OM KH AB.indd 2

JANUARY 5 2024 | 11

03/01/2024 15:16

BUSINESS

Edited by Alex Black – 01772 799 409 – alex.black@agriconnect.com

rMuller and Saputo

hold price for February

By Alex Black and Chris Brayford DAIRY farmers have welcomed some new year cheer from Arla, with a 3.08ppl price jump from January 1.

It means the co-operative’s UK manufacturing price will be 39.18ppl for conventional and 46.50ppl for organic milk in January, which it hoped would boost farmer confidence.

Arthur Fearnall, Arla Foods amba board director and Arla farmer, hailed a ‘good start to the new year’.

He said: “Retail sales continue to pick up after the turnaround in quarter three in 2023. Global commodity prices continue to recover as well.

“However, they are slightly weakened after seasonal demands are fulfilled.”

Dairy analyst Chris Walkland said that, while he was anticipating a rise, he had not been expecting such a significant one, highlighting Arla was talking about an improved retail performance.

Arla milk prices have increased to 39.18ppl for conventional and 46.50ppl for organic milk.

New year cheer for Arla farmers “It is a very welcome surprise for Arla members; it puts them back at the top of the table,” he added.

Bruce Mackie, NFU Scotland milk committee chair, said it was ‘a great

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step forward’ and farmers should be pleased by the news.

“The news was expected, with improved market signals from countries like New Zealand,” he said.

Muller has confirmed its price would hold at 36.5ppl for February, with Saputo also holding at 36.5ppl.

Barber’s cheesemakers announced a 1.03ppl rise from February to 38.20ppl for the Barber’s Standard Litre.

Michael Oakes, NFU dairy board chair, said it was ‘long-awaited news’, with farmers expecting a price rise.

He added: “It is positive to see prices going up quicker, which is in correlation with other countries across the world.

Confidence “At a time when confidence among farmers was at an all-time low last year, this will give producers some positive outlook for their future.

“The announcement will definitely put pressure on dairies to increase milk prices because there will be a lot of producers wanting to know when they will get their pay increases as well.”

On other dairies not moving, Mr

Walkland said Muller had offered a consistent price through 2023.

“I do not think any Muller farmers should be complaining about their milk price,” he said.

Looking forward, Mr Walkland said it was difficult to see what would happen in the next few months, but it was all about supply and demand.

EU milk production was down significantly, and he also highlighted falling food inflation, with dairy retail prices down.

“That may well help demand,” he added.

It is positive to see prices going up quicker, which is in correlation with other countries across the world MICHAEL OAKES

Renewables outperform coal and gas RENEWABLE energy outperformed fossil fuel power in the UK’s electricity generation last year, with the amount of electricity generated by gas and coal plants at its lowest level since 1957.

Last year, gas power plants generated 31 per cent of the UK’s electricity, while the UK’s last remaining coal

plant produced enough electricity to meet just 1 per cent, according to a report by the industry journal Carbon Brief.

It was the third year this decade that renewable energy sources – including wind, solar, hydro and biomass power – outperformed fossil fuels, according to the analysis. farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:44

Lidl claims it has had its best Christmas since entering the British market in 1994.

BUSINESS

Discounters reveal recordbreaking Christmas rFood inflation fell for eighth month in a row

By Alex Black ALDI and Lidl have announced record-breaking Christmas sales as the cost of living crisis drives consumers to stores.

Sales topped £1.5 billion for the first time in the four weeks ending December 24 at Aldi’s UK business, while Lidl claimed it had had its best Christmas since entering the British market in 1994.

Aldi said sales were up 8 per cent on earlier year levels, while Lidl reported

We saw customers not only start their festive celebrations early, but trade up to premium lines across all categories RYAN McDONNELL

growth of 12 per cent. However, this does not strip out the impact of new stores, with Aldi now having more than 1,000 UK stores, and Lidl more than 960.

Friday, December 22, was both retailers’ busiest day on record.

Alternative roasting joints had proven especially popular at Aldi, with beef rib and gammon joints in demand and customers had also bought more than 42 million pigs in blankets for their festive dinners.

Traditional turkey However, the traditional British turkey was still in high demand. Lidl reported it had sold a fresh British turkey every two seconds during the week leading up to Christmas.

Despite the squeeze on finances, consumers were looking for a touch of luxury with Lidl’s deluxe range driving growth.

Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GB chief executive, said: “Deluxe proved to be a standout winner this Christmas with record-breaking sales, as we saw customers not only start their festive celebrations early, but trade up to premium lines across all categories.”

According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Shop Price Index, which is administered by NielsenIQ, food inflation fell for the eighth consecutive month as retailers looked

AHDB transfers horticulture royalties to industry groups AHDB has transferred horticulture royalties to industry as it winds down its activities in the sector.

Defra Ministers have agreed with AHDB recommendations to re-assign the royalties to appropriate industry grower associations, in line with the horticulture sub-sector where the original levy-funded research investments came from.

As a member of the former East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club, AHDB Horticulture received a farmersguardian.com

p13 Jan 5 AB MB OM.indd 2

share in some of the released strawberry varieties, which paid an average over the six years to 2021 of about £85,000 to AHDB. These shares have been transferred to British Berry Growers.

AHDB Horticulture is a 25 per cent royalty partner with Lancaster University on Jasmonic Acid, paying annual royalties to AHDB of circa £40,000. This has been transferred to the British Protected Ornamental Association.

to bring prices down in the run up to Christmas.

Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said: “Retailers will continue to do all they can to keep prices down in 2024, but there are obstacles on the road ahead. New border checks for EU imports and hundreds of millions more on business rates bills from April.

“Government should think twice before imposing new costs on retail businesses that would not only hold

back vital investment in local communities, but also push up prices for struggling households.”

NielsenIQ head of retailer and business insight Mike Watkins said low price, quality and availability were the top factor for shoppers.

But there was a lot of pressure on discretionary spend and price discounting ‘was deeper and began earlier’, with promotions at a four-year high at the end of the year, he added.

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03/01/2024 14:36

BUSINESS With farming in a period of rapid change as we enter the new year, Strutt and Parker takes a look at the hot topics in 2024.

Targets to increase solar capacity by nearly fivefold by 2025 may open opportunities.

Managing risk is increasingly important rFarmers should take

decisions accordingly

DEVELOPING strategies to manage greater exposure to risk is becoming increasingly important for farmers and landowners as we move into 2024, according to land and property specialists Strutt and Parker.

The pace of change has ‘stepped

up’, with farmers facing new legislation and Government schemes, alongside added pressures from more extreme weather and increased market volatility.

Strategies Rhodri Thomas, head of rural at Strutt and Parker, said the industry was facing a greater level of risk and must adopt strategies to manage it.

1 DELINKED PAYMENTS DELINKED payments will start in England from 2024, meaning farmers no longer need to submit a Basic Payment Scheme application in May and eligibility no longer requires the

occupation of farmland, farming activity or the possession of entitlements. However, the phasing out of payments means farmers will be facing reductions.

2 EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT THE decline of the Basic Payment Scheme removes the financial buffer many farms had against volatility.

But farming is a capital-intensive business and the levels of working capital required for continued operation of the farm are

increasing significantly with input cost inflation.

Increased interest rates means farmers need to carefully consider optimising machinery use, equipment and labour to raise efficiency, while managing their exposure to risk.

3 CROSS-COMPLIANCE RULES WHILE delinking technically means cross-compliance rules will not apply, most of the standards will continue to apply to activities as they remain in other English laws.

While Defra has not confirmed

the outcome of its consultation on replicating hedgerow management rules, it was expected rules on having a two-metre ‘buffer strip and closed periods where it was not possible to cut hedgerows would continue’.

4 RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS to increase solar capacity by nearly fivefold by 2025 may open opportunities. Grid connections have been an issue for many, but Ofgem has recently announced that National Grid ESO was now implementing a new approach to establishing connections.

14 | JANUARY 5 2024

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A General Election is approaching, which would add more questions on future policy.

Mr Thomas said: “However, opportunities will also be abound

for those businesses which are prepared to tackle the complex and often nuanced issues they face, ask difficult questions and take decisions accordingly.”

5 PLANNING REFORMS PERMITTED development rights – such as Class Q and Class R – remain a useful way to convert properties into alternative uses. Following a

Government consultation in summer 2023, changes were anticipated for 2024 which could open up new opportunities for diversification.

6 LET PROPERTY COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES and legislative frameworks around being residential landlords have become increasingly demanding, with this looking set to continue.

While the Government has scrapped proposals for a minimum

EPC rating of C for rental properties in England and Wales, this proposal remains on the table in Scotland.

In England, there was also the prospect of the Renters’ Reform Bill currently making its way through Parliament.

7 SOCIAL VALUE SOCIAL value, the contribution farms and estates make to local communities and society, as a measure of sustainability, was rising up the agenda.

This might include simple things,

such as hosting events or parking, but small actions add up, with farms and estates advised to understand what they already delivery and plan on how they can enhance and harness it.

8 LAND REFORM IN SCOTLAND Rents of £2,471-£3,336/hectare, or 5.5 per cent of annual turnover, were achievable for large-scale solar sites.

Battery storage schemes were also becoming more prevalent.

Smaller scale renewables installations, such as roof-mounted PV, may also appeal to farmers.

THE Scottish Government has promised a new Land Reform Bill aiming to address concerns about the highly concentrated pattern of land ownership in rural areas.

Proposed measures were likely to include a public interest test for transfers of large-scale land holdings,

and owners required to give prior notice of their intention to sell.

Those seeking land-based subsidies may need to have the land registered in the Land Register, with the Bill also likely to look to modernise tenant farming legislation.

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:08

farmersguardian.com

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JANUARY 5 2024 | 15

02/01/2024 09:26

GLOBAL AG VIEW With exports a key focus for AHDB, Chris Brayford spoke to the levy board about what 2024 holds for exporters.

Bright future for exports rRed meat and dairy

of key importance

RED meat and dairy exports hold a very bright future for farmers, with new markets and opportunities to explore in 2024.

The new year could unlock the key to success for farmers seeking to build relationships around the world to export their produce of beef, lamb and pork, according to AHDB. In 2022, the value of UK red meat exports hit record levels of £1.76 billion, and global meat consumption was expected to grow by 1.8 per cent

from 2023 to 2024, the levy board said.

The red meat and dairy sector remained critically important to balance domestic supply and demand, with AHDB providing an intelligence team across the world supporting the aims of farmers and their businesses.

Dr Phil Hadley, international trade development director at AHDB, said he was inspired by the potential of what 2024 could hold for farmers by delivering market insight and opening even more new markets for farmers to sell their produce.

“AHDB helps to inspire farmers,

growers and the wider industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world,” he said.

“We deliver market insight and access to key and emerging markets which showcase our products and image to an international audience.”

Global audience He added the export team promoted farmers’ produce to a global audience to support international trade and add value. This was done in a number of ways, including balancing demand, the premiumisation of certain products and trading commodity items.

“British farmers work to the highest

standards to produce the finest produce in the world,” said Dr Hadley.

“Our aim at AHDB is to build the reputation of farm businesses around the world, and exports play a critical role in the success of the sector.”

Increasing market access, export sales and improving the reputation of British red meat and dairy products overseas was of ‘vital importance’.

Dr Hadley said: “Doing this encourages and inspires more businesses to export from those with an abundance of experience to those who are beginners, or even just thinking about it.

“We provide the relevant tools and information to connect UK businesses

AHDB 2024 export targets

Key n Mexico: Focusing on securing ongoing approval for pork whole muscle and fifth quarter products during an inward audit inspection in 2024, and widening approvals to include more processing sites n South Korea: Prioritising progression in dialogue on seeking beef market access

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p16 17 Jan5 KH AB OM.indd 2

n Vietnam: Aiming to finalise pork market access dialogue for commercial trade to commence n Caricom: Looking to progress approval request for red meat n Japan: Concentrating on securing ongoing approval on audit and expansion to include over 30-month beef products

n Philippines: Principally considering beef opportunities n Thailand: Planning to progress pork market access n China: A major focus for the pork sector n Middle East: Predominantly focusing on sheepmeat and dairy opportunities to the wider region

n United States: Opportunities in red meat and dairy, particularly following recent access for lamb n EU: This is a major market for red meat and dairy, with presence at the global food trade show SIAL Paris and the foodservice event Sirha, held in Lyon

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 09:59

GLOBAL AG VIEW British farmers work to the highest standards to produce the finest produce in the world

There could be new markets for farmers to sell their produce to in 2024.

DR PHIL HADLEY to overseas buyers, international markets and each other, under a respected and recognisable export brand.

“We are selling commodity products in a very competitive market.”

He added it was important to make sure every farmer’s voice was heard and recognised.

Challenges Nicholas Saphir, AHDB chair, said one of the biggest challenges the board faced was making farmers realise the importance of exports in the future.

“It is very difficult if you are a sheep hill farmer or a pig farmer in the eastern counties to recognise exports matter to you individually,” he said.

“If you are worrying about the price of pigs, it is difficult to relate this down the chain.”

He said Britain had a reputation for provenance, professionalism and quality.

“We need to continue to raise the importance to levy payers at farm level how important exports are. Every farmer should recognise the crucial role exports can play in the future to maintain production on the land and profitability,” added Mr Saphir.

Farming and agricultural shows such as the Great Yorkshire Show provided an opportunity for meat buyers from Asia, the Middle East and North America to meet British farmers

on-farm and taste their high-quality produce.

AHDB head of international trade development Jonathan Eckley said exports were a key pillar in AHDB activity.

“There is a growing global appetite for our high-quality produce, and now is the time to help maximise the opportunities for UK beef, lamb and pork,” he said.

“It was our pleasure to welcome our international visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show, where they had the chance to find out directly from producers themselves about our high welfare, environmentally sustainable, traceable food production in the UK, enhancing their knowledge and the reputation of our agri-food products in overseas markets.”

AHDB has said it is continuing to understand the important role for

exports in the future and where it is hoping to open new markets for 2024.

Dr Hadley said: “The success of 2023 exports has made AHDB up its game even further for the next year.

“Fantastic relationships have been forged in Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe to increase the presence of British produce around the world.

“There are huge opportunities to expand on our success for 2024.”

He highlighted the targets they have set for Mexico, South Korea, Vietnam, Caricom, Japan, Thailand, China, the United States and the Middle East.

“There are countries where we already have market access for produce, but it is now about exploring the market further and understanding if we can strike a deal for

Down on the Farm

more red meat and dairy products.

There are always challenges AHDB must overcome to access the markets and to simplify the export market process.”

British farming had a great story to tell, he added.

High welfare “We ask our partners across the world what they think of British produce – with the Union Jack the most recognisable flag in the world – and they always say it is known for its high welfare standards and quality products.

“AHDB has a duty to continue telling the story of farmers and their produce on a world stage, with so many exciting opportunities to come in 2024. The future of exports is very bright and farmers should be excited,” said Dr Hadley.

with Philip Cosgrave Agronomist, Yara UK Ltd.

New Year’s resolution? Prepare your 2024 nutrient plan!

Another year begins and with this our minds turn to a new grass growing season. There will hardly be much grass growing in January but that shouldn’t stop us from planning for the season a head. Drawing up a nutrient management plan is a great place to start with and though it does take some time to put together, you’ll find that fields or paddocks can be grouped together to cut out duplication. There is a regulatory requirement for nutrient planning now and certainly the new sustainable farming initiatives (SFI) will help incentivise more nutrient planning.

Now is good time to service your fertiliser spreader before the spreading season begins. Considering the value of fertiliser and the importance of spreading it accurately, it warrants a well-maintained spreader. The cost of servicing a machine may come to the value of a tonne or two of fertiliser, but 01472 889250

farmersguardian.com

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@Yara_UK

f Yara UK

agronomy.uk@yara.com

the cost can be easily recouped over the course of a season if a faulty machine has been rectified, and regular servicing extends the working life of a machine.

The last thing I would encourage all operators of fertiliser spreaders, is check that your machine is properly set up for the fertiliser product that you are spreading.

The icing on the cake would be to carry out a tray test before you begin spreading fertiliser to ensure that the machine is spreading the product accurately over the chosen spread width. The last variable in accurate spreading is the quality of the fertiliser.

Remember Yara’s product quality guarantee when making your fertiliser purchasing decision this spring!

For more information please visit www.yara.co.uk/agronomy-advice JANUARY 5 2024 | 17

03/01/2024 10:00

SECTION SECOND BROW FARMHERE PROFILE Edited by Emily Ashworth – 01772 799 446 – emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com

With thousands following their journey online, the Elzinga family pride themselves on the regenerative way they farm in the mountains of Idaho. Emily Ashworth finds out more.

PICTURES: MELANIE ELZINGA

The ranch lies in the Idaho mountains, between the towns of Salmon and Challis.

I

f you read the bio of Alderspring Ranch’s social media page, you get a pretty good sense of what farm life is like for the Elzinga family. It reads: “Seven gritty

daughters and two ecologists having fun regenerating 70 square miles of wild Idaho.”

The ranch lies in the Idaho mountains, between the towns of Salmon and Challis. Glenn and Caryl Elzinga

American ranch reaps the benefits of regen ag

both grew up farming and come from a long line of farmers, but they spent their 20s working as ecologists for large US land management agencies.

Alderspring Ranch, however, was established about 30 years ago, with just seven cows on

58.7 hectares (145 acres). The scenery is everything you would hope; vast, mountainous and almost film-like. Summers are hot and droughty, spring can bring showers and winters are cold.

art of This is p s called e serie an onlin Land, which Ag in my t farming looks a world. Go the across sguardian. er m to far rm-life com/fa ore. m to read

The seven Elzinga sisters (left to right): Linnaea, Becky, Maddy, Melanie, Annie, Emily and Abby.

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AG IN MY LAND FARM PROFILE The ranch runs predominantly black Angus cattle – currently 260head, with a further 300-600 yearlings. The number varies over the year as they purchase calves from neighbours in addition to their own homebred cattle from their herd.

The family also runs eight Hereford and Devon bulls, plus some sheep and pigs. There are about 70 Katahdin sheep, finished to fat on summer grass. Caryl’s daughter, Abby, and her husband, Ethan, manage the hogs, finishing about 40 weaners to 300lbs on pasture.

The ranch runs predominantly black Angus cattle – currently 260-head, with a further 300-600 yearlings.

Horses

Native vegetation is dominated by sagebrush and bunchgrasses on lower ground, rising to a band of coniferous forest. At the higher elevations, you will find mountain meadows and rugged peaks.

Glenn says: “The bottom of the valley is irrigated and grows much of the same pasture and hay species as the UK – we can expect good grass growth for six months out of the year.

While winters are bitterly cold, we do

not get a lot of snow and cattle can graze stockpiled grass in the winter with some supplementation – generally alfalfa hay for protein.

“In the summer, cattle are herded on 46,000 acres of mountain country, ranging from approximately 4,500 feet in the early summer up to nearly 10,000ft in the early fall, where the cooler temperatures on higher ground maintain green grass compared to the cured-out vegetation on the lower areas.”

Caryl says: “The other year-round livestock component is horses. We have about 50, and they are all saddle and part-draft horses, mostly of American quarter horse lineages.

“They are used extensively to herd cattle on summer grazing across the 46,000 acres of rangeland.

“Many of them spend the entire summer season up in remote cow camps for the cowhand/herding crew to ride over the grazing season, as about 400to 500-head of yearling cattle complete

their 500-mile summer grazing tour.”

Their full-time herding programme is one of a kind in the United States for cattle operations, and is a system they developed nearly 10 years ago in response to extreme losses due to wolves. They also use herding to give streams and sensitive uplands complete rest from grazing.

Glenn says: “Our techniques have eliminated conflicts with wolves – there have been zero losses – and resulted in unexpectedly rapid riparian [creek or streamside] vegetation recovery.

“We were one of the early adopters in the United States of a 100 per cent grass-fed model from birth to finish, offering grass-fed beef to customers nearly 30 years ago.

“We added an organic certification over 20 years ago. Recently, we successfully submitted all the data describing our regenerative practices and the results mean we can use the term ‘regenerative’ in our labelling. Since we started taking soil samples on our pastures 15 years ago, we have also tripled the organic matter – it is now over 7 per

The land is the heart of who we are and what we do, and it is especially exciting to pass that on to our children GLENN ELZINGA

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FARM PROFILE AG IN MY LAND cent. Most of our land has not been tilled for 30 years. We did purchase a run-down potato farm last year and are using 14 species of cover crops with grazing cattle to restore soil biota and increase organic matter.”

About 25 per cent of stock is sold through wholesale channels to a few partner grocery stores. The remainder is sold through their website and shipped throughout the United States.

Cattle are 100 per cent grass-fed, and in spring, summer and fall they graze on irrigated pastures and native rangeland vegetation. In winter, they remain out on open pasture and eat pasture they have retained for winter, supplemented with hay.

Calving and lambing, they say, happens at the same time as native grazers such as elk and mule deer: late April through mid-June.

The weather can present them with challenges though; winter at 1,525 metres (5,000ft) can be tough, with temperatures plunging to as low as -30degC. Caryl says: “We have to take particular care with the stock to keep them out of the wind and in areas where fed hay will not simply blow away. We do get snow, but due to the rain shadow placement of the ranch, most of the precipitation is taken by high mountains that ring our valley.

“So, it is common to see about six inches of snow on the ranch through the winter, and many blue sky days.

Summer weather can get to about 32degC with low humidity and few rainstorms over these warmer months.

Farm facts

During winter at Alderspring Ranch, temperatures can plunge to as low as -30degC.

■ Alderspring Ranch is set in the Idaho mountains, between the towns of Salmon and Challis ■ The ranch runs predominantly black Angus cattle - currently 260-head, with a further 300-600 yearlings ■ In summer, cattle are herded on 18,616 hectares (46,000 acres) of mountain country, ranging from about 1,370 metres (4,500 feet) in early summer up to nearly 3,050m (10,000ft) in early fall ■ Cattle are 100 per cent grass-fed and sold mostly direct to the customer through their website ■ Strong focus on restoration and regenerative farming

“It is an arid climate, and as such, both heat and cold have less effect on the animals and us – it is common to see our daughters just wearing sweaters or flannel shirts while feeding hay on a midwinter day, despite the temperatures being well below freezing.”

Consumer connection Just like here in the UK, consumer connection is an issue for the family, and many other farmers in the country. They have seen success in the part of the business that sells direct to the customer, but there is still an evident knowledge gap.

Caryl says: “The biggest single challenge for us in agriculture is that consumers are very used to inexpensive

The Elzingas (back row, left to right): Emily, Maddy, Glenn, Caryl, Becky, Ethan, Abby, Kelly and family; (front row, left to right): Linnaea, Annie and Melanie.

food, with that production often subsidised by the Government. As a ranch that markets direct to consumer, the transaction we present must be filled with enough value in its proposition for it to be considered worth it for the money.

“We do offer things that conventional farming does not: certified organic, grass-fed, home ranch-raised, regenerative, animal-friendly, carbonnegative and climate-positive. As a result, our customer base is ever growing.”

Generally, Caryl says, there is support, and many people are unhappy with ‘large scale commercial agriculture’.

“It may just be the circles we travel in, but enthusiasm and support for regenerative small scale enterprises seems high,” she says.

When asked what the biggest difference to the UK is, they respond – in jest – with: “Jeremy Clarkson. We do not have him, and you do. I am not sure whether that is good or bad.”

Their Instagram account is booming too, which supports what they are saying about interest in the way they farm. It is hard not to be drawn in by their images and the information that goes along with them. They have more than 94,000 followers – a pretty good audience to talk to about farming.

Glenn says: “Our children live on there, so what better way to spread

the message that there is hope in agriculture?”

Caryl and Glenn are both intrinsically connected to the land they tend to, and it seems their children are too.

They are currently in the process of succession which will, they say, take a few years, but they are excited to see ‘where the Elzinga daughters take the business and the ranch to next’.

Purpose Glenn adds: “We believe that our purpose is not only to raise our family and build a home here on Alderspring, but while doing that, exercise husbandry on the land we have been entrusted with.

“That means restoring natural ecosystems to full functionality, even on the wild country that we summer graze on. I think the real difference that has happened in our attitude towards the land, after decades in agriculture, is that we see ourselves and our animals as part of ecosystems, instead of simply an agent acting on one.

“It is what gets us up in the morning.

The land is the heart of who we are and what we do, and it is especially exciting to pass that on to our children, and to the many interns and workers we have employed over the years.

Caryl and I are both in our 60s. All the hope we have for agriculture is in the next generation. It is our passion to transfer the legacy of what we have learned onto them.”

The Elzinga family own about 50 horses, mostly of American quarter horse lineages.

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ARABLE

Edited by Ash Ellwood – 07786 190 188 – ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com

Mechanical destruction, such as rolling and crimping, can be particularly effective after a hard frost, says Jim Egan.

As the spring drilling window edges closer, Farmers Guardian finds out which cover crop destruction options are available this season. Ash Ellwood reports.

Cover crop destruction options rFields within schemes have dates to adhere to

WHEN planning cover crop destruction, the first thing growers should think about is if the fields are part of any schemes, says sustainable farming adviser at Kings Crops Jim Egan.

If the crops are part of either Countryside Stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), or any water company grant schemes, often the schemes will have key dates from which cover crops can be destroyed.

Mr Egan says: “In Countryside Stewardship cover crops can be destroyed a maximum of six weeks before drilling your spring crop, so expect to destroy the cover crop mid-January to early February.

“Water companies are much the same, but if growers are in an SFI, they can graze the cover crop first.”

Grazing cover crops within an SFI can be a useful tool to manage them ahead of destruction, but a green cover must be maintained until six weeks before drilling to ensure the key dates are followed. farmersguardian.com

p21 Jan 5 BB KH AE.indd 2

“This is not the traditional method of grazing livestock on stubble turnips until it is bare ground.

“Growers must graze lightly to be able to see the benefits of the cover crops and maintain green cover until the end of February, or six weeks before drilling,” he says.

Mr Egan advises growers to make sure they understand what varieties are in the cover before grazing.

Detrimental “We would always recommend growers to consult with their vets before grazing and watch out for varieties such as buckwheat which can be detrimental to stock,” he adds.

When reaching the key date and beginning destruction, grazing might not kill off the cover crop, depending on the variety.

After grazing, Mr Egan advises allowing extra time for the crop to green before then applying glyphosate to fully destroy the crop.

Another option for destruction is mechanical, such as rolling and

crimping. This method can be particularly effective after a hard frost, but Mr Egan warns that it might not always do a clean job.

“Mechanical destruction might leave some grass-weeds and broadleaf weeds behind, so some growers tend to go in with a low rate of glyphosate behind.

“In December 2022 to January 2023, growers achieved some effective mechanical destructions after some hard frosts, so it is definitely not a method to be sniffed at,” he says.

Often, completing the mechanical destruction in the early morning after a frost can bring the best results and for growers that want to direct drill after the crop, rolling should take place in the direction of the drill.

“If you are going to drill across a field east to west, you want to roll east to west as well to make sure you are flattening things in the right way and lessening the chance of getting trash tied up in the drill,” adds Mr Egan.

Another option for growers is to

use a chemical option such as glyphosate.

He advises growers to make sure the correct chemical is applied at a suitable rate to be sure different varieties are being killed off effectively.

Timing is important to be sure the chemical is being applied six weeks before, with growers on heavier land tending to delay drilling to see if any black-grass emerges post-spraying.

Choices Alternatively, growers can also direct drill their spring crops straight into their cover crops.

“For most growers drilling straight into their cover crops, they will have thought through their cover crop choices at that point.

“Growers will not want a thick, ligneous cover that can take a long time to break down, growers want the right type of varieties in the cover crop mixture to be able to direct drill into if that is the approach they are looking to take,” Mr Egan adds.

JANUARY 5 2024 | 21

03/01/2024 12:44

ARABLE Irrigation is crucial to agriculture in Southern Alberta, Canada. Mike Abram visited to learn about the challenges farmers are facing from climate change.

Canadian farmers have invested heavily in upgrading irrigation equipment to become more efficient.

Climate change challenges Alberta’s irrigation system

I

t is no stretch to say irrigation is vital to the farmers and overall prosperity of Southern Alberta in Canada.

Just fewer than 600,000 hectares of land is irrigated across 11 irrigation districts in the region by around 6,000 producers, contributing CA$5.4 billion (£3.2bn) to the province’s GDP. But there are warning signs, as in many parts of the world, that water resources are under threat.

Snow in the Rocky Mountains acts as the water reservoir for the river basins in the region.

This year, not only was there a below average snowpack, but it had also melted by mid-May, three weeks earlier than usual.

Most irrigation districts, using a water supply forecast provided by the Government of Alberta, set an annual on-farm irrigation limit early in spring. This is regularly

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reviewed during the season and can be tweaked up or down depending on conditions.

By August, allocations ranged from 13-21 inches (325-525 mm), in the four largest irrigation districts, which account for about 85 per cent of the irrigated area.

However, one of the smallest irrigation districts in western Southern Alberta, Magrath, announced that irrigation water would be shut off on August 17 because of the severe drought.

Choices Setting the limit early allows irrigators to make cropping choices based on the limit according to Margo Jarvis Redelback, executive director, Alberta Irrigation Districts Association.

She says: “Growers are able to apply to their irrigation district to

move water between parcels, giving the opportunity to ensure crops with higher water demands have adequate water supplies.”

For most growers, allocations have been adequate for crop needs although those with higher demand crops such as timothy hay, potatoes, corn or alfalfa, were feeling some stress, according to sugar beet, bean, alfalfa and cereal farmer Cory Vanden Elzen.

He farms 520ha of irrigated crops in Coaldale, Alberta, which lies in the St Mary’s River Irrigation District that had some of the tightest restrictions on water use this season.

The farm started with a 14in (350mm) allocation, which could have climbed to 16in (400mm) with adequate rain, but the summer drought brought a further cut to 13in (325mm).

Up to 14in (350mm) is required

on his 88ha of sugar beet, a similar amount, if not slightly more, on alfalfa, with 8in (200mm) on three types of dry beans — pinto, small white and yellow. Cereals usually receive 7-10in (175-250mm).

While he had been careful, had enough allocation to see the season through and was concerned for future years, he points out this year had not been unique.

He says: “In 2001 we were rationed to around 7in, and 2002 was shaping up to be a disaster until 6in of rain fell early in the year.”

Farmers have invested heavily in upgrading irrigation equipment to become more efficient, he says.

“We have upgraded from side roll wheel lines to low pressure pivot systems, which allows us to put less water on, but more often, to match crop use.

“With the wheel lines we had put farmersguardian.com

02/01/2024 09:47

ARABLE We have upgraded from side roll wheel lines to low pressure pivot systems, which allows us to put less water on, but more often CORY VANDEN ELZEN 3-6in a time on, but it would take up to two weeks to get across a quarter section.

“Now I can put 0.75in on over two days, which is especially important in the spring when we try to get crops established after seeding.

“Pivots are also more able to function on windy days, which we get lots of in spring and fall,” says Mr Vanden Elzen.

About an hour north east, Lars Hirch farms 192ha in Rolling Hills,

in the Eastern Irrigation District, alongside a craft distillery business which uses various grains grown on the farm, and a cow calf operation.

He has also upgraded older pivot systems to low pressure drop tube pivots with more efficient water conserving sprinkler heads.

His usual water allocation was initially cut from 24in (600mm) to 12in (300mm), but subsequent rains increased this to 18in (450mm).

Heat That was good news for Mr Hirch’s 54ha of timothy hay, which usually receives more than 20in (500mm) of water.

“Because of the heat, I had already used a lot of water on the first cut of timothy, which I harvested a bit early to take advantage of the good growth.

“The barley crop does not need as much water, usually 15in, so I was allowed to move allocation from that field to the timothy for the second cut.”

Cows grazing on community pasture came home a month earlier than planned though because of a lack of grass.

“My plan was to harvest the

Cory Vanden Elzen farms 520 hectares of irrigated crops in Coaldale, Alberta, which lies in the St Mary’s River Irrigation District that has had some of the tightest restrictions on water use this season.

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02/01/2024 09:50

ARABLE second cut of timothy early also and hopefully graze the cattle on the regrowth,” he explains.

The experience is making him reconsider whether to grow timothy, with its shallow rooting requiring frequent watering and poor tolerance to hot weather.

Carrot farmer Nicolai Drost, also in the Eastern Irrigation District, is experimenting with South African developed Rainmaker technology which claims to convert irrigation water into rainwater, reducing water requirements by up to 30 per cent.

“Rainwater is more effective, so you need less of it,” he explains.

The technology disperses ozone (O3) into the irrigation water and, by adding a catalyst in hydrogen peroxide, helps oxidise minerals that cause hard water, dissolving carbonates and phosphates, while removing contaminants, such as algae and bacteria.

Nutrients The result is a highly oxygenated water that acts like rainwater, easily penetrating the soil, and providing nutrients to crops while improving soil health, according to manufacturer Rainmaker.Earth.

Mr Drost, who needs 15in (375mm) of combined rainfall and irrigation for early harvested carrots and 20in (500mm) for late harvested or stored crops, plants his crops in a tight bed placement to close canopies earlier to reduce evaporation and so

Investments in infrastructure improvements have driven farm efficiency increases including programmes to reline open canals or convert to buried pipelines.

help improve water use efficiency.

“The risk is increased disease pressure,” he says.

All three farmers use mostly experience and manual probes to judge irrigation needs.

“We have used monitoring technology in the past,” Mr Drost says. “At the time the Pessl system was not very user-friendly with little tech support, but we may try similar technology again in future.”

Mr Vanden Elzen uses a Dutch auger to hand sample in different locations in fields to whatever depth he is interested in a couple of times a week.

“I decide how much to use based

on each crop’s development stage, as each seems to have different critical times,” he says.

Some growers are starting to use field-installed moisture sensors, he adds, while variable rate technology is being developed.

“It is expensive though, and I am not aware of anyone using it on a field scale.”

Precision irrigation is a main focus of the Mueller Irrigation Research Group at Lethbridge College Research Farm.

The farm uses 154ha of irrigated land to research improving water use efficiency, says Dr Willemijn Appels, senior research chair.

Her team have found variable rate technology, particularly on sloping or rolling ground, that yields can vary by around 6 per cent compared with flat ground in potatoes.

“On a field with 50 per cent sloping ground, that could be a significant boost,” says Dr Appels.

Trials

Lars Hirch farms 192 hectares in the Eastern Irrigation District, alongside running a craft distillery business that uses grains grown on the farm and a cow calf operation.

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But creating variable irrigation maps requires a lot of monitoring and sensor technology is still being developed.

One set of trials at the farm is looking at microwave sensors mounted on the pivot to observe radiation from soil.

“That is indicative of moisture content to about 30-40cm depth, so could be a nice way of mapping out spatially where you have or do not have water.

“The downside of microwaves is there are a lot about near a city, such as Lethbridge, so getting the technology right is a challenge.”

Incentivising individual farmers to improve and invest in water use efficiency on farm is not always easy, Dr Appels adds.

Dr Appels says: “Water rights

are given to irrigation districts which get an allocation of surface water — they do not pay for that water.

“They redistribute it to farmers within their geographical area and the farmers pay the irrigation district to maintain the infrastructure to deliver it to the farm gate, but it is irrespective of how much water they deliver.

“So if you get 10mm or 150mm you pay the same amount per acre.

“In some cases that area price is hefty — it can be anything from CA$20-28/acre, but in some cases it is CA$0 if the district also has a lot of income from oil or gas revenue, for instance.”

That means farmers investing in advancing their irrigation equipment or sensors will not see a return through lower water bills.

However, that increased water use efficiency across a district does mean irrigation districts potentially can expand the area of irrigated land available for farmers to purchase, Mrs Jarvis Redelback says.

“Irrigation districts have been expanding through their existence.

“We now irrigate about twice the land area using the same volume of water as was diverted in the 1970s.”

On-farm improvements have contributed to that efficiency increase, especially in recent years with 84 per cent of the 600,000ha irrigated with low pressure drop tube pivots compared with 47 per cent in 2015.

Mrs Jarvis Redelback says.

“These systems offer efficiencies of over 85 per cent.”

But investments in infrastructure improvements have also driven efficiency increases, with programmes to reline open canals or convert to buried pipelines, and automating delivery systems all improving efficiency or saving water. farmersguardian.com

02/01/2024 09:51

J008780_iblon-ad_Together_Farmers Guardian_213x300_AW2.pdf

1

12/12/2023

09:36

UNRIVALLED BROAD-SPECTRUM WHEAT DISEASE CONTROL. TOGETHER WE’RE ON IT.

cropscience.bayer.co.uk/iblon Based on 3 years of observations and independent assessments of Bayer and external field trials alongside interpretation of AHDB fungicide performance data for both solo active and product performance against Septoria, Yellow Rust, Brown Rust, Mildew, Eyespot and Fusarium at typically applied field rates as indicated by manufacturer recommendations and Kynetec data. iblon contains isoflucypram. iblon is a registered Trade Mark of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2024.

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02/01/2024 09:34

SALES

Edited by Angela Calvert – 07768 796 492 – angela.calvert@agriconnect.com

Usk Vale Texel sets 45,000gns ewe record rDispersal sees second

Sale topper was a 2021-born ewe from Willy Davies and Paul Rowlands, of Usk Vale Pedigrees, Llandrindod Wells, which sold for 45,000gns to Messrs Powell, Ross on Wye. (Picture taken as a gimmer).

A NEW Texel ewe record of 45,000gns was set at Carlisle when the Usk Vale flock was dispersed on behalf of Willy Davies and Paul Rowlands, of Usk Vale Pedigrees, Llandrindod Wells.

The sale topper was a 2021-born ewe by 65,000gns Hexel Django out of a Knap Alligator daughter, which had been bought from the Cowal flock. It sold, having been flushed to Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants, to Messrs Powell for the Monnow flock, Ross on Wye. The same buyers went to 10,000gns

Young Farmers show at Hawes THE championship at the Young Farmers show and sale of lambs at Hawes went to Reuben Iveson, Hawes, with the continental class winner, a Beltex. It topped the sale at £280 (608p/kg).

The buyer was the judge, Martin Hare, of Lane End Farm Shop, Tong, who also paid £230 (383p/kg) and £220 (440p/kg) for the second and third prize winners from Jo Hodgson, Askrigg, and Henry Avison, Melmerby, respectively.

Reserve champion was the native class winner from Ben Scarr, Askrigg, which made £160 (285p/kg), also to Mr Hare.

Auctioneers: Hawes Farmers Auction Mart.

Champion and continental class winner, a Beltex from Reuben Iveson, Hawes, which sold for £280 (608p/kg).

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PICTURE: MACGREGOR PHOTOGRAPHY

top price of 12,000gns

for a Hexel-bred 2019-born ewe by Plasucha All Star out of a Duncryne Uber Cool-sired dam which was a full sister to Hexel Born to be Wild and had been flushed to Hexel Geronimo.

Second top price The second top price of 12,000gns was for a ewe lamb by Glenside Forever out of a Procters Chumba Wumba-sired Clarks-bred ewe, which went to John Forsyth for the Glenside flock, Maybole.

Also making 10,000gns was a Knock-bred 2021-born ewe by Knock Dalwhinnie out of an Allanfauld Am The Man daughter which had been reserve overall champion at the 2022 Royal Welsh Show. Having been flushed to Auldhouseburn Fancy

Pants, it was knocked down to Boden and Davies, Stockport.

A ewe lamb by Glenside Forever out of the sale topper also sold for 10,000gns to Johnny Cubbitt for the Long Mountain flock, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

Messrs Wight, Biggar, paid 7,000gns for a 2018-born Knock-bred ewe by Allanfauld Am The Man out of a Sportsmans Supreme daughter which was a full sister to Knock Yardsman.

AVERAGES 12 flush ewes, £8,286.25; 68 recipients, £2,053.67; 6 flock ewes, £2,817.50; 37 shearling gimmers, £2,029.05; 20 ewe lambs, £3,942.75.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Shrewsbury sale sees flying store cattle trade AT the final store cattle sale of the year at Shrewsbury pure-bred Limousins from the Brown family, Welshpool, led the trade per kilo and per head.

Their first pair of 490kg steers made £1,555, followed by a 450kg steer which sold at £1,460 (324p/kg).

Heifers weighing 450kg/head from the same home peaked at £1,295 four times with a 420kg heifer selling for £1,270.

Rob Morgan, Telford, sold a 555kg 17-month-old Limousin cross steer at £1,500 and yearlings from £1,100 to £1,180.

A pair of 570kg Aberdeen-Angus steers from J.E. Mitchell, Newport, hit

£1,490 and 585kg British Blues sold to £1,460. Dairy-bred 510kg Limousins from R.H. Lewis and Son, Crickheath, sold to £1,380 and 525kg Herefords hit £1,350 for F. and M.M. Shingler and Sons, Westbury.

Dutch Spotteds sell to 3,000gns PART one of the Trilogy production sale of Dutch Spotted sheep from Callum Dodd’s Hazelberry flock, Tundergarth, and Ali Jackson’s Tiptop flock, Maulscastle, took place at Carlisle topping at 3,000gns.

This was for the 2021-born ewe, Hazelberry Ellis, a daughter of Westbroad B Explorer out of Damson Cartmel, which sold carrying triplets to Diamond Freaky Freddie, to Messrs Thompson, Yeovil.

Making 2,200gns was Hazelberry Fancy Pants, a 2022-born ewe by Drumhirk Decider, scanned with twins to Beili Gilbert, which was knocked down to Messrs Wilson, Llandrindod Wells.

Tiptop consignment Also selling for 2,200gns and topping the Tiptop consignment was Tiptop Fine N Dandy, a 2022-born daughter of Tiptop Ed, carrying twins to Craigdoo Gambler, which went to Messrs Ghiorghita, Wilby.

At 1,600gns was Tiptop Gaara, a ewe lamb by the imported sire, Dutchman, which sold to Middlemoor Farm, Richmond.

AVERAGES 15 aged ewes, £775.60; 8 shearling gimmers, £1,260; 10 ewe lambs, £1,044.75.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Leek tops £3,000 THE Christmas pedigree dairy show and sale at Leek topped at £3,000 twice. Firstly, for the champion, the winning heifer, by Claynook Country from Messrs Mellor’s Braemarhouse herd, East Sterndale, which sold giving 35kg to the judge, Nigel Moss, Meerbrook.

At the same money was the reserve champion, the winning cow, Broomhouse Outback Echo 6533 by ABS Outback from Messrs Easom, Oakerthorpe. Having given 9,613kg in its third lactation, it sold fresh with its fourth to the Evans family, Oswestry.

Commercial heifer

Heifers peaked at £1,355 for 520kg entries from Messrs Mitchell and a freemartin Holstein from N.G. Annandale, Himstock, sold for £1,355. A pen of four 545kg Aberdeen-Angus heifers from P.G. Wainwright and Co, Llanwnog, achieved £1,315 and a run from E.N. Baylis, Shifnal, topped at £1,290 for a 460kg Limousin heifer.

A commercial heifer by Pine-Tree-I Pursuit from Messrs Needham, Heaton, which was first in the commercial class, made £2,850 to the Bailey family, Brown Edge.

Sterndale Sidekick Rachel, a cow from the Nadins, Earl Sterndale, which boasted 12 generations VG/EX dams sold for £2,840 to the Johnsons, Hilderstone.

In all, 40 passed the £2,000 mark, with 10 passing £2,500.

Auctioneers: Halls.

Auctioneers: Leek Auctions.

Holstein

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 14:38

SALES

TOP STOCK Browse, sell, buy at FGBuyandSell.com

Beltex top Procters dispersal at 9,000gns rTexels to 7,000gns

for 2022-born ewe

THE dispersal of the Procters and Tatham Hall flocks of Texels and Beltex at Carlisle on behalf of Procters Farm, Wennington, topped at 9,000gns This was for Procters Hayley, a 2022-born Beltex ewe by Faughill Francisco out of Procters Fancy Pants, a Clary Desperado daughter which had been female and reserve

overall champion at the Penrith progeny show. It sold, in-lamb to Collessie Jacobite and having been flushed to Myna Actor, to Boden and Davies, Stockport.

Procters First Lady, a 2020-born Beltex ewe by Tiree Carter out of a Rathbone Wallace daughter, also flushed to Myna Actor and in-lamb to Collessie Jacobite, made 5,000gns to Messrs Gray, Selkirk.

Also making 5,000gns was Procters Humbug, a Beltex shearBentham young handler’s champion, Ellie Jackson, Bentham, whose lamb sold for £300 to the judge, David Timm, of Timm Family Butchers, Pickering.

Young handler’s lamb raises money for charity AT Bentham’s young handler’s show and sale the championship went to Ellie Jackson, Bentham, whose lamb sold for £300 to the judge, David Timm, of Timm Family Butchers, Pickering.

Ms Jackson also won the best presented lamb, receiving the Les Thackray Perpetual Challenge Trophy, and then donated her lamb to Cancer Care, which raised £3,090, including £500 from the Shan Group, Mohammad Alam, of Lancashire Halal, Dan Towers and Andrew Atkinson, £230 from Liam farmersguardian.com

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Broster and Joe Bosworth, £200 from Tom Sayer, £210 from Mr Timm, before finally realising £220 from Mark Mather.

Reserve champion The reserve championship went to Thomas Thompson, Longridge, whose lamb sold for £180.

Mr Timm also donated a special prize to the young handler with the best potential for the future which he awarded to Teddy Whitaker, Clapham.

Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.

Procters Hayley, a 2022born Beltex ewe, from Procters Farm, Wennington, which sold in-lamb for 9,000gns to Boden and Davies, Stockport.

ling gimmer by Faughill Francisco out of Procters Eighties Girl, a Clarly Desperado daughter. The buyer was Messrs Cockburn, Erro.

Ewe Texels topped at 7,000gns for a 2022-born ewe by Bradleys Eubank out of a Sportsmans Batman daughter which had been inter-breed champion at the 2019 Royal Welsh Show as a lamb.

It sold, in-lamb to Seaforde Game Changer and having been flushed to Clarks Grey Goose, to Messrs Greene, Culdaff, Eire.

At 5,500gns was a 2022-born Texel ewe by Scrogtonhead Class Act out of a Sportsmans Batman daughter and in-lamb to Greenall Fisticuffs. The buyer was Spiros Spyrou, Hebdon Bridge.

A 2021-born Texel ewe by

Sportsmans Double Diamond out of a Sportsmans Batmansired dam and in-lamb to Hexel Four Square made 5,000gns to Donald and Sarah McPherson, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

AVERAGES Texels – 13 flush ewes, £2,544.23; 78 recipients, £1,067.50; 32 flock ewes, £1,159.92; 27 shearling gimmers, £1,765.55; 35 ewe lambs, £564; Tatham Hall Texels: 7 flush ewes, £1,230; 35 recipients, £687; 37 flock ewes, £901.25; 19 shearling gimmers, £909.07; 18 ewe lambs, £424.66; Procters Beltex: 4 flush ewes, £4,725; 29 recipients, £952.24; 34 flock ewes, £1,111.76; 12 shearling gimmers, £1,596.87; 11 ewe lambs, £968.86.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Gisburn dairy sale peaks at £3,080 for Rubicon heifer A 30kg RUBICON heifer from M. and J. Bristol’s Claremont herd, Newton-in-Bowland, won the championship before selling at £3,080 at Gisburn’s dairy sale where more than half the 80-plus entry topped £2,000.

From the herd’s Vanessa family, it sold to N.W. and J.M. Coulthurst and Son, Goosnargh.

At £2,850 was another 30kg heifer, this one an early December calved Twister daughter from G.D. Donkin, Blackburn. From the Copdon herd’s Anna family, it sold locally, before the same vendor’s reserve champion, a 33kg heifer also by Twister, sold at £2,800.

Aireburn herd At £2,820, Aireburn herd owner, G.B. Moorhouse, Skipton, sold a 31kg Redcarpet daughter to Messrs Coulthurst.

S.E. and J. Collier and Son, Wigan, took a £2,600 bid from B.F. Blezard, Ribchester, for their Worthingtons Precious 506 by

R-Haze Rapid. A 33kg Glamour Santos heifer from Frankland Farms, Rathmell, made £2,580.

Non-pedigree The non-pedigree entry topped at £2,650 for the first prize winner from J. and B. Rowland, Haighton.

The one week calved, 28kg heifer sold to J.G. and J.Williams, Nantwich, while this section’s blue rosette winner from N. and K. Forshaw, Longridge, Preston made £2,580 to Mr Blezard.

Pedigree cows sold to £2,450 for a 42kg Dealberge Pepper second calver from Hoole herd owners, R. and M. Cowgill, Preston, which went to Messrs Williams.

AVERAGES Pedigree newly-calved heifers, £2,226; pedigree newly-calved cows, £2,073; non-registered newly-calved heifers, £1,724; non-registered newlycalved cows, £1,550; in-calf heifers, £1,550.

Auctioneers: Gisburn Auction Marts.

JANUARY 5 2024 | 27

03/01/2024 11:25

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AGRICULTURE’S NA

FGBuyandSell.com 30-37 Auctions

38-40 Careers

41-43 Livestock

43-44 Feedstuffs & Bedding

45-48 Buildings & Building Materials

Leek Smithfield • Barnfields • Leek • Staffordshire • ST13 5PY • www.leekmarket.co.uk

Market Results Dairies to £2840, Cull Cows 183p/kg - £1241, Pigs - 222p/kg - £214.24, Calves BB Bull to £410, Lambs 324p/kg - £138.88, Ewes £162

Store Cattle Sales 260 STORE CATTLE SATURDAY 6TH JANUARY 2024 Store Sheep Sale Sale of 2500 Store Lambs and In-Lamb Ewes SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 10AM Entries Close 6th January Also DERBYSHIRE DIAMONDS Sale of 39 Pedigree Texels Incl Flock Reduction on behalf of CORRICRAVIE Flock.

Catalogues available online - Sale to Commence 1pm Fat/Barrens: Graham Watkins 07976 370894 Dairies: Meg Elliott 07967 007049 Stores: Mark Elliott 07973 673092 Sheep: Robert Watkins 07929 946652 Visit us at www.leekauctions.co.uk

Penrith Auction Mart 01768 864700 Wednesday 10th January 8am Cast Ewes and Rams followed at 10am with Prime Hoggs (Ballot 10am) Monday 15th January Bonanza Prize Show & Sale of Store Cattle and Feeding Bulls of all classes Entries close noon Monday 8th January Wednesday 17th January Sale of Store Hoggs of all classes entries close Wednesday 10th January Friday 19th January 10am- Sale of Rearing Calves and Weaned Stirks Friday 2nd February Sale of Dairy Cattle of all classes including a Special Section for Dairy Shorthorns Entries close Monday 22nd January Friday 9th February Onsite Collective Sale of Tractors, Machinery, Plant, Livestock Equipment and Small Tools

www.penrithauction.com

Bakewell Market Results - Tuesday 2nd January 153 Cattle & 1,349 Sheep - Full report available on our website Store Cattle Entries for Monday 8th January Please call the Bakewell Office on 5th January before 12 Noon Call 01629 812777 Watch the livestreamed cattle sales on www.streaming.auctionmarts.com ********************** THURSDAY LUNCHTIME WEEKLY SHEEP SALE Entries/Enquiries, contact Peter Oven: peter.oven@bagshaws.com or 07973 982443 Or Ivor Lowe: ivor.lowe@bagshaws.com or 07977 449126 ***********************

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Friday 19th January: HPLS Store Cattle Sale

Farm Dispersal Sales FORD VALLEY FARM MARSH LANE, ECKINGTON, S21 5RE Friday 12th January 2024 at 10:30am 4 New Holland & Ford Tractors, Kawasaki Diesel Mule, Trailers Arable & Potato Equipment, Workshop Items, Spares Garden Items & Mowers, Straw & Grass Seed Livestock Equipment, Sundries & Effects Also Included: New Holland T5.115 , 65 Plate, c/w Loader, 2,200 hrs, Ifor Williams 12ft Livestock Trailer (very little use), Kuhn VKM 180 Flail Topper Barrel Spreader, Trailed Mower Conditioner & Galvanized Ring Feeder Catalogues are available to download at www.bagshaws.com, Email: Deb.scholes@bagshaws.com Tel: 01629 812777

www.bagshaws.com

CLITHEROE AUCTION MART

www.auctionmart.co.uk T: 01200 423325 • Jeremy: 07815 727993 WEEKLY Tuesday 9thJanuary 12.30pm PRIMESTOCK SALE Prime Hoggs & Cull Ewes NEW YEAR STORE Thursday 11th January 12.30pm CATTLE SALE + Sale of young Bulls, Store Heifers CALVES/ STIRKS & Steers. Rearing calves 12 noon ONLINE Thurs 25th - Sat 27th January MACHINERY SALE Intake of items Tuesday 9th -18th January

The Livestock Auctioneers Association A place to exchange ideas CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET AT www.laa.co.uk

Andrew Maughan 07717 611952 Paul Gardner 07552 589141 30

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Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today TM

E’S NATIONAL CLASSIFIEDS

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today 49 Property

50 Finance 50 Motors 51-55 Tractors & Machinery

Stables & Arenas inside this issue

GISBURN AUCTION MARTS Auctioneers, Valuers, Agents

SKIPTON AUCTION MART

Tel: 01756 792375 www.ccmauctions.com

Auctioneers: Jeremy Eaton - 07747 780481 Ted Ogden - 07855 958211 Kyle Hawksworth - 07538 539077 Rob Cloughton 07496 278828

Monday 8th January SALE OF REARING CALVES Sale 10.30am PRIME, CAST & FEEDING CATTLE Sale 11.30am (TB exempt section available) MONTHLY SHOW & SALE OF PRIME HOGGS Sale 12.30pm followed by CAST EWES Wednesday 10th January 2000 STORE HOGGS & BREEDING SHEEP Sale 10.30am Monday 15th January

Auction Mart

Claughton On Brock, Preston PR3 0PH

01995 640280 www.garstangmart.co.uk Auctioneer: Ian Atkinson 07944 237516 Tuesday 9th January 2024 9.00 a.m. 750 Prime Hoggs & 200 Cast Ewes/Tups 10.30 a.m. Sale Store Cattle 11.30 a.m. 60/80 Rearing Calves, Weanlings & Stirks Wednesday 10th January, 2024 10.30 a.m. OTM Cattle Sale & TB Exempt Cattle Wednesday 24th January, 2024

12.00 noon Show & Sale of Dairy Cattle

Entries for Catalogue Close 10.00 a.m. 18th January Sales Fixtures Saturday 17th February, 2024

SHOW & SALE OF CALVES Entries & Enquiries to Kyle

Early Spring Sale of Machinery & Implements

Wednesday 17th January

“BROCKHOLES BEST OF BRITISH” SALE OF NATIVE PEDIGREE BREEDING BULLS & FEMALES Entries to date include 40 Ped AA

Sale of FEEDING BULLS, PRIME CATTLE, BEEF FEEDING COWS, STORE & BREEDING CATTLE (Entries close Wednesday 10th January) Saturday 20th January STIRKS, WEANED/SUCKLED CALVES, BREEDING & CULL GOATS & SHEEP (Entries close Monday 15th January) Wednesday 24th January STORE HOGGS & BREEDING SHEEP Inc SPECIAL MID WINTER SALE OF INLAMB EWES (Entries close Monday 15th January) Dairy Cattle Monday 8th January Show & Sale of DAIRY CATTLE Sale 12noon Monday 22nd January Show & Sale of DAIRY CATTLE Entries and Enquiries to Sarah 07710 795585 FGbuyandsell.com

p031.indd 31

Brockholes Arms

Saturday 24th February, 2024

Tom Greenow - Market Manager 01200445376 Rachel Capstick 07713075659 Jack Pickup 07710708326 Eleanor O’Neill 07706347505 Matthew Middleton 07860659803 Saturday 6 January 9.30am OPENING NEW YEARS SALE OF CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS 10.30am 3 SHEEPDOGS, 700 IN LAMB SHEEP & STORE HOGG SALE catalogue online now Thursday 11 January 10.30am PRIME & CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES 11.00am WEEKLY DAIRY 12.30pm STIRKS entries to the office by 12noon Tuesday 9th Saturday 13 January 9.30am WEEKLY CAST SHEEP & PRIME HOGGS 10.00am OPENING NEW YEAR SALE OF BREEDING & STORE CATTLE entries by Tuesday 9th Thursday 18 January 10.30am PRIME & CULL CATTLE 10.30am REARING CALVES 11.00am SEMEX UK & JAMESON FEEDS SHOW & SALE OF DAIRY entries to Eleanor by Monday 15th Saturday 20 January FORTNIGHTLY BREEDING SHEEP to inc 1st Special Sale of In Lamb Sheep; MV Acc, Pure Bred, Coloured & Commercial

www.gisburnauctions.com | 01200 445376

Farm to Farm Flock Dispersal of 7 Ped In lamb Texels Contact Ian Atkinson 07944237516

...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart SATURDAY 6TH JANUARY

LEYBURN MART Friday 12th January New Year Store Cattle Show & Sale 350 steers, heifers & feeding bulls

100 Breeding & Store Cattle inc 2 Lim Bulls, 9mth, I Wilkinson 4 Lim bulls,12mth, JF Shipley 2 Longhorn Hfr,24mth, D Blockley 6 Lim bulls,10mth,T Thomas & Son

Sale 10.30am.

Store & Breeding Sheep inc 40 Contx Store Lambs, T&H Agri Store & Breeding Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.45am

Entries noon Monday 8th January

WEDNESDAY 10th JANUARY

3 Mart Shares in dairy ring at 11.00am.

400 Prime Cattle 400 Prime Sheep 185 Prime Pigs Pigs 9am Sheep 9.45am Cattle 10.30am

100/120 Rearing Calves & Stirks at 11.00am.

Enquiries: 01969 623167

Contact Office for Details MART OFFICE: 01757 703347 RICHARD 07768 594535 Contact HAIGH Office for Details

MARTwww.selbymart.co.uk OFFICE: 01757 703347

RICHARD HAIGH: 07768 594535

January 5, 2024 |

www.selbymart.co.uk

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FGBuyandSell.com

STOCKJUDGING COMPETITION To be in with your chance of winning up to £200, test out your judging skills by entering our annual beef stockjudging competition.

Test your stockjudging skills and win up to £200

T

his year’s beef stockjudging competition is now open for entries. Our annual competition is once again sponsored by Show Time, supplier of specialist livestock products for cattle, sheep, horses and other animals, covering the UK and Europe.

How to take part Take part by pitting your judging skills against those of our professional judge to be in with the chance of winning one of three cash prizes.

The first correct entry to be drawn at random will receive our top prize

of £200, while two runners-up will each win £50. To be in with a chance of winning, you need to rank the four animals pictured (one being the animal you rate most highly), in the same order as our judge.

Complete the entry form opposite and return it to: Showtime Stockjudging Competition, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ, by January 15, 2024.

ENTER ONLINE Alternatively, you can enter the competition online at farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging

Could your stockjudging skills win you one of three cash prizes?

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Class Showtime Stockjudging Oct27 AC OM KR GG SIGNED OFF.indd 2

SPONSORED BY

www.showtime-supplies.co.uk

Return the form opposite, scan this QR code or enter online at farmersguardian.com/ showtimestockjudging

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Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today HOW TO ENTER Return the form below or enter online at farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging

ANIMAL

ANIMAL

X

Y

Stockjudging competition entry form

Fill in and return this form before January 15, 2024, or go to farmersguardian.com/showtimestockjudging

Completing Section A of the form enables you to be entered into our free prize draw. However, we’d like to know a little more about you to help us provide information about relevant products. Fill in Section B if you would like to provide this additional information.

Section A Title:

First name:

I think the judge will select:

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Address:

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Section B Are you the main decision maker on farm?

Primary occupation (tick one box only): Farm Owner Contractor

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Secondary occupation: (tick one box only): Farm Owner Contractor 0

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20-49

50-99

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Total farm size in hectares: Dairy (livestock numbers):

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Beef (livestock numbers): Sheep (livestock numbers): Privacy Statement: Data protection – your personal data will be collected and processed in accordance with our Privacy Statement which can be viewed (see p11). From time to time, Agriconnect would like to use the personal data you have provided in this form to contact you via email, post, phone and text about Agriconnect goods and services that we think will be of interest to you. If you would like to receive this communication, please confirm this by ticking this box. Your personal data will not be shared with third parties. If you have any queries or concerns about how we hold your data, please write to the Data Protection Co-ordinator, Agriconnect, Unit 4, Caxton Road, Preston, PR2 9NZ, or email dataprotection@farmersguardian.com.

Please return by January 15, 2024, to: Showtime Stockjudging Competition, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ. Terms and Conditions: 1. The competition (prize draw) is open to UK residents (aged 18 years or over), with the exception of ‘employees’ or ‘relatives of employees’ of Agriconnect. 2. Inclusion in the prize draw is subject to entry to the competition. 3. Entry to the draw will close January 15, 2024. 4. Only one entry per person is permitted. 5. Winners will be selected at random from all valid and correctly answered entries. 6. The judge’s decision is final. No correspondence or discussion shall be entered into. 7. Prize is non-refundable and no prize alternative is available. 8. Completion of the entry form implies acceptance of these terms and conditions.

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FGBuyandSell.com Auctions

FARMSTOCK AUCTIONEERS, BROKERS & VALUERS BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE

ONLINE SALE

Tel: 01228 406200

Genetic Selection sale of

BORDER LEICESTER FEMALE SHOW & SALE OF 40 REGISTERED FEMALES Monday 8th January Show 10.30am Sale 11.30am 4 ewes, 18 gimmers and 18 empty ewe hoggs

“BLUE BELLES” BLUEFACED LEICESTER SHOW & SALE OF 125 REGISTERED FEMALES (Traditional Types) Monday 8th January Show 11.30am Sale 12.30pm 40 ewes, 75 gimmers and 10 empty ewe hoggs Includes Dispersal sale of the adult portion of the MV accredited High Craig Flock And Major reduction sale from the Burndale flock Special January sale of

700 STORE CATTLE Wednesday 10th January WEANERS & YOUNG BULLS – 12.30pm YOUNG CALVES – 10.00am

“Classy Lassies” show and sale of registered crossing type inlamb

110 BLUEFACED LEICESTER Monday 15th January Show 9.00am Sale 11.00am 5 ewes, 30 shearlings, 74 ewe lambs & 1 recip

SEMEN & EMBRYOS of BEEF CATTLE & SHEEP Bidding starts 10am Wednesday 24th January finishing from 10am Thursday 25th January Entries close Friday 5th January

KIRKBY STEPHEN MART Tel: 01768 371385 New Year show and sale of

TUESDAY 9TH JANUARY Sale of 35-40 OTM Cattle 30 Feeding Bulls & 200 Store Cattle Sale at 10am PATELEY BRIDGE AUCTION MART Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, HG3 5HN

SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY

443 STORE CATTLE

Sale of 30-35 OTM/Prime Cattle 30 Feeding Bulls & 140 Store Cattle

Prize show and sale of

CROWNED SINGLE INLAMB SWALEDALE EWES Thursday 8th February Also gimmer hoggs and flock books on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association.

Also other breeds of inlamb ewes and geld gimmer hoggs entries invited until sale day Entries 10am Monday 22nd January

LOCKERBIE MART Tel: 01576 202332 Show and sale of North Country Cheviot

INLAMB FEMALES Saturday 10th February Entries close Friday 12th January

MIDDLETON MART Tel: 01833 640281

STORE CATTLE

Friday 19th January Judging 10.00am Sale 11.30am On behalf of the British Blue Cattle Society

Tuesday 16th January Entries close 10am Monday 8th January

Wednesday 24th January Entries close Wednesday 17th January

Teesdale Co Durham, DL12 8AD

Also 50-80 cast/feeding cows & OTM cattle Monday 8th January - 9.30am

PEDIGREE BRITISH BLUE CATTLE

BEEF BREEDING CATTLE

BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART

PLEASE SCAN TO VIEW OUR ONLINE CATALOGUES

Visit www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or follow us on Facebook & Instragram

Sale at 11am CATALOGUES FOR ALL THE ABOVE SALES CAN BE VIEWED ON OUR WEBSITE

www.barnardcastleauctionmart.co.uk Tel Libby Bell Auctioneer on 07818435728

BENTHAM AUCTION MART

015242 61444 - Sale Days 61246 Stephen 07713 075 661 Greg 07713 075 664 Will 07590 876 849 www.benthamauc on.co.uk

Tuesday 9th January at 10.30am Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle Suckler Breeding Cattle Inc. 3yo Angus Bull Annual Entry from GC & PM Haygarth & Daughter 8 Blue Grey Bulling Hfrs 16-17m.

Also A Haggas 5 Blue Grey Bulling Hfrs 15-18m BVD Neg. Followed by 100 STORE CATTLE FORTNIGHTLY SALE OF 2750 STORE HOGGS Wednesday 10th January 11am 100-150 REARING CALVES 2.30pm 2000 Cast Ewes followed by 2500-3500 Prime Hoggs Tuesday 16th January Feeding & Cast Cows & OTM Cattle MONTHLY SALE OF FARMERS STIRKS & YOUNG STORES Entries for catalogue close Friday 5th January Wednesday 17th January Cogent Winter Dairy Day Tuesday 23rd January 1st Winter Sale of In Lamb Breeding Sheep Inc. Flock Dispersal from F & ML Lee & Son of 180 Cheviot/ Cheviot x Texel Ewes & Shlgs (Tick Bitten) IL to Cheviot/ Texel Rams due March 25th Fortnightly Sale of Store Hoggs Saturday 3rd February Annual Multi Breed Sale of Individual Breeding Sheep Inc. Dalesbred, Swaldale, Herdwick, Cheviot, Blue Faced Leicester & Teeswater

RTS Richard Turner & Son AUCTIONEERS VALUERS & ESTATE AGENTS

Est 1803

The Livestock Auctioneers Association A place to exchange ideas 34

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Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Auctions

At 9.00am New Year Show of Store Cattle, At 10.00am Sale of Store Cattle, followed by Monthly Sale of Breeding Cattle.

At 9.00am Sale of Cast Ewes and Store Hoggs Entries invited by 10am, Monday 8th January

Friday 19th January At 10.00am Sale of Store Cattle & Suckled Calves including Native Breeds At 9.00am Sale of Cast Sheep & Store Hoggs

Office: 01325 464529 E: info@dfam.co.uk

NORTH WEST AUCTIONS LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS � VALUERS

www.nwauctions.co.uk

info@nwauctions.co.uk

LANCASTER AUCTION MART Tel: 01524 63308 Monday 8th January 10.30am PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP Followed by STORE HOGGS -------------------------------

Friday 12th January 10.15am 150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.15am 150 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11am DAIRY CATTLE 11.15am 300 STORE CATTLE

J36 RURAL AUCTION CENTRE

Tel: 015395 66200 Saturday 6th January 10.30am Show & Sale of 104 Pedigree Texel Females On behalf of North West Texel Breeders Club Beltex Society Show & Sale of 46 Pedigree Beltex Females Society Sales of Pedigree Females for 6 Blue Texels & 8 Badger Face Texels -------------------------------

Tuesday 9th January 10.30am ALL CLASSES OF PIGS 1pm 2000 PRIME HOGGS & CAST SHEEP

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET AT www.laa.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com

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The Darlington Farmers Auction Mart Humbleton Park I Darlington I DL2 2XX

Thursday 11th January NEW YEAR SHOW OF STORE CATTLE Champion to be awarded the Janet Gorst Perpetual Challenge Trophy 10am REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.30am 100 CAST / OTM CATTLE 11.15am STIRKS & STORE CATTLE

Forthcoming Special Sales

Thursday 18th January 10.30am Fortnightly Sale of 3000 STORE HOGGS

Winter Collective Sale of Tractors, Implements and Machinery

-------------------------------

-------------------------------

Saturday 27th January (Entries Close Friday 5th January) Rough Fell Females on behalf of the RFSBA Swaledale Females on behalf of the SSBA Bluefaced Leicester Females Also this day Multi-Breed Sale of Individual In-Lamb Breeding Sheep & Commercial In-Lamb Sheep

ONLINE MACHINERY SALES

Online Sale of Large Items of Machinery Delivery: Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th January To Commence: Fri 12th Jan & Conclude: Mon 15th Jan Viewing: Friday 12th & Saturday 13th (am only) --------------------------------

Monday 15th January New Year Prize Show and Sale of Store Cattle.

Monday 12th February Special Sale of In-Lamb Ewes

Saturday 17th February -

Every Monday (Green 6 Day Rule) 9.30am Cast Cattle & OTM 10.30am Store Lambs 11.00am Breeding Cattle, Feeding Bulls, Store Cattle Every Thursday (Red Dedicated Slaughter) 9.00am Prime Pigs 9.30am Prime Bulls 10.30am Prime Clean Cattle 1.00pm Prime Lambs Mark Cast Dent Ewes & Rams Paul Gentry 3.00pm Chairman 07711 Scott 198641 Ferrie

Auctioneer Scott Ferrie 07557 260653 Auctioneer/Director Oliver Chapman 07557 260653 Auctioneer Daniel Lynn 07887 653442 Auctioneer 07887 Megan 653442 Dowson Trainee Auctioneer 07471 823606

Auctioneer/Director 07940 330907 Office

Stephen 01325Dodsworth 464529 Fieldsperson Tracey 07946 Gilhespy 514154 Fieldsperson Tracey Gilhespy 07867 974688 Fieldsperson 07867 Dodsworth 974688 Stephen Fieldsperson 07946 514154

January 5, 2024 |

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03/01/2024 13:17:04

FGBuyandSell.com Auctions # KIVELLS DAIRY DEPARTMENT EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE HOLSWORTHY LIVESTOCK MARKET The Kivells dairy team would like to thank all vendors and purchasers for their support at sales in 2023. We wish them a very happy and healthy New Year. Once again, we have sold over 10,000 dairy cattle within the last year.

Wherever you are based in the UK, if you are considering selling consignments of dairy cattle or contemplating a complete herd dispersal sale, we would be pleased to speak with you in complete confidence.

A New Route to Market

We have the ability to conduct on-farm sales of dairy cattle anywhere in the UK or move the dairy cattle to our modern dairy markets at either Exeter or Holsworthy. Both situated in the heartland of southwest dairy farming with access to buyers throughout the UK and Ireland.

Kivells can provide: • Excellent lairage, feeding & milking facilities for herds up to 800 head.

• Haulage can be arranged to and from market from all corners of the UK. • Specialist, experienced and dedicated dairy cattle auctioneers.

• An experienced team of cattle fitters to clip, wash, shampoo and prepare the cattle for sale in order to maximise value.

• An extensive and active database of pedigree and commercial dairy buyers throughout the UK and Ireland.

• Online bidding is available for ALL dairy sales via MartEye with over 2,500 active bidders.

• Comprehensive advertising and over 23,000 followers on Facebook.

• Weekly catalogues produced and posted for all dairy sales with a dedicated dairy cattle administrative team.

• Nationwide fieldsmen service to view cattle for sale.

Please call in complete confidence: Dairy Auctioneers: Mark Bromell - 07966 430001 Mark Davis - 07773 371774 Dairy Fieldsmen: Robert Speck - 07909 538520 Olly Murrain - 07467 437288 Email: dairy@kivells.com

www.kivells.com

The Livestock Auctioneers Association

A place to exchange ideas CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK MARKET AT www.laa.co.uk

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Farmers Guardian has a rich history of connecting buyers with sellers, FGBuyandSell.com offers you a new and improved route to market.

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 11:35:24

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Auctions HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 3NP

AUCTION MARTS

Tuesday 9th January

Find us on Facebook

300 Cast Ewes & Rams

LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS

LONGTOWN MART Tel (01228) 791215 Monday 8th January – Evening Sale at 5pm 156 “LONGTOWN LADIES” 156 Dispersals of the Lintalee (16) & Wallace (26) Pedigree Texel Flocks for M.S. Hardy-Bishop Esq & June Scott.

Important Annual Show & Sale of 82 Pedigree Texel in-lamb Females & 12 Geld Hoggs from Allanfauld, Auldhouseburn, Broadstone, Castlecairn, Cowal, Drumbreddan, Ettrick, Harestone, Hilltop, Knap, Lauder, Midlock, Milnbank, Orchilmore, Sportsmans, Strawfrank, Topgun & Yarrow.

10 Pedigree Dutch Texel Shearlings & 2 Pedigree Beltex Ewes ex Thacka; 3 Pedigree Dutch Spotted Shearlings ex Lou`s & 5 Pedigree Suffolk Ewes ex Topgun.

Show at 3.30pm. M.V. only Tuesday 9th January at 10.30am Annual New Year Sale of 5,000 Cast Rams, Store Hoggs & Feeding Ewes Tuesday 16th January at 10.30am Special January Sale of 400 Store & Breeding Cattle & Suckler Calves 2nd Sale of 5,000 Cast Rams, Store Hoggs & Feeding Ewes. In-lamb Ewes of all classes Tuesday 23rd January at 10.30am 4,000 Store Hoggs, Feeding Ewes & Breeding Sheep of all classes Monday 29th January Tractors, Quad Bikes, Commercial Vehicles, Implements, Machinery, Small Tools & Equipment.

In the mart & live online via Marteye.ie

ONLINE AUCTION NOW TAKING ENTRIES National Online Timed Auction Of Machinery, Straw and Forage Starts 12th Jan 2024 | Ends 22nd Jan 2024

•

National advertising

•

Items remain on farm

•

No haulage costs

•

Extended bidding window

•

Viewing by arrangement

•

No sale no fee entry

•

Cleared funds prior to collection

simon.wearmouth@brown-co.com | 07768 465744 peter.thompson@brown-co.com | 07500 783360 SCAN CODE TO VIEW OUR AUCTION CALENDAR

FGbuyandsell.com

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2000 Prime Lambs at 10am Saturday 13th January 100 Store Cattle & Cull Cows. Sale at 10.30am Saturday 20th January 50 Ind. Registered Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on

Hay, Straw & Fodder Sales Our 71st Annual Auction, to be held on

Friday 12th January 2024 at Stow-on-the-Wold Rugby Club, GL54 1AH what3words: pine.scouts.practical

Catalogue available online or from our Bourton-on-the-Water office Further sales in 2024 on: Friday 9th February & Friday 15th March

01451 820913 hayandstraw@taylerandfletcher.co.uk www.taylerandfletcher.co.uk

behalf of BFL Sheep Breeders Assoc, followed by 30 Ind. Reg. Ewes & Gimmer Lambs on behalf of Swaledale Sheep Breeders Assoc.

Judging 10.30am. Sale at 12noon.

Sale of Flock Books to follow.

Telephone: 01969 667207, 015396 20895, 07974 126397. 07711 469280

Personal Services

The Social Network for Country Loving People Do you enjoy the countryside?

Do you like to socialise and meet new people?

If you are looking for new friends in a relaxed and informal environment, then try Country Link – the social network for the countryside. Open to anyone, and with a national network of local groups, Country Link offers a variety of pre-arranged meetings, events, and activities to suit all tastes, encouraging friendship but is not a dating agency.

Take a look on our website, call 07932 537183, or email contact@country-link.co.uk for more information and to find out what is happening in your area.

www.country-link.co.uk

Personal Mid four es Bull with no baggage, seeks Heifer with show ring poten al and a Jersey type of calmness.

6 , privately educated, shaven head, well built with own agricultural business. Gives the impression of tough, physical working, confident, with fire cracking personality, whereas in reality I am more of a fireplace, shy and reserved pen pushing type. I’m looking to build an old fashioned, long las ng rela onship with a no nonsense feet on the ground, common sense homemaker who will possibly enjoy holidays and a glass of wine.

Please reply sending a map of land ownership, latest set of accounts, number of your siblings & udder size, joking apart preference will be given to kind, considerate, caring, gentle & understanding lady with good sense of humor, even if she comes penniless.

Please send replies to: jonathan500sl@hotmail.com

ASHLEY WALLER AUCTIONEERS HORTICULTURE Every Wednesday FURNITURE Next Sale 17th & 18th January PRODUCE Every Monday at 12.30pm MACHINERY Next Sale Tuesday 9th January 9am - entries include less than previous sales. JCB 3C, Surrey Treadmill Horse Exerciser, Shepherds Huts, workshop equipment.

Catalogue of all lots online. info@ashleywaller.co.uk www.ashleywaller.co.uk www.easyliveauc on.com

Call 01772 799500 and place your advert today Personal Services SOW & REAP FRIENDS Would you

like to share your life with someone who has the same Christian faith and values as you?

‘Friends1st’ is the UK’s largest and most successful off-line friendship and introduction membership organisation that has introduced thousands of Christians to each other. We’re caring, professional and very successful and we have lots of rural members. We can put you in touch with other single Christians for friendship that leads to long term relationships. Call 0121 405 0941 or visit www. friends1st.co.uk

January 5, 2024 |

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03/01/2024 13:18:50

FGBuyandSell.com Brand new website Visit jobs.farmersguardian.com for the latest job vacancies in agriculture

APPOINTMENTS TO THE AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY PANEL FOR WALES

Business Development Manager Agriconnect is a business unit within the Arc network, a global events, data, and media platform. Arc is a fast-growing global events, data, and media platform with a varied portfolio content led portals, magazines, and events.

Since 1844, the brands of Agriconnect have been the trusted source of information for farmers and with brands like Farmers Guardian, events, like LAMMA and Farm Business Innovation, and digital platforms, like FG Insights, Agriconnect continues to bring together the British farming community.

Remuneration: £250 per day plus reasonable expenses

THE ROLE:

The Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales recommends rates of pay for agricultural workers in Wales and advises on skills and development requirements for development within the agricultural sector to the Welsh Ministers. The independent member should have a background in agriculture.

•

We are now looking for a motivated and driven salesperson to join our Sales team.

The main function of the role is to develop business through growth in revenue, yield, and to increase customer numbers. You will be required to identify new opportunities and influence companies’ media buying habits within the agricultural sector. Due to the ever-changing nature of the industry, this person will have the ability to spot new avenues and exploit market trends.

Hours: 35 hours per week – Mon – Fri Location: Preston – temporary hybrid remote Salary: Competitive, dependant on experience.

•

• • •

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: • •

Own, support and fully develop specific market sectors Conduct sales presentations by telephone, email or face to face to existing and prospective clients in order to develop existing business and generate new business wherever possible.

Advise existing and new customers on the most effective solution to meet client needs within the Agriconnect portfolio.

Continually seek and develop new sales & opportunities.

Ability to accurately forecast future sales Keep abreast of all current trends, activities and relevant news within agriculture and specific sector An interest in agriculture Highly motivated & driven, with an ability to meet ambitious performance goals Be enthusiastic and motivated to continually explore new opportunities, whilst possessing a natural inquisitive nature Excellent communication written and interpersonal skills

• • • • • • • •

We offer an excellent package including: • • • • • •

A competitive basic salary 25 days holiday increasing to 27 after two years An extra day off on your birthday Free life assurance Contributory pension scheme Employee assistance programme

Arc has ambitious plans for growth, and this is an opportunity to be part of our continuing success story whilst enjoying a fabulous work/life balance.

We strive to create a culture that is open and respectful, where differences are valued and celebrated. We want everyone to be able to reach their full potential, so we are committed to cultivating a company that promotes inclusion and belonging.

To apply for this role, please email amber.tabiner@agriconnect.com

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| January 5, 2024

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It is envisaged the Panel will meet approximately 10 times per year.

The closing date for applications 26 January 2024.

For further details and to apply go to https://gov.wales/public-appointments or for queries contact by email publicappointments@gov.wales.

A large print, Braille or audio version of this advert can be obtained by request from publicappointments@gov.wales.

Ednaston Estate near Ashbourne, Derbyshire is seeking a mo vated Contract Farmer to oversee the management of their 345ha organic holding. The owners have a strong desire to deliver environmental and ecological benefits, alongside opera ng a commercial farming business.

Currently 265ha is under arable produc on, with a mixture of cereals and short-term leys and 80ha is permanent pasture. A store livestock enterprise has been developed incorpora ng sheep and ca le. Significant investment has been undertaken to ensure that every field is fenced and has water, excellent internal tracks and there is a modern 1,200t grain store.

Applica ons will be considered for either the arable Enterprise, livestock Enterprise or the whole.

You will be our ideal candidate if you have: • Experience of opera ng a Contract Farming Agreement • Organic experience (advantageous but not essen al) • Strong a en on to detail • Proac ve and efficient a tude • An interest in farming alongside the environment • Agricultural qualifica ons A viewing day will be held on 9 February 2024 and must be booked with the viewing agents. Closing deadline for applica ons: 5pm on 1 March 2024.

Please Contact Ian McKenzie 07880389577 or ian.mckenzie@fishergerman.co.uk

FG Buy and Sell 01772 799500 FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 13:19:27

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

A G R I C U LT U R A L L I A I S O N OFFICERS (ALO)

Scan me to view our full services brochure.

FGP are recruiting individuals with basic agricultural knowledge in farming operations. As an Agricultural Liaison Officer you’ll work on Energy and Renewable Projects and advise on the interaction of agriculture with development projects. Salaries start from £32,000 subject to experience.

Apply today, visit fgplimited.co.uk/careers

FGbuyandsell.com

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January 5, 2024 |

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03/01/2024 11:37:35

FGBuyandSell.com Brand new website Visit jobs.farmersguardian.com for the latest job vacancies in agriculture

Recruiter Spotlight Recruiter National Milk Records PLC

Latest jobs from National Milk Records PLC About Us

It’s an amazing time for you to join the NMR team as we continue to enhance and progress our business. Since its formation in 1997 and subsequent flotation in 2006 as a plc, NMR has grown and developed into an integrated service provider, working for farmers and milk buyers, as well as being an independent source of data for advisors including vets, farm consultants and breed societies. Our Strategic Plan and Core Values are embedded in our organisation and are the framework of the daily activity.

Working for us Working at NMR is so much more than just a job! We offer a wide range of career opportunities, particularly to those who are attracted to the ever-changing and modernising farming industry. Our teams are dedicated in providing high levels of value and customer service.

We do this by both retaining our existing experienced people and by attracting and developing the next generation people. As an employer, we are committed to providing opportunities to:

NEW YEAR NEW EWE Looking for a new career change for 2024?

Exciting opportunities have arisen to join our

FEED SALES TEAM Covering various locations across the UK.

JOIN OUR TEAM TEAM

Area Field Manager (Cumbria) The role may involve supporting and providing the robot shuttle hire service in terms of organising, transporting, setting up, taking down, cleaning and storage of robot shuttles. This role will be salaried and will be home based.

Your weekly hours will be flexible to allow early morning starts/late evenings and milking patterns of customers. Driving will be a significant aspect of the role. You will need to be located within the area or willing to relocate. You will be provided with the relevant equipment to undertake the role including a choice of company van or car.

Location: Closes: Job Sector: Contract Type: Salary:

Cumbria 26 Jan 2024 Dairy Permanent £32,844.21

Area Coordinator (Cumbria) The Area Coordinator/Shuttle Technician (North Devon) will be responsible for delivery of a full milk recording service in a defined area as allocated by their AFM. This involves visiting the farms on an approximately monthly basis and collecting event data about the individual cows and updating the NMR database. It will also involve taking milk samples from each cow as they are milked as and when required.

VIEW & APPLY ONLINE

carrs-billington.com/join-our-team

Find your next career move Get the latest jobs in your inbox with our free email alert service and never miss a great job! Scan the QR code or visit:

JobsInAgriculture.com

The role may also involve supporting and providing the robot shuttle hire service in terms of organising, transporting, setting up, taking down, cleaning and storage of robot shuttles, holiday cover and box deliveries/collections.

The role will be salaried and home based. You will need to be based within the area or willing to re-locate. Your weekly hours will be flexible to allow early morning starts/late evenings and milking patterns of customers.

Location: Job Sector: Contract Type: Salary:

Cumbria Dairy Permanent £22,560.23

For more information on any of these vacancies or to see all our current roles, please go to: JobsInAgriculture.com

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 13:35:07

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Trees & Shrubs

Contractors

WASTE TYRES and other waste removed from farms

• 25 years experience • Registered waste carrier • All farm tyres & tyre bale removed in bulk • Competitive prices

For free quote call Chris Ingram on 07860 670 201 or email chris@intowaste.co.uk www.intowaste.co.uk

Orders for Insertion of advertisements in Farmers Guardian are accepted subject to the following conditions: 1. Advertisement copy shall be legal, decent, honest and truthful, and shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practise and all other codes under the general supervision of the Advertising Standards Authority: and shall comply with the requirements of current legislation.

2. While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers, the publisher does not guarantee insertion of any particular advertisement.

3. In the event of any error, misprint or omission in the printing of an advertisement or part of an advertisement the publisher will either reinsert the advertisement or relevant part of the advertisement as the case may be, or make a reasonable adjustment to the cost. No reinsertion, or adjustment will be made where the error, misprint or omission does not materially detract from the advertisement. In no circumstances shall the total liability of the publisher for any error, misprint or omission exceed a) The amount of a full refund of any price paid to the publisher for the advertisement in connection with which liability arose. OR b) The cost of a further corrective advertisement of a type and standard reasonably comparable to that in connection with which liability arose.

4. The publisher reserves the right to withdraw, amend or alter any advertisement it considers necessary.

5. Cancellations or advertisements are accepted providing they comply with the cancellation deadlines which are published at regular intervals.

6. Advertisement orders are issued by an advertising agency as a principal and must be on the agencies official form (when copy insutructions not constituting an official order are issued they must be clearly marked at the head “Copy Instructions – not an order”.

7. Advertising Agency commission will only be granted to those Agencies who are currently recognised by the Newspaper Society at the time of placing an advertisement order and copy. The rate of commission is determined by the publisher.

8. When credit is allowed payment is due within 7 days.

Monthly accounts are due in full each month. “We reserve the right to charge additional costs and interest for non payment within our credit terms”.

9. Only standard abbreviations are permitted by the publisher. List available on request.

10. Classified display advertisements must be at least 3cms in depth for every column wide, and the minimum size of any advertisement is 2 lines.

11. Every endeavour will be made in order to forward replies to box numbers to the advertisers, as soon as possible after receipt by the publisher, but the publisher accepts no liability in respect of any loss, or damage alleged to have arisen through delay in forwarding or omitting to forward such replies, however caused.

Circulars and the like should not be distributed through publisher’s box number facility.

12. The placing of an order for the insertion of an advertisement, is an acceptance of these conditions and any other conditions stated on any type of order form by an agency or advertisers are not applicable if they conflict with any of the above.

FGbuyandsell.com

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Everglades Nurseries Ltd

J.P WHITTER (WATER WELL ENGINEERS) LTD • BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES • WORK CARRIED OUT TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD • WATER SYSTEMS INSTALLED • BOREHOLE PUMPING INSTALLATIONS • 24HR BREAKDOWN SERVICE • FREE QUOTATIONS AND SITE VISITS THE POTTERIES GARAGE SMALLBROOK LANE, LEIGH, WIGAN, LANCS, WN7 5PZ. TEL: 01942 871900.

FAX: 01942 896843.

Out of office: 01942 893660 Visit our Website www.waterwellengineers.co.uk Email: sally@waterwellengineers.co.uk

THE QUICKTHORN NURSERY

WATER WELL DRILLING

• Borehole Drilling • Treatment &

Filtration • Water testing

01625 878411 www.blairdrilling.co.uk

Milking Equipment

New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks Second hand tanks currently available: Mueller 8000ltr & 9000 ltr Fabdec 4000ltr & 6000ltr Packo RMIB 3800ltr & RMIB 6000 ltr New Heat Recovery units in stock

Quickthorn (hawthorn)

20/40cm 0.32 40/60cm 0.43 40/60cm bushy 0.83 60/90cm 0.59 90/120cm 3ft /4ft bushy 1.41 Blackthorn 40/60cm 0.41 60/90cm 0.50 Beech 40/60cm 0.82 60/90cm 1.19 90/120cm 1.90 Privet 40/60cm 0.60 60/90cm 0.95 Hornbeam 40/60cm 0.55 60/90cm 0.80 90/120cm 1.75 Box 20/30cm 1.28 30/40cm 1.62 English Yew 30/40cm 2.15 Cherry Laurel 40/60cm 1.95 60/90cm 2.45 Rabbit Guards 0.28p Canes 0.12p Trees, Specimen Plants, Hedging, All Sizes Available. A standard delivery charge may be added.

Quotes given for Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Ring for native tree whips availability and prices.

Delivery will commence the week of the 13th November.

All Prices Exclude VAT. Prices are subject to change.

269 Southport Road, Ulnes Walton Leyland Lancs PR26 8LQ

www.evergladesnurseries.com sales@evergladesnurseries.co.uk Tel: 01257 450533

01772 780806 www.ddcooling.co.uk

Milking Equipment ICE BUILDERS plate coolers refurbished bulk milk tanks, most sizes available. 01260 226261

(T)

We take a farmer-centric approach to media.

Our job is to

CALF DEFENDER (TRANSITION MILK) “HEALTHY CALVES”

CALF DEFENDER is an energised Calf

Milk with an extensive package of health promoting ingredients to stimulate the immune system and promote a healthy gut.

For further information contact:

BRITMILK

01387 750459

info@britmilk.co.uk www.britmilk.co.uk

help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions January 5, 2024 |

41

03/01/2024 11:40:02

FGBuyandSell.com Milking Equipment

Livestock Equipment

“WITH ENERGY COSTS INCREASING LIVESTOCK_EQUIPMENT_3x3.indd 1 CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO HAVE A HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM?” • GRANT FUNDED • ESTIMATED PAYBACK OFTEN WITHIN 12 MONTHS • 60% – 70% REDUCTION TO WATER HEATER RUNNING TIMES • IMPROVEMENT TO THE COOLING UNITS PERFORMANCE • HOT WATER AVAILABLE ALL DAY • DOMESTIC OR OFFICE HEATING • ALMOST ZERO MAINTENANCE • HUGE REDUCTION IN YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

V-Mac Silos 07/07/2016 13:54

A Winder & Son Cumbria

0777 9444 174 ND Jeans Somerset

01963 370 044

POWERED BY YOUR MOO POWER

WYNNSTAY RETAIL Wales

For further details please call S.W Refrigeration specialising in “On Farm cooling Equipment” 01392 210344 or Paul on 07974 140949

01691 662690

www.vmacsilos.co.uk

Complete new/used cooling solution AGRI SILO

NEW / USED TANKS FROM 50-50,000 LITRES, HORIZONTAL OR SILO

KEEPING YOUR FARM GROWING

Complete solutions from milk storage tanks, to ice builders, plate coolers, condensing units, heat recovery systems, glycol systems, tank wash systems. We also buy used tanks & part exchange.

BRAND NEW & UNUSED Fibreglass

CALF-O-TEL

Quality used milk tanks available along with refurbished ice builders & condensing units.

We also supply quality batch & the latest flow pasteurisers.

This allows you to add more value to your milk in the way of vending or creating your own branded cream & milk.

KRISTAL D&D LIMITED ESTABLISHED 1978

Calf Hutches. Complete with fencing.

A large selection of all animal and calf feeding equipment and all other associated products also available. Massive saving on list price Livestock Supplies Ltd. Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

ADDRESS

3 Porthouse Industrial Estate Bromyard, HR7 4NS

CONTACT

Tel: 01885 483576 | Email: info@kristaldd.co.uk

WEBSITE www.kristaldd.co.uk

Portable Milking Machine Complete with Honda engine and Electric motor.

This unit is ready for work and can be delivered anywhere in the UK. Livestock Supplies LTD Ashley: 07831 887531, Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476 www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

Livestock Services EN T A

@

PH TE

R

S

TEXT OR TELEPHONE STEPHEN: 07860 636 605 OFFICE: 01772 626 951

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Livestock Services

Sheep Scanning across the North of England Call Simon 07767 437065

YL O

Plain, Cows & Bulls Wanted. Also casualty collection service with veterinary certificates direct to our own abattoir.

24 hours a day 7 days a week collection for emergencies BAMBER BRIDGE Lancs, Cumbria, Cheshire. Yorkshire.

Our ice builders & plate coolers are built in our factory along with our condensing unit & heat recovery systems

CONCRETE GROOVING Neil O’Donnell -Tel: 01900 817009 or 07759 194600 Nationwide (T)

Livestock Services

FIBERGLASS FEED SILOS AUTOMATIC FEEDING SYSTEMS

07903 663715

sales@agrisilo.co.uk

ROBINSON MITCHELL LTD Daily collections of all types of fallen stock throughout the North of England.

Tel: 01524 261144 or 01524 263022 or 01274 833196

MARTLANDS COLLECTORS OF DEAD ANIMALS THROUGHOUT LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE Competitive prices PLEASE CALL: 01704 893161 or 07768 051800 (24 hrs) Martland’s the name, knackering’s the game Established over 100 years

agrisilo.co.uk

Call 01772 799500 and place your advert today Poultry Rooster Booster

12-volt lighting system for free-range poultry Battery operated with end of day dimming.

IDEAL FOR ALL TYPES OF POULTRY HOUSES

Tel: 01722 413440

www.roosterbooster.co.uk

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 13:22:03

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Dairy Cattle

Beef Cattle

DAIRY CATTLE FOR SALE A weekly selection of freshly calved & in-calf dairy cattle sourced from the UK. All guaranteed and delivered anywhere in the UK Finance can be arranged.

FGBuyandSell.com

Livestock Supplies Ltd

Ashley: 07831 887531, Beef Cattle Office: 01829 260328, Will: 07769 974476

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

BUYING LIVESTOCK?

Buckhurst Aberdeen Angus

- Free up cash flow - Simple application - No major upfront costs

01827 300 333 from A range of genetics Business Use Customers Only. Shire Leasing PLC is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

the top family lines in the UK and America.

BIDLEA HERD

PleaseFreisian feel free Bulls to contact Holstein For Sale

Animal Health

Dogs & Pets

AA ABBERTON ANGUS bulls &

PURE HUNTAWAY DOG PUPS

heifers,TB1, biobest elite health 15 years accreditation IBR, BVD, Lepto Johnes - Tel: 01386 462534 or 07592 798555 abbertonaberdeenangus.co.uk

8 weeks, well marked Black & Tan. Good working parents with excellent temperaments. £450.

8 BLUE GREY Heifers,

17 months old, outwintered, pedigree sire. 4 year testing. For sale at Bentham Auction MartTuesday 9th JanuaryTel: 07487 644344 (P)

Tel: 07990 580075

Ribble FeedstuffAberdeen-Angus s & Bedding

Mid Wales Borders (P)

Lorabar Aberdeen Angus Young bulls

Our brands for sale.

Ready to reach deeply work. into all Good EBV’s . the major Good types.

Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein /14 ME) £200 ex store agricultural Performance Cereal Mixture (Approx. 14% Protein /13 ME) £215 ex store sectors recorded Cereal Blend (Approx.

16% Protein /13 ME) £235 ex store BVD dairy, and Easy calving, high growth, hihealth arable, Mixed Pellets (Approx.

18% Protein /13 ME) £255 ex store Johnes YOUNG BULLS top EBV’s livestock, accredited.

Choice ofNEW 20 fromSTORE our 180 cow herd agricultural IN CUMBRIA TB4 BVD & Lepto vacc. Call One Tonne BagHenry Collections Contact Colin Montgomery machinery, 07866 222062 details on Mixed Pellets (Approx. 18% website Protein/13 ME) £275 ex07885515172 store finance and www.ribbleaberdeen-angus.co.uk PA12 4JP Biscon Meal (Approx. 12% Protein/14 ME) £225Lochwinnoch ex store equipment

Black & White–and some Red & White Richard 07816 173689 Plenty toJohn choose– from first come first served!

07885 739120 Tel: Ray Brown 01477 532220 CALL NOW 01949844700 844700 www.midlandfeeds.co.uk CALL NOW 01949 www.midlandfeeds.co.uk or 07885 652718 Cheshire (T)

Gilmartin Beef Cattle Pedigree Polled Hereford BullsOF INVITATION TO BUYERS ABERDEEN CATTLE 3 Well bred,ANGUS Halter trained Visiting Come-and Visit Us! Bulls Lamma?

18 months 2 years.

Enjoy a complimentary Drink & Snack with us and Vaccinated for BVD + IBR, see the quality of our Angus Bulls & Females.

We are Just TB a 20 minute Drive from the 4 Area NEC (1 Mile off the M42 Junction 3) Follow the Signs for Attwell Farm Park

John Procter, Waterbeck.

Alternatively you can Email Michael on Tel: 01461 600257 Michael@attwellfarm.com or 07729 405369 Attwell Farm Park (Seafield Pedigrees), Seafield Lane, Beoley, Redditch, Worcestershire, Lockerbie (P)B98 9DB To RSVP, Please Contact Michael Attwell on 07715 764 351 or Dale Attwell on 07538 472 918

FRESH REARING CALVES Available in suitable batches delivered to most parts of the country Continental Bull and Heifer calves 3-5 weeks old available now.

Quality store cattle sourced directly from Welsh/Shropshire Borders Farms, delivered to your farm.

Delivery Nationwide.

Livestock Supplies Ltd Ashley: 07831 887531 Office: 01829 260328

www.livestocksupplies.co.uk

Five Red and Black Limousin stock bulls FGbuyandsell.com

p043.indd 43

17-22 months.

Some Semen tested.

TREDON LIMOUSINS PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN BREEDING BULLS

If it’s not our name on the bag, It’s NOT our salt!

Telephone: 01981 250301 Bulls and select Females for Sale from www.ballofmadley-hereford.co.uk a high health herd, with fully registered pedigrees.

Further details can be seen on: www.lowergroveherefords.com Contact: Paul on 07730095062 or paul@lowergroveherefords.com

FOR SALE FROM LEESEMANOR BEEF Quality, home-bred Limousin cross British Blue young cows and heifers, with Lim x and BB x calves at foot.

Also two excellent Lim x British Blue bulls.

Eager for work, all quiet, Ultimate Bedding Conditioner TB tested and ready to go.

NEGATIVE FOR TB ContainingALWAYS a DEFRA APPROVED Disinfectant

COSISAN

DrierLomas Beds •- 01606 Sanitised Beds Wilf 832142 or 07769704628 01387 750459 www.britmilk.co.uk

TOP PEDIGREE REGISTERED HEREFORD BULLS AND HEIFERS.

Homo Polled - All calves will be born without Horns.

Also Heterozgous Polled.

Choice of Red & Black, Choice of 10.

Good conformation and temperament.

High health status. TB4.

HAY, STRAW &Work SHAVINGS Ready For

ABBOTT & CO (WESSEX) LTD BOUGHT SOLD Tel: 07849 153733AND or 01223 426412 trading for 130 years Cambridgeshire (P) 01285 653738 abbottwessex@btinternet.com

PEDIGREE HEREFORDS FOR SALE

Richard Tomlinson Top Bulls quality hayfor and straw. ready work All types of big bales conventional Excellent choiceand of bulling heifers bales.

EliteAllStatus Health, TB4 areasHigh considered.

North Yorkshire 720210 - 0777 99 20202 Tel: 01756 07933 783232 www.whitehillherefords.co.uk

Very competitive prices

January 5, 2024 | 43 20 BRITISH BLUE X FRIESIAN HEIFERS 8-9 months old

03/01/2024 13:23:40

FGBuyandSell.com Feedstuffs & Bedding

Stables Arenas & Fencing

­ ­ ­ ­

SHINE LICKS SUN

SUNSHINE

FARM FEEDS BURNLEY www.sunshinefarmfeeds.co.uk Nick Wilkinson Mobile 07952 078732 Growth Promoter Licks Fertility Licks Easy Calving Licks Wormer Licks Coccidiosis Licks Orf & Ring Worm Licks Staggers Licks Pneumonia Licks Easy Lamber Licks Nationwide Delivery any Quantity Design your own Licks or bagged minerals to your own farm and requirements Store Open at Gisburn Auction Mart on Thursday & Saturday

Quality Pays Everytime We do same day delivery We will respond to your enquiries the same day!

We deliver to every area twice a week.

Tomlinson Bros Top Quality

Hay & Straw.

All types of big bales delivered.

01829 782378 or 07710 933681

R.F FIELDING Hay & Straw for Sale in all types of Bales.

Good quality.

Reasonable prices.

TEL: (01625) 531629 OR (01625) 522249 FODDER BEET

Clean & stone free. Ray Darley 07860 212800 Nationwide Delivery (T)

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AK SHARPE & SONS ALL TYPES OF HAY AND STRAW FOR SALE & WANTED Competitively Priced Andrew 07970 052 419 Phillip 07973 208 384 LANCS (T) LOWER YOUR VET BILLS WITH WASHED SILICA SAND CUBICLE BEDDING * Helps to eradicate mastitis problems and lowers your milk count * Equestrian sand also available

Tel 07730 897138 / 01484 603130

FODDER BEET Cleaned, Competitive Prices, Direct from the grower Collect or Delivered in all sizes of loads Tel: 07843 012225 Lancs

BEST QUALITY FODDER BEET for sale. Delivered in 28/16 Tonnes loads.

Payment on delivery.

Tel: 07710 016442

F E E D S to encourage forage intake. Molasses and molasses blends plus additional minerals if required. J E Morten: 01663 734621 High

Equestrian buildings For further details and a no obligation quote, please contact us:

01829 423 123 info@acjackson.co.uk

www.acjackson.co.uk S U P P LY I N G A N D E R E C T I N G S T E E L F R A M E D BUILDINGS FOR OVER 30 YEARS

/acjacksonltd

@ACJacksonLtd

ACJ-BritDressage-135x150.indd 1

27/01/2021 14:02

TRICKETTS LANE, WILLASTON, NANTWICH, CHESHIRE, CW5 6PY

LIQUID

Peak, Derbyshire (T)

CLEANED / WASHED

Fodder Beet. Carrots and Potatoes. All delivered I D Bailey & Son Tel: 01772 690002 / 07968 362227 Lancs

(T)

DAIRY, BEEF Nuts &

Blends. Fodder beet, Potatoes and Carrots now available Tel: 07837 485652 Cheshire

(T)

ROUND BALE Wheat,

Oat and Barley Straw, Tel: 07415 867963 or 07896 712253 Lancs

(P)

OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING NATIONWIDE • STEEL FRAMED BUILDING MANUFACTURERS • INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST • KIT FORM • DESIGN & BUILD • REFURBISHMENTS

www.sjb-steel.com FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 11:43:54

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Building Materials

CUMBRIA STEEL FABRICATIONS LTD T: 01228 711318 M: 07545 070 727 E: OFFICE@CSFAB.CO.UK

Suppliers of Agricultural, Equestrian & Industrial Steel Framed Buildings.

• Refurbishment of existing Buildings • Storm damage repairs • Erection service • Foundation & groundworks

Composite Panels Made to order Choice of colours and thickness Nationwide Delivery Very Competitive Prices Full Range Of Accessories For Friendly Advice and a Quotation Call Tel: 01246 858222

Please contact Neil on 01228 711318 for all Enquires and a no obligation quotation.

UNIT 7, BRISCO BURN BUSINESS PARK, LONGTOWN, CARLISLE, CUMBRIA CA6 5TR.

www.csfab.co.uk

AINSCOUGH METALS 01695 364210 Nationwide Delivery New & Used Steel, Crash Barriers and Roofing Sheets for Sale

Please visit our website for our daily deals on the Farmers Corner

www.ainscoughmetals.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com

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January 5, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com Building Materials

CUMBRIA CONCRETE PRODUCTS

SUPPLYING EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FRAME

LIMITED

www.cumbriaconcreteproducts.com

HIGH QUALITY PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE PANELS For a competitive price please contact

01228 674 561

Working direct with British farmers British farming family owned manufacturer 30 year guarantee on all EUROSIX fibre cement sheets Fast 3-5 day delivery in the UK with offload included

Apply for an account

Supporting British farmers for over 40 years

or email: carlisle@cumbriaconcreteproducts.com

INSULATED ROOFING AND SIDE CLADDING SHEETS MANUFACTURED TO YOUR LENGTHS Range of colours, thicknesses, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 60mm 80mm + lowest prices.

ICP Ltd. Tel: 07702 701776 www.icproducts.co.uk

CONCRETE SECONDS PIPES AND RINGS

01934 641 446 briarwoodproducts.co.uk sales@briarwoodproducts.co.uk

Pre-Stressed Concrete Wall Panels Inspired by the latest technology in Pre-stressed Concrete Wall Panels and with the desire to continue in meeting our customers’ requirements regarding Quality, Design, Volume & Delivery ... ... we have opened a new & improved manufacturing facility in Greenfield, Flintshire, North Wales

Various sizing and priced accordingly

Tel 07976 103807 jim@beaverfit.com CRASH

• Brand new precision • Selection of Concrete built moulds & tooling Lego Blocks • Larger range of sizes & • Increased capacity loadbearing options • Made to measure (95, 145, 200 & • Shorter lead-times new 240, 280mm)

• Established Quality Assured CE marked products • Design & Bespoke Project capability

t: 01352 719182 f: 01352 837690 e: tracey@jonesbrothersconcrete.co.uk www.jonesbrothersconcretepanels.co.uk

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BARRIERS

Telegraph poles, Sleepers, Concrete Panels, Security fencing. Henmans Tel- 07768 533741 Nationwide Delivery (T)

FREE HARDCORE Col-

lected. Must have U1 exemption. Ring Martlands 01704 893161

We take a farmercentric approach to media.

Our job is to help farmers run their farms more efficiently and make better purchasing decisions FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 11:46:40

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today nBuildings

SPRAY FOAM INSULATION To Crop & Livestock Stores, Poultry Sheds, Cattle & Pig Buildings, Workshops & Barns.

Frost & Condensation Protection.

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Tel: 01405 812682 www.webstersinsulation.com info@webstersinsulation.com

Farmers Guardian We manufacture, supply & build...

• Cubicle Buildings • Lambing Sheds • Dairy Units • Equestrian • Workshops • Grain Stores • Industrial Units • Bespoke Design • Nationwide Coverage

01630 655 555 | sales@flgb.co.uk | www.flgb.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com

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CAUTION

We are currently aware of a number of fraudulent advertisers attempting to sell items within the classified section. Whilst we endeavour to protect our readers and pull these adverts before going to press, sometimes they may unfortunately appear in print.

Please be mindful before entering into any deals you PROCEED WITH CAUTION with the seller and do not part with money until goods are received.

Farmers Guardian are NOT responsible for any part of the transaction that takes place with the seller and the buyer.

January 5, 2024 |

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03/01/2024 11:47:30

FGBuyandSell.com Buildings

TRICKETTS LANE, WILLASTON, NANTWICH, CHESHIRE, CW5 6PY

OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING NATIONWIDE • STEEL FRAMED BUILDING MANUFACTURERS • INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST • KIT FORM • DESIGN & BUILD • REFURBISHMENTS

www.sjb-steel.com Farmers Guardian the best environment for your brand message

Tanks

Diesel, Oil & Water Tanks • Septic Tanks • Diesel Dispensers • Bunded Oil Tanks • Waste Oil Tanks • Water Tanks • Diesel pumps, hoses, filters & nozzles

FREE UK Mainland Delivery* Tanks For Everything Always BEST prices:

0800 0568 350

Design, fabrication and installation

www.tanksforeverything.co.uk

For further details and a no obligation quote, please contact us:

01829 423 123 info@acjackson.co.uk

www.acjackson.co.uk

S U P P LY I N G A N D E R E C T I N G S T E E L F R A M E D B U I L D I N G S F O R O V E R 3 0 Y E A R S

Agricultural buildings

Equestrian buildings

ACJ-FarmersGuardian-70x132.indd Agricultural, Equestrian 1and Industrial Buildings

Industrial buildings

FGBuyandSell A New Route to Market

26/01/2021 18:39

• Specialists in Steel Framed Buildings • Design, Fabrication & Installation • The best quality materials are used within our manufacturing process for all buildings

Office: 01630 409009 Mob: 07498 357997 Email - sales@bridgewater-construction.co.uk www.bridgewater-construction.co.uk 48

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Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 13:27:10

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

Property Farms & Property

Property_3x6.indd 1

14/09/2016 11:55

PROPERTY LANDSCAPE

Where is the market headed for 2024?

Agriculturally Tied Dwelling

Prices back but ahead of pre-Covid levels

The Cheese Press Chadwick Lane, Hartlebury, Kidderminster DY11 7YH

P

redictions by Lloyds Bank that the property market would fall by an average of 4.7 per cent in 2023 seem to have been unfounded, and as we look back on last year’s sales, we see that the market has only levelled back slightly and is still well above pre-Covid-19 prices.

In the North West we certainly have a number of contributing factors, not least of which is the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham.

Those property owners who were affected by the scheme are now in a dilemma depending on where the legal process of their property sale has reached. There remains much confusion, which is having a knock-on effect on the property market, especially on the sale of farms and land.

Mortgages Interest rates and the hike in the general cost of living are also impacting the property market as people struggle to secure mortgages.

Immediately post-Covid-19 we saw an influx of people from cities and towns paying top prices for country houses, but now there is much more caution about the associated costs of running a rural property.

Operating as we do in the heart of the dairy belt, we also see the impact the drop in milk price has on the farming community, with

FGbuyandsell.com

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• Detached 5-bedroom property • Subject to Agricultural Occupancy Condition • For sale by private treaty • Set in 1.12 acres with the opportunity to purchase additional garden area • Guide price £585,000

Please contact Chris Jones on 01743 267063 or email chris.jones@berrys.uk.com berrys.uk.com

Annabel Fearnall

farmers generally being less able to invest in their businesses.

However, we recently sold a 404-hectare (1,000-acre) estate on the Welsh borders which had great potential as a sporting estate and we expected national, if not international, prospective ‘lifestyle’ buyers. Interestingly, the final four serious contenders were all farmers from within a 30-mile radius, proving that there is still plenty of appetite for expansion.

Lloyds is predicting a further 2.4 per cent decrease in property prices over 2024, with other leading experts predicting falls of between 4 per cent and 2 per cent.

However, we find that rural areas tend to be less affected than the urban market and are keeping our fingers crossed.

Annabel Fearnall is a partner of Barbers Rural.

Call 01630 692 500, or email a.fearnall@barbers-rural.co.uk

Land

TO LET

Molland – South Molton – Devon 108.53 Acres Pasture 129.68 Acres Pasture As a whole or in 2 Lots To let on a 5 year Farm Business Tenancy From 25th March 2024

Details available from DixonSmith LLP www.dixonsmith.uk T: 01392 325178 E: Charles Dixon - charles@dixonsmith.uk

Farmers Guardian the best environment for your brand message January 5, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com BPS Entitlements, BNG, NN, Carbon & Water

Finance

Farmers Guardian

Finance: Terms & Conditions

Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com (hereinafter referred to as ‘Farmers Guardian) may contain advertisements, links to other Internet websites or online and mobile services provided by independent third parties, including websites and telephone contacts of our advertisers and sponsors (what we call “Third Party Sites”), either directly or indirectly.

It is your decision whether you purchase or use any third party products or services made available on or via Third Party Sites and you should read below carefully. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to Third Party Sites. In no circumstances do we accept responsibility for your use of Third Party Sites or in respect of any Third Party products. By Third Party Sites we mean websites, online or mobile services provided by third parties, including websites of advertisers and sponsors that may appear in Farmers Guardian. By Third Party Products we mean products or services provided by third parties.

Farmers Guardian contains advertising and sponsorship. Advertisers and sponsors are responsible for ensuring that material submitted for inclusion on Farmers Guardian complies with international and national law. Farmers Guardian (nor its websites) is not responsible for any error or inaccuracy in advertising or sponsorship material.

Any agreements, transactions or other arrangements made between you and any third party named in, on (or linked to from) in Farmers Guardian and its websites are at your own responsibility and entered into at your own risk.

BNG

1st National Open Market Tender ______

2nd February 2024 ______

Register your entry / interest in buying

01392 823935

Farmers Guardian promises to develop and operate with reasonable skill and care and will use reasonable efforts to promptly remedy any faults of which it is aware.

Farmers Guardian does not provide any other promises or warranties about its products and services. Farmers Guardian is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. This means that Farmers Guardian does not make any promises in respect of Farmers Guardian or the services and functions available on or through Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com or of the quality, completeness or accuracy of the information published on or linked to from Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com other than as expressly stated above.

The above disclaimers apply equally to your use of Farmers Guardian, Fginsight.com and fgbuyandsell.com without limiting the above; Farmers Guardian and its websites are not liable for matters beyond its reasonable control. Farmers Guardian does not control third party communications networks (including your internet service provider), the internet, acts of god or the acts of third parties.

Farmers Guardian liability will not be limited in the case of death or personal injury directly caused by Farmers Guardian negligence in those countries where it is unlawful for Farmers Guardian to seek to exclude such liability.

Any individual, who is in doubt about entering into a loan agreement, should seek professional advice or consult an authorised person who can assist in relation to entering into a credit agreement. Before acting on any information you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to these matters, any relevant offer document and in particular, you should seek independent financial advice.

All loans, loan participations and financial products or instrument transactions involve risks, which include (among others) the risk of adverse or unanticipated market, financial or political developments and, in international transactions, currency risk. Lending against non-traditional physical collateral exposes investors to specific risks such as the potential for fraud, theft, damage and illiquidity.

Advice /Consultancy

A www.arcadianestates.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE LAND?

Sites of 1- 1000 acres required for residential development.

If you think that your land has potential for development, or you have been approached by a developer, then you will need expert advice that is not available at traditional sources.

Michael Rutherford is a specialist agent acting and negotiating for landowners. Contact me for a confidential and expert consultation at no cost.

All areas of the UK covered.

Telephone: 01625 890000 Email: michael@arcadianestates.com

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FARM LOANS & RE-MORTGAGES

Bank Said NO? We Usually Say YES! We can quickly arrange loans

3 months - 25 years £10,000 - £5,000,000.

Competitive rates for Farm Finance

Immediate decision in principle - use for any purpose: Consolidation, Tax bills, Crops, Expansion, New equipment, Livestock etc.

Specialist help for Financial Problem Cases Including adverse credit.

We can lend against property

Farms, Farm Buildings, Farm Equipment & Machinery Equestrian Buildings, Shops, Bare Land and Buy-to-Lets.

If it can be done - we can help - call to discuss:

0800 280 06 05 www.brilliant-finance.co.uk We are a broker not a lender

Our brands reach deeply into all the major agricultural sectors arable, dairy, livestock, agricultural machinery, finance and equipment

Commercials

Volvo FM 13ltr 500 New tyres, alloy wheels, hydraulics, new clutch, test April 24 £18500 Please call Ian Denham Haulage and stock feed

07791 001003

We know farming.

Farmers Guardian brands are embedded in the agricultural community and have a position of authority and trust FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 13:29:27

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Services

Tractors & Machinery Parts & Servicing

> THE GENUINE PARTS PEOPLE

These axle and transmission brands are commonly found on:

Tractors & Machinery

Agco/Case

Fendt

Komatasu

McCormick

Caterpillar

Fermec

Landini

Mecalac

Volvo

Claas

Foton Laval

New Holland

MST

Wacker Neuson

CNH

Ford

Matbro

Same

Xcmg

Cukrova

Hydrema

Mahindra

Sonalika

Xtreme

Duetz-Fahr

JLG

Manitou

Terex

Zetor

Escourts

John Deere

Massey Ferguson

Valtra

T: 01452 733106 E: ag@grouphes.com W: tractec.grouphes.com @HESTractec

Generators, Pressure Washers & Pumps PTO

Hot and Cold P.T.O. Pressure Available to Hire and Buy 3000 p.s.i. 16-30L/min 2nd Lance Available Fully Tractor Powered Hot & Cold Water Pressure Washers Find us landywashers

Tel: 01756 794291 Skipton. N.Yorkshire www.LandyPressureWashers.com

GENERATORS PTO & DIESEL SALE’S, HIRE & REPAIRS. LARGE STOCK

P COWELL & SONS 01772 653569

FGbuyandsell.com

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& Diesel Generator Specialist. Quality new & used. Est 25 yrs.

JSPUK LTD. Tel: 01432 353050 (T)

F.G. ROWLAND LTD Clitheroe Lancashire Tractor Hire & Sales New Tractor & Handler Spares for all Makes New Michelin & Kleber Tyres most sizes in stock

Tel 01254 826295

ATVs SHEEP SNACKERS

Ground drive sheep feeders, all types of atv trailers single and tandem axle, Delivery anywhere Rob Astley trailers ltd Tel 01938 810393

(T)

We are the best weekly title at farms of all sizes in the UK

Valmet

www.rowlandtractors.co.uk

MASSEY FERGUSON

Replacement tractor parts Direct to your door Phone for best quotes Mobile: 07971 243668 or 01545 570 810

BREAKING MASSEY 699, 575, 3070, 3080, 3095, 2645, 6140, 3680 & 8120 Also tractors wanted for breaking Tel: 07710 153603 W.Yorks

HESTractec

@HESTractec

AGRISPARES

Agricultural Replacement Parts & Accessories

TELEPHONE: 01380 850001 EMAIL: sales@agrispares.co.uk www.agrispares.co.uk CLAAS John Deere, and

other makes, combine harvester 2nd hand and new spares. www.jmtcombinehire.co.uk. Tel: JMT Engineering 01926 614345 (T)

Call 01772 799500 and place your advert today

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT !

?

Be careful anytime you are asked for personal information. Keep your information secure. Never provide anyone with personal bank information without confirming that they are legitimate.

Farmers Guardian only ever asks for your banking information if you are purchasing a product from us and will always call from 01772 799 500 or 01772 799 400.

masseyfergusontractorbreakers.co.uk January 5, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com

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FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com

03/01/2024 13:32:40

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today

FGbuyandsell.com

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January 5, 2024 |

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FGBuyandSell.com

Please call our used sales team on 01704 468009

JOHN DEERE 6120R

JOHN DEERE 6155R

2019, 2296 Hours, AQ,

2021, 1661 Hours,

40kph, TLS, 3 Spools,

AQ, 50kph, Air, TLS,

600 Tyres,

Cab Susp,

£65,000 + VAT

NEW REDROCK 16T DUMP TRAILER Fixed Axles, Air Brakes, Magic Door, 385/65R22.5 £19,850 + VAT

JOHN DEERE 6155R

JOHN DEERE 6155R

2021, 3600 Hours, AQ,

2020, 4000 Hours,

50kph, Air, F/L PTO,

CommandPro, F/L PTO,

710/600 Tyres, Air,

50kph, Air, AT Ready,

£96,500 + VAT

JOHN DEERE 6130R 2019, 4250 Hours, AQ, 50kph, F/L PTO, TLS, Cab Sus, 600/540 Tyres, AT Ready, £72,500 + VAT

£91,000 + VAT

£86,000 + VAT

JOHN DEERE 6R 185 2023, 480 Hours, CommandPro, F/Links + PTO, Air Brakes, PowerGard £148,000 + VAT

NEW SIP SILVERCUT 1000C MOWER Hitch, Swath Wheel Outer/ Inner, 9.4/9.8m working width £31,750 + VAT

NEW SIP SILVERCUT 300F MOWER S Flow Hitch, Lights, Quick A Frame Linkage, 3yrs Warranty, £15,450 + VAT

NEW SIP SILVERCUT 900C Hitch, Swath Wheel Outer/Inner, 8.55/8.95m width, 3yrs Warranty £29,500 + VAT

NEW SIP STAR 650/20T RAKE 0.9-1.6 swath, Hyd Rotor Lift, Wide Angle PTO,3yr Warranty, £18,950 + VAT

NEW SIP STAR 850/26T RAKE 1.15-2.13m swath, 2100kg, Hyd rotor lift, wide angle pto,3yr warranty £25,250 + VAT

COME AND SEE US AT LAMMA STAND 19.130

WALTER WATSON

Forklift Trucks

12ft Rotating End Tow Silage Feeding Trailer

3m Spiral Aerator 6.3m Hyd-Folding Ballast Calf/ Bull Blade Beef Feeders 15x5 Bunker Feeder Greenfield Works, Ballylough Road, Castlewellan, Co. Down, BT31 9JQ, Northern Ireland

T: +44 (0) 28 4377 8711 W: www.walter-watson.co.uk email: agri@walter-watson.co.uk

QUICKFENCER Manual

and hydraulic clamping available. Hydraulic, nothing to lift off www. quickfencer.com Tel 07966 285240 Lancs

We are the best weekly title at farms of all sizes in the UK

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Strickworth 3 ton Diesel forklifts available 3.0m & 4.5m models available c/w sideshift. Container spec.

12 months warranty

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Published January 12, 2024

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January 5, 2024 |

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MACHINERY

Edited by Toby Whatley – 07583 054 831 – toby.whatley@agriconnect.com

John Deere’s 6155R has long been one of the brand’s most favoured models for UK farmers. James Huyton speaks to one family business, which has been running two machines for some time, to find out what the attraction is.

John Deere 6155R proves to be a versatile performer

G

eorge Ollerton and his two sons Robert and Christopher farm 194 hectares of arable and grassland in and around Lancashire, with the family remaining a firm customer of the green and yellow brand for more than 40 years.

George recalls the farm’s first John Deere was a 3040 with hydrostatic front wheel drive.

He proposed the new tractor to his father – a loyal David Brown customer at the time – after driving one at college.

Since then, George has owned his fair share of John Deere equipment, with his current choice being two 6155Rs. But why two of the same model, as surely the business would gain more flexibility with different-sized workhorses?

George says: “It is quite the opposite – running two near identical tractors gives the opportunity to easily switch between operations.

“And if one of the machines is out of operation, the other can still pick up the workload without altering tractor settings.”

With land spread out over a 10-mile radius, George wanted a versatile tractor which would perform as well on the road as it did in the field.

The importance of this has increased with the recent purchase of a 16-tonne Bailey grain trailer, which the farm uses to transport crops from the field, alongside delivering feedstock to other local livestock farms.

Steeper roads George says: “The 6155R knows about it when the trailer is full of grain, particularly when tackling some steeper roads in the area.

“The AutoPowr continuously variable transmission suits the task well, which alters the speed to suit the conditions.”

George says the chassis length

We want to be in control of our inputs and we must look to minimise waste across the business ROBERT OLLERTON of the 6155R is well placed for most applications, whereas other premium brands provide an equivalent powered machine which is shorter, leaving the need for more ballast under load.

Before their latest 6155R, George’s son Robert says they used

to run a 6130R. The tractor offered similar specifications to the current choice, but lacked the weight, power and lift capacity to carry and pull the farm’s five-furrow Kuhn Multimaster plough or three-metre power harrow combination.

Robert says: “We wanted to run both machines together in the field and, although the 6130R was well suited to fertiliser spreading, it no longer offered what we wanted from a second tractor, so another 6155R was the obvious choice.”

George says: “We have always been well supported by both John Deere and our local dealer Cornthwaite Group.

“No brand is perfect, but we have always received good backup and support from both the manufacturer and dealer when things have gone wrong.”

The two 6155Rs offer a familiarity with cab control design and a transmission design they have grown accustomed to over the

George Ollerton (left) and son Robert with the family’s two John Deere 6155Rs.

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Familiar cab controls and a spacious, comfortable operating environment are well suited to long hours and ease of switching between machines.

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 13:44

MACHINERY George Ollerton’s 6155R comfortably handles the business’ Massey Ferguson 185 baler.

years. In addition, both tractors are fitted with the AutoPowr armrest and generation four command centre.

Robert says: “I can set my forward speed to suit the task and the spacious cab is a comfortable place to work on long days.

Baling Currently, the business bales about 15,000 bales per year with a Massey Ferguson 185 four-string baler and the 6155R has more than enough capacity to handle that.

As with most arable businesses, G.R.C. Farming has become very conscious of input costs in recent years.

“We want to be in control of our inputs and we must look to minimise waste across the business. Using JD Link and field mapping, we can record applications from our John Deere 6000 Starfire receiver,” Robert says.

The system is IsoBus-linked to the Kuhn fertiliser spreader, which provides variable rate

applications and operates auto shut-off.

George says: “It is important we continue to make small changes to the business becoming more efficient – using RTK and variable rate mapping is just one part of that.”

With both the Ultimate and Premium specification tractors currently sitting at 2,700 and 2,500

hours, respectively, George has no plans to change tractors in the near future.

Replacement He says: “It is not unusual for us to run our machines past 6,000 hours, but when we get there we will no doubt look at replacing with another Deere machine.”

Small differences in lighting packs, mirror options and a sliding draw toolbox split the two tractors’ specifications, with both tractors running on Trelleborg 600/65 R28 (front) 650/65 R42 (rear) throughout the season.

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JANUARY 5 2024 | 57

02/01/2024 09:37

MACHINERY Adding lifting sugar beet and fodder beet to Trivett and Sons’ services is an added benefit of purchasing a reconditioned harvester to handle its own crops. Jane Carley reports.

T

rivett and Sons offers a wide range of contracting services in North Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, aiming to weather market fluctuations and changing farming demands.

This is alongside their own mixed farming operation, which includes 40 Charolais cross and pedigree Charolais suckler cows and 100 followers bought-in, with AberdeenAngus calves reared to stores.

After the testing and wet autumn of 2019, they decided that taking sugar beet and fodder beet harvesting in-house would give them increased flexibility and a more valuable feed source for their herd.

Alistair Trivett says: “We have grown fodder beet for 16 years and were using a contractor for lifting. We also grow sugar beet, which went into Kidderminster originally, but then when Newark increased its area we started hauling into there.

“Prices were good initially, but the factory’s take timings made logistics difficult, especially when working with a contractor.”

However, as Lawrence Trivett says, they were keen to keep beet in the

Fodder beet gives contractors a lift

rotation and were seeing steady demand for fodder beet.

He says: “Growing beet and maize gives us a two-year spring crop break from our milling wheats and has been useful in getting on top of black-grass, so we still have 20 hectares of sugar beet and 20ha of fodder beet in the rotation. We overwinter stubbles and then put farmyard manure on before drilling the spring crops.

“Our contractor was excellent, but understandably wanted

to come and lift in one or two hits. We prefer to lift smaller amounts in optimum conditions, and clean and store just what we need so we are feeding it fresh with the best nutritional value.

“It also means we can think more about soil health, limiting harvesting in conditions where the harvester may cause damage.

“Having our own machine has allowed us to do just that and we can offer a similar service to customers.”

Taking care of the soil has also

enabled the business to min-till maize on some fields, Lawrence says.

A discussion with Vervaet importer J. Riley Beet Harvesters turned into a purchase, Alistair says.

“We really just wanted to look at the costs of a used harvester and were interested to see that there were a couple of options.

“One was to purchase a machine which was fully refurbished or at almost half the cost, take a harvester which was in working order

Unloading is carried out on the move or on the headland, depending on conditions and the farmer’s wishes.

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03/01/2024 13:37

MACHINERY

Alistair (left) and Lawrence Trivett.

and could be upgraded as we went along.

“We worked out that by buying ‘as seen’ we could cover our purchase costs on our own crop in three seasons with any additional work going towards the upgrades. In year four, we are now starting to make a profit.”

The harvester in question is a Vervaet 617 self-propelled machine, which lifts six rows into a bunker with a maximum capacity of 17 tonnes.

Power is supplied by a 400hp DAF engine.

It features a topper

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out front with a horizontal splash plate, which can be adjusted to minimise leaf being thrown on to tractor wheels when unloading.

Steering sensors guide the scalpers in the row ahead of walking shares, which lift the beet on to a series of six cleaning turbines before it is carried on to a transfer web and main web.

A cross auger takes the crop into the tank before it is carried on to a conveyor and unloading web. Unloading can be carried out on the move, stationary in the row or on headland, depending on the condition and wishes of the customer.

The Trivetts have fitted cameras all around – at the rear of the unloading elevator a camera

does double duty on catching a blind spot for transport. Lights have also been upgraded to LEDs. Apart from the replacement of a cross auger in the first season, which cost about £3,500, bills have been mainly limited to wear and tear items, such as bearings in the lifting units and rollers. A new web was fitted for the 2023 season, with advice and help from J. Riley to update fittings on the elevator to suit.

Alistair says: “J. Riley was very honest about the expectations of the harvester and has continued to support us. They can normally resolve any issues over the phone and have only had to come out once. We sent a turbine motor back as the seals were weeping and they set up the timing for us once fixed.

“J. Riley has a huge stock of parts which are dispatched on a next day basis and, where a part is no longer available, they can suggest an alternative or adaptation, which is really useful with an older machine.”

Trivett and Sons reckons to spend about £2,000/year on upkeep, with most maintenance and overhauls done in-house.

Alistair says: ‘We looked at other brands and also Vervaet machines in private sales, but the backup from J. Riley has been worth every penny.”

Lawrence says: “It is not a machine you can just jump on and drive.

“We have had several foragers, but it is a different technique.

“Unlike a brand new harvester, most of the settings and functions are operated by pedals, dials and levers, so you need to get to know the harvester.

“That said, it is relatively simple mechanically and offers good, safe access for servicing.”

Output is 8ha/day, although Lawrence says the harvester could achieve twice

that in large, flat fields. Working speed is about 4kph, depending on the amount of foliage in the crop.

Harvesting starts in November and continues until the end of February, with customers keen to have fresh fodder beet for ewes coming into lamb.

Lawrence says: “You have to know your fields when harvesting through winter. Although the bunker holds 17t it does not have to be filled up; if you empty part loads and think carefully about where to unload and you can barely see a mark.”

Yields are about 100-150t/ha, although the loss of neonicotinoids has had an effect.

Cleaner loader A reconditioned CTM cleaner loader has also been added to the inventory, so a mobile cleaning service is now offered – with less debris going into the store, quality is higher. It is also an asset for sugar beet. Drilling beet is another arm of the business, using a reconditioned Stanhay planter.

Looking to the future, the Trivetts say they have no intention of taking on a huge area.

Alistair says: “We want to offer a good service which suits us and our customers. Some of the smaller farms have limited storage space, so two or three lifts work well for them.

“The business will expand on reputation and we have the advantage that the machine travels reasonably well, so we can look for work further afield if the job merits it.

“We have a new customer in Warwick this year and there may be opportunities with his neighbours.

The crop is increasing in popularity, so we see a good future for the service.”

JANUARY 5 2024 | 59

02/01/2024 09:38

MACHINERY

While juggling a range of customers, high-output kit has been fundamental to keeping up momen tum

Switch to high-output balers k

D

avid Anthony runs a contracting business in South Wales, alongside farming his family’s 1,214-hectare farm.

Accustomed to farming in the changeable British weather, Mr Anthony relies on his machinery to regularly operate in less-than-ideal conditions.

He says: “The bulk of our baling work is made up of straw, but we also bale a portion of hay and silage, particularly by the time our dairy customers are on their third cuts – they are more inclined to bale rather than put it in the clamp.

“Most of the straw baled on the home farm is sold on to livestock farmers, so from a haulage perspective, square bales are more efficient to transport and stack than round bales.”

Before running Krone balers, the business used two New Holland square balers. However, when Mr Anthony began his contracting business, he switched to Krone and part-exchanged both for a Krone Big Pack 890 in 2016.

The 890 Big Pack has a chamber size of 800mm by 900mm, which produces four-string bales – a dimension which was the same as his previous baler models.

He says: “But in 2021, we were looking to increase our output capability and demoed a fourth-generation Big Pack 1290 from dealer Pallisers in Hereford.

The Big Pack 1290 is one of a pair of Krone big balers run by Welsh contractor R. and L. Anthony.

“We held off until 2022 for the new fifth generation to be available with the new variable filling system [VFS].”

Standout feature From Mr Anthony’s perspective, the VFS was a standout feature of the new baler, which is designed to make a more structurally sound bale, even when moving at speed.

He says: “Because we are baling Lowering for access, the side lockers have proved easier for filling and cleaning.

both straw and silage, the fact we can alter the filling rate of the VFS has been a game-changer.

“By comparison, silage crops are a lot looser than straw, so you can sometimes be left with a soft top bale, but by slowing down the process, you do not lose out on the density build-up in the pre-compression chamber.”

Another key feature Mr Anthony has been impressed with is the camless design of the pickup, which has proved its worth in heavy and inconsistent crops.

He says: “The tines are in five straight rows around the pickup bar, so there are fewer wearing parts because the weight of the crop is evenly distributed as it is being fed in, which in turn puts less strain on the machine.

“The pickup is wider on the Krone balers than our previous machines – even comparing the previous balers to the Big Pack 890, with the 1290 wider again at 2.35 metres.

Uniform finish “In addition, we have found the Krone balers appear to leave a uniform finish in the field, with little material left behind.”

Having initially been concerned his customers would be reluctant to move from four-string to six-string bales, Mr Anthony was pleased the change went down well and his customers were happy to have fewer bales to handle.

He chose to keep the 890 to run alongside the 1290 as a backup 60 | JANUARY 5 2024

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machine for tight windows of good weather.

He says: “When there is a dry gap to bale, we have to get out in the field.

“We would rather avoid having to dry straw in the field, because having a tractor with a merger on it adds traffic to the ground.

“However, it is sometimes necessary to do this, but if we can send out the 890 to keep up instead, we would rather do that.

“It is worth keeping it to have it as a backup and we still have customers where the smaller baler is better suited to the job, so it provides a bit of flexibility.”

He says that some customers putting their bales through a straw farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 14:13

MACHINERY

men tum during a challenging season for a South Wales contractor. Farmers Guardian reports.

rs key for contracting business The business offers bale contracting in grass and straw crops.

The tines are in five straight rows around the pickup bar, so there are fewer wearing parts because the weight of the crop is evenly distributed DAVID ANTHONY chopper prefer a four-string bale because it is easier for them to handle and that customers with horses prefer having a smaller bale in the yard.

He says: “However, this is only a small proportion of our work, but it is also easier to use if we have got to negotiate narrow lanes or gateways, or a small field where the 1290 would just be overkill.”

The 1290 baler has now completed two seasons of work for Mr Anthony.

The weather was very dry in 2022 and the crops were high-yielding and produced a lot more bales compared to the 2023 very stop-start season.

Mr Anthony says: “Despite doing more hours in 2022, we have a better idea of how well the baler performs farmersguardian.com

p60 61 Jan5 MB BB TW.indd 3

in more difficult conditions from 2023 and got the value out of having a high-output machine.”

While part of Mr Anthony’s purchasing decisions are based on machine productivity and dealer support, features which simplify dayto-day maintenance were also a reason for having Krone balers.

Mr Anthony says: “It is clear to myself and my team that the design of the baler has been well thoughtout with the operator in mind.”

He adds that his team has commented on how easy it is to keep on top of machinery maintenance, from having side panels which drop down hydraulically for ease of access, to the twine reels which make greasing and cleaning much simpler.

Winter services The team at R. and L. Anthony Contracting ensures winter services are carried out to avoid potential breakdowns later in the season.

He says: “Taking the time to look after our machinery in its downtime is crucial for our business. The machines may have great build quality, but that can soon depreci-

A wider cam-less 2.35-metre pickup has proved its worth in heavy and inconsistent crops.

ate if you are not carrying out regular maintenance and servicing.

“The operating costs are higher on the 1290 and you have to spend

more on maintenance because you are working it that much harder, but it is a fair price to pay if you want to achieve high outputs.”

JANUARY 5 2024 | 61

03/01/2024 14:13

LIVESTOCK

Edited by Katie Jones – 07786 856 439 – katie.jones@agriconnect.com

A decline in Basic Payment Scheme payments and a drive for resilience has seen an upland livestock partnership in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, revolutionise the way their traditional beef and sheep system is farmed. Sarah Alderton reports.

Going cold turkey on inputs and switching to regeneration

L

ancashire beef and sheep farmer Nat Marsden, who farms with his brother Roger, has turned the family’s upland farming system on its head to make it more resilient by changing the breeds farmed, how the land is managed and how the produce is marketed.

Bucks Farm, near Clitheroe, Lancashire, was once a traditional hill farm comprising 162 hectares (400 acres) of moorland and 243ha (600 acres) of severely disadvantaged area land.

It was set-stocked with 600 Mules and 50 commercial continental suckler cows, with offspring sold as stores and a 200-head dairy sheep flock.

Sheep would lamb indoors, with 1215 tonnes of concentrate fed to ewes during lambing. Cattle were housed inside and fed predominately silage with a concentrate diet, with offspring sold as stores through the local market.

But when the Government announced plans to remove subsidies,

the brothers knew something had to change to survive.

They set about researching sustainable farming methods and admit they soon caught the regenerative farming bug after reading online reports from guru Greg Judy.

Grazing Nat Marsden says: “We have a lot of hill land with rush and bracken and wanted to make the most of grazing it rather than raising stock indoors.

“I watched many YouTube videos and heard the sayings ‘you do not want to be working for your animals; your animals work for you, and your cows are your tractors’. That really got me thinking that rather than housing cattle inside and carting slurry away and bringing feed to the animals, the animals should be doing it by themselves and, in turn, helping improve the land.”

The farm was also input heavy, using 20-30t of bought-in fertiliser a

We had to find a way to reduce input costs, and the only way to do that was to change how we farmed NAT MARSDEN year, something the Marsdens were keen to reduce.

“We knew that for the farm to be more resilient, we had to find a way to reduce input costs, and the only way to do that was to change how we farmed,” he says.

The Marsdens slowly started transi-

tioning the farm almost a decade ago to a more sustainable form by initially changing the cattle breed.

They believe having the right breed for their context is critical.

The Luing was something they looked at due to their lighter frame, easy fleshing and good temperament.

They are also an ‘at risk’ native breed and receive a £167/ha (£67/acre) supplement as part of Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) (SP8) – with most of the higher land now part of HLS. They initially bought 10 in-calf heifers from Jim Caygill, near Skipton, and five bulling heifers from the society sale at Castle Douglas. As the herd grew by keeping more replacements, the continentals were reduced and now the 60-head suckler herd is pure Luing. All cows are out-wintered and they are only housed at calving, which is purely for ease of tagging and dehorning calves.

They are now also moving away from Mules, instead opting for a

Bucks Farm’s 60-head suckler herd is now made up of pure Luings.

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03/01/2024 11:16

Nat Marsden (left) and his son Harry.

maternal Hill Cheviot cross Swaledale mated with an EasyDam composite ram (Romney, Friesian and Texel) for maternal replacements and Innovis tups and Texel and Charollais tups used as terminal sires. The milking sheep flock ceased production last year due to labour shortages and rising costs.

Lambing Sheep now lamb outdoors, with lambing being moved from mid-March to April when conditions are more favourable. They have adopted a more ruthless way of thinking regarding managing the stock, with no room for passengers on the farm.

Mr Marsden says: “We are the predator in our herd and flock, so we cull hard for anything not getting pregnant, not rearing its offspring, any

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lameness in sheep or any temperament issues in the cattle.”

Once the right cattle breed was in place, transforming how the land was managed began. The Marsdens aim was to mob graze the 405ha (1,000 acres), some of which rises to 335 metres (1,100ft) above sea level. The first step was getting the infrastructure in place, explains Mr Marsden.

“Before going into regenerative farming, we had to do the groundwork and invest in infrastructure; water and fencing being the two main things.

“Getting water to the stock was critical. The first thing we did was tap into a spring on the fell. We have water

Farm facts ■ In the future, lambs will be finished off herbal leys, which this year have been overseeded on to permanent pasture with a predominately plantain, chicory, red and white clover mix at a rate of 12.4kg/hectare (5kg/acre) ■ Lambs are sold deadweight to Kepak on the Innovis scheme, averaging 42-44kg liveweight off grass at four to six months old ■ The Marsdens have a drone, which does not replace physically checking stock but does, however, give peace of mind; for example, checking stock have enough water on hot days

pipes with quick couplers and moveable drag troughs, which are pulled by a quad bike across the land. The second thing was to set up the grazing paddocks.”

For the sheep, training was difficult, but now they are trained to two-strand electric fencing.

Mr Marsden says: “We bought one of the largest energisers we could and are in the process of installing a ring main around the whole farm, allowing us to hook on wherever we are grazing. We also have remote controls, allowing us to switch the fence on and off remotely. The idea was to try and make things as simple as possible.

“We are currently moving the fence once-a-day, but we may look to increase that to every eight hours or so, using batt latches.”

The idea is to let the plants express themselves more and avoid overgrazing. To achieve this, they graze an area with cattle and sheep intensively for 24 hours before moving on to fresh pasture, leaving as much of the land resting as possible. Average rotation times vary from as short as six weeks to as long as 90 days. Ground will never be re-grazed if it has not recovered.

Mr Marsden says: “If the grass still has a flat edge, we will not re-graze it.

We are always looking for a pointy tip on the end of the grass, but we do not measure grass.

“We have tried to create 80-100m wide grass lanes where possible, making it easier to move the fence. This means every day they are getting a fresh bite.”

Some of the cows are grazed on the moor using virtual fence collars, which they acknowledge is an extra input cost – a cost justified through the HLS supplement they receive. This allows the Marsdens to control where the cows are grazed using an app on their phone. Any cows approaching the fence line receive an audible noise, which increases in pitch as they get nearer. The collars are fitted with solar panels to recharge them.

Co-grazing sheep and cattle was trialled this summer, but due to the difficulties in separating sheep off for any routine work or when drafting lambs, they are now mostly grazed separately. However, they have not ruled out operating a leader-follower system in the future.

In winter, hay bales are provided to out-wintered cattle on the hill to supplement the diet. They are producing about 300 large square bales of hay a year to feed, with hay given out in various amounts depending on the amount of grass available, quality and the weather.

No concentrates are fed to cattle now. Cattle are finishing at 24 months old at an R4 grade and marketed through their meat box scheme ‘Marsden’s of Bowland’, which was started last year to take control of the price they receive for their finished stock. It is something they may also look to do for their lambs in the future.

Fertiliser has not been applied to the land for three years now. The Marsdens slowly weaned their land off 20-30t of fertiliser spread across meadows and inbye land down to nothing.

Three years after embarking on their regen journey, significant benefits to the land and resilience of the farm are being seen.

Stronger grass Through high-intensity grazing, they have seen a decrease in the amount of bracken and rush due to it being trampled and stronger grass coming through. Biodiversity has also increased and Mr Marsden reports significantly improved grass growth on inbye land, which has been overgrazed for many years.

“Resting the land has kick-started the soil and improved biodiversity, meaning better grass growth. Providing a long recovery period allows plants to express themselves and enables a lot of root-driven recovery, leading to more grass. It also protects the soil from heat by keeping the moisture in.”

Buildings freed up by not housing cattle inside are now used to rear dairy stores, adding another enterprise to the business.

Stock are also healthier, with fewer worm issues. They are also reporting fewer foot problems in sheep, possibly due to their harsh culling policy and by moving sheep daily.

Mr Marsden says: “We feel we are more resilient for the future, and now we question every spend. We have removed all fertiliser costs, virtually all concentrates and significantly reduced diesel and machinery costs.

“We have got HLS payments and will be applying for the SFI. We want to farm with nature and not against it and having the right stock for the environment is vital.”

JANUARY 5 2024 | 63

03/01/2024 11:16

LIVESTOCK Animal health and welfare has been identified by the Moredun Research Institute as key to the livestock sector achieving its net zero targets, with emphasis on improved reproductive performance and control of endemic diseases. Katie Fallon reports.

Animal health to underpin sector in achieving net zero

T

oday’s livestock sector is facing significant challenges with the need to mitigate climate change, adapt to changing payment schemes and improve biodiversity, all while protecting food security.

In particular the UK’s sheep and cattle sectors are under considerable scrutiny, with a real focus on reducing methane emissions.

Speaking at a press briefing organised by Moredun, the research institute’s new scientific director and chief executive, Dr Tom McNeilly, said animal health would underpin all of the issues livestock farmers were facing and would play a key role in helping the sectors to reduce their environmental impact and achieve net zero.

He said: “Good animal health will contribute at least 10 per cent in reducing the livestock sector’s environmental impact, which is something that is often underestimated.

“Healthy animals are more productive animals, meaning less greenhouse gas emissions, less

Good animal health can also allow the full benefits of methane mitigation interventions for sheep and cattle to be realised.

land use per unit of productivity, requiring fewer drug treatments and producing healthier food – a real win-win.”

He added that good animal health and welfare would also allow the full benefits of methane mitigation interventions for sheep and cattle, such as feed additives

This is a great opportunity to understand where we are in terms of disease burden at an individual and national farm level DR TOM McNEILLY 64 | JANUARY 5 2024

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and genetics to be realised. Simple improvements to animal health including a greater focus on reproductivity performance, such as preventing the loss of neonatal calves, as well as greater control of endemic diseases would be some of the key ways to improve animal health, said Dr McNeilly.

Much of the focus on animal health is particularly relevant to the beef suckler herd, which often comes under the most scrutiny in terms of their environmental impact.

Improvement And while Dr McNeilly said focus was needed on areas where there was greater scope for improvement including the suckler herd, he said this should also be seen as an opportunity for the beef herd.

After consultations with the Moredun Research Institute, there is also an emphasis on animal health within Scotland’s new Agriculture and Rural Commun-

ities Bill, including a whole farm plan which will provide baseline data on animal health and welfare.

Dr McNeilly said: “This is a great opportunity to understand where we are in terms of disease burden at an individual and national farm level, to target appropriate interventions to reduce the burden and monitor how effective these interventions are to controlling disease.”

“To enable a just transition to a more environmentally sustainable farming industry, support for farmers to control their most important infectious diseases is the right thing to do.”

He added that controlling diseases would allow farms to maintain a profitable business, while delivering to the future climate and biodiversity targets.

“It is about how we can empower these farmers to contribute to net zero, and we need to be supporting farmers in achieving this, rather than pointing the finger.” farmersguardian.com

02/01/2024 09:42

LIVESTOCK PROMISING RESULTS FOR NEW LOUPING ILL VACCINE WORK on a new vaccine for louping ill, which has produced encouraging results, was outlined

by Dr David Griffiths at the Moredun press briefing.

The neurological disease, caused by a virus transmitted by ticks, is particularly a problem for sheep and red grouse in upland and moorland areas across the UK. Dr Griffiths said the disease can cause serious implications to animal welfare and profitability in these moorland areas with some farmers losing up to 25 per cent of replacement hogs to the disease and an 80 per cent mortality rate seen in grouse chicks.

Challenging After the previous vaccine was withdrawn from the market in 2017 due to manufacturing difficulties, Dr Griffiths said developing a new vaccine had been challenging due to the louping ill virus also infecting people, resulting in staff working with the vaccine contracting the disease.

However, a new vaccine has been developed with funding from the Scottish Government and Scottish estate owners, collated by the Game and Wildlife Trust.

Dr Griffiths said: “The new

The old louping ill vaccine was removed from the market due to manufacturing difficulties, but hopes are high a new remedy for the tick-borne disease will be successful. vaccine uses a different technology to previous vaccines and does not rely on using live virus, therefore reducing the risk to people working in the lab.”

In experimental trials, results have been encouraging and have shown to produce a very strong immune response in sheep.

He said: “The vaccine was

shown to protect vaccinated sheep from clinical disease when challenged with the virus, most likely by preventing the virus from spreading to the brain.”

While the disease was a significant problem for sheep farmers and grouse moors in specific areas of the UK, the overall market size was comparatively

small compared to other livestock vaccines, explained Dr Griffiths.

And with approximately £2 million required to get the new vaccine on the market, veterinary health companies have been deterred from taking on the production of the vaccine.

In response to this, Moredun is looking to work in partnership with other companies to try to make the vaccine commercially available as soon as possible.

He added: “We think we have something which could be useful to our stakeholders, we just need to get it through the required regulations so it can be commercially produced.”

ONLINE TOOL LAUNCHED TO HELP FARMERS UNDERSTAND FAECAL EGG COUNTS A NEW, free online tool has been developed and launched by Moredun to help farmers understand and interpret their faecal egg count results for roundworms in sheep, explained Dr Lynsey Melville at the briefing.

The online tool, called FEC Check, is available on Moredun’s website. It visually displays the clinical meaning of results to help with decision making on-farm in terms of identifying the need for treatment and monitoring whether treatment has been effective.

Dr Melville said: “Users will input faecal egg count results and the online tool will visualise the results on a graph with a colour gradient representing the clinical impact.”

Based on advice from the Sustainable Control Of Parasites in Sheep, green indicates low-level infection not requiring treatment and red indicates high-level of infection with treatment required.

“We are hoping it will be a useful tool for the industry and that it will be useful for those who are just starting to carry out faecal egg counts, as there can be a barrier between results and what they mean in practice.”

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A simple to interpret online tool for farmers to carry out faecal egg counts has been produced by Moredun.

JANUARY 5 2024 | 65

02/01/2024 09:42

LIVESTOCK

Livestock farmer trials peas and beans as soya alternative rFarms should consider

own bi-crop to include in the 2024/25 ration. He says it will fit well as a break crop in rotation with the 3.6 hectares (nine acres) of barley he grows every year.

As peas and beans are a nitrogen fixing crop, it means he will not need to apply synthetic N fertiliser to the crop that follows it. He hopes that their tap roots will be good for soil structure too.

home-grown feed

Analysis

Robert Lyon has embarked on Farming Connect’s ‘Our Farms’ project.

basis and beans are in the region of 29 per cent.

At 13.6-14 MJ/kg DM, with over 40 per cent starch, they are PICTURE: GARY NAYLOR

PROTEIN-rich peas and beans are replacing concentrates in the winter ration of sheep and cattle at a Mid Wales farm.

Robert Lyon had been mixing a complete diet total mixed ration using maize, soya and grass silage for his pregnant ewes at Lower House Farm near Llandrindod Wells, Radnorshire, which is part of Farming Connect’s ‘Our Farms’ project.

But to increase farm resilience and reduce his farm’s carbon footprint, Mr Lyon wants to grow as much of the feed on-farm as possible, so Mr Lyon has now embarked on the ‘Our Farms’ project to evaluate how peas and beans might help him to achieve that goal.

These pulses can be used in ruminant diets as a useful source of rumen degradable protein and energy, and could provide a solution.

Peas are about 26 per cent crude protein on a dry matter (DM)

Beans are about 29 per cent crude protein on a DM basis.

both high-energy feed sources. This winter, bought-in peas and beans will be incorporated into the diet of up to 600 ewes and 150 British Blue heifers, with levels guided by analysis of the forage they will be fed with.

In 2024, Mr Lyon will grow his

Utilising more home-grown feeds can reduce winter feed costs [...] and improve a farm’s carbon footprint DAFYDD OWEN

Farming Connect will analyse the performance of the ewes and cattle, plus the financial impact and carbon footprint of peas and beans compared to a controlled diet containing soya.

The cost differential between buying in peas and beans and growing them on-farm is also being assessed.

Dafydd Owen, mixed farm sector officer for Farming Connect, who is overseeing the project, says there are good reasons why more farms should consider growing more home-grown feed.

“Utilising more home-grown feeds can reduce winter feed costs and reliance on imported soya, and improve a farm’s carbon footprint,’’ he says.

It also alleviates the risk of sudden price increases in purchased feeds, and dependence on chemical fertiliser.

“The introduction of a pulse break crop can fit well into a rotation as with it being a N fixing crop, no N fertiliser is required for the subsequent crop,’’ says Mr Owen.

Driving these improvements in sustainability at Lower House Farm could also have important Sustainable Land Management outcomes too: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, maximising carbon storage and sequestration, enhancing the farm’s ecosystem, plus contributing to high flock and herd health and welfare.

Animal health planning could be a game changer AN industry-led project’s findings has shown the importance of proactive animal health planning on Welsh farms. Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) – Meat Promotion Wales launched a five-year project called Stoc+ to encourage farmers and vets to collaborate by compiling, reviewing and enacting proactive flock and herd health management.

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By maximising the well-being and performance of livestock and effectively targeting interventions, the goal was to highlight the potential benefit for ongoing animal health improvements which could support animal welfare, sustainability and efficiency .

Some of the highlights from a sub-section of sheep farms that took

part in the project showed lamb survival from scanning to rearing increased by more than 2.5 per cent, with 65 per cent of farms showing an improvement.

There was a decrease of more than a third in the amount of lame ewes, and 60.5 per cent of farmers cut the time they spent treating lame sheep.

Additionally, there was improved

understanding of internal parasite control and adoption of methods to assess risk and the need for treatment.

Independent analysis of the results suggests that these improvements could be the catalyst for profitability in the sector. Applying these cumulative results across all farms in Wales could result in an extra £8 million into the Welsh red meat sector. farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 14:39

WORKING DOGS

Ben Smith’s triple title win in festive season rSuccess at three

venues for pair England: Elaine Hill

BEN Smith had a fruitful festive period taking three wins.

His first was at the Morton nursery and novice trial held near Bicester.

Working Texel cross Mule store lambs over a flat course, he was the clear winner of the nursery class with Ben, a young dog he has in for training.

Second On the Thursday after Christmas, Ben took his second title, at the Morton open, which was held at Shuckburgh.

This was with his nursery dog from last year, another dog named Ben. In addition to winning with Ben with a score of 75, he was also the runner-up with Roy on 71.

The day after, Ben competed at the High Hills open held at Hilderstone.

Some sheep were flightier than others, while some would stand and face the dogs, which resulted in several retirements and some disqualification.

The ground was very wet, making it heavy going particularly

English results MORTON, Astley Bridge Farm, Bicester, Oxfordshire (Judge, K. Addington, Kettering) Nursery (22 ran) 1, B. Smith (Harborough Magna) Ben, 76 of 90; 2, J. Porter (Broughton Astley) Moss, 64; 3, A. Blackmore (Ledbury) Peg, 61; 4, M. Bastard (Aldbourne) Fern, 46; 5, C. Eddie (Rugby) Sally, 44. Novice 1, A. Sayer (Hilderstone) Elan Valley Don, 72 of 100; 2, P. Johnson (Burton upon Trent) Inch, 70; 3, D. Cooper (Tewkesbury) Cap, 56.

MORTON (N. Vyas, John O’Gaunt) Open (35 ran) 1, B. Smith, Ben, 75 of 100; 2, B. Smith, Roy, 71; 3, S. Mynard (Thrapston) Frank, 69 OLF; 4, S. Danek (Alvechurch) Yanek, 69; 5, J. Elkin (Hilderstone) Kemi Bert, 67; 6, S. McCulloch, Sam, 61. Young Handler 1, C. Elkin (Hilderstone) Mirk.

HIGH HILLS (M. Banham, Chipstead) Open (50 ran) 1, B. Smith, Ben, 85 of 100; 2, A. Owen (Corwen) Llangwm Tom, 84; 3, N. Vyas, Cap, 83 OLF; 4, Shirley Duckworth (Haslingden) Harry, 83; 5, A. Owen, Jim, 82; 6, C. Slater (Brecon) Jan, 80.

TRAWDEN Christmas Charity Trial, (J. Palmer) Nursery (45 ran) 1, I. Ibbotson (Oakworth) Sal, 83 of 100; 2, R. Taylor (Burnley) Tess, 80 OLF; 3, R. Hutchinson (Littledale) Chrissy, 80; 4, R. Dean (Chipping) Yan, 79; 5, P. Simpson (Dacre) Frank, 78; 6, A. Temple (Holmrook) Pentre Roxy, 77. Young Farmer/New Handler Class 1, B. White (Bradfield) Jan, 62 of 90; 2, P. Towler (Langcliffe) Mokupuni Mist, 58; 3, A. Priestley (Bamford) Nan, 57. The trial was sponsored by Gisburn Auction Market and the money raised (£600) went towards raising awareness and helping Daniel Duerden fight Lyme disease.

COME BYE AND AWAY (D. Pownall, Salisbury), Open Driving (18 ran) 1, T. Thewissen (Brecon)

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around the post. Mark Banham judged the entry of fifty two dogs.

With an early run, Ben set the standard, gaining 85 points which failed to be matched and gave the pair their second open title in two days.

Aled Owen made a strong challenge with Llangwm Tom, and the pair were runners-up on 84.

The Christmas Charity nursery held near Blacko was sponsored by Gisburn Auction Market.

The money raised amounted to £600 and went towards raising the awareness of and helping Daniel

Duerden to fight Lyme Disease.

Over the mainly flat course, the running was on packets of four Cheviot cross hoggs which were good to manage both over the outfield and at the chute. John Palmer judged the entry of 45 dogs.

Iain Ibbotson had a steady and controlled run with Sal to take the title with 83 points, three clear of the host, Robbie Taylor, who was the runner-up with Tess.

Ben White won the young farmers class gaining 62 points with Jan, four clear of runners-up Phil Towler and Mokupuni Mist.

Iain Ibbotson and Sal were the Christmas Charity trial winners.

Scots triallers brave wet weather Scotland: Sine Robertson MICHAEL Shearer’s Heilan Rab redeemed a less than perfect start at Lieuray in the howling wind and rain.

The Cheviot hoggs were spooked by 72mph winds, on a slightly uphill course and could face the dogs at the pen, but they generally behaved considering the conditions.

Heilan Rab started out a little wide and stopped slightly short, but a clean lift and a very good fetch corrected that.

With a wide turn out of the cross Kate, 88 of 100; 2, T. Thewissen, Fynbos Turk, 84; 3, M. Dowden (West Pennard) Turk, 79; 4, T. Thewissen, Shep, 78 OLF; 5, D. Survila (Wellington) Mia, 78; 6, J. King (Hilperton) Zu, 66. Novice Driving 1, T. Thewissen, Fynbos Turk, 84 of 100; 2, T. Carter (Taunton) Copper, 65; 3, T. Carter, Brew, 55; 4, D. Survila, Jock, 50. (R. Fouracres) Maltese cross (10 ran) 1, Z. Capern (Nailsea) Brynoer Bett, 72 of 90; 2, J. Delaney (Steeple Langford) Dawn, 64; 3, D. Pownall, Rex, 60; 4, J. Day (Bristol) Nell, 53. Aggregate Points Driving Cup and Overall Points Shield M. Dowden, Turk, 345. Ladies Highest Points Cup D. Survila, Mia, 271. Aggregate Points Maltese cross J. Delaney, Dawn, 88. Best Young Handler O. Dowden (West Pennard).

BOXING DAY (S. Duckworth) Open (43 ran) 1, S. McCulloch (Dalmellington) Sam, 78 of 110 OLF; 2, J. Ashworth (Rossendale) Don, 78; 3, B. Williams (Ysceifiog) Mot, 77; 4, Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Luna, 75; 5, C. Mellin (Oakworth) Pentre Bet, 73; 6, C. Elkin, Mirk, 70.

HOLLINHEAD (P. Rigby) Open (39 ran) 1, Thomas Longton, Luna, 85 of 100; 2, J. Harrison (Keasden) Meg, 84 OLFD; 3, T. Huddleston (Caton) Lidl, 84; 4, S. Thompson (Lancaster) Indy, 82 OLFD: 5, V. Ibbotson (Silsden) Gore Hill Chap, 82; 6, C. Cassie (Armathwaite) Fellside Pip, 81.

WEST COUNTRY, Nursery (T. Hopper) Driving 1, J. Watson (Postbridge) Floss, 89 of 100; 2, J. Watson, Scott, 84; 3, J. Nicholls (Buckland Brewer) Lil, 80 OLF; 4, Ray Edwards (Chulmleigh) Pip, 80; 5, W. Carter (Davidstow) Belle, 79; 6, T. Rofe (Okehampton) Rosie, 78. (L. Ireland) Maltese cross (17 ran) 1, T. Hopper, Sam, 59 of 90; 2, J. Watson, Mac, 55; 3, D. Cole (Tillingham) Juno, 54; 4, J. Watson, Ben, 44.

RAINOW (J. Gilman) Open (35 ran) 1, W. Hurley (Macclesfield Forest) Joe, 92 of 100; 2, S. Allen

drive gate, Rab made a good pen on a bad day and a clean shed ensured Rab was the winner.

Kelsey Keith’s Foinaven Ellie ran out and lifted faultlessly and had a good fetch with minor wavers.

She too, got round the course with a wide turn and once more, penned well.

However, as the hoggs came out of the pen, Ellie took off, but Kelsey called her back and they worked away until they got a shed.

Ellie’s good start brought the run two points short of Rab’s and she earned second place.

(Butterton) Tanhill Max, 87; 3, J. Dumbleton (Bollington) Kemi Ross, 85; 4, D. Wood (Derwent Valley) Polly, 82; 5, S. Cotterill (Congleton) Lace, 79 OLF; 6, A. Ledgar (Macclesfield) Tip, 79.

Scottish results BROADGAIRHILL I (A.B. Mundell) Open (32 ran) 1, C. Toner (Drimsynie) Niro Mace, 87; 2, A. McCulloch (Dalmellington) Risp, 85; 3, S. Morgan (Heriot) Vann Queen, 82; 4, A. Dickman (Oxton) Meg (Kate), 81; 5, B. Parker (Heriot) Keita, 80; 6, J. Allan (Mt Benger) Joe, 78.

BROADGAIRHILL II (F. McMillan) Open (26 ran) 1, J. Allan (Mt Benger) Joe, 93; 2, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Maybe, 87; 3, B. Parker (Heriot) Duke, 80; 4, A. McCulloch (Dalmellington) Sam, 91 Outbye; H. Mitchell (Glefarg) Dan, 91; 5, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Reba, 89; 6, D. Aitken (Peebles) Tweeddale Viki, 87; £350 raised for Scottish International trial fund.

LIEURAY (H. MacKenzie) Open (25 ran) 1, M.C. Shearer (Westfield) Hielan Rab, 86; 2, K. Keith (Lockerbie) Ellie, 84; 3, N. Sutherland (Strathnaver) Spot, 81; 4, N. Sutherland (Strathnaver) Usk Valley Rex, 79 Outbye; 5, M. Sutherland (Halkirk) Missy, 79; 6, I. Sutherland (Strathnaver) Cap, 78; BIRCHBURN ARRAN I (L. Robertson) Nursery (7 ran) 1, I. McConnell (Lamlash) Fly, 69; 2, W. Stevenson (Whiting Bay) Tweeddale Morag; BIRCHBURN ARRAN II (L. Robertson) Nursery (7 ran) 1, I. McConnell (Lamlash) Fly, 72; 2, W. Stevenson (Whiting Bay) Tweeddale Morag, 70; Older dogs 1, I. McConnell (Lamlash) Joe, 88; 2, J. McNeish (Craigview) Pip, 66; 3, I. Logan (Pirnmill) Bute, 64.

Cheviot ewes at Broadgairhill ran well on a rising course, but dogs had their work cut out to drive them across the brae face for the cross drive and could then find them tricky to pen.

The cross drive and pull-though gate were reversed for the second day’s trial.

John Allan’s Joe started off with a clean outrun and lift, a very good fetch and drive, both with just very minor wavers of the line.

A clean pen followed, but the shed was not so smooth, but once completed Joe came out on top.

Trials diary ENGLAND January 6. HOLME, Nursery, Clough Head, Grane Road, Haslingden, Lancashire, BB4 4AT, 9.30am start, enter on field, more than one dog first to be booked in by noon. FYLDE, Nursery, change of venue to Hollinhead Farm, Caton, Lancaster, LA2 9NA, 9.30am start, enter on field, more than one dog first to be booked in by noon. MORTON, Nursery, novice and beginner, Bondon Farm, Birdingbury, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 8ET, 9am start, enter on field by noon. NORTHUMBERLAND, League, Nursery, Ilderton, NE66 4YD, 11am start, enter on field. SLINDON, Nursery, novice and beginner, Slindon House Farm, Slindon, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LX, 9.30am start, enter on field by noon. NORTHERN, Nursery, novice and new handler, Waitby, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4HF, 9.30am start, enter on field by 1pm.

January 6 and 7. RYEDALE, Nursery and open trials at Menagerie Farm, Escrick, York – cancelled.

January 7. NORTH WESTMORLAND, Nursery, novice and new handler, Tailbert Farm, Shap, CA10 3ND – cancelled. ROMNEY MARSH, Nursery, novice, cradle and young handler, Whitehall, Lynsted, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 0RF, 10am start, enter on field by 11am.

January 11. WINDERMERE, Nursery, novice and new handler, Tailbert Farm, Shap, Cumbria, CA10 3ND, 9.30am start, enter on field by 2pm.

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03/01/2024 14:40

MARKET PRICES PRIMESTOCK ENGLAND All prices quoted in p/kg.

STEERS Market day(s) week ending Dec 31

Acklington Th Ashford Tu Bakewell Th\Tu Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Tu Brockholes Carlisle Tu Cirencester Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Tu Cutcombe Darlington Exeter Tu Frome Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Tu Holmfirth Holsworthy Hull/Dunswell Kendal Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Leek Tu Leyburn Longtown Louth Ludlow Malton Tu Market Drayton Market Harborough Melton Mowbray Newton Abbot (Rendells) Northallerton Tu Norwich Oswestry Otley Penrith Ross on Wye Tu Rugby Mo Ruswarp Salisbury Tu Scots Gap Sedgemoor Tu Selby Shrewsbury Skipton South Molton Stratford Thame Thirsk Th Thrapston Truro Ulverston Tu Wigton Tu Wooler Worcester We York

HEIFERS

YOUNG BULLS

Total cattle number

Light average

Medium average

Heavy average

Light average

Medium average

Heavy average

Light average

Medium average

11 30 74 69 56 49 8 4 1 63 218 41 74 15 69 135 94 14 9 -

202.0 286.0 267.5 281.8 235.5 262.7 258.5 276.0 246.5 256.5 301.5 326.5 -

238.5 256.6 299.8 320.0 280.0 290.4 244.5 314.9 289.7 270.0 277.8 231.2 276.0 318.8 294.6 280.5 -

251.0 254.7 310.2 280.0 279.5 280.0 251.5 316.2 305.8 257.0 277.5 277.6 344.8 291.7 -

230.0 277.3 280.1 252.8 328.5 286.6 262.0 130.5 208.5 278.1 -

243.3 259.4 312.1 309.3 285.3 278.3 284.8 325.2 304.2 262.5 283.5 223.8 264.1 309.6 296.0 289.3 -

239.2 256.0 312.3 276.0 290.5 284.2 304.1 301.6 253.3 278.9 265.5 315.9 284.8 299.7 -

188.5 204.0 224.0 279.5 190.0 231.6 231.5 225.7 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

CULL COWS

Heavy average

Total cow number

Grade 1 average

Grade 3 average

Dairy sired average

Beef sired average

Total N lambs

300.0 247.8 278.3 289.5 304.5 263.6 228.0 244.5 263.5 -

298.6 244.8 301.4 296.4 282.5 254.5 243.2 290.0 -

2 14 30 84 4 4 29 16 1 15 3 26 14 31 -

236.5 -

154.5 156.0 -

141.6 126.4 78.2 136.8 144.9 138.1 114.8 -

169.5 176.2 166.9 144.5 153.8 184.4 158.1 260.0 173.8 153.0 171.6 -

490 636 251 3302 1281 586 2035 413 299 352 2233 854 193 1204 2472 611 797 5902 1247 1655 1354 2852 1424 181 2858 742 1060 1770 606 1834 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2169 1019 657 3456 1405 4199 1183

SCOTLAND Ayr We Caithness Castle Douglas Tu Dingwall Dumfries We Forfar Huntly We Kirkwall Lanark We Lockerbie Newton Stewart Newtown St Boswells We Stirling (caledonian) Tu Stirling (ua) Th Thainstone Th

68 | JANUARY 5 2024

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-

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5

2

9

5

8

4

0

8 0

Source: AHDB/LAA

WALES

SHEEP Total N/S lambs

N/S lambs light average

N/S lambs standard average

N/S lambs medium average

N/S lambs heavy average

N/S SQQ average

Total Ewes

Ewes average

490 636 251 3302 1281 586 2035 413 299 352 2233 854 193 1204 2472 611 797 5902 1247 1655 1354 2852 1424 181 2858 742 1060 1770 606 1834 -

300.6 229.8 193.9 273.0 237.9 235.0 260.3 284.0 248.0 259.0 168.3 344.1 165.5 251.8 166.7 -

286.6 290.3 215.9 267.4 289.0 290.8 243.5 278.2 263.1 241.9 276.4 324.4 291.8 296.1 309.5 268.9 287.3 294.4 289.7 268.3 286.4 319.0 237.2 316.8 249.4 285.3 293.9 373.5 316.7 -

289.8 296.9 282.3 286.3 289.3 289.4 307.7 276.5 270.0 273.6 280.2 282.0 273.6 289.8 309.8 300.5 276.5 306.3 285.8 297.5 279.5 293.6 308.8 248.7 302.6 276.3 279.8 305.6 319.9 300.3 -

273.5 295.5 284.3 288.7 290.0 293.1 298.5 271.1 266.8 270.5 272.5 269.7 264.7 283.0 292.1 290.4 277.5 301.4 283.0 287.6 279.1 283.8 302.2 251.3 296.4 271.7 274.2 298.5 309.7 289.2 -

289.3 295.3 281.6 281.4 286.8 289.6 298.2 276.7 268.2 272.8 276.5 283.6 273.6 290.2 303.7 302.7 274.9 297.4 286.0 289.9 272.4 292.2 313.6 242.0 305.9 276.0 280.3 303.5 322.8 301.3 -

104 472 407 104 3091 1044 106 985 55 326 169 433 791 1 112 1660 869 84 550 84 1286 417 214 3989 127 23 93 434 1007 316 212 165 2698 134 912 55 66 560 214 46 10 552 68 34 1193 -

79.0 80.5 105.5 70.8 91.7 86.4 89.6 82.3 86.9 63.5 99.0 111.3 92.4 30.0 93.2 94.9 95.6 85.5 87.8 92.7 81.4 93.2 82.5 83.1 93.2 92.4 93.7 80.6 94.4 87.1 76.5 92.9 100.3 99.7 102.9 71.2 67.4 94.9 86.3 88.5 105.8 98.7 95.6 77.7 107.4 -

2169 1019 657 3456 1405 4199 1183

227.00 224.61 169.50 264.69 -

268.59 265.58 206.33 272.42 267.86 278.67 287.47

280.66 290.51 262.72 284.74 297.57 304.99 284.08

274.24 280.62 261.56 283.41 281.73 295.69 270.75

277.19 286.35 256.34 280.38 294.41 300.80 284.44

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Source: IAAS/ScotEID 230 74.86 95 83.33 27 102.59 1626 82.14 325 81.84 282 82.91 1374 75.29 -

Market day(s) week ending Dec 31 Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymmych Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont on Usk Welshpool Whitland

We Fr

Tu

Tu

All prices quoted in p/kg.

Source: MartEye/LAA Total cattle number 13 -

STEERS Light average -

YOUNG BULLS Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymmych Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont on Usk Welshpool Whitland

HEIFERS

Medium average 240.0 -

Heavy average 232.0 -

Total cow number 3 9 1 -

Grade 1 average -

Light average -

CULL COWS

Medium average 240.0 -

Heavy average 234.2 -

Dairy sired average 102.9 111.4 -

Beef sired average 217.3 118.9 -

Light average -

Medium average -

Heavy average -

Total N/S lambs

N/S lambs light average

N/S lambs standard average

N/S lambs medium average

N/S lambs heavy average

N/S SQQ average

Total Ewes

Ewes average

263 - 701 - 9- - 411 1158 - - - 316 - 1335 266 1646 1190 3004 - - - - -

228.7 224.6 261.7 221.1 239.4 280.6 238.1 249.3 231.7 -

238.3 268.8 261.5 269.7 249.8 286.7 268.8 261.3 274.2 264.7 -

238.7 274.2 279.3 296.5 264.7 284.3 274.2 296.9 295.2 293.4 -

229.2 273.5 261.7 263.9 284.5 244.7 270.7 259.4 290.0 288.6 287.3 -

231.3 131 246.7 30 261.3 295.4 27 116 248.8 284.2 270.2 295.6 279.7 283.0 195 1634 91

87.4 35 100.6 33 148 40.4 86.4 1 496 44 15 472 339 57.0 80.3 79.2

-

Grade 3 average -

SHEEP

Bala Brecon Bryncir Builth Wells Carmarthen Crymmych Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Llandeilo Llanrwst Llanybydder Machynlleth Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Talybont on Usk Welshpool Whitland

68.7

117.7 80.1

26.0 85.4 93.3 66.1 76.7 78.6

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Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com JANUARY 5 2024 | 69

03/01/2024 15:34

MARKET PRICES STORE CATTLE ENGLAND STORES (CONTINENTAL-SIRED) Market day(s) w/e Dec 31

Ashford Tu Bakewell Tu Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Brockholes Tu Carlisle Cirencester Tu Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Darlington Exeter Fr Frome We Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Holmfirth Holsworthy We Hull/Dunswell Kendal Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Leek Tu Leyburn Fr Longtown Louth Ludlow Market Drayton Melton Mowbray Middleton in Teesdale Newton Abbot (Rendells) Northallerton Norwich Oswestry We Otley Penrith Ross on Wye Rugby Th Ruswarp Salisbury Tu Sedgemoor Selby Shrewsbury Stratford Skipton Tavistock Thame Thirsk Thrapston Truro Ulverston Wigton Worcester York

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/2/650.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/1/205.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/7/784.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/1/1020.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/4/1353.8 -/-/-/-/-/2/1015.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/1380.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/3/630.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/600.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

STORES

STORES (NATIVE-SIRED) 18+ month heifers

6-12 mon steers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/345.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/1005.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/1025.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/1040.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/5/684.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/377.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

18+ month heifers

6-12 month steers

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/675.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/865.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/1/1000.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/4/1071.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/1193.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/640.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/5/464.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/3/318.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/11/618.2 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/584.0 -/-/-/-/-/6/735.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/1072.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/584.0 -/-/-/-/-/4/1285.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/9/405.6 -/-/-/-/-/-/1/200.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/12/465.8 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

SCOTLAND Ayr Caithness Castle Douglas Dingwall Dumfries Forfar Huntly Kirkwall Lanark Lockerbie Newton Stewart Newtown St Boswells Stirling (caledonian) Stirling (ua) Thainstone

70 | JANUARY 5 2024

p68 75 Jan5 OM.indd 70

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:34

Figures show livestock numbers first, then average price per head.

Source: MartEye/LAA STORES (HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN)

+ month fers

6-12 month 12-18 month 18+ month steers steers steers

o. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/377.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

1/345.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/1150.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

025.0

040.0

684.0

Native heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/6/858.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

1/28.0 1/85.0 -/-/-/-/3/47.0 -/2/47.5 -/-/-/-/-/1/28.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/25.0 -/-/-/-/-/2/25.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

3/280.0 6/199.5 -/-/-/-/1/235.0 -/5/178.8 -/-/-/-/-/13/178.2 7/135.6 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/12/164.6 -/-/-/-/-/24/310.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/188.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

4/147.5 9/140.3 -/-/-/-/3/143.3 -/7/144.7 -/-/-/-/-/6/127.0 2/95.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/8/116.9 -/-/-/-/-/33/231.6 4/290.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/2/165.0 -/-/-/1/270.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

10/233.0 2/55.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/3/85.7 -/-/-/-/-/23/103.3 3/92.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/11/105.5 -/-/-/-/-/8/171.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

10/134.5 7/69.1 -/-/-/-/2/122.5 -/8/94.8 -/-/-/-/-/8/71.1 4/81.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/4/53.8 -/-/-/-/-/6/111.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/168.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

p68 75 Jan5 OM.indd 71

Source: MartEye/LAA STORES (CONTINENTAL-SIRED)

CALVES (7-42 DAYS) Black and Continental Continental Native white bulls bulls heifers bulls

farmersguardian.com

WALES

Source: IAAS/ScotEID -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Market day(s) w/e Dec 31

Brecon Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Welshpool Whitland

6-12 month steers

Fr Fr

Th Th

Tu

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

18+ month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

13/1257.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

73/1524.0 -/1/880.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

78/1770.3 -/5/1136.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

10/1310.5 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

57/1431.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

134/1526.3 -/1/1110.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/18+ month heifers

STORES (NATIVE-SIRED) 6-12 month steers

Brecon Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Welshpool Whitland

12-18 month steers

18+ month steers

6-12 month heifers

12-18 month heifers

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

3/1086.7 -/3/1426.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/5/268.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/8/856.3 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

2/1270.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

STORES (HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN)

Brecon Bryncir Carmarthen Dolgellau Gaerwen Knighton Mold Monmouthshire Newcastle Emlyn Rhayader Ruthin St Asaph Talgarth Welshpool Whitland

CALVES (7-42 DAYS)

6-12 month 12-18 month 18+ month steers steers steers

Black and Continental Continental Native white bulls bulls heifers bulls

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av. No. / Av.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/20.0 -/2/27.5 -/-/-/4/19.5

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/255.0 -/7/244.3 -/-/-/20/188.8

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/240.0 -/5/214.0 -/-/-/21/142.2

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/5/152.0 -/-/-/9/124.4

MARKET COMMENT IT was a mixed week in cattle rings across markets in England and Wales, as farmers headed to auction marts to kickstart the New Year.

Heifers decreased by 4.8p/kg to 289.54p/kg, while young bulls went down by 2.9p/kg to 265.8p/kg.

However, steers bucked the trend as they improved by 4.7p/kg to 285.3p/kg as did cull cows which went up 5.8p/kg to 130p/kg.

New season lambs were boosted at auction marts this week by 10.7p/kg to 291.4p/kg.

For pigs, prices increased by 22.4p/kg to 189.2p/kg.

As Farmers Guardian went to press on Wednesday (January 3), UK LIFFE Wheat prices for May 24 were trading at £194.45/tonne, a decrease of £2.25/t on the previous week.

Native heifers

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/5/112.0 -/-/-/6/90.8

LIVESTOCK AVERAGES Primestock throughput, price and price change (p/kg).

Week ending December 31, 2023.

ENGLAND AND WALES Category

Throughput

Price

Change

Young Bulls Steers Heifers All Prime Total NS/OS Lambs (SQQ) Porker (60 - 87kg) Cutter (88 - 97kg) Baconer (98 - 115kg) Other (over 115kg) Cull Cows Dairy Sired Cull Cows Beef Sired

225 303 519 1047 58532 62 83 15 25 156 130

265.8 285.3 289.4 283.1 291.4 189.2 210.8 199.7 79.8 130.0 169.9

-2.9 4.7 -4.8 2.6 10.7 22.4 43.5 -11.7 7.3 5.8 11.1 Source: MartEye/LAA

JANUARY 5 2024 | 71

03/01/2024 15:34

MARKET PRICES DEADWEIGHT CATTLE STEERS Region

Throughput

Southern 1698 Central 2500 Northern 1977 Scotland 2099 HEIFERS Southern 1193 Central 1956 Northern 1555 Scotland 1584 YOUNG BULLS Southern 93 Central 326 Northern 90 Scotland 74 COWS Southern 745 Central 1599 Northern 553 Scotland 262

Deadweight prices for the week ending Dec 30, 2023.

Average

-U3

-U4L

-U4H

R2

R3

R4L

R4H

O+2

O+3

O+4L

O+4H

-O2

-O3

-O4L

-O4H

483.6 484.1 494.8 499.8

504.5 501.4 502.2 501.5

500.1 498.2 499.6 502.2

502.0 497.0 499.5 496.4

-

495.7 491.6 503.5 500.0

493.0 491.2 503.4 503.1

494.5 492.1 502.2 502.0

-

481.0 483.4 485.9 493.2

478.7 484.6 493.0 498.0

480.6 466.2 490.2 499.1

-

458.1 455.4 462.4 472.3

463.1 451.5 472.1 472.1

439.8 451.3 473.8 500.5

481.7 484.3 491.7 497.9

507.7 502.1 501.2 506.3

504.6 499.3 501.6 501.8

504.0 498.8 496.0 503.1

-

493.5 493.8 493.8 498.9

493.7 492.9 497.4 499.9

496.7 487.4 499.5 499.2

-

478.9 480.3 483.9 481.1

480.3 482.0 488.0 493.8

472.2 477.8 488.3 490.3

-

454.6 455.4 467.7 473.8

453.6 449.5 481.0 461.5

454.6 451.5 452.0 480.0

447.0 467.1 476.7 480.6

412.5 475.8 490.3 493.0

484.0 492.2

300.0 -

461.9 481.3 482.1 485.8

472.1 482.6 485.8 483.3

490.0 488.3 483.3 483.9

-

460.0 456.8 465.0 447.5

447.5 457.4 471.4 461.7

460.0 470.0 -

-

437.0 427.9 417.4 -

433.1 430.9 444.8 407.5

438.0 -

-

298.2 299.5 322.7 354.3

-

-

-

-

353.0 361.5 366.1 373.9

345.7 358.6 371.7 376.8

347.6 355.2 367.5 365.6

-

343.7 343.8 359.1 356.3

342.0 344.6 363.4 360.1

334.5 334.1 348.3 356.4

-

330.1 328.1 336.9 330.5

332.8 325.1 336.7 327.0

322.8 300.2 326.0 -

STORE SHEEP ENGLAND STORE LAMBS w/e Dec 31

Day

No.

Ave.

Ashford Bakewell Barnard Castle Bentham Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Brockholes Carlisle Cirencester Clitheroe Cockermouth Colchester Cutcombe Darlington Exeter Frome Gisburn Hailsham Hallworthy Hawes Hereford Hexham Holmfirth Holsworthy Hull/Dunswell Kendal Kington Kirkby Stephen Lancaster Leek Leyburn Longtown

Tu Th

103 9 12 3 367 19 90 90 76 100

64.6 92.6 58.8 40.0 91.3 93.3 75.9 100.0 69.3 68.0

Tu

Fr We We

Th

Fr Th

STORE LAMBS

Source: MartEye/LAA

Day

Brecon Tu Bryncir Carmarthen Fr Dolgellau Fr Gaerwen Knighton Mold Monmouthshire We Newcastle Emlyn Th Rhayader Ruthin Th St Asaph Th\Sa Talgarth Welshpool Tu Whitland Tu

72 | JANUARY 5 2024

Day

No.

Mo

14 268

63.7 79.0

-

-

8 28 20 -

90.0 95.3 84.0 -

Louth Ludlow Market Drayton Melton Mowbray Middleton in Teesdale Newton Abbot (Rendells) Northallerton Norwich Oswestry Otley Penrith Ross on Wye Rugby Ruswarp Salisbury Sedgemoor Selby Shrewsbury Stratford Skipton Tavistock Thame Thirsk Thrapston Truro Ulverston Wigton Worcester York

Tu

We

Th

Tu

Ave.

No.

Ave.

9 30 225 69 18 111 288 6 75

96.2 62.7 59.0 58.4 64.1 72.8 72.0 110.2 100.1

STORE LAMBS

Source: IAAS/ScotEID

Day

Ayr Caithness Castle Douglas Dingwall Dumfries Forfar Huntly Kirkwall Lanark Lockerbie Newton Stewart Newtown St Boswells Stirling (caledonian) Stirling (ua) Thainstone Th

N/S deadweight prices for the week ending Dec 30, 2023.

SQQ 2 3L 3H E 623.0 (137) 619.3 (332) 609.6 U 612.7 (539) 610.5 (2166) 605.4 R 601.9 (2985) 601.0 (8952) 600.2 O 589.5 (2587) 589.9 (2973) 585.4 P 548.1 (122) 502.6 (9) Medium E U R O P

No.

Ave.

-

-

4

77.6

2 623.0 613.1 603.1 592.6 475.0

(135) (519) (2597) (1260) (1)

3L 619.4 610.6 601.7 592.0 472.0

(331) (2138) (8247) (2204) (4)

3H 609.7 605.3 600.6 585.9

(90) (882) (3765) (699)

4L 595.5 588.5 582.8 578.7 475.0

Source: AHDB 4H (13) (125) 563.7 (12) (563) 564.7 (49) (56) 555.0 (7) (1) Average: 598.4 (27,373)

4H (13) (124) 563.7 (12) (542) 564.5 (48) (51) 551.7 (6) (1) Average: 600.6 (23,551) Deadweight sheep prices are collected from a sample of GB abattoirs. The sample accounts for about one-third of deadweight sales; prices quoted p/kg are averages for all qualities 12-21.5kg.

(89) (877) (3608) (599)

4L 595.5 588.6 582.8 577.4 475.0

DEADWEIGHT PIGS

Latest prices for Great Britain.

STANDARD PIG PRICE (SPP) Week ending December 23, 2023

ALL PIG PRICE (APP) Week ending December 16, 2023.

Weight Number p/kg Change Up to 59.9kg 311 169.32 6.71 60 - 69.9kg 1,895 204.84 0.53 70 - 79.9kg 10,517 215.75 -0.32 80 - 89.9kg 24,179 216.59 -0.54 90 - 99.9kg 19,278 215.07 -0.75 100 - 104.9kg 4,118 212.92 -0.93 105.0kg and over 2,436 197.52 4.37 All clean pigs 62,734 214.41 -0.24 70 - 104.9kg 58,092 215.67 -0.59 EU spec average 214.41 -0.24 UK spec average 210.69 -0.25

Weight Number p/kg Change Up to 59.9kg na na na 60 - 69.9kg 3,404 210.31 -2.29 70 - 79.9kg 12,726 215.88 -1.66 80 - 89.9kg na na na 90 - 99.9kg na na na 100 - 104.9kg 3,524 213.03 0.49 105.0kg and over na na na All clean pigs 68,762 214.07 -1.43 70 - 104.9kg na na na EU spec average 214.07 -1.43 UK spec average 210.34 -1.41

PIGS Prices in p/kg.

SCOTLAND

WALES

p68 75 Jan5 OM.indd 72

DEADWEIGHT SHEEP

Source: MartEye/LAA

Tu

Source: AHDB

Ashford Darlington Hull/Dunswell Leek

Source: AHDB

Source: MarEye/LAA Market day w/e: Dec 31

Tu Tu

Pigs total 17 143

Porkers average 189.2

Cutters average 184.5 213.6

Cull sows Baconers average Total Average 205.6 22 80.1 190.8 -

WEANER PRICES

SLAUGHTERINGS

Please note: AHDB weaner data has been suspended until further notice.

Estimates for GB (per head), W/e Dec 31, 2023 2023 %change (2022) Pigs 164,190.20 -5.76 Sheep 146,690.60 -19.79 Steers 10,617.71 -21.80 Heifers 8,242.97 -20.03 Young bulls 1,036.05 -6.33

HAY AND STRAW PRICES

December 27, 2023

GOOSTREY: Mon, hay, square bale to £138/tonne, round bale to £105/t; wheat straw, square bale to £108/t; round/square bale silage to £40/t; fodder beet to £40/t.

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:34

LIVESTOCK AVERAGES LIVEWEIGHT STEERS (ENGLAND/WALES)

DEADWEIGHT STEERS (GREAT BRITAIN)

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

SOURCE: AHDB

520 280

500 480

270

p/kg deadweight

265 260 255

460 440 420 400

250

380

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

LIVEWEIGHT HEIFERS (ENGLAND/WALES)

2022 Apr

2023

360

Mar

2023 Mar

Feb

Jan

2024

Apr

245

Feb

p/kg liveweight

275

DEADWEIGHT HEIFERS (GREAT BRITAIN) SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

520 295

500 480 p/kg deadweight

285 280 275 270

460 440 420 400

265

380

260

360

2023

2022

LIVEWEIGHT SQQ LAMBS (ENGLAND/WALES)

DEADWEIGHT SQQ LAMBS (GREAT BRITAIN) SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

780

320

2024 2023

740

300

700 p/kg deadweight

p/kg liveweight

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jun

Jul

340 May

Apr

2023 Mar

Feb

2024 Jan

p/kg liveweight

290

280 260

660 620 580 540

240

500

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Feb

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

CULL COWS (ENGLAND/WALES)

2022

Mar

2023

460

PIG PRICE INDICATOR (GREAT BRITAIN) SOURCE: AHDB

SOURCE: MartEye/LAA

230 200

150

p68 75 Jan5 OM.indd 73

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

130

farmersguardian.com

SPP (2022) APP (2022)

SPP (2023) APP (2023)

140

120

Dec

Dairy-sired (2023) Beef-sired (2023)

170 160

Nov

140

180

Oct

Dairy-sired (2024) Beef-sired (2024)

190

Sep

160

210 200

Jan

p/kg

180

Aug

p/kg deadweight (EU spec)

220

JANUARY 5 2024 | 73

03/01/2024 15:34

MARKET PRICES UK DELIVERED PRICES – SUMMARY Thursday, December 14, 2023 (£ per tonne). Latest data available.

Delivery East Anglia / London (BW)

Northamptonshire

North-West grains/ Liverpool OSR

Avonmouth feed /South bread

Yorkshire

Fife/Edinburgh

Dec-2023 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Dec-2023 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Dec-2023 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Dec-2023 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Dec-2023 Jan-2024 Feb-2024 May-2024 Dec-2023

Bread Wheat Price Change 253.50 -1.00 257.50 -1.00 262.00 -0.50 256.00 -1.50 258.50 -1.50 260.00 -1.50 264.50 -1.50 271.00 -1.00 272.50 -1.50 277.00 -1.00 271.00 -1.00 -

Source: AHDB Feed Wheat Price Change 188.00 -1.50 193.50 -1.50 188.00 -2.00 189.50 -2.00 191.00 -1.50 195.50 -2.00 -

Feed Barley Price Change -

Oilseed Rape Price Change 365.00 -4.50 366.00 -5.00 367.00 -5.00 371.00 -5.00 365.50 -6.50 366.50 -7.00 367.50 -7.00 371.50 -7.00 -

UK DELIVERED OILSEED RAPE PRICES Dec-2023 365.00 366.50 365.50 -

Source: AHDB

Jan-2024 366.00 367.50 366.50 -

Feb-2024 367.00 368.50 367.50 -

May-2024 371.00 372.50 371.50 -

Hvst-2024 373.00 374.50 373.50 -

FUTURES MARKETS (WHEAT) Wednesday, January 3, 2024 (£ per tonne). Latest data available.

Price LIFFE £/tonne MATIF Jan 24 Mar 24 May 24 Jul 24 Nov 24 Jan 25 Mar 25 May 25 Jul 25 Nov 25

184.00 189.30 194.35 200.95 207.00 210.15 213.20 215.60 213.50 210.20 (unch)

Mar 24 May 24 Sep 24 Dec 24 Mar 25 May 25 Sep 25 Dec 25

Last updated Dec 20, 2023 BPS ENTS English Deadline – Early 2024* Price at deadlines

Average prices (2023)

Non-SDA SDA Moorland

£80.59 £99.41 £24

-

BPS ENTS Welsh Deadline – May 15, 2024 Price at deadlines £50**

Price €/tonne 219.50 225.00 229.75 233.75 236.25 238.25 233.50 233.50

CME

Price US cents/bushel

Mar 24 May 24 Jul 24 Sep 24 Dec 24 Mar 25

606.75 619.25 626.25 637.75 651.50 662.75

Average prices (2023) £65

BPS ENTS Scottish Regions 1, 2 and 3 Deadline – April 2, 2024 Price at deadlines

Average prices (2023)

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3

£149.47 £40.34 £15.44

£130** £35** £10**

BPS ENTS Northern Irish Deadline – May 3, 2024 Price at Average deadlines prices (2023) x 1.0**

Thursday, December 7, 2023 (£ per tonne). Latest data available.

Oilseed Rape East Anglia / London Erith Liverpool Hull / Selby

BPS ENTITLEMENTS, BNG, CARBON AND WATER

x 1.0

*For trading Delinkage ref amounts; £1 per £1 of Delinkage reference amount. ** Estimates.

ENGLISH DELINKAGE REF AMOUNTS: average of 2020/21/22 claims. Seller’s 2023 claim not needed. Estimated return £1.46/£1 ref amount with buyer’s delink payment less than £30,000 post-transfer at 4% interest. Subject to Delinkage values 2025-27. BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN: English: Defra estimates £20,000£25,000/unit post-November 11. Current market £15,000-£90,000/unit excluding VAT and associated fees. NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY: Long-term sales of all types agric man excluding specialist habitat creation. Nitrates £3,000£4,000/unit (£18,000-£206,000/ha); phosphates £50,000-£65,000/unit (£2,000-£169,000/ha).

CARBON: Woodland Carbon >£30/WCU >£20/ PIU. Nov 2022 WCG reverse auction average £22.61. WATER: English abstraction licences less than £3-£15/cu.m.

Source: Townsend Chartered Surveyors

SUPERMARKET RED MEAT PRICES Week ending Dec 31, 2023 (prices in p/kg).

CORN RETURNS EX-FARM PRICES Wednesday, January 3, 2024 (£ per tonne).

WHEAT Milling Bread

South East South West Midlands Eastern North East North West England & Wales South Scotland Central Scotland North Scotland Scotland Great Britain Northern Ireland United Kingdom Change on last week (£/t)

-

Other

Feed & Other

BARLEY Malting Premium

Other

Feed & Other

-

192.10 188.30 188.80 188.80 +0.90

-

-

168.10 168.10 +4.40

OATS Milling

Feed

-

-

FIELD PEAS/BEANS

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com 74 | JANUARY 5 2024

p68 75 Jan5 OM.indd 74

This week Last week

Late Source: AHDB

Jan Feb Mar

Micronising peas

Dec 31, 2023 All prices £/tonne ex-farm Feed Feed peas beans

£333.00 £335.00 £335.00

£237.50 £239.50 £241.50

£237.08 £239.08 £241.08

BEEF Roasting Joint Sirloin Steak Rump Steak Fillet Steak Diced Braising Steak Lean Mince Standard Mince

1125 2027 1611 3392 1088 0 707 500

1016 2027 1611 3335 1088 0 707 500

LAMB Whole Leg Shoulder (Bone-in) Shanks Steaks Chops Diced Standard Mince

1316 1017 1349 1593 1559 1873 1080

1254 1026 1349 1593 1559 1873 1085

PORK Leg (Boneless) Shoulder (Boneless) Fillet (Tenderloin) Loin Steaks Chops Diced Belly Slices Ribs Lean Mince

562 415 805 880 789 809 804 733 566

553 445 819 880 789 809 804 750 577 Source: AHDB

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 15:34

CURRENCY WATCH

Last updated Jan 3, 2024

€1=£0.8647

£1=€1.1564

$1=£0.7920

Where stated, data provided by AHDB.

£1=$1.2625

UK DELIVERED WHEAT PRICES

NATIONAL STRAIGHTS PRICES

Thursday, December 31, 2023. Latest data available.

1. FEED WHEAT Avonrange Central Scotland East Anglia East Devon Lancashire London North Humberside Northamptonshire Oxfordshire South Humberside Southampton Tyne & Wear West Midlands East Midlands

DEC 188.00 -

JAN 189.50 -

FEB 191.00 188.00 -

MAY 195.50 193.50 -

NOV 208.50 207.50 -

2. FULL SPEC. BREAD WHEAT North-West Northamptonshire South London / Essex Yorkshire

DEC 256.00 253.50 -

JAN 271.00 258.50 -

FEB 272.50 260.00 257.50 -

MAY 277.00 264.50 262.00 271.00

NOV -

3. FULL SPEC. BISCUIT WHEAT North-West Northamptonshire South London / Essex Yorkshire Scotland

DEC -

JAN -

FEB -

MAY -

NOV -

DAIRY CATTLE PRICES

Last updated Dec 31, 2023 Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS

January 497.00 497.00 230.00 293.00 305.00

February - April 471.00 471.00 230.00 293.00 305.00

268.00 N/A 200.00 304.00 N/A 292.00

270.00 N/A 200.00 281.00 N/A 292.00

OTHER

Cows (under

Cows (under

Cows (over 36 months)

36 months)

months)

36 months)

GREAT BRITAIN

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

No. / Av.

Bentham Carlisle Carmarthen Exeter Fr Frome Gisburn Holsworthy Lancaster Leek Tu Leyburn Market Drayton Norton and Brooksbank Otley Sedgemoor Shrewsbury Skipton Wigton Mold Whitland Tu Ayr Lanark Stirling (ua)

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/10/1680.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/42/1554.3 -/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/12/1281.7 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/53/1628.7 -/-/-/-

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/1/1190.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/3/843.3 -/-/-/-

-/-/-/2/430.0 -/-/-/-/1/1340.0 -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Source: Straights Direct May - October 422.00 423.00 225.00 293.00 N/A 200.00 270.00 ✧ 250.00 ✪ N/A 288.00

Key: All prices in pounds sterling. Currency, £/$1.2575; £/€1.1511 Guide prices indicated include delivery charge of £6/tonne. ✸ = After safe arrival; F = First half; S = Second half; =Sept; ✥ = Oct; ✦ = September/October; ◗ = November; ▲ = December/January; ✧ = May/June; ✪ = August/October

MILK PRICE LEAGUE TABLE December 2023

Source: AHDB

Aligned liquid milk Müller Milk & Ingredients M&S Müller Milk & Ingredients TSDG (Tesco) Müller Milk & Ingredients Sainsbury’s Arla Foods - Sainsburys Müller Milk & Ingredients Co-op Dairy Group

Monthly price 46.18 42.27 41.33 40.96 40.35

Annual average 46.12 42.27 41.27 40.78 40.29

Standard Liquid Milk Lactalis - Caledonian Cheese First Milk Manufacture2 Barber’s Cheesemakers Wyke Farms Belton Farm Leprino Foods South Caernarfon Creameries4 UK Arla Farmers Manufacturing1

Monthly price 36.23 35.97 35.67 35.63 35.00 34.21 34.14 33.64

Annual average 36.23 36.04 35.67 35.56 35.00 33.88 33.51 33.43

A&B

Monthly price

Annual average

36.66

36.46

Freshways

HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN Cows (over 36

Last updated January 3, 2024 Commodity Hi Pro Soyameal – North Hi Pro Soyameal – South Soya hulls Maize distillers Maize gluten Non-GM HP sugar beet pellets (delivered) Whole maize PCR Negative Palm kernel expellers Rapeseed meal basis Erith Kent Rapeseed meal basis Humber Distillers dark grains

1. This contract will receive a 1.33ppl guaranteed minimum payment.

2. This contract will receive a 0.50ppl member premium payment.

2. This contract will receive a 1.78ppl Tesco cheese group payment.

3. This contract will receive a 1.00ppl direct premium payment.

4. This contract will receive a 0.40ppl actual 13th payment.

5. Formerly Glanbia - Llangefn.

Retailer price supplements are included where applicable. Supplements listed are in addition to listed milk prices.

UK MONTHLY MILK PRODUCTION UK milk deliveries in September 2023 were down 1.2 per cent on the year at 1,137 million litres. Cumulatively, this was 0.3 per cent up on the year to date.

September 2023 GB milk deliveries down 1.3 per cent for the same period at 963 m litres. GB milk deliveries for the year to date were 0.3 per cent up.

In print, in pocket, informed, in profit.

HAY AND STRAW: REGIONS Week ending Dec 31, 2023.

Big bale hay Quality North East E Yorks N Mids E Mids C Mids E Counties S East South S West S Wales SE Scotland

Good 85 80 100 80 75 75 80 90 100 95

Pickup baled hay and straw Seed Meadow Barley hay hay straw Good 130 100

Good 120

125 130

100 100

130

120

Wheat straw

Good 100

Good 80

90

90

75

65

80

80

Big sq. baled straw Barley Wheat straw straw Good 75 66 65 65 80 65 65 74 90 80 78

Good 65 51 55 55 75 50 50 64 75 75 70

App Edition

farmersguardian.com/app

Source: British Hay and Straw Merchants’ Association

farmersguardian.com

p68 75 Jan5 OM.indd 75

JANUARY 5 2024 | 75

03/01/2024 15:34

FARMING: THE BACKBONE O Inspired by the more traditional ways of farming life, photographer John Bentley went on a mission to preserve the stories of those in upland communities. Emily Ashworth finds out more.

T

here is nothing quite like visiting a traditional hill farm. Rain or shine, there is something undeniably unique about the landscapes and those who farm it.

Many of these farms have a rich history too, and this is something photographer John Bentley wanted to capture and preserve.

A keen photographer since the 1970s, John has been looking to find the right story to collate into a photographic collection, and it was northern hill farms which gave him the inspiration for his new book: Hill Farming in the North of England.

He says: “The project grew out of early work I did photographing livestock markets, some of which go back to the 1970s and 1980s. The markets project gradually broadened to include agricultural shows and, in particular, small-scale sheep shows in the north of England.

“I was quickly captivated by these events that were attended almost exclusively by farmers and no-one else. The favourite for me is the Tan Hill Open Swaledale Sheep Show, which takes place in makeshift pens on moorland next to England’s highest pub the Tan Hill Inn – several pages of pictures of this marvellous show are featured in the book.”

John is not from a farming background, but he has, he says, always had a keen interest.

He spent time as a child on his cousin’s farm in Nottinghamshire – he even recalls seeing a threshing machine working on the farm, ‘before they got their first combine harvester’.

He says: “I saw the farm go from a very mixed enterprise in the 1960s to a virtual sugar beet monoculture by the 1990s. My working career included teaching at Harper Adams University for 13 years, so I certainly got to know a lot of up-and-coming farmers.”

His latest collection has been a long time coming; the fruition, almost, of various projects he has enjoyed in the past. These projects are also where he made many vital contacts.

In 2017, John got involved in a

76 | JANUARY 5 2024

p76 77 Jan5 EA KH OM.indd 2

I really hope I have captured the essence and spirit of what it is to be a hill farmer at the present time JOHN BENTLEY project called ‘Voices from the Land’ run by The Farmer Network. The goal was to provide a snapshot of farming life in the Yorkshire Dales at that time.

He says: “This involved me photographing the Calvert family at work in upper Swaledale during lambing, and later shearing their Swaledale sheep. I really enjoyed this and was pleased with the resulting pictures; I wanted to do more. I then started making contacts with and visiting individual farmers. I also started going on communal sheep gathers to take photographs of the work over the seasons.

“Other contacts were made by just chatting to farmers I encountered on walks – like Peter Redhead at Coniston, who kindly offered to let me come on a fell gather.

“There were others who I chatted to at shows and mart sales, like Clive Mitchell at Holmfirth, who invited me down to his farm to photograph preparations for tupping with his Lonks, Derbyshire Gritstones and Whitefaced Woodlands. John Dawson, who has appeared in The Yorkshire Dales and Lakes TV series, had me over to photograph scanning of ewes for pregnancy.

“Special thanks also goes to Linda Allan at North of England Mule Sheep

Association, who helped with a number of contacts in the realm of the North of England Mule. One of these was Geoff Wharton at Murton, near Appleby, who proved a great choice to photograph when he won first and second prizes for pens of Mules at the famous Alston Moor Show and Sale at Lazonby Mart in 2021.

“It was also rather moving to find two farmers who were retiring and selling-off livestock and equipment after very long careers spent in sheep farming.”

Upland farmers have, over the years, faced a variety of challenges, as well as come under fire for their environmental contribution and landscape management. But these communities have survived through many tough times, and that resilience is something to showcase.

Landscape The book highlights the art of hill farming as well as those challenges, and includes images of many farmers, gathers, shows, markets and sheepdog trials. It also focuses on the landscape, including photos of John’s home in the Yorkshire Dales, the Howgill Fells, Cumbria, plus parts of Northumberland and Durham.

“I have tried to capture the diversity of the hill farms in terms of the landscape, farming methods, breeds of livestock and the individual farmers themselves,” he says.

“I really hope I have captured the essence and spirit of what it is to be a hill farmer at the present time.

“I knew very little about hill farming before I started, but over the period of the project I have learnt a lot from talking to many different farmers in various localities, plus also doing a lot of reading-up.

“I have tried to gain first-hand information about different breeds of sheep and their management, and I certainly now understand the fierce partisan loyalty of various farmers to their chosen breed of sheep.

“Sheep breed loyalty is rather like the way some people support particular football teams. I also now greatly appreciate the importance of the small

family business and the way centuries of knowledge and tradition is carried forward. The levels at which technology is embraced vary, but what makes a farmer successful is essentially their knowledge of stock rearing and the environment they farm in.

“It is interesting to see the sheer diversity too. For example, take the Swaledale and a rare breed like the Lonk. There are a multitude of breed-specific shows and sales of Swaledales over the north of England and Northern Ireland, whereas the main annual show for Lonks takes place in the corner of a field in Lancashire and is almost like a family affair.

“I find this all very down-to-earth and something to cherish in an age where small family businesses are under siege and we seem to be dominated by big multinational enterprises, and so much of people’s lives is now online.”

John found these farmers very welcoming and willing to share their story and knowledge, which was something that surprised him. The preconception is that the farming industry can be quite reserved, but John found that ‘there were a great many who really wanted to tell the public what they do to produce food for the nation and care for their livestock and the environment’.

Under appreciated Many of those John spoke to also strongly felt that their industry was under appreciated.

“I think there are widespread deep concerns about the future of upland farming within the industry post-Brexit,” he says.

But the upland areas of the North gave John everything he needed photographically; the views made for one aspect, but the people made for another. He hopes it will provide wider society with an insight into the lives of the people who are a vital part of farming’s infrastructure.

He says: “I do hope that my book can help promote a better knowledge and appreciation of what the farmers do; present them as human farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 10:01

PICTURES: JOHN BENTLEY

New book on hill farming showcases unique way of life

E OF BRITAIN

Edited by Emily Ashworth 01772 799 446 emily.ashworth@agriconnect.com

PICTURES: JOHN BENTLEY

John Bentley’s book, Hill Farming in the North of England, highlights the art of hill farming as well as the challenges, and includes images of many farmers, gathers, shows, markets and sheepdog trials.

beings making an honest living in a difficult world.

“I hope the book helps readers understand the economic, social and environmental importance of hill farming, including the role farming plays in maintaining actual rural comfarmersguardian.com

p76 77 Jan5 EA KH OM.indd 3

munities at a time when holiday homes with absent owners proliferate in the countryside.

“This is a photographic book, though, and I just hope that readers will enjoy the pictures and being introduced to some of the

farmers, livestock and countryside in these wonderful parts of upland Britain.

“I now have rather a lot of sheeprelated knowledge for a layman.

Suffice to say, on a country walk I was explaining to a friend – probably in too

much detail – about a particular breed of sheep we encountered. He looked at me worriedly and asked if people avoided me at parties.”

MORE INFORMATION Visit farmersguardian.com/farm-life JANUARY 5 2024 | 77

03/01/2024 10:01

IN YOUR FIELD

Every week we follow the ups and downs of farmers around the UK KATE ROWELL

Scottish Borders Kate Rowell is a fifthgeneration farmer running the 750ha (1,853-acre) Hundleshope Farm on the Haystoun Estate, Peebles, where the family have been tenants for 150 years. She runs the hill unit with her husband Ed and their four children. She is also a vet and chair of Quality Meat Scotland.

I

can totally understand why Pagans and Christians (and many other world religions) decided that a mid-winter festival was a good idea. The short days, long nights and dreich weather definitely need feasts, presents and parties to give us all something to look forward to.

It also means there is a deadline to get various jobs done.

So, the weeks before Christmas were filled with taking tups in and sorting ewes, clipping and worming calves, PDing cows and going through lambs to get as many away finished as possible.

We also had our farm assurance assessment, which was a good chance to make sure all the paperwork was up to date. I have also filled out applications for a carbon audit, a biodiversity plan and some animal health and welfare interventions, as well as completing the annual sheep and goat inventory, getting the accounts ready and doing the VAT return.

December always feels to me like it lasts for about three months.

Aside from all the work at home, I have also been touring Scotland with my Quality Meat Scotland

‘December always feels to me like it lasts for about three months’ (QMS) hat on to talk to levy payers from Orkney and Lauder to Campbeltown about a proposed change to the levy rates. Hybu Cig Cymru in Wales did this last year and AHDB is doing the same, as we all respond to the increased costs of everything we do regarding marketing, communication and advocacy.

Levy rates have not changed since 2010, so it is important to assess what resources are required to make sure we can do the job properly and then fund it appropriately.

The positive feedback we have had from farmers everywhere has

shown they are keen to make sure the vital work QMS does continues to help sell Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork to consumers at home and abroad.

Reasonably good year It has been a reasonably good year for the farm business, with a successful lambing and calving, amazing grass growth through summer, lambs finishing quickly and no significant disease issues.

On the downside, we only managed to make mediocre silage (although there is lots of it), the

barley yield was hit hard, both by pigeons and weather, and the constant wind and rain in the past month has meant we have not been able to get all the hill ewes gathered for the tup.

Prices for stock have stayed relatively high, which has been very welcome, but prices for fuel, energy and particularly feed are eating into profits for us all.

The word which most sums up 2023 for me has been ‘uncertainty’, so let us hope this year things are a bit less volatile. Best wishes and good luck for 2024 to all of you.

Farmers Weather by Dr Simon Keeling

Get set for a change in the weather pattern AND so here we are in 2024. After a soaker of a year in 2023, we await to see what this year will bring.

Looking back at the year that was, the most abnormally wet conditions extended through Wales, the Midlands and into parts of northern England, although every area except the very far north west of Scotland was wetter than average.

In the final four months of the year alone, 200 per cent of normal rainfall fell over parts of Suffolk.

This wet weather extended into Europe, with parts of central and northern Spain being especially wet, 78 | JANUARY 5 2024

p78 79 Jan 5 Shirl KH OM.indd 2

as was much of Scandinavia, central Europe, Greece and Turkey.

Temperatures were warmer than average when taking the year as a whole. Only southern and central Norway, together with some locations in central France saw temperatures around or just below average.

After the wet and windy weather of December, the start of 2024 is starting to show signs of something a little different.

Higher pressure is forecast to be building and it will be allowing cooler northerly winds to set in. This brings about drier weather (although still the

risk of some sleet and snow), with overnight frosts.

Where the high is positioned will determine just how cold it becomes, but there is a chance of the drier and colder conditions hanging about for a few weeks.

Something else to watch for this year is the change of Pacific Ocean temperatures from an El Nino (warming phase) to La Nina (cooling phase) which is predicted to occur in spring. Get set for a change in weather pattern.

We will keep you updated on the latest weather forecasts throughout the year at Weatherweb.net

For location specific forecasts visit farmersweather.co.uk and for video updates go to weatherweb.net or call the number below.

Call Farmers WeatherLIVE

0906 599 9308 Calls charged at £1.55 per minute, plus telephone company access charge. Calls from mobiles and some networks may be considerably higher.

Average call length two-three minutes. Service available 8am–6pm, seven days a week.

Service provided by WCS Ltd. For complaints or queries about the premium rate 090 service, please call 01902 895 252.

farmersguardian.com

03/01/2024 10:03

NEXT WEEK Monmouthshire Kate Beavan Cheshire Ian Garnett

‘The children’s table was the most raucous’ Lancashire Amy works on her family’s tenanted farm at Halsall, Lancashire. Working mainly with her dad, Amy farms 285ha (704 acres) of arable crops and 550 beef cross cattle which are all reared through to finishing. You can follow her on Instagram @amygingewilkinson

I

hope you have all had an incredible Christmas and New Year, doing the things the festive period is all about, eating, drinking and spending time with loved ones.

For us, the festive shenanigans begin with Grandma Wilky’s annual Christmas party. Like many farming families, there are many of us Wilkinsons. So many, in fact, that each year at the start of December our matriarch Grandma Wilky, or Aunty Betty as she

is known, rents out an entire cafe for us all to get together.

I am yet to write about Grandma Wilky as, and those who know her personally would agree, I could not sum her up in my 500-word limit here.

She and her adventures are deserving of a series of books. The only way I could describe her is as a force of nature. Many farming families may have a matriarch, but ours is truly one of a kind and we all love her immensely.

Cousins But back to the party, each year my cousins and I form what is still known as the children’s table even though most of us are now in our 20s.

As you can probably guess, I have a lot of cousins. Growing up, many of us spent time with Grandma Wilky and I remember grandchildren used to fall out of her black Audi like clowns from a clown car when she opened a door.

However, there was a group of four of us who spent every available school holiday at Grandma’s and inherited

nicknames from our Uncle James.

And so, this is the tale of Barbara (me), Fredrick, Jennifer and Wendy.

We came to reminisce about our misadventures at the children’s table this year as Fredrick has recently got engaged, so we thought his fiancee deserved to hear all of the tales.

There were the kiddie years we spent hours walking the fields with grandma, playing Simpsons Hit and Run on PlayStation, trips to Blackpool Sandcastle Waterpark, playing makebelieve farm shop, building our den in said fields and the den story that cannot be printed in national press.

There was also the time we thought it would be great to ride down her newly tarmacked and very steep driveway on a peddle tractor. It was all fun and

CROSSWORD 1226

The first correct entry received by next Friday will receive £20 worth of Love2shop vouchers. Send to: Crossword No. 1226, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9NZ.

ACROSS

1 In a diagrammatic manner producing unusual calligraphy (11) 9 Wife and husband consumed wholemeal (7) 10 One minute vegetable organism something inserted (7) 11 Legal document - deleted it in error!

(5,4) 12 Evildoer not initially close to centre of power (5) 13 Backtracking in hareem, erotic independent ruler (5) 14 Type of white apple silly person pursues for Arctic bird (4,5) 16 As your eggs might be - thrown together in a disorderly way? (9) 18 Bungle, caught between the one and the other (5) 20 Raft material, a thick, flat piece sent back (5) 22 Twice set about surreptitious bloodsucking insect (6,3) 24 Italian dish of rice at first and aioli with bit of vegetable included (7) 25 One French American military conflict; English having no knowledge of situation (7) 26 Curiously westernised drink to accompany final course (7,4)

NAME ADDRESS POSTCODE

games until I got a speed wobble on. I still think about that half of my kneecap when I drive down it to this day.

There were then the teenage years where we all got matching phones, which we used to record stupid videos of each other on and Bluetooth each other N-Dubz songs – we were so cool.

We would walk to the local Spar to rent DVDs and later we would even stay at Grandma’s after Parbold Young Farmers’ legendary foam party, as it was just round the corner.

After our stroll down memory lane, we were laughing so hard, tears were streaming down our faces and the children’s table was definitely the most raucous. I think that is what Christmas is all about really, laughing so hard you cry with people you care about.

DOWN

1 Constellation excited eager brat (5,4) 2 Industrious little worker to support aardvark (7) 3 Something else hides joint (5) 4 Early days of infant hooligan (9) 5 Paw about in heather for type of plover (7) 6 Long to obtain money after start of year (5) 7 Envelop band of mown grass (6) 8 Look around; five die of hunger (6) 14 Extinct bird’s lonely game (9) 15 Where you might extract stone - no longer valid (3-2-4) 16 Outskirts of undersea vessel, endlessly turbo (6) 17 Tracts of grassland used for hay sorted as mowed (7) 18 Bachelor of Agricultural Science and mother with husks of Thai rice (7) 19 Tomboy regularly choosy over study (6) 21 Survived rising spirit of evil (5) 23 Rather uptight somewhat - blow one’s top (5)

Answers to crossword 1224: Across: 1 In a nutshell, 9 Sending, 10 Farmers, 11 Christmas, 12 Ether, 13 Names, 14 Greetings, 16 Most of all, 18 Happy, 20 Mulct, 22 Deliverer, 24 New year, 25 Startle, 26 Relaxations.

Down: 1 Ignoramus, 2 Aliases, 3 Ungum, 4 Soft-shell, 5 Earnest, 6 Leech, 7 Ash-can, 8 Osiris, 14 Grand Prix, 15 Nephritis, 16 Moment, 17 Oatmeal, 18 Have a go, 19 Yarned, 21 Lower, 23 Liszt.

Privacy Statement: Your personal data will be collected and processed in accordance with our Privacy Statement which can be viewed on page 11. From time to time Farmers Guardian would like to use the personal data you have provided in this form to contact you via email, post, phone and text about Farmers Guardian goods and services we think will be of interest to you. If you would like to receive this communication, please confirm this by ticking this box.

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CROSSWORD COMPILED BY CHALICEA. SOLVERS MAY EMAIL COMMENTS TO CHALICEA.CROSSWORDS@YAHOO.CO.UK

AMY WILKINSON

JANUARY 5 2024 | 79

03/01/2024 10:03

FARMING MATTERS

Forthright opinions from throughout the world of agriculture

‘Do not rely on the way you have done things previously’

F

arming has always been recognised as a hazardous occupation and sadly its safety record has stagnated over the years, with more deaths and non-fatal injuries each year than any other industry.

The likelihood of suffering a fatality in the agriculture sector is 21 times higher than the all-industry average.

Any farmer you speak to can tell you a sorry tale of a friend or colleague who is no longer with us or had a lifechanging injury because of an incident ‘doing what they loved best’.

Sadly, experience which typically comes with age does not correlate

when it comes to deaths and accidents among older farmers, with farm workers aged 60-plus twice as likely to suffer a fatal injury to those in their 50s and nearly five times more likely to die as a result of an incident than those in their 40s, latest Health and Safety Executive figures show.

We are all guilty of repeating the same activity time and time again and becoming complacent about it.

Tasks become second nature, and we adopt an attitude that if it worked out okay last time, it will be fine to do it the same way again.

But in agriculture, this is not always true. Numerous factors can change

Working at height requires extra consideration when working on-farm.

and influence this, such as unpredictable livestock behaviour, changes to the working environment, personnel, machinery or the weather.

While age often leads to deeper levels of experience, we do not always recognise some of the disadvantages ageing brings. Everyone’s agility, strength, stamina, hearing, eyesight and reactions all deteriorate as we grow older. Whether we like it or not, sadly neither the young nor the old are invincible.

Behaviours Age affects our individual ability to operate safely, meaning we have to adjust our behaviours over time and not rely on the way we may have done things previously. Being aware of your own ever-changing capabilities and adapting accordingly is critical to avoiding incidents and fatalities.

Tiredness and fatigue are one of the main causes of incidents and should be considered when tackling jobs around the farm. Taking a little more time to plan and execute jobs, making sure you have regular breaks or splitting tasks into manageable chunks means we are less likely to have an incident.

Many incidents can occur when working alone, often trying to do something which realistically would have been better tackled with more people. Where possible, asking for help may make sure the job in hand can be completed quicker and more safely than struggling on your own, as long as the person helping is well supervised and competent to do the task safely as well.

We sadly lost a neighbouring

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ANDY MANSON Head of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services

farmer a few years ago who was injured when tagging a calf in a field.

In his 60s, he had slowed down and was not as agile as he used to be and was not able to evade a cow which attacked him.

Tackling something on his own that he had done thousands of times before would have been better off handled with some help or in a collecting yard where the cow and calf could be separated.

Finally, for jobs carried out regularly or even annually, I would urge farmers to take the time to think about additional precautions to take that maybe were not thought about previously.

The impact on your business, your family and wider rural community from an incident, or worse, can be devastating with long-lasting effects.

You owe it to yourself and those around you to be mindful and safe in everything you do, to recognise your capabilities and limitations whatever your age. It could save your life.

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