Farmers Guardian Beef Supplement 26th January 2024

BEEF SUPPLEMENT

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

This beef supplement includes a look ahead to the Stirling bull sales, pedigree and commercial features and advice on improving herd health and productivity.

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STIRLING BULL SALES

6

METABOLIC DISEASE

8

LIMOUSINS

11

FINISHED CATTLE

14

CARBON FOOTPRINT

16

TECHNOLOGY

What is happening when?

Quality counts

Vet advice on prevention

Top tips for improvement

6 1 PAGE S

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STIRLING BULL SALES BEEF Despite the ongoing reduction of the national suckler herd, there is optimism within the industry that trade will be strong at Stirling bull sales. Angela Calvert reports.

Livestock data ACCORDING to Defra livestock population data, the UK cattle herd stood at 9.6 million head on June 1, 2023; a year-on-year drop of 0.8 per cent (76,500 head).

The breeding herd accounts for about a third of the total and has seen a year-on-year drop of 1.9 per cent to 3.2m head in 2023, with the steepest decline

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Strong prices for both finished and store cattle over the last year have given producers hope for good trade at Stirling bull sales.

PICTURE: ADRIAN LEGGE

T

he suckler sector is undoubtedly facing challenges with rising costs, pressure to reduce its carbon emissions, an ageing workforce and land being taken for tree planting and other schemes, all contributing to the decision by some producers to exit the industry.

On the plus side, the strong prices for both finished and store cattle over the last year appear to have instilled a certain amount of confidence in those that remain, with many heading to Stirling next month to secure a bull for the coming season.

Robert Gilchrist, chief executive of the Aberdeen-Angus Society, believes that there is still a good future for those who remain in the sector.

He says: “The Scottish suckler sector has declined for a number of years for a variety of reasons, but there are still many producers who remain committed to it.

“What I would say we have seen is a greater reduction in some of the mid-sized herds, numbers-wise.

Smaller herds which can be managed by one person tend to remain, but when you get above 70-100 cows and need more staff, then you have to push on to bigger numbers to justify that.

“There is still a lot of hill ground which is not suitable for tree planting, and we are also seeing a return to mixed farming, with many arable farmers realising that they need to put organic matter back into the soil and so going back into livestock.

“In the past, large areas were cleared with fences and hedges pulled out. We are not going to see those being replaced, but there is a lot of low-cost infrastructure being put in and simple systems being developed.”

What is clear is that anyone producing suckler beef has to be efficient to remain profitable.

Looking ahead to Stirling bull sales Mr Gilchrist says: “Productive cows are key to profitable suckler beef production. A lack of Government support is forcing farmers to be more efficient, and we have already seen different systems being introduced, such as rotational grazing and bale grazing, to improve grassland management and reduce costs.

“From an Aberdeen-Angus perspective, pedigree registrations are up and there is definitely a trend towards easy calving, easy fleshing animals which require low levels of intervention.

“But, the loss of EU markets due to difficulties in exporting since Source: AHDB in numbers seen in Scotland down 2.4 per cent.

From June 1, 2022, to June 1, 2023, beef cow numbers fell by 3.8 per cent to 1.4m; the biggest annual decline seen in more than 10 years. The suckler herd is 203,800 head, which is 13 per cent less than it was 10 years ago.

Brexit has impacted the pedigree female trade, as exports put a floor in the market for heifers.”

With regard to potential bull trade at Stirling, Mr Gilchrist says: “Clearance rates over recent years have remained fairly consistent which suggests supply is meeting demand.

Confidence “There is confidence in the beef sector, helped by a strong finished cattle trade, which is also encouraging producers to be more choosy about bulls they keep to sell for breeding, perhaps resulting in less bulls forward; a good thing from a quality perspective.

“Costs also remain high, but I think a bigger concern is interest rates. Recent interest rate rises mean if someone has a big overdraft, their interest payments may have more than doubled and it could impact the amount of money they are able to spend.

“But I am quietly optimistic: breeders always need bulls, and now is the right time to buy a bull.”

Clive Brown, Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society secretary, agrees

that the strong finished cattle trade is driving confidence within the industry and expects trade to be good at Stirling.

He says: “The beef price is underpinning the market and there does not seem to be any sign of it changing significantly.

“But I do think that within the suckler sector there is a definite shift towards low-cost, easy calving breeds with good temperaments.

Health status is also very important.

“A lot of farmers are also taking a more regenerative approach which suits native breeds and, as a society, we have seen a rise in registrations.

“I do have some concerns that as retailers focus more on sustainability and carbon footprint they will favour beef from the dairy herd, as the calf is able to start off at zero.

“Grass-fed beef is as sustainable as any beef, but we have to be able to tell that story backed up by facts and science.

“The public is becoming more discerning about what they eat, and eating less but better quality meat is a trend which I think will continue, presenting JANUARY 26 2024 | 3

23/01/2024 12:09

PICTURE: MARCELLO GARBAGNOLI

BEEF STIRLING BULL S

Suckler herds contribute towards biodiversity, says British Limousin Cattle Society chief executive Alice Swift.

an opportunity for quality grassfed beef.”

Norman Robson, president of the British Simmental Cattle Society, who farms at Ballyclare in Northern Ireland, has six bulls entered for Stirling.

He says: “It is always a stressful time getting the bulls to the sale from here by boat, as there are a lot of influencing factors, not least the weather which can be a problem at this time of year.

“But it is important that we are there, getting our bulls in front of both pedigree and top-end commercial breeders.

“I am hoping for a good trade, encouraged by the strong finished prices which are removing the

bottom end of the bulls, meaning only the very best bulls are coming forward – which is how it should be.

“It also reduces numbers which, again, in terms of supply and demand should help vendors.

“From a Simmental perspective, for the last two years we have seen an increase in the average at every sale, so the demand is definitely there.”

Crossroads In spite of his optimism, Mr Robson still believes the suckler industry is at a crossroads as support payments come to an end.

He says: “A lot of people are having to make the decision whether to stay in or get out of

sucklers, but for professionally minded farmers who are efficient, there is a future.

“I believe subsidies have made the industry inefficient and it has been slow to change, but it needs to.

“We have a pig enterprise and we have seen the benefits of performance recording. Farmers have to embrace technology to become more efficient, and this applies to pedigree and commercial producers. Bull customers are increasingly looking at performance data of bulls.

“Done well, suckled beef production can be profitable. A key factor is utilising grass properly – land is expensive, so you have to make

the most of what you have and the UK is very good for growing grass.

“But we have to produce more efficient animals which are better for the environment. We have to promote the image of grass-fed, suckler-bred beef – it has a good story to tell from both an environmental and welfare point of view.”

Suckler beef production systems can be made to work, but key to their success is ensuring a cow rears a live calf every year which can be slaughtered at less than 20 months of age, according to British Limousin Cattle Society chief executive Alice Swift.

She says: “Suckler beef is often criticised in terms of its carbon footprint because it takes two animals – a cow and a calf – to produce one product. But there is much more to it than that and it has an important role to play, particularly in areas such as the uplands.

“Suckler herds contribute towards biodiversity and can turn rough grazing, which cannot be used for very much else, into quality protein.

“I want suckled beef to be seen

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23/01/2024 11:52

STIRLING BULL SALES BEEF STIRLING BULL SALES TO SHOWCASE THE BEST OF UK LIVESTOCK MORE than 12,000 cattle breeders and visitors are expected to head to Stirling next month for the bull sales, where more than 800-head of pedigree bulls and females will be on offer.

Starting on Sunday, February 4, to Monday, February 5, and culminating on Sunday, February 18 and Monday, February 19, the sales will showcase nine breeds, including the first official Luing Cattle Society sale in week two.

Week one will see the AberdeenAngus, Beef Shorthorn, Lincoln Red, Hereford and Limousin breeds go under the hammer, with the

as part of the solution not the problem, but to do that using the right genetics is essential to ensure a cow produces a fast-growing calf which can be slaughtered at a young age.

“There is a compelling business case for suckler-bred beef, and we have to promote its benefits more widely, backed up by science and facts.

Business-minded “I am looking forward to the sale at Stirling because the majority of buyers there are business-minded commercial producers who are looking for the right genetics to improve their herds.

“It is not about fancy prices; getting a good commercial average and a good clearance rate are the most important aspects.”

Former British Charolais Cattle Society council member Colin Wight, from Biggar, will be taking four bulls to Stirling and is hoping for a good trade.

He says: “There is no reason why bulls should not be a strong trade.

The finished price is putting a bottom in the market – I sold a young bull for £2,800 recently, so it should mean that there is a better, more uniform of pedigree bulls on offer for buyers.

“Producers have been getting more for their suckled calves, so they should have more money to spend. The concern is that they also have higher costs, particularly on the machinery side.

“Now really is the best time to buy a bull. Some people may be too busy or not have the space at the moment and will delay buying until nearer the time they need a bull.

“But a bull will always do better if given time to settle down and adjust to its new environment before being put with the cows, and you will get much more use of out them.

If you are spending money on a bull, you have to look after him.” farmersguardian.com

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Charolais, Simmentals, Salers and Luings sold in week two.

It will also include the dispersal of the Broombrae Simmental herd from Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, and the sale of the entire 2021/2022 crop of Charolais heifers from R. and R. Barclay, Insch, on Monday, February 19.

Sponsor, Galbraith, will be holding spin bike training sessions on the concourse on the Monday of each sale in preparation for its charity fundraiser on March 8. The team is participating in ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ and plan on cycling the

distance between Scottish Gas Murrayfield and Stadio Olympico on stationary bikes across their offices to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Alan Smyth, SNP MP for Stirling, is planning to visit the sales, and notable among the judges is Norman Catto, who is returning to Stirling from Argentina for the first time in more than 30 years to judge the Aberdeen-Angus.

MORE INFORMATION The sales catalogue is available at uagroup.co.uk

Judges ■ Aberdeen-Angus: Norman Catto, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina ■ Beef Shorthorn: John Scott, Fearn, Tain, Scotland ■ Charolais: Gareth Roberts, Llangadfan, Welshpool, Wales ■ Limousin: Joan Gilliland, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland ■ Salers: Arwel Owen, Foel, Welshpool, Wales ■ Simmental: Stuart Barclay, Blairdrummond, Stirling, Scotland

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23/01/2024 12:09

BEEF Metabolic disease can result in a wide spectrum of issues from suboptimal production to clinical disease at varying incidences. Farmers Guardian reports.

M

etabolic disease occurs when there is a discrepancy between the nutritional requirements of animals at their current stage of production and the nutrition that the diet is providing to the group.

Kythe Mackenzie, veterinary investigation officer at SRUC Veterinary Services, says: “In beef suckler herds, metabolic disease can negatively impact herd productivity, efficiency and sustainability, limiting a herd’s ability to meet the key production indicator of 90-95 per cent of breeding females producing and rearing a calf every year.”

Metabolic disease in spring calving beef suckler cows RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH METABOLIC DISEASE

REDUCTION IN COLOSTRUM QUALITY AND QUANTITY COLOSTRUM is key to the calf’s performance, with a newborn calf requiring 10 per cent of its body weight of good quality colostrum within six hours of birth.

This provides energy and antibodies (passive transfer) to protect the calf - born with no immunity - from disease.

If a calf has insufficient colostrum, it will have a failure of passive transfer and be much more likely to succumb to infectious agents and have poorer growth.

Ms Mackenzie says: “Nutrition has a significant impact on both the quality and quantity of colostrum a dam produces. The energy, protein,

vitamin and mineral requirements of the dam need to be met to allow efficient colostrum production.”

Key areas for consideration: n Thin cows, twin-bearing dams and heifers are likely to have poorer quality colostrum and may benefit from protein supplementation n Heavily restricting the dam diet close to calving will reduce both the quality and quantity of colostrum produced n Poor nutrition of the dam will also affect the ability of calves to absorb the immunoglobulins from colostrum

SLOW CALVING A DELAY in the second stage of labour can result in normal-sized calves being born dead or dying within six hours of birth.

“The risk of this frustrating issue is increased if cows are over-fat or very thin at calving, and if dam magnesium levels are low,” says Ms Mackenzie.

“Magnesium is important for muscle contraction and progressing parturition, as well as helping cows mobilise calcium post-calving to meet the demands of milk production. Two recent studies found 29-33 per cent of suckler cows sampled pre-calving were deficient in this key mineral.”

Kythe Mackenzie

DELAYED RETURN TO BULLING POOR nutrition pre-calving can also have a long-term impact by delaying the cows’ return to oestrus (bulling) activity, which will reduce the chance of the dam

getting back in-calf in a timely manner.

Ms Mackenzie says: “The return to cyclicity depends on the dam nutrition pre-calving, especially her energy status which impacts on the

hormones needed for the oestrus cycle to restart. A cow in good body condition score [BCS] will return to cyclicity at approximately 50 days, whereas a cow in BCS

<2.5 will take longer than 80 days.

“Difficulty at calving [dystocia], retained foetal membranes and other health factors like lameness can also delay the return to bulling activity.”

REDUCING THE RISK OF METABOLIC DISEASE CHECK COLOSTRUM MANAGEMENT

FORAGE ANALYSIS AND NUTRITION

MS Mackenzie says: “Your vet can take blood samples from young calves (more than 24 hours, but less than seven days old) and analysis will indicate if the calf has received sufficient colostrum [passive transfer].

“In a 2020 study, 15 per cent of beef calves had an absolute failure of passive transfer [FPT], with a further 22 per cent having a FPT that was

IN order to assess what additional feed or minerals the herd may require, you need to know at least the dry matter, energy and protein

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likely to have impacted on health and growth rates.

Calf survival “In summary: monitoring BCS, getting your forage analysed, being prepared to adjust the diet and checking if it is all working for the cows and calves can pay dividends in reducing the risk of metabolic disease, leading to better

calf survival and growth rates as well as improved herd fertility.

“Work with your farm vet and your consultant/nutritionist

of the forage you are going to feed.

Share the results with a trusted nutritionist to help you create a suitable winter ration.

to make the most of your forage and any supplementation needed to maximise the health, welfare and productivity of your herd.”

farmersguardian.com

23/01/2024 10:29

BEEF METABOLIC PROFILING MS Mackenzie says: “This is a way to ascertain whether the diet provided is meeting the cows’ needs. It is all very well formulating a carefully designed diet, but factors such as variation in the forage, limited access or variation in intake mean cows may not be getting what they should be.

“Blood sampling a representative cohort of the dams (a minimum of six per group), ideally in the last month pre-calving, will provide useful information and allow time to adjust the diet if necessary, before calving starts.”

Samples can be used to assess:

Energy ■ Assess if the diet is meeting the cows’ requirements for maintenance, growth, pregnancy and subsequent lactation, or if they are in negative energy balance

Protein ■ Assess protein intake and utilisation in the rumen; low

Metabolic disease can negatively impact herd productivity, efficiency and sustainability, says Kythe Mackenzie, veterinary investigation officer at SRUC Veterinary Services.

levels will impact on rumen microbe (bug) function and decrease colostral quality ■ Specific blood proteins can give an indication of other issues.

For example, low albumins could suggest that there is a liver fluke burden

Magnesium and phosphorus ■ It is important to assess if there is sufficient supply of magnesium and phosphorus

Trace elements

MAINTAIN BCS

■ An enzyme GSH-Px is used to assess selenium levels, which has many functions in the body and is important for the development of immunity ■ Vitamin E cannot cross the placenta, therefore the dams need to have adequate intake to allow colostral uptake by their calves ■ Copper has an important role in health, fertility and immunity

BEEF cows should be in body condition score (BCS) 2.5-3.5 at all stages of production. For spring calving cows, aim for a BCS of 3 at service and 2.5 at calving.

If possible, split cows by BCS and put first calving heifers in with the thinner cohort, adapting the rations as appropriate. Ensure disease risks that might reduce BCS (such as liver fluke or Johne’s disease) are being actively managed in the herd.

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23/01/2024 10:29

BEEF Limousins have been the breed of choice for the Fieldson family, who farm in Corringham, Lincolnshire, for more than 30 years. Angela Calvert paid them a visit.

Limousins tick all the boxes

W

It is important to remember that it is not us who keep the cows, but that the cows keep us, and it is vital to treat them with respect and care

PICTURES: TIM SCRIVENER

hen Michael Fieldson returned home from college to farm with his father, he realised changes would need to be made to ensure it remained sustainable for the future.

He says: “My father, John, who has now passed away, had always gone up north to buy stores and finished 300-400 cattle a year, alongside the arable operation.

“But when I came home and started looking more closely at the figures, it was clear we were not really making any money out of them and we needed to make changes.”

The decision was taken to establish a pedigree herd and their first Limousin cow, Tudor Blossom, was bought at Banbury market in 1990.

Its calf, Fieldson Foxy, was the foundation of what went on to be an extremely successful pedigree herd.

The family have farmed at Corringham, Lincolnshire, since 1929, and Michael has now been joined in the business by his son, Henry. His brother, Matthew, is also involved, and in addition runs the family’s children’s soft play centre in Gainsborough.

Michael says: “We are a tenanted farm and I think livestock, particularly cattle, are important in that situation. We have no land assets

Left to right: Michael, Henry and Matthew Fieldson.

but cattle are a way of holding your money together.

“They are at the heart of everything we do. A lot of what we grow is fed back to the cattle and the straw is put back onto the land as muck. We aim to farm as sustainably as possible; re-investing in the soil.

“We are in the Mid-Tier Stewardship Scheme and have taken out field corners and any unviable bits of land to put into it.”

The herd now stands at about 100 cows, which are mainly all pedigree, with the exception of a few former

recipients which have been the only purchases apart from bulls for the last 15 years.

Bulls When it comes to buying bulls, Michael says there is not as much choice as you might think.

He says: “When we start with a catalogue of 200 bulls, we firstly look at pedigrees and dismiss those which are not a match for our cows.

“Then we look at health status – which is extremely important – and then at genetics. By the time we have

MICHAEL FIELDSON done this, it does not always leave a lot of bulls left to choose from.

“In terms of genetics, easy calving is a priority for us, so we tend to buy bulls with double F94L genes. We have used bulls with the Q204X and NT821 genes which have not given us too many problems, so those genetics are in our cows.

“But I have gone back to using double F94L genes bulls to maintain milk in the females, and I do not want them to be too extreme. Ideally, you need two types of bulls: one to breed bulls and one to breed females.

The Fieldson family have farmed at Corringham, Lincolnshire, since 1929.

The Fieldsons prioritise health status and genetics when choosing bulls.

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farmersguardian.com

23/01/2024 12:37

BEEF

Farm facts ■ 202-hectare (500-acre) tenanted farm ■ 142ha (350 acres) arable: wheat, barley and oilseed rape ■ 61ha (150 acres) permanent grass ■ One-year leys grown in the arable rotation for silage

■ In Mid-Tier Stewardship Scheme ■ 100 suckler cows - majority pedigree Limousins ■ High health herd: Johne’s disease - risk level one, BVD-accredited, vaccinated for leptospirosis, and bTB4 area

“Choice of bull very much comes down to individual preference and what you want to achieve from your herd.

“If your aim is to breed more extreme show calves, you might want to use a bull with double muscle genes and be prepared to accept you might have a few more problems,

or you might want to go down the polled route; the breed is very diverse so there are a lot of options.”

The current main stock bull is Glenrock Redemption, which has double F74L genes and was bought after being reserve intermediate champion at Carlisle in May 2022. It is run alongside home-bred

Cows are fed a total mixed ration of silage and straw while inside during winter.

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BEEF Fieldson Rodney and an Elderberry bull.

Other bulls which have been very successful in the past include Goldies Uppercrust and Trueman Iglesias, both of which have a number of heifers now in the herd.

In addition, artificial insemination is sometimes used, and one or two cows flushed each year.

While the majority of bulls are sold direct from home, the Fieldsons do also support Society sales, with their top price of 37,000gns achieved for Fieldson Alfy in 2007.

Michael says: “While some bulls undoubtedly will achieve more at pedigree sales, we can sell bulls for up to 5,000gns from home.

“They mainly go to commercial herds and our aim is to have happy customers who will come back time and time again for a bull, and often more than one, so we have to look at the bigger picture.

“We are extremely ruthless in selecting bulls to sell for breeding.

Anything with a problem or not good enough or was a particularly big calf is finished and sold fat, usually through Selby market.

“The strong finished cattle trade has really put a bottom in the market and we can get a good price for a 700kg, 14- to 16-month-old bull.”

Temperament Temperament is also critically important to the family and all the cows are very placid.

Michael says: “It is important to remember that it is not us who keep the cows, but that the cows keep us, and it is vital to treat them with respect and care – it pays off.

“We aim to halter break everything

Calving takes place from mid-October through to May.

as youngsters, as it makes it so much easier if you do need to deal with any problems at a later stage.”

Calving takes place from midOctober through to May and cows are given a trace element bolus twice a year in spring and autumn, plus a mineral drench six weeks before calving.

Michael says: “I have found that Limousins do seem to need quit a lot of minerals, so it is something we like to keep on top of.

“We did have a problem with iodine deficiency a few years ago, so again, it is something we have to be aware of.”

Cows are fed a total mixed ration (TMR) of silage and straw while

The Fieldsons are very selective about which bulls to sell for breeding.

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inside during the winter, and the aim is to get them turned out by the end of April.

Matthew says: “We like to have the grass grow to them. Because of the type of land we are on, if it is a dry year we can burn up by June/July, which is one reason why we calve when we do, as we do not always have a lot of grass over summer.”

Calves Calves are creep fed a home-mixed, oat-based ration (rather than a coarse mix) and weaned at about eight months old.

The young bulls are fed a TMR which is one third silage

and includes a 34 per cent protein pellet, along with cereals.

Michael says: “I think it is important that silage is fed to bulls as they need forage for their gut, and it is also important that they know how to eat forage when they come to be turned out with cows.”

The Fieldsons are committed to a future in livestock production and are sure they made the right choice of breed all those years ago.

Michael says: “I consider the Limousin a ‘green breed’ which is ideal for today’s market. It gives you so many options – even for commercial producers.

“They make great suckler cows with plenty of milk and produce a calf which grows quickly, reducing its carbon footprint in terms of days to slaughter.

“They produce a high yield of nutritious protein at a very young age. We are constantly being told that from a health perspective we should eat lean meat, not fat – well, Limousins produce lean meat and its tastes as good as any other beef.”

I consider the Limousin a ‘green breed’ which is ideal for today’s market MICHAEL FIELDSON farmersguardian.com

23/01/2024 10:34

PICTURES: JOHN EVESON

BEEF

Martin Wilcock (right) with son Theo.

G

ladden Hey Farm, near Ashton-in-Makerfield, has been in the Wilcock family for generations and was a 23-hectare (56-acre) holding when the late David Wilcock took the reins in the mid-1970s.

It now runs to about 263ha (650 acres), with cereals, beef and sheep being the main enterprises for his sons Martin, David and Joe, who trade as D.A. Wilcock and Sons. David’s son Thomas is also fully involved and Martin’s young son Theo is a keen hand outside school time.

Once a small dairy farm, and then switching to beef reared from boughtin calves, the farm now finishes about 400-head a year bought as stores and fed entirely on home-grown milled cereals and beans. There is a rolling average of about 150 heifers and steers of all ages on straw yards at any one time, with Martin mainly in charge of the cattle and the others looking after the arable side, although as Martin says: “We all pitch in together whenever necessary.”

A committed auction mart seller, with some private sales to two retail butchers, Martin says that for him the

Producing the carcase specification their regular customers want is key to a Lancashire beef finishing enterprise which has evolved over decades. Howard Walsh visited the Wilcock family.

Finishing quality cattle begins with buying quality stores level of finish on the family’s cattle is more important than weight, and that is his basis for selection. It is a strategy which clearly pays off as Wilcocks’ heifers and a lesser proportion of steers are almost always among the leading prices in Gisburn Auction Mart where they have sold for the last five years.

Martin says: “We have pretty much always sold a good number through the auction and have always enjoyed a good relationship with regular buyers who, certainly years ago, tended to be retail butchers. Several markets we sold through gradually closed over the years and also nowadays of course, there are fewer butchers shops on the

high street. However, we still do have a good number buying from us through the ring and we actually sell to two on a private basis now, much fewer than we once did.

“But even in the auction, when wholesalers are bidding on our cattle, it is mainly those that supply independent butchers over a wider area. Yes, we

Here for the rainy days as well!

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

Beef p11 12 13 Jan 26 AC MB.indd 3

chris.day@abfltd.co.uk JANUARY 26 2024 | 11

23/01/2024 12:22

BEEF I would rather take a few pence less on the margin from selling a quality beast than a few pence more from a plainer sort

Recently bought store heifers and bullocks.

MARTIN WILCOCK could sell deadweight and make decent grades. But the type of butchers heifers we are producing which will kill-out at 65 per cent minimum, would not make as much on the hook as they do to a butcher who knows what he is buying from us.

“Everything we finish is bought in the store market, and I am prepared to travel some distance into traditional suckler herd areas, to get the suckler-bred animals I want. My preference is for Limousin-sired heifers out of predominantly Limousin-bred cows but age is not critical, and I will buy some Blue crosses provided they look capable of developing more finish. We normally use

12 | JANUARY 26 2024

Beef p11 12 13 Jan 26 AC MB.indd 4

our own wagon, although on long distances, particularly if we do not buy that many, it is more economical to use contract haulage.

“In the summer months it is sometimes harder to find enough heifers and we will buy a few steers and occasionally bulls, but it is the quality that counts. I often say it is really the farm that has bred the store animal, that makes the finished animal I sell.”

Feeding regime However, the feeding regime at Gladden Hey is all important to the finished product. Apart from a few younger stores which might be bought in

spring and summer and are grazed for a while, everything else is finished in the straw yards. The ration comprises home-grown barley, wheat and beans.

As for many other cereal growers, the autumn was difficult for winter crop establishment, so this year at Gladden Hey half the cereals will be spring varieties but normally, it is pretty much all autumn drilled.

Martin says: “The cereal base of the ration is 70 per cent barley and 30 per cent wheat and then we grow about 30 acres of beans as the protein source.

We also make about 4,000 bales of haylage in two cuts and I would never feed silage. We use our own machinery for the grass, and for the cereals,

we have our own combine and dry the grain down to 15 per cent moisture for storage.

“The finishing ration is made in batches and we have had a Kelvin Cave Murska 700 processor now for about 14 years. We had it factory-adapted so we can add in minerals, and there is also a mounting base for an IBC which we use for molasses, a very important ingredient for palatability and to avoid the mix being too dry. Molasses is incorporated at nine gallons per tonne of mix and that is the only other ingredient we buy in.”

The ration is trough-fed on a more or less ad-lib basis, plus, the quality haylage in ring feeders, and Martin

farmersguardian.com

23/01/2024 12:22

BEEF

SPONSORED COMPETITION Here we announce the winners for the Beef Stockjudging competition. How well did you do?

SPONSORED BY

The feed mix of barley, wheat, beans and molasses.

maintains that dry matter is crucial to achieving good daily liveweight gains, while avoiding the cattle developing too much ‘belly’. Feed is put out at seven in the morning and seven in the evening and that 12 hour interval, he says, helps to avoid any of them eating to excess.

“Because we feed ad lib, we have to be careful to introduce ration gradually to newly bought-in stores, so we add in some home-grown oats for a while and less barley, as oats are less likely to create digestive problems, but even so, we do not overdo it.

“The main ration is then introduced gradually over two or three weeks until they are then fed the same as all

the rest. On the day of purchase all new store cattle are treated with a pour-on wormer and are grouped according to size.

“As I said, I select finished animals for sale on the level of finish around the tail head and the weight is not that critical. There is no point trying to achieve a certain specific weight, particularly with heifers, as they can go over the top on finish. I know what our customers want and that is what I try to achieve, and I sometimes feel I look after them better than I look after myself, but I believe that is the right way to go.

“I also know that butchers we supply privately would not be slow to tell me if I sent them a beast with too much ‘Blue’ influence in the breeding, and that is without me telling them what it was, or them seeing a passport. They just know by how it cuts,” adds Martin.

Winners announced

W

inner of the Show Time-sponsored beef stockjudging competition and taking the first prize of £200 is James Seedall, Blackburn, Lancashire.

The two runners-up, each receiving £50, are Katie Grantham, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and Beth Foster, Louth, Lincolnshire.

Judge Nick Wooster, Brigstock, says: “B in first place has a good well-rounded rump with good width to

its second thigh. It has a long top line and well fleshed chine and deep loin and shows good flesh cover over well sprung ribs. The shoulder has good width and depth, with little waste.

“Second is A, which has less fat cover, especially over the ribs and brisket, with an excellent top line but less pronounced loin.

“Y in third has good clean lines but with a less pronounced rump, while X in fourth shows less fat cover, especially over the chine, loin and ribs.”

Animal

1st

Animal

Animal

3rd

Animal

B

A

2nd

Margin

Martin Wilcock says that for him the level of finish on the family’s cattle is more important than weight. farmersguardian.com

Beef p11 12 13 Jan 26 AC MB.indd 5

While finishing beef is very much an important part of the whole farm business for the Wilcocks, Martin says it is not all about margin.

“Of course we have to make a decent margin, but at the same time, I take a great deal of pleasure in producing quality. Some people say we could perhaps make a little more profit buying less expensive stores and taking a little bit less at the point of sale. But I would rather take a few pence less on the margin from selling a quality beast than a few pence more from a plainer sort and one which I would not get the pleasure of looking at every day.”

This year, for the first time, about 200 mainly Texel ewes will be lambed and some of these finished lambs will be sold privately to butchers.

Martin says: “We have always bought around 1,200 store lambs, but these seem to have got dearer so we have decided to supplement some of these with our own-bred lambs, and my wife Clair has also bought some pedigree Beltex and Texel ewes and is interested in showing at some point.”

Y

X

4th

JANUARY 26 2024 | 13

23/01/2024 12:23

BEEF

Adam Quinney, who runs a 60-cow suckler beef herd, has been improving efficiency on his Warwickshire farm under the PRISM 2030 programme.

As part of a programme by ABP, 350 livestock farmers are working together to make their businesses more carbon efficient. Farmers Guardian reports.

Harnessing technology to improve farm efficiency

T

he collective aim of ABP’s Programme for the Improvement of Sustainability in (Red) Meat (PRISM 2030) is to reduce the Scope 3 emissions associated with on farm production of beef and lamb, in the UK. PRISM 2030 top five tips ■ Improve pastures ■ Reduce age at slaughter ■ Improve livestock health and fertility ■ Reduce fuel consumption ■ Use by-product feeds

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Results have not only benefited the whole red meat supply chain, but also improved individual farm businesses.

Among those taking part in the initiative is Adam Quinney, who runs a 60-cow Salers and Salers cross Aberdeen-Angus suckler beef herd in Warwickshire.

He has been supplying ABP Ellesmere with prime cattle for more than 20 years.

Most of his grazing is rented on short-term tenancies.

Mr Quinney says that he embraced the opportunity to join ABP’s PRISM 2030 initiative, with expert advice available from the

programme partners – The Andersons Centre, Prof Jude Capper in her role as chair of sustainable beef and lamb production at Harper Adams University, and the carbon calculator, Agrecalc.

On joining PRISM 2030 in autumn 2022, the farm’s carbon footprint was assessed using Agrecalc and recommendations were made by the programme’s experts.

Multi-species swards These included improving grazing efficiency by planting multi-species swards, regular measurement of grass growth and using rotational

grazing. Cattle now move to fresh paddocks every three to four days, increasing grass availability and quality.

Mr Quinney says: “There are various ways I could improve the grazing, such as reducing the number of docks and making paddocks smaller, which means investing in infrastructure such as water troughs and electric fencing.

“I do not use fertilisers, so it is great to see how these simple changes are already increasing the amount of grass produced on this farm, meaning I should be able to extend the grazing season and farmersguardian.com

23/01/2024 12:39

BEEF IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES PROF Jude Capper has been providing practical, bespoke recommendations for each farm involved with PRISM 2030.

Recommendations are based on the outcomes of each Agrecalc report and KPI data.

Prof Capper gave her overview of the first year of PRISM 2030, now she has completed more than 350 reports.

She says: “This has been an amazing year of data collection and analysis, with so many interesting insights from farms of all types and sizes across the UK and Northern Ireland.

“It is clear that there are opportunities to improve on every single farm regardless

It is great to see how these simple changes are already increasing the amount of grass produced on this farm ADAM QUINNEY improve summer growth of prime cattle from nine to 18 months of age when they are really growing.”

Cattle are housed during autumn and fed a forage-based diet until Christmas, when energy inclusion is increased in the ration, using brewers’ grains, a by-product of the farm’s local beer industry.

Mr Quinney says: “Brewer’s grains contain a good source of digestible fibre, valuable nutrients and offer an excellent feed for ruminants as well as being effective at reducing the farm’s carbon footprint.

“The aim is to achieve weight

Practical ways to reduce fuel use ■ Turn engines off when not in use; for example, when loading during muck carting (also reduces empty hours on tractor clock) ■ Warm tractors up before use ■ Keep revs low and use the most economical gear selection for the job farmersguardian.com

Beef p14 15 Jan 26 AC MB.indd 4

of the baseline and that these are linked to improving both productivity and profitability.

“Having established the carbon footprint baselines, we are now moving on to identify what characteristics or practices are associated with the best farms, so that those can be shared with the wider group.

Variation “It is ultimately very simple for any farm — take a good look at your key performance indicators compared to similar farms, identify where you could improve, and then make changes.

“The GB dataset statistics hide a huge amount of variation both within the sector and between

gains of about 1.6-1.8kg/day, and regular weighing ensures these targets are met, finishing cattle at 22-23 months of age and around 330-350kg deadweight.”

Winter rations are supplemented with home-grown lucerne, a good source of dietary protein and digestible fibre and, as a crop, good for nitrogen fixing in the soil.

Mr Quinney has found that even clay soils are no barrier to establishing this crop, although it does require careful management.

He says: “We wanted to reduce our winter protein cost so opted for lucerne to add to the red clover we were already growing, despite being on heavy land, because we love a challenge.

Silage “The leatherjackets gave it a hard time, so the crop is not high-yielding yet, but through drought and good growing seasons, it has given us a good, high protein silage and, once established, has no fertiliser requirement.

“We cut the crop three to four times per year. It fits our rotation nicely and we will be growing more, but it is crucial that you get the soil pH and calcium level right, which we achieve by using a local source of lime.”

Mr Quinney’s PRISM 2030 results identified another key area for change.

He says: “We have recently been more closely monitoring our fuel use, predominantly for tractors used for livestock feeding, bedding and muck spreading tasks through winter.

“We recorded fuel use between October 1 and April 1 2022/3, which was 15 litres/head/winter, setting

Prof Jude Capper different types of operation.

Early analysis shows that beef finishing units and store lamb systems tend to have the lowest

a benchmark to improve on,” he says.

“We have a two-minute rule, if it is not being used, turn it off, which is a useful guideline for our staff, explaining to them that it also equates to £X of depreciation per day, which is not benefiting anybody.

“We spend 20 minutes each fortnight sharpening the mixer wagon blades, which saves 10 minutes mixing time per day and further reduces fuel use.

“It is a conscious effort each day and is creating savings for us.”

Mr Quinney has found that being involved with PRISM 2030 is providing invaluable opportunities to meet like-minded farmers and widen his knowledge base.

He says: “I have really enjoyed it so far and I find it fascinating, I have made good friends and enjoy the interaction and new ideas that

footprints within their sector.

However, it is important to understand that these operations are not necessarily better performing or more efficient.

“It is primarily because cattle or lambs tend to be bought-in, for example, there is no suckler herd or ewe flock on farm.

“Within the suckler sector we have seen considerable variation in carbon footprints and similar trends within the sheep sector.

“The challenge now is to forensically examine the dataset so that we can understand exactly what makes one farm different from another and which key performance indicators or farm attributes are most important in reducing carbon footprints.”

Lucerne ■ High protein content, digestible fibre, drought tolerant ■ Fixes nitrogen, lower cost protein, no requirement for nitrogen application ■ Offers three to four cuts each year ■ Requires soil of pH 7+ with calcium supplementation ■ Can be slow to establish and can become outcompeted ■ Maintain sward height of 6-7cm to avoid crown damage ■ Be aware of bloat if grazing and offer salt blocks to livestock

come from those I meet, which makes me look at my business differently and see how I can keep progressing.

“It is also promising to see the wider supply chain supporting progress in on-farm improvements.”

Adam Quinney added lucerne to his red clover to cut his winter protein costs.

JANUARY 26 2024 | 15

23/01/2024 10:39

BEEF

R

esponsible for managing two farm sites – 142 hectares (350 acres) at Lesser Farm and about 40ha (100 acres) at Painters Farm – as well as the pedigree Longhorn and Salers cows and 250 North Country Mules, Ben Bellew (alongside Jake Pamplin and owner Bertie Facon) is always busy.

Established in 2011, the Gentons Longhorn herd numbers 40 cows and is a member of the SRUC Premium Cattle Health Scheme.

Mr Bellew says: “Bertie opted for Longhorns when looking to establish a herd as they are robust, hardy cattle with good ease of calving.

“We start calving in January, with an eye on the next year’s show season, as we want well-grown animals in summer. Lesser Farm, home of the Longhorn herd, has been part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot programme, which means we start housing in early November.

“In reality, the Longhorns could stay out longer – we have light, sandy soil and they are very hardy. But those are the guidelines and we have seen reduced poaching as a result, which has been a bonus.”

Longhorn heifers have their first calf at three years old, compared to the Salers which calve at two to two-and-a-half years old.

“We have to wait for the slower maturing Longhorn to have sufficient frame and three years seems the ideal age,” says Mr Bellew.

The embryo transfer side of the business means that heifers which have been selected on various traits are flushed and then put to the bull or are artificially inseminated. Longhorn genetics are exported around the world, with significant sales to Australia, where a 1,000-head herd is being established in Tasmania.

In the Salers herd, polled genetics have been used to run alongside the horned herd, with ever-increasing demand from the market. Gentons Romeo poll has been sold to a leading UK semen company for sexed semen; the first polled Salers available in this way.

Showing is an important part of both the Gentons herds and successes Gentons Sara, a Longhorn emybro calf with its recipent dam.

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Running two pedigree herds alongside an embryo transfer programme, plus exporting genetics globally, means Ben Bellew has to be efficient with his time. Farmers Guardian reports.

Top pedigree herds aim for efficiency Ben Bellew

are notable, from Bull of the Year for Gentons James Bond 007 in 2015 to winning the Salers championship at Welshpool with Gentons Salvador in November 2023.

“We purchase bulls and semen with the traits we are after from other breeders to add to the existing herds and have a broad genetic base, which is important,” says Mr Bellew.

“In 2023, the Longhorn herd has 21 cows ranked Excellent, with two cows reaching the EX95 rating. All our cows are either EX or VG on the NDBC [National Bovine Data Centre] linear classification score. We still often go on trips to France to seek out new Salers genetics, and more widely for Longhorn.

“The Gentons herds boast a collection of highly valuable stock, and everyone in the team needs to know what is going on at any one time to help ensure the well-being and productivity of each animal.

“We started using Herdwatch to help streamline paperwork and record-keeping in 2019. It makes it easier to track any cows or bulls where there could be an issue, as well as keeping all the performance information we need in one centralised hub, which is accessible to everyone in the team.

“One feature that is helpful for us is that we can input dates when bulling has been observed, which helps us group and feed cattle accord-

ingly. It also helps spot anyone repeat bulling or failing to return from a previous service, meaning we can intervene proactively.”

With this working well, as herd management information was available at a glance for anyone in the team, the next logical step in the digital transformation was to move data already gathered in the system feature on to Medicine Hub. This move not only enhances the efficiency of record-keeping, but also contributes to a more comprehensive approach to herd health and well-being.

Mr Bellew says: “Medicine Hub is an online database helping beef, sheep and dairy farmers monitor antibiotic use in their herds, helping avoid the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

“As our herds are high health status, part of Cattle Health Certification Standards, BVD and IBR-accredited, and we monitor for lepto and neospora, our antibiotic use is really low. That is also important to share with Medicine Hub to help build the national picture.

“I decided to upload our antibiotic data to Medicine Hub as I believe it is very important to gather as much data as possible and provide evidence for the UK ruminant sector’s responsible approach to using antibiotics.

“We will use our records on Medicine Hub as part of our Red Tractor audit, and we believe that as more and more data is added, it will help UK agriculture on a global basis in export negotiations.”

Salers cow Cleuchhead Hope 1257 and its calf Gentons Prada.

farmersguardian.com

23/01/2024 10:40

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June 3rd - Special sale of heifers and cows with calves at foot Scott Ferrie Auctioneer 07557 260653

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Saturday 25th May - Spring Suckler Sale to include the Melton Mowbray Market Spring Longhorn Sale.

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Busy Tuesday & Wednesday sales of all classes of Prime and Store Stock from across the counties.’’

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SOUTH DEVONS TOP for CARCASE WEIGHT



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

Joint TOP for CARCASE

CONFORMATION www.sdhbs.org.uk info@sdhbs.org.uk 01392 449474

FGbuyandsell.com FGbuyandsell.com

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Red Ruby Devon Cattle

t: 01404 47863 e: dcbs@redrubydevon.co.uk

£500

offered to purchaser of highest priced bull on the day.

Something for all from Top Show Cattle to Commercial Stock

Society Show & Sale of pedigree registered Red Ruby Devons

Tuesday 26th March 2024 - Show 10:30am & Sale 12:00 Sponsors Shearwell Data & Harper Farm Supplies Sedgemoor Auction Centre J24 M5 Catalogues will be available from GTH

www.redrubydevon.co.uk

| | 21 26, 2024 January JANUARY 26 2024 21

23/01/2024 12:31 23/01/2024 12:30:14

FGBuyandSell.com Auctions & Breed Societies

THE UK’S LEADING LIVESTOCK MARKETING COMPANY CONTACTS: GRANT ANDERSON (COMMERCIAL MANAGER) 07872 129274 JAMES LITTLE (PEDIGREE MANAGER) 07872 840685 GLYN LUCAS (DAIRY MANAGER) 07711 610255

BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART

TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY Sale of OTM Cattle Feeding Bulls & Store Cattle

ANNUAL PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF SHOW POTENTIAL CATTLE PATELEY BRIDGE AUCTION MART

SATURDAY 24TH FEBRUARY Sale of OTM Cattle & Store Cattle

ANNUAL PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF SHOW POTENTIAL CATTLE BROUGHTON AUCTION MART Operating Marts at Borderway, Carlisle, Kirkby Stephen, Lazonby, Lockerbie, Middleton in Teesdale, St Boswells and Wooler

01228 406200 harrisonandhetherington.co.uk BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE, CUMBRIA CA1 2RS

SATURDAY 20TH APRIL ‘APRIL FAIR’

PRIZE SHOW & SALE OF STORE CATTLE An outstanding selection of show calves And a great run of commercial cattle will be present at all the above sales Buyer’s attendance is strongly recommended Catalogues & photos available in due course

Browse. Sell. Buy at FGBuyandSell.com

www.barnardcastleauctionmart.co.uk Libby Bell Auctioneer on 07818 435728

February

SALES 2024 STIRLING - Sunday 4 February 2.30pm - Pre Sale Show Monday 5 February, 2.45pm - Sale 74 Bulls | 8 Females

CARLISLE - Friday 9 February 11am - Pre Sale Show Saturday 10 February, 10.30am - Sale 150 Bulls | 39 Females T. 02476 696500 | LIMOUSIN.CO.UK

| JANUARY 2024 22 22 | January 26,262024 p022_beefclassified.indd 2 p022.indd 22

FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com FGbuyandsell.com

23/01/2024 12:28 23/01/2024 12:26:51

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Auctions & Breed Societies

WAGYU BR EE

23 2024 2024 rd March th Stirling Bull23 Sale 4thMarch & 52024 February rd

***** Lincoln Red Premium Pedigree Lincoln Red Premium Pedigree 23rd March 2024 Spring Show & Sale Spring Show & Sale at at Lincoln Red Premium Pedigree Melton Mowbray Market Melton Market SpringMowbray Show & Sale at

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th th ***** October 2626 October 20242024 th 26 October 2024 Lincoln Red Autumn Show & Sale & Lincoln Red Autumn Show & Sale & Lincoln Red Autumn Show & Sale & Potential Show Stars Show & at Sale at Potential Show Stars CalfCalf Show & Sale Potential Show Stars Calf Show & Sale at Melton Mowbray Market Melton Mowbray Market

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Sale. Online bidding available using MartEye High High Health Health Sale. Online Online bidding bidding available available using using MartEye MartEye

Formore moreinformation information please our Website: For please visit our For more information please visitvisit our Website: Website: www.lincolnredcattlesociety.co.uk www.lincolnredcattlesociety.co.uk Mobile:07307 07307485544 485544 Mobile:

WALLETS MARTS CASTLE DOUGLAS LTD WALLETS MARTS CASTLE DOUGLAS LTD

“The Premier Marketing Centre for South West Scotland’’

FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY AT 12 NOON SALE OF 104 PEDIGREE LUING CATTLE 21 IN-CALF HEIFERS; 57 BULLING HEIFERS; 26 BULLS FRIDAY 16TH FEBRUARY AT 11AM SALE OF PEDIGREE BLACK GALLOWAY CATTLE 40 BULLS 36 INCALF HEIFERS AND BULLING HEIFERS MARKET CONTACTS Bruce Walton 07711299677 John Smith 07771506025 Judith Cowie 07880382611 Jim Finlayson 07831569641 Auction Mart, New Market Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1HY

T: 01556 502 381| W: www.walletsmarts.co.uk | www.walletsmarts.co.uk Tel: 01556 502 381 E: walletsmarts@auctionmarts.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com FGbuyandsell.com

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O PROVED

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th Stirling Bull Sale 4SOCIETY 5th February CATTLE Stirling Bull Sale 4th & 5th&February 2024 2024

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BRITISH BRI BR ITIS TISH H WAGY WA WAGYU GYU U BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

• Premium British Wagyu Beef • MIJ Carcase Camera Technology • Quality Assurance Scheme British Wagyu • British Wagyu Branded Tags Conference Autumn 2024.

• DNA & Genomic Testing Details to follow • Fullblood Registration Facility • Crossbred Marketing Opportunities

www.britishwagyu.co.uk

NORTH WEST AUCTIONS Pedigree & Commercial Livestock A�c�o�eers & �al�ers

LANCASTER AUCTION MART Tel: 01524 63308 ‘EVERY FRIDAY’

10.15am 100-150 REARING CALVES & WEANLINGS 10.15am 150-200 CAST COWS & OTM CATTLE

‘One of the leading Cast Cattle markets in the North West’ 11.15am 250-350 STORE BULLOCKS & HEIFERS

‘Strong Cattle perfect for short term keep’

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

Also MONTHLY SALE OF FARMERS STIRKS & YOUNG BULLS

J36 RURAL AUCTION CENTRE Tel: 015395 66200 ‘FORTNIGHTLY THURSDAY’

10am 150-200 REARING CALVES & STIRKS 10.15am 50-75 CAST COWS & OTM CATTLE 11.30am 250-750 STORE BULLOCKS & HEIFERS

‘Predominately Suckler Bred Cattle from the Lake District & Trough of Bowland’ Also MONTHLY SALES OF BEEF BREEDING CATTLE -------------------------------------------------------

SEASONAL SALES OF PEDIGREE BEEF BREEDING CATTLE

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JANUARY 26 2024 | 23 January 26, 2024 | 23

23/01/2024 12:28

FGBuyandSell.com Auctions & Breed Societies

BRITISH S WHITE TE polled | easily managed | top grazers

BWCS SPRING SALE SATURDAY 4TH MAY MELTON MOWBRAY MARKET LE13 1JY

www.britishwhitecattle.co.uk 01954 232796 | 07771 333303 admin@britishwhitecattle.co.uk

...Yorkshire’s Friendly Mart

Farmers

WEEKLY WEDNESDAY SALE OF

Guardian

ALL CLASSES OF PRIME CATTLE INC YOUNG BULLS, HEIFERS, STEERS, OTM & COWS RED SLAUGHTER MARKET ONLY FULL RING OF BUYERS FOR ALL CLASSES WEEKLY REPORTS ON THE WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK MARKET REPORTS TEXTS Send us your number to receive reports Don’t hesitate to contact the mart with entries or enquiries

the No.1 place for all auction sales SKIPTON AUCTION MART

Tel: 01756 792375 www.ccmauctions.com Auctioneers: Jeremy Eaton - 07747 780481 Ted Ogden - 07855 958211 Kyle Hawksworth - 07538 539077 All Catalogues available at ccmauctions.com/ Sale-Day/Sale-Catalogues

PEDIGREE CATTLE SALES Wednesday 24th April Blue Wednesday Show & Sale of Pedigree British Blue Cattle & Special Sale of Native Bulls & Females Aberdeen Angus, Hereford & Other Native Pedigree Cattle Wednesday 8th May Craven Limousin Day Show & Sale of Pedigree Limousin Bulls & Females Inc Northern Limousin Extravaganza (Tuesday 7th May) Wednesday 22nd May Lingfield Beef Cattle Fair Multi Breed Show & Sale of Pedigree Breeding Cattle Saturday 25th May Belted Galloway Cattle Show & Sale of Belted Galloway Bulls & Females

| JANUARY 2024 24 24 | January 26,262024 p024_beefclassified.indd 2 p024.indd 24

FORTNIGHLY SATURDAY SALES OF

Pantone 282 C = 100%, M = 88% Y = 45%, K = 51% Hex: #041e42

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Store & Breeding Cattle inc. Steers, Heifers, Bulls, Stirks, Calves, OTM & Feeding Cows

ChunkFive Roman

01757 703347 (Market Office) www.selbymart.co.uk Richard Haigh 07768 594535

SPRING SALE DATES 2024 Shrewsbury – Saturday 2nd March Dungannon – Friday 22nd March Melton Mowbray – Saturday 23rd March Welshpool – Saturday 27th April (new sale) Carlisle – Saturday 11th May

T: 01768 870523

www.britishblondesociety.co.uk admin@britishblondesociety.co.uk

THE BRITISH

BAZADAISE SOCIETY

• Excellent Killing Out Percentages • Ideal Medium Sized Suckler Cow • Perfect For Crossing Onto Beef or Dairy Cow • Easy Calving • Ideal For Cross Breeding • Fine Boned, Well Muscled www.bazadaise.org.uk Tel: 07711 723713 email: enquiry@bazadaise.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com FGinsight.com FGbuyandsell.com

23/01/2024 15:47 23/01/2024 15:46:17

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Auctions & Breed Societies

Finance

Whitebred Shorthorn Association Ltd

0113 288 3277 / 07949 490 930 info@richmondassetfinance.co.uk

Whitebred Shorthorn The ideal crossing sire for easy care, suckler cows for any breed.

Machinery / Vehicle Finance

Machinery / Vehicle Refinance

Finance Lease or Hire Purchase

• Docility • Milk ability • Longevity • Easy calving • Good maternal instincts • live out all year.

Spring Pedigree Sale at H&H, Carlisle Friday 1st March There will be a good selection of Whitebred Shorthorns For Sale

www.whitebredshorthorn.com whitebredshorthorn@gmail.com 01434 344716 Contact the Secretary

CRAIG CULLEY, 33 EDEN GRANGE, LITTLE CORBY, CARLISLE, CA4 8QW www.piemontese.org.uk email: secretary@piemontese.info

Tel: 01228 562946 / Fax: 01228 562187

Cattle For Sale

24 - 60 Months

Raise Capital Against Existing Farm Plant & Machinery

Competitive Market Interest Rates Available

Older Equipment Considered Quick Decisions

Deal Sizes £15K Upwards

Deal Sizes £20K Upwards

New & Used Machinery / Vehicles

Competitive Market Interest Rates Available

Quick Decisions

CCJ’s, Current Trading Difficulties, All Considered

CCJ’s Defaults, Poor Accounts, All considered England & Wales Only

Commercial Secured Bridging Loans for ‘Business Purposes’ Available (SUBJECT TO INDIVIDUAL DEAL)

Contact Richmond Asset Finance Ltd Suite 37, Evans Business Centre, Burley Road, Leeds, LS4 2PU

0113 288 3277 07949 490 930 (24Hrs) info@richmondassetfinace.co.uk

Richmond Asset Finance Ltd is Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Our Firm Reference Number is 723508

Cattle For Sale

PEDIGREE LIMOUSIN BULLS NO DE-HORNING REQUIRED ALL CALVES WILL BE BORN WITHOUT HORNS

THE TREDON HERD - (Limousins)

• Good conformation & muscling • Exceptional temperament.

• High health status. TB4. • Ready For Work • Semen tested Prices start from £3,000 Also available a selection of cows and heifers for sale.

Tel: 07849 153733 or 01223 426412

Bridge Blondes

Functional, fertile, forage fed young bulls

from our 120 cow herd reared at 1000ft suitable for pedigree, dairy and suckler heifers.

Performance recorded, Fertility tested. Johnes, BVD, IBR accredited Nationwide delivery 07966 360210 Peak District, Derbyshire

AYNHO ANGUS BULLS AND FEMALES FOR SALE High Health, Bulls fertility tested Contact Alex Tel: 01869 810202 S Northants

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England & Wales Only

HOMOZYGOUS POLLED CHOICE OF 6 RED OR BLACK

Pilsbury Aberdeen Angus

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Tenant Farmers Welcome

Has a selection of Pedigree Young Bulls and Bulling Heifers for sale BVD accredited & Johnes risk level 1 Herd Great shape, quiet & variety of top bloodlines

Buckhurst Aberdeen Angus Currently have a great high quality selection of 9 - 25 month old pedigree bulls for sale. **Females also available** High health and TB4 area

Kurt – 07715 448366 Richard - 07816 173689 Lancs (P)

Mark: 07974 031230 bridgeblondes@hotmail.co.uk

PEDIGREE HEREFORD CATTLE FOR SALE DUE TO HERD REDUCTION Excellent bloodlines, high heath status BVD tested, TB4 area, easy to handle.

In calf cows due to calve in February Various ages.

Bulling Heifers also available.

Tel: 01254 830044 or 07860 267293 Chorley Lancashire (P)

| | 25 2024 26, 26 January JANUARY 2024

23/01/2024 12:30 23/01/2024 12:29:16

FGBuyandSell.com BEEF UP YOUR PROFITS WITH SOME LINE ONE INFLUENCE

ERVIE HEREFORDS & AIRIES ANGUS “Two commercially run herds where production comes first.”

ANNOUNCE 2 SEPARATE PRODUCTION SALES

Excellent prospects for both commercial & pedigree production.

SALE OF PEDIGREE FEMALES Monday 5th February at Dumfries Mart 1.30pm ALL OUT-WINTERED & STRAIGHT FROM THE FIELD

• 25 of our best high-maternal 4-yr-old pedigree Ervie Hereford cows due May/June • 4 of our best high-maternal 3-yr-old Airies Angus cows due May/June • 19 high-maternal stock replacement Ervie Hereford maiden heifers • 2 high maternal stock replacement Airies Angus maiden heifers

Ervie Unitarian 192555 She sells Airies Sylvia W763 She sells Ervie L1 Hazel 223050 She sells Airies Sylvia Y162 She sells THEN SAME WEEK, Thursday 8th February at Mains of Airies Farm ERVIE HEREFORDS & AIRIES ANGUS 2024 ANNUAL SPRING BULL SALE Auction starts at 1:00 pm. Auctioneer is Harry Begg, Dumfries. Tel. 0771 356 9593

Selling 39 Hereford + 11 Aberdeen Angus bulls.

Hardy rising 2-year-old Bulls. Outwintered, unpampered & ready for work.

Bulls penned for inspection from 10:30 am on sale day.

L1 Advance 223072 He sells Airies Sholto Y147 He sells Ervie L1 Advance 222984 He sells Airies Sholto Y145 He sells LIVE STREAMING OF SALE WITH ONLINE BIDDING AT BOTH OUR SALES The best of both worlds : - dual ringside & online bidding with live auction-ring webcam plus videos of the bulls over the internet. Check our website for full details.

J & J S Douglas, Mains of Airies, Kirkcolm, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, DG9 0RD Tel. 01776 854226 | email: johndouglas@agriplus.net | www.ervieherefords.co.uk | JANUARY 2024 26 26 | January 26,262024

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23/01/202423/01/2024 11:12:25 11:29

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Livestock Equipment

JT

UNIVERSAL REFURBISHED TRAILER CRUSH FOR SALE

The stand alone hoof trimming squeeze type trimming crush Static & trailer mounted also available.

Grant Eligible

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10 - 35 Tonne Outdoor H Blend Bin

Call for further details

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ALL EQUIPMENT GRANTS ELIGIBLE

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Trailer & Static Refurbished Crushes For Sale Enquiries Welcome

Mobile. 07715 078 253 Email: sales@jtuniversal.com Website: www.jtuniversal.com

NO FIREARMS PERMIT REQUIRED

£215 + VAT

Adler Captive Bolt Stunner Package - Stunner, 100 Blanks, Carriage... just

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Please email your order to sales@raytradeuk.co.uk and we’ll contact you for payment.

Further information on Humane Slaughter products can be found at www.raytradeuk.co.uk/humane-slaughter If you have any other questions or wish to make a payment over the telephone please call us on 01635 253344

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Can manufacture to specification Grabs, Buckets & Bale Squeezers also available at Symms Fabrication!

Many more products on our website

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STEVIE ROLFE CATTLE SERVICES

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Farmers Guardian the best environment for your brand message | | 27 26, 2024 January JANUARY 26 2024

23/01/2024 11:57 23/01/2024 11:47:03

FGBuyandSell.com Buildings & Materials

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| JANUARY 2024 28 28 | January 26,262024

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The Captive Bolt Stunner that’s also humane on your pocket!

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For further enquiries and for telephone orders please contact Calton Moor Farm 01538 308697 Used for the humane You can pay by Cheque made destruction of animals, no payable to M Dickinson, Bank firearms permit is required card over the telephone, or BACS, to use one and at only please ring for bank details. £320.00 (inc VAT & p&p) BRNO Guns UK this has to be the best value Calton Moor Farm, Captive Bolt Stunner on the Swinscoe, Ashbourne, Derbyshire Market!

DE6 2BU. The Bolt gun come with a box of 50 blanks a carry TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME E&OE www.brnoguns.co.uk case and postage

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23/01/202423/01/2024 11:15:50 12:45

Call 01772 799500 and place your ad today Feeding & Housing

SHEEP HOUSE POLYTUNNELS, BUILT TO LAST At Premier Polytunnels we know lambing season is the most important time of a sheep farmer’s year, not to mention the ewe’s, so it is no surprise that having quality lambing facilities is at the top of the farmer’s list.

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All types of Augers for all machinery manufactured and repaired

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• 01244 520005 (Office) • 07761 292070 (Mobile) Roto Spiral (UK) Limited - Unit 33, Engineer Park, Sandycroft, Deeside, CH5 2QB Email: info@rotospiral.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com FGbuyandsell.com

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Current Used Stock: - Trioliet 18, 20, 24 Used Diet - Strautmann 10, 14 Duo - BvL 12, 17, 20, 24 Feeders - Kongskilde 12, 16, 22 x 3 always - Kuhn 12, 14, 27 wanted - Keenan 320, 340 - Siloking 10, 14 x 4, 16, 18, 22 - Shelbourne 13 x 2 - Abbey 30 - Hi Spec 12 - Redrock 16, 20 - Keenan 320, 340 - VdW Mini mixer 2022 - Rotogrind 760 2018 - Haybuster H1000 - Teagle C12 tub grinder with grain processor, 2021

Please visit www.enegis.co.uk for more photos or call 01789 205132 or 07721 442979

| | 29 2024 26, 26 January JANUARY 2024

23/01/2024 12:44 23/01/2024 12:35:43

FGBuyandSell.com

Published October 11, 2024

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12ft Rotating End Tow

3m Spiral Blade Aerator

6.3m Hyd-Folding Ballast

Hogg Feeder

Bull Feeder - (Creep Gates Optional)

Stock bale Transporter

Calf Creep Feeder

Silage Feeding Trailer

Bunker Feeder

SLURRY LAGOON FLOATING COVERS

Keeps rainwater out of slurry Reduces odour from lagoons Covers comply with EA and SSAFO legislation

email: agri@walter-watson.co.uk

enquiries@enviroseal.co.uk t: 01695 228626 www.enviroseal.co.uk FGbuyandsell.com FGbuyandsell.com

p031_beefclassified.indd 2 p031.indd 31

JANUARY 26 2024 31 | | 31 26, 2024 January

23/01/2024 11:31 23/01/2024 11:24:46

INTEGRATED BALER WRAPPER

NEW

CALL TODAY

Finance* & Special Offers Available

FEATURING Film on Film Technology

* Offer Available in Mainland U.K. Only.

Terms and Conditions Apply. For Full Details Contact McHale.

STANDARD FEATURES

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

+ 2.1m Pick Up With Profi-Flo

Camless Pick Up + 2.1m With Profi-Flo

+ 25 Knife Chopper Unit

+ 1000 RPM Gearbox

Fusion 4 PLUS ISO-PLAY 12 Control Console

+ Patented Bale Transfer

Weighing & Moisture + Bale Systems

+ Vertical Wrapping Ring

7 or 12 + ISO-PLAY Control Console

Touch Screen Density + 12” + In-Cab Colour Display Adjustment

+ ISOBUS Compatible

+ Net/ NRF Loading Device

CALL TODAY

1

Superior Forage Solutions

32 | JANUARY 26 2024

p032_beefclassified.indd 2

Scotland & Northern England

Gary McConnell 07796 148 769

+ Adjustment

In-Cab Net/Film

2

+ Cameras

2x Inbuilt

Midlands / Wales & Southern England

Kieran Hughes 07850 373 145

1 2

www.mchale.net

FGbuyandsell.com

23/01/2024 13:06