R e co rd ani mal pe rf or man ce to make be tt er b usin ess de ci si on s

Weighing livestock is a powerful performance measurement tool and should not be regarded as a thankless task, begrudgingly carried out Done regularly, monitoring weight gain or loss can help:

• Assess if calf weaning weights are being achieved

• Determine the best time to sell finished cattle or lambs

• Monitor animal health – healthy livestock increases in weight throughout the season. Any that are going backwards need investigating

• Make sure the dosing of medicines such as anthelmintics is done accurately, to ensure the product works and to reduce the risk of increasing parasite resistance

• Assess if target heifer weights are being reached prior to mating

• Record and evaluate breeding performance for future genetic selection

The value of weight information goes further than just being able to make better decisions for the individuals or group of animals being weighed on a certain day The larger the database of weights and liveweight trends there are, for different classes of animals over many years, the better position the farmer is in for future decision making.

“We were recently at a farm open day where farmer visitors were asked to guess the weight of two or three animals of different sizes,” says Suzanne Potter, regional account manager for Gallagher in Scotland

“The range of results was staggering – with most farmers massively under and over-estimating This could have led to real issues in terms of future feeding, dosing with veterinary medicines or selection for market ”

While sheep EID is compulsory, and the likelihood of it becoming mandatory for cattle in future, having a weighing and EID system that works together makes sense.

Writing down an ear-number on a piece of paper and then recording the right weight can be done well on some days on some farms. It is less easy on others, where, perhaps in poor weather, it can sometimes take several people to gets the animals into the race and crush, then weighed and recorded

Combined weighing and identification reduces time and effort, as the ear tag reader reads fast and efficiently, automatically matching weight to the animal ID number

Human error is removed so the figures are always complete and accurate With some models, the full weight history of the animal in the crush can be seen immediately with a display of weight gain performance

Gallagher Weigh Scales and Data Recorders range from an entry level automatic weighing model through to the most advanced weighing and data collection system available

The weigh scales are automatic and accurate, even when weighing fast moving, lively animals like sheep. LCD touch screen navigation makes them easy to use even in direct sunlight and the unit has been designed and manufactured so it can withstand farm use and transport.

Wireless Loadbars

Loadbars are an integral part of a livestock weighing system, positioned under a platform or a crush to take the weight of the animal. Manufactured using heavy galvanised steel makes them waterproof and gives them long life, even in the harshest of environments With no moving parts, they ensure years of accurate weighing.

However, until now, the most common failure point has been the electric cables that connect to the weigh scale reader, which is usually mounted on the side of the crush

“Eighty per cent of loadbar failures are thought to be caused by damage to the cables,” says Suzanne “They can be chewed by rodents, caught and damaged in gates, suffer from exposure to water, mud or dust, or damaged by heavy livestock standing on them. So the inventors at Gallagher came up with an answer – the first ever Wireless Loadbars These were launched in the UK in 2022 ”

They are powered by a long-lasting lithium battery with up to ten years working life – based on four hours weighing a week Smart battery algorithms means the battery only works when the loadbar senses a weight

When an animal walks onto the platform, the wireless loadbar module turns on, measures and locks a weight, sends that data to the weigh scale or mobile app and then powers off again

The wireless design makes the platform or crush easy to transport and move to different weighing locations, as there are no wires to trail behind These loadbars can be connected directly by Bluetooth to a Touch Screen Weigh Scale or a producer’s mobile phone can be turned into a weigh scale with the Animal Performance mobile app see (Panel 1)

This app comes in two levels The free Every Day level gives a fully connected Weighing and EID experience, to enable easy animal data collection. Farmers can access their animal data on any device, wherever and whenever they need it

Animal Performance Plus, which is available by monthly subscription, is the upgraded version of the app, lifting data administration to a higher level Animals can be put into groups to track performance in different fields and performance targets can be set and monitored over time. Livestock and different management activities can be explored in hundreds of different ways

“Weighing and collecting animal performance data is an increasingly important element of any livestock business,” says Suzanne. “Many beef or sheep farmers may just want to weigh their animals at key points in the year

“For others, having individual life histories at the touch of a button, on

The Farm Stock Scotland Limited Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Hall from Craiglearan, Moniave as the new non-executive Chairman Robert brings a wealth of global marketing and business experience to the role, having worked and studied in agriculture in various parts of the UK, Canada, New Zealand and the Falkland Islands He specialises in marketing premium Falkland wool, alongside farming sheep and cattle in Dumfriesshire.

Robert commented; "Farm Stock canvasses livestock outlets to achieve the best prices whilst minimising costs through direct sales, utilising cooperation to make for a highly efficient route to market Together with the Board, I will relish the promotion of these beneficial objectives "

With the retirement after 12 years of Ian Watson, Vicky Warcup, is an Executive Director on the board and is

Jeremy Riley, the majority shareholder and founder of long established Vervaet importer J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd, has sold his remaining 50% stake in the business

The company ’ s current sales manager, Matt Carse, has taken over as managing director with the full support of both Jeremy and manufacturer Frans Vervaet BV to take the company forward into the future

Vervaet machines have been active in the UK since 1992 For the past two decades the company ’ s sugar beet harvesters have been the market leader in Britain, and recent new product introductions have seen the Dutch now leading the procurement team and heading up all livestock marketing Vicky explained, "Supplying a wide range of abattoirs throughout Scotland, Northern England and the rest of UK, the cooperative aims to match lamb and cattle supply with best demand, maximising returns to our farmer members Whether it’s Texels, Easycares, Mules, Cheviots or Blackface lambs and Angus, Holstein or Charolais cattle All of the procurement team is dedicated 100% to achieving high values for members stock on the day they are marketed."

Jonny Williams, also an Executive Board Director, is now responsible for business marketing, financials and administration aspects "As a farmer owned business our primary objective is putting all our members interests first in terms of providing an at cost, transparent, honest and trusted livestock marketing service The core of our business is based upon deadweight

Stocks Ag has appointed David Blackwood to head up the sales team at Stocks Ag, both in the UK and across the globe.

David joins Stocks with almost 30 years of experience in the agricultural machinery industry A native of Northern Ireland, David grew up on a dairy farm and started out as a graduate engineer at the old Massey Ferguson tractor factory in Coventry

He spent five years at the Massey Ferguson Asia Pacific office in Singapore and six years in AGCO’s regional office in Melbourne Australia Most recently David worked for the Fella and former Lely Welger factories as export business maker ’ s self-propelled slurry application machinery achieving considerable sales success

“I’ve dealt with sugar beet harvesters and slurry tankers for all of my working life, so as soon as the discussions started it felt right,” explains Matt “I’m extremely confident that we have the most experienced team and the right products in both the beet and slurry sectors to be able to increase our market share even further Our staff and customers can rest assured that it’s business as usual as we aim to maintain the same high standards that Jeremy has infused so well into the Riley team.” marketing

" development manager.

“David brings a wealth of experience to Stocks’, said James Woolway, MD “I am confident he will lead the sales team here in the UK, as well as develop our export business - we are lucky to have him ”

David said “I have come across Stocks Ag products in many parts of the world, from dual wheels in peat applications in Indonesia, to seeders in the far north of Japan, making this an irresistible opportunity Stocks is well positioned to build on an excellent reputation and I am excited to be part of the new growth phase both in the UK and the rest of the world ”

Jean Nairn has been appointed Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, responsible for running Scotland’s ‘Tree Oscars ’

Having spent more than 20 years working in and around the sector, Jean is well qualified to take on the prestigious annual Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards, celebrating all aspects of woodland and forest management, from forestry to farming, community to schools.

Jean said: “We are promoting the work carried out by forestry and farming sectors including the additional Climate Change Champion award, which demonstrates best practice and innovation within the sector as well as schools and communities ”

She added: “The awards are a fantastic demonstration of the diversity of people we see across the forest and woodland management sector It is great to see how things are always moving forward with young and old being represented, something I want to continue and build on “Climate change is affecting every part of society and we want to promote the fantastic work being done across Scotland’s wonderful forests and woodlands to mitigate, adapt and educate the impact of a warming planet ”

With roots in the heart of ‘Big Tree Country,’ Jean entered the forest industry in Scotland after graduating from Bangor University with a degree in Agroforestry After working with Confor and Scottish Woodlands among others she has trained as a Forest Therapy Guide, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

She believes it is important to recognise the forests, woodlands and managers who create the landscape, managed to industry standards, which also manifest in wellbeing benefits which can be gained by people being among the trees

Jean added: “If we have great woodlands to enjoy, we feel better because being around trees has the ability to calm and restore us After all, as human beings we have lived in the woods for most of our lives.

Jean replaces Angela Douglas whose eight years in the role have seen the awards grow from strength to strength. Guy Watt, Chair, on behalf of the Trustees said “ we would like to thank Angela for her sterling efforts during her term We are delighted to welcome Jean who will carry on helping the awards to celebrate and recognise some of the great work being carried out across Scotland ”

Mhairi Dawson, Barenbrug UK's product manager for agriculture, has been appointed to the committee responsible for the Recommended Grass & Clover Lists (RGCL) for England and Wales

One of 12 voting members on the herbage committee, including farmers, retailers, wholesalers, plant scientists and breeders, Ms Dawson will draw on her own experience – as a livestock breeder and grassland adviser – to contribute to decision-making on variety selection for the RGCL, over a two-year term

"The RGCL is an invaluable resource for grassland farmers throughout England and Wales," she says, "allowing farmers to make evidence-led decisions about the varieties that are most suited to their farm – enterprise, farming system, soil and region.

"It's a tremendous undertaking to organise and produce the RGCL each year, ensuring the independence and validity of testing It sounds like a cliché, but it's true to say only the best varieties make it onto the list

"By choosing a listed variety, you're not only getting reassurance about how that variety will perform but an understanding of its performance that will allow you to get the most from your grass," Mhairi points out.

"I'm delighted to be asked to contribute It's an important initiative to support, and one that can – if used to its full potential – significantly improve the country's grassland productivity "

The Recommended Grass and Clover

List for England and Wales testing programme is funded by plant breeders through the British Society of Plant Breeders and the ruminant levy boardsthe Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC/Meat Promotion Wales)