Issue 59

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farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

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CONTENTS

farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

farmingscotland Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

B Eilidh MacPherson

farmingscotland is written, edited and designed in Scotland. This publication reports industry wide over the whole of Scotland and N of England and is distributed free for farmers and crofters to abattoirs, livestock markets, farm supplies and SERID offices from the Borders to the Butt of Lewis, from Stranraer to the Shetland Isles and Clitheroe to Cumbria.

EDITOR: Eilidh MacPherson Marbrack Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway, DG7 3TE Tel: 01640 440 640 Mobile: 0797 7897867 editor@farmingscotland.com www.farmingscotland.com

y the middle of this century the world's population will pass the nine billion mark - a third more mouths to feed than there are today.

Already more than a billion people are suffering from chronic hunger and malnutrition.

A High-Level Expert Forum will address the challenge of feeding the world in 2050, which means not only producing 70 percent more food than today despite the uncertainties stemming from climate change but also making sure everyone has access to the food they need. The Forum will bring together leading experts from academic, nongovernmental and private sector institutions around the world, from both developed and developing countries. They will debate the key issues in six panel sessions over two days, with the aim of identifying action-oriented solutions that will feed into the World Summit on Food Security in Rome from 16 to 18 November.

Just hope that the the powers that be in this country get it right and keep farmers farming and producing good quality food!

Well his past month ahs been more manic that normal, what with moving house and straight into tup sales, hoggs going away to wintering, lambs to grass etc. I’ll hopefully get my life/farm work/ magazine/ home sorted out by the next issue – can’t see it somehow.

Plenty to read in this issue – hopefully something for everyone.

My revamped website – obviously www.farmingscotland.com should be running in the next couple of days.

I’ve had a few technical hitches but it should be good to go now. The back issues and features will be updated in due course.

I’d like to thanks all the models in this issue for their time; the Maybole vets, Jacqui Pattison, Grace Taylor and the MacGillivary boys – Kyle, Murray and Aran.

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Animal Health

6 11

Dairy

12 13

Sheep Winterfair

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The Cutting Edge

Agriscot

15 16 17 18

Diversifcation Fencing

Monitor Farm Pigs

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Arable Tillage Event

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World Markets AA Cattle in USA

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Sheep Shearing Fagan Wins Again

PUBLISHER - Eilidh MacPherson Cover - Pigs by Linda MacDonald-Brown Text and photography by Eilidh MacPherson unless otherwise stated Page 16 - words Alison Martin Page 18 - words & pictures Carol McLaren

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Rural Retail Ladies Day

Page 19 - words & pictures Andrew Arbuckle Page 20 - words & pics – Hugh Stringleman

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farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

ANIMAL HEALTH

Pure Pork

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he launch of the first vaccine to reduce boar taint in the UK and Ireland heralds a new era in pig production with farmers set to benefit from improved production performance, welfare and meat quality.

In addition, EU approval for the vaccine Improvac® from Pfizer Animal Health will enable producers to rear pigs to a heavier weight, taking advantage of the faster growth in the later finishing period, without risk of boar taint in the meat.

The enhanced meat quality – confirmed by UK taste panels – provides the potential for inclusion in premium food ranges and for increased use of boar meat by traditional family butchers.

Boar taint is associated with an unpleasant odour or taste in cooked pork to which three out of four consumers are sensitive. The taint is caused by two compounds that accumulate in the fat as male pigs become sexually mature –

androstenone produced by the testicles and skatole, a by-product of bacterial activity in the gut.

Traditionally, pork producers have used castration of male piglets as the main means of control, but this was phased out in the UK and Ireland during the 1980s on animal welfare grounds – although it is still widely practised across Europe. Instead, UK and Irish producers have slaughtered male pigs younger – normally weighing 100 to 105 kg liveweight – to reduce the risk of boar taint.

Improvac is a vaccine that stimulates the pig's own immune system to block production of the boar taint compounds. The antigen in the vaccine is a carrier protein linked to a synthetic molecule similar to the naturally occurring Gonadotrophin Releasing Factor (GnRF), which controls the development and function of the testes in male pigs.

The vaccine causes the immune system to produce antibodies to GnRF.

Simply the Best

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new mastitis diagnostic service for dairy farmers and veterinary practices in the UK was launched by Biobest recently.

BactoproofTM is a new laboratory service that rapidly and accurately identifies the cause of mastitis with results available within 24 hours of sampling, subject to the delivery time of the sample. It uses quantitative real time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to identify the bacteria involved and has significant advantages over the existing method of identifying the cause of mastitis by bacterial culture.

Mastitis is one of the most significant health and welfare problems in UK dairy herds costing the individual farmer and industry both in money and time. With this in mind, Biobest have taken the opportunity to introduce BactoproofTM, a mastitis diagnostic test, which is completely new to the UK market and has a quicker turnaround time and accuracy of results than the bacteriology tests currently available.

Paul Burr, Managing Director of Biobest and part of the company’s veterinary team, advised that, “BactoproofTM is a significant advancement in mastitis diagnosis.

Accurate and speedy diagnosis is the first step to effective management and treatment of any infectious disease. Use of this new test will lead to less time to effective evidence based treatment, less time for damage to udder and less wasted milk. This test will be of significant benefit in any farm mastitis control programme and hence to dairy farming in the UK.” “Biobest currently offer a range of bovine diagnostic services and the cattle health scheme, Herdcare, to farmers and veterinary businesses

throughout the UK and Ireland, so the opportunity to expand our services was obvious” added Business Manager Ian MacDougall. “We already provide molecular diagnostic disease (PCR) testing for a range of species and so can use our technical expertise to ensure that the BactoproofTM service delivers best value to the dairy farmer.”

The new test can identify the bacteria that account for over 99% of mastitis cases as well as revealing the sensitivity or resistance of staphylococcus to penicillin. As the test is based on detection of bacterial DNA all samples are taken in a tube with preservative ensuring that results reflect the situation at time of sampling and the problems of “environmental contaminant growth” are eliminated. In addition, the test has been shown to have significantly less (>40% less) “no growth” results, which are commonly experienced with bacterial culture. So not only is the test more accurate but these aspects mean it can be used during and following antimicrobial use to assess and monitor effectiveness of treatment.

The BactoproofTM service consists of a single sample kit, laboratory diagnostics and online reporting of results with the option of summary results by text. The kit contains a collection tube with preservative, sample barcode labels, 1st class reply paid return packaging and a kit insert with full instructions and tracking grid. Advice on the interpretation of test results is available from the Biobest team should this be required.

BactoproofTM is launched at a competitive price of £24.95 plus VAT with discounts available for Herdcare members and volume purchases.

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What's new in scab control?

RICHARD NIXON SHEEP SHOWERING Professional job guaranteed

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reatment and prevention of sheep scab with CYDECTIN 2% LA for Sheep Autumn usually heralds the start of the sheep scab season, with high risk continuing through winter and into the spring.

CYDECTIN 2% LA for Sheep, launched in the UK this April, is the only sheep injection to provide treatment and prevention of infection with scab and worms from a single injection. Based on moxidectin, which is known for its potency and persistency, a single injection treats and protects against scab mites for 60 days and worms for up to 111 days.

To put the level of scab control into context, apart from CYDECTIN 1% Injection for Sheep, which protects against scab infestation for 28 days, no other product has a licensed claim to offer protection from re-infection with scab.

ROUTINE PREVENTION of scab: Use as an alternative to routine autumn dipping as a single shot providing 60 days protection from infestation. Animals will remain free from scab within this time, even if they come into contact with infested sheep.

How to use CYDECTIN 2% LA for Sheep for scab control: TREATMENT of scab: A single injection administered to all sheep will kill scab mites and protect them from re-infestation for 60 days. Remember that scab mites can live off the sheep in tags of wool for up to 17 days so it is important to use a product which protects against re-infestation for longer than 17 days if sheep are to be safely returned to the same pastures. The product has a meat withdrawal period of 104 days, so if lambs are close to market, it may be preferable to treat the fattening stock with two doses of CYDECTIN 1% Injection for Sheep, which has a shorter withdrawal period of only 70 days.

QUARANTINE DOSE for bought-in sheep: A single injection administered to bought-in sheep will kill any scab mites that they may be carrying and any potentially resistant worms.

SCOPS advocates the use of moxidectin in preference to other ML products for use sequentially with levamisole to worm quarantined sheep to reduce the risk of bringing resistant worms on to the farm. Keep quarantined sheep away from the flock for 2 weeks to ensure all the scab mites are killed.

LOCAL ERADICATION programmes: Because CYDECTIN 2% LA for Sheep offers 60 days protection against re-infestation with scab mites, the product provides significant flexibility for local scab eradication programmes. Previously with non persistent products all sheep in an area had to be treated on the same day. With CYDECTIN Long Acting, as long as all sheep on neighbouring farms are treated within a 6 week period, scab can be eliminated from the locality.

Moved to: Marbrack Farm Carsphairn Kirkcudbright DG7 3TE 01644460644 0779 201 2788

For further information, call FORT DODGE ANIMAL HEALTH on 01489 781711.

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farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

AGRISCOT

Scottish Livestock farmers to gain from new products and competition this winter

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OCM PAULS has completed a quartet of new developments in its Scottish operations that will combine to save the region's livestock farmers significant amounts of money on their livestock feed bill this winter, while also boosting livestock performance, claims the company's Scottish sales manager Grant Spittal.

New protein treatment technology has been installed at its two Scottish blend plants at Turriff Farm Feeds (Aberdeenshire) and Kingan Farm Feeds (Dumfries), which will significantly reduce the cost of proteins like soya.

A new blends director, Bill Souter, who understands the needs and demands of the Scottish livestock sector like few other people in the industry, has been put in charge of blends development throughout Scotland and Northern England.

Combined with the opening of a new AgriBusiness Desk in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, has significantly upped the level of competition between feed supply companies in Scotland.

The final development is the sourcing of a new, “high impact” raw material – Lintec – which is high in Omega 3 and has positive impacts on fertility, milk, meat and general well-being across all species, and at a very economical cost to the farmer.

“We're setting our stall out to offer customers an improved diet package and service this winter because we've invested a lot of money in new people, products and technology,” says Grant Spittal.

“The beneficiaries will be the customers, as they will gain from better products and added competition, and BOCM PAULS as we increase our customer base due to improved nutrition capability.”

In 2005 BOCM PAULS had no blend business in Scotland, but now it is the clear market leader. On top of this the company distributes brewery and distillery co-products. The combination has resulted in a

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complete re-branding of the company from being “a compounder” to being “The Total Feed Business”.

Blend volumes are set to rise significantly because of the investment in new technology, believes Mr Spittal. This new technology has the ability to radically cut protein prices by enhancing the nutritional value of soya, rape meal and rolled wheat.

The process, BIO-PROTECT, protects the raw materials in an entirely natural way to reduce protein or starch degradation in the rumen.

The effect of the “bio protection” increases the supply of Dietary Undegradeable Protein (DUP) and Dietary Undegradeable Starch (DUS) in the raw materials. This process vastly reduces the cost per unit of DUP, therefore dramatically improving cost efficiencies. For wheat the treatment protects the starch element, reducing starch fermentation in the rumen and increasing the Dietary Undegradeable Starch (DUS) levels. The risk of acid load in the rumen, and thus acidosis, is reduced – meaning that more wheat can be fed to ruminants than otherwise would be possible.

The resulting raw materials – dubbed SoyaPlus, WheatPlus and RapePlus can all be used to replace more expensive protein or starch sources, and will improve milk production and the health status of the cattle.

The new product, LINTEC, is a uniquely extruded linseed raw material. This linseed variety is high in Omega3, as is spring grass. When included at a rate of 0.5 kgs per day the product improves health and fertility by reducing the incidence of acidosis and fatty liver, which increases body condition score. Trials have shown milk yields increased by over 2 litres per cow per day.

“This product is making a real impact,” says Grant. “We have designed a group of specialised blends

to fit all our customer's needs to deliver the most cost effective, performance improving solutions on farm.”

Grant also praises the contribution from the new AgriBusiness Desk, which is headed-up by four experienced feed trading specialists: Lynn Gardner, Shona Brown, Yvonne Weir and Ashleigh Boyd. They have worked at the farmer-facing end of the Scottish feed industry for a combined total of 26 years, have a

strong technical knowledge and affinity with the livestock industry, and will be delighted to see customers at the BOCM PAULS stand at AgriScot.

“All four of our new developments in Scotland put us in an ideal position to help service the needs of all Scottish livestock farmers, and continue to demonstrate BOCM PAULS' commitment to the Scottish Agricultural Industry.”

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RAPID EARLY GROWTH, THANKS TO CALF-VANTAGE MIX WITH FERMENTEN The results will surprise you. By feeding the rumen's natural bacteria, FermentenTM increases microbial protein production by 12-15% so improving dry matter intake and frame size.

o 20% bigger framed o Calve 60 days earlier Reap the rewards – improve farm profits by calving heifers younger. Invest in your calves with Calf-Vantage Mix with FermentenTM, and it won't just be the calves that will be growing.

VANTAGE FEEDS WITH FERMENTEN

For further information contact: Archie Leitch 07970 026153 BIGGER–BETTER–FASTER

See us on stand 20 in the Highland Hall

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farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

DAIRY

Smooth Operators

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ne of only two Ayrshire herds listed in the Top Twenty recorded dairy farms in the country, in the Agriscot, World Wide Sires Dairy Herd of the Year compteition, is The Firm of John McColm, Garthland Mains Farm, Stranraer.

The Top Twenty were selected by judge, George Jamieson, NFU Dairy Specialist, from the 650 CIS recorded herds across Scotland.

The criteria included: calving index, somatic cell count, milk quality, milk yield to match the management system and breed, the PLI (Profitable Lifetime Index) and longevity.

John McColm, who farms in partnership with his brothers Brian and Sam and his own son Scott, keep a close eye on the recorded data that is produced from their monthly visit from the CIS Milk Recorder and use it as a management tool.

Currently the McColm clan milk 200 Ayrshire cows but are planning to

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up the ante to 260. They recently invested in a new cubicle shed to house 100 cows, pictured below, and are awaiting the result of an SRDP application to help update their 30 year old, 20:20 De Laval Herringbone parlour with a newer model and install a new slurry store.

Seamus Donnelly, SAC Agricultural Consultant, based in Stranraer helped them format their proposals, with a detailed business and waste management plan.

If the grant is passed, it is looking like a a 20:40 swing over would be the preferred choice as “we are not big enough for a rotary and robotics would be a huge investment as we would need four machines. To make it work you really have to keep the cows in all year round, which would be hard as we are in a good grass growing area,” explained John.

The milking regime at Garthland Mains involves two milking for a week, so no one is sickened with the parlour.

Brothers John, Brian and Sam did employ a man until he unexpectedly died aged 50 three years ago, so John’s son Scott, who graduated with a Degree in Agriculture from Auchincruive ten years back, returned home to work two years ago. He had spent time working in New Zealand, in Kent and latterly drove a lorry locally.

Scott’s home coming is the main reason for upping the cow numbers “and producing quality milk is what we do well,” said his father, “we either fold up dairying or re-invest for the

future.”

All the milk is sold locally to Caledonian Cheese, “and it is in our interests to keep the quailty as high as possible,” commented Scott.

He went to explain that they receive an extra penny if they have greater than 3.3 protein, a cell count < 200 and back to scan <50 per standard litre. Apparently only 25% of dairies hit all three of these criteria.

With higher protein content more cheese can be produced, Garthmains averages 3.4 protein and 4.4 butterfat and their milk is converted into the Seriously Strong Cheese brand.

“We were loyal First Milk customers for years but with four families reliant on the milk cheque we moved to Caledonian Cheese three years ago, to stay in dairying, and are currently on 24p/l. The fact that all our wives work also helps enormously,” explained John, whose wife was a teacher but now runs a dog grooming outfit.”

One of the advantages of working with other family members is that the McColms have a good lifestyle and can get away when they want.

John’s second son – Ross – is in the construction industry and had been working in Saudi Arabi building cattle sheds on a 45000 head holding for the past three years.

“Luckily for us Ross was at home in the summer when we erected the new shed. We bought the shed materials and did all the labour in-house,

including the concreting,” said Scott.

The dry cow side is not quite complete but the milking cows have been in their new accommodation for a couple of weeks.

The cows in milk are split into three groups; fresh calving group, high yielding and low yielding and are fed a semi-complete diet of silage, crimped wheat, beet pulp, protein meal and minerals accordingly with a Redrock mixer wagon. They are also fed Davidsons dairy cake to yield in the parlour.

“We are lucky in this area that it is really mild and the we can keep most of the stock out till the end of November. The store cattle are out wintered, fed ad-lib silage.”

The McColms cut the silage and help contractors haul it to to pit.

Presently 65 acres of grain is home grown, but when the cow numbers rise, the area will be cut back to 35 acres.

Garthland Mains Farm falls into the Piltanton River Catchment area and there is talk that it could become an NVZ. “We are trying to do something with our slurry before it is foisted on us. Seamus Donnelly has set up an Initivative group.

“We plan to utilize our slurry as we as farmers have no control over fertiliser prices,” stated Scott.

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FARM FACTS

If their SRDP application is successful a new slurry lagoon will enable the McColm family to make the most of their waste by using an umbilical cord and possibly also injectors, thus radically cutting the cost of fertilising the good grass growing soil of the South West.

With so many dairy farms across the country giving up ghost and exiting the dairying sector it is great to see a family farm full of positivity and building their enterprise for the next generation. Hopefully we will see Garthland Mains reach the final few in the Agriscot Dairy Herd of the Year Competition.

Farmers: The Firm of John McColm; brothers, John, Brian & with Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Scott Farming: Garthland Mains Farm 500 acres rented from Stair Estate Location: Stranraer, D&G Cattle:

140 cows and followers

Sheep:

Winter lambs

Crops:

100 acres grain

Labour:

3 McColm brothers and Scott

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farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine â&#x20AC;˘ November 2009

DAIRY

IQ - set to revolutionise milking

IQ

- (Individual Quarter) the world's first four-way milking cluster from GEA Farm Technologies, is set to revolutionise dairy farming.

This innovative milking technology works by utilising a new lightweight 4-way cluster design which allows each individual teat of a cow to be milked separately.

As the teat cup shells account for 80% of the weight and the remaining 20% the cluster, the centre of gravity is evenly balanced so that adhesion to the udder is optimised. This achieves a quicker and more uniform milking out of all quarters, with less stress on teat and udder tissue and an increase in milk throughput which, the manufacturers claim, should also result in an improvement in udder health, and parlour milking routines.

The flexible part of the teat liners milk tubes are twice as long as in conventional designs and are made from highly flexible silicone, so that

they will fit easily to any udder shape or teat configuration. Pulsation tubes are fitted internally to give the cluster a particularly slim shape, this makes it practically impossible for it to be kicked off during milking.

As soon as the teat cup is applied, a ball mechanism activates the vacuum for each individual quarter to start milking, but immediately switching that section off in the event either the cup or the whole cluster becomes detached. This device effectively isolates each quarter, preventing cross contamination from teat to teat and helping to stop dirt, pathogens or large amounts of air from getting into the system. This minimises milking machine induced intra-mammary infections between infected and uninfected quarters.

Combining the advantages of a claw-piece and individual quarter milking, IQ looks set to become a great attraction at its Dairy Event and Livestock Show 2009 introduction.

Slurry Storage Dilemma

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he search for more cost effective slurry storage method continues.

New research funded by BPEX, EBLEX and DairyCo has unearthed potential problems for those considering soil stabilisation as a way to build earth bank lagoons for slurry storage.

Soil stabilisation is similar to rotavating and involves the thorough mixing of cement or lime powder with subsoil and then re-compacting it with a heavy roller. The technique is used by the construction industry to prepare building sites and also in

the dairy industry to improve the durability of cow tracks, and can be particularly effective on clay-based soils.

Soil stabilisation has the potential to be a cost effective way of building slurry storage, but the research showed that, for the limited range of soil types trialed, using cement as the admix was not satisfactory, and the results failed to meet the standards necessary for storing slurry in compliance with NVZ regulations.

The potential for using lime as the admix is now being considered.

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farmingscotland.com has moved to: Marbarck Farm Carsphairn Kirkcudbright DG7 3TE 016444 60644 please send correspondence to this new address

This space should be selling for you !!

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Share your passion – today!

To place your advert Call: Fiona McArthur – 01583 421397 Alison Martin – 01292 443097 Eilidh MacPherson – 016444 60644

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farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

SHEEP

FARM FACTS Farmer: Brian MacTaggart (manager)

The Tag Team

Farming: Douganhill Farms, 1500acres owned by Weatherall Scott Trust Location: Near Castle Douglas Sheep:

600 N Country Hill ewes 150 Pedigree Texels 100 Texel cross ewes

Cattle:

200 South Devon cows and followers AA bulls

Crops:

50 acres winter wheat 20 acres turnips for lambs

Topography: Sea level, coastal flats to rock and bracken Labour: Brian and 3 others

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he Scottish National Winter Fair, which takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on Wednesday 25th November 2009 has 121 pairs of lambs competing for the supreme championship, which is supported by QMS, NSA Scottish Branch and Algo.

Fatstock enthusiast, past winner and judge, Brian MacTaggart, Orchardton Mains, who has managed Douganhill Farms for the past thirteen years, has two pairs of Texels and one pair of North Country Cheviots entered for the event.

As the class is split into heavy and light sections, the MacTaggarts aim to have one pair in each class, so draw a pair of Texel lambs weighing over 90kgs and another pair under 90kgs.

Brian, who has a stash of winners medals from fatstock shows across the country, aims for lambs that would grade as R3L.

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“It is not only the handling of sheep that counts, it is a primestock show, so you have to present them to the best of your ability, that is where my helpers come in,” says Brian, who only dresses them at weekends and in the evenings, with assistance from his wife Janice, son David and his wife Vicki.

“When the lambs come off the stand they have to be perfect,” he added.

“Don’t we know it,” quipped his wife Janice, “sometimes he has started on a fresh lamb the night before a competition!”

Brian considers showing as his hobby, enjoys the social side, catching up with people he hasn’t seen all year and reckons that winning is a bonus.

He has always shown prime lambs along with the pedigree Texels, initially at local shows at Castle Douglas, Moffat and Dumfries.

“It was the late Bob Osborne, Castlehill, Durrisdeer, that talked us into showing at the Winter Fair. We had 3rds and 4ths at Edinburgh, but won it for the first time when it moved to Perth in 1993, taking out Champion and Reserve.”

Brian has worked on the Weatherall Scott Trust owned Estate, which lies on the Solway Coast between Dalbeattie and Auchencairn, for 31 years. He moved to the Orchardton Mains homestead, which overlooks Orchardton Tower, the only round tower in Scotland 13 years ago.

Blackface sheep used to roam the 500 acres of rough hill when Brian took over and by personal choice he has changed over to North Country Hill Cheviots.

“I felt we could utilize the pedigree tup lambs better than we could on the Blackies. The last of them went to Ireland in 2003. With the Texel and the Cheviot you get a cracking ewe lamb, which we take and sell as gimmers. And you have a good by product with the wedders.

“We started buying draft ewes and gimmers at Lairg, from Achentoul, Heathmount and Armadale and last year also bought the ewe lambs from Armadale.”

This year the Estate has invested in three North Country Hill tups, one from Lockerbie and two from Lairg; Attonburn, College Valley and Mid Gruinards to start breeding their own replacements.

Lambs from Brian Ross, Mid Gruinards were successful for Brian in the past, scooping the Hill Cheviot section at Smithfield. He has also won twice overall with homebred Texels in 1994 and 1998 and was reserve in 1996 with South Country Cheviots from the late Robin Hope of Winterhope. The following year SCC lambs from the same home took out the Winter Fair Cheviot section.

About 20 Texel lambs and 20 Cheviots are taken inside 4-5 weeks prior to the show and are fed a fattening pellet from Tarff Valley.

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Brian feeds them twice a day and likes to see them clean up the troughs so he can determine what weights they will be. “For showing I look for a good shoulder, good backs and good loins and a well shaped back end. I take the same type every time as there is no point changing your type to suit a judge,” said Brian, who has judged at primestock shows and Texel events across the UK. Since 1981 Brian has gradually built up the pedigree Texel flock to 150 ewes, buying ewes from various homes. He admits to still buying the odd female. Glenside King 2nd and Hullhouse Ma Man are two of the proven sires being used at Orchardton this season along with new boys on the block: Claybury Powerpacker and Fachell Pistol Pete.

The MacTaggarts used to sell tup lambs (having sold to a top of 48000gns) but now sell shearlings

rather than push them on as lambs at: Carlisle, Kelso, Castle Douglas and privately. This year they sold to a top of 4400gns at Carlisle, averaging 2400gns for 8, at Kelso two made £4000, with 20 levelling at £1350.

Douganhill Monarch rightly takes the crown as top sire. He sold to Midlock and Peter Gray for 10000gns two years ago and was the Male Champion and Reserve Overall at the Highland Show this year. Other Highland highlights include Duganhill Babycham, a homebred sheep, who won in 1998 and 1999 and Glenside King took out the male championship in 2006.

All Texel tup lambs at Duganhill are shorn in August as “it makes them easier managed being wintered outside on grass, proving that the pedigree sheep are kept purely on a commercial basis.

The Texel ewes all have their ear

tag number branded on their left shoulder for ease of management at lambing time – a good idea I thought!

With tups already out, embryos being carried by Cheviot Mule recipients Brian now has time to prepare his gimmers for the Twilight Sale at H&H, Carlisle on Friday 4th Dec. For the past five years Duganhill with Haltcliffe, Courthill, Beautry,

Hullhouse, Thacka and Loosebeare along with some guests have run their own Texel sale and it is now one of the sales on the Texel calendar.

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farmingscotland.com

THE CUTTING EDGE

Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

ANUGA

by Andrew Arbuckle

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The Craigs at the Helm

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he task of absorbing the equivalent of 15 years of cost inflation in just six months has intensified the commercial pressures facing Scotland’s meat processers says Alan Craig, newly appointed president of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).

“Cattle prices went from 215p a kg to 300p a kg in the half-year to June 2008, an inflationary increase which you would normally have expected to have been spread over 15, maybe even 20, years,” said Mr Craig, speaking this week after chairing his first SAMW executive council meeting since taking over from Allan Jess, Association president for the past three and a half years.

“With consumers paying only a small part of this increased price at the retail level, processor margins have remained extremely tight throughout the past year. Margins certainly haven’t grown during 2008/2009 and that has left SAMW member companies facing a major business challenge.

“One solution is to seek to improve operating efficiencies, although this is a demand which processing businesses are always addressing in any case. In addition, meat wholesaling has always been a business run on tight margins, so the scope for further economies is extremely limited.

“I’ll be looking to carry forward many of the projects which Allan Jess has been pursuing, particularly in relation to the regulatory environment in which our industry operates.

“At a commercial level, of course, we’ll be looking for further growth in retail values with consumers taking a slightly larger share of recent cost increases. Being realistic, however, the current economy is unlikely to

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allow major retail price growth to be achieved in the short term, no matter how justified such a rise in retail values may be. We must therefore look elsewhere for improvements, which will help reduce our operating costs and make our own drive for efficiencies easier to achieve.

“A crucial requirement in this respect is for the regulation of our industry to become much more realistic and reasonable. SAMW has no problem whatsoever with cost-effective regulation which serves a real purpose within our industry.

We all, as individual food businesses, place hygiene at the very top of our list of operating priorities. Having said that, we do not believe some of the regulatory processes we have to endure are at all warranted.

“Take, for example, the anomaly of VMD (Veterinary Medicine Directorate) residue testing. This process focuses on items which are never seen within our industry, certainly not in recent years. VMD testing is therefore a totally outdated requirement, albeit a requirement which cost one of our member companies £60,000 last year.

That’s a £60,000 cost, incurred for absolutely no benefit to the company, its retail customers or consumers.

For a tight margin industry, this is unacceptable treatment, which could easily be avoided, given a much needed improvement in empathy from our political leaders.

“I could make similar comments about the Food Standards Agency, Meat Hygiene Service, SEPA and so on. We’re constantly talking to officials from these organisations, often agreeing on points of potential progress. Unfortunately, translating agreement into action is invariably a tortuous task. Sadly, the pace with

which change happens, such as the ultra slow unravelling of TSEs, leaves our industry stuck in a high-cost regulatory time warp. This is damaging to businesses and a threat to the future viability of many rural communities.

“Changing this fact will be a high priority of my presidency. It was exactly the same for Allan, who worked extremely hard during his leadership of SAMW. Our message today, therefore, is that we will not step back from seeking progress on regulatory reforms. We have a modern industry, superbly equipped and run processing plants and we need an equally modern and superbly run regulatory framework. We won’t rest until we achieve that objective.

“There is, of course, one final issue of vital importance which will ultimately dictate the on-going size and value of our whole industry, namely the level at which livestock production continues in Scotland in the future. We are facing a critical mass challenge on livestock numbers and cannot afford any further erosion of breeding herds and flocks. The Pack Committee, whose interim report is due in less than three months, carries a heavy responsibility.

There is a growing sense of anticipation concerning the Committee’s comments and recommendations.

This is, after all, the one and only chance we will get to halt the current decline in livestock numbers and we cannot afford to get it wrong.”

The Association’s new junior vice president is John Craig, Operations Director with AK Stoddart, Broxburn, whom he joined in 1987 as a procurement officer. He has been in his present post with the company since 1995.

f you are serious about exporting then this is the place you have to be,” is the blunt message from Sandra Sullivan when asked why anyone should come to Cologne to the massive ANUGA food fair. Ms Sullivan has a vested interest of course because her firm help support small and medium businesses come to this event, which is held every second year. This year, some 67 companies took stand space under the UK banner.

The UK sector it is dwarfed by the 6,000 plus other stands at the event, which is held in 16 extra large halls – each one larger than the Highland Hall at Ingliston. totalling just under 30ha of exhibition space and some 20 miles of walking if you want to see every stand!

If you manage that you will have met representatives from some 99 countries from all over the world.

After all, food forms the largest area of trade in the world market.

One small consolation is that you do not need to carry any food as there are plates of nibbles and morsels of unidentifiable things and even more trays with food ready to be skewered with a cocktail stick.

To make life easier for the visitor, ANUGA breaks down into 10 smaller shows. There is an area for frozen food, another for drinks, one for chilled food, one for bakery products and one which was expanding until the recession but which was quieter this year, for organic produce. The biggest hall is kept for the meat exhibitors where there are more than 750 stand holders each selling their own range of meats. And it is here that QMS provides a base for Scottish meat exporting companies.

This year, ten of these companies used the QMS support to meet their customers and, just as at any major show, it is as much a meeting and discussing past deals and possible future opportunities as getting new business.

For Malcolm Hetherington, the general manager at Mathers,Inverurie, in addition to meeting existing customers, he was looking for new contacts, particularly in the Far and Middle East, where his company are looking to expand their exports.

Millers of Speyside currently export, beef, lamb and pork to France, Belgium, Holland and Malta and Peter Robertson said it was most important to be at ANUGA as it was a meeting point for the industry.

Scotbeef from Bridge of Allan have been in the export trade for some time delivering to supermarkets in

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 15

Italy and France and they are trying to develop more markets in the Far East. Simon Dowling, their general manager, said that while the market was challenging, “there are opportunities out there.”

Laurent Vernet, the head of marketing at QMS, said that, in addition to the main business of trading top quality Scotch Beef and Lamb, there was an increasing interest in the ‘fifth quarter’ which is the meat processors’ name for any non muscle part of the carcase.

Buyers, particularly from the Far East, but also from mainland Europe are buying tripes, sweetbreads, intestines, lungs, tendons, stomachs, trotters, tails, windpipes and other non prime products. Tongue is also included in the list of fifth quarter items even although it is a muscle.

The problem for Scottish processors is that it is often difficult to collect up a container full of a single item of fifth quarter as many of the buyers specialise in tongues, or tripes or whatever. There is now some co-operation between companies in this part of the market.

An example of the scale of this fifth quarter trading, admittedly based not on Scotland but on UK figures, is that this country exported 117,000 tonnes of pigmeat offals to the Far East last year.

Trading at the top end of the market is Scotch Beef and Lamb although a number of international competitors are now exporting product that has full traceability and is aimed at the top end of the market.

The chairman of the Uruguayan Meat Institute, Dr Luis Silveira, said that his country’s meat came from the twelve million cattle they have grazing on grass; some 90% of that total being either Hereford or Aberdeen Angus.

Unlike some of their South American neighbours, Uruguay has no foot and mouth disease and the quality of its traceability process has been given international recognition.

Although they are net importers of beef, the USA is now a significant exporter of top quality cuts of beef to the European market. For years, their entry into this market has been hampered by restrictions on their use of hormones, which they use widely in their beef production. Now through the use of a dedicated line, which offers full traceability, they are shipping six or seven containers of prime cuts into Holland on a weekly basis. The company behind this trade is Tysons, one of the world’s largest meat processors with an annual turnover of some 30 billion dollars.

Their head man in Europe said that the beef they were sending in was grain fed and came from beef lots in the Mid West before heading to their meat plant in Lexington, Nebraska.

He admitted the USA imported a large tonnage of beef from both South America and Australia for their processing (burger) market. These were mainly grass fed older cattle.

One of the difficulties for meat traders in Europe in the current economic climate is that red meat consumption has fallen by 4% in the first few months of this year. That is significant, according to Paul Finnerty, the chief executive of Irish Food Producers, who own the eleven ABP meat processing plants in the UK. He also reported that buyers were taking longer to settle their bills and that made life difficult for the middle men in the meat business.

What is making life easier for those selling Scotch Lamb and Scotch Beef is the PGI tag which is widely recognised as giving buyers a guarantee that they are getting top quality meat.

One supermarket that has been buying Scotch Lamb for the past five years was recognised for this support at the show. Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead awarded the Belgian part of Carrefour for promoting Scotch Lamb to the point where they now sell about 30 tonnes of lamb every month But it was not all about red meat as far as Scotland was concerned.

Apart from the ‘big boys’ Baxters of Fochabers were prominent as was Walkers Shortbread, there were a few smaller companies and individuals Sandy Adamson, from Perthshire, was in the latter category. He visited ANUGA in order to see the German buyer of his frozen raspberries. The processing part of the soft fruit market has slipped a little from sight under the advance of the fresh market produce coming out of the very visible polytunnels.

His fruit is picked and Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) and then it is exported to mainland Europe. There Peter Vogel, of Uwe Jobmann, acts as a middle man in selling these raspberries to jam and preserve makers.

Vogel said that while buyers use Eastern European fruit for the bulk of their jam making, they like to use a small proportion of Scottish fruit because “they have a very specific flavour which helps in the making of premium quality jam.”

As Ms Sullivan said, this is the place to be regardless of what type of food is being traded.

S

heepdog trialling will soon be returning to our screens with BBC ALBA’s second series of ‘Farpaisean Chon-chaorach’/Sheepdog Trials.

The series kicks off in the New Year with the Scottish Inter District Nursery Finals, from Campbeltown, Argyll. Handlers will be hoping their young dogs will be the future International Supreme Champions, testing their abilities during the winter’s nursery trials.

The nursery trials are a very important part of the trialling year, giving handlers a chance to assess how well younger dogs under two and a half years, who have not received points in open competition, are responding to training and whether or not they will be able to handle the pressures of trialling.

For featured trialist and sheep farmer Bobby Henderson of Carcant Farm in Heriot, who ran in Campbeltown with his sheepdog Tag, it’s a good opportunity to assess a young dog without putting them under too much pressure and also keeps handlers on their toes.

Bobby said: “It’s an apprenticeship for the dog. It gets them ready for open trials and there’s not too much pressure. They’re not up against experienced dogs. It gives them a chance to get going, get started. Also it motivates you, as a handler to put more work in with a young dog and put more time in with them.”

Alec McCuish from Skipness, Argyll who was also running in Campbeltown with his dog Mirk, knows what kind of dog he needs at this stage. Alec said: “You want a dog with a good temperament, one that enjoys being with other dogs and other people, that’s crucial. It can be good at home but if it’s not when it’s away from home it will be no use for trialling. You want a good out-runner, one that can collect the sheep to start

Gaelic Sheep Dog Trials

with, the rest you can work on.”

The Campbeltown course proved to be a good challenge for the young dogs who were the best runners from the districts competitions that took place previously across Scotland.

Bobby Henderson, who ran with Tag, said: “The outrun was a bit of a challenge for some dogs, but once the sheep were picked up it was a nice course. It wasn’t the best of days weather wise, it was windy but the course was good and the sheep were good which makes a difference.”

As well as meeting competitors and their young dogs, the first episode of the new series also sees presenter Donald MacSween getting the lowdown on Nursery Trialling with Alec McCuish on his farm in Skipness. Also in the programme, presenter Catriona MacPhee introduces us to farmer and shepherds crook maker Philip Roskell from Moffat.

From the wilds of Kintyre, Farpaisean Chon-chaorach will also bring us trials and tribulations from an idyllic Hebridean Circuit, an uphill scenic trial from Atholl & Weem and a big hill trial from the Inverlochlarig Hill Trial, near Balquhidder.

The series will also feature competitors at the Scottish National Sheepdog Trials in Dumfriesshire which saw 50 dogs and their handlers take part on each of the three days for one of the 15 places in the Scottish team, as well as following the Scottish team to the International Sheepdog Trials, in Cumbria.

Viewers will also get the chance to access Catriona and Donald’s skills at dog handling, tutored by expert dog whisperer Julie Hill. Their lessons will feature throughout the series taking us on a journey of sheepdog discovery.

The first programme of the new series of Farpaisean Chon-chaorach is on BBC ALBA on Tuesday 5th January at 9pm.

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 16

farmingscotland.com

DIVERSIFICATION

Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

Fencing Guru J

ock Bryce is a classic entrepreneur.

He began his business by identifying a gap in the market that wasn’t being satisfied by existing technology, then set out to meet that demand, with nothing to his name and a family to support. His boundless energy, constant attention to detail and understanding of his customers are no doubt the foundations of his success. His wife Jennifer, who has always helped him in the business is also due a lot of credit in this area.

Looking back over his 35 years in the fencing business it might be easy to suggest that Jock could have started out designing and building fencing equipment right from the start. He has, after all a highly technical mind. However his practical experience in building fences in all weather and ground conditions and working as a contractor gives him a unique understanding of the challenges that his customers face both in the field and in business.

Thirty-five years ago, poorly specified materials for electric fencing made it difficult to convince customers that electric fencing was worth their investment. Jock’s response was to develop and patent components that were so tough they could withstand the extreme weather conditions of Canada, the American Mid-West and Nova Scotia. He also guaranteed them. He committed to being best, and not surprisingly, his business grew.

Later as he set up a straw and silage contracting business, Jock juggled the demands of customers,

16

whose crops were all ready at once.

It’s easy for an outsider to see in retrospect that this probably gave him a great deal of insight into the need to boost contractors’ productivity.

This particular trait is now recognisable in Jock’s range of Bryce Suma Post Drivers. Right from the beginning he designed the Powershift Profi to deliver 340kg of hitting power with tremendous accuracy.

The novel positioning capability of the telescopic mast allowed the tractor to remain parked in one place reducing manoeuvring time and wear on the clutch.

Once in place, hydraulic legs ensured stability and ground clearance where necessary. The height and weight of the hammer ensured the minimum number of strokes to drive in strainers, reducing wear and overall downtime. Jock had thought of every angle in using his product including unhitching, loading and transporting.

But this was just the start. A year later, in 2002 the Profi Max increased the clout of the Profi to 454kg. Jock had also increased stability, and found a way to move his machine from post to post quicker. By 2003 there were seven models of post drivers, four of them in the lighter Vector range.

Another ‘no-frills’ model, the Bryce Suma Powershift Standard followed in 2004, giving farmers a basic high output post driver at a budget price.

Another 40 changes down the road, increasing the machine’s flexibility and versatility, and by 2008 Jock’s post drivers had become the industry bench mark and the winner of several silver and gold medals.

Based at Morebattle outside Kelso, Jock manufactures his post drivers on site at his home, Linton Hill. He and his team also convert tracked dumpers into fencing machines to customer specification.

Jock is a believer in staying on top of the game and prefers to control the whole business from design to point of sale, keeping prices to customers down and staying close to his clients.

Latest in a long line of improved productivity and power, Jock’s Supreme versions include the Profi Max Supreme Post Driver, which is a real heavyweight, itself weighing 1840kg and capable of delivering up

to 81.48 tonnes of impact force. As someone once said "With this machine you can do five days work in four, and take the fifth day off!"

Not that Jock’s customers seem the type to slow down or even stop.

Reid Pipelines of Lockerbie achieve 2500-3000m of fencing per day using four machines on pipeline work.

Another customer had apparently increased his output by 50% over any other type of equipment he’d used, paying back more than its cost in three months. It seems like in fencing there’s no slowing down, particularly if Jock Bryce has anything to do with it.

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 17

www.skye-shepherdscottage.com

Call 016444 60644 to make your booking

C

live Houdley of DCH Farm Sales, is an established Borders farmer, and is always looking for innovative solutions to farming problems. He’s known for his award-winning design, the Scotpen mobile sheep pen. Recognising the need for good advice and quality equipment in his area, he carefully selected French manufacturer Rabaud and became their local agent.

Rabaud has manufactured agricultural, landscape and garden equipment in France for over twenty-five years, and like Clive, they’re known for their innovation.

Their latest fencing product deals with the issues of handling multiple strands of wire at the same time, tensioning and stapling.

The Rabaud Barbed Wire and Netting Machine (automatic linkage category N°2) has a hydraulic offset allowing the barbed wire to be well lined up in accordance with the posts, a loading stand for setting the barbed wire coils (up to 500m) and a handy tool chest. It can set two, three, four and five rows in one pass and the light (2.9kg fully loaded) air nailing pistol unlocks only when touching the post.

The tension sprocket wheels are fitted with brakes allowing a separate tension. Overall this machine’s design offers increased convenience, productivity and safety in fencing.

Golden Prize T

he standing of New Zealand’s top shearers is being rewarded with a top prize in the presentation of a Hyundai Santa Fe for the winner of the PGG Wrightson National Shearing Round at the 50th anniversary Golden Shears in March.

The prize, worth over $60,000, was announced at the launching of the anniversary season in Masterton, home of the Golden Shears since its euphoric first international shearing and woolhandling championships in 1961.

The PGG Wrightson National Shearing Round, incorporating the McSkimming Memorial Triple Crown, which was first contested at the 13th

Golden Shears in 1973, links five competitions on five different wool types throughout the country, starting with New Zealand finewool merino championships in Alexandra.

Mavis Mullins, a Dannevirke businesswoman who last year became the first woman president of the Golden Shears International Shearing Championship Society, said: “Innovative and creative thinking by the PGG Wrightson Regional Manager, Duncan Fletcher, and Emma Ryan from Hyundai, has been the catalyst for this initiative.”

“This has launched our 50th birthday celebrations with a real bang, and is a real sign of the esteem in,

which the hard workers and competitors in our industry and sport are held.”

PGG Wrightson competition chair Philip Morrison said the Hyundai Santa Fe will be seen at Alexandra, the compulsory opening round for PGG Wrightson National entrants on the way to finding 12 qualifiers for the final stages, the semi-finals and a final at the Golden Shears on March 3-6.

The other qualifying rounds are at Waimate, the Christchurch show in November, the national lamb shearing championships at Raglan in January and the Pahiatua Shears at the end of February.

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59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 18

farmingscotland.com

MONITOR FARM

Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

by Carol MacLaren, QMS

Pig Monitor Farms

A

pioneering approach to monitor farms based on the commercial operation of two Scottish pig units – one indoor and one outdoor – is proving successful.

Quality Meat Scotland is the driving force supporting the new three-year pig monitor farm project, with additional funding provided by the Scottish Government.

Monitor farms have already been running successfully in the beef, sheep, dairy and arable sectors around Scotland for several years. However, the need for robust barriers to the transfer of disease between pig farms means that the tried and tested formula for monitor farms of hosting structured meetings held on an individual, typical commercial farm is not an option.

In response to this the pig monitor farm programme had to be developed in a way, which recognises the challenge the pig industry faces in exchanging knowledge given producers and staff actively avoid visiting other pig units because of biosecurity concerns.

“The answer has been found in regular off-farm meetings – often featuring video footage of the monitor farms – which focus on key production and health issues and

18

involve pig producers, facilitators and invited specialists,” said Allan Ward, QMS Pig Strategy Manager.

The two units selected by a panel of producers to be pig monitor farms are an Aberdeenshire indoor unit and an outdoor breeding unit in Angus.

Details of the farms and discussions during the meetings are kept confidential to encourage the full and frank disclosure of business information.

“A key reason that the monitor farm is working well within the Scottish pig industry is that the meetings are attracting both unit managers and also their staff. This ensures that any ideas generated are quickly challenged on their practicality by those who will be responsible for implementing them and some lively discussions have ensued!” said Allan.

Ensuring that all Scottish producers can access the discussions has led to the creation of two regional sub-groups, one in Dumfries and one in Nairn. This provides a more local point of access to the information for producers who are not located close to the monitor farms themselves.

The Monitor Farms are also part of the Scottish Pig Business Network, which aims to increase the profitability of pig producers.

Comparing performance figures between different businesses is used in many industries to identify points of difference, either good or bad.

These can then be targeted for action.

Unfortunately, the benchmarking systems available for the pig sector to date have required so much time to be taken up with inputting the figures that there is little time left at meetings to discuss the outputs.

“The solution to this is for all participating units to use the same on-farm recording software so a deal has been reached with Agrosoft for all Scottish producers to use the Winpig system free of charge for the next three years,” said Allan.

“Likewise, the main pig abattoirs and marketing groups have cooperated to implement the QBox system that feeds back carcase, health and growth rate figures after slaughter.”

The combination of outputs from Winpig, QBox and the Wholesome Pigs (Scotland) health monitoring scheme provide directly comparable figures for all participating farms and allow producers and advisers to concentrate on analysing the figures and identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Earlier this year, specialist pig vet, Iain Mortimer, was appointed to drive forward regional control and

eradication activities. Scotland already has a better national health status for the most common endemic diseases than the rest of the UK. In some cases, such as sarcoptic mange, it should be possible to eradicate the disease completely whereas for others, proper control measures will be more cost-effective.

Enzootic pneumonia is a global challenge to the pig industry and yet only 4% of Scottish pigs are showing signs of incomplete control in the abattoir monitoring programme. The target is to reduce this to zero by identifying the affected farms and working with them in either effective vaccination or partial depopulations.

Many diseases are spread by air, birds or other animals so their long-term control depends upon collaboration between different producers and their vets. Coordinated action within local areas gives a much higher success rate than individuals doing their own thing at their own time. Iain is enabling this communication to happen by mapping the health status of the industry and providing controlled, confidential access to it where groups of producers and vets want to work together.

At the market end, the Scottish industry wants to build upon the success of the newly launched 'Specially Selected Pork Approved by Scottish SPCA' brand.

“This has successfully provided a point of difference for Scottish pigmeat in a competitive market and most importantly, it is based upon the existing high levels of stockmanship and management within the industry demonstrated through the QMS Farm Assurance – Pigs scheme, not new standards,” said Allan.

Future developments will relate to defined eating quality and exploring the environmental credentials of Specially Selected Pork. The abattoirs are enthusiastic participants in this activity as they can see that it will add value for all parts of the supply chain.

Pig producers interested in getting involved in any of this activity should contact Allan Ward on 07879 272501 or award@qmscotland.co.uk.

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 19

Tillage 2009

by Andrew Arbuckle

S

pylaw farm, Kelso, is sometimes called the best arable farm in Scotland and so it was a very suitable location for this year’s Tillage event, where all the latest cultivating and seeding machinery was put through its paces.

Some 70 tractors complete with ploughs, and various combinations of rollers, tines, presses and discs were seen working on 20 demonstration plots by the 1,500 or so visitors.

There was a general acceptance that arable farmers were unlikely to be big buyers of equipment this year on account of poor cereal prices This did not deter the manufacturers. ”I reckon we have about £10 million worth of tackle being put through its paces here,” said Duncan Russell, services manager with the Agricultural Engineers Association, who helped organise the event held on a 100 acre site.

Even if they were reputed not to be in a big buying mood, the visitors saw what Russell estimated to be a combined horsepower of all the rigs coming in at around about 14,000

horsepower in working conditions.

With the size of tractors increasing steadily, that massive total of power was concentrated in less than one hundred tractors with the biggest unit on show rated at more than 500 hp.

Ever since tractors were invented their power rating has gradually increased and Russell thought the size of machinery had not yet peaked. “If you want to cover the ground you must either go faster or go wider.

Faster is not the answer so wider and bigger is.”

He admitted that one of the constraints now facing equipment suppliers in the UK and indeed in other European countries is the need to travel along public roads between working. This means that machinery has to be able to be folded into a width of less than three metres and this adds to the costs of equipment.

One of the host farmers for the event, Colin McGregor, who along with his business partner, Keith Redpath, farm in excess of 3,000 hectares in the Borders, agreed with Russell on the benefits of scale. Colin

reckoned that he would complete his winter wheat sowing programme the following week with some 1,200 ha in the ground. His seeding is carried out at 180 acres per day, with an 8m wide machine, a far cry from memories of his first harvest 20 years ago when 40 acres was a good day’s work. Most of the cultivators on show operated with various combinations of tines, discs and presses and Russell said there was still a move, on a UK basis, for more minimum tillage that by-passes the need for traditional ploughing. The situation was different in Scotland where ploughing is still carried out partly as a method of getting rid of the slug problem that can emerge with unburied trash.

However another factor in the ploughing versus minimum tillage debate has been introduced with a DEFRA consultation pointing towards minimum tillage as a method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

With several of the larger units on show operating with Global Positioning Satellite technology, Russell predicted this would be one of

the most important areas of development in the next few years.

By using this technology efficiencies could be achieved with less fuel being expended on double working.

SOYL, based in Newbury, one of the firms at the event, who now have a decade’s experience in improving efficiency through GPS technology, said they were now facing a 30% increase in demand year on year.

Through precise sampling of the soil, they build up profiles of individual fields and the information is then transferred to the fertiliser spreader, where the rate is varied accordingly during application.

Andrew Durston, Scottish manager said they were now looking at providing growers with information on leaf area indexes provided from satellite photography of their cereal crops so that decisions can be made as to how much nitrogen is required to be applied. He believed that with further research, this type of technology could be expanded so that in future disease control advice was also made available.

Check out our redesigned website:

www.farmingscotland.com It will be updated with back issues shortly 19

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 20

farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

WORLD MARKETS

by Hugh Stringleman

World Markets A

ngus cattle enthusiasts have “out-commercialised” their Hereford brothers and convinced much of the big beef industry in the United States to go black, believes 6666 Ranch ambassador “Boots” O'Neal.

He told a group of visiting international journalists on a tour of West Texas that his historic ranch of 40,000ha was pure Hereford until the mid 1990s, when the manager ordered a breeding switch to Angus.

This was because the Angus beef branding programmes were so successful compared with the Hereford brands. For instance, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) in the US calls itself the biggest beef brand in the world, with some justification.

CAB was launched in 1978 and now boasts 15,000 licensees worldwide, selling 225,000 tonnes of certified beef annually.

To the observer from temperate countries, especially those familiar with the home of the Angus breed, Scotland, the sight of large numbers of black cattle under scorching sun in West Texas was surprising. For instance, 6666 Ranch carries 7000 Angus cows, all managed in the traditional western way. This means one cowboy with eight to 10 horses looks after up to 16,000ha, with its own house, herd and handling facilities. His job is to maintain the fences and the windmills for water supply to the cattle.

One of these ranch hands for more than 60 years, 'Boots' is a wonderful character in full western gear including chaps and spurs.

“I've seen a lot of changes in my time, and I've been against every one of them,” Boots joked.

As well as being ambassador and host for 6666 Ranch, Boots is deputy sheriff of King County, West Texas, which has an adult population of 200.

Not a lot of crime requires his attention. King County is based around the town of Guthrie and the county is about 30 miles by 30 miles.

Boots said among the biggest changes in his time since 1949 have been horse floats and cattle trucks.

Before them it could take days to walk out to yards for cattle

20

mustering, and then days more to take the drafts to rail.

When cowboys were on the trail they slept on the ground in all weathers and were supplied from chuck wagons.

Now cowboys drove home after mustering and branding and slept in their own beds, he said scornfully.

However, he conceded that the standard of food is a lot better.

In the Four Sixes bunk house about 40 staff members are fed every lunchtime. When members of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists visited, Texas chef Tom Perini was called in to provide fajitas and dessert with bourbon cream sauce.

Perini, who has his own ranch restaurant at Buffalo Gap, south of Abilene in central Texas, is an ambassador for Texan cooking and has cooked for former President George W. Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Steers are the only 6666 branded cattle sold on the open market, plus unbranded surplus heifers. Boots explained that the brand is strongly

protected and that all branded females must remain within the ranch or be sold for slaughter.

Down the road at Memphis, Texas, not to be confused with Elvis Presley's home city in Tennessee, the Bradley 3 Ranch is a breeder of Angus bulls, turning out 150 to 200 each year, all sold by video auction.

Located on the picturesquely named Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, the Bradley 3 Ranch produces renowned “natural beef ” Angus sires which are sold throughout the United States and into South America and Australia.

This takes place on 4600ha of rangeland and semi-improved pastures, infested with rattlesnakes, mesquite brush and junipers, receiving only 500mm of rainfall annually.

James Henderson and Mary Lou Bradley-Henderson explained that the current ranch stocking rate is one cow to 13ha, which they hope to improve to 10ha with better pastures and rotational grazing.

When a group from the International Federation of

Agricultural Journalists visited Bradley 3 Ranch in August, the daytime temperature was 40 degrees C and the black cattle weren't much interested in leaving the shade of the mesquite, except to take on water.

“Natural beef ” in the US means no growth hormone implants and no antibiotics, but it doesn't mean grass-finished. Almost all slaughter stock go into feedlots for an average of 150 days to be finished on grain-based diets.

Meanwhile McDonalds restaurants in Australia and New Zealand have picked up a successful launch in the US of Angus branded burgers, for which the chain requires large numbers of certified Angus beef.

McDonald's has launched two premium Angus burgers at about $2 above its existing range.

In New Zealand it is going to need 500,000kg annually of Angus-bred beef.

AngusPure brand manager (part owned by the NZ Agust Association)will be the auditor for the McDonald's programme, making physical checks on cattle in the yards, tracing the beef through into the box and even taking spot samples for DNA testing.

To qualify, cattle have to be sired by registered Angus bulls over cows that are a minimum 50% Angus.

McDonald's NZ managing director, Mark Hawthorne, said despite the downturn, consumers wanted a premium dining experience, quality ingredients and ongoing value. He said the introduction of the permanent premium Angus burger range in NZ and elsewhere would be a considerable boost to Angus beef farming.

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 21

SHEEP SHEARING

farmingscotland.com Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

Fagan Wins Again T

he thrills of competition shearing remain as constant as ever for 48-year-old shearing icon David Fagan who on recently won the Great Raihania Shears open title in Hastings, his first win in a 28-season open-class career, which has produced 593 victories around the World.

But, armed with a $1000 winner's

cheque to more than cover the costs of a seven-hour return trip by road from hometown Te Kuiti with regular travelling companion and eventual third-placegetter Dean Ball, Fagan said it's not the money.

"I don't know," he said during a Labour Weekend break in Whangamata, when asked if the current season could be his last on the competition circuit. "While I'm still enjoying it, I'll still be doing it."

"Travelling with the guys is part of the cameraderie," he said.

"If you were travelling on your own all the time, you probably wouldn't bother. It makes it a cheap weekend away if you're all sharing the

costs, and the prizes...? That's a bonus."

"There's a great life out there for younger guys, opportunities to travel, overseas, see the World, and if you use your money properly."

Despite the wins having not been as regular as at some stages of his illustrious career, there's no sign of any let-up in the Fagan itinerary, in which he flies to Australia on

Thursday with five others chosen from finals at the New Zealand championships in April to compete at the Warrnambool Shears, part of an exchange between the two competitions which started after he and brother John made their first visit to the Australian show 20 years ago.

Returning the day after the crossbred shearing and woolhanlding championships end on Saturday, Fagan will later in the week fly to the South Island to compete in a fundraing speedshear in South Canterbury, and make a first-ever appearance in the Pleasant Point Shears. He will then return to Te Kuiti, but fly south again for the NZ Corriedale championships

at the Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch on November 11-13, the third leg of the PGG Wrighston National Round.

After indicating last year that he would be cutting-back on the competitions, he still reached 16 finals in shows from Balclutha to Auckland, winning the Rangitikei Shears in Masterton and his 16th Golden Shears open title in Masterton in March, after which he still found time for six more competitions, qualifying for all eight possible finals and being runner-up four times.

He then spent several weeks in Britain accompanying the New Zealand team of nephew James Fagan and Hawke's Bay star John Kirkpatrick, winning two more titles at the historic Glenarm Castle in Northern Ireland and the Great Yorkshire Open in England, just 24 hours apart in July.

Rarely one to speak of his goals, leaving the talk to his tall frame and the Viper handpiece, Bullet cutters and Mustang comb he has helped develop in Sydney for gear-makers Supershear, Fagan has, however, made no secret of the incentive to follow the competitions this season, reaching finals in successive weeks at Alexandra, Waimate, Gisborne and Friday's contest at the Hawke's Bay Show.

The winners of the 50th Golden Shears Open on March 6, 2010 and the New Zealand Open four weeks later will represent New Zealand at the 14th Golden Shears World shearing and woolhandling championships, increasing interest in the competition-miles needed to be competitive in the glamour events.

"That's everyone's goal," said Fagan, who won the World title in 1988, 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2003, and who has six other World titles in the teams event.

"We'll take one week at a time, but at the end, I'll just want to know I've given it my best shot."

The Hastings competition attracted 28 open class shearers, a record since it was resurrected in 2004 to commemorate a victory by Ngati Porou gun Rimitiriu Raihania in the World's first machine-shearing competition at the Hawke's Bay show in 1902.

But it was a tough day with the seasonal conditions reflected in the times for one of the slowest crossbred sheep competitions in the country in the last decade, and the difficulty many shearers had meeting tougher quality standards.

Globetrotting Matt Smith, from Ruawai in the Far North and having recently returned from shearing in

the Slovenia and Estonia regions, made the pace throughout and took 19min 6 sec, to beat the other three finalists by at least half a sheep. But he was relegated to fourth place on points, opening the way for Fagan's win by more than six points over runner-up and last-man-off David Buick, of Pongaroa.

Dean Ball had to settle for third place, while reigning champion Kirkpatrick and fellow Hawke's Bay hope Cam Ferguson, who scored his first major open win in Waimate a fortnight ago, were eliminated in the semi-finals, all with rare failures to match the quality mark.

Gisborne teenager Joel Henare won the open woolhandling title, a crucial longwool show victory and 15th open class title in trying to become the youngest person to be awarded Master Woolhandler status

by Shearing Sports New Zealand.

World champion and country school principal Sheree Alabaster, of Taihape, was third, but former three-times World champion Joanne Kumeroa, of Wanganui, failed to reach the final of her last event before a three-week return to her base in Hamilton, Victoria, after which she will be back in New Zealand to compete in Christchurch.

This space should be selling for you !!

Jason Wings his way to Wales

A

ustralian sheep shearer – Jason Wingfield – had a double celebration at the National Australian Shearing Championships recently.

This Victorian sherer first made the six stand National final back in 1997 and has been placed seven times since then, being runner up to six times winner Shannon Warnest for the past two years.

After he was awarded his prizes and granted a place in the Australian team to travel to the World Shearing Championships in Wales, he asked his girlfriend to come on stage. Much to the audiences’ delight he proposed and after the initial shock she accepted!

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farmingscotland.com

RURAL RETAIL

Issue fifty-nine • November 2009

Emma is wearing it with the easy-fitting pink Weirdfish Activity Shirt £29, in 100% cotton with long sleeves and 3 buttons and practical at 26” long.

Models in the Country

L

ast month’s Hogg’s of Fife men’s section with Richard looking quite the country gent caused something of a stir at the markets.

This month he is rivalled by our ladies’ models and clothing. Our country ladies are younger and of course, prettier than Richard!

(Editor’s comment: debatable!)

We went to South Ayrshire where, unusually and quite by accident all the vets at Robertson and Orr, Maybole are women. Owner Tia Hastie was good enough to round up her team for us in between calls from clients, and we headed in convoy to Turnberry, where the beautiful Links Lodge B&B nestles amongst the sand dunes in front of the grandeur of the great Turnberry Hotel.

Cover girl Catherine, with foal

22

Ruben, is wearing a pink Weirdfish Macaroi Zip Top, £49. It has two small side pockets and proved very popular with our models. Teamed with her own black jeans and polo shirt, the pink theme is completed with Candy Girl Wedge Wellies £35.

Jacqui (pictured right) is wearing Hogg’s dark lovat ladies moleskins, £45 with her own black polo jersey.

She has the Mey tweed waistcoat in lovat herringbone tweed, with navy and candy pink box check, and manufactured in rugged cloth, £89.

Teflon coated for rain and stain resistance, with two front pockets, two-way front zip, and matching dark olive moleskin collar makes this a stylish and practical outer layer.

The Mey tweed waistcoat also looks good with pink, and (above)

Alongside Emma, Tia, with her stehascope is modelling a navy Upland Waxed Jacket £79. It is lined with anti-pill fleece, for winter warmth and is nicely shaped, with a waist adjuster, for a snugger or looser fit as required. Two front bellows pockets and one internal zipped security pocket give Tia plenty of room to stash the all important mobile, car keys and medicinal bottles, while she’s handling large animals.

Pixie the Shetland Pony took a liking to the Black Palermo Reiker anti-stress shoes, £55, and yes, we agreed they did look rather good with her coat. Famed for their lightweight flexibility, supersoft leather uppers, and anti-stress, cushioned soles, these have grippy rubber soles and a light, fleecy ling, for cosy winter feet. With a 1” heel and medium fit, Pixie is looking for four in her size!

Another popular choice is the Timberland Plymouth Boot – what kind of footprint will you leave in this lightweight hiker? It’s ideal for travel, sport or leisure. Look the part, and take comfort from Gore-Tex waterproofing, all for only £75. With oiled leather and fabric uppers, quick release ski hooks and a grippy rubber sole.

Veterinary nurse, retained Firefighter and festival goer, Jane is shown here (far right) with Fern the terrier and Ozzie sportingly wearing his pink lead. Jane is wearing a semi-fitted sweatshirt from Lazy Jacks. Casual country clothing for all ages, this top is not too dressy, not too fitted and just perfect for everyday wear. It has two small side pockets £49. Wedge Wellie adds a little Giraffe Glamour at £35.

Hoggs Braemar natural rubber boot has all the features of leading rivals but at an unrivalled price of £37.

They feature a cushioned footbed, an anti-bacterial lining, and a traditional calendered outsole for comfort, durability and performance.

The wellies are extremely comfortable and boast a wider calf fitting than most competitors boots. They are available in Navy and Olive options.

59 MAG 29/10/09 11:33 am Page 23

Kids overalls Available in red or royal blue with tractor motif and one name (left chest on larger sizes (28+).

Back for smaller sizes) £16 incl uk p&p Sizes 20 -34 Please make cheques payable to: M Taylor Mark of Loch Ronald, Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire, DG8 0ER Please specify overall colour required, tractor colour (red, green or blue) and personalisation required. Include your name, address, email and contact tel in case of queries. Please allow up to 21 days for delivery.

All Sewn Up

L

ooking for something different for the kids this Christmas?

Then look no further – as every child will love a personalised farm sweatshirt or overalls to stand out from the crowd.

Michelle Taylor, who has a small holding – Mark of Loch Ronald (34 acres) – at Kirkcowan, Glen Luce, and access has to a further 800 acres of bog and rock at Artfield, recently added childern’s clothing to her embroidered range.

“My menagerie includes 12 mainly Limousin cross cows with followers, 2 bulling heifers, 34 cross bred ewes with Texel x Beltex tup, 2 ponies, 30 hens, 3 ducks (thanks Mr fox) 4 dogs, 3 cats and 2 guinea pigs.”

Michelle did run around 150 ewes “but after 60 hours without sleep and a toddler to look after decided it was too much and brought my numbers back down.”

Michelle is the only manufacturer of custom boxing ring wear in Scotland. She also supplies

merchandise to Boxing News magazine online shop. She also does dressmaking, alterations, makes curtains, bespoke items, horse rug repairs and garment decoration.

“As well as the children’s overalls I can supply sweatshirts, t-shirts, workwear, white coats for the show ring, golf towels and fleeces, all personalised with quality embroidery.

Two local stockists of some of my non personalised range are Kirkland Farm Shop and Tearoom, Leswalt and Cinnamon, Newton Stewart.”

Michelle’s daughter Grace is pictured modelling the overall.

First Impressions Count

A

s you approach a farm, the sign is the first thing you see and it can be a good indicator of what lies ahead.

If the farm sign is well maintained, the first impression usually carries on up the farm road and into an immaculate yard, but on the other hand it if it is rusty, needing a lick of paint or needing rehung it can be considered a warning sign!

Why not spruce up your farm entrance and give your visitors a good first impression?

Borders based, Caledonian Signs offer a tremendous range of wrought iron farm signs, which will make an ideal Christmas gift for any farmer or crofter.

Designs can be viewed on their website www.caledoniansigns.co.uk or commissions can be taken – no additional charge for personal

commissions.

A huge variety of weather vanes are also on offer as are hanging baskets made from mild steel and personalised specifically to your own requirements The website offers an online purchasing facility. However, you are welcome to contact Iain Renton direct.

“Most signs include cut-out images of either animals, birds, transport or any other weird and wonderful ideas that can be turned into a silhouette.

“All sign lettering can be changed to any font, colour or size to suit the customer’s requirements – please visit our Fonts/Colours section for more information.”

Prices range from £135 - £235.

Get your order in now, solve a present dilemma and make the farm roadend one to be proud of!

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www.puddlejumpers.co.uk