FAMILY CARS FROM MITSUBISHI
farmingscotland
Technology is to the fore – GPS mapping, Electronic Identification and Robotic Milking to name but a few wonders of the modern world that are now becoming more commonplace on the agricultural scene.
EilidhMacPherson
farmingscotland
is written, edited, designed and printed Scotland. This publication reports industry wide over the whole of Scotland and Northerrn England and is distributed free for farmers and crofters to abattoirs, livestock markets, farm supplies and department offices from the Borders to the Butt of Lewis, from Stranraer to the Shetland Isles and Clitheroe to Cumbria.
EDITOR: Eilidh MacPherson
Glengowan, Scaur Water, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, DG3 4NJ
Tel: 01848 600 286
Mobile: editor@farmingscotland.com www.farmingscotland.com
PUBLISHER - Eilidh MacPherson
Cover - MEP Alyn Smith at airport, Brussels
Text and photography by Eilidh MacPherson
unless otherwise stated
Page 10 - Stuart Telfer
Page 13 - Norvite
Page 18 - Susan Smith
Page 19 - Case & Simmental Cattle Society
Unfortunately my technical side let me down this month, as my nearly completed April Issue disappeared from the screen and refused to appear again in any format. So back to square one and the drawing board to start again – hence the lateness of this issue hitting the press.
Poultry is the main theme this time, with the rules changing on caged birds in 2012, the Aitken’s of Overton, Fintry are debating whether to stay in the industry and invest to free range standard or quit after 37 years of egg production. James MacLean of Border Eggs, Paxton, is already producing organic and free range-eggs and is expanding in the next couple of months, while the third feature highlights a farmer, who is on a five-year contract with Glenrath eggs.
Dr Stuart Telfer of Telsol has written a very interesting piece –“Navigating the mineral minefield,” on page 10. Building, sheep shearing, flock feeding and the latest on Electronic Identification from Alyn Smith and Ritchey Tag adorn the
following pages.
It is now twenty years since our class graduated from SAC Edinburgh and a reunion at the Highland Show is on the cards. John Sinclair, West Craigie Farm, South Queensferry, now a director with the Highland Show, is the latest from the ‘Class of 89’ to feature. He has taken up a regular Around the Regions Arable slot. We look forward to hearing from in the months ahead.
A recent trip to Westminster and Brussels with the Rural Leadership Program, facilitated by Smiths Gore, proved an interesting and informative trip earlier this month. Meeting MEPs firsthand and seeing how the whole institution operated was quite an eye opener. The front cover highlights MEP Alyn Smith boarding a plane for home in Brussels. More details on the trip will be featured in the next issue.
I’ll just have to get my head down and fire the next issue out in double time – in between lambing and renovations!
STOP PRESS - HIGHLAND
PONY STALLION AT STUD
Ericht Major Colin of Achriochtan 163/96
Tel: 01478 640238
Photo available by e-mail
Shearing NZ Shearing Cha mps
Around the Regions John S inclair
Embracing Change
The Aitken’s of Overton, Fintry could be categorised as a ‘rare breed’ in the farming world –they are one of very few small battery hen farmers, who market all their own eggs.
With yet more new rules burgeoning the agricultural industry – all egg production has to be free range by 2012 – the Aitken’s are facing a huge dilemma. The big question – will they make the huge investment and convert their 6700 Hy-Line, 3 flock, caged operation to a free range one or opt out of the poultry sector after 37 years?
The jury is still out on this hotly debated topic at Overton, “I don’t know what we’ll talk about once we have made a decision,” exclaimed Betty who markets and delivers all the eggs to a 70 strong customer base.
At one point the Aitken’s housed 12000 birds but, “Over the years our marketing has declined, smaller shops have given up as they cannot compete with the supermarkets, others have retired,” explained Jake.
Deciding whether to convert their poultry enterprise from caged to free range is the main topic of conversation around the kitchen table at Overton farm, Fintry.
“We are cheaper delivering ourselves rather than paying someone else,” said Betty who along with her husband and son has a 6am start to pack the eggs. She is then on the road by 10.30am, five days a week, touring the countryside delivering eggs from Perth to Helensburgh and rarely home before 6pm.
“Most of our customers have been with us for years; small shops, butchers, dairies and hotels and any new ones are through word of mouth.”
The Aitken’s were first introduced to poultry when they took over a smallholding – 40 acre Adamswell Farm at Mollinsburn, Cumbernauld –37 years ago. They inherited some birds there and built the numbers up to 12000.
In 1987 the opportunity to buy some bare land at Fintry, near Jake’s family home at Bogside arose and the Aitkens jumped at the chance. “We ran the two places alongside for five years. There was only a an old byre and a fank here initially, no fences or house.”
Over the years the family have built a farmhouse, three henhouses, the steading, and sheep yards. The poultry sheds could be adapted to house freerange birds but the innards would need to be revamped and the numbers in each shed would have to be dramatically reduced.
An egg-grading machine was purchased five years ago and has been a wonderful time saving investment. It was 30 years old when they bought it, but has been worth its weight in gold as it pre packs the eggs and incorporates the lazer stamper.
“Special ink for food is used to stamp the date on. A cartilage lasts about 3 months, but is expensive and adds onto the cost of a dozen eggs. Packaging also adds 12p to a dozen,” said Robert.
At Overton, there are three main enterprises, which Jake reckons are more or less on a par for income on an annual basis. “The egg money gives us cash flow year round and pays the bills while we are waiting for sale time and the SFP.”
Robert helps out with the eggs but tends to focus more on the sheep and
FARM DETAILS
Farmers : J&E Aitken, Robert in partnership with his parents – Jake & Betty
Farming: Overton
Location: Fintry, Stilingshire
Area: 349ha, owned
Stock: 6700 Hy-line hens
680 Blackface sheep 400 pure, 280 to BFL
suckler cows
Horses: Oldest female line in Clydesdale horses
cattle enterprises. Initially Blackface breeding stock was purchased from Blackhouse and the Glen, Innerleithen. Now only tups are bought in, from “where ever – it’s what catches your eye,” said Robert, who sold his first pricey tup – The Hassler – for £4000 to Glenrath and Burncastle in October 2000.
In 2003, Peter Dunor, who farms on the hills above the Southside of Loch Ness, bid £10000 for an Overton bred tup. He was out of a £1600
Midlock sire shared with Allanfauld. Last year Robert sold one at £4500 to Balemeanach and the Pole and another to Tollashill, Hopes Estate for £4000. Robert took up a hand piece and went shearing on his own for 3 years, then in 2001 worked for Iain MacGillivary, Wester Bowhouse, for 5 seasons, before buying the run. He employed 2 Kiwis for 3 seasons, shearing 18 000 sheep, but reckons, “in hindsight I should have just organised it as it created more work at home.”
As the poultry industry has been unsubsidised, the Aitkens were unaware that SRDP funding is now available to farmers to invest in the poultry sector or to convert from caged to free range production. This gem of information will undoubtedly raise more debate round the kitchen table.
From Optimize to Optimize Plus...
Optimize original was developed 10 years ago when acidosis, caused by low pH silage, was a problem when ensiling early-cut, high nutrient grass and forage crops. Controlling lactic acid levels is the key to maximising intakes of early cut silage. Containing no lacto-bacillus strains, this formula came top in the Kingshay silage stability trials 2006/7. Optimize original produces very palatable silage, cutting waste and maximising milk from forage. Less wastage of protein from the conservation process is achieved because the specific Optimize bacillus capture volatile N fractions (nitrates, ammonia & urea). This gives the cow a microbial protein source which is ideal for a healthy rumen metabolism to sustain higher milk yields from the forage portion of her diet.
Optimize Plus: Increases Silage ME by up to 1Mj/kg
Optimize Plus contains the same highly effective bacillus as Optimize original but a new unique enzyme has been added. Energy is the most common limiting factor determining performance and health of dairy cows. The specific enzyme can consistently increase ME levels by 0.5-1 mj/kg. Depending on herd size, the value of this can be £24,000 and more over a winter season. The enzyme releases and separates the bound fibre from otherwise indigestible fibrous material, which increases digestibility, gives more energy from fibre and increases throughput of nutrients into the intestine from the rumen. The silage still maintains its original structure although with young high quality first cut grass a 2 inch chop length is recommended.
Due to the extra digestibility, intakes are increased, which leaves cows content. Concentrate usage can be reduced when high intakes of silage are achieved. A 60 : 40 silage to concentrate ratio is normal with correct feeding of Optimize Plus silage. Rationing becomes easier because the rumen size remains large giving the cows a healthy appetite for all the TMR. Offering extra energy from the silage fraction of the diet means condition stays on high yielding cows, which assists milk quality, fertility, herd health and longevity. One user of Optimzie Plus said he expected a minimum of 4,500 litres from silage a significant proportion of this being produced by late lactation cows. High intake silage produces more consistent lactations and body condition.
Labour: Jake, Betty & Robert
Thirty-one year old James MacLean, of Hutton Hall Barns, Berwickshire, could give all the applicants on BBC 2’s The Apprentice programme, hosted by Sir Alan Sugar, a run for their money!
James, who established his Organic Free Range Egg enterprise – Border Eggs – in March 2007 with 3000 Lohmann Brown laying hens and tripled his numbers last year to 9000, is upping poultry production once more. In July a further 12000 free range hens will take up residence – at Hutton Hall Barns – in the new state of the art shed, which has its founds going down as we go to press.
“The returns from arable farming were pretty poor, so I started looking at other options. Worm farming was one briefly pondered. But egg production seemed to offer a fairly good return, year round income and wasn’t weather dependant,” explained James, who was initially galvanised by hearing a poultry speaker at the local discussion group in the winter of 2004/2005.
He spent the best part of two years visiting about 30 sites and researching, the different sheds, equipment and options before choosing a Newquip mobile unit measuring 80m by 8m, installed with Big Dutchman equipment, which includedall feeders, drinkers and nest boxes as well as a conveyor system to simplify egg collection. This shed is physically shifted on skids after 14 months to clean it out ready for the next batch of 3000 birds. “The newer sheds are cleaned out by a flick of a button once a week into a trailer,” he informed.
The second shed installed at Hutton Hall Barns was a multi-tier, 100m by 8m building with a capacity for 6000 birds. It has a centrally positioned packing station and feed bins. In July, when the third shed – a similar design to the last – is complete it will be filled with 12000 birds.
The walls, which are polystyrene composite panel insulation, are topped with a ‘waterproof duvet’ roof to provide the envirnoment required for egg production. Fans at either end provide ventilation.
Chicken Run
James runs an all in, all out policy, as he reckons it is better to have birds of all the same age on one site.
In each hen house a conveyor system transports the eggs to the packinghouse, where James or one of his part time staff physically grade them for four outlets. The lion's share of Border Eggs head to Fife to Noble Foods. Outsize eggs are sold at farmers markets or at the road end, odd coloured ones are bought by local catering outlets while misshapen ones go for liquid egg.
Noble Foods provide plastic trays, that interlock like Lego, for transit and collect Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
A pallet carries 540 dozen or 6480 eggs, which are then sized and lazered in Thornton, Fife. James can check his grades on the Internet a couple of days after pick up and receives a weekly payment, which was one of the main reasons that he chose Noble Foods. They also provide a superb back up and he feels that they have enabled Border Eggs to grow.
FARM DETAILS
Farmers : James MacLean
Farming: Hutton Hall Barns, owned
Location: Paxton, Berwickshire
Area: 450 acres
Stock: 9000 Organic, Free Range
Lohmann Brown hens
upping to 21000 in June
Crops: Winter wheat – 110 acres
Winter barley – 70 acres
Oilseed Rape – 70 acres
Spring barley – 70 acres
30 acres rented for potatoes
Labour: James and 2 part time staff
Funding: SRDP
Time out is one thing, which James no longer has in abundance, but for the past two years he has made the effort to attend the Cereal Killers group, part of Planning to Succeed, run by Matthew Curry of Smiths Gore. This group of like- minded young farmers, meet periodically to compare notes, bench mark and learn from on farm and wider industry visits.
This year James is one of 60 delegates from across the country attending the Rural Leadership Course, also facilitated by Smiths
Gore. The South group, which has attendees from Berwickshire to Stranraer, and meets for 14 days between January and June, recently joined forces with the Central area and travelled to Westminster and Brussels as part of a fact-finding mission.
“The Rural Leadership course and Cereal Killers group have helped Border Eggs no end: to focus where the business is going, meet people, have a good look how other businesses are run, networking and confidence boosting.”
Mission statements and company aims are displayed on a white board in
the packing room, which is the nerve centre, of this ambitious young entrepreneur’s poultry venture. Not afraid to admit he is driven by money, James looks up to John Campbell OBE, Glenrath and what he has achieved in his lifetime and anyone else who has started from scratch.
James has been on a steep learning curve, cutting his teeth on the original 3000 birds and gradually increasing production as his skills and confidence have grown. He is on the BFRPA committee to learn as much as he can. James has honed his skills in negotiation dramatically and is finding that as his business blossoms it is easier to drive a hard bargain and strike a good deal.
As to the future, James will probably expand again, but with the IPPC limiting 40000 birds to a site, he thinks it would be more challenging to go above that threshold and incur a lot more red tape. In the meantime, with 12000 extra chickens arriving, young Mr MacLean will have more birds (of the feathered kind) to cope with than he could ever have dreamed of.
Quite the reverse from Sir Alan Sugar – “You’re Fired!” – James will now be looking at increasing staffing levels, with one full time position for egg production and a part timer on the arable front. “You’re hired!”
Any apprentice working with James will undoubtedly learn a lot and have plenty fun, as his wicked sense of humour shines through.
Investing £1Million in a 32000 bird poultry unit has been worth every penny says David Runciman, who farms in conjunction with his father on 926 arable acres near Duns in the Scottish Borders.
Quite the entrepreneur, David had already instigated a joint venture –Chirnside Farmers Ltd – with two of his neighbours, carrying out all arable work on 2500acres, operated out of Edington Mains. He utilized the shed space at Edington and increased the grain storage by 8000t to 20000t storage capacity and in 1998 he installed a grain drier with a 40t/hr capability and a 2000t cold storage unit was added before contemplating the egg enterprise.
While some farmers go about their day-to-day business as their forebears have before them, David never lets the grass grow under his feet and is always thinking ahead. Since he and his father moved from two owned farms and one rented holding at Lauderdale to Edington Mains in 1992, they have constantly invested wisely on this arable outfit. “The possibility of no Single Farm Payment
in 2013 prompted us to look at the future. Our projected payback time on the hen house is 5 years all going well! With the first year under our belts this is a realistic target and we hope to have it paid off before 2013. It was a huge commitment in finance and time, but a good way for us to expand our business and it runs egg-ceptionally well with the arable farm. As you‘ve probably noticed I don’t do anything in a small way,” laughed David.
The Runcimans opted for a 32000 bird free-range unit so they could afford to take on a manager to run it as they had no prior experience. They were delighted to appoint poultry guru David Foreman. They also employ another full time man and part time girl on the poultry side. Following a lot of research, “We chose the Big Dutchman multi-tier system, where the muck is dried. This shed is cleaned out twice a week, so it is very fresh and leaves a much better atmosphere for the birds. Air mixers at either end of the shed mix the hot and cool air so there is a level temperature,” explained David, whose next
Hen Pen – Gold Dust
Poultry and arable enterprises work hand in hand at Edington Mains, Duns – utilizing the poultry manure saved David Runciman £27 300 in Potash and Potassium applications last year.
project will be to build a shed to store the 1200t of hen pen to keep within NVZ rules. He is hoping for some SRDP funding for this exercise.
The poultry excrement is like gold dust at Edington Mains. David calculated that it saved the business £27300 on Potash and Phosphate at current fertilizer prices – an £18000 saving on Phosphate and £9300 on Potash, not to mention Nitrogen, last year! With fertiliser prices shooting up from £138/t to £550/t the hen pen has been a godsend. As it is rich in calcium, David reckons he may never need to lime again.
When the planned storage facility is in situ, the hen pen will be stored over winter and spread on crops in the spring to maximize its potential. “If applied in the autumn, leaching occurs in the winter and plants are not growing so are not taking up the nutrients at that time of the year. We are still fine tuning application. I would like to spread 24 m using tram lines but might have to split them,”
“We normally buy fertiliser in bulk for Chirnside Farmers and it is then sold individually to each farm. We
use Soyl Precision Farming to sample the soil thenstraights are applied using satellite technology.”
David site managed the whole project, from the first digger going in on 1st February 2007, to the birds arriving at the beginning of November 2007. Local building construction team – Thorburns of Duns – erected the shed, before Newquip sent a Polish team in to install the technical feed, watering, air circulation and egg collecting innards. The hen house, which lies, well landscaped, across the road from the main farm entrance is well screened by trees, on 32ha of the poorest land. Being completely out of view of the roadside acts as an extra bio security measure.
A fully automatic egg collecting system is centrally located in the hen house. It fills trays of 30 eggs, which are then grouped into 180s and built into pallets of 720 dozen – 8640 eggs, which David says weighs just over half a tonne. “It’s only an arable farmer that counts eggs in tonnes!”
On the egg-marketing front the Runcimans are tied into a five-year
Farmers : David Runciman in partnership with his father
Farming: Edington Mains, owned
Location: Duns, Berwickshire
Area: 926 acres Stock: 32000 laying hens
reared by Glenrath
contract with Glenrath, who also rear and supply the Isa Waren, Tom Barron birds. “It gives us piece of mind and we have a great working relationship with Glenrath and hopefully this will carry on into the future.”
Glenrath collect the eggs twice a week and are responsible for packing and grading them. Payment is made monthlyper dozen with no difference to the grades of eggs. “The reason I like this is when the lorry leaves I know eggs-actly how much I’m getting. Cash flow-wise it is absolutely fantastic.”
“The investment we have made in our poultry business based on the eggs going to Glenrath Farms only works if
both parties trust each other. The same attitude was applied when we set up Chirnside Farmers – trust what you are doing and trust the people you are working with,” said David.
“We were ready for the next progression and found moving into the poultry sector was one of the best moves we have ever made. Although it was a huge investment we have had great backup and support from Glenrath. It is our most profitable enterprise by far, although we had an exceptionally good year on the arable side last year,” admits David.
This progressive farmers’ advice to young farmers is, “never be afraid to move on.”
Only from Big Dutchman: [ Natura] FLEXIBLEMODULARSYSTEM
There are twenty three identified mineral elements that are essential but possibly toxic, which interact with one another in a soil, plant, animal relationship as illustrated by Dyer (fig 1). Handling the problems that arise from these complex interactions can feel like treading through a minefield. Two of the most important interactions when considering fertility and reproduction, are iron/molybdenum/sulphur and selenium/iodine.
Influences on Fertility and Production. Fertility and production can be influenced by management, forage, energy, protein, soil, disease and even the water supply. The effects of management, energy, protein and disease are well documented, but less is known about the forage, soil and water connection. Problems arise from diet, soil and water in relation to their mineral composition and the interaction of those minerals in the animal. Looking at your cows can provide information about the occurrence of both good and harmful interactions; however, not all of these problems will be visible.
Interactions between iron, molybdenum and sulphur Rumen microbes take up these elements from the food and water consumed by the animal and produce iron/sulphur and molybdenum/ sulphur (thiomolybdate) compounds. Both compounds try to react with copper. In terms of quantity, iron intake is likely to be significantly more abundant than molybdenum and probably ten times greater than copper; hence the formation of iron/sulphur/copper compounds is greater and the amount of copper in the rumen is depleted to a negligible level. This leaves the thiomolybdate
(molybdenum/sulphur) molecules unable to find copper to react with.
The consequence is that the thiomolybdate is absorbed into the animal and moves into the blood stream. It seeks out active copper molecules in the body, usually within enzymes, deactivating and poisoning them – i.e. thiomolybdate toxicity. The outward sign of this deactivation of copper enzymes is the clinical symptoms that have been wrongly attributed to a “deficiency” of copper: spectacles, coat discolouration etc (fig 2). The clinical diagnosis, however, would show that the copper levels (blood and liver) are normal and that as well as outward visible symptoms, the affected animals also show poor oestrus behaviour, reabsorption of embryos and reduced energy utilisation seen as reduced milk yield and/or growth rate. Black cows show coppery coloured coats, 'spectacles' around the eyes and bare ears when suffering from thiomolybdate toxicity. These symptoms are usually, incorrectly, attributed to copper deficiency; high levels of copper supplement could prove fatal.
The prevention/cure of thiomolybdate toxicity is achieved by supplying copper into the rumen to leave enough available for both the iron/sulphur molecules and the thiomolybdate to react with. The copper must be available in the rumen in the first instance to block the passage of thiomolybdate into the animal. Unfortunately, a misleading and erroneous message has been propagated that fertility can be improved by feeding more copper in the diet and that the effect is achieved by the animal absorbing this extra copper into its body.
The work being carried out by Mike Kerby of Delaware Vets (Table 1) illustrates how this feeding of extra
copper is resulting in severe problems. Farm S lost a significant number of cows to copper toxicity (excess copper in liver - Table 1), but the animals are still suffering from the clinical symptoms seen in Figure 2 which is confirmed by the blood analysis from University of Nottingham (NUVETNA). Low CP/PL ratios and depressed SOD activities (Table 1) confirm the presence of thiomolybdate toxicity. The results from Mike Kerby's work show that excessive absorption and retention of copper in the body will not prevent the animals suffering from thiomolybdate toxicity – the symptoms, previously defined as those of “copper deficiency” are still evident!
The copper has to be available in the rumen to stop the thiomolybdate toxin passing into the bloodstream and forms of copper such as copper oxide, dietary protected copper and injectable copper cannot fulfil this role. The unique form of soluble glass copper in CoseIcure and Cosecure provides a constant supply into the rumen to neutralise the toxic thiomolybdate that is produced continuously by the microbes. Improved fertility has been seen in cattle treated with Cosecure compared to multi-element treatments that utilise copper oxide (needles or matrix boluses) and copper injections (Black & French, 2004 Vet Record, page 652) and New Zealand suckler cow trial 2007.
Iodine
Iodine is key in maintaining a normal metabolic rate through its role in producing the hormone thyroxin (T4) from the thyroid gland. An iodine problem usually arises in the first instance in young calves at birth or soon after. However, this does mean that the cow herself may have been short of iodine or that there had been an adverse interaction between elements. The common clinical signs that might indicate an iodine problem are hairlessness in newborn calves, weak, sickly or dead calves, which on post mortem reveal large goitrous thyroid glands. The presence of a goitre is the only clear indication of an iodine deficiency.
Selenium
Lack of selenium and vitamin E can cause problems that are well recognised, although the mechanisms differ between the element and the vitamin. The symptoms most frequently encountered are those of retained placentas, calving difficulties and young calves and lambs being stiff and dopey, with the larger animals frequently dropping dead. Less obvious is the impaired immune function, although this can still cause significant losses.
Selenium and Iodine interaction
An effect exclusive to selenium and unrelated to vitamin E, is the connection between iodine metabolism and this element. In order to produce active thyroxin in the thyroid gland, a selenium dependent enzyme is necessary. Therefore, a lack of selenium reduces thyroxin levels and can result in calves seeming iodine deficient. These supposed iodine deficient calves have no goitres (enlarged thyroids) and the cure is supplemental selenium, not iodine.
Summary
Negotiating your way through this mineral minefield requires patience and care.
Clinical signs are without doubt helpful, but they need proper interpretation. The lack of the trace minerals selenium (along with vitamin E) and iodine, as well as the iron/ molybdenum/sulphur interactions can have significant deleterious effects and adverse financial consequences on the fertility and productivity of ruminant animals.
The VLA has reported a very low incidence of true iodine deficiency in cattle in the UK; therefore, it is essential that diagnosis is correct and
● AT TURNOUT
lactating cattle need magnesium to prevent STAGGERS (hypomagnesaemia)
● Crystalyx Cattle High-Mag supplies a readily available source of magnesium for optimum bio-availability
● Cattle High-Mag is very palatable and readily taken by cattle at grass crystalyx really TAKES SOME
For more information call the Caltech Helpline 016973 32592 e-mail: info@caltech-crystalyx.co.uk website: www.caltech-crystalyx.co.uk
Full range of Dairy, Beef and Sheep Blends
Specially designed Calf Starters, Calf Rearers and Calf Finishers to optimise performance
We are now sole importer of Sprayfo Milk Powder to the UK
Milk Powder available direct onto Farm Can also supply to retail outlets
Calf milk machines available – please call for details
Roadhead Farm Feeds Ltd, Quothquan, Biggar, Lanarkshire. ML12 6ND
Office: 01899 309000 Fax: 01899 309001
Geoff Hewitt: 07803 611780
Email: geoff@roadheadfarmfeeds.co.uk
“Competitively priced Feeds without compromising quality”
it has to be established whether problems are due to the interactions between the elements or due to deficiencies. A full mineral analysis of forage, feed and water is a good starting point, especially in relation to thiomolybdate toxicity as the levels of iron, molybdenum, copper and sulphur will give a good indication of the severity of the problem. This information will also be necessary in defining the mineral input necessary to aid in the correction of the problem. Where thiomolybdate toxicity is diagnosed the in-feed dietary mineral is an essential ingredient, but the animals also require supplemental copper which will be available in the rumen constantly. Therefore, as part of the prevention and/or cure of these mineral imbalances Telsol offers advice on dietary mineral supplementation as well as Cosecure boluses: copper,
selenium and cobalt and now, where required, CoseIcure boluses that have iodine in addition to the other three elements.
For further information contact Peter Bone (Tel: 07785 368591) or Stewart Telfer (0113 226 0666)
With more than 30 years' experience in the construction industry, and thousands of satisfied customers, one company is ideally placed to meet the building needs of businesses throughout Scotland.
Rapid Project Development Ltd incorporating Forrest Engineering as one of its divisions, has been extremely busy and continuously expanding over the past 5 years with more and more projects requiring a supplier who can give a “one-stop” solution. This is something, which they have delivered on many projects without sacrificing the company's
J C Farm Buildings
Equestrian and Industrial Unit s. Fully Erected or supplied in Kit Form.
Ascociated Block and Concrete work undertaken
Tel: 01228 712770 Mob: 07785 272300
E Mail: john@carrick8002.fsbusiness.co.uk
reputation for timely delivery, speedy erection and quality finish. With this in mind, RPD has focussed on providing a turnkey solution to customers from all industries.
Whether it is simply the erection of steelwork, fabricated in the company's own premises, or a complete turnkey job from start to finish, Rapid Project Development is ideally suited to take on any project.
Continuous investment in new equipment to provide customers with the best possible service has seen the acquisition of two Merlo Roto 40.25 telescopic handlers, which the company has found indispensable in helping to achieve the health and safety standards required in the construction industry today.
Routine and emergency maintenance work to existing buildings is also catered for, with works ranging from re-cladding and insulating existing factories to simply relining leaking gutters.
Customers are frequently surprised by the company's speed of operation, which ensures jobs are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible with minimal disruption to the customer's ongoing business. Norvite chose RPD as main contractor for their new Farm & Country superstore, and wish them every success with this venture.
All-Energy ’09 –the UK’s largest renewable energy exhibition and conference –looks forward to welcoming you as an exhibitor or visitor. 4,700 from 61 countries attended All-Energy ’08 with its 380+ exhibiting companies from a dozen countries and 220 speakers.
The major exhibition features technology across the full range of renewable energy devices; and the free-to-attend conference looks at topical issues and challenges facing the industry and at all renewable energy sources from multi-million pound major projects to microgeneration –with a session for the farming community. There will be networking opportunities in plenty. Be there!
Regularly updated information on all aspects of the show at www.all-energy.co.uk or from info@all-energy.co.uk
the portal frame...
Norvite News
Norvite's new Farm & Country retail store at South Blackbog, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, celebrated its official opening by the Rt.Hon. Alex Salmond, M.S.P., First Minister recently, with more than 100 guests in attendance.
Praised by Mr Salmond as an “Aladdin's Cave” for the countryside, the store represents a £450,000 investment in the local economy and has created 4 new jobs. It is the company's second retail venture; the first was opened more than three years ago at the headquarters at Wardhouse, Insch. It promoted the equestrian side of the business, expanded the existing pet supply trade and to provided a selection of additional items to core customers.
Ed Smith, Managing Director of Norvite described the initial retail experience as a “tremendous success,” which encouraged him to look at the potential of the redundant building adjacent to one of the company's blending plants. In a prime spot, next to the A947 Aberdeen-Banff road, the
building was reconstructed to Norvite's specifications by local firm RPD Scotland and opened in late December.
Since the opening of the first store, Norvite Farm & Country has prided itself on stocking the largest selection of animal feeds and supplements (including its own specialist minerals) in the North East of Scotland. The greater area of the new store, at 10,000 sq.ft., has provided the scope to further broaden the product offering. It supplies equestrian, pet and farm equipment and upmarket country clothing as well as an attractive selection of gifts and local artwork.
Ed Smith has continued Norvite's policy of ensuring that there is an experienced nutritionist on site every day to offer advice on any dietary or feed management issues, and staff are AMTRA qualified to supply wormers and other non-veterinary pharmaceuticals. The Farm & Country store is open 7 days.
Since opening, sales at the store
have exceeded expectations. Norvite itself has been growing 22% year-onyear since Mr Smith bought the company from international animal feed giant Provimi in May 2005.
He indicated, “The business as a whole has been very robust over the last few months, reflecting the buoyancy in the livestock trade and a generally positive outlook in the rural economy.”
The company employs 40 staff and has three manufacturing sites – a mineral plant at Insch (it is one of
only two mineral manufacturers in Scotland, which enables it to ensure a consistently high quality of output) and two blending plants, one in Ayrshire and the other at Oldmeldrum.
As well as cutting the ribbon to officially open the store, the First Minister announced that Norvite has received the great honour of being granted a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty The Queen as Manufacturers of Specialist Animal Feeds and Supplements.
Te Kuiti
Napier’s John Kirkpatrick and Taihape’s Sheree Alabaster scored their biggest wins since the Shear Blacks’ World championships triumphs in Norway six months ago when they took the New Zealand open shearing and woolhandling titles respectively in Te Kuiti recently.
The 38-year-old Kirkpatrick was both the fastest and the cleanest shearer in what was an especially sweet 17th win for the season – four weeks after his shock elimination in the Golden Shears in Masterton, where the title was won for a 16th time by five-times World champion and Te Kuiti hero David Fagan.
Kirkpatrick retained the title he won for the first time last year, when he completed a run of six wins in six major competitions throughout the country in February and March.
On Saturday night, chasing New Zealand shearing’s richest prize – a Can Am ATV, other products, travel and cash, with a combined value over NZ$25,000 – he and Fagan waged an enthralling contest side-by-side contest on stands one and two. Each was in front at various times until 47-year-old Fagan began to fade, just a little, and World champion and Taranaki farmer Paul Avery, 41, of Toko, working out of the limelight on stand five, swept into contention to take the lead on the 16th of the 20 sheep.
Ultimately Kirkpatrick was first off in 13 minutes 47.39 seconds, Avery finishing nine seconds later, and Fagan was third off in 14min 12sec.
Aiming for win No.107 in a 15-season open-class career, which long ago
disposed of a dream to become a policeman, Kirkpatrick still had to wait for the judges’ verdict.
But with the best marks in the pen outside his win was confirmed by a surprisingly comfortable 1.7pts from Fagan who claimed second place.
Second Te Kuiti hopeful Dean Ball, 42, one of New Zealand’s top shearers for years but yet to win the Golden Shears or New Zealand opens, produced the best board judging result and just out-pointed Avery to take third. Dion King, Napier’s 2006 Golden Shears champion, was fifth and surprise finalist David Buick, of Pongaroa, was sixth.
Scotland’s hopeful and recently voted British shearing personality of the year – Gavin Mutch – was pushed into eighth place behind James Fagan. Tony Coster, Jason Win, Jerome Macrea and Sean Edmunds were the others to miss out on a final shear. Incidentally Gavin had 10 first placings the highest number of Open wins on the UK circuitlast season.
Alabaster, a 34-year-old Taihape schoolteacher, was in a class of her own in only her second win since beating fellow Kiwi Joanne Kumeroa in the World Championships final. It was an emotional moment as the country’s top woolhandlers stood in tribute to 2008 champion Gina Nathan who died last month. In her absence, and that of Australia-based Kumeroa, who did not compete in New Zealand this season, Alabaster still had to contend with Golden Shears winner Tina Rimene, of Masterton, and 2008 Golden Shears champion Ronnie Goss, of Kimbolton.
But the determination to make-up for herself still being without a Golden Shears title, and to add to her 20042006 Te Kuiti treble, was obvious as she won with a margin of almost 30 points over Rimene, who took second place. Goss was third, fourth went to Monica Potae, the only South Island open shearing or woolhandling finalist, and Kerri-Jo Te Huia, of Te Kuiti, was fifth, just 24 hours after finishing sixthin the intermediate shearing final.
Both champions, already ranked as Masters by Shearing Sports New Zealand, gave no hints of imminent retirement from the intensely competitive and time-consuming sport, each looking forward to next season and qualifying for the 2010 World Championships in Wales. Kirkpatrick said he might think about something else, after the following World championships in Masterton in 2012. Avery and Kirkpatrick also celebrated the completion of an unbeaten record in eight official contests as a national
team in the last nine months by beating Wales representatives Nicky Beynon and Gareth Daniel in the final test of a month-long first series between the two countries in New Zealand. The 4-0 whitewash followed their World Teams triumph, and a 3-0 series win over The Welsh in the UK last July.
Avery won Friday night’s North Island Shearer of the year final, in which Kirkpatrick was second, while diminutive James Fagan won the New Zealand Shears Circuit final, consigning famed Uncle David to second place.
Kirkpatrick’s 18-year-old nephew, Ian Kirkpatrick, of Gisborne, made it a Golden Shears and New Zealand championships double when he won the senior title, in which he and two others also went under a sheep a minute, including first-man-off Kelvin Walker, of Taumarunui.
Red Tape Nightmare
Shearing contractors across the UK will be crossing their fingers and toes in the hope that they have dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s on the nightmare application form for a new licence to employ migrants.
At £300 a pop for a new four year licence and £170 per shearer it all adds up. From personal experience filling in the form online on behalf of my shearing contractor husband nearly cost us dearly. Using my e-mail address (and not one belonging to my husband) was considered a breach of security. The National Association of Agricultural Contractors managed to overturn it for us and although we had to reapply we were only charged £300 not £600 as initially stated.
This ludicrious new system is also costing the overseas shearers at the other end in time and money. New Zealand shearers are having to fork out NZ$700 on top of their airfare and other travelling expenses. Some shearers can be working on isolated properties on stay out for weeks on
end and have to take time out to find an internet outlet to fill in the form online. A journey to the nearest city for a three minute interview and finger printing is also time wasted.
Some shearers are baulking at the NZ$700 fee, which is a couple of days pay for some, and refusing to cough up. Shearing is considered the hardest profession and each shearer deserves every penny/ cent that he or she earns. Overheads in this industry are already high, with shearers having to provide their own combs, cutters, handpieces, work wear and travelling expenses.
Why on earth is this industry being threatened – to keep blue collar workers in a job? We need the Kiwi and Ozzie shearers and wool handlers to help out with sheep shearing in this country and they are now more reliant on UK shearers filling stands in New Zealand. Shearing is on the shortage list, so surely Antipodeans should get the green light and welcomed into the country without all the red tape.
New Holland Launch
New Holland's latest and most advanced evolution of the award-winning T7000 series will make its first national public appearance at the Grassland UK event at the Bath and West Showground on May 7th.
The T7000 Auto Command, which is based on the '2008 Tractor of the Year' T7000 range, will be demonstrating the new technology that gives it even greater fuel economy, productivity, class-leading power to weight ratios, ease of use and comfort.
At the heart of the T7000 Auto Command lies the new Continuously Variable Transmission: The CVT combines both mechanical and hydrostatic components to transmit power and give maximum mechanical efficiency according to engine load, engine speed and vehicle speed to ensure that the minimum amount of fuel is used during any task.
For the operator, it's easy to use: The desired working speed is selected and Auto Command automatically adjusts the engine speed and transmission setting to achieve the most efficient performance. The new multi-function handle offers a seamless application of power that is
easy to control and efficiently managed.
The new Auto Command has been manufactured 'in house' by New Holland and is the most advanced and efficient CVT technology on the market. It is built at the New Holland UK plant in Basildon, Essex.
Also on display at Grassland UK will be New Holland's T6000 LS. It will be teamed with the brand new 700 TL New Holland loader – a combination which produces the perfect British loader tractor.
The FR9000 will also be making an appearance at Grassland UK, along with the complete range of New Holland balers: small conventional, round and large rectangular.
Over at the silage clamp, New Holland's LM5000 telehandler will be showing off its manoeurvability and superior visibility.
Grassland UK is expected to be 2009's major grassland event, with over 100 manufacturers and more than 100 acres of working machinery demonstrations.
The event is organised by the Bath and West Show Society. For more information on Grassland UK, visit: www.bathandwest.com or call 01749 822200.
New tractors often mean new loaders. New Holland Agriculture always offers its customers products that meet their needs perfectly. The popular current New Holland range of FL loaders has been upgraded to the 700TL with a brand new design that will improve performance and productivity when fitted to the Series T5000 and T6000 tractors.
The new range of 700TL New Holland loaders comprises of four models, all available in Non Self Levelling and Mechanical Self Levelling versions for tractors from 70 to 140 hp. This offering has a range of new features that allows users even greater comfort and performance. Amongst the numerous improvements, there's a 10% higher reaching capacity and the choice of blue or black colour option with silver cylinders. All of the loader's key components have been designed for greater visibility and robustness plus easier use and maintenance.
TL loaders are fitted with a new mechanical parallelogram – the new “Z-kinematik™“ system: placing the rods inside the loader booms (patented design), instead of being as previously located on top of the boom, allowing a much better visibility for the operator.
This solution is preferred for its precise movements and robustness – the 24° extra scoop. Mechanical Self Levelling loaders allow at ground level an extra 63 mm residual travel in the tilt arm, which, when the boom is raised, enables an extra 24° scoop. This is minimising the losses from the lip of the bucket.
The ease of use of attachments improves safety through better visibility and reduces fatigue. New Holland's 700TL loaders are designed with this in mind. The arms include the parallelogram and the hydraulic components are housed under the frame, protected by a U-shaped plate.
Flock Feeding
Why are so many sheep farmers ignoring the evidence that paying attention to feeding will improve the lifetime performance of their flocks? It was a question raised at a well attended SAC workshop that included leading flock masters, researchers and feed industry representatives. They heard that the latest knowledge about nutrition of the breeding ewe has the potential to improve the productivity, health and welfare of UK sheep.
In a busy morning session leading researchers outlined the progress made in understanding the lifelong role nutrition plays in sheep performance, from the earliest stages of conception through to adolescence and beyond. While it is well known that better feeding just before mating improves lambing percentage, few realise the responsiveness of the ovary
to that feeding may depend on the nutrition the ewe received as an embryo!
Likewise trace element deficiencies can affect the number of potential eggs in the ovary and muscle development as well. Cobalt deficiency can even affect behaviour at lambing. Embryo transfer work shows the cobalt status of ewes before they ovulate can affect how the subsequent lamb produced grows, its immunity and even its blood pressure in later life. Long term effects from relatively minor changes at a very early stage can be important.
During the afternoon discussion questions were asked about why so many sheep farmers paid so little attention to the latest science and the opportunities for technical progress.
SAC Sheep Specialist John Vipond preferred to point to those who were
by Ken Rundle, SAC
taking the messages on board and improving their returns accordingly.
“They have learned that a one size fits all approach to nutrition may not be appropriate,” he said. “In future they would like to know their replacements have been fed to a scientific blueprint designed to maximise their lifetime performance. That is possible if we apply what we know today.”
Recent work on lambs shows those that are underweight at weaning due to feed restriction or worms may not express their full genetic potential for breeding. But many lambs never make it this far, the latest research shows some prolific breeds can easily be overfed at mating. This can lead to the liver removing hormones, which are important for the survival of newly produced eggs.
The aim of the workshop was to
bring together the feed supply industry and sheep breeders.
According to John Vipond, “Breeders are well used to the idea of selling ‘lifetime productivity’ as they have statistics like EBVS to measure this, but they are less aware of the lifetime effects of their feeding regimes. Potentially there are benefits for both them and their clients if they get it right. Similarly the feed industry is used to breeders using feed to bring animals out for sale looking their best, but the new research shows how there can be much more permanent and beneficial effects from proper nutrition”. It was agreed that a booklet incorporating many of the new messages should be produced. It will be entitled “Sheep -Year Round Feeding for Lifetime Performance”.
‘Just wondering if you fancy writing for me....? .....I haven’t any one from the Lothian’s.’ Why can I not just say what I think, why do I just not say ‘no’!! Oh well here we go let’s give it a bash, ‘just 5-600 words’ she said. Brings back memories of filling out SRDP funding applications and watching the number counter at the bottom of Microsoft Word. That’s another story. Anyway, I am John Sinclair and I ‘farm’ at West Craigie Farm just between Edinburgh and South Queensferry. It is getting harder and harder to say that I am a Farmer. We have a farm shop and cafe at Craigie, although we still grow soft fruit all of the arable ground is contract farmed.
More and more of my time is spent in the office or speaking to customers in the shop. Do I miss ‘farming’?
Having just returned from a trip to the village and seeing all my neighbours busy sowing spring barley I cannot help but wish that I was sitting on that tractor seat working from dawn till dusk. These days are past, I just need to hope that my mate Andrew needs a hand at harvest and my wife Kirsteen lets me away for a week’s holiday to drive his combine, his plough or even just sweep the floor in his grain store!!
‘...what is going on on the farm?’
Well with soft fruit there is not really a quiet time of the year, we are busy building a new block of tunnels,
getting tunnels covered, getting crops fleeced the list goes on. Our early strawberries are just about to come into flower (end of March) so we should be picking fruit in May this year. Our long cane raspberries are breaking bud nicely and are looking good at the moment!
Usually we have a lot of wheat but Willie only managed to get a couple of fields in last autumn, the ground is now drying out and is ready to be sown with Spring Barley (fortunately he managed to secure an early contract for it) in the next few days. The tattie guys are putting in about 40 acres here this year; they had quite a few visits to the workshop to repair their plough when they ploughed one of the stonier fields on the farm. I used to contract de-stone about 300 acres so I do not envy their job at Craigie this year!
We are busy gearing the shop up for Easter, the first weekend in April we have a ‘Nature Weekend’ in
partnership with the RSPB. Yes I have joined RSPB! There are a lot of things that I do not agree with them, but I feel that I have the chance to try and get a farmers point of view over. This is what drives me with all of the school visits we do on the farm. I have the ideal opportunity to try and get the farmers message over to the public, ‘we grow food for you’. We are getting involved for a second year with LEAF’s open farm Sunday on the 7th of June – with an open farm weekend. This year we have been selected for LEAF’s media launch of the event so hopefully it will bring us some good PR and lots of visitors. I was amazed last year, we spent a lot of time organising the weekend and it was the ‘meet the fruit farmer’ that was the most popular bit. Just my fruit manager, Iain, standing at the end of a tunnel talking about modern fruit production,simple so why do more of you not get involved? Oh no, 617 words! I had better stop now!
LOTHIAN
John Sinclair – South Queensferry
Scotland's only full member of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee met with UK Secretary of State for Agriculture Hilary Benn MP in London. He was joined by NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren, Vice President Nigel Miller and George Milne from the National Sheep Association to impress upon Mr Benn the efforts underway in Brussels to highlight the potentially hugely negative impacts of the EU plans to individually identify sheep and goats.
Smith has also released a letter from the Polish Minister for Agriculture Tadeusz Nalewajk in which he says "...Taking into account the costs of EID, I agree [with Smith's proposed solution to the package] that making EID optional will meet expectations of sheep breeders in Europe."
Speaking after the meeting, Smith said: "This was a useful meeting this morning with the UK Minister, and
Many farmers in Scotland have yet to respond to the offer of grant aid towards set up costs for the purchase of electronic equipment, according to an investigation undertaken by Ritchey, the Masham, North Yorkshire company that sells the Tru-Test series of electronic weighing machines.
To date, some 22% of farmers who took up the 2008 Land Managers Option (LMO) scheme have applied for the grants, which are available towards the cost of equipment to help them increase efficiency, explains Ritchey product development manager, Paul Hunter.
Examples under option (a) include electronic ear tag readers, weigh cells and compatible computer software. Money is also available under option (b) to cover the purchase of precision farming equipment for arable enterprises, including GPS site mapping technology.
According to Scottish Government figures, out of almost 4,000 producers who have applied for the 2008 LMO scheme, only 885 have taken of Option 4 (Modernisation Through Electronic Data Management for Agriculture). The grant, which is non-competitive, offers 40% towards costs, up to a maximum of £1,000 per option (a) and (b) any five years. Producers wishing to take advantage of the grant this year have until 15 May 2009, to send in their applications.
“People can be wary of what they see as complicated technology. But farmers who have opted for electronic recording report that these systems can increase accuracy, and save time and money,” says Mr Hunter
“In some cases, producers have already used up their LMO allowance, which provides grant aid of up to
to be fair I believe he does share the concern of the industry and the Scottish government that the individual ID rules, if implemented, carry disproportionate costs to the potential advantages.
"He has been left in no doubt that the industry in Scotland is united as one in our opposition to these proposals. Likewise, I am sensitive to his position that he has inherited a binding legal obligation to implement this package. I think there is genuine common ground between the UK and Scottish governments on this issue, and for my part I will work with anyone to kick these proposals into touch.
"The cross party and cross country MEPs will continue our efforts to highlight the glaring deficiencies in this package, which was agreed to in 2003 and now looks dangerously outdated, and we have been active in pushing other member states to bring this issue up their agenda and build the anti-EID coalition. I am
£3,450 annually for a 100ha farm, for example. But I would encourage anyone considering the use of electronic equipment to look into it further. Support is available, and Ritchey has recently put together a user-friendly, quick-start guide that explains how to operate the electronic weighers in the Tru-Test range.”
The grant can only be used for new equipment, which must be paid for within the scheme year and should be maintained in good condition five years from the date of purchase, adds Mr Hunter. He points out that all Tru-Test equipment is designed to withstand harsh on-farm conditions, even when it is operated in a dusty or wet environment.
Producers are encouraged to get together and apply for equipment they could share between them. For a collaborative purchase, each producer can claim 40% of his contribution. For example, if one farmer buys weigh cells on his own and shares a tag reader with his neighbour, he can claim for both items simultaneously, as long as the total claim does not exceed £1,000.
The grant funding is non competitive, and applies to any project aimed at improving rural business viability. Successful applicants will receive 40% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of £1,000 per option.
Farmers interested in applying for grant aid are advised to contact their nearest SGRPID (Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate) office. More information about the Tru-Test series of electronic weighers, which give accurate weights, even if the animal is moving, can be found at www.ritchey.co.uk
EID Debate
particularly heartened by the response today from the Polish Minister to our joint letter which clearly backs our position.
"There are, of course, ways in which this package could be implemented, which will be less damaging than other ways, and it is right and proper that this "Plan B" should be explored thoroughly, but for my part I remain of the view that the UK could and should establish real leadership on this issue. The more we talk about the details of the implementation, the more we risk missing the fact that this package is wrong in principle and will be hugely detrimental to an industry already struggling economically. Poland's backing is extremely heartening and I will keep on fighting this crucial issue.”
Grant Aid for Electronics
Young Farmers North Area Organiser – Susan Smith
Iwas three months old when my mum and dad moved into a local farm at Fisherie, King Edward and it was there that I spent the next 18 years of my life.
At the age of three, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and had my photo in the paper two years later as the youngest self injector of insulin at the age of five.
I went to the local primary school at Crudie and then onto the Academy at Turriff which I left at the age of 18. From there I went to Moray College in Elgin and studied for an HNC in Administration and Information Management and also worked part time in the local Tesco store. I decided to move back closer to home and studied for my HND in Administration and Information Management at Banff & Buchan College in Fraserburgh. It was here that I got my first real job as Client Services Secretary covering maternity leave and also studied for an HNC in Management. Thankfully for me that person decided not to return to work and I was recruited permanently and
enjoyed nine years at the college before finally leaving in 2008 to join the Young Farmers Association as the North Region Organiser.
In 2005 I got married to Neil Smith, who is the Tax Manager with Johnston Carmichael, Huntly and our son Gregor Cameron was born two years later in March 2007.
I was 18 before I actually started attending my local young farmers club – Turriff & District JAC – and enjoyed my first club exchange to Annandale. I have held positions in the club such as Secretary (Twice), Ladies Convenor and Treasurer and also held the District Treasurers position and been on the District Committee for a number of years. Currently I am Honarary President of Turriff JAC for the year 2009/2010.
It is just over a year since I have now been in the North Organiser’s position and have even managed to survive my first conference and have loved every minute of it.
The North Office has moved to new premises in Turriff’s High Street, so hopefully I will be more accessible
to the members in the North Region and I will get to see a lot more people! The office is open Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri normally from about 9.30am – 5.00pm.
We have seen the introduction of a new silage competition run by the North of Scotland Grassland Society. Our Highland and Grampian Rallies were a great success, our Junior Speechmaking Elimination saw the
Organiser for the North Area of SAYFC, writes about her life and involvement with
Young Farmers Clubs
most teams that have entered in a long time and even the Senior Speechmaking competition went ahead with five teams taking part. Overall I have enjoyed my time so far as North Region Organiser and I hope that I have many more enjoyable years to come. Best of luck to all the clubs in the North Region and let us hope that 2009 will be an even more successful one for the North Region!!!
Study at SAC and become outstanding in your field. Scotland’s land-based Higher Education Institution.
Study at SAC and become outstanding in your field. Scotland’s land-based Higher Education Institution.
SAC offers:
•A choice of campuses in Aberdeen, Ayr or Edinburgh
•Undergraduate degrees, HNDs, HNCs, foundation and postgraduate courses
•Vocational courses which combine practical and academic learning
•Degrees awarded by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow
•Full-time, part-time, and flexible learning courses
•Courses which develop your personal, academic and transferable skills ready for future employment
Forthcoming Open Days:
•Open Afternoon: Wednesday 29April, 1:30pm
•Open Evening: Wednesday 3June, drop-in 5-8pm
For details of these and other events, and to book your place on-line visit: www.sac.ac.uk/opendays
SAC offers a range of courses in the following subject areas:
• Agriculture and Poultry
• Applied Bioscience and Animal Science
• Business Management
• Countryside & Conservation
• Environmental Management
• Green Technology and Sustainable Building Design
• Horticulture, Plantsmanship, and Garden Design
• Nature, Equine, Food and Activity Tourism
• Sport and Outdoor Pursuits
If you are interested in learning more about SAC, please come along to one of our Open Days - contact us for further details and to book a place, or take a look at our web site.
SAC Scotland’s Land-Based Higher Education Institution Phone 0800 269 453, email recruitment@sac.ac.uk, or text 07624 803108 with your name, postal address and the reference FSCOM to request a prospectus. www.sac.ac.uk/learning
is a charity registered in Scotland, No. SCO03712
CASE IH is looking for young farmers, throughout Europe, with visions and ideas –boosting potential for the year 2020
This is the first time that CASE IH has hosted the agri-future2020 competition. Participants are asked to present their visions, ideas and concrete suggestions for making agriculture more efficient in 2020. Any farming theme can be chosen –from agricultural technology to plant science – farming crops or rearing livestock.
Prospective participants will find comprehensive information and application details on a website dedicated to the competition: www.agri-future-2020.eu
Taking part is easy: just outline your ideas on the form provided.
Photos and videos can also be submitted. The only requirement for entering the competition is that participants must be younger than 25 and be currently attending, or have completed a course at, an agricultural college. Individuals can enter, or teams with up to three participants. Because this is a pan-European competition we request that all entries are submitted in English.
The winners will be invited to the European "agri-future2020 Camp" organised by CASE IH. This will be held 12 and 13 November 2009 in Berlin. The programme includes various excursions and visits to farming-related businesses. A day at Agritechnica 2009 in Hanover is also planned.
Nuffield Award
The Nuffield Farming Trust is pleased to announce a special award offering leading individuals the chance to carry out a unique study into new science and frontier technologies, which have the potential to transform the UK agriculture and food sectors.
New science and innovative technologies are being developed at all levels of the food supply chain – from ultra rapid genetic analysis and elite genotypes at the farm level, right through to novel, high value food products to address society’s nutritional challenges. But many of these opportunities remain untapped or underutilised.
The aim of this special award – to study ‘The appliance of new science and frontier technologies to transform the UK agriculture and food sectors’ –is to identify the technologies which could prove of most value, and explore how best industry can access and apply them to both differentiate and significantly improve the competitiveness of the UK agri-food sectors.
“History demonstrates the importance of science and new technology to the UK agricultural industry which has seen high growth in productivity over the last 50 years,” says John Stones, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Director. “However, there are growing concerns and evidence that the UK is falling behind other countries and becoming less competitive, due in part to a knowledge and innovation vacuum.
Simmental Award Scheme On The Case
It is universally agreed throughout the Beef Industry, that a cow, which produces a high quality, fast growing calf as close to every 12 months as possible, is the foundation of a financially successful suckler herd. Simmental cattle have long been renowned for their maternal traits and the Simmental Society is pleased to announce the introduction of a new award scheme, to identify the cows within the breed, which best exhibit these important commercially productive traits.
The Simmental Elite Performance Cow Register, is based on Breedplan's Self Replacing Index. “It is easy to
“This falling competitiveness certainly coincides with an erosion of R&D funding and government resources over recent years, but also highlights a need to look again at how we can effectively connect the latest scientific research with farmers, governments and the food industry to regain the momentum.”
Nuffield Farming Scholarships were established to help identify new knowledge and apply it to practical and profitable industry outputs here in the UK, explains John Stones, who can point to numerous innovations, particularly at the farm level, which have resulted directly from individual Scholar studies.
“We believe this new study will be of immense importance in bridging the gap between the laboratory and the field or factory and in identifying new relationships across the UK food chain. There is also much to gain from bringing together the country’s strengths in agri-food science in the context of our own unique environment and land resource, and our own challenges of sustainability and food security.”
This special award is generously sponsored by the Frank Arden Memorial Fund and is open to UK residents working in the fields of food, farming or forestry. There is no age limit. The bursary provided allows for reasonable research and travel expenses, both in the UK and abroad. Applications close on 22nd May. Interviews follow in June.
identify cows with a high Self Replacing Index on our Society database,” says Gordon Clark of the Society's Technical Committee, “but Elite Performance Cows will also have to be regular breeders. All cows, which qualify must have attained 5 calvings within an average of 13 months.”
The calves will have a Self Replacing index of +24, in addition to the cow's own index of +22 or above. Twenty one cows have achieved this very demanding standard in the first year of the Scheme and this list will be updated annually.
