Sunday 27 May 2012
Livestock Equipment
RSPCA inspectors were at a UK port today for the first time in more than a decade to check the welfare of hundreds of calves and sheep being shipped abroad. Last week the RSPCA’s new chief executive, Gavin Grant, met with Thanet Council, which owns the port, to ask for permission for RSPCA inspectors to attend and pledged ’zero tole...
Charles Sercombe has today been elected chairman of the NFU’s national livestock board. Mr Sercombe, a tenant farmer from near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, replaces Alistair Mackintosh who has stepped down after six years on the board. The board also voted for a new vice chairman bringing in Bill Mellor, from Cheshire, to help lead ...
New rules for the pig industry are intended to create a more-even set of welfare standards across Europe and stop some farmers - such as those in Britain - being undercut by competitors using less welfare-friendly methods. European Commissioners cannot sit back - they must take tough action against any countries that flout new rules partially ba...
An early start to controlling insects around livestock gives the best chance of minimising the annual population explosion of flies and midges that begins as soon as average daytime temperatures reach 10°C. That’s according to independent entomologist Dr Peter Bates of the Veterinary Medical Entomology Consultancy, who warns that delaying the...
The National Beef Association (NBA) is hopeful that a draft law published in the USA will make its way through the system and result in the United States of America lifting the ban on British exports, put in place in 1997 due to concerns regarding BSE. While it is clear no change will be made overnight, the fact that the draft law in place is v...
Access to an elite team of Stabiliser sires has had a major impact on the Stabiliser breed, according to Richard Fuller, technical director of the Stabiliser Cattle Company (SCC). He reports that Stabiliser breeders have significantly increased genetic gains for all recorded performance traits over the last six years. ’Beef Value has risen...
Anglesey farmers have been told that a new beef line could be opened at the Vion plant on the island. Members of NFU Cymru Anglesey branch welcomed Mr Prys Morgan to a recent meeting where they were told the news. Mrs Christine Jones, NFU Cymru Anglesey County Chair said, "This will, if implemented, be a welcome boost to beef finishers on Angles...
Mothers Day has an extra special meaning this year at Hall Hill Farm as a newborn calf is reunited with its mother after being found in a ditch shortly after being born. Many of the most popular animals have recently given birth, including a wallaby, a llama, sheep and guinea pig. The most recent a highland calf, was discovered in a ditch on Sun...
Genuine concerns and unanswered questions surround an electronic Sheep Database NFU Cymru said today in response to the Deputy Minister for Agriculture’s statement that he has decided to introduce a bespoke electronic reporting movement system for Wales. NFU Cymru President, Ed Bailey last month wrote to the Deputy Minister, Alun Davies, ...
Government plans to cut the amount of red tape in the farming industry is good news but farmers want to see swifter action, said the NFU today. The Government’s full response to the Farming Regulation Task Force sets course for a better regulated and trusted industry, recognising good practice and promoting a better understanding of busine...
Exciting new overseas opportunities to market Welsh beef and lamb are on the horizon, Dai Davies, Chair of Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) has said. Speaking at NFU Cymru Meirionnydd annual meeting in Dolgellau, Mr Davies told farmers that competition and uncertainty over the future of the euro currency were among the most important reasons to look to sell...
"Everyone aspires to eat red meat, it is the protein of choice and we as farmers have an obligation to feed the growing global population." This was the message from Alistair Mackintosh, NFU Livestock Board Chairman, when speaking at the recent NFU Cymru Ceredigion conference held at TyGlyn Aeron Hotel, Ciliau Aeron. Mr Mackintosh told Ceredigio...
NFU Cymru is calling for Government action as sheep worrying and potential health problems resulting from dog faeces continue to increase. This follows a number of reported incidents and a recently released survey by the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment in England (MENE), which has added fuel to the fire as farmers in Wales ponder...
Over a 100 farmers and industry representatives from across South and Mid-Wales benefited from hands on practical advice from nationally renowned speakers at a recent event to target fertility. The event held at Haverfordwest Showground on Thursday was organised under the Improving the Welsh Dairy Supply Chain project. The event saw Debby Bro...
Outgoing NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh believes the industry is more optimistic now than when he was elected in 2008. Mr Mackintosh, who is standing down after four years at the helm, says he leaves the board with the industry on a sound footing although recognises there is still much to achieve. He said: "In my four year...
The MP who chairs the national Grocery Market Action Group (GMAG) Andrew George, has today used a debate in the House of Commons to again call on the Government to ’waste no more time’ creating a supermarket watchdog to protect the interests of consumers and suppliers. During the debate Mr George highlighted that the Competition Com...
Ritchey Ltd is delighted to announce that it has been appointed sole UK distributor for Prattley animal management systems. New Zealand-based Prattley Industries design and manufacture a world-leading range of stock handling equipment including mobile sheep yards, races and manual and automatic drafting systems. Prattley’s Managing Directo...
Separating the constituents of slurry into liquid and solids has transformed management of cattle waste on a West Sussex dairy farm. It not only resolved a looming storage capacity issue, it has also turned a waste management headache into an easily-handled resource that will improve the land and cut fertiliser costs. We can now utilise the nutr...
NFU Cymru has expressed disappointment at today’s Welsh Government decision to extend the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation to include Ruabon and Llantysilio Mountains and the Vale of Llangollen from Chirk upstream to Corwen. The Union has argued consistently against the ’unnecessary’ proposal...
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