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May 28, 2024
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UK - Environmental baselining pilot launched
AHDB has launched a multi-million-pound project to address the intense pressure faced by farmers to deliver on environmental targets by showcasing the importance of on-farm environmental baselining. Listen to the latest episode of the Food and Farming podcast to hear Lisa Bray talk about the pilot that will help demonstrate the real environmental impact of British agricultural products, featuring AHDB's CEO, Graham Wilkinson, and Livestock Science and Environment Director, Chris Gooderham.
Listen on all podcast channels or visit here
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UK - Plan now for forage shortages
Livestock producers must act now to avoid problems with forage shortages later in the year. After the long wet winter and late spring many farmers are behind with field work while those who graze their stock have also had to delay turnout.
"It's vital to measure what is in the field and what you have left in the clamp to pre-empt any shortfalls," said ForFarmers Technical Manager Richard Greasley. "As well as diminishing supplies now, the signs are that this year's first cut silages may not yield the quality or quantity we want, which will of course impact forage stocks going into next winter.
"It's important that farmers are aware that they have options if they are facing shortages. Our forage team can advise on the best alternative crops to suit your farm and help to fill anticipated gaps," he explained. "Moist feeds are also a fantastic option to extend forage stocks now and in in later months. ForFarmers offers SelcoPlus, AmyPlus and MashPro 30 grains which are available now and offer good value if clamped now with first cut silages."
All three are made from co-products, have a fresh aroma, are highly palatable and work well as part of a partial or total mixed ration. Selco Plus is a co-product from a Yorkshire-based manufacturer that produces sweeteners and syrups. The product includes wheat syrup, wheat feed and a bespoke acid preservative. "It has dry matter content of 46% so a little goes a long way and it can be ensiled or stacked on farm," said Richard. "It's a great source of starch, sugars, protein and net energy."
Similarly, AmyPlus contains co-products from cereal processing, brewing and distilling. It is high in energy and good quality protein. Meanwhile, Mash Pro 30 is nutritionally similar to Brewers Grains, but substantially higher in crude protein and slightly higher dry matter. It also has a finer texture as the malted barley is ground rather than left whole prior to the brewing process. As with all feeding stuffs, these products should be introduced gradually over a seven-to-14-day period.
"Above all we want farmers to know that we can help address these potential shortages," concluded Richard. "For further information or advice on the best option for your situation contact your ForFarmers account manager."
ForFarmers
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Global - Saudi Arabia potential attracts British dairy exporters
British lamb and dairy businesses headed to Saudi Arabia last week, in a bid to meet growing consumer demand and build on long term export opportunities in the kingdom. Exporters from both sectors on Tuesday, 21 May 21 to Thursday, 23 May joined AHDB at the Saudi Food Show in Riyadh. The show is the kingdom's leading event for food and beverage sourcing, giving UK lamb and dairy exporters the opportunity to meet key buyers from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region. Research carried out by AHDB last year revealed that adapting to consumer buying behaviour could present opportunities for British beef and lamb exporters in the Middle East. The research explored consumer buying behaviour for red meat across the region, including Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is also a large importer of cheese, which is the most valuable category in the dairy market, accounting for more than 30 per cent of total dairy spends. Lucy Randolph, AHDB Head of Trade Development (Dairy), said: "Saudi Arabia is the largest dairy consumer among the GCC countries, with high population growth and per capita helping drive increasing consumption of milk and other dairy products.
"While the dairy market in Saudi Arabia is highly competitive, there are opportunities for UK exporters, with strong demand for cheese and butter. The Saudi Food Show will provide us with a platform to get in front of key buyers, showcase our world class dairy produce and strengthen our foothold in this important market."
Further details about export opportunities for UK red meat and dairy in specific regions around the world can be found in the AHDB analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports.
The full research on red meat buying behaviours in the Middle East can be found here.
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UK - Make bales of best quality, scientist says
Baled grass silage can be as good as clamped silage, says Volac silage scientist, Dr Mark Leggett, but it is essential to employ equal attention to detail when making it - starting by cutting grass at the optimum time. "Cut grass at its nutritional peak, which is before heading," says Dr Leggett, "rather than cutting when it's older and lignified as often the case with bales. Also, wilt to the optimum dry matter (DM) content.
"Typically, 35-45% DM is considered optimum for baled grass silage. This might be appropriate for beef and sheep. But dairy farmers shouldn't be afraid to aim for the lower end of this DM range. This not only reduces wilting times, to reduce in-field nutrient losses, but a lower %DM also improves the fermentation and reduces the risk of heating and spoilage. Bales have a large surface area, so sealing rapidly against air is also vital with all %DMs to reduce heating and spoilage."
Dr Leggett says it is also important to choose the correct type of additive to reduce losses in bale quality and DM. "Tailor the additive used to the bale % DM and to how long the opened bale will be exposed to air for at feedout. For lower % DM bales which will be eaten within a day, for example 35% DM or below on dairy units, where there is little risk of aerobic spoilage (heating), consider using Ecosyl 100 to preserve the bale by improving the initial fermentation.
"If bales will be open for two or three days before being consumed, for example on beef and sheep units, focus on the initial fermentation but also on tackling spoilage and heating. In these cases consider Ecocool. This contains two beneficial bacteria, one for fermentation and one to target the yeasts and moulds that cause heating and spoilage. Alternatively, consider Double Action Ecobale, which includes two bacteria, one of which is effective at fermenting drier material, plus a feed-approved preservative. It's also important to store and stack bales correctly to avoid splitting. At lower %DMs don't stack them too high. Above 35% DM, they can potentially be stacked three or four high."
Volac
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UK - Low Nitram prices aid poor crops after wet winter
Farmers are being advised to invest in crop nutrition after the wettest winter on record has caused nutrients to leach from soils. Crops really need a helping hand, says Hefin Llwyd, forage and arable specialist at Wynnstay. This is even more the case where mildew and septoria is being reported in autumn-sown crops, which stems from the inability of many farmers to apply T0 and T1 sprays, further stressing crops. "Now it is about farmers taking a firefighting approach to crop protection and ensuring crops have the correct nutrition to prevent any further losses," he says. "Less spring crops than usual have been sown; it's been quite sporadic, which makes it even more essential to make the most of those crops that did get going in the autumn. A lot of nutrition has been leached from the soils during the wet weather. Nitrates and sulphur are very leachable, which is why we see some sick, yellow-looking crops."
CF Fertiliser's blue bag Nitram readily provides ammonium nitrate, which will help fix some crops by providing the nutrition they need. "Sulphur levels may also be low, so it's essential to look at that," Mr Llwyd says. The Farming Rules for Water and the legal obligation to test soils every three to five years means farmers can now accurately assess their crop requirements.
"Soil testing and having a nutrient management plan in place means farmers can tailor and target their fertiliser usage better. Under the Clean Air Strategy 2019, farmers shouldn't apply urea after 1 April unless a urease inhibitor is added. That means blue bag Nitram is the go-to product," he adds.
The wet weather has also massively affected grass, says Forage and arable specialist Louise Woolacott at Wynnstay. "With forage stocks already low across the country, pushing forward yields this year will be important to replenish those stocks. It's important to boost grass growth now, and providing the correct nutrition will do that," she explains.
"Many farmers have also put some of their land into environmental mixes, where yields will be down. This means there is the need to optimise the rest of the farm to push grass growth and replenish forage stocks." Nitrogen is vital to maximising grass yields, she adds. "Nothing else will drive grass growth as much as nitrogen. This is what will help fill the pits."
The good news for farmers is that Nitram prices are the lowest they have been in the past four years, with costs expected to dip into the £200's per tonne for the first time since 2018. "Prices are now returning to some normality, and farmers can return to storing some product for next year," she says. "Nitram, unlike other products, is the only British-made product of its kind and, as well as being a standout and well-trusted product, it is at a price point that is affordable for farmers to use."
Wynnstay
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UK - ForFarmers celebrates 100th OptiRobot farmer
ForFarmers has welcomed the 100th farmer to its specialist data platform OptiRobot.
Graham Holmes milks around 100 cows at Chelker House Farm, Addingham, Yorkshire, with 2 Fullwood Merlin robots. The Holmes family have been ForFarmers customers for more than 50 years and have recently joined OptiRobot on advice from Technical Manager Philip Ambler.
Graham said: "We've made great progress since installing robots 11 years ago. The main reason we put them in was to release the genetic potential of the cows, and that's what we've done. We're looking forward to seeing how far we can go now, with more insight from our data through OptiRobot."
The OptiRobot system enables ForFarmers advisors to access data from customers' robotic systems remotely and in real time. It can collect data from any manufacturer's robots in the UK, presenting it to the farmer and their advisors in a uniform format including insightful reports and graphs to aid understanding and decision making.
Technical manager Philip Ambler explained: "With OptiRobot we can understand why something is occurring much quicker. If there are animals that are not performing as they should we can drill down to see what exactly is preventing those animals from realising their natural and genetic potential." OptiRobot is particularly useful for exploring the interaction between different factors which was not possible before, he added.
"With OptiRobot we can see the impact of a management or environmental change within 24 hours. It enabled us to can spot trends and issues and make corrections where needed, all with minimal disturbance to the herd."
ForFarmers
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UK - Final chance for farms to claim free support to access Sustainable Farming Incentive
Defra's SFI announcement comes at an opportune time as The Royal Countryside Fund's (RCF) Farm for the Future programme enters its final year providing free business and environmental support for farmers.
Aimed at farmers who received the now-closed Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England, Farm for the Future provides workshops and a one-to-one meeting for every farm to help tackle challenges and grasp the opportunities on offer linked to the agricultural transition. Covering 18 locations across England, the programme offers both in-person and online support from trusted, local partners to ensure tailored guidance for each farmer's area.
Mick, who attended Farm for the Future sessions in Lancashire, said: "One of the key things I've got out of the programme was learning more about the SFI opportunities - I've now got all the paperwork ready to go. It's beneficial to be in discussion groups with open-minded people willing to discuss ideas as well as giving everyone an outlook for the future."
Inspired by its founder, HM King Charles III, The Royal Countryside Fund acts as a catalyst, enabling change and developing resilience, working with local partners who deliver bespoke programmes of support. Over three years, Farm for the Future has achieved impressive results with 95% of participating farms saying they have increased confidence in their ability to plan for the future. With over 1500 farming families taking part across England since 2021, the programme has people and their welfare at its core.
Registration to take part in Farm for the Future closes at the end of September 2024. To find your local group or join the programme online, visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture. Or contact Helen Rivett, Programme Manager at hrivett@countrysidefund.org.uk.
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CLA welcomes relaxation of planning rules
CLA Pres. Victoria Vyvyan said: "We welcome the news that farmers and landowners will now be able to convert agricultural buildings into a higher number of dwellings, and of a greater size, and that buildings can be more flexibly re-used for other commercial uses, boosting diversification. There is a chronic lack of rural housing and without it, the sustainability and vibrancy of communities up and down the country is under threat.
"But it is bitterly disappointing to see Class Q permitted development rights won't be expanded to National Parks and Landscapes. A recent CLA survey found that more than half of our members living in Protected Landscapes wish to convert existing and redundant agricultural buildings that no longer serve their intended purpose, but under current planning rules and restrictions they cannot.
"Allowing the use of Class Q within these areas would enable much needed development and help stimulate growth in the rural economy."
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Trewithen Dairy launches dairy barista milk for perfect foam at home
Available from Tesco stores nationwide, Trewithen worked alongside award-winning baristas and industry experts to formulate the milk to optimise micro-foaming when using a steam wand. The Barista Milk is naturally high in protein (3.5%) with extra cream (4%) giving it a smooth finish and creamy taste and the perfect make up to micro-foam at home with ease. The innovative launch comes as consumers are 'taking their at-home coffee evermore seriously' say the dairy. The World Coffee Portal's Coffee At Home UK Report 2023, shows total sales for domestic pod, filter and espresso machines rose 3.5% over the last 12 months to reach £162.8m with the UK's first specially formulated dairy milk a welcome addition to mugs.Trewithen makes 150 million litres of milk in bottles and 100 tonnes of retail clotted cream per year.
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Introducing the BVS Robot by BouMatic: Revolutionizing Livestock Farming with Automated Manure Cleaning
The BouMatic Vacuum Scraper (BVS) Robot, an innovative automated cleaning solution for livestock buildings, is set to transform hygiene and comfort standards in the industry. This fully automatic robot excels in vacuum cleaning manure, ensuring a clean and healthy environment for livestock and ultimately better milking results. The BVS employs an efficient process: Two arms gather and centralize the slurry. The tank's inlet is kept free from air blockage by the accumulation of slurry. Through a vacuum pump, the tank maintains low pressure, enabling slurry suction and storage. The BVS effortlessly navigates through the barn alleys, allowing for easy and swift tank emptying. At its charging point, the vacuum pump reverses, expelling the slurry from the reservoir. Contact Boumatic for full details.
BouMatic slurry management range includes: slurry scrapers, mixers, pumps, phase separators, shredders and the "Ecobedder" hygienizer.
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