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February 27, 2024
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UK - PM announces support for farming amid industry 'crisis'
The Prime Minister announced a package of measures last week to help UK farmers, but many say more is needed to support an industry in crisis. Rishi Sunak used a speech at the NFU Conference to outline government plans to boost the UK's food security. The NFU broadly welcomed the plans but said they included no actual new money.
Farming protest groups say more needs to be done to protect UK farmers from competition posed by cheaper imports. Sunak made a bid to win farmers' trust, telling them that he believed food security "was a vital part of our national security".
Save British Farming Co-Founder Liz Webster says supermarkets have too much power: "British farming is in a crisis," she said. "At the end of the day, who is going to be feeding great Britain as a country? We can't keep relying on imported goods. We need the government to listen to us and give us a bit more backing with funding and schemes so we can move forward and continue making a good product for members of the public."
The PM said £220m will be put into new food-productivity schemes, farm technology and automation to "reduce reliance on overseas workers" during the next financial year. He also announced plans to cut bureaucracy around permitted development rights, so farmers can more easily diversify and develop new businesses, such as farm shops, commercial space and sporting venues. And, while regulations are due to be laid in Parliament to ensure reasonable contracts for the dairy sector, similar rules for the pig and egg sector will follow.
Sunak also announced the Farm to Fork food-security summit held last year will become an annual event. He also told delegates that "we don't celebrate you enough and so on behalf of the nation I just wanted to say thank you," before saying: "I've got your back."
NFU President Minette Batters told BBC Breakfast that although the funding pledged by the government is "old money", she welcomed a "definite step-change" by the PM in what she described as "effectively a new business plan for agriculture". She said: "What we want to see is a solid plan for food production so these [farming] businesses know the road that they are on."
She also added that farmers and growers were facing instability and volatility when what they really needed was "certainty", with growing food given as much support as environmental work.
BBC
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BVD - last chance to have your say!
The National BVD Survey closes at the end of February. The survey partners with the BVD control and eradication programmes in each UK nation and the regional producers' unions with a chance to win a set of Beats Studio wireless bluetooth in ear headphones, worth £120."
BVD remains one of the most important cattle diseases negatively affecting many aspects of productivity. This includes direct losses associated with abortion, cost of treatment and veterinary care, and loss of livestock as well as other, harder to quantify costs such as immunosuppression and poor milk quality in beef suckler herds. "BVD control is at a critical juncture - funding for testing under the Gwaredu BVD scheme ceased at the end of 2023 and talk of making engaging with English scheme mandatory is ongoing - so I'd urge anyone with cattle, no matter whether a few or a huge number, to take a few minutes to participate with this important survey," concludes Dr Milnes.
Survey BVD Survey 2024 (farmmetrics.net)
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UK - curious about clover? Events to help unleash its true value
Incorporating clover into grass leys can boost efficiency and increase profitability by reducing costs on farm. However, understanding clover's true value is important. AHDB Dairy are launching a 'Curious about Clover' campaign in April. The campaign will help raise awareness about how to harness the benefits of including clover in farming practices, its positive impact on the environment, and all-important livestock nutrition.
Clover is a versatile and beneficial crop that plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture. It not only improves soil health and fertility but also reduces the need for inorganic fertilisers through its remarkable ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, ultimately contributing to a more environmentally friendly farming system.
Whether you are a novice in the world of clover or a seasoned grower seeking to elevate the quality of your grazing and silage, the events will cater to all levels of expertise. Led by experts and supported by cutting-edge research, farmers will gain insights, dispel myths, and explore clover's benefits for your farm.
Stephen West, AHDB's Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager Dairy, said: "It is very clear that Government wants to incentivise environmentally responsible practices and the approach has to be consistent. However, we know that climate, soil type, temperature and farming systems all vary dramatically across the country, so it is up to farmers to establish what practices are appropriate for them. Our responsibility is to help farmers to do this and to present the research in a way that supports productivity and business resilience."
Three events designed to provide farmers with the knowledge and tools to integrate clover successfully, are planned in the North, South and Midlands.
- Somerset: Thursday, 04 April 2024, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Cheshire: Tuesday, 09 April 2024, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Cumbria: Thursday, 11 April 2024, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
For more information about the "Curious about Clover" campaign and to book your space at the upcoming events, please visit: ahdb.org.uk/curious-about-clover
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UK - First Milk announces acquisition of BV Dairy
First Milk announces it has completed the acquisition of BV Dairy (Blackmore Vale Farm Cream Limited). BV Dairy is a successful manufacturer of specialist chilled dairy products based in Dorset. It services customers throughout England, Wales and Scotland, offering a comprehensive end-to-end solution to customers across food manufacturing and food service, as well as offering co-manufacturing to exciting growth markets such as the home meal solutions and gut health sectors, offering considerable opportunities for the future.
Jim Highnam, Managing Director of BV Dairy, commented: "Having made the decision to sell the business, we wanted to ensure that the new owners would provide a secure future for our customers, colleagues, farmers and suppliers. As such, I'm pleased to finalise this transaction and see BV Dairy become part of First Milk, as both businesses share a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach, balancing the needs of all stakeholders. I look forward to working with our new First Milk colleagues to continue to grow and develop BV Dairy."
FirstMilk
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Middle East - Exporters join AHDB at Gulfood to promote UK beef, lamb and dairy
One of the world's largest food and drink trade shows has provided the platform to showcase high-quality dairy beef and lamb from the UK. Seven dairy and thirteen red meat exporters from the UK joined AHDB at Gulfood in Dubai to promote world-class produce to buyers from around the globe.
The show, held at Dubai's World Trade Centre last week, attracted thousands of buyers from the food and beverage industry and more than 5,500 global exhibitors. Visitors to AHDB's dairy stand featured cheese and butters, as well as infant formula and milk powders. A dedicated Dairy Buyer breakfast meeting event also took place prior to the show opening with 11 British dairy companies taking part - the seven businesses accompanying AHDB and four others - and meeting more than 20 buyers.
AHDB's stands at Gulfood provided the opportunity for exporters to network and build business relationships during a series of one-to-one meetings. Lucy Randolph, AHDB Head of International Trade Development for Dairy, said: "The Middle East is a growth market for UK dairy and Gulfood gives us the chance to showcase our high-quality produce and build its reputation in the region, connecting our exporters with buyers from across the region.
"AHDB analysis has highlighted the region as a large net importer of food. Coupled with strong population growth driving consumer demand for high-value products like dairy, UK exporters are well placed to satisfy this growing appetite. Levy payers have told us how much they value AHDB's export work and we look forward to helping our exporters capitalise on this growing demand for UK dairy products in the Middle East, particularly for cheese in the foodservice and hospitality sector."
AHDB
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UK - Cogent Breeding partners with Sainsbury's and ABP to grow dairy beef supply chain
The industry leading integrated beef supply chain, which has been in place since 2015, has widened its breeding options to farmers, partnering with Cogent as a service provider to offer access to a wider choice of genetics. From 23rd February, Cogent genetics are available to Gamechanger producers in conventional semen, and from late March onwards producers will also have access to Ultraplus Male sexed product. The move enables Sainsbury's and ABP to grow the programme and further drive efficiencies and consistency of Aberdeen Angus calves entering the Gamechanger supply chain.
The Gamechanger programme currently includes over 500 farms, with aspirations to grow significantly. Farmers can be involved at different stages, whether calving, rearing or finishing. The programme is designed to offer security and stability to farmers across the supply chain with guaranteed forward pricing, and easy management at every stage, from conception to finishing.
Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries at Sainsbury's says, "We are really pleased to have Cogent join us and our trusted partners to deliver our ambition of high quality, reduced carbon beef. We are committed to driving resilience at all levels of the supply chain, and to delivering a consistent product with a lower, more transparent hoof print that keeps quality British beef in our customers' baskets."
Until now, farmers producing calves for the Gamechanger integrated supply chain have had access to Angus genetics from a single genetics provider. Now, with the addition of Cogent genetics, Sainsbury's and ABP can continue to address current and future challenges, such as sustainability, efficiency and product quality across the entire supply chain, but with greater choice for the producer.
This expansion of the supply chain embraces the very best in Aberdeen Angus genetics to deliver consumer-friendly beef with transparency, traceability and reduced environmental impacts. "We are focussed on continuing to improve the Gamechanger programme, and excited to be working with Cogent to offer our farmers a wider choice of genetics." says Richard Phelps, Group Agriculture Director at ABP.
"This enables us to continue to provide the dairy farmers in our supply chain with a secure and profitable calf outlet to produce high quality, sustainable beef whilst maximising and delivering efficiency throughout." Now, the end product, which is retailed as part of the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus beef range, will also be bred from dedicated elite Cogent sires, which have undergone extensive progeny testing. This testing enables Cogent to breed bulls with specific, repeatable traits tailored not only to the dairy system, but all aspects of an integrated supply chain, including ease of calving, gestation length, growth, performance and feed efficiency.
"We are extremely proud to be joining the Gamechanger scheme, and to be providing Cogent genetics, including our Ultraplus male sexed product, to Gamechanger producers," says Cogent Managing Director Stuart Boothman. "At Cogent we recognise the fundamental role the dairy beef crossbred plays within today's industry. We are delighted to showcase the strength and consistency of our beef on dairy programme, extending our elite Aberdeen Angus offering to the Gamechanger supply chain."
Cogent
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Over £125k between top-performing dairy farms and bottom 50%
There is over a £125,000 difference between the top-performing dairy farms and the bottom 50%, according to new data from AHDB, who revisited and updated data from 2017 and 2018 for beef and lamb, dairy and cereals and oilseeds sectors. The 'Characteristics of top Performing Farms 2024' analysis revealed a "gulf in farm income" between farms from the top 25% and bottoms 50% of each sector, AHDB said.
In dairy farms, the difference between top performers and the bottom 50% is £126,500. For beef and sheep farms it is £49,200, and for cereal farms it is £104,060. AHDB said it carried out the updated research to reflect the current farming landscape and to highlight the factors that have the most significant impact on performance.
The report analysis, which covers England only, revealed the factors that most influence general farm business performance varies by sector. However, common themes include: Managing overheads; Attention to detail; Attitude to change; Setting goals and budgets.
AHDB Head of Economics Analysis, Sarah Baker, said the research highlights the "stark difference" in income between the top and bottom performers for each sector covered. The farms analysed and compared were matched for farm size, sector and geographical features. "The farming landscape has changed significantly since we last examined the characteristics of top performing farms, with the removal of subsidies and the introduction of 'public money for public goods'," she said. "We felt it was time to revisit and update the data, highlighting the factors that have the most significant influence on farm business performance. While there are nuances for each sector, the key point to note is that the factors identified are within farmers' control to address and potentially improve their farm business performance.
"Our aim is to provide farmers with tools and services to help identify where they may be able to make some changes to their businesses with a view to improving performance and having a positive impact on their bottom line." While the analysis covers England only, Baker said the findings are equally applicable across the UK.
Agriland
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Eastern Europe - Ukrainian farmers forge ahead with dairy investments amidst conflict
Despite the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukrainian farmers are showing resilience by investing in the dairy industry on lands spared from occupation. Andriy Dykun, the President of the Association of Milk Producers of Ukraine, has highlighted this burgeoning commitment to dairy production in areas that remain under Ukrainian control.
The war has significantly disrupted traditional export routes for Ukrainian dairy heifers, particularly through the Black Sea, which is currently inaccessible. Dykun revealed at the Australian Dairy Conference in Melbourne that alternative paths via Romania or Bulgaria are also fraught with delays due to lengthy processes for obtaining veterinary certificates.
With grain exports also facing hurdles, Dykun emphasized the need for Ukrainian farmers to 'add value' by focusing on milk production. The strategy seems to be paying off, as 2023 witnessed a 15% increase in milk yields, bringing production back to the pre-war figure of three million tonnes, despite the loss of 50,000 dairy cows and 100 dairy farms.
The agricultural sector, particularly dairy, has been a stalwart of the Ukrainian economy, boasting a production volume that surpassed Australia's before the conflict began. Dykun sees 'enormous potential' in the sector, which he describes as the economy's 'backbone'.
One of the most significant challenges facing Ukrainian agriculture during wartime is the widespread presence of landmines, with over two million hectares affected. This includes thousands of fields that are now hazardous zones. Dykun shared distressing footage at the conference, including the devastation of a large dairy farm in the Kharkiv region, which lost 30% of its herd to the occupation.
The war's impact on agriculture has been profound, yet the sector's determination to survive and thrive is evident in these strategic investments in dairy. Dykun, who also chairs the Ukrainian Agri Council, has previously discussed the broader effects of the conflict on agricultural production, underscoring the industry's adaptability and fortitude.
AberdeenBusinessNews
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UK - BouMatic unveils cutting-edge feeding solutions to transform dairy operation
Butler Gold Pro, Feed pusher: employs patented auger technology to gently push feed to the trough, preserving freshness and quality. This not only encourages improved cow behaviour and calmer barn environments but also leads to more activity at the milking robot, ultimately saving the dairyman valuable time and increasing milk production.
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The Shuttle Eco, Feeding robot: This autonomously driven feeding robot is equipped with cutting-edge battery technology. It ensures the animals receive precisely measured quantities of fresh feed year[1]round. By feeding small quantities at regular intervals, the natural feeding behaviour of the animals is encouraged, resulting in higher feed consumption, increased yield, and improved animal health.
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The FlyPit bedding robot: designed to enhance the well-being of the animals by providing a dry area to lie and improving pen hygiene. Customized to the specific needs of each pen, this innovative solution significantly reduces straw usage while elevating the overall cleanliness and comfort of the environment.
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Remote control: The complete feeding offering can be operated and monitored at distance, on any device, PC, tablet or smartphone. BouMatic specialists can make optimisations at any time using a remote maintenance function and software is always kept up to date.
Feeding systems for sustainable farming: These cutting-edge feeding systems can harness green energy generated by the dairyman's solar panels or biogas systems. This means that not only are farms automated and optimized for efficiency, but they also operate on ecologically sustainable electricity. This powerful combination not only benefits the environment but also enhances the well[1]being of the cows, ensuring a holistic approach to modern dairy farming. www.boumatic.com
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New Trehane Trust website launched
The Trehane Trust, has launched a new website with details of its scholarships, dairy study groups and networking opportunities trehanetrust.org.uk
The Trust, was set up in 1977 on the retirement of Sir Richard Trehane as Chairman of the Milk Marketing Board and supports knowledge transfer and career development within the dairy supply chain. As part of this, it sponsors up to two dairy-focused Nuffield Scholarships each year. There are now more than 100 Nuffield Farming Trust Trehane scholars. "The new website is our shop window for attracting dairy-minded people from all sections of the supply chain who are keen to progress their own knowledge, and also research sectors of the industry that may benefit the UK dairy industry," says dairy business adviser and Trehane Trust Chair Diana Allen."
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Scientists 'break the mould' by creating new colours of 'blue cheese'
Using a combination of bioinformatics, targeted gene deletions and heterologous gene expression, the research team, led by Dr Paul Dyer, Professor of Fungal Biology, learnt the way in which the blue-green pigment is produced. They found that a biochemical pathway gradually forms blue pigments, starting at a white, which progressively becomes yellow-green, red-brown-pink, dark brown, light blue, and finally dark blue-green. The team were able to use some classic food safe (non GM) techniques to 'block' the pathway at certain points, and so create strains with new colours that can be used in cheese production. The findings of the study are published in the journal NPJ Science of Food.
Nottingham.ac.uk
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Heifer sells for £3,200 at Shrewsbury Auction Centre dairy sale
A heifer with a pedigree grabbed the headlines after selling for £3,200 at Shrewsbury Auction Centre's dairy show and sale. 'Whitgreave Haniko Zindra', from Stubbs Partners, Whitgreave, Stafford was sold to R. A. Jones and Son, Pied House, Garthmyl, near Welshpool. It was backed by 10 generations in the top two grades, tracing back to the great Ocean-view Mandel Zandra EX95 and giving 36kg of milk. The sale was the best dairy price recorded at Shrewsbury for 18 months since the downturn in milk price. Halls auctioneer Jonny Dymond at Shrewsbury said: "This well-bred heifer, a daughter of Haniko, was very correct and full of milk. Her looks matched her pedigree and the buyers clearly agreed." FarmingUK
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