August 2007 Archives

With movement restrictions now relaxed, it now seems likely many shows will still include livestock classes, but some organisers have had to make the difficult decision to cancel their livestock sections.

Here's a list to keep you updated with shows and events going on, or not as the case may be.

September 1-2
Dorset County - going ahead without livestock

September 1-3
Wolsingham - Going ahead without livestock

September 2
Reading and Wokingham - Going ahead without livestock

As my emails get flooded with dates for the next couple of weeks to clear the back log of livestock sales, Harrison and Hetherington have set dates starting from Monday next week.

Monday 3:Primestock

Wednesday 5:Store cattle

Friday 7: Kerbanks Jersey cattle dispersalTexel sheep sale

Saturday 8: On farm sale of implements of Messrs Rawstron, Cardewlees.

Sunday 9: Euro lambs

Monday 10: Store lambs, Mule gimmer shearlings, Breeding ewes. Breeding rams, Primestock

Wednesday 12: Pedigree Holstein Cattle Club sale (Auchenmalg and Winterside herd)

Friday 14: Beef Breeding Cattle - Dispersal/reduction sales of Limousin, Aberdeen Angus and Charolais cattle, Red and White Dairy Cattle (Kinninmonth herd).

Saturday 15: Rare and Minority Breeds, Jacob, Beltex, Rouge, Vendeen, Bleu du Maine and
Suffolk rams.

Saturday 22: Zwartbles and Berrichon du Cher sheep, Holsteins (Creosgoch herd)

Thursday 27: Charollais and Lleyn sheep

Just had details sent through from the Hobbs Parker team at Ashford Market regarding their sales diary over the next couple of weeks, now that foot and mouth movement restrictions have been relaxed.

Friday 7 September will see the first catalogued sale of store and breeding sheep, with an expected entry of between 2000 and 3000 head. A catalogue will be available on the day and producers are advised to ring the market to book entries in.

The first catalogued sale for store cattle will be on Tuesday 11 September and entries will need to be with the livestock team by Tuesday 4 September.

Entries are also being taken for OTM's, finished lambs, cull ewes, finished pigs and store pigs.

Contact the Hobbs Parker guys on 01233 502 222.

Just had an email through from the guys at Harrison and Hetherington in Carlisle announcing their dairy sale fixtures for the next week or two.

Following the relaxation of foot and mouth movements, auctioneers up and down the country are going to be selling over-time, with many including Borderway Marts thinking about trading on a Sunday.

It was a case of “many happy returns” all round when livestock made a welcome homecoming to Skipton Auction Mart on Monday, as trading resumed on a collection centre slaughter-only basis following the three weeks-plus foot and mouth standstill.

High levels of demand after the lay-off, notably for newly resumed export markets, resulted in keen prices being achieved for the prime lambs that went on sale on day one, with trade much better than anticipated.

However, regular high volume Skipton purchasers were quick to point out that they did not expect this trend to be maintained once things got back to normal.

Good news at last........

DEFRA has announced that as from 00:01 on Monday 3 September, livestock markets for cattle, sheep, and pigs will be allowed to resume in England and Wales, outside of the foot and mouth surveillance zone in Surrey. Also from this date, animals susceptible to the disease can be taken to shows involving animals, outside of the surveillance zone.

The return of markets, shows and sales, albeit under tighter controls until the surveillance work is completed in Surrey, is vitally important as they allow planning for the autumn breeding and store sales and will provide much needed boost of confidence to the industry.

Livestock made a welcome return to the pens at Skipton Auction Mart yesterday (Monday), as the mart was given the go-ahead from midnight on Wednesday last week to resume trading as a collection centre and stage slaughter-only markets.

The next two Monday markets will see slaughter-only markets for prime cattle and sheep taking place. Following the announcement of the official easing of restrictions likely to be on September 8, the aim will then be to run normal Monday cattle, sheep and calves sales after this date, along with other regular shows and sales.

In addition dairy auctions will take place each Monday from September 10 as the mart bids to make up lost ground.

The continued suspension of markets, shows and the imposition of a 20-day standstill on all movements has left me vexed.

On the one hand the EU is, from this weekend, allowing all UK livestock from outside the surveillance zone to be exported to the EU. This means they are able to travel across Europe, mixing with European animals left, right and centre and, were it appropriate, attend any show, sale or market held on the Continent.

On the other, DEFRA is still imposing a ban on markets, shows and other gatherings of livestock in England (thankfully the devolved administrations have seen sense). So, our animals are healthy enough to mix with their European counterparts, but not to mix with each other. Talk about a shambles, someone at DEFRA and its quite probably the chief vet, Debbie Reynolds, needs to get real and give English farmers the chance to make a living

This current situation is ridiculous and something must be done immediately.

Excellent news! This morning's meeting of EU vets lifted the ban on the export of meat and livestock from the UK and DEFRA is shortly to announce that all current movement restrictions put in place outside the surveillance zone will be lifted as of midnight tonight. However, any movements made will be subject to a 20 day standstill.

That will greatly ease the burden management movements, but as yet DEFRA has not announced any resumption of live markets or shows, unlike their Scots and Welsh counterparts.

Hopefully, they will follow the devolved administrations' lead and make an announcement shortly. This will enable most sales planned for September to revert to previous dates. Whether show's which have cancelled livestock classes reinstate them has yet to be seen, although some may chose not to due to plans already put in place.

For those of you who haven't found time to peruse the schedule yet, myself included. The Royal Smithfield Club has today released the names of the judges for this year's Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair.

The event will take place as last year at the Royal Bath and West's Shepton Mallet showground on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December.

Heading the list in the cattle section will be championship judge James Quail, Banbridge, Co Down, while the native cattle classes will be adjudicated by Aberdeen Angus breeder Colin Davidson, Sandwick, Orkney.

Here are some more sale results and pictures from last week's Dungannon Texel sale, which was led by a 28,000gns bid.

Second top was a 16,000gns call for another lamb bred exactly the same way as the 28,000gns lamb. By Douganhill McFly and out of a ewe by Knock Impulse, Cherryvale Nijinsky was bred by Alistair Gault's son and daughter Beth and Jack. He sold to John Currie, Danny McKay and Austin Shaw.

Trading on mainland UK may be held up by foot-and-mouth restrictions, but for Northern Irish breeders there has been no let up in the sales season, with last week's premier Texel sale at Dungannon showing just what the province has to offer.

Leading the way with a 28,000gns sale were the ram lambs. The sale topper, Forkins Nijinsky, is by Douganhill McFly and out of a dam by Knock Impulse which is famous for having sired the highest priced ram lamb in the UK, Tophill Joe for 122,000gns. Bred in Alistair Gault’s flock at Newtownabbey, Nijinsky was purchased by Tom Bailey from Co Meath, Eire.

More prices and pictures to follow......

The autumn sale of Belgian Blues at Chelford, which was due to take place on 7th and 8th September has been re-scheduled for Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd September.

The Gala Evening, which will involve a meal for all breeders and show goers, will take place on the night of Friday 21st September.

For more news ont he show and sale go to the Belgian Blue website.

MORETON Show will go on this year as planned - but without cattle, sheep and other livestock, it was announced today.

A brief statement which was issued following a meeting last night said: " Moreton Show Society Council has decided that given that the earliest possible start date for movements to shows is after the date of Moreton Show (1st September), it is not possible to proceed with cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas or alpacas.

"The Show will proceed with horses, poultry, home and garden, full entertainment programme and hundreds of trade stands including food marquee. Further release of open trade space is now available."

For further information, visit the show website on www.moretonshow.co.uk.

Due to the fact foot and mouth restrictions have meant I'm not populating this blog with many show and sale reports at the moment, I thought I would bring you a funny pic to brighten up your day.

Although i'm sure one user (courtesy of H&H, Carlisle), will know where this has come from!!

I think the guy in questions has got it just about right though!!

The announcement earlier today of a suspect case of foot-and-mouth on a farm in Kent has quashed any hope we had of DEFRA releasing information on changes to movement restrictions.

We understand they may make an announcement tomorrow, but that is as yet unconfirmed. Taking Stock will, of course endeavour to bring you the latest news as we receive it.

Premier sheep sales in Ireland have got off to a flying start challenging some critics who believe there is no future in the Irish sheep industry.

Despite a particularly poor year for the sheep farmers, with prices bottoming out in late April and May, breeders are determined to stay in the business.

Ram and breeding ewe sales are seen as a key indicator of farmer confidence in the industry for the next breeding season. To date, all the premier sales are reporting higher than expected prices and almost full clearances.

Taking Stock has learnt that DEFRA is likely to make an anouncement relaxing movement restrictions later today.

An informed source told me last night that a stakeholder meeting will be held at 1230 today and a briefing detailing changes to the current rules would follow. While unable to confirm the content of today's meeting, the source said it would be good news for the industry.

From a personal point of view I have to say I'm absolutely appalled at the lack of seriousness which some people have attached to the recent foot and mouth outbreak.

A trip to my local agricultural merchants on Saturday confirmed my belief that people think this is a problem local to Surrey and affects no one else. Bearing in mind that most farmers in the area use the store, the very least I expected was a disinfectant foot dip by the door, but to my disgust there was nothing available. And this is a store just 80 miles or so from the outbreak.

Good news the foot-and-mouth suspect case at Laurence Matthews' farm in Dorking is clear, according to a DEFRA announcement today.

Chief vet Debby Reynolds told a press conference the "Temporary Control Zone around a farm in Surrey has been lifted following negative results for Foot and Mouth Disease".

Having listened to Laurence speak to the press and on local radio, it was always pretty hopeful it was only going to be a suspect. It's good news all round for both him and other farmers in the area.

This just shows how important it is to remain extra vigilant when it comes to checking stock and to report even the slightest thing, particularly in this hot weather.

For more on this suspect case and information on signs of foot and mouth go to DEFRA website.

Never let it be said that we here at Taking Stock are without a touch of glamour.

Last Friday's foot and mouth outbreak has resulted in a barage of requests for media interviews from Farmers Weekly. For my sins, I've been handling most of these, including BBC News 24, Sky News and the Today Programme.

And while this may sound like the life of a media starlet, rest assured it's far from it. Monday saw me run half a mile across White City in London to reach the News 24 studios in time for an interview, thanks to the woeful sense of direction of my less than local driver! And all for less than three minutes of airtime.

Amongst the fears this morning of a further outbreak outside the surveillance zone, it appears having listened to various radio interviews this morning that the farmer in question is confident his cattle are clear of foot-and-mouth.

The farmer in question is Laurence Matthews, land owner of where the second case was found. Let's hope the precautionary measures are working so well that this is a "just in case" measure.

Also heard today is that on farm burial of fallen stock is to be allowed within the surveillance zone, as well as movements regarding the delivery of feed.

For more on this story.......

Following the will there be a Royal Show won't they debate, the future of the event has now been secured following an agreement between the Royal Agriculture Society for England and a trust set up by Stoneleigh's previous owners over the future development of the site.

"We now have a secure site and can look to the future of the Royal Show to deliver something more dynamic in agriculture," explained show director Mark Spencer. "We need to engage with farmers on a rather more intellectual level to assist their businesses."

The RASE's Countryside and Food Fair would be absorbed into the Royal, with a further food event planned later in the year. There would be no move away from core farming.

Although the news that cattle, sheep and pigs can now move from farms to abattoirs has been welcomed throughout the industry, there are serious concerns over the plight of hill and upland farmers who traditionally have sold their livestock for finishing down on more productive acres.

In an article in today's Scotsman, chairman of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association Angus McCall highlights the importance of store lamb producers having some guidance as to how long it will be before they can market their stock. "The hill store sales were due to begin in earnest next week and flockmasters have to make a decision when to gather sheep."

"Most hill farmers do not have low-ground fields to hold on to lambs for any length of time once weaned, and must be given an indication of when store sales are likely to take place before they gather their flocks."

Priddy Sheep Fair 22 August 2007

It is with regret that the Priddy Sheep Fair Committee, after consultation with the appropriate Agencies, has made the difficult but responsible decision to cancel the event this year due to the current Foot and Mouth crisis.

The Chairman of the Committee, Martin Edwards, stated “this has been a hard decision to make but a responsible one in view of the current crisis. Accordingly, no activities will be provided for, including the Horse Field”.

Joe Speed, Trade Stands Officer, said “ all trade stand payments will be refunded in due course”.

For further information visit www.priddysheepfair.co.uk

Fallen stock collections are also going to restart:

Fallen Stock Collection for England and Wales
Defra has announced that from 00:01 on Thursday 9 August 2007 in England farmers whose premises are within the Restricted Zone may make arrangement for fallen stock collections to take place from farms under strict bio-security controls, via National Fallen Stock Company registered collectors under a general movement licence. This follows an announcement on Wednesday 8 August 2007 enabling the collection of fallen stock from farms located within Wales.

It is still vital that appropriate biosecurity protocols are followed to ensure that the risk of FMD transmission is not increased by these movements. Any collections must be in strict accordance with the conditions specified in the general licence. Today’s announcement means that fallen stock can be moved from England to Wales and visa versa provided the conditions laid down in the England and Wales licence are adhered to.

Farmers who are not members of the Scheme should phone the National Fallen Stock Scheme Helpline on 0845 054 8888 for details of registered collectors operating in their area, or you can may also visit the ‘Find NFSS Collectors’ area of our website to find details of existing NFSS collectors operating in your area. Collection of payment will be the responsibility of the collector i.e. not via the NFSS payment system. However, to enable movement records to be maintained it will be mandatory for NFSS receipts to be utilised to facilitate traceability.

Good news following the recent governmnet statement from Debby Reynolds who has just announced movements to slaughter under general licence will commence in England and Wales from midnight.

In her daily briefing on the foot and mouth outbreak, she also announced that fallen stock collections will restart at the same time.

All movements – whether of dead or live animals – will be subject to strict biosecurity measures and will only apply in areas outside the protection and surveillance zones.

However, the general GB wide movement remains in place.

Mrs Reynolds also revealed that stock on a farm next to the second infected premises had also been culled because of signs they could be infected with the disease.

Read more on this announcement

Having spoken to a few Scottish farmers this morning regarding price trends, the big question on many producers' lips is what will the deadweight price do over the next few weeks now that Scotland have movement to slaughter in place and it looks like Wales could be good to go this afternoon?

With some supermarkets stating beef consumption hasn't suffered since the outbreak, surely there is no need to drop the price just becasue it did in 2001 - after all this is a totally different scenario?

Although mainland UK had all movement restrictions stopped last Friday night due to the Surrey Foot and Mouth outbreak, the show still went on for exhibitors at the Northern Ireland British Belgian Blue Club Calf Show on Saturday.

Taking the overall championship ticket was Woodview Bertha, exhibited by Coleraine breeder Andrew Craig and family.

The reserve champion’s rosette when to male champion Ballygrange Boss shown by Jim Sloan of Kilkeel, the second triumph inside a fortnight for a British Blue Society vice chairman fresh from winning the breed’s NI Herd of the Year BBG Trophy.

Good news at last......

The movement of livestock under licence to abattoirs in Scotland will start tomorrow (Weds), according to NFU Scotland.

Speaking just before 5pm this afternoon, Scottish NFU president, Jim McLaren, confirmed the necessary authorisation and abattoir inspections had been completed and livestock should start moving to abattoirs under licence to slaughter tomorrow.

And he urged farmers to ensure they have negotiated a definite price from purchasers prior to sending animals for slaughter. Responding to concern from members about a potential slump in prices, Mr McLaren said if anything prices should be stronger than they were before the movement ban.

He also pointed out there will be increased costs due to stock being retained longer on farms and the requirement for single point collection.

“If producers find themselves in a price pressure situation we would be very keen to hear from them and identify anyone trying to take advantage of the situation,” he said.

Taking Stock is delighted to bring you the news that Angus Stovold's Rosemead Aberdeen Angus herd has had the all clear from DEFRA vets following suspicions of foot and mouth in some animals.

Speaking to Taking Stock this morning, Mr Stovold was extremely concerned about the saftey of his herd, but this evening he called back to say the animals have been cleared of suspicion. "Its great news, but there are still risks and we've got to be careful here. We've got one stockman on every farm and no one else will be allowed onto those units until we are more confident."

While the high profile show of pedigree Suffolks on offer at the Northern Counties Society sale at Skipton went ahead as planned on Friday, the sale scheduled for the following day was cancelled when the mart called in a ministry-appointed vet to seek guidance as the national ban on the movement of livestock took immediate effect.

Unaware of the imminent upheaval, Suffolk enthusiasts from across the north and midlands, also joined by exhibitors from Scotland, East Anglia and Wales, lined up for the annual show, with 112 pedigree sheep forward.

With Foot and Mouth movement restrictions likely to be in place for some time, British Belgian Blue Cattle Society secretary has said he is unsure as to what the restrictions will mean for next month's society sale to be held at Chelford.

"It is obviously too early for any decisions to be made, so have no information as to what this will mean for the sale.

"While the source fo the outbreak looks like being linked to the Pirbright lab, we must all keep our guard up and put in place strict bio-security measures on farm as well as being extra vigilant, looking for symptoms."

Following additional culling yesterday of animals defined as dangerous contacts to the infected premises, movements of livestock are still restricted.

Overall, all livestock movements are banned across GB, meaning no animals can leave their current location for any reason, apart from cows crossing roads for milking or animals being moved for urgent vet treatment.

Beyond that, Taking Stock have learnt it could be possible for restrictions for slaughter movement to be lifted on Wednesday, but that will be providing there are no further confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth.

In theory it should be 28 days after the last case when movements return to a more normal pattern. for more on this go to fwi.co.uk

Speaking to farmers and members of the press at Cranleigh Show today, Conservative leader David Cameron said there are very serious questions for the Government to answer.

"If it turns out that the virus was released either from the Institute for Animal Health in Pirbright or from the next-door lab at Merial - which, by the way, is inspected and licensed by the Government - it will be astonishing news, because the organisations responsible for stopping things like foot and mouth will effectively be responsible for starting it.

In a sympathetic tone for the agricultural industry, he said farmers up and down the country are going to be angry because they have done masses to improve their own biosecurity and they are all suffering at the moment, apparently because of mistakes made at a laboratory which is meant to stop foot and mouth.

Taking Stock can now give you the full statement released from the drug company at the centre of this foot-and-mouth incident.

Statement 4 from Merial Animal Health Ltd

Merial Animal Health Limited welcomes the arrival of the independent HSE investigation team to our centre at Pirbright. Our centre operates to the very highest international standards and we insist on stringent adherence to processes and procedures for health, safety and environmental protection, quality control, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

There is intense speculation regarding the possible sources of this outbreak. While Merial has complete confidence in the integrity of our bio-security, and our initial investigation shows no breach in our procedures, it is too early in the investigation for anyone to determine the source of the outbreak.

Taking Stock has already mentioned that foot-and-mouth movement restrictions have hit three big shows in Scotland this weekend. Dumfries Show, due to be held today, was cancelled and Turriff Show (August 5 and 6) will go ahead, without sheep, cattle and goats.

News of the outbreak broke mid-event for the organisers of Perth Show (An 3 and 4) and an emergency board meeting was held at the showground at 11pm last night and show organisers decided that although cattle, sheep and goats would not be allowed to attend the show, the second day of the event would go ahead.

Some 100 cattle were already on site at the showground ahead of today, the main livestock day. Many of these were Charolais from throughout Scotland, due to be exhibited at the National Charolais Show at Perth today.

Perth Show biosecurity officer, Grant Morris, a past show chairman, told Farmers Weekly, an official ministry vet arrived at the showground just before midnight on Friday night to supervise the vet inspection of the cattle housed under canvas on site and their relocation back to farms.

With sales of 2500 fat lambs, 1000 cull ewes and 200 prime cattle scheduled for sale next week at Ashford Market, the largest livestock market closest to the confirmed outbreak, the market is set for a tough time in terms of trading.

Hobbs Parker auctioneer Richard Wood told Taking Stock it’s a wait and see time for everyone over the next 48-72 hours. “We all hope and pray this is an isolated case, but it does beg the question as to where the disease came from.”

Fellow auctioneer Mark Cleverdon says he’s impressed with the speed of which DEFRA have moved at, but his concerns lay with what this will mean for the agricultural sales sector over the next six months.

“If this is an isolated case, which we hope and pray it is, there will still be disastrous consequences for the marketing sector, with movement restrictions likely to be in place up to the autumn and Christmas period.” This will mean everyday trading as well as specialist shows and sales will be affected.

Taking Stock have just been talking to a beef and sheep farmer based in Milton Keynes (wishing to remain nameless) who has concerns following yesterday's Thame Sheep Fair, which saw some 21,000 head of sheep forward for sale.

She tells me F&M gossip was flying round during the day, but confirmations didn't come through till late last night.

Speaking to Taking Stock, Simon Draper chief auctioneer at Thame and Bicester, said there were still some 3000 sheep on site when restrictions came in to force and these were being checked by vets this morning before being allowed to move.

Taking Stock have just been speaking to exhibitors at the Tiverton Show, apparently all exhibitors are stranded on the show ground with DEFRA officials not allowing them to load up and go home, there are talks that they won't be able to move until at least Tuesday.

Although this is a nightmare for all those concerned, restricting movements really is the best thing that can happen to help contain the disease. We'll keep you posted with any other developments.

Following the announcement of a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth on a beef unit between Aldershot and Guildford, Surrey, Taking Stock are still unsure as to what this will mean for the scheduled livestock shows and sales across the country.

BBS News 24 are stating that two major agricultural shows in Scotland will go ahead this weekend without cows, sheep and goats, due to the restrictions. Both Dumfries and Turriff in Aberdeenshire have been hit by the restrictions. It currently remains unclear as to what effect the ban will have on second day of the Perth agricultural show.

We'll do our upmost to keep you informed as to what happens, in the mean time you can check out the following places for more information:

FWi

Plenty of opnions and comment is circulating on Farmers Weekly's forums, so why not post your comments on there.

BBC News

DEFRA

The judging is finally over of the Northern Ireland Belgian Blue herd competition, which has been won this year by Jim Sloan's Ballygrange herd, Kilkeel, Co Down.

Praised by judge Jim Barber of the Astbury herd, Chehsire as being a very good cow herd in every way with not a bad animal to be seen, he even said he'd be proud to own some of the stock himself.

Mel Lucas of Sevenmile Straight, Antrim took reserve overall champion with his Lukeroyal herd, noted by Jim as comprising incredibly consistent cattle.

The best brood cow was Zara Chestnutt's (daughter of Farmers Weekly's Farmer Focus writer Victor Chestnutt) Reinbeck Optica, with Greenfield Bloom belonging to Basil Dougherty awarded the best heifer title.

Springback Blackstar on the Kilkeel farm of Corrina and Ivan Gordon was judged best bull in the 350 mile round trip of Northern Ireland.

The inaugural National show of Blackface Sheep held on Sunday 29th July 2007at Lanark Agricultural Centre and organised by the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association was a resounding success.

This was the first time that all three types of Blackface Sheep had been shown under the same roof. With over 300 sheep entered from 49 exhibitors it made a spectacular show.

The North type and North of England type being the smaller sections in the show were judged alternatively in one ring, while Ian Thomson from Caberston had his work cut out in the South type ring with over 27 sheep in all but one class.

Poor returns for finished sheep in the first half of the year, together with the wettest summer on record, contributed to a more than disappointing trade at the first sale of store lambs at Maidstone market last week, with prices back £3 on last year.

With 1953 lambs forward, the sale also incorporated the Horsmonden lamb sale with an overall lamb average of £29.41, even lower than the 1982 average some 25 years ago!

Stronger lambs sold from £33 to £37, medium stores £28-£32 and smaller stores less than £28. Texel cross lambs sold to £41.50 from Mrs S Bartlett, Laddingford and Suffolk cross lambs sold to £36.80 from M and K L Studd, Eastchurch.

The award for the best pen of lambs went to J and C Kellett, Benenden, whose pen of 50 Suffolk x Mule lambs sold for £35.50.