FARMERS FOCUS

FARMERS FOCUS-Alliastair Mackintosh

I CAN’T remember as wet a time at tupping as we have had to endure so far. There has been an abundance of grass, but ground conditions have meant that a good proportion is being trampled.

 To avoid too much spoilage, we keep the sheep moving from field to field every couple of days. This minimises damage and gives time for grass to recover before grazing resumes. Despite this, ewes have tupped well and after the first 17 days there are only a few left to tup.

 I’ve spent time recently catching up with BSPS and slaughter claims. I don”t want to miss out on any deadlines and be without some claims that will be required to help my cash flow during 2005.

However, I’m not going to rush prime cattle to market in an effort to secure slaughter premium because I’m hoping the increase in finish, better weight and, dare I say it, price will more than compensate for the loss in slaughter premium.

Store lambs have been wormed and turned on to stubble turnips. We are feeding a purchased high-protein pellet, mixed with home-grown barley, in an effort to have them finished early in the new year.

By the time you read this, I hope we will all have signed up to the National Fallen Stock Scheme. It has been a long time coming, but it is essential that as many of us as possible sign up. This will help keep costs down.

DEFRA has agreed to partly fund the scheme for the first three years. It is vital that we take advantage of the available funding to set this scheme up, or the total cost will be passed on to producers. A

lthough forms have been sent out to all livestock producers, every-one can ring the number on the form to register, rather than use the form itself. Is this the best way to use taxpayers” money when all that is required is a phone number?

Lessons need to be learned and I hope producers” money is better spent in future.