Archive Article: 2001/06/08
Well stay fully alert to MAFF slaughter plans
Rumours that MAFF is about to embark on a big expansion of the foot-and-mouth cull are a measure of the panic and fear gripping our countryside.
With good reason. So far, at least 6m animals have been slaughtered and some believe that figure could double.
Intensive investigations by FW reporters have failed to uncover hard evidence that MAFF plans to do anything more than extend stock blood testing.
Rest assured we will continue to keep a close eye on the latest developments and keep readers fully informed through these pages and our on-line news service FWi.
NI exports cast a little light in the gloom
Good news is hard to come by these days, so the resumption of exports of sheepmeat, pork, pigs and milk from Northern Ireland is a welcome boost to at least one section of the farming community.
There must be no let up in the battle to keep the province free of foot-and-mouth.
Hopes were raised before that the disease had been beaten only for three further cases to emerge at Easter, when trade was shut down again.
Fortress farming is the only way forward. If farmers and the industry continue to keep their guards up hopefully, this time, they will be able to keep markets open.
Good grain storage is money in the bank
Store grain well and there is always a market. Store it poorly and buyers will be hard to find.
So, as a worryingly thin harvest approaches, why not protect your investment with top class storage?
After one of the worst growing seasons on record, there is little growers can now do to boost yield. But protecting your harvested tonnage with tip top storage management and marketing could help crops sell for a few £s more than expected as our Grain Storage Special explains.
Helps at hand for the rural crisis sufferers
Farmers could be forgiven for thinking that foot-and-mouth was conveniently forgotten by the government in the run-up to the general election.
But many country people know that their suffering is far from over.
Doctors warn of a big rise in illnesses such as depression in the aftermath of the crisis in rural areas. That is why groups such as the Farmers Advice and Support Team have such a vital role to play.
It offers free, confidential emotional help to all those affected by F&M. And, as part of the National Health Service, it is well placed to give advice.
As one of the nurses involved says: "Depression is not a sign of weakness – but it can spark a downward spiral."
Worrying shortage of skills in all sectors
Nearly 65% of machinery dealers have frozen recruitment indefinitely thanks to the foot-and-mouth crisis, according to a survey of its members by the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Manufacturers Association.
The shortage of skilled technicians makes disturbing reading for a machinery industry which continues to introduce more sophisticated equipment.
But it is not just one sector of UK agriculture which is being starved of new blood. Now, more than ever before, we need to attract new talent to help our industry restructure after the F&M disaster.
A good start would be praising the benefits of working in British agriculture; benefits which it is too easy to forget.
Too much sun can dim prospects for barley
Barley growers beware. Too much sun could damage yield, particularly if you are in the north or west of the UK.
Spring barley is most at risk, with Chariot the hardest hit variety in recent years. When intense sunshine follows wet or showery conditions during ear emergence, a stress reaction seems to trigger physiological leaf spotting and ramularia disease infection.
The precise mechanisms involved are unclear. But a dose of sun-block, in the form of strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin (Amistar) plus a triazole partner, can protect vulnerable crops.
So, why not take care to avoid sun-scorched crops this summer. A precautionary application at booting could provide 1t/ha of extra yield.