Archive Article: 2002/04/12
12 April 2002
FW beats Cambridge Top 10
Thank you FW for running farmers weekly Farms and making the costings available. You will be pleased to learn that your Easton Lodge arable unit does better than Cambridge Universitys "Top 10" Mainly Cereal farms (average size 476ha).
Their total gross margin (2000 harvest), not including £105/ha non-agricultural income, but with a rent value of £132/ha, was £490/ha. Total fixed costs amounted to £408. That left a net farm income of £39,000 or £82/ha. For extra income to be accepted as farming income, it has to share either labour, machinery or land.
When you increase to 422ha, your already highly efficient team will do even better. They deserve high praise. But perhaps they have a "Weight-Watchers" advantage: Knowing your figures will be laid bare for all to see, is a powerful incentive to trim wastes and watch your vital statistics.
George Scales
Scales Farms, Cobblers Pieces, Abbess Roding, Ongar, Essex.
Rural visitors cause trouble
So, its the holiday season again and the countryside is open once more. No restrictions, no more limitations on footpath use. It must be a bountiful time for one and all. So whats the score here in the Welsh hills?
So far, a horde of vehicles has traversed the farmyard; the occupants declaring there is no indication that the road was a dead end – although it is clearly marked.
Happy pet dogs enjoying their new-found freedom bound through ewe and lamb couples. They are totally unrestrained because "its lovely to see them enjoying space at last".
Perhaps the most notable reminder to us that things are back to normal occurred when our post box, placed strategically at a point along the road to preserve our biosecurity and to assist our postman on a long, rural round, was flattened. Presumably a lost tourist was unable to negotiate our less than motorway proportioned access route.
Nevertheless, we have been assured that the benefits to us of increased visitor numbers in the countryside will be bestowed on us all.
Welsh producer
Name and address supplied
Control your own predators
I write regarding the controversial subject of hunting with hounds. Muggings, murder, robbery and rape are soaring. Would it not be better if Tony Blair and Tony Banks channelled their energies into controlling the predators in their own environment and left country people to do likewise in theirs?
John R Garner
Garner & Sons, Stockenhall Farm, Wood Enderby, Boston, Lincs.
Security tough but not in UK
Your report Food imports control woeful (News, Mar 22) quoted David Paton of the Institute of Animal Health as saying: "…the threat of re-importing foot-and-mouth to the UK, as well as other diseases affecting both livestock and humans, remained high."
How many farmers weekly readers know that at the USDA Outlook Conference recently Ann Veneman (Margaret Becketts opposite number) announced an additional $500m to improve port inspection and introduce dog teams and labelling.
She went on to say: "Homeland security is the cornerstone of all policy, agricultural and elsewhere – food must be kept safe and never used as a weapon." Anyone who has passed through an American airport during the past year knows that their security was already pretty tough.
What a contrast with Britain.
Henry Fell,
Commercial Farmers Group, Church House, Horkstow, Barton on Humber.
No controls and no customs
It appears that entry controls (or the lack of them) to this country have not changed since my last letter (Apr 13, 2001), headed "Just what is customs doing?" The answer still appears to be: Nothing.
Brian Burnett
36/4 Pirniefield Bank, Edinburgh.
Who pays for his pension?
I have been attempting for some time, and without success, to discover what proportion of our NFU subscriptions go to fund Sean Rickards pension.
Having heard recently his latest suggestion that the Curry recommendations should be funded by matched confiscation (that is £2 taken off IACS for every £1 given back), I think we should not be told, and quickly.
Bob Mawle
Wood Home Farm, South Taunton, Okehampton, Devon.
Helping hand to go organic
The advice for arable farmers considering organic conversion to tread warily is pertinent for those taking such a step without seeking proper advice and fully researching the subject.
Fortunately, help is at hand. The Organic Conversion Information Service can assist a farmer considering conversion. The service is funded by DEFRA and free to the farmer. OCIS comprises one half-day on-farm visit giving background information on organic systems and an assessment of the physical and financial opportunities organic production might afford as well as the potential difficulties. That can then be followed with a one-day on-farm visit giving a more detailed appraisal of the farm enterprises and advice on conversion planning.
Anyone wishing to explore organic conversion should telephone the OCIS Organic Helpline on 0117 922 7707.
Andrew Trump
Elm Farm Research Centre, Hamstead Marshall, Near Newbury, Berks.
Are our vets spreading TB?
The Devon foot-and-mouth inquiry found that vets going from farm-to-farm may have spread the virus. Perhaps, they could be spreading TB too. An older generation knew TB or brucellosis gets into "closed herds" across inadequate fences, via hire bulls, or trips to rented grazing or even auctions or shows.
Mrs I Buxton
1 Topsham Road, Exeter.
Write letters to protect service
Successive governments, by their actions over the years have destroyed our railways. We must not let our politicians do the same to an even more essential service, our splendid Royal Mail.
If, as predicted the postal monopoly is cancelled it will never again be reinstated. Private firms, for a while, will cream off the most profitable urban sector and the whole idea of a nationwide service will fall apart, and the daily postal delivery nationwide will be gone forever.
That is surely a valid case for the use of people power. I am not suggesting we should go out and picket post offices or even Whitehall.
All of us who value our unique postal service should sit down, before it is too late, and write a letter to our local MP demanding that he/she promises to do everything that is humanly possible to prevent this from happening, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for a reply.
The address is quite simple. Address the member by name, followed by the capitals MP, The House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
If enough of us act now, before it is too late, our MPs will be bound to take note and act accordingly. Please write that letter now. Dont forget and regret it.
Percy Ferris
Kayes Park, Lanteglos by Fowey, Cornwall.
Agronomists shy on saving?
I read with interest David Richardsons comments (Mar 22) on the use of plant protection products and strongly agree with his point of view.
We have for over two years promoted a make of crop sprayer which is designed to spray at 30-40 litres/ha for most spray applications. It has also been proven on the Continent for more than 12 years to allow up to 50% agrochemical savings for effective control of certain pests and diseases.
But most British agronomists will not entertain the thought of advising farmers to try reduced chemical applications. Could that be because most of them are employed by the agrochemical supply companies?
In some Scandinavian countries agronomists are employed by the farmers union. Surely that would be a better arrangement for British farmers? If the NFU employed the agronomists, subscriptions would have to increase but would not agrochemical prices decrease and perhaps application recommendations would reduce leading to further input cost reductions? It might be a way of making the NFU work more directly for some of the arable farmers at present unhappy with the unions current role.
If we do not consider these new developments, are we not in danger of lagging behind the continentals and others, in producing lower cost produce? If applications of plant protection products were reduced we may get a positive response from the housewife and the government? If so, perhaps the political tightrope would be more secure?
Guy Hickman
Agrimec, Bromyard Rd, Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Good for one, bad for other
Oliver Walston (Letters, Mar 22) correctly points out that UK farmers already pay a royalty to plant breeders when saving non-GM wheat seed. He criticises an attack on Monsanto published in The Times which reported its prosecution of US farmers who have sown GM farm-saved seed without payment of royalties.
But Mr Walston overlooks an important point relating to the unique patents attached to GM seeds. These enable the prohibition of the saving of farm-grown seed and not just the levying of royalties. If that situation prevails Mr Walston will not be able to control his costs by continuing with his current practice of saving farm-grown seed, but will be forced to buy seed at the full retail price.
That fact is confirmed in a further article (News, Mar 22) concerning Du Ponts announcement of its withdrawal from the hybrid and GM wheat-breeding sector. The article states that GM crops "help protect seed prices, because farm-saving is not an option".
North American farmers are already being prosecuted by Monsanto for the existence of their patented GM DNA on land even where no such seed may have been planted. It may have arrived as result of wind borne cross-pollination or other sources of inadvertent transmission such as poorly cleaned contractors drills. The implications for the future of Mr Walstons arable business are potentially profound.
Among those most likely to benefit financially from this situation are the lawyers and land agents Mr Walston may be forced to employ to defend his existing property rights. That is good news for rural land management advisers like me, but not good news for him.
Mark Griffiths
75 Fairfield Rd, Winchester, Wilts.
CSS is forward thinking
We read with concern of the North Yorkshire County Councils tenant, Mr Ron Halls anxiety about possible dilapidation charges because of his foresight in entering his holding in a Countryside Stewardship Scheme. In Norfolk, where we manage a 8000ha (20,000 acre) tenanted estate for Norfolk County Council, we positively welcome any tenant, who wishes to enter into a CSS and would give them every assistance. We only wish most of our tenants were as forward thinking as Mr Hall.
Julian Hepburn and Andrew Crossley
Rural Estates Team, NPS, Norfolk County Council. jan.wilson.nps@norfolk.gov.uk
Educate our farm officials
I am becoming increasingly exasperated at comments made by spokespeople from the National Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales with regard to vaccination issues.
There is a vaccine available for foot-and-mouth and a vaccine in the process of being developed for tuberculosis. But the farming unions seem intent on preventing the use of these treatments in livestock. Why? Surely these people realise that if humans did not receive immunisation against diseases then epidemics would prevail causing widescale death.
The only method for controlling F&M, according to the unions, is the slaughter policy. That seems an ignorant and outdated way of thinking, when for many decades vaccination has been found to be the safest and most effective way of controlling disease. It makes one question the true motives of these ridiculous policies.
With the aftermath of F&M only just subsiding, we now have the issue of tuberculosis. The bacteria which causes this disease lives in soil, and even though there has been no proven evidence to connect badgers with causing TB in cattle, we hear again the same statements from the farming unions, citing badgers as the cause.
Many officials from the farming unions need to gain an education in basic science. Then they would see the serious errors in their arguments.
Janet Hughes,
Laurels Cottage, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys.
Database for elderly cows
Due to the procedure of registering all cattle, we have had to register our old cow Daisy. She has been a prolific breeder of calves, although now retired. She is in excellent fettle for a Guernsey and is in her 20th year.
Many times in the past I have been asked how long do cows live? I have never had the answer. So I thought it might be an idea to write to farmers weekly and start a database for old cows.
If anyone has an old cow, send me a note including age, breed, name and other information.
Lesley Sunderland
Jasons Hill Farm, Jasons Hill, Chesham. Jacklesley@hotmail.com
At mercy of cheap imports
Recently industry leaders met at 10 Downing Street to discuss the future of UK agriculture. In December 1997 the UK pig industry stood at 805,000 breeding sows.
After the parliamentary decision to ban stalls and tethers (unique to the UK), the imposition of a BSE Tax of £5.26 on each UK pig, strong currency and ruthless buying pressure from supermarkets, it is anticipated that there will be fewer than 300,000 sows by December. The industry will not return and the country must rely on cheap, dubious imports for its future supplies.
The UK pig industry is not alone and many other sectors of UK agriculture are heading for the exit. If people think it is wise to rely on cheap imports, my reply is honey and its developing world shortage. History will judge our leaders after their meeting in Downing Street. But I suspect that they will be likened to the foolish virgins who allowed their lamps to run dry when they were most needed.
Robert Persey
Upcott Farm, Broadhembury, Honiton, Devon.
Consistently reliable meat
The livestock industry should thank Mr Leonard for his support for live animal exports (Talking Point, Mar 22). The narrow English Channel seems much more emotive than the distance travelled.
However, I must take issue with his theory that educating consumers would induce them to buy British meat. The pig industry has spent £ms developing and publicising the quality standard mark but most urban dwellers prefer not to consider the origins of their meat. They agree in principle with the idea of animal welfare but then buy on price irrespective of country of origin.
Ladies in Pigs has been talking to shoppers for 11 years. If everyone who assured us that they always buy British did so, we would not be in such difficulties now.
We have a government enthusiastic about regulations which make us uncompetitive and the absurdity of our national flag being used on products made from imported ingredients. We must offer meat of a reliably consistent eating quality, which is clearly and honestly labelled. Innovative cuts and ready meals using British meat at reasonable prices would do more to induce the shopper to buy than talk of animal welfare.
Sally Ham
Vice chairman, Ladies in Pigs, Field House Farm, Alston Sutton, Axbridge, Somerset.