Hay making in F&Ms shadow
Hay making in F&Ms shadow
By Marianne Curtis
SPURRED into action by producers need for information about the dos and donts of grass conservation in the foot-and-mouth era, MAFF has produced guidelines which it hopes will clarify the situation (see table).
Where possible, MAFF hopes that hay and silage making will take place normally, according to Stephen Peel, national grassland specialist with MAFFs new Rural Development Service. "For producers outside 3km protection zones around infected premises who are not Form D, there are no restrictions on cutting, harvesting and storing silage or hay. This is even the case in infected areas."
But it is wise for all producers to minimise visitor numbers, ensure contractors vehicles are clean and ask them to state where they have been prior to entering the farm, he advises. "This means that in the unlikely event of a farm becoming infected with F&M, vets will be able to trace where it came from."
Producers in protection zones or elsewhere, if served with a Form D, can make silage or hay on their own premises using their own equipment. "However, a licence is required from the divisional veterinary manager when the crop is transported by road and also when using contractors."
On farms where all livestock have been slaughtered, grass can be cut for silage and hay provided it has not been grazed for at least five weeks.
"Risk of spreading any residual infection from farm buildings can be minimised by making hay or big bale silage and storing in-field.
"Field heaps of silage can also be made, but seek approval from the Environment Agency at least 14 days in advance."
However, for many dairy producers on Form A farms, clamping silage will be more convenient. "It may be possible to obtain a licence from the DVM to ensile in clamps at farm buildings, when these and any yards and roads to be used, have been fully disinfected and cleansed."
However, where all farm buildings have not been cleansed and disinfected, it may still be possible to make silage subject to certain conditions, says Mr Peel.
"The MAFF vet inspector will discuss where vehicles will be taken and it will be necessary to tape off areas of the unit deemed dirty."
On infected farms where there is no intention to restock, options include conserving forage for sale or, subject to a DVM licence, selling grass as a standing crop. "There is no huge risk associated with conserving standing crops," says Mr Peel.
Further guidance is provided in the document, Silage and hay-making, and grassland management during F&M disease restrictions available from MAFF (www.maff.gov.uk or 08450-504141). *
Where possible, MAFF hopes hay and silage making will take place normally, says Stephen Peel.
Summary of restrictions on making and using silage/hay, under foot-and-mouth legislation.
Infected / Form A Premises Protection Zone : 3km around Form D, elsewhere
Infected Premises
How do I know which zone Once disease has been confirmed, You will have been served You will have been served
Im in? an infected farm is within the with a Form D with no time limit. with a Form D which may or
Protection Zone. may not be time limited.
Can old silage / hay be moved Generally only after Form A Big-bales may be moved on and DVMs may authorise the
or sold to other premises? restrictions have been lifted on off under licence from the DVM if: movements of animal feeding
confirmed premises. a) The plastic cover is intact. stuffs from a premises under
Under certain circumstances b) The handling equipment is Form D to certain other premises
on Dangerous Contact and cleansed and disinfected before use. under Form D, in specific
Contiguous Premises, after c) Vehicles used to transport the circumstances.
slaughter and preliminary feed are cleansed and disinfected
disinfection, intact wrapped when leaving both premises.
big-bales of silage may be d) The premises are both in
moved under licence from the same PZor cluster of PZs.
Divisional Vet Managers (DVMs).
Can new silage / hay be made? Grass can be harvested provided Field operations may take place Field operations may take place
it has not been grazed for immediately. Vehicles must be immediately. Contractors
five weeks. cleansed and disinfected on equipment must be licensed on
To minimise risk of spread of and off the premises. and off the premises.
disease it is preferable to make Crop must be licensed if it is Crop must be licensed if it is
big-bales or field heaps, not taken along a public or private taken along a public or private
requiring access to buildings road to another part of the same road to another part of the same
and clamps. When this is not premises while under restriction. premises while under restriction.
practicable clamp silage can be
made, under licence from the DVM,
after cleansing and disinfection of
clamps, access roads, yards and
equipment. Machinery must not
re-enter non-cleansed areas of
premises until clamping is completed.
Can a standing crop of grass Standing grass can only be cut and Standing grass can only be cut Standing grass can only be cut
be sold to another farm? moved off the Form A premises and moved off a Form D premises and moved off a Form D premises
under a licence issued by the DVM. under licence from the DVM. under licence from the DVM.
This will only be issued after final
cleansing and disinfection and be
dependent on the local disease
situation.