READERS LETTERS
READERS LETTERS
Special way to combat rural crime
I write regarding your leading article (Opinion, Sept 3) on rural crime. Rural crime is on the increase in most areas of the UK, but farmers can help prevent it. Locking equipment away, marking machinery and joining neighbourhood watch schemes all help. I would also like to draw peoples attention to the work of the Special Constabulary.
Can somebody in your family or a friend spare a few hours a week to join the Special Constabulary? It is the voluntary section of the police force, which works with regular officers to provide extra manpower.
The local knowledge supplied by the Specials has proved invaluable and the extra officers can resume lost services. In some areas, the Specials have even re-opened rural stations and staff it themselves.
So if you can spare some time, then help yourselves. Go to your nearest station or write to your county headquarters for an application form. All the uniforms and training are provided for you to carry out these "Special" roles.
Andrew Gaunt
MAFF plant health and seeds inspector, Chichester SC1673 Sussex Special Constabulary.
We need the French attitude
I write regarding your article "How French make stroppiness pay" (News, Sept 10). There are extreme cultural differences between the two countries, and yes, the French public is more tolerant of civil unrest.
However, you failed to point out that the entire French political and commercial establishment is solidly behind the French farmers (as, indeed, they are behind anything French). Here at home, the prime concern of our agriculture ministry and civil service is the rigorous implementation of EU regulations, however much they are to the detriment of British farming.
Our supermarkets are far more interested in earning a quick buck selling inferior foreign produce than in promoting British agriculture. With friends like these, what British farmer needs enemies?
Tony Stone
1 Home Park, Oxted, Surrey.
Proper finishing and better beef
I must congratulate the Tenant Farmers Association on wanting to change the OTMS Scheme. For a while now I could see no reason why cattle up to three-years-old should not be allowed in.
A visit from our daughter coincided with us sifting through bits of paper to find which cattle had to go to market. After a while our daughter remarked that we used to pick cattle when they were ready for sale. But now, because we use grass as the main ingredient for feeding our cattle, quite a few go as forward stores instead of prime cattle. Another two to four months would see them finished properly and consumers would enjoy their beef much more.
Why havent the NFU been pushing for this? And dont start quoting SEAC.
Philip Bown
Collacott Farm, Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon.
Stand up and defend farming
My family and I recently visited a country fair held in our county to celebrate the millennium. One section displayed food and produce from Bedfordshire, which showed all that is good about British farming. But round the corner lurked the opposition – well-prepared, well-trained organisations that aimed to give consumers their distorted view of what they considered bad about our farmers and the countryside.
Their portrayal of farming as the rapist of the environment and of farmers as the poisoners of food horrified me. These people had professionally prepared literature to promote their case and to pollute the minds of an unsuspecting and receptive public. Apart from our local vegetable co-operative, which was doing sterling service trying to counter the propaganda, British food and farming was sadly under-represented.
I support the leaders of our farming industry in their quest to highlight to the government and to the commission in Brussels the parlous state of British farming. I also wish them success in their lobbying to increase aid for the industry. In the long term, however, we must rely on the market for a sustainable income for farming and I believe that now is the time for our industry to fight back for its survival.
We cannot rely solely upon processors or retailers. And we certainly cannot rely on the propaganda in newspapers, TV or radio to promote British farming. We must take up the cudgel ourselves. We must counter extremists who are out to destroy our industry, and we must halt their condemnation of farming.
A major publicity drive must go into action to market our industry to consumers. Well-trained farmers and other volunteers must man the stands in market squares, country fairs, high streets and outside supermarkets, aided by professionally produced literature.
There is a battle to fight to ensure survival for our industry. It is beholden on all of us to stand behind British agriculture and to take this fight to the consumer ourselves.
Do others share my views? Do others have ideas about how we can move effectively to counter these destroyers of our industry?
Richard Whitlock
Sandy, Bedfordshire.r.whitlock@scbanks.co.uk
Lets be honest about BSE
I am sorry Mr Bannister (Letters, Sept 10) takes exception to comments in my column (Aug 13) about BSE. Perhaps in seeking to avoid unnecessary repetition of what I assumed to be accepted facts, I failed to explain exactly what I meant when I said there had been "a health problem with British beef which we know passes from animal to animal".
If Mr Bannister is suggesting that many more dairy animals have been infected than beef breeds, I agree. But dairy cattle are used for meat as well as milk production, so the comment is still valid. And surely the evidence is irrefutable that BSE passed from one animal to another (albeit possibly only within the same species) via meat and bone meal.
I do not appreciate being bracketed with the tabloid journalists I was criticising. And may I remind Mr Bannister that I preceded the comments he cited by stating: "I believe British beef is safe. Indeed, it is now probably the safest in the world and I eat it regularly as I have through the entire BSE saga."
I, too, am sensitive to ill-informed criticism and tend to attack those who do it in the hope that they will withdraw their allegations and learn the truth. But some of the things our critics say are true and we do ourselves no good by denying them. It is far better to try to correct them and ensure they are not repeated.
David Richardson
Whiterails Farm, Great Melton, Norfolk.
Who will pay price of welfare?
I fully agree with the letter (Sept 3) about Dutch bacon. I had to search hard to find British bacon in the supermarket last week. Most packs said Packed in Britain but contained bacon from unknown sources.
The price of British bacon was at least £1 a pack dearer than the unknown sourced bacon. The offer of buy one get one free was Danish bacon, which I declined to buy.
Arriving at the nearly out of date section, I noticed several packs of British bacon reduced by £1 a pack – a sure sign that British welfare-produced bacon is too expensive for the housewife to buy. Why not price the British bacon the same as other packs and give consumers a choice?
I would also like to know when the so-called welfare-conscious housewives are going to start spending their money on welfare-produced products and put it into their mouths. The same mouths that have been shouting about welfare issues for years and have helped to destroy our pig industry.
Mrs Sylvia R Manley
Knaplock Farm, Dulverton, Somerset.
Break free of the bureaucracy
I do not believe our government can help in the current farming crisis. It is probably not in its interest to do so. But consumers could help.
People in Britain want to eat good quality, home-produced food.
If farmers formed themselves into co-operatives to sell directly to the public through farmers markets, existing markets and other direct outlets, they might do everyone a big favour, including themselves.
They may have to do what other Europeans do and ignore all the petty, bureaucratic regulations that were designed to destroy the UK food industry. Remember, the buying public is also sick of them. Give people the chance to buy the best without interference and they will.
See you in the market?
Diana Sandy
Food and Nutrition Information Service, The Woodlands, 246 Hallgate, Cottingham, East Yorks.
Thanks for some good news
I was cheered to see your recent front cover (Sept 10) featuring the Clarke family of Lowdham, near Nottingham.
My normal Friday lunchtime ritual of reading FARMERS WEEKLY while eating my sandwich has, in recent weeks, been a bit depressing.
But despite all the doom and gloom, it was encouraging to read of the Clarke familys expansion and success.
There are many more successful farmers about than one might think. Well done for publishing this particular story.
Jonathan Cheal
Thrings & Long Solicitors, Bath, Somerset.jcheal@thrings.co.uk
The poor mans asparagus…
Anyone who cares to consult a modern herbal will find that mares tail or horsetail is known as the poor mans asparagus. After boiling or pickling, it is said to strengthen the nails and hair, enrich the blood, stimulate connective tissue and treat arthritis, ulcers and eczema. In the past, it has also been used to scour pots and pans.
I therefore doubt very much that it could be poisonous to animals and have never read it to be so.
Lesley Burnett
Burridge Farm, North Muskham, Newark, Notts.
The dangers of mares tail
In reply to Mr Carvers query (Letters, Sept 3) regarding mares tail, this species of plant (equisetum) is indeed potentially toxic. It occurs throughout the UK and the most common source is contaminated hay. Ingestion leads to thiamine deficiency.
In cattle and sheep, this may result in a rapid fall in milk yield, with a notable loss of body condition. Diarrhoea, depression or blindness may also occur.
Horses, after a long period of ingestion, may develop weight loss, weakness, lack of co-ordination, staggering, swaying, a wide stance with arched back, tremors, convulsions and could even die.
The source of the poison must be identified and removed and your vet consulted for treatment.
Peter W Briston
DERW Veterinary Surgeons, The Veterinary Surgery, Garth Road, Builth Wells, Wales.
Its poisonous all right…
The letter (Sept 3) "How dangerous is mares tail?" from Christian Carver of York resulted in my referring to British Poisonous Plants, published by MAFF as Bulletin 161 and dated 1968. A fairly lengthy section deals with the horsetails Equisetum arrense and confirms that it is poisonous both when consumed growing and when in hay.
J A Collett
The Pastures, Brays Farm, Bower Hill Lane, South Nutfield, Surrey.
Maize list data under review
I read with concern the information presented by Jim McVittie of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany when referring to the Forage Maize List (Livestock, Aug 20).
The industry was aware that with the dramatic expansion in the maize area, the old Recommended List was not giving growers specific information relevant to their growing conditions. Following increased funding from members of the British Society of Plant Breeders, plus contributions from the Maize Growers Association, we are in the transition period prior to producing the new Descriptive List in association with the NIAB.
This new list will ultimately give growers detailed agronomic descriptions and quality data for maize varieties. The list will in fact contain three lists – one for early varieties tested in the more marginal maize growing areas, the same early varieties grown in the high yield potential areas, and medium-early longer season varieties grown in high yield potential areas.
Coop de Pau has long advocated that it is the quality of the total plant that is important. This idea is supported by feeding experiments with heifers carried out by David Laver at London University, Wye College. Dr McVittie has used commercial licence when indicating 25% more yield can be achieved from LG2185 compared to Nancis on the current 1999 Descriptive List.
That list shows only a 20% difference in yield, but he omits to say that LG2185 is only a second choice variety and that Nancis is at least three to four weeks earlier to harvest because of its improved cob maturity. He also omits to state that Nancis has a higher ME value than LG2185 making a more efficient forage to feed financially though an animal, thereby reducing this perceived big yield difference.
There is no absolute answer to the argument between starch and plant digestibility.
Breeders have been striving continually to produce varieties that will give improved digestibility of stover in conjunction with higher starch levels at the optimum harvest dry matter percentage.
John Hardy
Grainseed (Maize) Ltd., Unit 3, Airfield Industrial Park, Langton Green, Eye, Suffolk.
Processors are in control
I feel I must comment on the reasons being given to vote Yes in the MDC poll of producers on funding generic milk promotion. At present, processors have complete control of prices paid to producers.
Recently, I received a letter saying our milk price is to be reduced by 0.96p/litre. It is proposed that the processors contribute a similar sum to that taken from the producer. Is there anything to stop the processors from further reducing producers prices?
A better price for the producer would be obtained if Milk Marque started processing. After all, the MMB created Dairy Crest.
Regarding the fall in liquid milk sales, I believe this is partly due to the fact that milk is now too good. About 40 years ago, I was a producer retailer and built up a substantial round for the simple reason that our milk kept till the next morning.
On the other hand, our competitors milk was often sour and was discarded.
In the warm weather, this would amount to a considerable amount of milk.
Now consumers buy milk at supermarkets once a week and it is still fresh when they buy further supplies.
Incidentally, hop growers and maltsters to not have to pay for brewers advertisements.
Edward Betts
Bridge Farm, Longburgh, Burgh by Sands, Carlisle.
Value of high index is clear
Having read your article (Livestock, Aug 27), we felt compelled to write in agreement with Mr David Disneys comments.
For several years, the Suffolk Sire Reference Scheme has been using figures to produce lean, fast-growing, well-muscled sheep from an extensive gene pool.
One local farmer has been using our high-index rams for some years with excellent results. However, last year he decided to try using a continental breed of ram for a change. This summer, all his Suffolk crosses were sold at premium prices at the nine-week stage while the continental crosses remained on the farm unfinished to be sold at a later date at a less favourable price.
Needless to say, he has gone back to the Suffolk and has purchased two high-index rams from our Ortum Flock.
David R Garner
Garner & Sons, Stockenhall Farm, Wood Enderby, Boston, Lincs.
Beefing about beef prices
When I sat down to roast pork for Sunday lunch with my family, they asked: "Why cant we have roast beef for a change? Chicken or pork – thats all you ever buy." In my defence, I tell them beef is so much more expensive.
The following morning, I was amazed and angered when reading an article in The Mirror about calves being shot at only a few hours old because farmers cannot afford to feed them in return for a fair price when sold for slaughter.
Where is our governments logic? Someone must be making a good profit. Its certainly not farmers, nor is it the customer buying from the supermarket. I am not surprised people in Europe are not buying our beef – at these prices, neither can I.
Pauline Bond
The Flat, 179 Pinhoe Road, Exeter, Devon.