Stock movement at low ebb & to stay that way
Stock movement at low ebb & to stay that way
By Marianne Curtis
NORMAL movement of animals is unlikely to resume for some time and planning ahead is essential to mitigate losses resulting from the foot-and-mouth crisis, according to advisers.
It is becoming clear that foot-and-mouth is not going to disappear overnight, says SAC beef adviser Basil Lowman. "The penny has dropped that foot-and-mouth wont go away next month and we may be looking at several months or even autumn before things return to normal."
Although the Long Distance Movement Scheme is helping, contingency plans must be made. "The worst thing producers can do is bury their heads in the sand," he says.
Grazing livestock producers facing difficulties fall into two main categories, he explains. In the first, animals cannot be moved to feed supply – such as grazing land or sold off farm. In the second, producers unable to buy in stock for the grazing season may have too much grass.
For producers unable to move livestock to grazing away from the holding (see panel) or sell store cattle it may be necessary to either keep stock indoors or graze silage fields, advises Dr Lowman.
"Suspension of spring suckler calf sales means suckler producers should consider finishing these cattle. Although movement restrictions will eventually be lifted, finishers purchasing these animals in July at 500kg wont be able to make enough out of them unless they pay a low price."
Finishing should be as rapid as possible, making use of forward-bought by-products or barley, he believes. "This will cost less than allowing cattle to perform poorly on inadequate grazing. Any remaining bought-in feed could be carried forward to winter."
Producers unable to buy store cattle for summer grazing should consider reducing grass fertiliser input or, where possible, ploughing grassland and sowing spring cereals or putting land into set-aside, says Dr Lowman.
Although movement of ewes over longer distances from tack is now permitted in certain circumstances, ADAS beef and sheep consultant Kate Phillips says some host producers are considering buying and lambing these sheep.
"But this could lead to complications over ewe premium, so it may be wise to leave swapping of ownership until the end of the retention period and check the position with MAFF."
Restricted movement of pigs is also causing difficulties for both finisher and weaner producers, says NPA regional manager Ian Campbell. "There seems to be a north/south divide with northern abattoirs running at 65-70% of normal kill but southern abattoirs only achieving an average of 30-40% leading to a sizeable backlog of finished pigs on farm."
Although pig producers are remarkably ingenious at erecting temporary accommodation, managing weaners under movement restrictions is becoming difficult.
"Some have removed all machinery from sheds to supply accommodation. But tighter stocking densities increase risk of animals succumbing to diseases such as PDNS/PMWS and turning weaners out on to sodden ground is difficult." NPA is currently working with MAFF to clarify the Long Distance Movement Scheme for pigs, he adds.
Long distance scheme
MAFFs Long Distance Movement Scheme does make provision for licensed movement of animals between premises on welfare grounds – which could include transport to grazing – with no limit on distance, says a spokesman.
Licences will not be issued for premises subject to Form A and/or Form D FMD restrictions or that are within 3km (1.8 miles) of an infected place, nor to premises that lie within 8km (five miles) of Form C premises. However, when both premises are situated within the boundaries of a declared infected area and both are more than 3km away from infected premises, licences can be issued, adds MAFF.
PLANNINGAHEAD
• Finish spring cattle.
• Alter grazing plans.
• Consider spring cereals.