TALKING POINT
Please come and listen to milk advice
I would like to compliment John Page on his Talking Point and David Richardson on his column (July 9). Both address the same theme provocatively and sensibly. When two such respected figures say the same thing so clearly, it is time for milk producers to take notice.
For four years, MDC work to help farmers reduce costs and become more competitive has been well reported in FW. More than 50 MDC projects have been completed with measurable benefits to producers. Within the next year, we will be aiming to produce a cowside mastitis test that will improve the accuracy of treatment and speed the return to productivity. Through a Link project, jointly supported by MAFF and the feed industry, we will produce an improved rationing system, which more accurately predicts milk output from feed input.
The publication of the MMC report into the milk selling system and DTIs Press statement has provoked concern among dairy farmers. At a time like this, MDCs role as a farmers self-help organisation is more important than ever. Nobody pretends that the route to improved profitability will be easy.
To help dairy farmers find their own answers, we have recently launched a national network of focus centres to provide ideas, help, support and guidance. Understandably, milk producers are concerned for their futures. But even the most sceptical owe it to their families and their businesses to take a careful look at a programme that is already delivering results for their neighbours. It could do so for more if approached with an open mind and the courage to question established management. I would urge every dairy farmer to attend at least one MDC focus centre meeting.
Peter Merson
Chief executive, Milk Development Council, 5-7 John Princes Street, London.
Chilled milk is most appealing
John Jenkins (Letters, July 2) calls upon the MDC, Milk Marque and ourselves to study why the public does or does not drink milk, before the start of a generic marketing campaign.
Each year, as part of its market research activity, the NDC talks to thousands of people of all ages throughout Britain about milk. Our research consistently shows that the chilling of milk is critical to its appeal. Warm milk, even milk at room temperature, is a turn-off for consumers.
Our research also shows that generic marketing could have a significant impact on milk sales. Any campaigns effectiveness will depend on understanding the consumers perception of our product and building on milks natural strengths, rather than challenging its weaknesses. Clear strategic thinking is vital if we are to produce ads that have a real and lasting effect on milk sales.
Andrew Ovens
Marketing manager, National Dairy Council, 507 John Princes Street, London.
How many are we carrying?
How big is a farmers back and who are we carrying?
Just how many people does the produce of the farm provide a living for? Or for that matter, how many deadweight officials are hung round the neck of each farmer?
A E Searby
Mayfields, Croft, Wainfleet, Lincs.
Herts show spread word
It was good to read of the efforts of Messrs Bart and Piggot getting the farming message across at the Hertfordshire Show (News, July 2).
Members of the Braintree Branch of the NFU took a stand within an area of the Essex Show, organised by the Essex Agricultural Society entitled "Essex Food and Farming". Farming members joined with three group secretaries to talk to visitors on the stand, highlighting the problems facing the industry, discussing matters causing concern to the public and emphasising their hopes for the future of the industry.
Displays on the stand illustrated crops grown in the county and their eventual use, together with live animal exhibits of a cow and calf, ewe and lambs and day-old-chicks, which all acted as magnets to draw visitors on to the stand, particularly children. Apart from the large numbers of dogs and horses being exhibited there were few other animals at the show. Those on the NFU stand were popular with a public who still expect to see them at a rural show of this standing. Recipe leaflets, stickers and other handouts and the presence of the Asda "Keep Britain Farming" Tour Bus all helped to add further interest to the display.
About 100,000 people visited the three-day show and the NFU stand was regularly full to overflowing. Everyone involved was well pleased with the opportunity to promote the farming industry to a generally supporting, even if at times an inquisitive or suspicious, public and one which is continually growing as urban areas expand in Essex.
Peter Hinckling
NFU Office, Earls Colne, Essex.
RSPCA should leave us alone
Yet another organisation is trying to bring the pig industry to its knees. Why doesnt the RSPCA concentrate on what it was founded for and leave the farming world alone.
If all the monies used to set up these organisations were ploughed into the pig industry there may not be the crisis everyone keeps talking about and seems to be doing nothing about.
S Baldwin
Latton, Nr Swindon, Wilts.
Destruction of trial vandalism
My Talking Point article (June 11) certainly sparked off some correspondence, most of it taking me to task. "Confused, out of touch, mischievous, misunderstands the facts" were some of the comments. I do not mind that, if it makes people think.
I started farming in 1949. Farming today bears little relation to that of 50 years ago. No one then would recognise the high tech industry of today. Increased yields of high quality and bought by the consumer at unimaginably low prices. Milk even costs less than bottled water. That has not happened by accident. It has all come about by the application of science and technology.
That surely is not in dispute. The point is: What change shall we see in the next 50 years? Make no mistake, changes will come about, not in an era of protected and guaranteed prices, but in a much freer, competitive, world market. Opportunities, yes; easy pickings, most definitely not.
Genetic modification will be part of that change worldwide, whether in its present form is another matter. How and in what form, must be the result of scientific enquiry and evaluation, monitoring, and control. To dismiss it out of hand, without field scale trials is to tie both hands behind our backs. And to destroy those trials is not only folly but an act of mindless vandalism.
Among the correspondence that landed on my desk was a large bundle of papers from the Natural Law Party. I am grateful, even though I disagree fundamentally with its outright opposition. Is it, I wonder, against natural law to have a general anaesthetic when undergoing a serious operation? But then perhaps I am being mischievous again.
Henry Fell
Barton on Humber, South Humberside.
Lets be proud of UK first
We are grateful to FW for demonstrating its responsibility by announcing the UKs first-ever births of female calves using sorted semen in conjunction with artificial insemination (Livestock, June 25). Your article accurately informed readers about this breakthrough breeding technique which will soon allow UK dairy farmers to select the sex of their dairy calves before conception.
However, we were disturbed by your comments (Opinion) on the same subject. The tone was downbeat and sceptical placing the success of this historic breakthrough in cattle breeding on the shoulders of the marketeers instead of where it rightfully belongs. That is on its unique foundation of solid science, successful farm trials and, most important, the enormous animal-welfare benefits it will bring.
Farm Animal Welfare Council in its Dec 97 report on the welfare of dairy cattle recommended: "…the sexing of semen should be used to reduce the number of unwanted male dairy calves…" The Banner Report on the Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in the Breeding of Farm Animals stated: "An improvement in the sorting methods, which make them more efficient and allowed sorted sperm to be used in AI, would render sperm sorting commercially more viable, and should be welcomed."
The RSPCA and NFU have also praised the welfare benefits for dairy cattle.
We also noted the positive tone of your editorial on a Dutch farm assurance scheme. If our breakthrough had been made by a European country, would it have received a more positive editorial?
What has been achieved in the UK is a European first and something dairy farmers have wanted for many years. Other European countries would have given their back teeth to have been the first with this technology. So why dont we be more proud of what has been achieved first in the UK?
Tim Heywood
Managing director, Cogent, Aldford, Chester, Cheshire.
Bring back the burn now…
Its time to turn the clock back in the interest of economics and using less agrochemical. Farmers should allowed to burn at least 30% of their cereal stubbles each year.
It is common knowledge that a good burn is worth £8-10/ acre and can benefit the soil in destroying wild oat seed and giving a clean disease-free entry for the following crop. Indeed, it is particularly useful for those thinking of going organic.
It is more natural and kinder to the environment than using more sprays to control the ever increasing resistant strains of weeds. Lets get the NFU to back a return to limited stubble burning albeit with conditions.
J Foulds
Pinchpools Farm, Manuden, Nr Bishops Stortford, Herts.
Encouraging green practice
I was thrilled to read your encouragement to the establishment to try to use set-aside for environmental benefit. We should do more and show that we are doing more.
Set-aside should be based in each block of land on which an IACS payment is made. With overhanging branches and overgrown hedges, which we wish to encourage, 6m is too narrow. Our thinking should be based on 10 plus.
A P Turney
Field Farm, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorchester, Dorset.
Cow important as the bull
As a breeder of what are probably the UKs only two recognised dual-purpose breeds, the Dexter and Red Poll, I was pleased to read your recent article (Livestock, July 16).
Improvement schemes and the collation and dissemination of data helps breeders select and use the most appropriate sire on the most appropriate dams.
The danger in the past has been to put all the emphasis on the sire. Research overseas has recognised that the cow is as important as the bull. The talk is of the perfect composite cow. Years of breeding has produced what must be the perfect cow in the Red Poll which achieves quality milk and meat; and longevity. Many of todays large suckler herds could improve their margins with the use of this breed with its low input costs.
The problem with the less popular breeds is that there is less genetic variability available to continue improvement schemes. One can end up with too high a proportion of the national herd being from one or two herds.
I recently discovered that the Red Poll Development Society has semen available from seven bulls from herds that no longer exist. That will increase the diversity of bloodlines, improve the Red Poll and give small-scale breeders like myself a greater choice of bulls.
The only problem with using bulls that died in the mid-60s is the lack of data on how their progeny fared. This will however be available in a few generations time unless readers have information on the herds concerned. Those are: The Hallingbury, Honest, Gedding, Foxearth, Dungate and Kirton.
In my case, crossing the two breeds gives hybrid vigour, an animal that can be killed after two seasons on grass, a high kill-out percentage and a highly manageable and marketable carcass. And yes, the Dexter bull can reach.
Ted Neal
9 Savile Way, Fowlmere, Royston, Herts.
Farrowing cash wisely spent?
I am concerned to read that the UK pig industry is going to spend £400,000 to determine whether any of six different farrowing systems can be commercially successful. Having been engaged in farrowing system research for the past 10 years, we are still some way to developing a system that is successful, even under experimental conditions.
The farrowing situation is complex in terms of sow and piglet physiology and behaviour. We are still trying to gain a full understanding of these interactions. Until we do, designing a commercially-successful alternative to the crate will remain over the horizon. A study of this nature, though laudable, is too much too soon and will set this ultimate goal back years.
The only alternative that could work is the temporary crate idea where the sow is confined for about five to seven days before and after farrowing.
Whatever systems are investigated, I hope that CAMBAC carries out the study with a higher-than-usual standard of scientific rigour. It must recognise that the major factor influencing the success of a farrowing system is the person caring for the animals. This factor is a difficult one to balance experimentally. In the current economic climate, it would be sad to see important industry money being unwisely spent.
Dr Jeremy Marchant
Peter Wall Distinguished Junior Scholar, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Taking issue with advice
Your article on carting grain at harvest (Arable, July 2) is informative but contains two examples of bad advice. First, trailer size. To avoid slow-downs when unloading on the move, trailer capacity must be at least two and a half times the combine tanks capacity. In your example, that would mean that the trailer for a combine with a 6t capacity tank would have to be 15t not 12-14t. The smaller trailer would be full before the combine had discharged its second tank full.
Second, is the seemingly sage advice to use tramlines where possible.
Although good in theory, in practice it is the major cause of wheel and axle failure in trailers. If there is not a perfect size match between the ruts and the trailer wheels, hug side loads are imposed. That is even worse if the trailer pulls away out of the tramline when full.
The experts are so removed from reality that the possible use of a lorry is dismissed because few farms could justify the cost of a new rig.
Do the words second-hand never cross their minds? It is possible to get a good second-hand lorry for about £1000 that will cart 15t of grain in much more comfort than a tractor and trailer. It may not have a plate but most farms dont need road use.
M Pinard
Lodge Farm, Lower South Park Road, South Godstone, Surrey.
What about our compensation?
UK farmers suffering from cattle herd TB-breakdowns and receiving only 16% compensation of the total real costs, must be pleased to hear of a new development. This allegedly principled government will repay the full cost for a family of five planning to holiday in, say, Barbados if it is unable to issue their passport on time.
Let us hope that no one has booked into the £1000-a-night luxury Conrad Hotels that Jack Cunningham uses at the taxpayers expense. Clearly, it is one rule for those who can afford to leave these shores for holidays abroad and another for those who must stay behind to protect their livelihoods.
Peter J Brady
Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis Transmission (SETT), New Lodge Farm, Quarnford, Nr Buxton, Derbyshire. peterjbrady@hotmail.com
Sows lose touch with piglets
Dr Marchant, at de Montfort University, asks whether modern pigs are losing the ability to respond to their young. (Livestock, May 21). He refers to large, noisy farrowing units, which may be the heart of the problem. Sows in their natural state make a nest to ensure a quiet, sheltered place for farrowing.
The Pig Welfare Code claims to take account of "freedom to display most normal patterns of behaviour", of which this is one. Stress is laid on the importance of straw or similar material, but how many sows receive this? Farrowing crates, according to Prof John Webster, severely restrict the opportunity for social contact between sow and piglets: As with antibiotic growth-promoters, a change in management practice, which used to be called husbandry, is indicated.
J Bower
The Farm and Food Society, 4 Willifield Way, London.
TALKING POINT
To join or not to join, the euro? Its one of the hardest questions farmers face. It divides the industry and troubles many farmers.
At present, our industry is half in and half out of the euro which, despite the optimistic start, has fallen to near parity with $. Our support prices are set in euros, our subsidy payments are made in euros and what we end up with results from the conflict between the £ and the euro.
Many believe monetary union is an inevitable consequence of the single European market and free trade between EU members. No doubt, in time, the economies of the EU will move together with increasing internal trade and mutual dependency as cultural and social characteristics merge.
But European Monetary Union was founded not on the economic principles of the single market and economic reality but on political expediency. Will the single currency survive? The economies of participating countries did for a time converge. At present, it is all too easy to see that convergence diverge as the fault lines of the euro economies become clear. With Italy seeking to exceed the permitted budget deficit, the Franco-German economies slowing and excessive price rises in Portugal and Ireland, the one-fit-for-all policy is weakening and, with it, the international value of the euro against the $ and, unfortunately for UK farming, the £.
Compared to our EU colleagues we have an economy to be proud of; low inflation, relatively low interest rates, low unemployment, low state subsidies and though we might not agree, low taxation. Its the opposite experienced by other euro members.
None of that helps farmers. We see our industry shattered by lower prices and lower support even though only part of this is as a result of the Euro weakening against the £, the rest, as we are all too aware, is a world market effect. Our supply and demand are impacted by global trading.
If UK agriculture were to join the euro at present currency levels, our fate would be sealed. Is this or any government likely, or even capable, of engineering a suitable entry rate of exchange in the foreseeable future?
The euro is being weakened daily by the varied economic problems of its members. Politics created the euro, not economics; thats what is wrong with the euro today.
Many commentators state that it is inevitable that we will join. Apart from birth, death and taxes, nothing is inevitable. As the fifth largest world economy and a truly international trading nation, with the least restrictions of any EU economy and the largest financial centre in the EU, we can survive outside the euro zone as a nation for the foreseeable future.
The freedom of currencies to move up and down is just as vital as the ability of an economy to set its own interest rates. We have that freedom; are we ready to hand over these levers of our economy to Brussels? Without true economic convergence, economic sovereignty remains an issue.
UK agriculture may have to learn to trade out of the euro zone for a long time. The £ may continue to appreciate, just as other EU currencies have against the £ over the past 50 years. However, other EU agricultural industries prospered in countries with an appreciating currency, we need to ask how?
Joining a flawed currency union would lead inevitably to higher taxes, costs and a worsening of our ability to trade globally. Thats something else we farmers will have to manage in the next few years or die from our failings.