In this week’s edition:
- Your chance to quiz nominees for NFU officeholder elections: Wed 18th Jan, Garstang
- Next Generation meets Jim Paice to discuss farming future
- Farming must learn from horticulture’s experience says Kendall
- Vigilance Urged on Schmallenberg Virus
- Northern Dairy Conference – Is co-operation the only way forward for the dairy sector?
- Lambing experience sought
- Tweet Tweet: Follow NFU North West on Twitter!
- WHAT’S ON?
Your chance to quiz nominees for NFU officeholder elections: Wed 18th Jan, Garstang
February 22nd at the NFU AGM in Birmingham will see County Chairman & Council Delegates vote in the election of the NFU President, Vice President and Deputy President for the next two years. The nominees are (in alphabetical order):
- President: Peter Kendall
- Deputy President: Kevin Attwood, Meurig Raymond, Paul Temple
- Vice President: Kevin Attwood, Jonathan Brant, Gwyn Jones, Alistair Mackintosh, Adam Quinney, Anthony Rew, Paul Temple
- In order to give members the chance to listen to and question the respective candidates, a regional hustings will take place 1.00pm – 3.00pmon Wednesday 18th January at Garstang Golf Club, Bowgreave Drive, Garstang Road, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire PR3 1YE. The meeting is OPEN to ALL members and prior to the event a light lunch will be served from 12.15pm for those who are attending. If you would like to attend we would ask you to confirm your attendance on 01695 554 900 or e-mail adam.briggs@nfu.org.uk so we know how many people to cater for. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to submit an written question then please e-mail adam.briggs@nfu.org.uk
Next Generation meets Jim Paice to discuss farming future
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Jim Paice, this week met with the NFU’s Next Generation Policy Forum today to support the crucial role that young farmers will play in the future of the farming industry. This second meeting of the forum focused on the lobbying work of the NFU in Westminster, and critically the work done in relation to the grocery supply chain. The forum is made up of 16 young farmers representing each farming sector and region in England & Wales. NFU director of corporate affairs Tom Hind said: “We are keen to make sure that the forum knows how the NFU lobbies on behalf of its members but what’s more important is getting the views of the next generation on how we work in the future. We know that as financial support for agriculture declines, the role of the marketplace becomes more important. So we are really keen to hear from them about how we and farmers can engage more effectively with the supply chain. “We were also delighted and grateful to have the Minister Jim Paice in attendance to show the importance the next generation has to the farming industry.” Minister for Agriculture Jim Paice said: “The future workforce of our industry is hugely important, and as world demand for food increases there will be big future opportunities for exciting careers using cutting edge ideas and technology. That’s why we have to make farming an attractive and well-respected profession, and this forum is an excellent way of inspiring innovative ideas from the next generation of farmers.”
Farming must learn from horticulture’s experience says Kendall
NFU President Peter Kendall this week warned that farmers face serious challenges in maintaining their record of growth and success through 2012. “Many of the things we have been hearing from Government ministers recently on the economic potential and importance of farming have been hugely encouraging. The penny has finally dropped,” he said. “They’ve got our message that productive, efficient, sustainable farming has a vital role to play in building food security and kick-starting economic growth. But that, in a way, is the easy part. The hard part will be sustaining our record of growth and increasing our contribution to the nation’s food supply at a time when economic conditions – which have been running in our favour – show every sign of turning distinctly hostile. Look at the experience of the horticultural sector over the past year or so. Profitability has fallen dramatically, input costs have soared, excessive retail promotions are depressing farm gate prices and production has been volatile following last year’s severe winter and dry summers. It is little short of a national scandal that we are only 60 per cent self-sufficient in vegetable production, and the trade deficit is widening all the time. The sector is being driven to its limits and is evidently not coping with the strain. It’s clear that a critical point will soon be reached, where, if nothing changes, we will simply see a greater proportion of the UK horticulture sector given up to imported produce. In practical terms, that implies stronger, more balanced supply chain contractual arrangements which factor in costs; and it means having an Adjudicator to give the Grocery Supply Code of Practice real teeth. It also means having a policy framework which helps all sectors of farming to ride out market storms, and reduces the danger of the industry being blown off course. That should be the role of the CAP, although the reform proposals we have been presented with so far carry the risk of precisely the opposite effect, and will actually make it more difficult for farmers to do what they should be doing, which is to produce more and impact less.
Vigilance Urged on Schmallenberg Virus
A new virus is causing concern in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The Schmallenberg virus can cause abortions and fetal abnormalities in ruminants. Since the summer months of 2011, the Netherlands and Germany have both reported outbreaks of a disease in cattle, with clinical signs such as fever (over 40C), reduced milk yield (up to 50%), inappetance, loss of condition and, in some cases, diarrhoea. The clinical signs disappeared after a few days. There is no evidence of cases in Great Britain, but farmers are asked to be extra vigilant for any abnormal signs or clinical symptoms of disease amongst ruminants. Animal keepers need to be aware of lambs, calves or kids born from now, and report any abortions and deformities to their vet. Farmers are also advised to speak to your vet about this virus, especially if you have, or are considering importing ruminants from any of the affected areas of continental Europe. A briefing has been prepared with further information and this be found on NFUOnline
Northern Dairy Conference – Is co-operation the only way forward for the dairy sector?
The NFU Northern Dairy Conference returns to Lancashire this year and the speakers will focus on how co-operation can help secure a profitable future for the region’s dairy farmers. The last 12 months have seen a steady increase in the milk price with the average farmgate price around 3ppl higher than it was a year ago. However, despite this, the evidence shows that farmers are still to see the full value of commodity price increases feed through to farm level. Many commentators have made suggestions as to why the price has risen and cited issues such as currency fluctuations and a tightening of supplies. However, many have pointed towards stronger performance of the diary co-ops as the main reason that farmgate price has remained relatively firm when competition in the liquid sector has put immense pressure of the margins of liquid dairies. With this in mind the conference will explore the role that co-operation between farmers and within the supply chain will have in delivering a profitable future for all involved in the dairy sector. The conference, which is free to attend, takes place on Wednesday 15th February and will be held at The Stirk House, Gisburn, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 4LJ. It starts as 7.30pm and will be followed by a light supper at around 9.30pm. The speakers include:-
- Robert Newbury, NFU Chief Dairy Advisor
- Kate Allum, Chief Executive, First Milk
- Karolina Klaskova our Milkbench and Dairy Systems Analyst, DairyCo
Everyone is welcome to attend but for catering purposes we ask that you please book a place by contacting Regional Office. If you would like further information or would like to book your place please contact adam.briggs@nfu.org.uk or call 01695 554 900.
Lambing experience sought
- Henry Newell, a first year veterinary student, is currently looking for two weeks lambing experience in the North West between the 10th March and 16th April 2012. Telephone 07580 946272 if you can help.
- Kristie Fall, a 19 year old a first year veterinary student at Liverpool university. Says Kirstie, “Due to living in a city I am finding it difficult to contact farmers for 14 days of lambing experience this Easter between 24th March & 15th April. I have done one week of lambing experience last year, and am really enthusiastic and willing to learn. If you could offer me a placement I would be very grateful”. If you can help call 0151 489 1526 or email kristiefall@hotmail.com.
Promoting educational visits to dairy farms
DairyCo and Farming and Countryside Education are working together to produce a series of short films that will encourage farmers to host school farm visits. DairyCo are looking for three North West Dairy Farmers who have just started to host school visits to their farm or are thinking of starting to host visits. If you think this could be you and would like to be involved contact Katy Pallas at FACE on 07743028289 or e-mail katy@face-online.org.uk for more details.
Tweet Tweet: Follow NFU North West on Twitter!
NFU North West has now unveiled its own official twitter account where we’ll be keeping you abreast of all the breaking news, views and essential farming events as it affects farmers & growers in the North West region. If you are a fan of Twitter & social media make sure you follow us at @NFUNorthWest. For more information on all things tweet related contact our Carl Hudspith on 01695 554 900.
WHAT’S ON?
Annual Dinner & Luncheons 2012
As 2012 approaches, please find below details of the Cumbria and Cheshire Annual Dinners and the Lancashire Annual Lunch. Tickets are available from your local group office or by contacting Diane Swift on 01695 554 900
- Cumbria County Branch Annual Dinner and Inauguration of Officeholders, Monday 16 January 2012, The Westmorland Hotel Penrith, 7.30pm for 8.00pm. Speaker: Tom Hind, NFU Director of Corporate Affairs, Ticket price £20
- Lancashire County Branch Annual Lunch, Tuesday 24 January 2012, Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club, 12 noon for 12.30pm. Unfortunately, due to a change in his schedule Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Jim Paice is no longer able to attend. However our guest speaker will now be Nick Marsh: Senior Agricultural Business Partner at Yorkshire Bank. Ticket price £17
- Cheshire County Branch Annual Dinner, Wednesday 25 January 2012, Macdonald Portal Premier Golf & Country Club, Forest Road, Tarporley, CW6 0JA, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Speaker: Mark Berrisford-Smith, Chief Economist, HSBC UK, Ticket price £20
Commercial Egg Producers Training Programme; 18th January – 21st March, Cheshire
Reaseheath College is once again running its hugely successful commercial egg producers training course. The course consists of 10 training sessions covering all matters relating to livestock, housing and egg production in either free range, barn or colony systems. Training takes place 1pm to 5pm on Wednesdays from 18th January to 21st March 2012 at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire. Training is subsidised by 70% RDPE funding at a cost of £45 per session. Funding is subject to post code eligibility. For more information or to book a place, contact Lisa Forbes – Tel: 01270 613195; Email: lisaforbes@reaseheath.ac.uk
'Fracking’ meetings for members – Friday 20th January
We have organised two meetings for members to learn more about Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking). Cuadrilla currently has test drilling sites in West Lancashire. The NFU has arranged for members the opportunity to hear from Cuadrilla, what they are currently doing and what their plans are for the future. Cuadrilla will make a presentation and allow members to have their queries answered. The meetings taken place as follows on Friday 20th January as follows
- 2:00pm at Elswick Village Hall, Roseacre Farm, Elswick, PR4 3UD
- 7:30pm at Hesketh with Becconsall Village Hall Station Road, Hesketh Bank, PR4 6SR
The meetings are free to attend for all farmers and growers. For more info or to book a place please call 01695 554 900.
‘London to Beijing on a motorcycle’! RABI Fundraising event: Friday 20th January, Penrith
Michael Cowen will talk about his journey of 12,000 miles in 12 weeks. Tickets £7 and all proceeds in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. At 7:30pm on Friday 20th January at Penrith Rugby Club, Cumbria. For tickets or more info contact Charlotte Gash on 01697 476 337 or email idawilson@btconnect.com.
NFU North West Poultry Meeting: Monday 23rd January, Myerscough College, near Preston, Lancs
ALL farmers are welcome at this open meeting of the North West Poultry Board. Guest speaker, Joanne Lewis from Risk Management Services will be highlighting the key health & safety issues affecting the poultry sector. There will also be an update of the latest issues affecting egg, broiler chicken and turkey producers, and of course a chance to put your concerns and questions to the board elected to represent your interests. 7:30pm at the Rural Business Centre of Myerscough College near Preston, Lancs, PR3 0RY. For more info contact Aarun Naik - Tel: 01695 554 929, Email: aarun.naik@nfu.org.uk.
Visit to Cargill Manchester Plant: Wednesday 25th January
The NFU is organising a visit to Cargill’s Manchester site which produces sweeteners & wheat proteins for food customers. These include customers in the confectionery, brewing, beverage, dairy and bakery sectors. In addition to the food sector, the Manchester plant also serves the needs of the farming and aquaculture sectors with animal feed products and vital wheat gluten. The visit takes place 10:30 – 2pm on Wednesday 25th January and includes a sandwich lunch. We will be hosted by Frontier. A limited number of places are still available. If you are interested in coming along contact Aarun Naik on 01695 554 929.
NFU/BPOA Horticulture Meeting: Tuesday 31st January, Ormskirk, Lancashire
ALL farmers & growers are welcome at this joint NFU/BPOA horticulture meeting sponsored by Omex that will look at improving crop health & quality. Speakers include:
- Dr. Riaan Lourens from South Africa on ‘Kelpac’ – a natural, seaweed-based fertiliser that can be used to improve plant growth, yield & quality in field vegetables, protected edibles, ornamentals, or indeed any crop.
- Nicola Dunn, NFU Waste & Recycling expert on the rules governing the use of materials such as compost, digsestate & paper wastes plus an update on the Environment Agency’s waste exemptions.
BASIS & NRSO points available and sandwich buffet. 7:30pm on Tuesday 31st January just off the A59 Ormskirk to Preston road at Briars Hall Hotel, Briars Lane, Lathom, Nr Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 5TH. For more info or to reserve a place call 01695 554 900 or email aarun.naik@nfu.org.uk.
Skills & Training Courses for Lancashire & Cheshire Rural Businesses
Myerscough College are offering farmers, foresters and primary food producers primarily in the Greater Manchester area subsidised training on a whole range of topics, of up to 70%, below are the forthcoming courses. We also have some funded places available for Lancashire and Cheshire businesses:
- Tue 17th Jan: Introduction to Social Media. 10am -12noon. Red House Farm, Dunham Massey, WA14 5RL. FREE
- Wed 18th Jan: Practical Foot Trimming: 10am – 3:30pm. Oldham – call Farmskills on 01765 645 893 for info or to book. Funded cost £185.25
- Wed 18th Jan: Woodland Creation & Management Workshop 1: 9:30am – 1pm. Vaughns Country Café at Roddlesworth Reservoir: Funded Cost £75 for 4 sessions.
- Thurs 19th Jan: Farm Succession. 7pm – 9pm. Mercury Hotel, Westhoughton, Bolton. Funded Cost £3.
- Thurs 19th Jan: Cow Comfort: 10am – 3:30pm. Lancashire – ring Farmskills to book on 01765 645 893. Funded Cost £58.75
- Sat 21 Jan: Transport of Animals – Certificate of Competence. 10am – 12:30pm. At Myerscough College. Funded Cost £35 for 1 assessment; £45 for 2.
For further information please contact Myerscough College on 01995 642255 or visit www.ruralgmskills.com
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