New research from the National Trust has suggested that feeding cattle herds on grass is the most environmentally friendly way of rearing beef. The report, if taken into account, could potentially lead to big changes in how cows are farmed in the future.

Until now, the prevailing opinion within the agricultural industry has been that grass-fed herds produce more methane than those raised mainly on cereals, thereby negatively contributing to the amount of unwanted gases in the earth’s atmosphere. This, however, has now been questioned by the results gathered from studies carried out at ten farms owned by the National Trust.

The recent move towards more intensive methods of farming has led to a reduction in the amount of traditional grass-fed operations, but it has now been revealed that targeted carbon sequestration on conventional farms can, in fact, lower net emissions by as much as 94 per cent. This takes place on an even greater scale on organic and upland farms, to the point where ‘net gains’ are actually registered. Read the rest of this entry »

Well, Tracey and I are half way through the text for the June edition of Mole Valley Farmers Newsletter.

This month will feature a 16 page (well its that at the moment) supplement on calves with lots of advice from experts at MVF and Volac.

As well as our regulars from Dr Chris Bartram, Matt Rance, the Mole Valley Plus team and many more, we’ve got quite a few news snippets as well including SW FWAG and the Devon Red Ruby Society.

The main theme for most articles seem to start with the topic of the weather.  And as I write from a non sunny South Molton, its been a grey drizzly day… I expect tomorrow will bring sunshine!

The newsletter team – Brian, Sally and Tracey

A forum hosted by banking giants Lloyds TSB has focused on the importance of young farmers to the future of agriculture. The event’s message strayed slightly from the one usually put forward at such events, as it emphasised the potential for attracting youngsters who have no background in farming to consider entering the profession.

The forum, which discussed a range of topics related to food and farming, was held at the Cotswold Farm Park rural visitor attraction in Gloucestershire and the issue of young people joining the industry was raised by the farm’s owner, Adam Henson.

Mr Henson, who took over the farm from his father and has also made a name for himself as a television presenter and public speaker on agricultural matters, said that farming should be considered by the most talented, intelligent and ambitious young people in the country as a viable and long-term career option more often.

During his speech, Henson outlined the wide range of skills that are needed to be a success in farming, including having a good head for business and management, as well as a high level of technical ability. This, he explained, is what separates farming from many other industries, and should make it an attractive option for anyone who enjoys a busy and hugely varied working lifestyle. There have been encouraging signs recently that more young people are now taking an interest in rural work, he added, with places on agricultural college courses filling up fast, but Henson said that there was still much that had to be done to safeguard the future of this highly important profession. Read the rest of this entry »

The newsletter team, thats Sally, Tracey and Brian,  now have their own blog!

The first thing to let you know is that the May edition of the Newsletter will be with you very very soon.  We aim for delivery on or just before 1st monthly.

The double page spread in the centre pages is all about the Devon County Show as Mole Valley Farmers will be there.  We’re based in the Centre for Agriculture and will be launching our Molecare Animal Health initiative which is an addition to our existing website.

If you aren’t able to go to the show, we’ll have more on this new feature on our website in the June edition.

Our Forage for Profit plot is right next to the Centre for Agriculture, so please go and have a chat to our specialists including Graham Ragg and find out how the trials on fertilisers, soil health and grass seeds have been going.

For farmers

Back to the newsletter, where Pete Isaac gives latest GrassWatch results, there are the regular features from Dr Chris Bartram (dry cow dilemmas), Straights (market report) and Minerals (transition cows).

Forage for Profit talk about “Increasing silage dry matter intakes” and give details of our range of silage additives.  Also on silage, Mole Valley Forage Services’ article by Matt Rance is on slurry management and second cut silage.

Peers Davies MA VetMB MRCVS, specialist sheep vet has written about Coccidiosis and we have two pages on sheep handling equipment.

For business and home

Other topics include Renewable Heat Incentive, large capacity water storage and Toro Shelters (a new Mole Valley Plus product) providing temporary tensioned fabric structures which have been designed for farming and equestrian usage.

Keep your garden tidy – with our range of grass cutting machines, strimmers, brushcutters and mowers and follow Lucy Wiegersma on her equestrian travels.

Small ads

This section is full as ever with all the regular sales, wanted and services.  We know this is one of the most popular areas of our newsletter, so get calling as soon as you see the item you need!

Paying your bill

With postage increasing dramatically, we’ve outlined a few alternative ways to pay your bill.

• At your local branch
• By direct debit
• By telephone – ring our accounts team on 01769 576204
• Pay on line – you just need to activate your account if you have not done so already.

Recruitment opportunities

Our HR department asked us to mention that they want to hear from you!  Mole Valley Farmers is always keen to find people with the skills our company needs.  Contact HR on recruitment@molevalleyfarmers.com or look at the website for current vacancies.

Thats all folks

Enjoy reading the May edition and we’d love to know what you thought of it (good or bad – we’ve got broad shoulders!)

The seaside town of Torquay in Devon is gearing up to welcome Young Farmers from around the country for a weekend of fun at its Riviera International Centre.

Arranged annually by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC), this popular convention has become firmly established as a great way for members of the hundreds of local organisations across the UK to come together and enjoy three days of fun, entertainment and education.

With a hectic schedule of events taking place on the 27th, 28th and 29th April, proceedings will kick off with a black tie evening on Friday. This is the only time during the weekend when formal wear will be compulsory, so all 2000 guests are strongly encouraged to dress to impress before letting their hair down on the dance floor!

The Riviera’s two dance rooms – Arena and Forum – will both be hosting their own DJs from 9PM until 2AM every night, but there will also be a number of very special guests to keep everyone moving throughout the weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

An independent consultant has warned sheep farmers that they must remain vigilant and not become complacent when it comes to vaccinating their animals.

Lesley Stubbings explained that agriculturalists may have been lulled into something of a false sense of security by the warm and dry weather which most of the country enjoyed over March, but that it did not take much for all their hard work to be undone by the sudden spread of preventable disease.

Earlier in the year, there was concern amongst many livestock farmers that the Schmallenberg virus – first detected in Germany in November 2011 – would cause turmoil when it came to the UK lambing season, but these fears have thankfully not materialised so far, with the condition only being detected in a handful of herds. However, Stubbings has not ruled out the possibility of the lethal virus rearing its head again, along with a number of other problematic illnesses.

The consultant went on to say that the season, although not spectacular by any means, does seem to have surpassed many people’s expectations. She noted that the current drought conditions affecting the UK could have wrought much more damage than they eventually did on the efforts of sheep farmers and, as a result, the price of lamb remains relatively healthy. Because of this somewhat unexpected success, Stubbings emphasised the importance of making sure livestock is kept free of potentially harmful diseases like pasteurellosis over the forthcoming summer so as to take advantage of what is, at the moment, a favourable market.

Warnings have also been issued about the effects that the changing weather may have on the vulnerability of herds. Stubbings said that, whilst March was drier than average, the increase in rain and stormy weather that we have seen so far this month may be enough on its own to trigger another outbreak of conditions such as pneumonia (which remains one of the biggest killers of lambs), meaning that vaccinating now is vital. Read the rest of this entry »

The European Union’s Agricultural Commissioner, Dacian Ciolos, has outlined the increasing importance of young farmers during a speech in Brussels.

With reform of the EU-wide Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to come into effect next year, Mr Ciolos told the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) that he wanted agricultural workers under the age of 35 to be a central part of the process.

The speech comes after figures revealed that only 6.1 per cent of European farmers were aged 35 or under in 2007, compared to 8.5 per cent in 2003. Mr Ciolos himself noted that the number of farmers in the continent has decreased by a worrying three million in the last decade, which further underlines the need for new farmers to feel that they are being supported in their efforts by those regulating the industry; the proposed reforms include an extension to the current Single Farm Payment for farmers under the age of 40, with a new five year top up payment included. Ciolos said that the CAP changes should help to provide easier access to bank loans, as well as a special installation subsidy. Read the rest of this entry »

Billed as the biggest event on the rural calendar, the Royal Bath & West Show will be returning to the Showground at Shepton Mallett between 30^th May and 2^nd June, and is guaranteed to once again provide a great day out for all the family.

Having made its name as one of the South West’s premier annual outdoor attractions, this ever popular agricultural festival is once again set to provide four days of fun which everyone, not just those involved in the industry, can enjoy.

Held by the historic Royal Bath & West of England Society, the 2012 event will feature an impressive range of over 600 trade stands, allowing guests to explore great selections of everything from casual and working clothes to food, farming supplies and even 4×4 cars! Read the rest of this entry »