Latest Farm Business Income figures – NFU response
New Defra figures have shown a dramatic fall in farm incomes for the third consecutive year .
T he NFU says this has had a huge impact on farming businesses with some sectors , such as dairy and pigs , seeing their incomes halved .
It believes the main reasons for the dramatic falls are lower commodity prices and market volatility including a strengthening pound in 2015 .
NFU President Meurig Raymond said : “ Our work in influencing decision-makers is more important than ever to support our members , many who ’ re struggling to make ends meet .
“ The NFU is continuing to work with government to ensure they provide the right support for our members – from pushing for burdensome regulation to be removed that remains a major block to growing competitiveness for most farm businesses and policy decisions based on sound science . We also continue to work closely with the supply chain to ensure retailers are sourcing and promoting British food wherever possible .
“ In recent weeks we have focused on urging dairy processors to be open and honest in a bid to build better , fairer supply chain relationships and to ensure contracts that are fit for purpose . We regularly meet with retailers with recent successes on those signing our Fruit and Veg Pledge that will provide security for suppliers , fair terms and price certainty . We meet with banking
leaders to ask for their continued support for the industry in these challenging times .
“ These latest farm business income figures underline the need to ensure that British agriculture is dealt with fairly when Government starts its negotiations for a post- Brexit Britain .
“ The most immediate issues confronting the farming sector are trade and access to labour - these must be at the heart of any discussions for the country ’ s future farm policy so that our industry is able to achieve its true potential .”
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See how the experts have “ A Way with Dogs ”
Hold onto your seat – the competition is fierce - top sheepdog handlers compete in CSJ ’ s brand new 4 part film series starting 14th November on www . csjk9 . com
T he four episodes span ten weeks and feature nine of the UK ’ s top sheepdog handlers and dogs . Each uses their skills and intelligence to compete over a challenging course to be the first to win the title ‘ A Way with Dogs ’ Champion .
Viewers will be able to see clearly how the experts handle their dogs and hear full commentary from international judge and handler , Mike Northwood and presenter Bryony Billson at www . csjk9 . com
The nine top handlers compete over a tricky course in the Clwydian Hills of North Wales at the home of the late H Glyn Jones , himself a former International Supreme Sheepdog Champion and 5 times winner of the Brace Competition on ‘ One Man & His Dog ’.
The competition will be judged by Aled Owen , four times winner of the International Supreme Championship and two times World Trials Champion and the handlers include a full time shepherd , Medwyn Evans , this year ’ s Welsh National Champion , farmers including the ‘ Master ’ handler Gwyn Jones ( 3 x International Supreme Champion ), as well as a Stock Buyer , a retired head teacher / OFSTED Inspector and a milk retailer .
CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds founder , Ceri Rundle ( H Glyn Jones ’ s daughter ), is a renowned sheepdog handler herself , having been the first lady to qualify for the Welsh National Team with her homebred dog , Bwlch Hemp in
1996 , later earning two further national ‘ caps ’ and competing in the World Trials in Ireland in 2005 . She was the first lady to be elected on to the Panel of National Judges for Wales which has allowed her to judge in USA , Europe and Scandinavia and she was also honoured to become Chair of the North Wales Sheepdog Society in the early ' 90s .
Ceri now spends most of her time promoting CSJ ’ s feed , herbs and treats for dogs but tries to find time to train and trial her young dogs and continues to develop her world famous Moel line of Border Collies ( a continuation of her parents famous ' Bwlch ' line ).
She says , “ We wanted to portray the true skills of the handler and the dog , enabling the viewer to see the straight lines to and through the hurdles and the tight turns …. which is the aim of the handler . Our films will show this very clearly - allowing the viewer to understand what is going on and how the run is judged .”
Filmed against a stunning backdrop the action culminates in a nail-biting final film available on Boxing Day - the four programmes will be released on : Monday 14th November Monday 28th November Monday 12th December Monday 26th December Watch ‘ A Way with Dogs ’ and see who wins . Visit www . csjk9 . com Champions in every field www . farmingmonthly . co . uk November 2016 | Farming Monthly | 09