The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2018 - Issue 56

14 FARM NEWS APR/MAY 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk The Prince’s Countryside Fund announces new pilot scheme to mentor next generation of farmers The Prince’s Countryside Fund, with Bishop Burton College, has launched a pilot scheme providing mentoring to participants in the college’s popular Farm Business Management Programme. RECOGNISING the importance and benefits of peer-to-peer learning, the Fund is pairing delegates from the course with farmers who supply to Jordans Cereals, long term supporters of The Prince’s Coun- tryside Fund. This activity forms part of the Jordans Farm Partnership. Since 2015 Bishop Burton College has re- ceived two grants from the Fund, to support a residential programme providing training in effective farm management practices. The course is open to new entrants working in agriculture across the UK and is delivered at Bishop Burton College’s Riseholme Show- ground campus. The delegates complete a two-week residential course and are actively working in a management role on a family farm or commercial enterprise. Following comple- tion of the course there is an opportunity for delegates to receive accreditation from the Royal Agricultural University for an assignment. The Jordans Farm Partnership is a unique collaboration of Jordans farmers, the Wildlife Trusts, LEAF and The Prince’s Countryside Fund, working together to bring an innova- tive blend of expertise to benefit the British countryside. The mentoring will take place over the next 12 months and focus on the development needs of the delegates – this could range from managing cash flow and budgeting, to people management, best farm practice, setting busi- ness objectives and strategic planning. www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk Action needed on antibiotics to future-proof UK cattle industry VOLUNTARY reductions in the use of Critically Important Antibiotics (CIAs) must be accelerated to future-proof the UK cattle industry against the threat of legislation and regulation. This was the message from Professor David Barrett, speaking at the MSD Animal Health sponsored National Mastitis Panel, who said that more widespread under- standing of the issues is urgently required particularly amongst farmers and cattle vets if real progress is to be made. Professor Barrett quoted the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) position on the responsible use of medicines, which includes the recommendation of minimal use of third and fourth generation cephalo- sporins, fluoroquinalones and colistin, with these CIAs being limited to use where it has been demonstrated by sensitivity testing that they are the only suitable option to avoid unnecessary suffering. “There has been agreement on this position amongst the veterinary associa- tions, farmer organisations and milk buyers, but there needs to be more widespread awareness at producer level, particularly within the vet and farmer relationship,” he added. “Farms with a robust herd health plan, where challenges are reduced, will be in the best position to minimise use of CIAs. This takes time and is most effective where there is good co-operation between the farm and its veterinary practice. “Achieving a significant reduction in the use of CIAs voluntarily will not only minimise the likelihood of disruptive and potentially punitive legislation but will put our cattle industry on the front foot and strengthen its position in global markets.” www.msd-animal-health.com NFU Mutual welcomes police report into dog attacks as cost of livestock worrying claims rockets 67% Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has welcomed a report by the National Police Chief’s Council, which calls for legislation to make livestock worrying a recordable offence. UNDER current rules, dog owners are not required to report their dog if it attacks a livestock animal yet livestock worrying causes horrific injuries and, according to NFU Mutual, costs UK agriculture an esti- mated £1.6m a year. NFU Mutual recently launched a cam- paign urging dog owners to keep their pets under control whenever farm animals could be nearby. Between January and April 2017, when pregnant ewes and new born lambs are often grazing on low-lying pasture in areas more accessible to walkers, the average cost of claims to NFU Mutual more than doubled compared to the rest of the year. The campaign follows data which shows that livestock worrying costs have increased by 67 per cent in the last two years (2015-2017) with an estimated cost to agriculture of £1.6m. New research1 by the insurer has revealed that over 80 per cent of dog owners exer- cise their pets in the countryside, with over 60 per cent letting them roam off the lead. Almost 7 per cent of owners admitted that their pets had chased livestock in the past. NFU Mutual is advising farmers to check their stock regularly, put up warning signs and to ask local people to report any sight- ings of out-of-control dogs to a local farmer or the police. ‘ livestock worrying costs have increased by 67 per cent in the last two years (2015-2017) with an estimated cost to agriculture of £1.6m ’ www.nfumutual.co.uk

The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2018 - Issue 56 | Page 14