industry news
FARMERS & OTHERS RALLY TO
HELP SW FLOOD VICTIMS
In a magnificent show of support, farmers and businesses from across the
country have rallied to help the flood victims of England’s South West.
They have sent forage to Sedgemoor
Livestock Market and to Cannington,
Somerset, from where donations are
being sent out to those in need.
After talking to their Somerset counterparts
at the Young Farmers’ Conference,
young farmers in Essex went into action,
texting requests for donations of feed and
bedding.
Somerset Young Farmers rallied support
from those unaffected by the floods in their
own region with fodder and a collection of
£368.20. Trailer-loads of feed have been
sent to those in need with the help of Avis
Contracting.
Farm manager Jake Freestone of Overbury
Estates loaded 80 bales onto a wagon that
hauliers D.E O’Reilly transported for free to
Somerset.
Andrew Ward, NFU member and founder
of #forageaid in 2013, has worked tirelessly
to boost support on Twitter. He has coordinated many loads already with the aid of
Tesco transport.
Two tractors and trailers have travelled
from West Yorkshire to Somerset to deliver
silage, haylage, hay and straw with the load
carrying the Back British Farming message.
NFU member and one of the drivers for the
225-mile journey, Philip Rowbottom, said:
“Hopefully our journey will help highlight the
solidarity we all feel with those farmers in
Somerset who are facing such tough times.
The cost of the diesel is being met by local
farmers and the Wakefield NFU branch.”
Individuals and businesses with no
connection to farming have also shown
tremendous generosity - practical
help, money and clothing donations.
Supermarkets Tesco and Morrisons have
offered help to their suppliers with their fleet
of trucks and Asda has donated £5,000
to the Addington Fund. NFU SW regional
director, Melanie Squires, said: “The support
for farmers going through this crisis has
been immense and the people that you’re
helping could not be more grateful.
“But the implications of the floods are not
just immediate...Ongoing assistance will be
necessary for these farms to survive. Your
fodder might be just as useful in the coming
weeks as it is right now, communication and
organisation is key so that your generosity
can make the most impact.”
Tesco urges farmers to
call 0800 072 6684 if they need help.
East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd.
Agricultural Dealers
Welton Service Station, Hull Road, Shiptonthorpe, East Yorkshire YO43 3PS
Because our stock changes so fast you may want to
phone us with your requirement
Tel & Fax: 01430 650 072
Mob: 07747 181 821
E: [email protected]
www.eastyorkshiremachinery.com
6
Feb/Mar 2014 FarmersMart
To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk