The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2016 - Issue 48 | Page 12

Farm News

NADIS
NOVEMBER
PARASITE
FORECAST
»»LIVESTOCK FARMERS ARE
warned that recent prolonged wet and
mild weather has led to a late-flush
of infective worm larvae on pasture,
increasing the likelihood of parasitic
disease in sheep, according to the
NADIS Parasite Forecast and Merial
Animal Health. Liver fluke also remains
a significant threat to sheep and cattle
this autumn.
Heavy infestations of
Trichostrongylus in store lambs and
occasionally in gimmers are often seen
throughout autumn. Outbreaks can
be identified by the presence of black
foetid diarrhoea and rapid weight
loss, and will require treatment with
an appropriate anthelmintic to prevent
production losses over winter.

‘Autumn and winter
is a critical period for
parasite control’
In contrast, most cattle do not suffer
the effect of acute fluke disease, and
the majority of liver fluke carried by
cattle towards the end of the grazing
season are at late-immature and
mature stages. But cattle which have
been exposed to the parasite on
pasture should be treated at housing
to optimise their growth potential over
the entire winter period, and make the
most of expensive feed.
Sioned Timothy, Veterinary Adviser
for Merial Animal Health says: “Autumn
and winter is a critical period for
parasite control, especially where
fattening stock are concerned. It is
really important that not only the right
product for the parasite is chosen, but
that meat withdrawal times are strictly
adhered to. A vet or SQP (Suitably
Qualified Person) can advise on the
most appropriate product for the
circumstances.”

12 Oct/Nov 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk

Three new Directors
join Oxford Farming
Conference board
»»A FARMER, BROADCASTER AND A

Matthew is the managing director

scientist will join The Oxford Farming

of Naylor Flowers Ltd, a Lincolnshire-

Conference board (OFC) as its new

based company that supplies 40 million

directors in January 2017. Matthew Naylor,

British flowers each year to leading UK

Anna Hill and Professor Nigel Scollan will

supermarkets. He also runs a property and

be appointed for a three-year term until

renewable energy company from the farm.

January 2020.

Professor Scollan has been recently
appointed as the Director of Queen’s

‘a farmer, broadcaster
and a scientist’

University Belfast’s Institute for Global
Food Security. He is an animal science
graduate from the University of Edinburgh,
where he also undertook his PhD.

Anna Hill is a journalist who has been

Anna, Matthew and Nigel will take up

a member of the BBC Radio 4 Farming

their three-year directorships at the OFC’s

Today team since 1995. Since then, she has

2017 AGM on 3 January.

covered all the major stories affecting the

Caroline Millar, a farmer and tourism

farming industry from BSE to Bovine TB to

business owner, will take over as the 2018

Black Grass.

OFC Chairman in January 2017.

AGRIBUSINESS 2017 PREPARES
FOR REVOLUTION
»»‘DRIVING TODAY’S AGRICULTURAL
revolution’ will be the theme of Agribusiness
2017, the Agricultural Industries
Confederation (AIC) Annual Conference
which will take place on 23 November at the
East of England Showground.
John Kelley, AIC’s Chief Operating
Officer said: “Agriculture, like many sectors
of the UK and global economy, is going
through a huge transition. Whether it’s
internal processes or the changing external
environment, business must lead and react
to secure on-going success.
“Agriculture’s green revolution has
been surpassed, now we face the ‘digital
revolution’. There is much talk of ‘Big Data’
within agriculture, and this will continue
to revolutionise business. The constant
challenge is keeping up with innovative
technologies and products as they enter the
agri-supply chain.
“In addition, BREXIT and the renegotiations
with the EU will be a key feature that shapes

the future of agriculture and agribusiness in
the UK, and could lead to seismic change.
The conference speakers will include Minister
of State for Agriculture George Eustice,
who was a leading pro-leave campaigner.
Agribusiness 2017 will seek to address these
key issues from a political, technological and
business standpoint.”

‘going through a
huge transition’
The Conference will be chaired by
former BBC Breakfast Business presenter
Declan Curry. As well as George Eustice;
speakers will include: Oliver McEntyre,
National Strategy Director for Barclays
Agriculture; Tom Hind, Chief Strategy
Officer, AHDB; Professor Daniel Morton
from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology;
and Dr Christobal Uauy from the John Innes
Centre.