8 FARM NEWS
OCT/NOV 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk
CLARIFY INSURANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
BEFORE BRINGING CATTLE IN
Contracts advised if using third-party winter housing
DAIRY farmers are being urged to ensure
they have suitable agreements in place
before bringing cattle in to winter housing
on third-party property, to avoid insurance
shortfalls and disputes in the future.
With increasing numbers of dairy
farmers taking the opportunity to move
animals to alternative winter housing, such
as neighbouring farms, it is essential to
understand the point where the insurance
liability passes between the animal owner
and property owner.
“In simple terms, there is no real defined
boundary between the responsibilities,”
explains Dom Snook of Farmers & Mercan-
tile Insurance Brokers.
“Some farmers may simply supply a
shed, while others may also take respon-
sibility for feeding and providing feed,
and looking after the cattle. It used to be
a simple agreement, based on so much
a head, but it can be more complicated
now,” he adds.
Mr Snook highlights cases where cattle
have not done well due to poor silage, and
even cases when cattle have died. Dis-
putes have subsequently arisen, with both
parties considering the other responsible.
“Often, people think disputes will be re-
solved by the insurance company, but un-
less a clearly defined agreement is in place
in advance, and insurers have confirmed
the level of cover, this will not be the case,”
says Mr Snook.
It is a grey area, and farmers are advised
to get contracts drawn up in advance of
any agreement, to be clear of responsibil-
ities.
“It is also essential to keep the insurer in-
formed if cattle are to be kept elsewhere,”
concludes Mr Snook.
Multi Million Pound Land sale raises cash for
new Northern Agricultural Centre and Mart
One of the country’s leading livestock markets has
completed on a multi-million pound land sale to fund a
new state-of-the art agriculture and business centre.
WORK can now start on Darlington Farm-
ers Auction Mart’s (DFAM) 80ha (197ac)
Humbleton Farm site on the North Western
edge of Darlington. The new site, which has
been owned by DFAM for over eight years,
is a mile out of town on the A68 and adja-
cent to the A1(M) off junction 58
This comes after the 4 year long awaited
deal was exchanged and completed. A
significant amount was raised through the
sale of farmland on the southern edge of
the town yesterday destined for housing.
(29 August).
This ends over a 50 year wait to move
from the current town centre site at Clifton
Road which DFAM have occupied since 1887,
to the Humbleton Farm site at Burtree Gate.
A new state-of-the-art Agricultural Auc-
tion Centre, will occupy a 10ha plot, with
plans for other commercial developments
on the remaining 70ha.
Up to 14 internal letting units are planned,
as well as meeting rooms and a conference
suite.
Design talks with Tyneside-based ar-
chitect Blake Hopkinson are in “stages of
completion”, according to Director and
Senior Auctioneer Andrew Armstrong, who
told “The Farmers Mart” that DFAM should
be trading at the new site in autumn 2019 if
all goes as currently planned.”
We have been advised that a 40-week
build period could see the site up and run-
ning in 16 to 18 months, he added.
DFAM auctioneers targets a 15-20%
increase in throughputs in the short term
once the site is active due to improved
access and parking spaces.
Mr Armstrong said store sheep and cattle
throughputs on Monday sales could lift 50%
“with a fair wind and over time, the facilities
will be capable of handling over 1000 store
cattle and 3000 sheep on any one day.
He added: “For years we know there
have been farmers not using the current
site because of parking and access is-
sues. Vendors in Weardale, Teesdale and
from further afield have a journey time of
approx. 30-40 minutes at least to get to
the edge of town and sometimes the same
again to get through the traffic and reach
us at Clifton Road. The new Agriculture
Sales Centre will eliminate all of that being
located on a dual carriage way off the A68
and A1M.