The Newsletter - Mole Valley Farmers

Transcription

to
The Newsletter
molevalleyfarmers.com
FR
VF
M
EE
em
be
rs
July 2015
No. 614
£1.75
4
somatic cell counts
M
10
iodine
18
16-17
farming in the Limousin
harvest essentials
Finishing suckler
bred cattle
Advice from Lachie Maclachlan 11
Water pumps
29
win a training day
Farm
buildings
Kit form buildings 24
Fly control
Potential savings with water
powered ram pumps 26
intregrated system of control
MoleCare FarmVets 13
Cereal varieties
for autumn
Variability of yield 15
What lies beneath
Address the problems of soil pests
21
Mole Valley Farmers - part of the countryside
Limousins on the Neale family’s farm near
Boyton, Launceston
picture by Brian Jennings
FARMING
Contact us
Head Office
Mole Valley Farmers Ltd
Exmoor House, South Molton
North Devon EX36 3LH
Telephone - 01769 573431
Fax - 01769 573821
www.molevalleyfarmers.com
email info@molevalleyfarmers.com
Directors
Chairman - Graeme Cock
Stephen Bone, Peter Delbridge,
Steve Edmunds, Brian Jennings, Tim Wall,
Gaynor Wellwood, Peter Winstone
Chief Executive - Andrew Jackson
Company Secretary - Andrew Chapple A.C.A
Customer Accounts
Sales Ledger
01769 576204
Credit Control
01769 576266
accounts@molevalleyfarmers.com
Membership helplines
Applications and admin.
01769 576234
General enquries
01769 576198
membership@molevalleyfarmers.com
Small ads
Next deadline
Please submit your small ad
by Monday 13 July
Charges: £3.50 per line + VAT
Adverts only accepted and printed at editor’s
discretion.
To submit your small ad, contact:
Tel: 01769 576243
Fax: 01769 576262
smallads@molevalleyfarmers.com
Please remember to quote your membership
number when placing an advert.
The Newsletter team
newsletters@molevalleyfarmers.com
smallads@molevalleyfarmers.com
VAT and pricing
Unless stated, prices in this Newsletter DO
NOT include VAT. Prices are correct at the
time of going to press, but may subsequently
be changed without notice. E&OE
Please recycle this newsletter
or give it to a friend
Company Founder - John James MBE
2 MVF Newsletter 614
MVF Branches
Branch Farm Sales
Open Mon-Sat 8.00am-5.30pm
*Open Sunday 10am-4pm.
Bridgwater
TA7 8PE
Bath Road, Bawdrip
01278 424240
Manager: Steve Noall
Cullompton* EX15 1NU
Honiton Road, Stoneyford
01884 34333
Manager: Mark Brown
Frome
BA11 2PN
Standerwick, Frome
Manager: Nick Powell
MoleCare FarmVets
Holsworthy EX22 6BL
Underlane, Holsworthy
Manager: David Nias
Liskeard PL14 4LN
Moorswater I/E, Liskeard
Manager: James Stiles
01373 831114
01373 852360
01409 253014
01579 340034
TQ12 6RY
Battle Road, Newton Abbot
01626 836555
Manager: Jay McCoy
BA21 5BJ
Sherborne Road
Manager: Bruce Williams
Redruth farmselect
Treleigh I/E, Redruth
Cullompton
01637 881115
Jeremy Kivell
07891 761771
Frome (MVF)
Lisa Seviour
01373 852352
Holsworthy (MVF)
Eric Boundy
Liskeard (MVF)
Jem Marshall
Joy Allen
Newton Abbot
01935 420971
TR16 4AX
01209 340044
01409 259502
07785 354243
01579 340010
(MVF)
Greg Warren
Karen Ayliffe
07979 708310
01626 837813
(MVFarmSelect)
David Worledge
St Columb
07879 623534
(MVF)
Carolyn Hollow
Charlie Reeves
Kimberley Burton
South Molton
Yeovil
01278 726129
(MVF)
07525 867236
07794 001485
01637 881827
(MVF)
Brian Clements
South Molton* EX36 3LH
Pathfields I/E
01769 574477
Manager: Shaun Carter
MoleCare FarmVets
01769 575618
Yeovil*
Emma Buck
Redruth
Newton Abbot*
St. Columb TR9 6SF
St Columb I/E
Manager: Paul Tippett
Mole Valley Farmers
Bridgwater (MVF)
01769 575603
(MVF)
Lesley Curle
Mole Country Stores
Billingshurst
Rebecca Moore
Richard Lane
Nicky Steer
Bridgend
Stewart Edwards
Rhian Ellis
Dorchester
Yasmin Goring / Rose Hicks
Salisbury
01935 848201
07917 097751
07581 003180
01403 783730
07970 550436
01656 656637
01305 753914
(SCATS)
Tracy Pomeroy
01722 336886
MV Feed Solutions / Forage
FeedLine
Seeds and Additives
Alternative Feeds
Minerals
Fertiliser sales desk
Blends
01278 444829
01769 576232
0845 602 7321
Gemma Smale-Rowland
01278 420481
Devon/South Somerset
01769 576405
Will Whittingham
01566 780284
Other useful contacts
Mole Valley Plus
MVF Engineering
Moleenergy
Mole Insurance
Pet Vets
Dairy Hygiene
Cornwall/West Devon
01769 576201
01884 860478
01769 575674
0845 265 7951
01626 835002
07896 813450
07772 598387
Dorset/Wiltshire
Daniel Waterman
07779 562095
Crop packaging/fencing
Nigel Cockwill
07786 855223
FARMING
JULY 2015
Chairman’s letter
Spring finally arrived for real in mid-June and
the evenings are at last sufficiently warm to
represent a pleasant feel rather than the chilly
nights experienced over recent weeks. This
colder spell in turn slowed down the progress
of some spring sown crops, such as Maize,
considerably. Soil temperatures have been
desperately low at 12 degrees or so and, in
truth, not made much progress since early
April. Despite this, growth rates of the majority
of crops have been fairly good, other than
those areas which became short of moisture
towards the end of April.
The Basic Payment Scheme, replacing the
Single Payment Scheme this year, has been
on the receiving end of humongous amounts
of criticism from some quarters. The whole
process has been protracted right from the
early stages when criteria decisions on the
key components which were to make up the
final scheme format were being canvased and
discussed. These deliberations were neatly
followed by the catastrophic failure of the IT
system and the online versions resulting in
the reversion to a paper based system, all of
which inflicts extra confusion while carrying a
significant cost burden. Applying for BPS is not
massively onerous with the right advice and
assistance, if the detail receives the correct
focus.
Some elements seem more complicated
than perhaps they need to be, while some
ambiguities exist too in the wording, particularly
around the EFA’s. For some, the online version
is much preferred and far easier. However,
I’m sure one or two breathed a sigh of relief
when a paper based system was reintroduced.
Some elements of the agricultural community,
particularly those more senior colleagues
do not, and probably never will, feel overly
confident with any IT system or online option,
even less so where broadband coverage is poor
or non-existent, which is still an issue in many
rural areas.
Fully accepting that nothing in life is perfect
and pretending otherwise is at best futile and at
worst all consuming, the major bugbear comes
from those same critics who find it completely
unacceptable. The view being those who act
as judge and jury have been left wanting
themselves; when previously they have been
less than forgiving when on farm discrepancies
found have led to penalties. Farmers,
managers, bookkeepers, agents and anyone
else involved in the process are, and have
been, expected to adapt and deliver whatever
is required, albeit on an extended deadline.
The pragmatic though frustrating viewpoint
is we are where we are, but fundamentally,
lessons have to be drawn from this. We cannot
turn back time. I am reliably informed that
there are no time lords in the RPA but a Tardis
might be a more appropriate metaphor; looks
small from the outside but is massive on the
inside. What is far more important, a point
which was made very clearly to me recently, is
that payments should not be delayed this year
as a result of the difficulties which the RPA
has experienced. There are businesses which
can continue to trade quite happily even if
BPS payments are delayed, but cash flows on
many farms are going to be tight for a while
yet, reflecting low produce value leaving the
farms, and a delay in BSP payments will incur
added finance costs or cash flow complications
in most instances through no fault at farm level.
The angst caused by this type of hiccup may
prove to be too much for some to deal with. In
difficult times these payments will be a lifeline
to some businesses. I’m sure some of the
banks and other lenders share this sentiment.
Looking at more positive thoughts there are
examples of innovation and development in
progress. In times of difficulty there are two
options I guess. Option one - Give up and
move on. Option two - what doesn’t kill you
makes you stronger. The constant desire to be
successful never goes away and methods of
achieving this are instigated. The SIG (Sheep
Improvement Group) are looking to continue
to develop breeds of sheep and technical
aspects around flock management, some of
which are already used in other parts of the
world. The Exlana breed of sheep is an evolving
breeding programme that supports easy care
components including wool shedding. In recent
years wool values have only covered a fraction
of the physical shearing costs. The object of the
exercise is to create a system that is sustainable
in terms of production cost and performance.
This should enable British lamb meat to be
more consistently competitive. Areas that
are being researched are feed efficiency and
sustainable flock management on a scale not
yet regularly achieved in the UK. One project is
aiming to maximise positive health traits which
include foot rot and worm resistance, as well as
the wool shedding.
Graeme Cock
Chairman
Some of these aspects are already being
achieved in New Zealand and South Africa,
though not necessarily successful here because
of the different climate and strains of infection.
These benefits don’t always bear out under
UK conditions. The grass quality and terrain is
very different here than it may be in more arid
geographies, which means sheep have to work
far harder and travel large distances there to
consume sufficient food which in turn keeps
their feet sound.
Other parts of the industry are looking to
innovate and change management practise
to improve profitability. In cereals blackgrass
continues to be an extremely expensive
and compromising problem where chemical
costs in badly infested areas are prohibitively
high. I recently witnessed some crops where
blackgrass was so prevalent that it was difficult
to distinguish what was actually planted.
For some the three crop rule is a welcome
intervention and justifiably allows a broader
range of crops and some spring cropping to
fulfil BSP requirements but also create a more
sustainable rotation. Both of these points help
stubble and seedbed management which in
time will reduce the problem weed burden. Low
cereal prices are also helping to focus some
businesses on a profitable solution. At points
where the issues are most extreme, it will
not be a one season solution. Worst affected
sites may need a three or five year strategy to
get control of the situation. Traditional, or old
fashioned speak, would describe this as good or
better farming.
MVF Newsletter 614 3
FARMING
MILK HYGIENE, SOMATIC CELL COUNT
Focus on selenium and antioxidants
John Lawrence, Senior Mineral Supplements Technical Manager
The cow is a high performance animal and is under pressure from milk
production and environmental factors. This could trigger an immune
response that can be measured in higher somatic cell counts (SCC)
whether clinical mastitis is
present or not.
One of the key elements in
immune function is selenium
- it plays an important part in
supporting the cow’s health
and has two main functions:
1. It protects the cells in the cow; working alongside vitamin E
2. It is linked to the key antioxidants – these protect the cow’s cells from
free radicals. Free radicals damage the cow’s cells, specifically attacking
cell wall structure.
Selenium plays a key role in maintaining the cows general health and the
selenium status of the cow is related to the level of SCC in the milk (see
figure1).
Trials show that improved selenium status will lead to a reduction in SCC
over cows supplemented with traditional forms of selenium over an 8
week period. see table 3.
Fig 1.
The normal source of selenium used in minerals and feeds is sodium
selenite/selenate which, whilst it will deal with a deficiency, cannot be
stored by the animal so is not held in reserve for times of peak stress or
immunity challenge, such as calving.
Organic selenium however, is much more available to the animal and can
be stored in the body tissue and released when the cow needs it, both in
colostrum for the calf and herself during times of immune stress.
By supplementing cows with Alkosel, both pre and post calving, there
is an improvement in the cows’ selenium status versus using traditional
forms of selenium. This is because, it is an organic source of selenium
that is both more easily absorbed and stored in the animals tissue and
can be utilized when needed for immune and antioxidant activity (see
figure 2).
Table 3.
Incorporating Alkosel into the diet via the minerals helps increase the
cow’s selenium status, helping to support the immune system and
reducing the risk of disease.
Improving the dairy cow’s immunity status is achieved by promoting
the balance between oxidants and antioxidants. The animal experiences
oxidative stress when there are too many oxidants or too few
antioxidants. This impacts the cow’s immune system, putting her at
a higher risk of mastitis, raised SCC, metabolic disorders such as sub
clinical ketosis and lower milk production. During this period, antioxidant
defences are also challenged; this can produce a snowball effect where
the immune system is overwhelmed.
We can now include a natural antioxidant in your mineral supplement
from MVF.
Fig 2
For further information on Alkosel, antioxidants or mineral
related topics, please ring 01278 420481 or email
minerals@molevalleyfarmers.com
FARMING
Effective rationing for efficient milk production
Dr Robin Hawkey, BSc (Hons) PhD, Senior Nutritionist
Challenges currently facing the dairy industry
need no detailed dialogue. However, responses
to the current climate have been varied.
Whatever the approach, having clear goals is
crucial, and the implementation needs to be
effective and consistent. A given approach
needs flexibility to succeed in the light of due
circumstances and evaluations, but not random
‘spur of the moment’ changes.
Within such systems, it is crucial that
fundamentals are fully appreciated. These
include adequate feed / water trough space
and management of cow groups, so that
they are not over or under fed. Mixer wagon
maintenance is also very important in delivery
of consistent rations. Accurate monitoring
of forage dry matters and intakes are all
basics that must be adopted, but industry
developments can improve performance further.
Recent scientific advances continue to improve
our knowledge and understanding of the dairy
cow, and these developments are especially
relevant when looking to maximise efficiency.
Examples of this include more detailed
understanding of protein metabolism. Mole
Valley Feed Solutions own product development
programme, supported by wider literature, has
enabled the introduction of a new rationing
program. Consequently, it is now possible to
ration accurately to levels of metabolisable
protein rather than crude protein.
This not only saves ration costs but enables a
more accurate prediction of cow performance,
leading to a healthier, more efficient cow.
In the longer term, this will reduce nitrogen
excretion. This enhanced understanding of
protein metabolism also has benefits for
fertility as recently described by Wiltbank et
al (2014). The authors discuss the importance
of either inadequate or excess energy, protein
or specifically amino acids, especially through
the transition period. The supplementation of
rate limiting amino acids is widely reported, but
the impact of specific amino acids on follicular
development is an exciting area for future
investigation.
The costs associated with fertility are significant
and benefits of certain fats are also widely
reported. The ratio of omega 3 and omega 6
fats can influence certain hormones, promoting
conception and getting cows back into calf
more quickly. However, care needs to be
exercised as fat imbalances in the rumen,
specifically the unsaturated fats, reduce both
the efficiency of ruminal fibre digestion and
lower butterfats.
There are also many ‘additives and
supplements’ available and when milk price
is lower, these products are often discarded.
Reputable products are supported by
ample R&D, and Mole Valley Feed Solutions
thoroughly investigate such products to ensure
their efficacy and value for money. Not all
supplements are relevant to all farms, so it’s
important to understand their modes of action,
what they do and most importantly the return
on investment. Such products need careful
monitoring but can have significant benefits on
efficiency, lowering costs of production.
Minerals need to be carefully assessed,
as excess levels can be as detrimental as
deficiency, as is clearly demonstrated with
copper. Mole Valley Farmers has developed
unique specific mineral rationing software
in conjunction with acknowledged industry
experts. This system not only incorporates
forage mineral profiles, but also animal
health and performance issues. Mineral
supplementation needs to be adequate, but not
excessive.
Another major cost of production is heifer
rearing, it is conservatively estimated that each
heifer costs in excess of £1500 to the start of
lactation. Therefore, the delayed onset of milk
production or poorly performing heifers can
incur significant costs. Ongoing research has
demonstrated improved systems of calf and
heifer rearing, enhancing rumen development,
thereby growing strong heifers that can be
calved at two years without detriment. To be
cost effective, it is important that calves and
younger heifers are fed to achieve target
growth rates and enhance conception, but
once in calf, growth rates can be moderated,
lowering costs.
Mole Valley Feed Solutions, Feed Supplements
and Forage Services offer an integrated
approach, utilising ongoing research resulting
in product and system developments alongside
industry leading advice. There has also
been significant investment in both technical
and commercial training so that product
technologies are well understood and individual
farmer’s needs are addressed.
With the ongoing challenging dairy
environment, it is important that costs
are controlled, but not to the detriment of
performance and efficiency.
For feeding advice and achieving the best
from your herd, call your Nutritionist or the
Mole Valley Feed Solutions FeedLine on
01278 444829
FARMING
Congratulations to retired MVF Director,
Chairman and Editor of this newsletter, Ranald
Fowler, who won the Lifetime Achievement
Award at the Devon Farm Business Award
ceremony held on the eve of the Devon
County Show. Ranald must have been
particularly pleased also that his son Gavin
won the Devon Dairy Farmer of the Year.
Congratulations to them both and all the other
award winners. See below.
Our stands at the Devon County and Royal
Cornwall shows were very busy with many
of our farmer customers calling in for a chat
and a cup of tea. Although the farm gate
price pressure is severe, the general mood
was quite pragmatic, taking the view that
there is little likelihood of a revival any time
soon. Farmers are taking a serious look at
their businesses and are keen to find ways of
becoming more efficient.
One of our directors, Peter Winstone, has
recently retired from the board of Arla after
serving a number of years on the MilkLink
board before it merged with Arla. Peter
has worked tirelessly for dairy farmers and
helped steer the business through some
difficult periods, taking it to the forefront of
the European dairy industry. I’m sure we all
thank him for his dedication and wish him well
for the future. Peter remains a much valued
member of the Board of Directors of Mole
Valley Farmers.
There was quite a bit of interest in cost saving
products which were on show, particularly
the LED lighting and the Papa water pumps,
which can significantly reduce energy bills.
Our Red Meat Team were kept busy with beef
farmers wanting to know more about how to
secure a better return for their finished beef
and were particularly interested in the Blade
Farming Initiative. Fly control products are
usually a big seller at the shows, but due to
the cold weather, the flies are later than usual,
so farmers have postponed their purchase,
British Grassland Society
Summer Meeting
12-15 July Various locations in Cornwall
On Sunday 12 July, the BGS will hold its AGM at the Lanhydrock Hotel, with a
reception dinner and presentations from Grassland Societies in Cornwall.
Then, from Monday to Wednesday a full diary of farm visits is planned.
Monday starts at 9am on Hendrawalls Farm Davidstow, hosted by the Risdon
family. Two other farms follow and topics include autumn calving, New Zealand
grazing systems and rotational grazing for suckler cows.
Tuesday starts at the new dairy unit at Duchy College (8.45am) followed by
two farm visits where delegates will see high output dairying utilising grass
and maize and an organic farm where 100 Stabiliser cows utilise the grass and
crops. The Gala Dinner will take place this evening.
A high yielding dairy unit near Wadebridge is the first farm for Wednesday
morning, followed by a visit to Treswarrow Farm, St Minver for a look at early
lamb production from grass with polled Dorset and Aberdale ewes.
Booking will still be available in July, so please contact the British Grassland
Society for further information. Contact details can be found in the Diary Dates
on page 40 of this newsletter.
saying “I’ll buy it when I need it”, which is an
example of the attitude of thrift.
The atmosphere in the marquees this year
was improved by the use of a ventilation sock,
normally used to enhance the air circulation
in cattle buildings. This was particularly
appreciated at times when the marquee was
extremely busy. It also generated a number of
sale enquiries for farmers’ calf houses!
At the time of writing, most crops of silage
and hay are safely in the store. Winter barley
is beginning to turn colour, wheat is coming
out in ear and the maize is well established,
despite being unseasonably cold. For once, we
seem to be in line with our French colleagues,
judging by our correspondent, page 16-17,
who are in need of significant rain. No doubt
it will arrive soon to refresh the crops and
hopefully warm up, and maybe the fly control
products will ‘fly off the shelves’! See page
12-13.
Achievement
awards for
Devon farmers
Devon Farm Business Awards
2015 recently honoured
Ranald Fowler, of Boode Farm,
Braunton with The Addington
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ranald received the award
for his transformative work
as Chairman of Mole Valley
Farmers. Many of you will
remember that he was also
Editor of this newsletter!
Ranald Fowler (l) receives
his Lifetime Achievement
Award from Alan Goddard
of Cornish Mutual
It was a special evening for the Fowler family, they celebrated a
double success as Gavin Fowler was named Devon Dairy Farmer
of the Year.
The event was organised by the Addington Fund, Devon County
Agricultural Association and Stephens Scown Solicitors.
Devon Farm Business Awards 2015:
Devon Farmer of the Year John and Clare Clapp, Halberton, Tiverton
Best Commercial Farmers - John and Clare Clapp
Devon Dairy Farmer of the Year Gavin Fowler, Boode Farm, Braunton
Devon Farming Champion - John Lee OBE FRAgS, Crediton
CAAV John Neason Award for Farm Diversification John Coles, East Hill, Ottery St. Mary
Devon Woman Farmer of the Year Caroline Trude, Clyst Hydon in East Devon
Best Young Farmer Jack Elliott, Huntshaw Farm, Little Torrington
Best Young Entrepreneur - Lewis Steer, Twig Farm, Chudleigh
Host farmers for this year’s BGS Summer Meeting
Lifetime Achievement Award –
Ranald Fowler, Boode Farm, Braunton.
FARMING
Mole Valley Feed Solutions dedicated to customer service
Peter Isaac, Head of Feed Sales
Mole Valley Feed Solutions was born out of the bringing together of Mole
Valley Feeds and Southern Valley Feeds in 2008, after the acquisition of
the southern Pye Bibby feed business and formation of Southern Valley
Feeds in 2005.
Since 2008 we have continued to grow our feed offering to our
customers. We have also brought in additional expertise to help train our
existing feed specialist team, so they can deliver more value to you our
customers. This improved service level is complimented by our range of
quality feed products, to help improve on farm performance.
FeedLine
01278
444829
In years gone by, farmers relied on the feed specialist to provide them
with knowledge and products to give them the performance they
required. In today’s ‘internet age’, information and product knowledge
is available at the click of a mouse. The skill now is how to use that
information and knowledge on an individual farm basis, to improve
performance and efficiency to keep profit in the farm business.
Long term improvements only come from positive actions being taken.
Every farm and customer needs to make sure they achieve their
production goals, and are able to live a better quality life, more happily.
The key is to establish the compelling need on the farm, one that will
really make a difference and ensure appropriate action is taken.
Our feed portfolio has developed to include a wide selection of straights,
blends, treated grains, and moist grains, our own mineral range as
well as feed blocks and buckets. This
If more than one compelling need is established, and
has resulted in consistent year-on-year
there may be more than one, they need to be
So the differentiating factor
growth to 631,299 tonnes last year. This
prioritised. Then we have to come up with
range also enables our nutritionists to
a credible solution that everyone buys in
becomes the people and
select specific products to mix and match
to, believes in and is committed to make
services behind the products
to each individual customer’s needs and
happen, as that way we will be more
and the technical advantages
preferences. By working closely with
assured of success.
farmers we can help them improve their on
we can bring
Finally, once the compelling need is
farm performance and ultimately profit, which is
established and the credible solution
needed to prosper in the future.
is agreed, then any product, service or other investment has to give
A strong focus on knowledge and hard work is required to achieve
success in a very competitive marketplace. We need to innovate and
differentiate ourselves to be able to give confidence and belief in making
positive changes to on farm management and practises.
Competition in the feed market is fierce and gets ever more so as price
pressure increases. So the differentiating factor becomes the people and
services behind the products and the technical advantages we can bring.
This is backed up by investment in our feed manufacturing capability and
transport fleet, to make sure the feed we produce is of the highest quality
and delivered in the most efficient way possible.
perceived value. We have to be able to recognise that we are delivering
value for money, which reinforces the belief that correct actions have
been taken.
Making sure we follow this process and really understand why we are
making changes is the only way the combined efforts, thoughts and
actions of all involved in each farm’s management team, will really make
good, long term, profitable decisions.
To talk to us about your ideas, farm situation or stock nutrition and how
to get the best from your assets, call your nutritionist or the FeedLine at
Huntworth Mill on 01278 444829
FARMING
Alternative feeds
Judith Clifford
Senior Alternative Feeds Trader
The Maxammon enhanced
grain feeding system:
Wheat and barley combined with Maxammon
treatment results in a nutritionally enhanced,
high protein, high pH feed for improved animal
performance.
It can be included into diets in a number
of different ways such as in blended feeds
incorporating Maxammon grain. The options
can be discussed with your nutritionist.
Advantages of
Maxammon
• Produces a nutritionally enhanced feed
• Elevates pH levels in diets and therefore
the rumen
• Increases grain protein levels reducing
the need for additional protein sources
• Allows increased levels of cereal
inclusion which increases dietary starch
levels
Benefits to
the Animal
Benefits to
the Farmer
Higher pH
Higher protein levels
Reduces the impact of acidosis
Allows more grain to be fed safely
Optimum rumen
Improved animal
function, improved performance giving
animal health
better returns
Optimises rumen performance and feed intake
• Improved rumen performance
• Better feed digestion
• Better animal performance
Mole Maxi Starch Range
You don’t need to have your own grain to
be able to take advantage of the benefits of
Maxammon enhanced grain as we process
wheat, barley and maize at our plant in north
Somerset and can deliver your requirements.
The plant has been running for two years
now, producing the Mole Maxi Starch Range
and caustic treated wheat – Mole Soda Starch
Wheat.
Our confidence in the products and their
success has meant we also now produce at a
second site near Chippenham, Wiltshire; an
excellent position to move product along the
M5 corridor.
We also supply rolled wheat and barley from
these sites and ground maize direct from the
docks. We have ongoing requirements for grain
at these sites so please ring me at Lifton if your
grain would be suitable.
Rapemeal versus soya
Maxammon and pH
The nature of Maxammon allows higher levels
of grain to be utilised in all diets. With optimum
rumen pH for thorough digestion ideally being
around 6.2, Maxammon grain which has a high
pH between 8.5 and 9, will increase the pH in
the diet helping to attain an optimum rumen
environment resulting in:
Product news
Improved rumen function will reduce the issues
associated with poor rumen function, namely:
• Less foot and lameness problems
• Improved body condition
• Improved fertility
For more information on Maxammon and
advice on nutrition, please call your Mole Valley
Feed Solutions nutritionist or a member of the
Alternative Feeds team (see right).
Increased grain protein levels by around 30%
• Lifts wheat from 12.6%
protein to 17.6%
This season’s tight supplies of rapeseed for
crushing have pushed old crop prices higher,
while reports of high outputs of soybeans have
pushed prices down to 2011 levels.
The main UK crusher at Erith will not
commence crushing until 20th July, so prices
will remain firm until at least then and also
supported by the Canadian canola futures
which have risen on concerns over the effects
of dryness and frost on the growing crops.
Currently, growing conditions remain favourable
and the crop looks to be in good shape. The
EU 2015/16 rapeseed crop is estimated to be
22.3Mt and while this is 8% lower year on year
it is above the three year average.
• Lifts barley from 12.5% to
17.1% protein
• Current cost per unit
of protein is £6; a 4.5%
protein increase is worth
£27/tonne.
Lifton 01566 780261
Carmarthen 01267 223716
Hungerford 01488 240010
FARMING
News and event roundup
Success at the Royal Open Farm Sunday
ay success!
su
Cornwall Show
On Sunday 7 June farms opened
The Supreme Dairy Champion class
sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers was won
by Sahara Sanchez Raven. She is in her third
lactation and the Royal Cornwall Show was
her first show!
Owned by RK & SG Miller, Bridgwater,
Somerset and Gary Bagg who purchased
her as a three month old calf. She has
now produced seven daughters after being
flushed. Her next shows are the National
Livestock event and the South West Dairy
Show.
their gates to the general public.
Open Farm Sunday is managed
by LEAF (Linking Environment
And Farming) and is a fantastic
opportunity for everyone to meet
farmers who grow food and care
for the countryside and to find out
more about a farmer’s life.
This year, Robin Hawkey and David
Worledge went along to Hayden,
Martin, Wendy and Lisa Wallis’s
Penventon Farm, Helston. Farm
walks, tractor displays, test your
milking skills all helped those
attending learn about how food is grown and what
farmers do to care for our countryside. On behalf of
the family, Martin Wallis commented “We would just
like to say a huge thank you to all who helped during
our Open Farm Sunday event. We were overwhelmed
with the support we had from each and every
volunteer who gave up their time.
We had almost 1000 visitors to the farm during the 4
hours we were open, double the amount of our first
Open Farm Sunday in 2012, which is amazing.
We managed to raise £684 from tea and cake sales
and donations, which have gone to CLIC Sargent.
Porthleven School PTA managed to raise £316 from the
BBQ for the children at the School.
Photo L-R Brian Miller, Julie Edwards,
Martin Smith (handler) and David
Higman
Robin Hawkey and David Worledge
show how to milk a cow!
The feedback we have had from visitors, both on the
day and following, has been absolutely fantastic, with
many requesting us to put on such events twice a year
as opposed to only once every two years!!”
Forage for Profit - Focus farm
This month’s introduction to one of our Focus Farms looks at Hendre Llwyn Y Maen Farm and Marc and Nia
Jones. Forage For Profit is an initiative developed by Mole Valley Farmers in 2009, to encourage farmers to
focus on reducing inconsistency, while increasing productivity and profitability from forage.
Each Focus Farm, which will be supported over the next 24 months, has demonstrated an interest in
developing efficiencies in forage production. Each of them will receive specialist advice and support from our
technical teams. They will also be featured in our Newsletter, providing progress reports, discussing key issues
affecting farming businesses within the relevant sectors and hosting farm walks.
MARC AND NIA JONES, HENDRE LLWYN Y MAEN FARM, CONWY
Marc and Nia Jones of Hendre Llwyn Y Maen Farm have introduced a dairy
to the farm in the last couple of years and have set themselves an objective
to produce maximum milk from grass, therefore improving pasture quality.
They are focusing on forage utilisation
and herd health resulting in a low cost
profitable system. The Jones’s are
currently milking over 400 cows, which
are various cross breeds such as Irish
Friesians, New Zealand genetics, and
Jersey crosses.
Milk is sold to Arla with payments based
on solids (fats and proteins). The farm
is just under 400 acres of upland grass
which are loamy in type with heavier
clay in patches.
KEY OBJECTIVES
• Maximise milk from grass
• Improve pasture quality
• Minimise brought in feed
amounts
• Raise productivity from
grassland
• Minimise requirement for
additional labour
FARMING
The importance of iodine
Nigel Mapstone, Feed Nutritionist
At the end of April, the Guardian
newspaper and the BBC suggested that
drinking organic milk during pregnancy
might be harmful to the human foetus.
The study was carried out by researchers
from the University of Reading and
published in the journal, ‘Food Chemistry’.
This study compared samples of milk
taken from supermarkets during the
winter. It found that organic milk contains
around a third less iodine than standard
milk, regardless of fat content. However,
the iodine content in a normal 346ml
glass of organic milk was still enough to
provide the recommended daily iodine intake.
Although any danger to the human foetus has now been discounted,
provided the pregnant mother actually drinks milk, it is important that
organic and conventional dairy farmers understand the underlying
reasons why the deficiency was found. If milk is low in iodine, it is likely
that the animal producing the milk is also deficient. Clinical and subclinical
iodine deficiency can have serious effects in herds.
Effects include increased calf mortality (non-specific abortion, stillbirth,
weak calves, neonatal calf deaths); calf thyroid enlargement (also
in selenium deficiency); retained placenta and infertility (especially
suboestrus) in more than 10% of cows and heifers in affected herds;
reduced libido in bulls; lower milk yield in cows; ill-thrift in calves and
yearlings; reduced herd immunity to infections.
The milk samples in question were taken from supermarkets so the
organic samples would, by default, be from cows fed a high proportion
of forage. The conventional samples may have contained some milk
from low input systems, but bulked up with milk from high concentrate
mineralised feed system, so the iodine concentration will on average be
higher.
The level of iodine in pasture varies depending on plant species, soil type,
fertiliser treatment, climate and season. There is no clear relationship
between levels in herbage and rock or soil type. Iodine can be deposited
by rainfall, especially when clouds form over seawater, with coastal
regions seeing the highest level of pasture iodine. The typical level in
pasture grasses is 0.2-0.3mg/kg DM. Improved grassland usually has
higher iodine levels than unimproved - a high percentage of pastures in
upland Wales are recognised as being low in iodine.
Low iodine content in the soil leads to primary deficiency. Secondary
deficiency results from ingestion of the goitrogen thiocyanate found in
brassicas and legumes. Selenium is also required for the conversion of
iodine in the thyroid and so selenium deficiency may lead to a secondary
iodine deficiency.
In conclusion, cattle and sheep on spring grass or stubble turnips fed low
levels of mineralised concentrate or without mineral supplementation are
most likely to be deficient in iodine.
Recognised methods of iodine
supplementation
Mineralised compound feed – all MVF organic dairy
compounds have a high iodine inclusion.
Mineral powder added to forage or TMR - MVF can
formulate a specific mineral to meet your farm needs.
Mineral lick buckets – The Rumigan range of buckets
Mineralised salt licks – Red Mollicks or iodised salt
Trace element bolus – Various available from your local
MVF branch.
We recommend you contact your nutritionist or Feed Solutions
adviser. Farm Sales Co-ordinators based at all Mole Valley Farmers
branches can offer guidance on feeds and trace element boluses.
Organic raw material supply
In March 2015 a consignment of Ukrainian
organic sunflower to the Netherlands was
found to be contaminated. The EU stopped
further imports until testing procedures could
be improved.
The Ukraine produces over 300,000 tonnes of
organic feed ingredients, of which almost half
is imported to the EU via the Netherlands. The
UK imported 70,000 tonnes.
that this would take months to resolve, so at
present there are no threshold levels, making
shippers very nervous to import and certifiers
to give accreditation.
On 15 April the Ukrainian certification body
for organic feed materials (EKTO) closed its
doors. Therefore, there will be no further
exports until new control measures and a
new certification body have been set up; this
may take some months! There are now only
limited volumes of Ukrainian organic materials
in UK stores.
The Ukraine supply provides up to 50% UK
organic wheat, 75% organic maize, 90%
organic sunflower and 90% organic rape.
Shippers are trying to source alternative
supplies, but there is no one rushing forward.
There are limited supplies of Indian/Chinese
sunflower and rape and premiums between
£150 and £200/t for a far lower specification
material.
Meanwhile, the UK trade bodies and Defra are
holding weekly conference calls to keep up to
date and are chasing for interim measures in
the case of raw material outages.
Over recent years some 70% of organic raw
material imports have been sourced from the
Ukraine where the very deep topsoil favours
a high yielding organic production. As the
Ukrainian farmers only receive a small premium
for organic crops they have now dumped their
organic feed materials into the conventional
market as they are desperate for money. This
problem is now affecting the sunflower, rape,
peas, maize and wheat market.
In Brussels, the main problem is that there is
a complete split in the interpretation of the
test results and residue levels. Historically,
test results of two decimal points for parts
per million have been accepted as a low
threshold. But some member states want this
to be zero and where found, they want the
organic feed/material to be downgraded to
conventional. Obviously this is a major issue
for the supply chain. The Commission stated
Mole Valley Feed Solutions is reformulating
its organic compounds to spread the raw
materials we have till new crop becomes
available. This will inevitably increase costs
as organic soya is brought in to replace
the cheaper proteins. At present, there are
no offers of organic rape in any volume
and limited supplies of proteins from other
sources. Soya is available from China,
Kazakhstan or India, but the supplies are
tight as the US is a major importer to feed its
growing organic livestock industry.
For all intent and purposes, this is a ‘Force
Majeure’ situation. Though these words do
not exist in the Ukrainian vocabulary!
FARMING
Finishing suckler bred cattle at 18 months
can pay dividends
Lachie Maclachlan, Beef and Sheep Specialist
As reported in Robert Forster’s Beef Industry Newsletter, Scotbeef are urging
breeders and feeders in Scotland to sell spring calved cattle at 19 months old
for slaughter, to avoid the oversupply created during January-June when 24
month old stock come forward. This is sound advice, particularly for breeder
– finishers, as the cattle do not have a growth check, going through the
store market over the first winter period.
These younger cattle, which are fed to maintain a consistent DLWG are
far more likely to hit supermarket specification and so avoid penalties for
being overfit or overweight that older animals often trigger.
In 2010 almost 69% of its mainly suckler bred throughput classified R
with 23% O and just 8% U grade. Remember that a lot of Scotbeef’s
cattle are Aberdeen Angus, therefore mainly R/O grade.
Scotbeef processed almost 110,000 cattle last year when 18% were
U with an average age at slaughter of 749 days (24 months) and an
average carcass weight of 386kg. R grades accounted for 62% of the kill
and finished within 751 days at 342kg. This contrasts with O grade cattle
which made up 19% of throughput, but finished at an average of 800
days (26 months) to deliver a 310kg carcass, which meant that the O’s
took 50 days longer than Us to finish and produced 30kg less beef!
Scotbeef’s other message is that beef retailers do not want to buy cuts
taken from big cattle and that finishing stock over a longer period to put
on more weight does not pay. It highlighted the efforts of one breeder/
feeder who turned out U and R classification stock slaughtered 162173 days (5½ months) below the company average of 588 days (19½
months).
McIntosh Donald has reported that most of the cattle they process have
been on more than two farms and because of this are more likely to
have lost growth momentum and be presented overweight, and be in
the wrong fat class too, compared with cattle purchased from a breeder/
finisher unit.
Processors are encouraging suckler beef producers to finish some of their
cattle in 18/19 months to even out the supply through the year as the
recent swing to almost total spring calving creates a prime cattle glut 24
months later, which is one reason why ex-farm prices over February-June
have been disappointing for the second year in succession.
However, breeders and finishers are more inclined to the view that prices
crashed, yet again, because of the Euro-Sterling exchange rate problems,
combined with supermarkets being keen to pay even less for beef they
put on their shelves. They also insist that they have to breed from
medium sized cows, which are more durable and cost less to feed than
the larger, often Continental cows.
For a March born calf to hit the 340kg (640 LW) target weight at 19
months it would need to achieve 1kg per day which is a modest goal
for a well bred beef animal. This animal, if creep fed, grazed on good
quality grazing and when housed fed good quality silage (11.0 ME plus
and 12-14% protein and around 30% dry matter, with a small amount of
concentrates, should achieve a kg a day growth rate throughout its life
without any problem at all. If the calf has a birth weight of 35kg (AA)
then it has to achieve 1.06kg per day throughout its life. Although this
article is about cattle in Scotland there is no difference if the cattle are
reared and finished in Wales or the south west of England, it is all the
same type of animals reared and fed on similar regimes. Good genetics,
good quality silage and high grazing quality are imperative for this to
work.
Call a member of the Red Meat Team for
advice on getting the best from your beef
herd and products available from
Mole Valley Farmers. FeedLine 01278 444829
BRANCH
Highlights for July on animal health
Product focus for July
GREAT
VALUE
Spot On
Fly and lice 5L
Molecare fly treatment
Deltamole pour-on for cattle,
is the latest addition to our
own brand ‘Mole’ range of
animal health products.
Available at all our stores,
Deltamole is manufactured by
a market leading pharmaceutical company, so
quality and effectiveness is assured.
Flies and midges are not only a nuisance to
cattle, they can also transmit major, costly
diseases such as summer mastitis, New Forest
Eye and the Schmallenberg virus and also
cause significant production losses.
MVF CODE
1085013
Summer mastitis
Up to 60% of herds are likely to experience
summer mastitis each year. It is difficult to
treat successfully, often results in the loss of an
affected quarter and reduces milk production
by around 10% and can result in premature
culling, as well as labour and veterinary
expenses.
GREAT
VALUE
Flypor
3L
MVF CODE 18581B
Fly control products
AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL BRANCH
Select which type of fly control
product you need or prefer
from our range at all branches.
Deltamole
Pour-on for cattle
For the control of biting
and nuisance flies,
biting and sucking lice
The head fly transmits bacteria that causes
summer mastitis and one breeding cycle is
enough to produce swarms throughout the
summer season. Some fly species are remaining
active for longer, with activity spreading into the
winter months with wet mild winters making
an explosion in fly and midge populations more
likely, as the weather warms up.
It is important to keep on top of the insect
problem through the summer. Different fly and
midge populations peak at different times as
waves of attackers hatch. Regular applications
of Deltamole will reduce the insect threat
and help control any biting and sucking lice.
In addition, aim to reduce potential insect
breeding sites and consider housing livestock at
dawn and dusk if insects are particularly active.
Deltamole gives 8-10 weeks fly and lice
protection from a single application.
Speak to an SQP at your
local branch about animal
health products
Pick up a copy of our
Deltamole leaflet at your
local branch
•
The unique micronised formulation
of Deltamole enables effective spread over the body.
•
The deltamethrin within Deltamole is highly lipophilic
which means it binds onto the natural oil secretions of
the coat to improve coveragee
and provide long protection.
•
Provides up to 8-10 weeks
protection against nuisance
flies, biting flies and lice.
Deltamole Pour-on for cattle
FARMING
Control flies before they get to your stock
Richard Turner, MRCVS, MoleCare FarmVets
Fly control on farms is often carried out at the
animal level with the application of products to
stock to try to prevent flies from either causing
annoyance or spreading disease to animals. To
properly control flies the farm needs to adopt
a fully integrated system of fly control based
on both killing adult flies, disrupting the fly life
cycle and finally attracting flies to areas where
they are either trapped or killed.
Flies not only cause annoyance to livestock,
they also most importantly spread disease. The
fly either carries animal pathogenic bacteria
passively from one animal to another such as
summer mastitis or, actively within its gut. Fly
droppings in food premises present a great
risk of transmission of a range of diseases with
salmonella being especially important.
The first stage of an integrated approach is to
attract flies away from areas where animals
congregate such as handling yards. This can be
with the use of fly traps containing attractants
which are hung a little distance away from the
animal handling areas. The attractant is very
important and some just don’t work in the UK.
We strongly recommend Redtops as a very
effective, less toxic approach and the attractant
seems to work well. Don’t place them too close
to the animals as they will draw flies in to an
area, and make sure they are changed when
overloaded with flies.
Stage 2. It is very effective to place baits
which will kill flies on contact. These can be
placed nearer to the handling areas and act
as a second line of defence. There are two
main products, either a granular bait such
as Fly Select which is best placed in trays on
high walls out of animal reach. This can also
be placed on cardboard and sprayed lightly
with water. It can then be hung high in areas
above animal housing. The other approach uses
another chemical and attractant and is sprayed
on walls. The product we recommend for this
area is LD 100. Both these products have
attractants added and. kill flies on contact They
are effective, but need regular replenishing and
care must be taken when applying to ensure no
food is contaminated and most importantly they
are out of the animals’ reach.
The third stage is to adjust the fly cycle by
using a larvicide. Many flies lay eggs in moist
areas of old dung, food material and waste
animal dairy based feed. This can be around
calf pens, alongside dung heaps and in dumps
of waste material. The fly maggot takes about
5-10 days to develop depending on species and
temperature. Warm wet weather will suddenly
increase fly levels and it is very important to
look closely around the farm buildings to see
where flies are breeding. Dung applied to the
surface of fields which contains fly pupa will
lead to a hatch and new adult flies will come
into the buildings. The larvicide (we recommend
Staburex S2) changes the maggot so that it
fails to develop into a normal fly and dies.
If the chemical approach is not for you, then
consider a fully integrated plan using predators
to kill flies. This is used in poultry farming (see
www.bioflycontrol.co.uk) and for a plan to
suit your farm or stables contact Will Kittow in
Molecare Veterinary Services on 01392 872886.
First line defence
Fly Select - attracts and kills
ll by
b contact
ntact
nta
ct o
orr
Redtop Fly Traps
ingestions.
Spread granules on paper trays or moisten to
spread on boards to hang in areas where flies
are a nuisance but away from where other
animals can reach them.
Trap up to 20,000
flies. Hang in
sunlight outdoors
to attract flies
out of buildings
(such as milking
parlours and
cubicle houses).
400g £17.46 • 2kg £65.71
£9.99 per pack
Second line defence
LD100 – kills flies on contact.
Paint or spray onto
the inside walls,
windows and door
frames of animal
housing or milking
parlours.
Dilute 250g to 2L of
water. Add sugar for
painting.
250g £22.50 • 1kg £75
If all fails have
sticky papers
hanging in areas
where the last flies
get through, which
is hopefully not
many!
Third Line defence
Staburex – larvicide kills by
altering the maggots normal
development.
Dry scatter 500g over 20m² or
dilute 500g to 5L water to spray
over 20m². 20kg £194.
To order these products, please call us at the
practice in Exmouth on 01392 872886
These products are all available delivered direct to farm
Call Will Kittow at MoleCare Farm Vets on
01392 872886 to place your order will@stdavids-farmvets.co.uk
FARMING
Monmouthshire farmer takes
the reins as Royal Welsh
Agricultural Society President
Every year the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society appoints a
president from a different Welsh county and this year the honour
has fallen on Mole Valley Farmers farmer shareholder David
Morgan from Monmouthshire.
David Morgan and his daughter, Sue Smith
With experience running the family’s 220 cow
Trostrey Herd of pedigree Holsteins, together
with a 135,000 bird broiler unit and building
firm, a passion for Welsh agriculture runs in his
veins and will no doubt drive his money raising
efforts this year.
Since David took over the family farm in
Usk in the sixties, the business has evolved
significantly, but technology and the latest
thinking has always been at its heart. “We
like to think we’re forward thinking,” says
David. “About 35 years ago I spent £48,000
on our first computer for design work in our
steel business and it put us years ahead of
our competitors. It made me realise what
computers were capable of.”
Trostrey Farm nestling in the
Monmouth hills near Usk
As a result, when the farm decided to move
from beef, sheep and cereals into milk
production in 1979, the herringbone parlour
had all the bells and whistles. “It had auto
recording and ACRs. When we installed it we
were ahead of the game and we have been
recording every drop of milk produced from
each cow for the last 25 years,” he explains.
In 2001, the business took it one step further
and decided to house cows and install three
Lely Astronaut robotic milkers, new cubicles
and automatic scrapers.“We felt the cows
were capable of more yield and by installing
robots we were in effect moving to three times
a day milking. We’re probably averaging 2.7
visits to the robot a day now,” he says. Again,
the robots have all the added extras to help
monitor and maximise herd performance.
David’s daughter, Sue Smith, who manages
the herd explains: “We have heat detection
and rumination monitors with information
automatically downloaded as cows come into
the robot. It’s particularly helpful in identifying
heats and helps flag up possible displaced
abomasums or cases of mastitis,” she says.
Milk conductivity monitors also assess for
mastitis with all the information used to make
more informed management decisions. Since
making the changes, yields have increased
from 6,000 litres a cow a year to 9,800 litres,
thanks to a combination of factors including the
robots, better genetics, housing and feeding.
When it comes to feeding, the Morgans draw
on the advice of Mole Valley Farmers ruminant
specialist, Colin Jones. David says his input
is hugely valuable. “Colin is an important
management aid to our business. We have a
long term relationship and he helps maximise
the performance of the herd,” he says. “We buy
all our feed through Mole Valley Farmers.”
As part of his role as president of the Royal
Welsh Agricultural Show, David is tasked with
raising funds to help develop the facilities at the
Royal Welsh show ground at Builth Wells - the
largest open air showground in Europe.
This year, David has decided to focus
money raising efforts on remodelling the
equine area. So far the committee has
realised £60,000, thanks to a number of
events including quizzes, horse shows and
frog racing and David planned the Welsh
National Tractor Road Run held on 31 May.
“The remodelling of the equine area is
a 3-4 year project. We are using our
fund raising to kick start the Equine
Development Programme and I hope
following counties will follow our lead,”
says David. Work to upgrade the terraces
to improve parking in readiness for new
stables will start immediately after this
Royal Welsh Show
20-23 July
Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SY
Showcasing the cream of Welsh
livestock and the high quality food and
drink produced in Wales, the show
encompasses the wider spectrum of
farming and rural life and bridges the
gap between town and country. Buy
tickets on line at:
www.rwas.co.uk
STOP PRESS
Our congratulations go to David who was
awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday
Honour’s list for his services to Agriculture
and his charity work.
year’s show. David explains why the
equine area is so important: “The Welsh
Cob Show is world famous and I want it to
be promoted so people can export more.
The Royal Welsh is a great showcase of all
the wonderful stock and other things we
have in Wales,” he says.
Julie Edwards, Agri Marketing and
Corporate Communications Manager
said “We are proud that David has the
honour of being the 2015 President. He
has more than demonstrated his business
acumen in managing and developing
his own range of farming enterprises,
being forward thinking and prepared to
invest where this improves both efficiency
and profit margins. These skills will be
invaluable when brought to bear upon the
fund raising to improve facilities at the
Show and the other vital aspects of his
presidency.”
“Mole Valley Farmers are delighted to
support the Royal Welsh Show and are
extremely pleased to have a marquee at
the show plus the opportunity to sponsor
the Continental Sheep Champion class”.
FARMING
Suzanne Smyth, Arable Trader
CEREALS
Variability of yield
We have argued for many years that yield results of cereal varieties
should be more closely looked at before making a decision. Some can
have ‘one off’ years in producing an outstanding figure which can distort
the overall mean in the HGCA Recommended List. It is therefore of real
interest to see NIAB TAGs recent Consistency data.
Varietal yields can vary tremendously from site to site and year to year,
it is therefore important to look at selecting varieties that are going to
offer consistency. One reason why JB Diego has proven so popular over
the years is its consistency to perform and ‘do what it says on the tin’.
Consistency data allows you to assess variety potential as well as risk and
helps you to make an informed choice and manage varieties effectively.
Both group 1 varieties KWS Trinity and Skyfall clearly show a yield
advantage, but offer a narrower window. Although the potential of both
these varieties isn’t huge, they both massively decrease the risk of getting
a low yield, which pushes the mean up which can only be a good thing.
Group 2 newcomer, KWS Lili has a similar effect, offering a high yield
as well as consistency across sites and years, with bags of potential at
relatively low risk. Zulu remains the most consistent group 3 variety. The
new high yielding variety Britannia, whilst showing a wide range, has a
low yield point similar to Zulu, but with a much higher potential, so while
the risks are similar, the chance of a very high performance is far better
with Britannia.
Revelation is the most consistent feed variety with Grafton, Reflection
and KWS Kielder being the most variable. However, despite its variability,
Reflection’s combination of a high low point (low risk) and high potential
does offer opportunities.
Consistency data
Varieties for autumn
Winter Wheat
We have some exciting new varieties in this autumn’s portfolio. Firstly,
Nelson winter wheat which is perfect for the feed farmer wanting tall
straw, cleanliness, good yields and a big bold sample with high protein
and specific weight potential. As a German E quality wheat (the highest
rating for milling Germany), it is also suitable to those looking to
achieve a milling premium, therefore, really hitting the mark as a dual
purpose variety.
Costello is a new variety added to the recommended list for its grain
quality. Represented by the same agents as JB Diego, Costello is sure
to be an extremely popular variety, offering a 2% yield increase over
JB Diego, the highest specific weight and the highest protein potential
of any feed variety on the Recommended List. Although this is a short
variety, it has a high tillering trait, so shouldn’t be discounted due to its
height. Costello is a variety that will provide consistency, good disease
resistance, yield and excellent grain quality.
We recommend booking these two varieties early, as they are likely to
sell out quickly.
Varieties available: Britannia, Claire, Costello, Crusoe, Evolution,
Gallant, Grafton, JB Diego, KWS Kielder, KWS Lili, Leeds, Nelson,
Relay, Reflection, Revelation, Skyfall, KWS Trinity, Zulu
Winter Barley
KWS Cassia is the UK’s most widely grown 2-row feed barley and is
expected to take around 15% of the market. It has a combination of
high yield, sound straw characteristics and good disease resistance,
coupled with barley yellow mosaic virus resistance.
Varieties available: Carat, KWS Cassia, Florentine, KWS Glacier,
KWS Infinity, Talisman, KWS Tower, SY Venture, Volume (hybrid),
Bazooka (hybrid)
Winter Oats
Mascani is still the No.1 UK variety with up to 60% of the market, it
is early to mature and has excellent disease resistance, particularly to
crown rust. The excellent grain quality should continue to ensure its
popularity with the millers.
Varieties available: Dalguise, Gerald, Mascani, Selwyn
Triticale
Source: HGCA Recommended List
For more details on cereal seeds for Autumn,
call the SeedLine on 01769 576232 or your
local Farm Sales Office.
After its first year of trials, Securo is an exciting new triticale, which
has sailed straight through to its 2nd year on the official HGCA
Recommended List, as the top yielding variety. It is a tall triticale with
mid to early maturity. It has an excellent disease resistance package
and offers high proteins and straw production making it ideal for own
farm use.
There will be limited seed so we advise booking early.
FARMING
I seem to remember starting my last article
with a comment relating to it being very wet,
well guess what... it’s now too bloody dry!
Sitting here in early June, temperatures are
peaking at 34 – 35º C, grass growth has all
but stopped and swards are now starting to
burn off – not a comfortable position to be
in so early on in the year – the forecast does
suggest that this weather will break at the
end of this week (mid June), but what do they
know. Like many of you I suspect, we are
constantly making decisions on the back of a
supposedly accurate forecast, only to have to
bear the consequences/cost when it is wrong;
the forecasters still take home their pay cheque
though.
On the farm front we are fairly up together, 6 ha of
maize was drilled on the 15th May, nearly a month
later than last year, but the first time that soil
conditions and temperatures were suitable. We
have just bought a new maize drill with the
CUMA and I initially expressed misgivings as it
is substantially heavier than the previous drill.
I thought that our tractor would struggle with
the weight, however I still had one of the CUMA
Massey’s here so used that. I have to admit to
being really impressed with the drill, it created
perfect conditions around the seed to facilitate
quick and even germination and although early
days, the crop looks good at the moment.
Steve Hull and his family, who have been MVF members for 20 years and lived on both
sides of the Channel, gives us an insight into what farming in France has to offer…..
New Zealand, England and France
combine to get the shearing finished
this year it was a pleasure. Our predecessor
had installed 2 shearing stands and this was the
first time in 10 years that we have managed to
find shearers who are capable of using them.
Previous shearers have all sheared using the
“Montmorrillionaise” method, a style local to
here, which involves changing the hand-piece
from the right to the left hand half way through,
Shearing was completed on the 14th May – I
normally detest shearing, but I have to say that
The maize is in and growing well
Weighing wool before it’s collected
finishing with the sheep lying on its side with
the shearer kneeling on top - with all 4 feet
thrashing and wool flying in all directions. Also
on finishing, because they are used to shearing
in open pens, the shearer then stands up
and lets the sheep run off – not good when
you are trying to get a ewe down a chute!
FARMING
them down and bring them back here. Not
the easiest of things to handle, but not an
issue for Graham who is a real “no problem/
it’ll be alright” kind of guy, so they are now
sitting in the paddock waiting for us to decide/
agree on where we are going to put them,
but at €500 a piece they seemed too good
an opportunity to pass up on, or so I keep
telling Tracey! Other trips have seen us head
east to Clermont Ferrand to take the boys to
a poultry sale and recently west to Roulliac,
to a large open air market where most things
are sold. It was interesting to watch the locals
queue up at the eel stall, and walk away with
squirming carrier bags of live eels that they
had bought to take home to cook. These
trips remind us of just how big, diverse and
spacious a country France is, and well worth
a visit if anyone is thinking of an interesting
holiday.
Eels for sale at the open air market
Silaging started on 20 May with the CUMA team on farm
Last year the shearers started drinking beer
at 9am, to make matters worse, they won’t
catch their own sheep and only get through
about 120 – 130/shearer/day. Not this year
however - Tracey had seen an advert in the
feed merchants for shearing and given them
a ring. Along came Hugues La Chaume, a
young local French shearer who had sheared
in New Zealand and Jack Fagin, a travelling
competition shearer from NZ - what a dream
team. Just under 400 sheep clipped, including
40 Grey Faced Dartmoors, they caught their
own, no swearing, no temper tantrums and
finished by 5pm. Fingers crossed we will get
them again next year and by the time you
read this, Jack will have sheared at numerous
county shows across the UK and will have
shorn sheep throughout Devon, before moving
up to Cumbria.
The wool has already been sold and collected,
no wool marketing board over here, so our
prices are generally less than the UK. This
year it was sold at €1.50/kg including dags
and belly wool. Weighing it for payment is
always amusing and involves 2 of us with a
bent piece of wood on our shoulders from
which is suspended a scale and the wool sack,
not great for me as I am somewhat vertically
challenged and struggle to get the wool sack
clear of the ground, but the merchant is slowly
modernising. This year they had a digital
balance, previous years they have used a
brass sliding balance that looked like it dated
from Napoleonic times. The one great benefit
however is that a cheque is written out there
and then.
20 May saw us silaging with the CUMA team,
and 15ha were clamped in an afternoon, yields
were similar to last year which was pleasing
as a lot of neighbours were complaining that
they were down on last year as a result of the
late wet spring. The end of May saw us start
hay making with a vengeance in near perfect
conditions. A heavy crop which I finished
mowing at 12.30pm last night has been turned
twice today and will probably bale tomorrow
afternoon. Two days to make a crop of hay
indicates just how hot and dry it has been.
There have also been a few trips out and about in
the last few weeks, an advert selling second-hand
feed silos saw me enlist the services of good friend
and neighbour Graham Burden. We trundled
off a couple of hours south in his lorry to take
Neighbour Graham Burden helps with
the new feed silos
• The farm extends to 335 acres within a
ring fence and is approximately 800’ - 850’
above sea level.
• Annual rainfall is in the region of 40”/year
but extremely seasonal.
• Stocking and cropping consists of a flock
of 525 Texel/Charollais ewes, a small
pedigree flock of Greyface Dartmoors and
50 Limousin suckler cows.
Approximately 10-20 acres of forage
maize and 20-30 acres of triticale are
grown annually. Approximately 25 acres
are down to woodland/ponds/buildings.
• Investment in machinery is kept to a
minimum through membership in a
CUMA, a farmer owned machinery and
labour ring.
• The Hull family can be contacted at
steven.hull@wanadoo.fr
FARMING
Harvesting essentials
For all your
harvesting
needs, be it
tractor diesel or
Adblue, call our
team now
01769
575668
The only number
you need for
all your fuel
requirements
Krone self propelled forage harvester cutting whole crop winter wheat for silage near Pewsey, Wiltshire July 2014
twine • netwrap • clamp covers • oil • fuel
As the cereal harvest begins to pick up
the pace and second or even third cuts of
grass for hay or silage is occupying many
farmers minds, the demand for the essential
accessories can become intense. Whether it’s
fuel for the combine or tractor, oil for the grain
dryer, or having enough baler twine in the
shed to complete the job, just give us a call
and we will do our best to help you out with a
quality product at a reasonable price.
Crop packaging is also a very important area
as there are a number of options available
to answer your individual requirements. The
netwrap sector has become quite sophisticated
in recent years and our Performance HD has
been very popular with our customers. Big
bale stretch film is also changing with the
introduction of a clear film, Agri Crystal, and
staff will be able to discuss this with you. We
still carry good stocks of Silotite and Total Bale
Plus.
We have a wide range of coverings for silage
clamps, starting with Clingfilm, then to black sheet
and finishing the job with NoTyreTex or another
new product to the offering, Sila-Cover 300.
See next page for more details.
Call Nigel Cockwill, Crop Packaging Specialist
to discuss your requirements and place order.
07786 855223
Our Crop Packaging Product Guide gives
information on the range of products supplied
by Mole Valley Farmers.
TamaTwines
From the lightest to the heaviest, we have
a twine to suit your needs.
FARMING
Silage pit covers
Guide to calf rearing systems
At a time when farm gate prices are
experiencing universal pressure, it is even
more important to preserve winter feed stocks
in the best condition possible.
Gone are the days when a single sheet
of black plastic, held down with worn out
car tyres is the norm. This is now being
superseded by a triple layer of Clingseal,
followed by a black plastic sheet and a heavy
duty woven polythene cover, all held firmly in
place with gravel filled bags. This system has
become more common in recent years, due to
its simplicity and ease of use. The protection
it gives the crop is evident by the lack of any
spoilage when it is uncovered in the winter.
We have supplies of the various sizes and
grades of the sheets available in our branches
at competitive prices, however it is not always
possible to have a specific size available
for immediate collection. Therefore, we
recommend customers ensure they have what
they need well before the forage harvester
starts up.
We offer a choice of products for the
woven over sheet. Both are heavy duty and
manufactured to a high standard. Sila-Cover
300 from Galebreaker is available through
Mole Valley Plus and is delivered direct to farm
and NoTyreTex is available ex branch.
by Volac
It’s a good idea to review your calf rearing
system regularly, ideally every year, simply
to keep up with the improvements that have
been made in cattle genetics, yet calf feeding
and management practices have lagged
behind, which may be preventing animals from
achieving their true genetic potential.
There is an array of calf rearing systems to
choose from - individual pens or hutches fed by
buckets, or groups fed by machines. It’s a case
of selecting the system which fits your own
bespoke action plan for your farm.
•
If calves do become ill, they should be
separated during any treatment which then
requires individual penning
•
The feeding machine needs to be kept very
clean to limit spread of infection between
calves and ensure tubes don’t get blocked
•
Ad-lib systems pose difficulties in controlling
amounts of milk taken by calves because
they feed as often as they like. This can lead
to nutritional scours when calves take too
much milk and make weaning harder as it
can be difficult to reduce intake of milk and
encourage concentrate feeding
1 Individual pens or hutches:
for example, buckets, buckets with teats
•
Calves get individual attention and feeding
•
Feeding can be controlled very precisely
with measured amounts given in one or
more daily feeds. Problems are evident if
milk feeds are not taken
•
Exposure to infections, particularly those
causing scours, are vastly reduced as mixing
is minimal
The cons
NoTyreTex
It can be harder to check individual calves
are taking the correct amount of milk or
have stopped drinking which may indicate
an infection
Check out the following guide to calf rearing
systems.
The pros
Sila-Cover 300
•
•
3 Group rearing (programmed
feeding):
for example, computerised feeders
The pros
•
Far less labour intensive and more calves
can be kept on the same floor space
•
Calves can socialise more easily and exercise
more freely
•
Calf collars or tags with microchips identify
calves individually and control feeding levels
precisely. The systems prevent overfeeding
- the machine stops delivering milk to calves
that have already had their programmed
daily ration of milk
•
Computerised feeding systems identify
calves that don’t take in their daily amount
and alert the stockman to investigate that
particular calf
•
Computerised feeding systems can deliver
all the benefits of machine feeding with
some of the individual management benefits
of an individual rearing system.
Labour intensive and requires a large area
for relatively small numbers of calves
•
Limited socialisation
•
Calf exercise limited.
•
Restricted feed could limit growth rates
2 Group rearing:
for example, Milk Bar, ad-lib systems
MVF Code
Size
Price
39432
7.2m x 13m
£112.50
39433
10.8m x 14m
£181.50
39434
12.2m x 15m
£219.50
The pros
•
Less labour intensive and more calves can
be kept on the same floor space
•
Calves can either be fed in troughs at
defined intervals, often following on from
individual pens, or from a machine where
feeding is on an ad-lib basis rather than at
set times, so it’s more likely to represent the
calf’s natural feeding pattern
Sila-cover 300
Direct to farm
Order from Mole Valley Plus
01769 576201
NoTyreTex
Available ex branch
Call in and collect
•
Calves can socialise more easily and exercise
more freely
The cons
•
Infection spread is easier in larger groups,
particularly scours and pneumonias
The cons
•
Infection spread is easier in larger groups,
particularly scours and pneumonias
•
The feeding machine needs to be kept very
clean to limit spread of infection between
calves, and ensure the tubes don’t get
blocked
If you are interested in reviewing your system,
call your Mole Valley Farmers’ sales contact.
FARMING
Maintaining permanent grassland
Graham Ragg, MVF Senior Agronomist and Product Manager
Many farmers regularly renew their pastures as part of a cropping rotation
which contains cereals, roots and possibly maize. This allows the 3-5 year
leys to be used, which enables the use of modern high performance grass
varieties. It also provides an opportunity to keep weed grasses and broad
leaf weeds under control.
However, every farm will have fields which are best maintained as
permanent pasture. These can be very productive if they are maintained
appropriately. Sometimes these become worn-out, often containing
considerable amounts of ‘weed grasses’ or broad leaved weeds which
reduces the yield and quality of the forage. Reseeding by traditional
cultivation may not be practical in some situations, but when a pasture
needs reinvigorating and is infested with weeds there are options
available.
A good starting point is to understand how the different grass fields are
performing on the farm. Silage fields can be measured and recorded by
calculating the yields per acre of silage harvested for each cut over the
season. This often throws up as much as 50% difference between the
best and the worst field. This then gives some basis to begin to identify
the reason for the difference. These could include problems with the soil
structure, sward composition, nutrient status or it could be a combination
of all three.
Mole Valley Forage Services has a national team of qualified crop
nutritionists and agronomy experts that can help you assess your field. It
is a good idea to walk around the farm with the agronomist so any issues
can be discussed in the field. So go armed with a spade, soil sampler and
notebook to record sward composition and see the evidence for yourself.
Testing for pH and major nutrients, such as phosphate and potash, can
reveal deficiencies which will have
a major bearing on plant growth.
Only one of the major nutrients
needs to be low or deficient to
severely limit grass performance.
Even if the major nutrients are
sufficient, a more in-depth broad
spectrum soil analysis could be
useful to ‘fine-tune’ any minor
nutrient problems. Applications of sulphur incorporated in an after-cut
fertiliser can boost yields by as much as 30% on deficient soils.
Dig some holes in the ground to identify possible compaction layers at
approximately 5cm for compaction caused by sheep or 10cm created by
cattle. This can be rectified by using soil aerators to go through these
shallow ‘soil pans’. The hole might reveal a plough pan at 15-20cm which
could require subsoiling, preferably done in drier periods when this
deeper pan could be shattered to help root growth and water and nutrient
uptake. In wet spots or wet fields a more expensive option of land
drains and ditching may be necessary. Sward assessment is essential to
understand your fields. Once the perennial ryegrass level falls below 50%,
production and quality will be severely compromised. Raking out agrostis
(bent grasses) with a tine rake can be useful to stop the spread. This can
be followed by another raking and the broadcasting of some vigorous
Just sprayed for dock control
The same field after sprays and overseeding
overseeding grass seed mixture to fill in the gaps. The same method of
tine overseeding can be adopted to introduce clover into swards which
will increase protein percentage and fix some additional nitrogen to the
soil. Clover seed could also be spread in either the slurry or when artificial
fertiliser is applied.
If the sward assessment has 5% or more dock, thistle or nettle
infestation, a grassland herbicide should be used. Left unaddressed the
problem normally becomes worse. Having made some improvements
to the grass, perhaps the most important area of all is grassland
management. Treat the grass as your ‘best friend’. Make sure you don’t
abuse it and cherish the potential reward it can give you.
Premier Ley Grass Seed – Late summer reseeding
Early order discount
Discount – 10% price reduction for early orders
From 27 July until close of play Friday 14 August 2015 with delivery by end of August 2015.
For full details contact the SeedLine on 01769 576232
01769 576405
What lies beneath
New and existing leys under threat from insect attack
Mark Shaw, Grassland Agronomy
Ahead of my article next month on best practice
for establishing autumn reseeds, I thought we
would take a look at two prevalent soil pests for
both existing and new sown leys, as at a recent
conference I was shocked to learn that as much
as 40-50% of new reseeds don’t receive any
protection from these threats - namely, frit fly
and leatherjackets.
2-3 weeks later and the larvae then live and
feed within the soil substrate until pupation
the following May to June. Unlike many other
common pest species, Leatherjackets will stay
active and continue to feed throughout mild
autumns and winters, only burrowing deeper
into the soil structure when soil temperatures
drop below their optimum.
Frit fly are a small (2-3mm) black fly. The
larvae or maggot stage of the fly’s life cycle is a
5-6mm long white maggot. Unlike wireworms,
they don’t have any legs and although they
have a much shorter life span than the
wireworm, they can produce three generations
a year. It’s when the fly is in it’s larval form the
damage occurs.
Due to the fact that approximately 90% of the
emerging adult population stay near to the
point of their emergence, the population will
continue to grow within the same field if left
unchecked.
The frit fly lay their eggs on the underside of
plant leaves and at their bases. The maggots
are quick to hatch and then tunnel their way
into the plant matter and begin feeding on
the core. Frit fly damage is often referred to
as ‘deadheart’ as the maggots feeding on
developing tillers result in dead centres to the
affected plants and leaves can be easily pulled
out without much effort. Unfortunately, grass
crops make the ideal breeding ground for frit
fly.
Mature crane fly, more commonly known as
Daddy Long Legs, can be easily identified by
their long thin body and thin legs. However, it
is the larvae known as leatherjackets that pose
the threat of predation to grass.
The leatherjacket is easily identifiable in the
field, often presenting a greyish or brown
leathery outer skin accounting for their common
name, they are a cylindrical elongate pest,
commonly reaching 40mm in size, they don’t
have any legs or obvious head.
The adult crane fly lay their eggs in grassland
leys and cereal crops between July and
September. The deposited eggs then hatch
Leatherjackets predate on the root and stem
systems of grass species either at or just under
the surface level. It has been known for a
leatherjacket infestation to completely destroy
a new ley.
Within established grass leys, leatherjackets
can lead to a reduction in yield and complete
bare areas in worst cases. The economic
threshold for leatherjackets is 1 million per
hectare. At this level of infestation the weight
of the leatherjackets present below ground can
be higher than that of the livestock grazing
above. Secondary damage can be caused to
new and established leys by the leatherjackets
predators, namely badgers, starlings, rooks
and crows. Instances can be commonly
observed where badgers have predated areas
where leatherjackets are present, causing
concentrated yet very destructive areas of
damage to the ley, resulting in bare patches
and uneven surfaces.
When looking to control any pest species it
is sensible to consider all control options, not
just reach for the closest canister of chemicals.
Control options to consider may include
mechanical, biological and chemical. Studies
and field observations have shown that the
mechanical preparation of a seed bed i.e.
ploughing can physically destroy up to 50% of
Leatherjacket
damage
the leatherjacket population in a given field.
Chemical control of leatherjackets and Frit fly
is achieved by using a chlorpyrifos pesticide
such as Dow AgroSciences Dursban WG. For
more information on this please call the spray
helpline or your local Mole Valley agronomist.
For more help and advice call Mark Shaw
on 07966 561599 or Dan Loe on 07816
324163 or the agronomy HelpLine on
01769 576297.
FARMING
Optimising grass now
O
MAXIMISE THE QUALITY OF LATE GRASS AND PREPARE FOR THE BEST START IN SPRING
Robert Mathews, Regional Sales Manager
Experience the double bonus effect from a
late summer application of soil conditioning
Foundation fertilisers by having a boost of
quality nutritious September to November grass
at the same time as allowing the plant to store
nutrients for an earlier spring start.
FACT:
Late summer/early autumn soil microbial
population is at its most active when soils
are warm and moist, resulting in maximum
mineralisation of plant nutrients from the soil
reserve and break down of organic matter.
FACT:
Early autumn roots naturally store energy to
prepare for tillering and spring growth. An
active well developed root system allows for a
bigger nutrient extraction capacity.
FACT:
Nitrogen and sulphur do not carry over from
one season to the next in a “free” state, it has
to be linked up with the organic matter and be
stored in the soil reserves. Any soluble N/S will
be leached from the system during the winter.
FACT:
A rapid surface pH boost increases the
availability of soil phosphate in below optimum
pH soils, resulting in a stimulation of roots to
search for more nutrients. A similar pH boost
can encourage an improved activity of soil
microbes – another double advantage.
FACT:
Regular chemical/conventional fertiliser
applications suppress soil microbe action
(acidifying) and encourage shallow surface
rooting and a proneness to late summer root
pulling in dry soils. Excessive slurry applications
also suppresses clover’s potential nitrogen fixing
capacity.
one application. Physalg phosphates are also
lower in heavy metals and contaminants than
traditional Gafsa based products with good
levels of selenium and micronutrients.
to pay them the attention they deserve. A
healthy, well-conditioned soil supports healthy
swards and crops and productive, profitable
enterprises.
Blending potash with Physalg phosphates
as a late summer/early autumn application
supplies adequate K for first cut and acts as an
antifreeze in grass, reducing the risk of winter
kill. Applying soil conditioning Foundation
products this time of year allows you to
address your PK requirements at a time most
beneficial to your plants and enables you to
take advantage of sourcing straight nitrogen for
spring and seasonal applications.
Cash in on that late summer soil mineralisation
boost, to prolong your autumn grass and
prepare your plant this autumn for a better
spring Kick-off with a dense, well tillered sward
for prolonged seasonal performance.
With soil being the biggest asset on any farm
and land values forever increasing, it’s time
Contact your local MVFS crop nutritionist now
to plan next year’s grass requirements that will
help get the best out of your soil and optimise
your grass growth.
Prepare and Kick-off
FACT:
Grass swards deteriorate faster when ideal
pH is not maintained and plant nutrition is
inadequate to sustain optimum growth. A
healthy, well developed plant with a good root
system and a symbiotic relationship with the
soil will perform consistently over a long period.
Physalg soil conditioning phosphates contain
active ingredients to encourage root stimulation
and multiplication of soil microbial population,
together with Calcimer, a unique, double action
marine calcium for a rapid and prolonged
release of calcium, essential for a strong rooting
system and animal health.
Physalg phosphates are ideal for a late summer
application as they are less prone to leaching
and naturally stabilised with a calcium bond,
allowing for an annual supply of phosphate in
01769 576405
FARMING
moleenergy
renewable energy solutions
01769 575674
In your workshop
If you need to avoid the costs of a tyre fitter
callout, why not ensure your workshop is
equipped with the tools you need to change a
tyre. Here are a few we stock.
Bead breaker
£68 25
£68.
MVF CODE 1538
Tubeless tyre lever - 34”
Roofing up the returns
Despite rumours that solar PV is no longer
viable following the first Feed-in-Tariff (FIT)
digression in December 2011, the Government
are still actively supporting this technology to
make installations more attractive than ever.
With panel prices much lower, you can still
expect a return on your investment of around
10-20%, including a significant saving on your
electricity bills. Banks and Building Societies
do not come close to this rate of return, with
the best savings accounts offering around 3%
according to the Money Saving Expert website
on 9 June.
Wood pellet fuel store
cleaning
£22.
2.30
MVF CODE 1539
Tyre lever - flat 24”
Once you have registered your FIT application,
your payments are guaranteed for 20 years
and are retail index linked. The FIT rate is
dependent upon the size of the system.
To date moleenergy have supplied over 670
solar systems ranging from 1.9kW to 500kW
and the numbers are quickly climbing.
Act now and call the moleenergy team today to
see the best return on your investment!
Cleaning your fuel store
• Make yourself aware of the risks involved
with cleaning the store.
• The easiest and most cost effective way
to clean the store is to run it empty
before a refill. moleenergy can supply
pellets in bags direct to site or you can
purchase a few bags from your local
branch to tie you over until your next bulk
blown fuel delivery.
£8.
8.00
MVF CODE 1542
Tyre lever spoon - 12”
£6.
6 80
MVF CODE 1543
Dewalt DCF889M2
torque wrench
• 2 x 4 Ah lithium batteries
• Complete with charger and kit box
• Ensure dust build-up and fines are
removed.
During the summer it is essential that you take
time to clean your fuel store. It is inevitable
that the store will accumulate small fragments
of wood pellets which may affect the efficiency
of your boiler and/or the fuel-feed to your
boiler.
One of our suppliers, Forever Fuels, have some
good advice for cleaning your store and also
offer a cleaning service.
Please give the moleenergy team a call if you
would like more information or a detailed
document on fuel store cleaning published by
Forever Fuels.
• If you cannot run the store empty, try
to plan a time when fuel level is low but
not affecting boiler operation. Order a
delivery in for that date and remove any
remaining fuel in the store immediately
before the delivery.
• While you are doing your summer
maintenance, don’t forget to remove any
obstacles (e.g. plant growth) that prevent
vehicles getting to your site.
• Don’t be tempted to leave the store and
hope for the best. If problems occur in
the winter, it will be more difficult and
costly to deal with the problem at a time
when you really need the heat.
moleenergy.com/renewables
FREEE
10 piece Teng
eng
impact socket
cket
set worthh
£34.92
MVF CODES 1082416-7
£309.80
Offers are available from 30/6/15 to 30/7/15 or whilst
stocks last
FARMING
Kit form buildings from Mole Valley Engineering
Mole Valley Engineering
The Forge, Witheridge, Tiverton, Devon
01884 860478 engineering@molevalleyfarmers.com
Our Engineering Division at Witheridge in north Devon has been
manufacturing agricultural buildings for many years. With solid
specifications and attention to detail, the team supplies standard kits and
bespoke buildings.
With years of experience both in design and manufacture, the team at
Witheridge are only a telephone call away from discussing your ideas
and plans with you, to help you get the buildings you need on farm, in
the livery yard, for the dairy parlour, or wherever you may need covered
space.
New specification kit form buildings
Following our recent EU certification, Mole Valley Engineering Division site
and personnel are now able to add the CE mark (No1224-CPR-0600) to
engineering work up to EXC2.
Following this we have introduced new specification kit form buildings
which are available from stock. These general purpose agricultural
buildings conform to EN1090-1 and meet the legal requirements for
European Conformity (CE) for agricultural buildings. They are supplied
as a complete kit for self erection or, if you prefer, we can supply a list of
experienced erectors that come with our recommendation.
Special attention has been paid to the selection of materials used in the
kit. The roofing material is Eternit Profile 6 Natural Grey Fibre Cement.
SPECIFICATIONS
An example of a kit form building from MV Engineering
Optional extras for your building
To complete your building we can supply extras such as cladding, gates,
doors, feeders and barriers to meet your individual requirements.
Specifications
Length
Width
Price
13.716m (45’)
9m (29’6”)
£6205
18.288m (60’)
9m (29’6”)
£7735
22.860m (75’)
9m (29’6”)
£9335
All buildings above are 4.5m (14’9”) to eaves. Other lengths available in
multiples of 4.572m bays.
Width
9m (29’6”)
Length
Multiples of 4.572m (15’) bays
Height
4.5m (14’9”) to eaves
Columns
254mm x 146mm x 31kg UB
Rafters
203mm x 102mm x 23kg UB
Construction requirements
Pitch
15 degrees
Roof bracing
88.9mm (3 1/2”) diameter
Eaves bracing
60.3mm (2 1/2”) diameter
Timber eaves purlins
175mm x 75mm (7” x 3”) C24 graded
Timber main purlins
175mm x 75mm (7” x 3”) C24 graded
Finish
Hot dip galvanised (BS EN ISO 1461)
Roofing
Eternit Profile 6 Natural Grey
Mole Valley Plus offer a wide range
of products for construction and
competitive prices on aggregates.
Mole Valley Farmers members
benefit from added discounts
negotiated on their behalf and
exclusive rates on a wide range of
products such as the hire of plant
machinery and builder’s merchant
products.
Roof Lights
G.R.P 2.44kg 2 per bay
Guttering
160mm diameter half round PVC
Delivery
Free (in our normal working area)
We offer a full design and manufacturing service for any size or
type of agricultural building. For more information, to check the
specification is suitable for your site or place an order, call the
Engineering Team on 01884 860478
Give the team at Mole Valley
Plus a call to find out more
about supplies and prices today 01769 576201
Ventilation systems
A comfortable cow is a productive cow
All animals have what is known as a ‘thermal
comfort zone’. A temperature range within
which the animal’s comfort is optimal. In
the case of dairy cows, this zone is between
-13°C and +25°C with a body temperature of
between 38.4°C and 39.1°C.
Hydor have over 50 years of ventilation
experience within a variety of livestock
applications and, in partnership with Mole
Valley Plus, have an extended range of products
designed to meet the challenging variety of
buildings and livestock held within.
With livestock being housed for up to 12
months of the year, attention is being focused
on ventilation as a key spoke of the wheel
to profitability and animal welfare alongside
nutrition, water, bedding and breeding stock.
The use of fans to provide positive control of
air speed and direction can improve cow health,
welfare and productivity.
High yielding cows are prone to heat stress,
therefore while we may wish and long for
summer sunshine our dairy herds are thinking
quite the opposite.
Heat stress can lead to:
• Reduced food intake
• Increased water intake
• Lower conception rates
• Lower calf weights
• Increased mastitis
• Reduced yield
01769 576201
The type and number of fans varies from farm
to farm, building to building, depending upon
usage, location and the herd being housed.
“Many farmers are obsessed with extracting
air from livestock buildings and believe that
knocking a hole in the gable end wall and
installing a fan will solve the problem” says
John Lack, Hydor’s General Manager. “In most
cases this achieves little and can often result in
airflow being short-circuited.”
Livestock ventilation system installed
in calf shed and below, our marquee
at the Royal Cornwall Show
“Where the air enters a building, is far more
important than where it leaves and with most
buildings having Yorkshire board side walls,
this results in multiple air entry points. In this
situation, there is no control over either the
speed or distribution of the fresh air, with some
areas subject to draughts while ‘dead’ pockets
of stale air remain in others” says John.
In such buildings, Hydor advise a tunnel
ventilation system, using either the Hydor HV
belt-driven fan units (available in sizes up to 2m
in diameter) or the Hydor air recirculation fan,
ideal for long direct thrusts of air (various sizes
and duties up to 630mm).
For calving and smaller units there are two
size options, either 450mm or 630mm of the
positive pressurised systems, using perforated
polythene ducting which will deliver an even
flow of clean air right down to animal level
without creating draughts. ‘The air is evenly
distributed and farmers don’t have to worry
how and where it leaves.
Belt drives
With continuing increases in temperature
over time, along with increasing herd sizes
and housing time frames the use of fans to
create airflow to help maintain a healthy, fresh
environment is increasingly important. Call the
Mole Valley Plus line for advice on the best
solution for your needs.
Look at your lighting
It is worth assessing the costs of traditional lighting in comparison with
LED. The cost of installing LED lighting can be neutralised over a short term
and makes a huge amount of financial sense. Also, studies have shown that
replicating daylight can maximise comfort for livestock which can result in
increasing milk yields.
Switching to LED is the most efficient way to achieve energy savings of
between 50% and 80% over standard fluorescent lighting and additional
savings can be made by the instalation of lighting controls e.g. setting your
lights to be at 200 lux for 16 hours per day and 20 lux for 8 hours per day.
SWITCH
TO LED
FOR COST
SAVINGS
LED lighting installed in a building
LED lights have a guaranteed lifetime of more than 10 years and require
no maintenance. They produce no ultraviolet light, so don’t attract flies as
conventional lighting does and do not flicker when switching on and off.
To find out more about replacing your current lighting for LED or
installing LED into new sheds or buildings, call Mole Valley Plus on
01769 576201
FARMING
NEW PARTNER
Water powered ram pumps
MVF Member
discounts
available
Water powered ram pumps were a common feature of many
farms and country estates before mains water and electricity
were introduced, now this sustainable technology is making
a comeback. The Papa Pump uses water pressure to activate
a valve system to pump water long distances with no other
external energy sources bar the flowing water.
Each Papa Pump can pump up to 20,000 litres a day – often over several
kilometres which can provide a valuable water supply for livestock all around the farm at a
fraction of the cost of mains or even bore hole water.
At first farmers don’t think such a small pump
can move water long distances, but the Papa
Pump’s power, simplicity and ruggedness
soon wins them over as it can work 24/7 in all
weathers, with minimal maintenance.
On the Caerhays Estate, Cornwall, the natural
water source was being polluted from soil
erosion and livestock waste. This has now been
prevented by a combination of fencing off the
stream and irrigation provided by the water
powered Papa Pump.
Arthur Broom, Farm Estate Manager at
Caerhays, joked ‘at first I didn’t think this pump
had the power but now it’s working non-stop to
fill up two troughs and even when the stream is
low it still provides a good flow’.
•Made from one piece of
plastic so no weak points.
•Flexibility and elasticity of
plastic reduces snagging
and ripped ears.
•Highly visible lifetime black
print unlike other tags.
3 of 6 pumps installed on the
Maristow Estate just outside of
Plymouth feeding 450 dairy cows
•Reinforced tip gives a
clean and easy incision
reducing infection.
2 pumps installed near Honiton lifting
water 130m vertically and 1.5km
distance to a header tank above farm
To place an order or
for further information
call our Tag order line:
0845 601 6926
For more information on the Papa Pump
and installation requirements, call Mole
Valley Plus on 01769 576201
July offer on Brookridge
Timber dog kennel
This pent roof kennel/run is 3m x 1.2m and
constructed of joinery quality timber shiplap
cladding. It is pressure treated (brown) and has
corrugated bitumen roof sheets underlined with
OSB boards. Completed with galvanised fixings and
wire it makes an ideal kennel for your dog or dogs.
For July, this kennel will be delivered and fitted free
of charge within the west country. It can also be
delivered flat packed if required.
Call Mole Valley Plus on 01769 576201
Moletag
•Stainless steel locking
washer means tags
physically cannot come
apart when connected.
All this can be achieved with a modern but
well proven advance on the very definition of
sustainable technology, RAM pumps, which,
after all, have been around for 100’s of years!
John Allen, Farm Manager at
Maristow Estate, viewing pumps
01769 576201
Livestock Identification System
BRANCH
Equine
Cushing’s syndrome
David Jackson, MRCVS, Molecare FarmVets
With the summer grass benefitting from sun and rain in plentiful supply at
the moment, the Molecare vets are seeing an increase in laminitis cases.
Horse owners have understood for many years that lush pasture can
trigger laminitis but that some horses are more susceptible than others.
However, in recent years the understanding of the causes of laminitis has
advanced considerably. It is now believed that many are attributed to an
underlying hormone disorder. This explains why, in a group of horses on
the same lush pasture, some will be laminitic and some won’t.
What is Equine Cushing’s Syndrome?
Equine Cushing’s syndrome or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
(PPID) describes the clinical signs that are seen in horses and ponies
suffering from increased levels of the circulating hormones cortisol
(steroid) and insulin. The exact cause of Cushing’s is not fully understood.
Veterinary research suggests it may be part of the normal ageing process
of horses and ponies as it tends to affect them over the age of 15 years.
However, it has also been associated with enlargement of a part of the
brain called the pituitary gland that produces a number of hormones
involved in controlling and regulating the body.
Common Signs of Cushing’s
• Excessively long and hairy
coat
• Laminitis
• Excessive drinking and
urination
• Lethargy
• Muscle wastage
• Fat deposits
How do the increased levels of hormones
affect horses and ponies?
The classic appearance of a horse or pony suffering from Cushing’s is an
excessively long and hairy coat due to failure of coat shedding.
More than 50% of horses with Cushing’s will suffer with laminitis. If
your horse has been suffering from recurrent bouts of laminitis it is
worth testing for Cushing’s. If it is present, your vet will be able to
advise you on a treatment and management plan to help prevent future
bouts.
Alongside these clinical signs, horses and ponies suffering from
Cushing’s will often also show:
• Excessive drinking and urination – difficult to notice when
horses are in the field but you may notice the stable being
wetter than normal when mucking out
• Lethargy
• Muscle wastage – loss of topline and pot bellied appearance
• Fat accumulation especially above the eye and in the
development of a cresty neck
• Predisposition to secondary infections such as dental disease,
skin problems and parasitic infections.
These clinical signs are not present in all cases of Cushing’s and the
severity will vary between cases.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome can be complex and problematic. In
advanced cases, it can often be diagnosed based on the clinical signs
Pony with Cushing’s Syndrome
alone. Normally a blood test will be required to confirm the diagnosis.
Your vet will select appropriate tests based on the time of year and
clinical signs seen.
Can Cushing’s syndrome be treated?
Cushing’s is a lifelong disease with no cure, but with sensible
management and the use of medical treatment when required, Cushing’s
can be controlled allowing horses and ponies to lead a relatively normal
life. The prognosis once a diagnosis has been made is however variable
and depends on the response to treatment.
In less severely affected cases often clipping of horses with excessive hair
coats is enough to keep them comfortable.
In more advanced cases the use of a drug called pergolide (Prascend) can
be of great benefit. This drug helps to regulate the pituitary gland in the
brain and, therefore, regulate the levels of circulating hormones.
It is also important to provide regular dental care, worming, keep your
horses’ vaccinations up to date and provide regular foot trimming.
Cushing’s syndrome is a dynamic disease that evolves over time;
therefore it is important that ongoing monitoring of affected horses
occurs. Through this you can ensure the correct treatment is being
provided.
If you are suspicious of Cushing’s or any other disease in your horses,
please discuss it with your vet. Early intervention will result in the best
possible outcome.
Molecare Farm Vets
South Molton
Pathfields Business Park,
South Molton, EX36 3LH
Tel: 01769 575618
Cullompton
Honiton Road, Stoneyford
Cullompton, EX15 1NU
Tel: 01884 836213
Frome
Standerwick, Frome,
Somerset BA11 2PN
Tel: 01373 852360
Newton Abbot
22 Battle Road,
Newton Abbot, TQ12 6RY
Tel: 01626 837806
Exeter
Nutwell Rd, Lympstone,
Exmouth, Devon, EX8 5AN
Tel: 01392 872934
24 hour contact
Professional healthcare
for your livestock
BRANCH
HORSE TALES
Summer shows and hard work for
the Allin family
by Katie Allin
The birthday flower of July is the lovely
larkspur, which symbolizes carefree summer
days, feeling lighthearted and just having fun.
Larkspur is a member of the buttercup family.
In Transylvania, dried larkspur was placed in
stables to keep witches from casting spells on
the animals. In England, larkspur flowers were
used to cure ailments and in Summer Solstice
celebrations.
Dad takes a picture whilst William
tops the pony paddock
Topping the paddocks
William has been helping daddy with topping
the pony paddocks, which includes cutting
the Larkspur family member - buttercups, an
undesirable plant to the horse owner, due to
it containing the toxin ‘glycoside ranunculin’. A
toxin that can cause irritation on contact to the
horses sensitive, white/pink skin such as the
lips, muzzle and lower limbs.
The good news is by improving the soil
quality (see March Horse Tails), topping and
harrowing breaks up any runners and slows
the growth of the plant and reduces buttercups
in the pasture. We have been using a push
along paddock topper for the small paddocks
and it really is a super piece of kit - a lot more
robust than the garden lawn mower, with an
adjustable handle so that you can easily cut
under electric fencing to prevent long grass
shorting out the current and it makes the field
look tidy. It also gets tight into the hedge,
cutting more than what a tractor and topper
could.
A time to catch up
July is also the month of many agricultural
shows. Our nearest is the Woolsery Show,
which we enjoy very much, on the beautiful
Clovelly Estate and it has a sort of intimacy,
where everyone seems to know everyone,
making it a great time to catch up, tell the tale,
get ideas from the trade stands and showcase
all your hard efforts in the show rings. Harriet
has done well showing ponies here, although
it has cost us a lot in silver polish for her cup
collection! It never fails to amaze me how such
a small person can be so gutsy, seeing her
riding around in the grand parade with all those
large cattle, sheep and horses fills you with a
combination of fear, but ultimately pride.
A rosette for Harriet at Woolsery Show
Ruby is coming along nicely and the warmer
weather allows her plenty of time to be out
in the field and her coat has taken on a real
shine, she’s becoming more balanced in her
school work and adapting well to riding shapes
in the arena, rather than the long straight lines
she was previously trained to do as a sprinter
racehorse. Next month, we plan to start
jumping, not my favourite thing - teaching a
horse to jump, as I know it’s inevitable for them
to get it wrong before they get it totally right. I
just hope my seat is good and I remain in the
saddle as I don’t seem to bounce as easily as I
used to.
there was a communication breakdown with
Harriet thinking she was going in one direction
and Cherry in another, resulting in a parting
of company, but I must say the air jacket
really did do as it says on the label and as
the lanyard went tight, indicating Harriet had
reached the point of no return, it inflated
around her vital areas and she landed with
a bounce rather than a thud. I feel as her
parent the air jacket combined with a good
quality fitted riding hat really saved the day
and by the afternoon she was bouncing on the
trampoline, playing with her friends, rather
than potentially sitting in A&E!
Air bags or jackets
A pony tea party
I’m thinking about getting an air jacket. To the
non-horsey folk they are rather like a car air
bag or life jacket you would wear on a boat,
they inflate very quickly around the neck and
trunk of the body, when the lanyard, which is
connected between the saddle and the jacket
separates. William and Harriet have one and
the other day Harriet’s came into play when she
borrowed Cherry (who is rather a big pony for
her, but try telling Harriet that) to do a round
of mini jumping at a local show, unfortunately,
Apparently, in Kent (where my new neighbour
has come from), a children’s pony party
normally consists of pony paper plates and
napkins. The West Country version however
seems to take it to a whole new level! Nutmeg
and her field companion Peanut, joined Harriet
and the girls for her birthday celebrations in
the kitchen! The ponies had their own party
hats, plates and apple and carrot kebabs,
much to the girls’ squeals of delight and the
groaning of the kitchen table.
Enjoy your July and hopefully you will get out and about to your local shows. Good luck and
ultimately have fun and enjoy what our beautiful British summer countryside offers.
Katie
Harriet and
friends having
fun at the
pony party!
BRANCH
Emma Massingale’ Island Project
and a great prize on offer!
WIN
a training weekend for you and your
horse with Emma Massingale
By the time this newsletter is with you, Emma will be nearing the end of her month on the island.
Her goal is to survive, completely alone, on an uninhabited island off the coast of Connemara,
Ireland with just 6 indigenous ponies for company. 4 of these ponies are from her existing liberty
team, and she has purchased 2 new, unbacked, unhandled Connemara ponies at the famous Clifden
horse sales. Her challenge is huge – to start (back) these 2 new ponies, with no enclosures, tack or
help, completely alone. Anyone that has worked with horses will know that this is no mean feat! It
will push her equine training skills to the limit, as well as her own personal limits. Her home for the
month will be a tent, and she is taking only basic provisions with her such as rice and flour – she
will be fishing/foraging the remainder of her diet.
We’re really proud to support Emma – her passion, determination and ambition to make this
happen are truly incredible. This project demonstrates the power of the extraordinary bond Emma
forges with her ponies, and shows how force is not necessary when training these sensitive animals.
You can find out more on our facebook page, and watch out for her on BBC’s The One Show, and
also BBC Spotlight soon.
You and your horse will stay at Emma’s
training centre in Devon on 7th–8th
November. You’ll learn about equine
behaviour and training, working with
your horse at liberty, as well as how to
build better relationships with your
horse.
This fabulous prize includes a
private demonstration by Emma
with her liberty team, one night’s
accommodation, breakfast and lunch
as well as stabling for your horse.
You’ll also get to meet the fabulous
stallion Marcus, star of the NAF Black
Beauty advert, as well as the two
newest recruits to Emma’s liberty team
from the Island Project – Evenos and
Echo.
Even if you don’t have a horse, you can
still enter, and come and learn with
Emma’s team.
With the ponies.
Enter on line at
molelevalleyfarmers.com/
emma-massingale or at
your local branch
Seafood feast foraged from the shores.
Liberty training
Preparing some bread with the
flour Emma took with her.
Emma is an incredible horsewoman watching
her liberty team is amazing. They work without
any tack, yet move in harmony, while she
Roman rides (stands on) the two central ponies
and gently directs them using just a schooling
stick and by talking constantly, in a low voice,
calling their names and instructing them where
to move next.
For the average horse owner this is a
revelation, as traditional wisdom says that
unlike dogs, horses respond predominantly to
physical, rather than oral commands.
Bathtub with a view!
Standing Roman on her gang.
gang
Watch out for Emma on The One Show and also BBC Spotlight!
FARMING
Alpacas - a growing UK industry
Article by David Sweetman, Ardent Alpacas
As semi-ruminants they eat mainly grass with additional supplements
for breeding females and cria. As a herd animal, they should never be
grouped less than three and you can keep three to five per acre. They
are very gentle on pasture and do not challenge fencing and normal stock
net will suffice, or seven strand wire, at a height of 1 metre. An amazing
feature of alpaca herds is that they deposit their droppings in communal
piles making pasture management very easy. The manure provides a very
good organic fertiliser and has been termed ‘Alpaca Gold’ for its beneficial
qualities.
The UK alpaca industry has never been stronger with interest in the
animal growing year-on-year and some 34,000 alpacas now in the UK
(mostly in the South West). From pets to a breeding herd, people are now
recognising the alpaca as a sound investment, either as a lifestyle change
or agricultural diversification.
Alpacas are a species of camelid and are very closely related to the llama.
They originate from the high Altiplano in South America, centring on
Peru. Breeding programmes have excelled in the USA and Australia since
the 90s. Alpacas were first imported to the UK in 1996 and the genetic
advancement in the past two decades has excelled.
There are 2 types of alpaca, the Huacaya and Suri, the difference relating
to how the fleece grows. The Huacaya have a teddy bear look; the Suri
have long shiny locks like very soft curly hair. There are twenty two
recognised colours ranging from black, brown, fawn, white and grey.
Alpacas live for around 20 years and are a herd animal (minimum of
3 animals in a group). They weigh around 65kg and stand 1m at the
back. They are induced ovulators and can be mated at any time, but
births are planned between May to September. Females produce a single
baby (known as a cria) each year with gestation lasting 11.5 months. In
difference to other livestock, alpacas generally tend to give birth during
the morning to ensure the best start for the cria, which weighs around
8kg at birth and gains around 1kg per week during initial growth. Adult
females are mated 2 to 6 weeks after birth.
Alpacas are easy to handle and can be halter trained from a young age.
They can spit when provoked but not to the same standard as Llamas!
They are healthy animals and are relatively problem free with a
requirement for routine vaccinations and regular worming, much like
sheep. During the darker months they require an additional supplement
of A, D and E vitamins either injected or via oral drench. They also require
routine husbandry in the form of toe nail clipping and teeth trimming.
Ultimately bred for their fleece, there is a worldwide demand for the
product. One of the termed ‘Fibre of the Gods’, my herd’s fleece is grown,
sheared and processed within Dorset. Sheared once a year they produce
between 1 and 5kg, with fibre testing providing scientific input to a
breeding programme.
Alpaca meat can be eaten as it is very lean and is low in cholesterol.
There is a small outlet in the UK for their meat, but they tend to be more
valuable alive.
Alpacas can be owned as:
- Pet males. They make excellent
pets and are safe around
children, displaying an intelligent
and inquisitive nature. These
complement, and are at ease with,
other owned animals.
- Breeding females. Can generate
an income from small parcels of land.
-
Flock guards. Providing a deterrent
against foxes for goats, sheep and
poultry. My flock guards have proved
essential during lambing.
Owning alpacas means doing your homework and the majority of
breeders are willing to provide advice to new comers to the industry.
They are easy to look after and can have a significantly positive impact on
your life.
The British Alpaca Society provides information, support and training to
the UK industry with around 1200 members. The main function of the
BAS is to maintain the Pedigree Registry for all alpacas in the UK national
herd.
For further information about alpacas, contact David at ardentalpaca@
gmail.com or check out the British Alpaca Society website (www.bas-uk.
com). You can also attend your local county show where these animals
will be exhibited.
The luxuriant, soft fleece of the Alpaca
After leaving the Armed Forces, David set up
a small-holding and became interested in the
alpaca as flock guards during lambing. A chance
encounter at the Dorset County Show brought
alpacas to his land and the rest is history; he
has not looked back. Two years on, he now has
a breeding herd of elite black Huacaya alpacas.
His first cria of 2014 won first place Junior Black
Female at the British Alpaca Society National
Show in 2015.
BRANCH
Painting exteriors
Sandtext masonry paints from Mole Valley Farmers
Sandtex products are perfect for withstanding the often harsh UK climate. Give
your home a facelift, to safeguard and enhance. Dirt resistant, breathable and
waterproof, the smooth masonry paint is a creamy formulation that covers large
areas fast with flawless coverage and protection for longer.
Choosing colours
When choosing colours, either get a tester
pot or colour cards and be aware of different
lighting conditions, times of day and also what
is next to the building, a wide expanse of
lawn will look different to a driveway or other
structures nearby that affect light.
Sandtex Masonry Paint
SAVE
5L
20%
How much paint do I need?
Magnolia, Cornish Cream,
Plymouth Grey, Olive
It is important to know how much paint you
need before starting. The Sandtex website
www.sandtex.co.uk, has full information on how
to calculate the amount you will need.
Preparation
Before you start, make sure you prepare first
as this will make all your hard work last longer.
Preparation is key, so clean, restore, fill, prime
and use undercoats as necessary. Any wall that
is powdery, dusty or chalky can be sealed with
a stabilising product before painting starts.
Painting
Always start at the top and work left to right
or right to left. Ensure where possible you
maintain a wet edge so you don’t get stripes or
blocks appearing on your wall. Follow the sun
but do not paint in direct sunlight. Use a piece
of cardboard as a mask when painting behind
drainpipes. Make sure you don’t paint late in
the day when temperatures or damp air could
create problems, to be effective make sure you
paint no lower than 8°C.
Normal price £29.94
£23.95
MVF CODES Various
Sugar Soap
Sandtex Masonry Paint
500ml
Smooth Pure Brilliant White - 7.5L
SAVE
20%
£1.86
Was £33.00
MVF CODE 52812
Paint brushes
MVF Code
Item
Size
Price
1
1092309
Harris S&F paint brush
4”
£4.99
2
37571
Lyn/MVF Excel paint brush
3”
£5.00
3
37572
Lyn/MVF Excel paint brush
4”
£6.06
4
37576
Lyn/MVF paint brush
maxi block
£3.48
5
48044
Lyn/MVF paint brush
midi block
£2.40
£26.40
MVF CODE 46692
White Spirit
750ml or 2 litres
£2.41
£4.57
MVF CODE 01735
1
2
3
4
5
MVF CODE 2776
All prices include VAT where applicable. Offers are
available from 30/06/15 to 30/07/15
BRANCH
Feed and protect your garden
Despite the cold nights continuing into June this year, by now all of the planting
should have been completed and so by now the garden should be at its glorious,
colourful best with summer bedding a blaze of colour and many perennials
entering full bloom.
To keep the flowers blooming for as long as possible remember to deadhead your
flower displays and feed and water them regularly, ideally using a soluble fertiliser,
such as Phostrogen or Miracle Gro.
Tomorite
Liquid concentrate
tomato food
BUY 2
for £6
Miracle Gro BUY 2
Plant food for use all
around the garden
for £6
SAVE
£1
normal price
£4.69
liquid
concentrate
1 litre
£3.
£3.79
48 ea
MVF CODE 4216
Garden pests
In the vegetable garden keep weeds
under control to reduce competition
and thereby provide a bigger and better
crop. Regular hoeing between rows will
help or you can carefully spray with a
non-residual weedkiller such as Weedol
or Roundup. Just ensure you wet only the
weeds and not the crop. Runner beans
should be producing their first pickings
in July. Keep them fed weekly and well
watered, especially in dry spells.
Roundup
Pump ‘n’ Go
SAVE
Ready to use
weedkiller kills weeds
and roots 5L
£6
Soluble
1kg
ea
MVF CODE 46669
Provado Ultimate
Bug Killer
£3.68
MVF CODE 7653
BUY 2
for £7
Contact and systemic.
Up to six weeks control
on a wide range of pests
The other things that can affect your
flowering display are pests, such as aphids
(greenfly, blackfly, etc.). These can quickly
devastate any bedding display and so it is
important to be vigilant and act as soon as any
appear.
whitefly
greenfly
blackfly
lily beetle
If there are only a few greenfly you can remove them
manually and squash them. Alternatively, you can spray
with soapy water, a contact insecticide such as Bug gun or a
systemic insecticide, such as Provado Ultimate Bug Killer. The
advantage of the latter is that it can be used as a preventative measure
as well as a treatment, protecting the plants from subsequent attacks for up to six
weeks.
£4.49
ea
MVF CODE 22025
When using insecticides you should look to spray early in the morning or later in the evening, when bees
and other beneficial insects are less active.
Normal
price
£25.75
£19.75
MVF CODE 37929
Tie in and support tomato plants as they develop,
especially as fruit starts to swell or they will quickly topple
over and be damaged. Don’t allow tomato plants to dry
out. Stress, inconsistent watering and a lack of calcium
can lead to split fruits and Blossom End Rot.
However, feeding with Tomato Food, which contains
vital trace elements, reduces the risk of this
disfiguring disease and for best results you
should also feed peppers, aubergines and
other fruiting plants weekly.
Fruiting
success
Cover fruit crops, such as strawberries,
raspberries and currants with netting to
keep birds from eating the berries. Also,
where practical cover peach, plum, cherries
and nectarine trees.
At this time of year open doors and vents in the
greenhouse to improve air circulation and to keep the
temperatures down. Also it is a good idea to damp down
floors and fill gravel trays with water every morning to
increase the humidity.
Stihl Kombi system
Continue to cut the lawn regularly
and trim the edges to keep it neat
and tidy.
Whether its sweeping a footpath, tree
to be pruned, hedge to be trimmed or
soil to be cultivated, the Stihl Kombi
system can help. All you need to do is
purchase the engine unit (six engine
sizes available) then choose the tool you
require.
Kombi KM56
R-CE engine
In hot, dry spells raise the cutting
height of the lawnmower blades to
help reduce the need for watering.
£202.80
MVF CODE 43409
135° hedge trimmer
£90.60
MVF CODE 42468
Pole pruner
£170.28
MVF CODE 27441
Brushcutter with
mowing head
Brushcutter with
grass cutting blade
£132.60
£119.40
MVF CODE 27446
MVF CODE 27445
Shaft extension
for use with 135°
hedge trimmer
We have a wide range of lawnmowers including ride on, petrol driven and electric in stock
FARMING
Aid for Samburu
Heather Gibson, MVF member
Back in March 2013 ‘Toughest Place to be a Farmer’
was shown on BBC2 as part of a documentary series.
Richard Gibson, dairy farmer and MVF member
applied to take part and a month later found himself
on location in Northern Kenya. (Newsletter 587/21).
Muddy fields of Devon were swapped for a life with
the Samburu tribe in an arid and vast landscape.
Finding water and grazing to keep their animals and
themselves alive is their biggest challenge.
We are continuing our tradition to share our
marquee at the North Devon Show with the
team from the Send A Cow charity. The show
will be held at Umberleigh on Wednesday 5
August.
Send a Cow was set up by a group of Christian
dairy farmers from the UK over 27 years ago.
Outraged at EU milk quotas which were forcing
them to slaughter healthy dairy cows and in
response to an appeal from Uganda for milk,
they set up an innovative and practical charity.
On Richard’s return ‘Aid for Samburu’ was formed
to address this water problem. Support locally and
beyond has been incredible. Young Farmers have
been great and our own fundraisers around East
Anstey in north Devon have been complete sell outs.
This has amounted to us raising over £55k thanks to
other very generous donations as well.
Implementing the project has been a far bigger
undertaking than we realised due to the extreme
remoteness of the village and lack of organisations
operating in the area. Fortunately we found a very
small and dedicated charity called The Milgis Trust
(MT). As they have already successfully installed
water projects we have followed their advice to
construct a borehole/header tank system. This will
supply 1600 people and livestock in and around
Mpagas. Working with MT gives us access to a full
time water engineer and sustainability for its lifetime.
This is a community project which has had full
consultation with the village. They have formed their
own water committee and we will employ a water
custodian on an annual salary. Sustainability is KEY.
Our next fund raising event will be a Clay
Pigeon Shoot on 1st August near Oakford
(courtesy of Dereck and Anne Boldry, New
House Farm). All details can be found at
www.aidforsamburu.org.uk or contact
Heather on heather.gibson329@btinternet.
com We need to continue fund raising as
the water project is one of many needs for
this community. Our aim is not to change
but to enhance their lives.
A big thank you to all supporters. Currently
all the surveys are complete, drilling permits
are pending and the drilling team are poised
to roll!
Raising funds with
a charity pony and
carriage drive
Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship provides
therapeutic and educational support through
horses to disadvantaged and vulnerable
young people. As a result the youngsters
gain confidence and self esteem. Donations
support them and improve their quality of life.
Their charity fundraiser, the Two Moors Way Pony and Carriage Drive starts at Wembury Riding
School near Plymouth on Sunday 26 July and follows the Two Moors route finishing at Lynmouth
on Saturday 1 August with some razzmatazz on the way and at both ends!
More information about the drive, call Liz Meredith on 07739 279173. For more on therapeutic
horsemanship, visit sironacic.com
Interested in trying carriage driving? Then call Christina Woollacott on 07970 699631
or visit the Great Western Harness Club website for details of events near you
Our new equestrian
Facebook page, which
includes loads of
competitions, many of
which are ‘money can’t
buy’ experiences. There
are also special offers
and lots of news and
views. Join us today on
the Mole Valley Farmers
equestrian Facebook
page.
Send a Cow typically works with groups
of farmers for three to five years to effect
substantial and sustainable change. In addition
to ongoing training in animal wellbeing,
sustainable organic farming practices and
natural resource management, its work also
provides training in gender equality, conflict
resolution, health and hygiene and HIV/Aids
awareness. This balance of practical farming
skills with social, life skills is a potent mix and
produces remarkable results.
Today Send a Cow supports over 20,000
households a year, across seven countries in
sub Saharan Africa; Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda,
Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and Lesotho. Since
starting out the charity has transformed the
lives of over one million people in Africa.
Nigel Bond, Show and Events Manager says:
“Mole Valley Farmers is delighted to welcome
the Send a Cow representatives to our stand
once again this year. We understand that they
found the 2014 event very useful, receiving
some good follow up, including a £500 cheque!
We really hope we can help promote this great
cause”.
sendacow.org
BRANCH
Outdoors this summer
SAVE
30%
Country Garden
two piece gift set
Fiskars Trim and
Shape shears
SAVE
OVER
45%
Wooden garden trowel and weeding fork.
Ash handles, stainless steel
Surf washing
powder
SAVE
OVER
40%
Tropical or Lavendar
fragrance. 90 wash
Blade tensioner, non slip
tubular handle for added
grip. 8” steel blade
Normal price
£12.98
£15.98
£8.99
MVF CODE 61297
MVF CODE 1082500
SAVE
Woof Wear
kids easy close
ankle boots
OVER
30%
A tough, multi use boot
for heavy duty use in
the yard or table all year
round
Sizes 3-5
£19.50
SAVE
OVER
30%
Cradle log basket
50cm x 40cm
Willow
Woof Wear
adults easy close
ankle boot
Sizes 6-12
£25.00
MVF CODE 37094 + sz
SAVE
£6
Roundup
Pump n Go
ready to use
Kills weeds
and roots
5 litres
£14.00
MVF CODES 1081286-7
Comfort
Concentrate
Fabric Softener
SAVE
OVER
40%
A tough boot made from a flexible polyester
upper with Teflon coating. Water resistant
rubber foot and non slip sole. inner fleece
lining and padding
MVF CODE 37093+sz
SAVE
25%
Blue Skies
fragrance.
140 wash
£8.70
MVF CODE 46209
We sell a wide range of products
and its not just for dogs and cats.
Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamster
and gerbil feed
and treats!
Normal price
£25.75
£11.24
MVF CODE 40576
£19.76
MVF CODE 37929
available at your local branch
Prices include VAT where applicable. Offers are from 30/06/15-30/07/15 or whilst stocks last
SMALL ADS
NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS
We would like to remind members that
when advertisements are placed in our
"Small Ads" section it is they who are
liable in law not to mis-represent any
offering for sale, under the Business
Advertisement Disclosure Order. Whilst
every care is taken by MVF staff to
ensure clarity of purpose, it is the
responsibility of the advertiser not to
infringe current legislation.
PLEASE NOTE
Mole Valley Farmers
have more than 20,000 members, some of
these are dealers & traders. If you wish to know
whether advertisers are dealers or traders,
please ask when making your enquiry.
Small AdsJuly
For Sale
Machinery
Quality new & used farm equipment &
attachments from Moulton, Albutt, Quicke,
Trenona, Chilton, Logic & others. visit
www.blackdownfarmservices.co.uk For
more info call Taunton
01823 429431
KTM Machinery tractor log splitters, 10T
£445, 14T £595, 18T £745, 26T towable
diesel log splitter £2250, chain harrows
from 4' to 20' trailed or mounted, 8"
tractor mounted PTO driven wood chipper
£1475, tractor mounted pallet forks £220,
Major saw bench tractor mounted PTO
driven £1365, Rosselli saw bench tractor
mounted PTO driven £1200. All Prices
are inclusive of VAT & free UK mainland
delivery. ktmmachinery@hotmail.co.uk
www.ktmmachinery.co.uk
07968 183358 / 01409 259986
Workshop operators & parts manuals for
many tractors, balers, combines, mowers
& other machines. All ages & makes.
07831 256933
Redrock diet feeders, sheargrabs etc.,
Herron dump trailers, low loaders. Call
Brian Anning.
07779 143439
Wecan rotovators from 1.5m – 6m working
width in stock.
01769 580600
Hesston 4900 baler with baler’s choice
applicator. 4 bale chaser for Hesston big
bales. Bale sledge for Class Quadrant
baler. Simba 3m drill.
01398 371205
HM inoculant applicator, gwo. £250 ono.
Somerset
07891 225685
Reco Mengele side mounted forage
harvester spares or repair £500 + VAT.
Cambridge rollers set of 3 £400 + VAT
3x cattle ring feeders £200 + VAT, team
sprayer 6m sprayer £350 + VAT.
Call Ben
07875 035556
Forster Technik 2008 calf feeder, 36
collars. £3200. Bideford area.
07865 185861
7’6” ETC buckrake, 2 Ferguson grey
tractors good condtion. 01984 623486
New Holland 370 Bailer. £750 + VAT.
01626 833206
Hay / silage making equipment. Suitable
for smaller - medium tractors. Drum
mowers 1m - 1.35m from £1250. Haybob
£1850. Mini round baler £4950. Mini bale
wrapper £1950. Package deals available.
Full details at
www.cowlingagri.com
01458 250978
Tyres 2 -18.4.34, 1 -16.9.38, 2 -14.9.28
07831 172896 / 01398 323864 /351308
Marshall 4T tipping trailer. Lights/breaks.
Nice condition. £1250 + VAT.
07836 322352
36
Indespension 4 wheeled flat bed 3.5T
gross trailer £650 ovno + VAT.
01647 252483
Fransguard RV390 haybob. Gwo plus one
for spares. £950.
Winkleigh
07714 334372
Michael Thorn 16' small bale trailer with
lades. Good floor. £800.
After 6pm
01769 580668
Outstanding Quad bike, Honda 500 FE
with power steering, semi automatic –
2/4wd, 1 yr old, 12 mths warranty to run,
Ark service record, 13,600 miles, 700 hrs,
nearly new tyres, 1 careful lady driver.
£5500 Exmoor.
07966 903053
Ifor Williams 2 wheel trailer 6.5' x 4' with
rear loading ramp. £850 cash sale. 1 x
static exercise bike, 1 x cross trainer £40
each.
01460 259621
Myford super 7 lathe with accessories.
vgc. £1800.
01364 631319
Grain/ root belt elevator 36’ two stage, will
load over 10’ £2500 + VAT 01202 574223
1997 Komatsu 360 wheeled excavator,
spares or repairs, will break. Somerset.
07774 676434
Dodge cattle lorry (non runner) with good
Alloy 18’ container with decks £1500.
01288 361214
2nd hand milk tanks: 10000L Vaccar with
ice builder,15000L Vaccar silo, 7500L
Delaval DX, 6000L RO-KA DX , 4000L
Fabdec Dari-Kool. Packo ice builder for
up to 14000L per day. Daw Refrigeration
email info@dawref.com 01392 851613
Teagle topper 6' in line. vgc £700 + VAT.
07836 322352
Herbst plant/bale trailer 24' long. Mini
super singles. Bale wedge. Lades. Sprung
drawbar. Ramps vgc £6950.
01271 863537
Small baler Allis Chalmers 300T working
before being barn stored, Witheridge area
£250.
01823 461323
Warwick Monocoque 6 Ton grain trailer
£1600 + VAT Tiverton.
07724 989884
Ifor Williams twin axel trailer 10’ x 6’ with
mesh sides, custom made fitted sheet &
loading ramp. Only previously used for
horticultural purposes. £1500 ono.
07989 018657 / 01823 490615
David Brown 1212 T reg. Q cab good
condition £2900 + VAT.
Chard
07977 041893
Fleming 4' x 2' link box like new. Minehead
/Brompton Regis £220 + VAT.
01643 702991
18000ltr Delaval, 8500ltr Delaval, 7500 ltr
Delaval, 5000ltr Fabdec, 5000ltr Japy +
new wash/cooling controller, 4800 Delaval
(holds 5000ltr), 4000ltr Mueller, 4000ltr
Fabdec, 4000ltr Delaval + almost new
Mueller washer, 3800ltr Packo Fullwood
RMIB, 3000ltr Mueller, 2200ltr Packo
Fullwood RMIB, 1.2 Ton refurbished ice
builder for up to 8000 ltrs per day, main
dealer for new Ro-Ka milk cooling systems,
talk to us about our “Green Machine”
heat recovery system. With almost all
installations returning a 30-50% return on
investment, can you afford not to install
it on your Dairy farm? Please see www.
southwestrefrigeration.co.uk for more info.
Or call S.W Refrigeration specialising in
“On farm cooling equipment”
01392 210344 or Paul on 07974 140949
Irrigation equipment 3” Wrightrain sprinkler
set + trailer Ford 4 cylinder pump. Javelin
rain reel 4” aluminium mains and trailer 6
cylinder Perkins Rovatti pump. POA.
01202 574223
McHale round bale handler, Warwick 4
Ton tipping trailer very tidy, 165 & 185 two
drum mowers, 4 & 6 rotar hay tedders,
PZ300 haybob, Farmhand flat 8 bale grab
ring any time.
01769 550623
07770 782238
Case IH 895 xl 2 wd, K reg excellent
condition 95% tyres £5250 07967 527253
Marston 8 ton silage/grain trailer for sale
£3350 + VAT. AGA oil fired racing green
offers.
James 07896 922284
Turner mower 4’ wide flail type 3pt linkage
new bearings vgwo £575 + VAT.
01823 421681 / 07860 401407
2002 Ford Transit LWB; high roof; roof
rack; tow bar; hands free fitted; tidy
condition; genuine 78k miles £1800
+ VAT. Kuhn Rotarake GA 4121 GM
Masterdrive £3500 + VAT, Haybob 300
£1250 + VAT, New Holland round-baler
835 £1500 + VAT. Kuhn mower GMD 77
HD £1200 + VAT. BMW 520i car 2001 light
blue 82k miles new MoT £1200. Super
glide CX mobility scooter £450. All the
above well maintained & genuine reason
for sale, Langport area.
Call Mike
07971 569535
John Deere 3040 2wd, sg2 cab, tyres
70%, tidy off farm condition. Good all
round runner make a good yard tractor.
Mid Dorset, £4700 no VAT 07712 045472
MF 35X total refurb & resprayed, ready to
go. Call for price or further details.
01209 612891
Kubota compact tractor with rotavator &
roller. HD 7ft bucket. HD bale spike.
N Devon.
07870 837224
MF 135 row crop wheels £350+ VAT.
01202 574223
Hardy 800 litre 12m boom winch lift
sprayer good condtion £1500 ono.
07917 776338 / 01297 33263
Teagle 8080 trailer straw chopper £1995
07967 527253
Farmhand 56 bale trailer good order
£800.
01503 272766
Isuzu Rodeo Denver TD intercool pickup
146k miles, 2006, MoT 10.3.16 £5500.
01373 834329
Toyota Landcruiser Amazon VX yr 2000
157k miles MoT £5750 ono Weymouth.
07764 614717
New grass seeder, Wecan rotaseeder
3050TGW, from 2.5m – 6m working
width.
01769 580600
Compact tractors new & used 16-50hp.
Over 70 in stock. Kubota, Yanmar, Iseki,
Mitsubishi,
Landlegend,
Mahindra,
Siromer. Complete range of smallholder
machinery in stock & ready to go.
Nationwide delivery.
www.cowlingagri.com
For free stocklist & machinery brochure
01458 250978
New Holland 276 baler can be seen
working £650 ono. 15’ bale trailer steel
chassis & lades £300 ono 01823 663855
John Deere 1065 combine, 12' header,
2377 hours, £7500 ono. Farmmac 1300
gallon vacuum tanker £1000, Pottinger
3m power harrow £1000, Case 1840 skid
steer loader £6500.
Bodmin
07836 552642
Daihatsu 4x4, T reg, tax, no MoT £725 ono
N Devon.
07788 601560
600L sprayer front tank, chemical
induction, all dancing. £600. Marston
14T gain trailer, sprung draw bar, seed
covering. Dedicated to grain. £6500.
01841 540336
Exmoor bale sledge good original
condition £150.
07836 322352
Kune VKM305 flail topper. Twose 16’
tandem Cambridge roller. Accord 4m air
grain drill. Kverneland 3m power harrow
c/w packer roller new feet. Retirement
sale.
01803 762226 / 07790 252896
Hardy sprayer 1000l £600 ono.
01398 371434
Tecnoagri Eco1815 fork lift with side
shift control. Max lift 1500kg. Little used.
Beautiful machine, year of manufacture
2011. Fully working order. If you need a
tractor mount fork lift, this is the machine
to get. Offers around £2100 + VAT. Credit/
debit cards accepted.
01884 243579 / 07970 415638
Howard 80” & 60” rotovator, rebuilt with
new blades 7 resprayed. 01769 580245
2 vacumn Fullwood Q3, 3 phase motor
vacuum pumps with exhausts & spare
belts.
Only exchanged for a variable
speed £150/each.
07976 208602
MTD Yardman rotor mower 6hp 21” cut
serviced £200.
01822 890332
Baler NH 376 hayliner, £1200 + VAT,
Forage harvester NH 719 £1100 + VAT,
Mower conditioner JD1350 £2300 + VAT.
All little used & barn stored.
01202 574223
New 40hp Landlegend tractor with 4in1
loader. 4x4. Easily lifts large silage bales.
Choice of turf, agri, wide agri tyres. Only
£9100 + VAT. www.cowlingagri.com Huge
selection of new & used tractors in stock.
Complete range of machinery.
01458 250978 / 07813 847128
For Sale
Livestock
Lakemead pure British Friesian bulls. For
fertility, longevity & male calf value.
Jon Wilson
07768 943380
Ped Limousin bulls, 18-24 mths. Where
Rumps are trumps. Lepto & BVD vac.
John Robinson
01363 866310
Alpacas, beautiful quality, various colours,
wonderful fleece, pregnant females,
guard & companion boys, young healthy
stock, BAS reg, all husbandry given.
Affordable sensible prices.
07801 734823 / 07768 932424
Oak Royal Holstein Friesians well breed
service age bulls suitable for cows or
heifers. Exeter.
Dennis Smith 07870 645978
British Blue quality recorded bulls, from
the Coldridge herd.
01363 83807 / 07790 386309
Stabiliser & Gelbvieh bulls in health
scheme very well grown & quiet. Also
heifers.
01392 434056
Woodington ped Angus. Quality young
bulls & females, bred for easy calving &
fast growth. Biobest, Hi Health, vac BVD.
Closed herd over 20yrs. Mid Devon.
01884 860606
Holstein Freisian bulls well grown & ready
for work. Jerry Palmer
07854 810584
Speckledy, Rhode Rock, Light Sussex,
Bluebelle, Rhode Island Red & Fenton
Blue. Also drinkers, feeders, chicken food,
egg boxes, straw etc.www.fentonpoultry.
co.uk.
01823 672075 / 07779 247805
Ped registered & recorded Hereford bulls,
various ages warranted for all systems.
Females usually available. 01460 234394
Cornbel ped polled Herefords, bulls &
bulling heifers. Closed herd, high health
scheme, EBV’s near Illminster.
01823 480321 / 07917 583637
Free range Utility Rhode Island Red
hatching eggs. Can be posted to any
UK address. Contact Lansdown Poultry
Farm
01225 334819 / 07592 449826
Killerton Limousin ped bulls, 16 -25 mths
old, + 5yr old stock bull all, quiet, good
EBV’s, easy calving. In cattle health
scheme. Lepto & BVD vacc., semen
tested. Patrick Greed. Exeter.
01392 841228 / 07850 952983
Fleckvieh stock bulls out of high quality
dams by top German sires. Elite
Fleckvieh semen always available. Try
some German engineering on your herd!
Call Tom Voizey
07967 816675
Hampshire Down choose a proven native
breed ram for your commercial flock.
Easy lambing, quick to suck, fast growing
on grass with good conformation. The
Hampshire has it all! Shearling rams &
ewes & ram lambs from the prize winning
Millfields flock. Signet referenced,
Heptavac, foot vac etc. Geoff & Jean
Boyles
g.boyles@btopenworld.com
01884 861398
Small Ads contact details can be found on page 2
SMALL ADS
Ped Charollais rams, can deliver.
Call Roy 07816 636435 / 01837 840328
Severnvale Herefords, bulls ready to work
+ ped cows & calves.
01454 632309
Ped Limousin & Simmental bulls
quiet easy calving ready to work ideal
commercial crossing.
Sampson
07860 580498
Pedigree Aberdeen Angus bulls,
traditional well fleshed type for easier
calving. Taunton area.Visit us at www.
kingston-angus.co.uk
01823 451619
Ped Limousin bulls, IBR / BVD Lepto vac
Herd Health Scheme.
Sutton Hoo Limousins
07885 145311
Pure bred poll Dorset hoggets, also ram
lambs & shearlings all from best ped
stock. Witheridge.
01884 861198
Young, fit Hereford bulls from the Wolfeton
Herd. Ready for work, Dorchester.
Call Tom
07989 434907
Ped polled Hereford bulls 18mths suit
cows & heifers, quiet, home bred.
01962 775203 / 07801 142244
225 North Country Mules, 2 tooth, brought
down from Penrith last autumn as 1
consignment. Will divide if required.
01823 412348 / 07970 858536
Aberdeen Angus, selection of young ped
bulls & yearling heifers. Closed herd,
TB tested & ready to move. Top AI sires
used.
01460 221763 / 07887 572908
Border terrier puppies for sale. Pedigree
but not KC reg. Lovely pups. £250.
Torrington.
07729 433187
Pedigree Simmental & Charolais bulls
well grown, quiet prize winning herd.
Contact Roger
01460 67149
Ped Aberdeen Angus Bulls 22 mths. IBR
BVD vaccinated. Johnes accredited. TB
tested.
01769 550745
Polgoda Charolais winners of the most
improved herd genetics throughout
England 2014. Now have pedigree bulls
& females. Quiet with good EBV’s BVD
accredited herd. Johns testing level 2. Call
David or Bernadette.
01208 832906
07772 300494 / 07896 523979
Final clearance of the prize winning
Nympton Charollais sheep flock. Shearling
& flock age ewes. Dave & Margaret
Smith.
01769 572177
Westwilmer ped Ab Angus, selection of
bulls & females, good conformation, very
quiet. Breedplan recorded, FABBL, Herd
Health scheme.
Porlock, Somerset.
01643 862524
Aberdeen-Angus bulls by Ardrossan
Admiral, easy calving & tremendous
growth rates.
01398 371205
Goonhilly pedigree British Freisian in calf
hefiers & young bulls for sale. The breed
for a volatile milk price.
James
07886 917059 /01209 831342
3 yr old, Ped, Angus bull. Only served 20
ped. cows, easy calving, progeny can be
seen. Geoff Cox, Cannington Farm.
01884 860524
Shearling rams for sale. Charollais,
Suffolks, Suffolk X Charollais & Texel x
Charollais. Well bred & not pushed. EBVs
available with the pedigree charollais.
wicardobez@aol.com
R Berry 07828 779164
Quality Suffolk shearling rams M.V.
accredited. Signet recorded, High index,
ready for work. Wellington Somerset.
01823 672377 / 07860 608501
Ped Aberdeen Angus bull 36 mths old
South Molton area.
07779 461207
Lleyn ewes from excellent ped stock. 25
ewes 2012/2013 born. From closed flock.
Sale due to stock reduction.
01984 624824
North Devon bull 6yrs old. Excellent stock
bull.
01984 629026
2yr old ped Highland bull. Tick
acclimatised. Bred off the top of Exmoor.
07855 878190
37
Home-bred sheep: 9 ewes, 7 with big
(May) lambs at foot. Everything up to date.
Ideal starter flock.
07719 108138 / 01404 822436
Berkshire X Pietrain weaners. Born 6th
May, ready 1st July. Tiverton.
01884 252387 / 07941 412055
Pedigree Aberdeen Angus females. Cows,
bulling heifers, yearlings. Traditional well
fleshed cattle. Taunton area. Visit us at
www.kingston-angus.co.uk
01823 451619
Colhayne Aberdeen Angus bulls, easy
calving AI sires, breedplan recorded, very
high EBV's, SAC premium health scheme.
B.S & V. J Fry. Axminster.
01404 831103 / 07969 604287
Collie x Kelpie pups, bitches & dogs
excellent working collie father, unproven
Kelpie mother, viewing welcome, Tiverton.
katestevens _83@hotmail.com
07866 964874
Macchina Aberdeen-Angus bulls. Closed
in SAC High Health status, all cattle blood
tested annually. 4 yrly TB testing area on
the Isle of Wight. Terrific growth rates on
home produced forage, still maintaining
easy calving. All bulls vet inspected &
semen tested before to ensure purchase
with confidence. Only new blood lines
imported into herd from semen & embryos.
Delivered to your farm with own transport
to keep health status. Ian McDowall
01983 882881
British/Belgian Blue pedigree bulls
& heifers for sale. Breeders of Genus'
NewPole Easy & Semex's NewPole
Chalky White. Coloured & white bulls
available www.newpole.co.uk
07885 721217 / 01823 673314
Blonde bull ready to work. Can deliver,
Kingdon, Newquay.
07929 072367 / 01872 510365
Ped Pol Dorset Ram. 15 Pol Dorset
couples. 6 Pol Dorset hogs.
North Devon area.
07854 988464
British Blue bulls, top quality, sensibly
priced, easy calving from Stoneleigh Herd.
Haste.
01409 281230
07967 023680 / 683
Simmental bull, quiet with good
conformation. 28 mths old, calves can be
seen, from closed disease free herd.
Nr Bude
07794 066646
Pedigree Devon bull 3 yrs old. Pedigree
Jersey bull 2 yrs old.
01237 451438
Peacocks for sale. 1 yr old. Beautiful
colours. In Somerset. £35.
01278 641104 / 07703 691596
200 Suffolk mule shearlings bred North
England from 1 farm. Big smart strong
sheep can divide.
07813 062890
Starline Simmentals still have some very
good conformation bulls left. High health
status. Accredited for BVD & Johnes.
Prices -no problem
R.H Widdicombe T.N.
01803 732277
Charolais bull, has been used on heifers,
very good temperament, D.O.B 10/05/12
£800 ono.
01769 520205
Functional Charollais rams. Signet
recorded. High health status MV, CLA
& OJD screened flock. Born & reared
outside on grass only. FEC EBV's.
Tim White 01985 845063 / 07880 983593
Goslings born in May.
01884 259196 / 07541 068070
Texel shearling rams, grass fed,
performance recorded, high Signet EBV
indexes. Commercially reared in large
closed flock at 700’ near Exmoor. Buy a
ram fit for purpose.
Michelle Moore
07506 629475
Nealford Limousins, quality young bulls.
High EBVs, Lepto & BVD vaccinated. SAC
healthplan. Also selection of ped females.
Also Angus bulls available.
JH Neale 01566 772919 / / 07929 662074
Ped Red Ruby Devon bulls & heifers, top
bloodline.
01271 867285
The Inaugural Exlana Ram sale 11th
August 2015. To be held at Upper Leigh
Farm, East Knoyle, Salisbury. SP36AP.
On the A350, just 2 miles south from the
junction with the A303. Event will start at
10.30 with the sale at 1.00pm. Please see
website for details & catalogue.
www.sig.uk.com
Ped Bluefaced Leicester ewes rams &
lambs. Signet rec’d Dorset 01747 851292
Jack Russell x Patterdale puppies super
pets or workers. Both parents much loved
pets can be seen. Lovely pups. £250
each. Torrington
07729 433187
Ped. Lim bulls, choice of 20 months +,
good feet & shape, reasonably priced.
Endacott evgs.
01409 221858 / 07974 387934
Suffolk X Border Leicester, Scotch ½ bred
X & Suffolk X 2 tooth ewes. Smart, well
grown sheep, Heptavac P, home bred.
07909 601641 / 01823 666891
8 pedigree Ruby Red Devon bulling
heifers quiet & well grown.
A Meikle 01884 860914 / 07809 403165
Ewes, rams, ewe lambs & stores from
North England & Scotland bought to order.
Call Stuart Dallyn
01271 830857
07712 898406
Zwartbles - 5 ewe lambs, born Feb. Also 1
shearling ram. MV Acc. Yeovil area.
01935 410970
Collie pups, good working parents, ready
now.
01288 341310
Lleyn rams from top Signet performance
recorded flock of 1000 breeding ewes.
Commercial traits are the focus of the
breeding. Ring Peregrine Aubrey, South
Devon.
07970 773840
Hall Game Farm, 7 wk old grass reared
pheasant poults at £3.25. Delivered to end
of July. SW.
07725 199747 / 07748 108818
Hereford bulls, traditional style, Jack
(horned) Jay Jay (polled) 3 yr old,
registered. Lovely colour, comformation &
temperament. Naturally reared from small
non-commercial herd. Sensible prices.
Wellington.
01823 663450
Goslings & Indian Game cockerels.
07990 545667
Holstein Friesian heifers in calf / freshly
calved. BVD vac. From closed herd.
East Devon
07971 821086
Temple Aberdeen Angus have 2 well
fleshed bulls with good back ends for
sale born 3/14. Checks BVD Acc, IBR vax
monitored free, Johnes Level 1.
01278 423201 / 07709 253366
Ped Holstein Friesian heifers & Brown
Swiss X Holstein Friesian heifers calving
June / July to Hereford bull.
01837 851287 / 07964 459127
Pedigree Simmental bulls, cows & heifers.
Bulls 26 mths old, well grown & ready
to work. Choice of cows & calves
&
heifers available BVD & Johnnes (level
1) accredited. cpgregory@btconnect.com
Gregory St Columb
07807 188362
Quality Hampshire Down ewe lambs, ram
lambs & shearling rams (shearling 100%
grass fed) Flock est 1950s. Contact Lucy
01398 371434 / 07771 162786
Ped Jacob Ram 6 tooth produces good
strong lambs can be seen £150.
Chard
07773 537727
Pedigree Dairy Shorthorn bull - 2yrs. Also
freshly calved heifers - make ideal house
cow/dairy herd. W Devon. 07967 108793
Beltex shearling rams & ram lambs
from show winning stock. Also available
Ped females & X-bred stock. Enquiries
welcome. Exeter
07977 229065
12'3hh mare, very youthful 23yrs old. Sadly
outgrown. Hacks, jumps, gymkhanas,
only to a good experienced home. Needs
company.
07849 431659
Black & white pups born 21.3.15 good
with cattle or sheep exc temp working
parents.
01278 671661
Pedigree regd Herefords in Dorset. Bulls
& females. Lepto & BVD vac.
www.facebook.com/hilfield.herefords
01963 210709 / 07974 810806
3 pure-bred Llanwenog 2 tooths. (Brendon
flock pedigree papers available). Born
3,10,14 April 2014. Ready to go to ram.
Bampton.
01398 331312
Hampshire Down ped shearling & ram
lambs top quality modern terminal sires
Hampshire’s are easy lambing & thrifty
when born. reg. vac & MV accredited.
Bickleigh. 07736 253364 / 01884 855494
Working pedigree labrador puppies. Sire
FT CH Drakeshead Vodka.
01258 821249
Heywoods Simmental & Charolais bulls,
breed plan recorded, Herd sure health
scheme. BVD & Lepto vac’d.
D Barker, Taunton.
01823 432171
60 Suffolk mule shearlings, in Heptavac
system. East Devon.
01884 277329 / 07905 172794
Wiltshire Horn reg shearling rams / ewes
top bloodlines. Bude.
01288 341250
Pedigree Longhorn cattle, cows with
calves, selection of yearling & 2 yr old
bulls, Launceston.
01566 779298 / 07999 503606
Aberdeen Angus bull 2 yr 11mths easy
calving. Sire Netherallan Peter Pershore,
work cows or heifers.
01566 783325
For Sale
Miscellaneous
Low cost polycarbonate panels for
conservatories, car ports, canopy roofs,
windows, tractors, greenhouses etc. We
supply multiwall, corrugated & solid sheet
cut to order at competitive prices. Fitting
service available . Glazing bars, carports
& DIY secondary glazing also available
at Omega Plastics. South Molton.
www.omegabuild.com
01769 574426
Crash barriers, RSJ’s, sleepers, crossing
timbers / telegraph poles. 01458 832976
Rayburn, solid fuel model, Regent. Royale
MF Supreme. Sales, repairs, restorations
& new boilers, various colours in stock.
For details call
07792 755103
AGA’s & Rayburns cleaned &
re-enamelled, worn tops a speciality.
Solid fuel Rayburns always available. Oil
& gas servicing available. 01392 841391
The static caravan specialists, ideal
accom for farmworkers, hands & stable
staff, even Granny. We have over 40
caravans always in stock with immediate
delivery, Visit our web site & come &
view. All sizes & budgets to suit, inc some
with double glazing & central heating.
www.ianjamescaravans.co.uk
01278 780565
Static caravans, ideal self build, farm
workers accomm., Extra living accomm.
Prices to suit all budgets. In house
transport.
www.strandcaravans.co.uk
email info@strandcaravans.co.uk
01823 672800 / 07970 906156
Solid oak flooring, wide boards also
suitable for underfloor central heating.
Green oak framing available at
competitive prices.
01392 434056
Quality poultry houses & pens. All sizes.
At reasonable prices & can deliver.
01460 242608 / 07854 128223
Timber pole barn 60' long x 15' wide x 13'
high (4x 15' bays) Full length box profile tin
roof & back, timber cladding on the 2 end
bays. Supplied & fitted in the South West
only. Other sizes available upon request.
Fully erected £5950 + VAT + delivery. All
sizes also available in steel. Visit website
for pictures. Email: alexvenn@msn.com
Website: southwestpolebarns.com
07811 299343 / 01823 461817
Oak beams & boards, up to 30’ long.
100T to go from £20 per cu ft.
Call Ernie 07768 332707
SMALL ADS
Irrigator – Malgar Aqua Reel B175. Sold
as seen £300.
07976 208602
Double
glazed
mobile
homes,
fully furnished from £8995. Instant
accommodation.
Catherine
07769 566085
Garden woodchip mulch N Devon.
07769 703958
AGA cookers, reenameled any colour oil,
gas or 13amp electric as new, fitted from
£2600 no VAT, conversions to 13amp
electric £1800 no VAT.
Call Luke 07973 263242 / 01278 691490
16 profile 3 fibre cement sheets. Non
asbestos 95" long. Also 2 pieces of
4" down pipe, 64" & 69" long. Good
condition £240.
01823 668667
Pair of wooden gates 12' long each.
01934 750298 / 07970 950707
Moulton Buckrake hardly used £2250,
Heatime complete system with 70 collars
£1500, 10 IAE calf pens, 18 Gasgoine
parlour feeders £120, 9 ATL feed
controls, 2 compressors for 5000l bulk
tank Rayburn £80.
01237 431282 / 07815 197110
Pair of Cornish registration numbers R8
SCV & R9 SCV Both on retention, all
DVLA fees paid. £350 each or £600 for
pair.
giles@farmergiles.org.
07971 572111
Refrigerated display units- vgc. Ideal for
shows & farm shops. Various sizes. £200
+ VAT each. Call for details & pictures.
Daw Refrigeration email info@dawref.
com
01392 851613
1950s MF buckrake 8' wide £90. MF PTO
pulley £35. Iron saw bench £35.
Shepton Mallet
07970 434127
IAE fully galvd calf pens with front head
locking gates, 5’x 3’ c/w bucket racks &
buckets, comes fully apart for cleaning &
storage.
01840 212009
Boxes 70 heavy duty black plastic
stackable 600ml long 400ml w 350ml
deep. eve
01872 560388
1 gale breaker wind brake 12 by 2m
complete with ratchets hardly used new
cost £436 asking £200. 01363 866850
Steel framed building 29’ wide 60’ long
new never erected. £3000 + VAT
07745 843925
Home Pine Furniture for solid oak pine
& painted furniture, hand built/hand
finished, standard ranges plus furniture
made to any size. Made in Devon not
China! Visit show room at Buller Rd
Barnstaple Devon EX32 8JP.
Open 10-5 Mon - Sat. 01271 323608
Baikal single barrel hammerless 410.
New condition, idea for first gun.
Certificate holders only. £100 ono.
01935 824777 / 07733 101065
Internal stable partitions. Good quality,
Monarch & IAE. Bath area.
07703 181279
100 minola feeders with hats £14 - will
split. 48 drinkers £10 will split. Other good
condition pheasant pen materials.
07966 903053
Tractor tyres. 2x520 85R 38, 80% ideal
for duals or roadwork. £175.
07980 501947 / 01288 331474
Trailer 7' x 4', drop down tail gate. Spare
wheel. £150.
01364 631319
2 post car lift Werther International. 2.5T
capacity. 3 phase. £800 + VAT.
07980 501947 / 01288 331474
New 3 point linkage mounted bale spike;
pins for link arms can be inside or outside.
£125.
07534 158606
2400 litre plastic bunded fuel tank £575.
01297 489381 / 07887 942159
Brinsea 190 ovaeasy series 2 incubator
hold 190 chicken eggs brand new unused
comes with dehumidifier unit £650.
07860 423139
Old touring caravan. £200.
01934 750298 / 07970 950707
39
2 Old granite gate posts & Granite roller
POA. Also several large Devon slate slabs
£40ono each.
01409 253882
Heavy duty static sheep handling system.
Circular forcing pen, race & 2x draining
pens. Buyer removes. Located Brompton
Regis. £750ono no VAT. 01643 702991
Pig/sheep scales digital weighing head
no more guestimation very quick reading.
Sensible offers.
01749 850925 / 07969 487834
4 continental M&S Land Rover tyres
235/85R/16 as new £340.
01823 421681 / 07860 401407
Various grain augars inc 15' cleaning
augar & 35' grain conveyer.
07708 994576
British made plate racks & drying racks for
all range of cookers inc Aga's, Rayburns,
Stanleys, Heritage, Esse, Redfyre etc.
Ideal Gift.www.plateracksanddryingracks.
co.uk
Tel: 01823 672 640
16 De-Laval electronic feeders 6 yrs old
good condition £1600 + VAT. Can pallet.
01362 858871 / 07901 821025
Rhododendrons £6+ (bushy too), choice
trees, shrubs & hedge 200 species.
Rackenford.
goakey101@aol.com
07976 807510 / 01884 881633
Startrite tilt arbor saw bench, Wadkin
18/16” planer thicknesser, dust extractor
all 3 phase. Aero seed fiddle.
01823 400346
Cast aluminium house signs & plaques,
manufactured locally for farms, houses,
restaurants, hotels etc.
visit www.
dorothysfoundry.com for catalogue or call
01823 672640
Traditional hay sled. Link box. 12’ wood
gates. 6’ wood gate. 2 x 50m electric
livestock fence. Bee equip, various.
Ironstone Victoria Ware. 01769 580828
Antique milk float for restoration.
Guillotine. Old bricks & oak beams.
01984 623703
People carrying trailer for approx. 20
people. With roof towable by tractor suits
shoot/farm tours etc.
01934 750298 / 07970 950707
Dual stocks wheels 18 x 38" & 14 x 28"
£400 the set, tyres are worn.
07976 208602
For Sale
Forage crops
Barley & wheat straw & hay for sale, all
baled & delivered by us, please ring for a
keen price on delivery throughout 2015,
we may save you hundreds of pounds on
your current suppliers mark up on bought
in straw, baling & selling straw for 25yrs.
Tel Alexander Mckie
07836 547930
Good quality wheat & barley straw for
sale, for delivered prices & ex farm prices
Delivered throughout the South West.
Please call
07966 239837
Quality round baled haylage, hay & straw.
Small baled hay & straw, del possible
Winkleigh 01837 83381 / 07876 106057
Hay, small square & round bales. Haylage,
silage & straw in various sizes. All avail for
this season. Special rates for collection
from field, or delivery in Barnstaple area.
Phone 3T agriculture to secure your
order.
07968 372241
Small straw bale £1.50 per bale Illminster
area.
07929 864669
Best quality Forage; hay & straw (barley,
wheat, oat, rape) & haylage. Any size
bale, delivery throughout the South-West.
Organic hay & straw wanted. Competitive
prices & reliable service. M.R.Horn
01837 861443
07970 600800 / 01404 823333
Whole crop wheat for sale Glastonbury
area.
07958 339116
Small bale hay available this season.
Collect or deliver.
01460 242369
80 big square bales good quality 2014
haylage to be collected TA4 £14 per bale.
01823 400319
Straw & hay bought & sold in any size
of bale or load. Also bedrap, bedmax
& white small flake shavings for sale at
competitive prices.
01458 447833 / 07889 064294
Barley & wheat straw + hay & silage in
various bales, available at competitive
price. Also fodder beet. Wadebridge. Call
Alec: 07792 373202 /eves 01208 851786
Square bale haylage, June 2014, well
made, Swimbridge area. 07967 133779
Wanted
Beef store cattle & store bulls, for finishing,
can take from TB clear or restricted
farms.
A Dare. 01297 32992 / 07971 541670
Store cattle, cows & bulls, no pre
movement test needed, over 12 mths.
Can take TB cattle, top prices paid. J
Symons. 01805 603250 / 07801 650401
Deer wanted, dead or alive, excellent
price paid, willing to collect.
Robert Hawker
07967 698153
Isuzu 3.5T & 7.5T trucks, any cond. Also
Mitsubishi Canter trucks 3.5T & 7.5T any
cond.
07860 423139
Cull cows, ewes & lambs wanted. Prompt
& good rates of pay. Tel 07976 321686
01823 352228 / 01823 283576
Oop feeder hopers.
01208 880275
Whole barley contact.
Stuart
07740 399138 / 01884 860165
All models 4x4 pick-up single & dble cabs,
good, bad or ugly. Also 2wd pick-ups,
petrols & diesels.
07860 423139 / 01462 743843
Good quality TB Friesian & continental
bull calves for bull beef unit.
07740 399138 / 01884 860165
Organic beef calves, 4-6 mths. Vanstone
North Cornwall
07971 520477
Old shepherds hut any condition will
collect.
07971 417177
P/T handy man suit retired builder.
Kingsteignton area.
01626 363183
8 by 5 livestock trailer must be vgc also
weed wiper.
01288 361214
Combine knife to fit Massey 400/500
series. 07928 551539 / 01208 850385
Portable cubicles any size or number
considered.
07970 414493
Top prices paid for 4x4 & 4x2 petrol Toyota
Hi-Lux pick-ups.
07860 423139
Grass keep with or without sheds.
01884 253847 / 07745 843925
Toyota Landcruisers 4.2 & Nissan Patrol
with 4.2 diesel engines & petrols.
07860 423139 / 01462 743843
Tiny grain dryer gas for small holding.
01837 82158
MF135, 35, 65, T20, 148, 240, 165, 550,
590,188 & 290+ all other older MF models
+ all makes/models of tractor.
07860 423139 / 01462 743843
Land Rovers early series & 90 defenders.
Malcolmclark.avm@gmail.com.
07741 017769 / 01892 891051
Best cash prices paid for motorhomes &
caravans. 01271 866333 / 07769 754968
Relief milker, looking for work on small
family run herd in Honiton area. Flexible,
reliable. Call Lesley
07702 121234
Shooting, pheasants, 1 day Nov-Dec
for travelling syndicate, max 20 miles
Honiton. 100/200 good birds.
07850 347105
3 star hay turner.
01837 82158
Small diesel tank.
01373 834329
Hot water pressure washer.
01208 368348
3m traditional corn drill with coulters in
good condition.
01769 550249 / 07817 793105
Top money paid for Vauxhall Brava’s,
Isuzu Rodeos, Toyota Hilux, Nissan D21
& D22, 4x4 or 2x4, any cond.
07809 461389
Store bullocks 6mths old upwards.
07745 843925 / 01884 253847
Experienced Class 2 Livestock (cattle)
driver required for company in Taunton.
4 days per week Mon-Thurs. Applicants
must hold driver CPC. £10 per hour.
01823 283576
Twin tie straw trusser mechanism.
01884 277329 / 07905 172794
Redundant straw/wood burner.
01747 870439
Ford P100 pickup, Cortina or Sierra
model. Any cond.
07860 423139
Services
Fencing at competitive prices to include
stock fencing, post & rail & other fencing
needs. 07740 399138 / 01884 860165
GreenPaddocks Ltd offers a full range
of grassland management services incl
spraying, topping, harrowing, rolling, soil
analysis, lime & fert applications, grass
seeding, aerating, fencing, ditching etc.
FACTS & BASIS qualified Agronomist.
www.GreenPaddocks.co.uk Based nr
Taunton, we cover a large part of the
SW.
01984 667697 / 07525 670925
Qualified land agent, able to assist with
single farm payments, environmental
stewardships, cross compliance, land
management, agreements, farm mapping
& more. www.blackdownconsulting.co.uk
Call Gemma Sparks
07533 340847
Bovine Hooves foot trimming service,
using the latest techniques & research to
provide the best possible results for cow &
farmer. Professional, experienced service
at unbeatable rates. 07974 766233
J Penfold Tarmacing Contractors Ltd.
Surfacing specialists in roads, drives, car
parks, paths, farm lanes, tennis courts
etc. Contractors for local authority. Free
estimates, all work guaranteed.
01769 574853 / 07778 036925
Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Construction,
Maintenance & repair. Hugh Gardner
www.devonpoolservices.com
07929 960761 /eve 01884 820230
Farm buildings built, repaired & altered.
James Gardner
07807 359847
Aitchison slot seeding the time & cost
efficient way of improving pasture. We
can sow clover. grass seed, Kale, stubble
tunips & wild flower seed into grass or
stubble. For prices & avaliability Contact
Robin Gabriel
07802 530534
01884 35681
Freezebranding & livestock scanning.
Defra approved, reliable, efficient service
throughout the South West. Email
luxtonfreezebranding@gmail.com C a l l
Brett Luxton
01837 880331
07889 275937
Direct drilling service for grass, clover,
kale/rape etc with Aitchison drill into
grassland or stubble. Either stitching in or
complete reseed. South Devon area. For
more info call Graham Stephens
07754 968129 / 01803 813396
Fodder beat drilling & harvesting with 6
row self-propelled machine.
07843 663205
Colin Weeks Fencing, specializing in
agricultural, equestrian, also sand school
construction, security & all other types of
fencing undertaken.
www.colinweeks.
co.uk email info@colinweeks.co.uk
01769 580096 / 07713 248744
For professional garden & pond design &
creation & top quality landscaping. Garden
maintenance & makeovers. Garden
stoneware & slab suppliers. Cornerstone
Projects www.cornerstoneprojects.biz
01643 705856
SMALL ADS
Colin Weeks Forestry & Fencing, for all
your forestry requirements, from thinning
to clear felling, we buy diseased larch
& all other species of standing timber,
hardwood & softwood. info@colinweeks.
co.uk
01769 580096 / 07713 248744
Sheep Shearing - flocks of 2 upwards see www.sheepshearing.org
Call Andy
07835 247520
Steve Lerwill foot trimming specialist,
whole herds undertaken, competitive
rates, NACFT member, large bulls not a
problem, all areas covered.
07915 608139 / 01769 572699
Stonepicking throughout the southwest.
Call for info/prices.
07958 162239
Concrete grooving! With cows being so
valuable, it seems a shame to lose or
damage them through slippery yards.
To groove & make safe those vulnerable
areas ring Macattack. Prices at www.
macattackptnrs.co.uk
01225 891750
Freeze branding for clear ID, guarantee
results indefinitely, straying & missing
heifers & are a lot easier to trace with
a F/B. Alphabet & numbers, full size &
calf irons, also branding crate carried
for calves. Cattle scan, qualified all at
competitive prices
Russell. 07860 574159
Reduce your reseeding costs, slot seed
with Aitchison drill or use the overseeder
for all pastures with Kockling grassmaster,
heavy duty machine. Also dry rolling
grain. Minerals & mollasses can be
added. Also crimping. Brian Dullam
01769 550443
Stillmans (Somerset) Ltd. Private killing
& cutting service for beef, pork & lamb
at local BRC & Red Tractor approved
abattoir.Killed, hung, packed & labelled to
your requirements at competitive prices.
Contact Paul or Tracey on 01823 272661
Freeze branding & concrete grooving.
Very competitive rates. Call Martin Hares
01749 678685 / 07860 958157
Auto AC – mobile vehicle air conditioning
specialist. Repairs servicing & fault
diagnosis on cars, trucks, agriculture
& plant. DPF solutions & also BG
Products fuel saving services. Devon /
W. Somerset. Charlie Hirst. www.auto-ac.
co.uk
07970 802793 / 01884 820480
David Mather cattle services. Hooftrimming, cattle clipping & de-horning.
Clean, safe equipment. Skilled, quiet
stockmen. fully qualified & insured.
Offering a professional service across the
South-West. Ring David for competitive
prices.
07800 985006
SCL Water specialise in the supply of
quality pumps & filtration systems. We
offer outstanding service & value on
Grundfos, DAB & Lowara systems. www.
sclwater.co.uk / info@sclwater.co.uk.
Ring to check our prices 01769 575990
SJ Norman & Sons, will slaughter &
provide butchery for home consumption,
lambs prices from £24, pigs £35, beef
£200, as per your cutting instructions.
We can also pack & label your cuts direct
for your freezer. Email admin@sjnorman.
demon.co.uk
01308 422967
Richard Cory hoof trimming, NACFT
regd, fully licenced cat1, competitive
prices, fully insured, experienced hoof
trimmer. 07538 350810 / 07585 950130
Farm fencing, post & railing, gate
hanging, hedgelaying / restoration,
flail hedge trimming, ditch cleaning &
general
countryside
maintenance;
wooden stable/shed doors & stream
gates made, domestic/garden fencing,
decking & gates. Over 20 yrs experience.
Contact Robin Gabriel 07802 530534
01884 35681
Clarke farm services feed augers &
bulk feed bins. All animal feed systems
supplied bulk bins always wanted &
supplied. 01823 680512 / 07850 444810
Farmers & smallholders, farm shops etc.
Slaughtering & cutting service available
at small family run, fully approved,
abattoir & cutting plant. Pork, lamb
& beef (inc OTM) processed to your
requirements. Soil Association & ABM
Certified.
csnellwholesale@
btconnect.com
01460 220420
Contracting mowing raking round baling
& wrapping, tractor trailer hire, dung
spreading, hedge trimming. Tiverton area
Phil Coles
07826 520653
Heifer rearing, I've been heifer rearing for
9 yrs & at present sending heifers home
at 600-700kg been TB free for 16yrs.
John Searle, Axminster. 07968 691549
Cowsfeet day-long herd foot health &
foot trimming courses available. Topics
covered: anatomy of a cow’s lower leg &
foot/locomotion scoring/recognising the
infectious & non-infectious diseases of
the foot & why they occur & how to
prevent them. Safe cattle handling. How
to apply a block or bandage. Effective
knife-sharpening. We can bring courses
to your farm or come to our new purposebuilt school in Somerset. £100 per place.
Agricultural & veterinary student places
are available at a 35% discount. For more
info www.cowsfeet.co.uk 01963 824448
Mike Ford fencing. National fencing
competition winner 2008/09/10/12. Stock
fencing, post & rail, equestrian & poultry.
01769 580472
Hedge laying tree felling scrub clearance
in Devon & Cornwall.
07515 420883
Smalls
of
Devon,
industrial
&
domestic roof coating specialist. High
pressure painting of rusty barns, slate
weatherproofing, exterior wall coatings,
high pressure cleaning & re-slating &
tiling service.
01626 680239
01626 821537 / 07754 856859
Trailer-towing.com. Fully qualified driving
instructor, 1 to 1 training, courses from
£445 including test, also refresher
courses, discounts available, tax
deductible. Visit website or call for info.
07810 738331 / 0800 112 0060
Do you rear animals for the freezer? We
collect from abattoir in a refrigerated van.
Hang, cut & pack to your requirements in
our cold store & cutting room & deliver
back to you if reqd. Sausages, bacon &
burgers no problem. We also sell local
beef, pork & lamb in boxes at competitive
prices. Located Broadhempston, Devon.
e-mail richens96@btinternet.com
01803 814250 / 07764 660456
Lime, fibrophos & basic slag delivered &
spread. Sand for cubicle bedding. Also,
rotaseeding service. David Petherick
Agricultural Contracting.
01363 82487 / 07967 304394
Dan Toogood available for foraging self
propelled & trailed, whole or part job.
Round & square (4 string 80/90) baling &
wrapping, small baling with flat 8 sledge,
dung spreading, slurry tanking, power
harrow drilling based nr Wellington.
07754 080254
Sheep shearing contractor, reliable,
competitive, any size flock, covering
whole SW. All shearing requirements
covered. Wool packing crate & tier
available. 07807 455160 / 01297 680535
Dehorning service. Covering Devon &
North Cornwall. All equipment supplied.
James
07896 922284
Freeze branding & concrete grooving.
Covering Devon, Cornwall, Somerset &
Dorset. Reliable worker at competitive
rates call Tim Mountjoy . www.swfb.co.uk
01237 431713 / 07920 161438
Gold services S.W. Ltd, Agricultural
buildings & repairs & modifications. Also
new buildings erected & kit form buildings.
Call for free quote.
07734 690278
Pest management, moles, rats, wasps,
fully insured. k30bws@gmail.com
01805 625223 / 07974 040276
Professional pond & lake clearance tidying
& drainage, pond & liner repairs pond
planting & pruning. Pond pumps & filtration
suppliers & fitters. Pond design & creation
professionals - Call Top Notch Gardens &
Ponds - www.cornerstoneprojects.biz
01643 705856
Rotaseeding direct seeder, grass, kale,
rapeseed, all done in one pass. New
technique for seeding, enqs welcome.
01769 550443
SJ Norman & Sons offer emergency
slaughter services, veterinary certificate
required. 07724 870217 / 01308 422967
Andrew Hawken first class professional
foot trimmer, deal can be done, For
friendly & polite response call Andrew.
07907 796836
Casualty cattle with certification for human
consumption picked up. Prompt and good
rates of pay. Telephone 07976 321686
01823 352228 / 01823 283576
Four Seasons Tree Services. All aspects
of tree surgery, grounds maintenance,
stump grinding, fencing, hedge cutting,
gardening.
info@fourseasons-treeservices.com
01884 820839 / 07766 168162
At Stud
Parsons Russell Terrier stud dog.
01460 221763 / 07887 572908
To Let
Holiday caravan on working farm in
Ruthern Valley, mid Cornwall. Large 3
bedroom static, sleeps 6, garden. Lovely
position.
01208 831300
Harlyn Bay nr Padstow, comfortable 3
bed holiday cottage. 500 yards from safe,
sandy beach & coast path. Enclosed
garden.
01271 850658
Riverside caravan & camping park, on
the gateway to Exmoor, set in 70 acres of
parkland, 4 star family park, open all year,
3 specimen carp lakes, luxury statics
www.exmoorriverside.co.uk
01769 579269
Algarve Villa, between Silves & Messines,
sleeps six, aircon, pool, BBQ. 45mins
from airport, 25 mins from the coast.
Set among orange groves in a rural yet
accessible location. glebelandsfarm@
btinternet.com
07889 825796
500 square feet plus storage / office
space. Illminster area.
07885 145311
Algarve Portugal, 2 bed villa on Rocha
Brava resort. Pools & tennis on site. 10
min walk to beach & golf. 01271 321584
Devon quirky cottage. Sleeps 7, beach 10
mins Exeter city 10 mins beautiful area or
suffolkcottagewoodbury @gmail.com
07890 23313
Polzeath, North Cornwall.
Luxury 1
bedroom holiday let with stunning views.
Minimum 2 night stays. Super king double
or 2 singles, well equipped kitchen, central
heating, wood burner, garden. Property
E18356 on www.ownersdirect.co.uk for
more info & pictures.
Call Clare 01208 863209 / 07787 125079
Small 4 acre paddock with barn available
for grazing near Marston Magna. Special
breeds preferred. Terms negotiable.
01935 850910
For Hire
Marquee/party tents 6mx12m & 12mx12m
chairs, tables, heaters etc.
marqueeandtenthire@gmail.com
22KVA generator hire - ideal for outside
functions. 300AMP diesel welding set for
hire - with or without operator.
07971 411691 / 01769 579816
Mature Limousin bulls for hire. Ped &
quiet, BVD & Lepto vac. John Robinson.
01363 866310
14T log splitter 6’ tracked chipper stump
grinder compact tractor.
01884 820839 / 07766 168162
8” tracked or wheeled wood chippers,
diesel, with or without operator.
07970 059622 / 01769 574096
Stump grinder, removes any size of
stump, with or without operator.
07970 059622 / 01769 574096
Cherry picker, 50’ reach, ideal for gutters,
chimneys, painting, tree work etc.
07970 059622 / 01769 574096
9T & 2T digger with operator for hire comp
rates 01823 669090 / 07813 600430
Ped Limousin/Angus Bulls, 07885 145311
Skid steer loaders, from 44” to 66” wide,
both with buckets & dung grabs. Also
1.5T to 5T mini diggers, available with
post hole auger & breaker/post banger.
Self drive. Richard Smith. North Molton.
01598 740406 / 07970 914070
Events
Riverside park South Molton Country &
Western Festival Sept. 11-13 camping
available relax@exmoorriverside.co.uk
phone 01769 579269
Tiverton Balloon & Music Festival 10th –
12th July. 40 + hot air balloons; 40+ bands
on 2 stages; Children’s entertainment;
Planetarium; Falconry; Flying displays;
Stunning Night glows (10th & 11th); Car
boot sale (12th); Food, drink & crafts
pavilion; diverse range of refreshments;
bars; camping. Raising funds for Devon
Air Ambulance & Children’s Hospice S
W. For tickets, balloon flights, trade stand
applications & information
www.tivertonballoonfestival.co.uk
01404 823735
Dunster Country Fair Dunster lawns nr
Minehead Weds 29th July 2015 www.
Dunstercountryfair.co.uk All enquiries
Mrs J Thomas
01984 640253
Riverside Park South Molton Beer Folk
& Music Festival Oct. 2-4th camping
available. relax@exmoorriverside.co.uk
phone 01769 579269
Family Dog, Terrier, Lurcher Show.
Lurchers simulated coursing followed
by inter hunt hound racing. 18th July
Hunniwins Farm, North Molton, EX36
3EX.
01598 740300
Cowsfeet day-long herd foot health &
foot trimming courses available. Topics
covered: anatomy of a cow’s lower leg
& foot locomotion scoring, recognising
the infectious & non-infectious diseases
of the foot & why they occur & how to
prevent them, safe cattle handling, how
to apply a block or bandage, effective
knife-sharpening. We can bring courses
to your farm or come to our new purposebuilt school in Somerset. £100 per place.
Agricultural & veterinary student places
are available at a 35% discount. For more
info www.cowsfeet.co.uk 01963 824448
11th – 12th July, Sedgemoor Vintage
Show, at Sloway Farm [A38], Pawlett,
TA9 3RH, Steam, tractors, engines, cars,
trucks, displays & trade stands. A great
day out for all the family, free car park,
Adults £6, under 16 yrs free.
www.sedgemoorvintageclub.co.uk
The Inaugural Exlana Ram Sale 11th
August 2015. To be held at Upper Leigh
Farm, East Knoyle, Salisbury. SP36AP.
On the A350, just 2 miles south from the
junction with the A303. Event will start at
10.30 with the sale at 1pm. Please see for
details & catalogue.
website www.sig.uk.com
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY | NEWS
DIARY DATES
COMPETITION
Win with MVF!
Honiton YFC Fun Day raising money for Cancer Research UK and the Devon Air
Ambulance. Hog roast, auction, games from 2pm at Upton Ley Farm EX14 3JF
Introduction to carriage driving 2pm onwards. Watch, learn, have a go! Easter
Hall Park, Petrockstow EX20 3HP. Phone 07970 699631 for more information
5 Jul
8 Jul
For your chance to win this great prize, enter
our competition today.
11 Jul
Liskeard Show at Merrymeat PL14 3LE liskeardshow.org
Suzuki quad bike
12-15 Jul
Meating and Milking the Cream of Cornish Grassland. BGS Summer meeting,
three days of stimulating and diverse technical tours. More information call BGS office
02476 696600 email bgsoffice@britishgrassland.com britishgrassland.com (p6)
13 Jul
Stithians Show* Stithians, Cornwall TR3 7DP sithiansshow.org.uk
16 Jul
Beneath our Feet Rothamstead Research event taking place at North Wyke,
Okehampton EX20 2SB. Please register with Charlotte Evans at BGS charlotte.evans@
britishgrassland.com or text 07833 437974 quoting Beneath our Feet and state
names attendee(s) registering. 10am start, lunch provided. Understanding soil types,
soil structure, new grass and clover varieties, profiteering from permanent pasture.
18 Jul
Camborne Show Gwithian TR27 5EF 01209 610861 camborne-show.org.uk
20-23 Jul
Royal Welsh Show* Builth Wells (Sat Nav LD2 3SY). Showcasing the cream of
Welsh livestock and the high quality food and drink produced in Wales. Book tickets
on line at rwas.co.uk or download the app for more information and news.
23 Jul
25 Jul
26 Jul
Those of you who visited the Devon County or
Royal Cornwall Shows may have noticed the
bright red quad bike which is being offered as a
prize by Suzuki.
To enter, look for the link from the home page
of molevalleyfarmers.com or visit our marquee
at the shows we are attending and ask our staff
about the draw, alternatively text MOLE with
your email address to 63233. T&C apply.
26 Jul-1
Aug
27 Jul
29 Jul
30 Jul
31 Jul-2
Aug
1 Aug
5 Aug
6 Aug
Thursday
30 July
Guernsey Royal Agricultural Show, Saumarez Park, Guernsey. 9am-5pm Cattle,
horse in hand, sheep and goats. Refreshments available. Free entry.
Mid Devon Show* Hartnoll Farm, Tiverton EX16 4NG livestock, working farm
demonstrations, entertainment, food hall, farmers market middevonshow.co.uk
Totnes Show Berry Farm, Totnes TQ9 6LG with cattle, sheep, show jumping, crafts
food hall, poultry, rabbits, grand parade totnesshow.com 01803 732813
Two Moors Way Pony and Carriage Drive, start Wembury Riding School,
Plymouth finishes Lynmouth. Raising funds for Sirona Theraputic Horsemanship.
facebook.com/sirona.therapeutichorsemanship or call Liz Meredith on 07739 279173
Woolsery Show Clovelly Court, N.Devon EX39 5SY. Traditional agricultural show,
01409 241288 woolseryshow.org.uk
Yealmpton Show Kitley Lawns, Yealmpton PL8 2NN. Cattle, sheep, horses, goats,
donkeys, pets, food and main ring attractions 01803 814390 yealmptonshow.co.uk
Forde Abbey Summer Fair. Raising funds for RABI and RDA. Fun fair, dog scurry,
parade of Park Beagles, fly fishing, falconry, classic cars and vintage tractors Tickets
on the day £7.50 (adults) £2.50 (children 5-15) £18 (family) 01460 220231
Launceston Agricultural Show. Kennards House PL15 7EZ. Cattle, sheep, horses,
YFC. WI, floral art, crafts, food display. 07988 479452 launcestonshow.co.uk
CLA Game Fair, Harewood House, Leeds LS17 9LG. Shooting, fishing, gundogs,
falconry, woodland management equestrian, archery and much more. Have a go
opportunities, debates, rural issues in this major country sports event gamefair.co.uk
Brecon County Show, Watton Villa Fields, Brecon. breconcountyshow.co.uk
Clay Pigeon Shoot, Oakkford, Tiverton raising funds for Samburu (see page 34)
North Devon Show* Umberleigh Barton Farm, Umberleigh EX37 9DX. Livestock
dogs, crafts, food hall, displays and demos 01769 573852 northdevonshow.com
Honiton Show* The Showground, Honiton EX14 3AW. Traditional agricultural show
of rural life 01404 41794 honitonshow.co.uk
For information on these events, contact the Show Team on 01769 575653
or see www.asao.co.uk (Assoc. of Shows and Agric. Organisations)
www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/info/general/Community
Forde Abbey, Chard TA20 4LU
Set in the beautiful grounds of Forde Abbey,
the day will be raising funds in aid of RABI.
With fun fair, dog scurry, parade of Park
Beagles, fly fishing, falconry, classic cars
and vintage tractors, a farmers’ market, live
musicand new food court. Ticket prices see
Diary Dates section
info@fordeabbey.co.uk 01460 220231
molevalleyfarmers.com
ALL PRICES IN
THIS NEWSLETTER
EXCLUDE VAT
(where applicable)
EXCEPT WHERE
STATED OTHERWISE
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*MVF attending

The Newsletter - Mole Valley Farmers

Transcription

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