THE REASEHEATHRADA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMYnews NEWSLETTER ISSUE 10 - SEPTEMBER 2014

The CAP, Greening Lameness special and your farm PAGE 11 PAGE 22 Campaign for Prince’s the Farmed Countryside Fund Environment PAGE 7 PAGE 20

www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada a digestate that can then be applied to land as a fertiliser. Reaseheath College have two demonstration digesters on the College farm, which were Editorial commissioned in 2011 and take slurry from the 250 dairy cows and a small pig unit. The digesters run for 20 hours per day allowing 4 hours for maintenance. Every day Reaseheath invests the digesters use 23 m3 of slurry and produce 475 m3 of biogas, which is 60% methane. The CHP in sustainable engine has a 50 kw/hr capacity and runs at 38 kw/hr, providing the College with 15% of its energy needs. food production Because the College AD site is there to test the concept The long-term plan for producing food in the UK is to and spread the learning to the increase output, but to do this with reduced impact on community, there is a strong educational push to the effort. the environment. This sounds like a tough ask, although Further and higher education Meredydd David OBE, Principal of Reaseheath College in students as well as the regional Nantwich, believes not only that this can be achieved, but farming community, AD that it must be delivered. “Government strategy is to produce technologists, planners and financiers have all benefitted more and impact less, or to give it its jargon, ‘Sustainable from the facility. “We had many Intensification’”, Meredydd says and adds, “This direction challenges in operating an AD unit is vitally important if we are to produce enough food for that is solely based on slurry.” a growing population, meeting the demands of national comments Meredydd. and international markets, food security, food safety and “We do not want to take crops as feedstocks for AD that environmental improvement. Our response at Reaseheath might feed animals or humans College has been to invest heavily in these areas so that directly, such as maize or barley, businesses in the North West have an educational and and that means that maintaining knowledge base from which to grow.” digestion conditions is technically challenging.” says Meredydd. However, after much work the Food Innovation Centre training programme is industry led, plant operation is stable and the The College has recently allowing students to learn on the digestate that is produced has been invested £2 million in developing job with companies like Muller- used in grass growing trials on the its centre for supporting businesses Wiseman and Arla Foods. farm. From these the College knows in developing and growing new that the digestate material has a products and skills. The centre Pioneering AD nitrogen content of around 3.5 boasts an array of small-scale, pre- Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a kg N per m3, with availability for industrial equipment for processing way of taking waste slurry from grass growth of 55% - that’s better milk into anything from flavoured animals (mainly cows in the context than the book values and shows drinks to yoghurt, butter and ice of the North West) and allowing it to the need for analysis and on-farm cream. Companies use the facilities ferment under controlled conditions trials to get the maximum out of to develop their ideas and test the so that it produces methane gas. the material in terms of reducing market. The gas is then collected and burnt brought in fertiliser costs. The Food Innovation Centre in a CHP (combined heat and power also hosts the Eden Project, which unit) that produces electricity and Food Futures Centre trains the milk food processors and heat. So, you get power from a “We are also very excited technologists of the future. This renewable waste. The by-product is to have recently announced a

2 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada £10 million investment in a new educational and knowledge Industry Comments and exchange centre at Reaseheath which will operate nationally in Letters to the Editor - the area of sustainable food and farming.” Meredydd enthused. An Invitation Local MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, cut the Welcome to the tenth RADA News. The aim of the newsletter is to provide first sod for the site on 9th May and useful technical and market information and insight for the farmers and the centre will be open for business rural businesses of Cheshire and the North West. We will also be featuring in September 2015. different activities, demonstration events and skills training courses that are available, and we hope that these will be of interest to all involved “If we are to achieve sustainable with farming and rural businesses in the region. intensification in food production, then we need the young people You can send us your comments and opinions on any issues and we will with the integrated skills and print some of these in future issues. Contact us at: businesses operating to use new RADA, Enterprise Delivery Hub, Reaseheath College, technologies to help farmers and growers develop further and faster. Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF. “This is our role and our duty.” Tel: 01270 613 195 concluded Meredydd. “The new Email: [email protected] centre will put the Reaseheath Team and businesses in the North West at the forefront of turning new science Too much RADA News? into commercial farming and food If you receive duplicate copies of RADA news, please contact Beth Chinn practice. And that’s where we need on 01270 613 195 or email [email protected] and we will make sure to be if we are to support agri and you only get what you need. food businesses in the region in making the most of the wonderful resources and markets that the area provides.” ABOUT RADA So you’ve heard it from the Our aim at RADA is to improve the profitability and resource use efficiency boss! These are exciting times in UK of farms in North West England by delivering high quality knowledge Agriculture plc, and therefore for transfer that is focused on the needs of farmers. Reaseheath College. The philosophy of RADA is to view ‘sustainability’ and ‘profitability’ as inextricably linked. Based at Reaseheath College, we use Government and European funding to provide training, advice and knowledge transfer which meets the needs of our region’s farmers and their employees. We also inform the rural sector and those that develop policy for it. The RADA team and partner organisations are professional, accessible, farmer focused and flexible in their dedication to filling the skills and knowledge gaps that the farming community needs in order to be profitable and sustainable. Our programmes are continually evolving and aim to provide skills and knowledge in all areas of managing businesses and people, technical farming issues and environmental matters. This occasional newsletter will keep you up to date with what is on offer. If there is anything you need that is not in our training programmes, then please contact the team on 01270 613 195 or at [email protected] and we will endeavour to help.

Annette McDonald, Head of Skills, Innovation and Enterprise Solutions, Reaseheath College.

www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 3 RADA News Reaseheath students look for alternative to soya in sheep feed Agricultural students from Reaseheath College are helping to carry out a trial to replace soya with a more sustainable UK grown protein in ewe feed.

Thirty Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture students assisted Reaseheath Sheep Unit Manager Oliver Bagley and Course Manager Richard Wheeldon to run the trial during the College’s busy lambing period in March and Early April. Data collected is being evaluated to see if replacing soya with alternative sources of protein affects the growth weight and kill weight of lambs. Above: Students Callum Pitchford, Chris Adamson, Morgan Spencer and Laura Soya is traditionally imported into Bellis weigh a ewe and care for the lambs shortly after birth. this country from South America and is often fed in meal form to pregnant Uneaten food is methodically to continue their studies to degree ewes and lambs. Experts believe that gathered and weighed. All lambs are level and to look at the many science the UK needs to produce its own systematically weighed at birth, four based careers within the industry. sources of protein to improve the and eight weeks, at weaning and Taking part in a real life, hands- long term sustainability of its sheep at sale. The lambs are EID tagged, production. on trial like this also gives them the enabling the students to record the unique opportunity to deliver results The project is funded by EBLEX, data efficiently. The ewes are also which will hopefully benefit the the organisation for beef and weighed directly after lambing. industry. lamb levy payers in England, and Kate Phillips, Principal Livestock run by ADAS, the agricultural and Consultant with ADAS explained: environmental consultancy. It was Below: Callum Pitchford and Laura offered to Reaseheath because of “There is a need to find viable and the College’s partnership with the alternative sources to soya which Bellis fit an EID tag to a lamb. National Sheep Association. are more sustainable to the UK feed industry. We are delighted The trial involves feeding that Reaseheath’s agricultural different rations to six groups, each students are helping to carry out containing 40 twin bearing ewes. All this important project for us and we groups are fed TMR rations based on home-produced grass silage. In are very much looking forward to addition, the control group receives receiving their feedback.” supplementary barley and soya Richard Wheeldon said: “Our which is replaced in the other groups students complete investigative with blends of rape and fodder beet, projects which include research barley and wheat dark distillers and data collection as part of their grains, barley and beans, rape and Level 3 course. We believe that barley or wheat dark distillers grains these projects, which are similar to a and fodder beet. dissertation, encourage our students

4 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Reaseheath agricultural apprentices ensure succession The crucial role that agricultural apprentices play by ensuring staff succession on farms was emphasised at an awards ceremony at Reaseheath College earlier this Spring.

The ceremony celebrated the Reaseheath to ensure that there was achievement of 180 apprentices, a succession of trained and skilled including 37 agricultural apprentices, employees within the company who who gained their qualifications at the would fill the skills gap when older Nantwich, Cheshire, specialist college workers retired. this year. Above: Best agricultural apprentice The agricultural industry was Adam Brown. The agricultural apprentices becoming increasingly technical attend college weekly and spend the and it was essential that employees Top honours of the evening went to rest of the week learning and training were trained in the operation Apprentice of the Year Adam Hughes, on farms throughout Cheshire and of sophisticated machinery and surrounding counties. a plant maintenance technician equipment. His company appreciated for Gunn JCB, and to Advanced Reaseheath Vice Principal the support given by Reaseheath to Apprentice of the Year Lyndsay Dave Kynaston congratulated the its training programme. Jones, a production operator and apprentices and their employers machine setter for Aimia Foods. for investing in meaningful and Also on the podium was Level valued qualifications which would 3 agriculture apprentice Jordan Best Agricultural Apprentice was boost productivity and ensure the Kenyon, last year’s Apprentice of Adam Brown, 26, who works as an future of the UK’s skilled agricultural the Year, who described his progress Anaerobic Digestion (AD) technician workforce. as a herdsman with dairy farmer on Reaseheath’s demonstration Guest speaker John Hurst, who Martin Wheelton of Gawsworth AD plant. Adam’s duties include oversees management of 15,000 near Macclesfield. His career has guiding tours for local farming and acres for Co-operative Farms and moved fast and he now manages community groups, allied businesses is responsible for the company’s two staff and is looking forward to and undergraduates. He is also graduate training scheme, said that managing a dairy unit or possibly employed on his family’s dairy farm The Co-operative was working with studying business to a higher level. in Holmes Chapel.

Below: Reaseheath agricultural apprentices Dave Swinnerton, Adam Brown, Harry Clifton, Shannon Belfield, David Taylor, William Brocklehurst, Peter Marrow and Joshua Flood celebrate their success.

www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 5 Travel beckons for ambitious young farmers Two ambitious young farming entrepreneurs are looking forward to global travel thanks to a scholarship run by Reaseheath College and the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Above: Rachel Billington and Simon Bonner receive their John Platt Travel Scholarships from Keith Thomas and Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David at Rachel Billington and Simon the Cheshire Show. Bonner were presented with £2,000 John Platt Travel Scholarships during Simon, 26, is assistant herdsman the best from grass.” the Presidents Lunch at the Cheshire at Bankhead Farm, Broxton, a 240 The John Platt scholarship is in Show. Rachel will use her scholarship cow, autumn calving, pasture-based memory of John Platt, a former Chair to help her gain a professional dairy farm on the Bolesworth Estate. of Reaseheath Governors and former qualification from Leith’s School of He will use his scholarship to visit Chairman, President and Honorary Food and Wine, London, and has a New Zealand and Ireland to compare Life Warden of the Cheshire long term plan to eventually run a pasture-based dairy systems Agricultural Society. cookery school which will promote with those in the UK, in particular Presenting the awards, Cheshire British agriculture and the food examining the opportunities and Show Director Keith Thomas said chain, from field to fork. She will also constraints for wealth creation and that both Rachel and Simon had use her award to travel to other farm profit from grass. been outstanding candidates and diversification schemes. Simon has a BSc (Hons) Degree had shown the drive, ambition and The 25 year-old is a product in Agriculture with Countryside desire to seek out new information development technologist with Management and worked on and technology which would benefit Goodlife Foods, Warrington, a food dairy farms in New Zealand after the Cheshire farming community. manufacturer for major retailers. She graduating. He also spent a year The John Platt Travel Scholarship previously studied at Harper Adams with Rhys Williams, one of the UK’s is awarded annually and is open University for a BSc (Hons) Degree in leading exponents of milk production to young people from a rural Agri-food, Marketing and Business from grazed grass, who farms near background who live or work in Studies and is current lady chairman Aberdaron in north west Wales. Cheshire. Applications are being of Congleton Young Farmers Club. Simon comes from Hale Barns, taken for next year. Her family have a dairy farm in Altrincham, and has always wanted Siddington near Macclesfield. to farm although he does not have Rachel said: “I am delighted to an agricultural background. He receive the scholarship. It will give said: “It’s an honour to be awarded For further details me a fantastic opportunity to learn this scholarship. I plan to use See www.reaseheath.ac.uk/ new skills and to meet others who the opportunity to enhance my john-platt-scholarship or email are successfully running on-farm knowledge of the pasture-based [email protected] diversification businesses.” dairy industry and learn how to get

6 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada RADA Events & Support Helping farmers through the Prince’s Countryside Fund

RADA at Reaseheath College has successfully been awarded funding through the Prince’s Countryside Fund to help farmers in Cheshire and the surrounding counties.

The project, called ‘The best farmers that are in urgent need of projects across the UK and helped way forward’ provides one-to-one support and business improvement.” more than 52,000 people since support for struggling farmers The areas covered by the 2010. The Fund was set up by Prince and funding will be available until project are finance advice, business Charles to tackle key issues which February 2015. (including succession planning), farm negatively impact on rural Britain. A Prince’s Countryside Fund management, environment and In particular, he is keen to secure project in Cheshire is being animal husbandry. a sustainable future for British agriculture and the rural economy. organised and managed by Lesley says, “We are currently Reaseheath College, launched in accepting applications and farmers March 2014 and support will be can receive funding to pay for a available until February 2015. consultancy visit to assess specific The aim of the project is to help problems and propose solutions. All farm businesses become more farmers, or their agents, have to do profitable and sustainable over the is contact me, Lesley Innes, RADA long term and to encourage efficient Knowledge Transfer Facilitator, on farm practices. Our objective is to do 01270 625131 or 07788721943 or this by providing a range of specific email [email protected] technical help, advice and planning. The Prince’s Countryside Fund is Project Manager Lesley Innes said, supported by a unique collaboration “We are delighted to receive this of businesses working together funding. The project will open up to support farming businesses to new doors for us to work with secure a sustainable future for farmers that do not usually interact British agriculture and the wider with Reaseheath and the knowledge rural economy. So far the Prince’s transfer work that we do. Most Countryside Fund has donated £3.3 Lesley Innes, RADA Knowledge importantly, it will enable us to help million in grants, supported over 70 Transfer Facilitator. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 7 GUEST ARTICLE Understand it to beat it: reducing dairy cow lameness Some dairy farms have no or very few lame cows. Others have up to 60% of the herd lame at any one time. Why the difference?

Owen Atkinson of Dairy was overseen by a steering group A few words about mobility Veterinary Consultancy Ltd. tells us consisting of NFU representation, as scoring about the outcomes of a project well as other farmer members, and The DairyCo Mobility Scoring aimed to provide some answers. had three objectives: system (0, 1, 2 and 3) was used You might think it is down to the 1. To measure the impact of the DHFP during the project. Scores 2 and 3 are breed of cow, the trimming policy, on mobility in dairy cattle. classed as ‘lame’, 0 and 1 as ‘not lame’. the type of system, or how often Great care was taken that all scorers 2. To understand the motivations foot bathing is done. Not necessarily, were trained to a consistent level. according to results from a large and barriers to implementing In addition, the same person scored scale mobility project, conducted in management changes on-farm that any individual farm at each occasion partnership with RADA here in the improve cattle mobility. through the year, wherever possible. North West. 3. To evaluate the cost savings and Nevertheless, mobility scoring is Three vital qualities appear business benefits arising from subjective, as it involves humans, and to be the keys to good mobility mobility improvement. it could be biased as well as prone to on any dairy farm: awareness, The study involved 11,800 cows error. Previous studies have found understanding and attitude. on 44 dairy farms: half had voluntarily that scoring is reasonably reliable, but enrolled on the DHFP, and the other herds with more lame cows tend to half were recruited to act as ‘control’ have lame cows missed (so they get a better overall herd score than the farms that were not on the lameness reality), whereas in herds with very improvement plan. The aim was to few lame cows, it is easier to identify test if those farms on the DHFP did a greater proportion of them (so their anything differently, or reduced their herd score is more accurate). lameness more than the controls. The last previous large scale UK All farms had independent, regular project involving mobility scoring whole herd mobility scores done over found that 36.8% of cows were lame a 12 month period, and farmers were (score 2 or 3) at any one occasion. interviewed in depth at the end of the This was done in 2006/7, by Bristol year to find out what they thought University, mainly in south west about lameness and what they did for England. Above: Owen Atkinson, Dairy prevention. Farmers who have never had their Veterinary Consultancy Ltd. At the end of the study, it was herds independently mobility scored possible to look at the differences before are sometimes surprised at The Project between: their herd results. Another study The launch of the DairyCo Healthy looking into this found that farms Farms enrolled on the DHFP (‘Plan’ Feet Programme (DHFP) in 2011 might often be aware of the very farms) and those not (‘control’ means that the GB dairy industry lame cows (score 3s) but less so of the farms). now has a national lameness control mildly lame cows (score 2s). However, programme, which is focused on Farms which reduced lameness the once these cows are identified for prevention, not just cure. most over the year and those where them, farmers are very good at pin- lameness increased the most. pointing which foot the cow is lame RADA led an 18 month research on, meaning they do have a good Farms with the least lameness and project, funded through the RDPE ability to identify them as lame, but Programme, on cattle mobility in those with the highest proportion of somehow don’t see them or count North West England The project lame cows in their herds. them at this level of lameness.

8 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada One of the biggest benefits of Mobility scores during the project proper regular scoring is finding those early lame cows so they can be treated promptly. This makes recovery % herd % herd % herd quicker, the impact of the lameness score 2 score 3 lame less damaging, and the job for the farmer or trimmer much easier. Average of all farms at start 23.8 8.2 32.0 One of the key assets of the DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme identified Control farms at start 21.9 10.1 32.0 by about half of the enrolled ‘Plan’ farmers was that they learned to use DHFP Plan farms at start 24.5 7.4 31.9 regular mobility scoring to identify and treat lame cows earlier than they Control farms at end 21.7 10.3 32.0 were doing before. DCHP farms at end 20.7 4.7 25.4 Top 25% herds (lowest lameness average 13.4 3.5 16.9 over year) Worst 25% herds (highest lameness average 27.1 13.7 40.8 over the year) Average of farmers’ estimates for own farm - - 22.9 Average of farmers’ estimates for the aver- - - 30.2 age of UK dairy herd Average of farmers’ own aspiration for Fascinating and revealing - - 10.3 results whole of UK dairy herd Overall, at the start of the project, 32% of cows were lame (see results in the Table). There were no overall Looking at the bottom three rows common foot disorders. Again, the differences between the Plan and the of the table, it is interesting to see DHFP Plan farmers significantly Control farms, but within all farms that farmers have a pretty realistic improved their understanding from there was a very wide range: from 0% view of lameness in the UK dairy herd the start to the end of the year. It was lame to over 50% lame. (an average estimate of 30%), and an difficult to measure whether increased After a year, the DHFP Plan farms aspiration to reduce this significantly understanding of lameness led to less showed a significant reduction in (to around 10%, on average). However, lameness directly, but those farms lameness overall: down to an average farmers do tend to under-estimate which showed the biggest lameness of 25%. Again, there was a big range, lameness on their own farms. reductions during the year also scored with some farms showing better higher in the same quiz. These farmers improvement than others. Awareness were also more likely to have had Within the Control farm group, the recent formal training in foot care/ Something which was striking was overall lameness remained the same, trimming, either for themselves or at 32%. Some farms had improved, that farmers with lowest lameness their staff. and some farms had worsened, but were better able to accurately generally there was less movement in estimate lameness in their own mobility scores than in the Plan group. herds. Meanwhile, farms with higher Attitude lameness levels consistently under- Perhaps the most interesting Overall, there was no significant estimated their herds’ lameness by difference between the farms with seasonal variation in lameness, though lowest lameness and those with the all herds fluctuated to some degree much greater amounts. The DHFP in mobility scores between each Plan farms, by the end of the year, most was in their attitude to the issue, occasion (scores were done every 3 significantly improved their ability and confidence in their ability to make months). to estimate their herds’ lameness a difference. levels, indicating that awareness had Farmers with least lameness The Plan farms did twice as many new lameness reducing actions during improved. rated having an action plan to reduce the year as the Control farms (7.9 vs lameness more highly. Most farmers, 3.8). However, the study did not find Understanding whether Plan or Control, identified lack any isolated actions or management of time and lack of money as significant practices which were common to all Farmers were set a short quiz barriers to reducing lameness, but farms with lowest lameness, or which on their ability to recognise and the Plan farms placed more value on lowered lameness the most. understand the causes of some having an action plan with external www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 9 help which enabled them to identify the easiest and health and welfare. Part of the reason for this is perhaps cheapest things they could do which were likely to have the that lame cows hide their lameness very well; an essential greatest impact on reducing their herds’ lameness. aspect of their evolution. To avoid attack by predators, a The following diagram summarises the apparent cow has evolved to always stay with the herd, preferably progression of farmers from those with highest lameness hiding somewhere in the middle, to remain alert at all times, levels to those with the lowest lameness: and, most importantly, not to show signs of weakness and to be able to run as fast as her herd mates. Mobility score 3 cows, by definition, can not keep up with their herd mates. In Darwinian ‘survival of the KNOWING IMPROVED fittest’ terms, they would be the lions’ breakfast or the HERD MOBILITY jackals’ supper. In terms of what farmers see, this 5-10% of the herd are the ones which they notice. But what of KNOWINGLY the other lame cows? The mobility score 2 cows are lame: UNKNOWING you can spot them if you try, but they have not yet lost POOR HERD their ability to stay ‘hidden’. They have lesions though; you will find something if you lift their feet. They will also be UNKNOWINGLY MOBILITY feeling pain. Importantly, they will also be having knock-on UNKNOWING consequences to their ability to function well. Lameness leads to infertility The ‘unknowingly unknowing’ farmers would appear Lame cows, even these ‘hidden’ ones, have altered to have the most lameness, have the poorest ability feeding behaviour. In housed herds, they get up to feed less to estimate their herds’ lameness levels, and the least often, so their meals are larger and more prone to inducing understanding of lameness. However, they do not recognise rumen acidosis. In both grazing and housed herds, their this as a factor in their ability to prevent lameness, instead total dry matter intakes are less - so they produce less milk. having a greater tendency to blame external factors for They ‘milk off their backs’ and lose weight. their cows being lame (from “poor tracks”, to “the weather” to “genetics” to “not enough money”). They also over- This weight loss means they are less fertile too. This, estimate their own understanding of lameness. and the fact they want to ‘hide’ means that they come into heat less strongly (if they are cycling at all) and they take The ‘knowingly unknowing’ farmers have their a significantly longer time to conceive and have a higher awareness improved so that they are better able to chance of being culled as barren. One recent UK study recognise that they may require, for example, external help. showed that lame cows, even if lame for a short period of They begin to place value on better knowledge/ training/ time, took on average over 60 days longer to get in calf than information on lameness, and can better estimate the their sound herd mates. lameness levels in their herd. They begin to take control of their own herds’ lameness and are more likely to identify Lameness, in its own right, is a significant reason for things they can do to reduce lameness. premature culling. For some herds, culling due to lameness can account for over 10% of the milking herd per year. The ‘knowing’ farmers have the best understanding These cows usually have a higher economic loss associated of lameness in their herds. They have an action plan and with them than other forced culls (e.g. due to infertility, or are measuring and monitoring their progress closely. They mastitis) because they have the lowest ‘trade in’ value. For are less likely to identify things out of their own control some farmers, it is only these very lame cows which they as barriers to reducing lameness and show the greatest attribute losses to, but in reality, they are only the very tip motivation to improve mobility. These farms have the least of the iceberg. lameness - and will be consequently much more profitable. Be positive The project has been vital in understanding more about reducing lameness. It has shown that the DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme can significantly help individual farms reduce their herd lameness levels. However, it is also apparent that no single factor will be the answer for all farms, and that a tailored approach is needed. The unifying factors which farmers with low lameness have in common are an increased awareness of their own herd’s mobility status, and a more positive attitude to improving mobility. They understand lameness better and The Health and Welfare aspects of lameness are more likely to have an action plan. When interviewed, it was almost universal that farmers in the study felt lameness was “very important” for the This project is supported by the Rural Development Programme for England, for which Defra is the Managing Authority, part financed by the European British dairy industry. The top three reasons for this Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe were public perception (of British dairy farms), reduced investing in rural areas. production, and concern for the health and welfare of cows. Even so, the study showed that farmers consistently under-estimated to what extent lameness affects cows’

10 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Information Hub WHAT IS LAMENESS COSTING YOU? A recent study of lameness in dairy cows and the views of farmers in the North West, found that farmers were very good at knowing why poor feet cost them money, but not exactly how much. George Fisher reports.

It seems to be easier to identify vet in assessing lameness, providing Treatment costs training and coming up with a why lameness costs a farming Lost revenue from reduction in prioritised action plan to improve business money, but not so easy to milk yield predict how much. Hardly surprising the situation on that specific farm. Culling when the consequences of lameness The other group of 21 (the are so wide and interrelated - CONTROL FARMS) did not have the Reduction in cow fertility reduced fertility, more culls and Healthy Feet Programme, but over This average cost of an incidence the same time period, all farms lower milk production to name recognises that the above factors were mobility scored to discover just three. But does this mean that result in a per case cost by type of the prevalence of lameness. The farmers don’t realise how much lameness as follows: costs can be reduced by tackling the five mobility scores on all the farms problem? over the year showed that lameness Digital dermatitis - £100 on Plan Farms was reduced by 20% White Line disease - £250 from an average of 32% lame to 25% The study lame; lameness on the Control Farms Sole Ulcer - £550 stayed at 32%. The most recent study on The mobility score provides a lameness in dairy cows has All the farmers (or herd snapshot measurement of the recently been reported and some managers) were also interviewed so prevalence of lameness in a herd. of the findings make for sober that they could give their views on The prevalence multiplied by 2.5 reading. Funded through the lameness, reveal what they know provides a model of incidence in a RDPE Programme and run out of about the subject and tell the project herd over a 12 month period. team what motivations and barriers Reaseheath College in Cheshire, they experience in tackling mobility For example, in a 100 cow herd, the work tracked lameness on two issues on their farms. a mobility score showing a sets of farms. One group of 24 (the prevalence of 40% cows at scores PLAN FARMERS) implemented the 2 and 3, indicates an incidence of Calculating costs DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme 40 x 2.5 = 100 cases per 100 cows on their farms for a year in 2012/13. The average cost of an incidence per year. At £330 per case, this The programme involved a co- of lameness (scores 2 and 3) is equates to a cost of £33,000 (£330 operation between the farm and its £330 per case. This includes: x 100). www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 11 The study farms Study farm details It’s interesting to see the range of farms that engaged with this research (see the purple table). PLAN FARMS CONTROL FARMS The range was wide and the average study farm was larger and had a higher milk output than the Cow numbers (average) 295 240 national GB average. Cow numbers (range) 72 to 550 90 to 540 One interesting commonality amongst both Plan and Control farms was that many felt that the Yield (litres per cow 8,863 7,917 costs of lameness were significant, but ‘not as high average) as my vet says!’ So, who was right…? Yield (litres per cow range) 5,000 to 11,000 6,500 to 9,400

The costs Using the standard industry calculation, the actual costs calculated for the study farms are shown on the blue table. Calculated costs of lameness on study farms

Control Control Bottom Plan Farms Plan Farms Top 25% Top 25% Bottom Farms at Farms at 25% at at start of at end of at start of at end of 25% at end start of end of start of study study study study of study study study study

% lameness 32 25 32 32 38 18 30 40 Cost per 100 cows 26,400 20,625 26,400 26,400 31,350 14,850 24,750 33,000 (£ per year)

Being on the Healthy Feet Programme reduced the annual cost of lameness on average by almost £4,000 per farm, while those not on the programme saw no reduction in costs. Even more striking, for the 10 farms in the study that reduced lameness the most (the ‘top’ 25%), their costs associated with lameness reduced by £16,500 per farm; for the ‘bottom’ 25% where lameness increased the most, costs went up by £8,250.

Farmers know where the costs come from… When it came to knowing where the costs come from, the farmers in the study, regardless of their being Plan or Control Farms, all knew where the major and minor costs lie. When asked to rank different elements to the ‘cost’ of lameness, the study farms all came up Ranking the factors that influence the cost of lameness with pretty much the same order (see red table). (1 = top ranking)

…but can’t predict what FACTORS PLAN FARMS CONTROL FARMS they are Average ranking Average ranking Even though the study farms knew where the costs came from, they were pretty poor at Infertility 1 1 predicting or knowing what those costs were on their own farms. Milk loss 2 3 Culls 3 2 At the start of the work, both the Plan and Control farmers were, on average, out by a Treatment 4 5= factor of about 3 - so if the calculated costs were £300 per cow per year, the presumed costs on Time and labour 5 4 farm were stated as £100. Even after being on the Healthy Feet Programme for a year, the Loss of cow condition 6 5= Plan Farms were still out by a factor of 2 (they Foot trimming 7 7 thought the actual costs were half of what they were). Footbathing 8 8

12 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada What are the costs on your farm? Plan Farms - Calculated vs presumed cost of lameness at start of project There’s no point in teaching Granny to suck eggs, but if you know your rate of lameness from a mobility score, you can work it out for yourself. % lame (scores 2 and 3) x 2.5 x £330 = cost per 100 cows per year. The next question is, if you knew what your lameness costs were by this accepted industry standard, would that knowledge stimulate you to take more actions to improve cow mobility? Cost was a motivating factor in this research study, but obviously not the only one. Farmers are also concerned about and motivated by the animals in their care, public perception and image and the morale of themselves and their employees. £/cow/year

Do we have the calculations or communication wrong? Calculated Presumed There is obviously a gap between what the industry consensus is on the costs of lameness and what farmers perceive them to be. Perhaps it’s more to do with how the ‘industry’ communicates its understanding of costs. Vet Owen Atkinson, who was involved in this study, thinks that we may need to Plan Farms - Calculated vs presumed change how we think about these costs. cost of lameness at end of project “It is apparent that farmers have great difficulty estimating the economic effects of lameness,” Owen says. “Understanding and knowing the economic costs of lameness could be a valuable motivating factor for farmers to take action to reduce the problem. Currently, this economic motivation is not being harnessed to any effect.” Owen proposes that we might start to think about these costs the same way as we think about the cost of fertility. “Farmers are familiar with a cost per day basis for poor fertility; a major production ‘disease’ which has

£/cow/year hidden costs, just like lameness. Typically, farmers use a figure of £2.50- £3.50 per day for each day extended calving interval, and accept this as credible.” Owen goes on to make a proposal. “A model could be constructed, Calculated Presumed using best evidence available which is UK specific, on the economic effects of lameness per day. The model should have recognition of the fact that a severely lame cow is more costly than a mildly lame cow.” He continues, “The main economic effects will be reduced fertility, reduced production Control Farms - Calculated vs (yield and possibly quality), increased chance of a forced cull, reduced cull presumed cost of lameness at end value, and treatment costs.” of project Tell us what you think! So, is Owen right; do we need to change the way we think about the ‘hidden’ costs of lameness to a per cow per day basis? Would that help motivate you to take even more actions to control lameness? Would this be good enough to convince you that investing in lameness control has a sufficient payback for your business? We would be very pleased to hear your views. You can give your opinion

£/cow/year by contacting George Fisher at [email protected]

This project is supported by the Rural Development Programme for England, for which Defra is the Managing Authority, part financed Calculated Presumed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 13 Grazed grass - ‘measure it’ pays dividends in any system Why do only rotational paddock grazers use a plate meter to measure their grass growth and manage a grazing wedge?

Surely if measuring a feed input And we don’t tend to think of grazed into your milk production system grass in the same way as any other helps you to manage it, then all feed like silage or concentrate, where farmers that graze cows, regardless we measure the energy content to of system, should be using some sort judge its quality. But we should do, of measurement to increase milk because the more milk we can get from the cheapest feed on-farm. from the cheapest mega joules on farm, then the more profitable our Getting more milk from the systems will become on a per litre farmer should be able to work cheapest energy source basis. out their own costs of producing energy from different home-grown It’s all about getting more milk Grazed grass can be the and brought-in feeds. And the from your cheapest energy source. comparison of the numbers clearly If we focus on the energy required cheapest energy source for shows that well managed grazed to produce milk, we should have in milk production grass produces cheap litres. mind that every litre takes about 5.4 Of course the numbers in MJ of ME to produce. the table are approximate and The numbers also show that once We are used to looking at silage don’t account for the impact of you can’t get any more from grass analysis and aiming for 11 to 12 MJ feeding management, diet mix and or silage due to intake, getting in ME/kg DM (that’s mega joules of maintenance energy for your cows. the way, more concentrated feeds metabolisable energy per kilogram We are also only focussed on energy like parlour concentrates and barley of dry matter), but we don’t tend here and protein is also so important can also produce profitable litres if to translate this into litres of milk. for milk yield. However, any dairy managed appropriately.

COST PER COST PER LITRES FROM FEED ENERGY COST PER MJ TONNE LITRE A kg DM

Typical £/t DM Typical energy Cost to Pence per MJ Litres from one to make/buy content (MJ produce one energy kg DM and feed ME/kg DM) litre milk

Well managed grazed grass 45 12.0 0.375 2.0 2.2

Standard grazed grass 45 10.5 0.375 2.0 1.9

Poor grazed grass 45 9.0 0.500 2.7 1.7

Maize 65 11.2 0.580 3.1 2.1

1st cut silage 80 11.5 0.696 3.8 2.1

2nd cut silage 120 10.5 1.143 6.2 1.9

Barley 150 13.0 1.154 6.2 2.4

Parlour concentrate 250 13.5 1.852 10.0 2.5

14 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Management yields results electric fence to allocate grass in spiking on grass growth. “We have a Farmers closely manage the kg of strip grazing and taking the surplus medium soil type with variable clay each feed going into a feeder wagon for silage, rather than letting the levels. Years of grazing and heavy and know the energy content of herd have all of an area and not machinery have left us with some the whole diet. The weigh cells on worrying if grass gets out of control. very compacted soils”, explains the mixer, the analysis of each diet Ryan. “So when BGS and DairyCo came to us to talk about being a feed, knowing how much a sheer Feel the difference grab of silage weighs - these are all demonstration farm for the DairyCo measured management tools for Most farm costings, for example Research Partnership, we decided getting the job right. those from DairyCo’s Milkbench+, to look at ways of getting rid of the Promar, Kite and Kingshay, suggest compaction and using the plate For example, the higher yielders meter to measure grass growth.” might get more of a ration with a that the average milk from grass higher energy density, whilst dry and forage for a British dairy cow Ryan feels that using the plate cows get a lower energy more is around 1,500 to 2,000 litres. This meter has helped with grazing fibrous mix. We tend to view these is disappointing when you consider management and integrating it changes in feeding as part of the that it should be possible for any more closely with cutting. “The daily job, but what we are doing system to get 4,000 litres from plate meter has shown us that is getting the energy intake right grass and forage. Improved grazing relieving compaction has improved for our cows at each part of their management can lead to more milk grass yields, but just taking the production cycle. from grazed grass and more milk measurements has also improved our confidence in decision making. It’s this kind of thinking that all from better quality grass silage. Just farmers can also apply to grazing. raising milk from grass from 1,500 to “It hasn’t turned us into New 2,500 litres and maintaining yield so Zealand grazers - that’s not right for that more comes from the cheapest our system, but we are rotationally Measurement brings good energy on-farm can reduce costs by grazing more strictly. We don’t management £40 to £80 per cow by the figures in go in and graze right on 2,800 kg We wouldn’t make up a ration the table. That’s £10,000 to £20,000 DM/ha and we come out at about through the mixer wagon without for 250 cows. 1,800 kg, because we don’t want to knowing the DM, energy and protein compromise yield. Yield per cow is of the feeds we put in. That would important to our business and we be like playing darts with a blindfold Case study 1 don’t always graze the high yielders. on. Farmers get the measurements The Brown Family farm at But we do use the measurements to manage the job. But many will Twemlow, near Holmes Chapel to decide when to speed up or slow turn their cows out to grass and in Cheshire. The 300 cow herd of down the rotation depending on hope it goes OK without caring what pedigree Holstein average 9,500 grass growth and when to set aside the quality of the grass is now, next litres/cow. The farm focuses on areas for silage well ahead of time.” week, or next month. achieving high quality forage and Ryan concludes by saying, “We So why should grazed grass be utilises fields close to the parlour for haven’t measured the next step, any different from managing a TMR grazing during the summer months. which is impact on costs and profit, through a mixer wagon? Of the 250 ha farmed, there are but I’m sure we are getting more milk The challenge is that managing 130 ha of permanent pasture, 20 ha from grazed grass from the medium yielders that graze, and more from grazed grass takes time, but the temporary grass, 60 ha maize and grass silage with the high yielders rewards are worth having in any 40 ha winter wheat. The soils range that are inside on high quality silage.” system. The dairy farmers who focus from sandy clay loams to clay loams hard on grazing will have a paddock and annual rainfall is 800mm. The system, turn cows in to graze at system has an all year round calving around 2,900 kg grass DM/ha and pattern and 470 followers, with the graze down to a 1,500 kg DM/ha family enjoying breeding and selling residual all through the year, taking stock. out paddocks that get ahead for silage and altering the rotation rate Son Ryan Brown has been using to keep to the measured targets. a rising plate meter on the grazing since spring 2013. “We used to But even if going the whole hog strip graze everything rotationally doesn’t suit your system - there are financial rewards in getting more and just move the cows on as we milk from grazed grass by planning thought best”, says Ryan. “The grazing and managing the amount of decision making wasn’t made on any grass in front of the herd with a plate measurements.” meter. Taking measurements will Since using the plate meter the help to ensure that cows optimise grazing system has evolved. Ryan their intake of grazed grass through started taking measurements to the season, even just by using an assess the impact of sward lifting and Above: Ryan Brown. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 15 Case study 2 allowing you to make decisions and plan the diet that your cows The Richards family farm at are getting. The same needs to be Trembethow and Splattenridden, the case for grass management, in near Hayle in West Cornwall. The 320 order to have faith in unlocking the cow herd, which milks an average potential of more profit from grass. 6,000 litres/cow/ year, is based at Trembethow, where there is a 92 ha Ben monitors the grazing grazing platform of temporary leys. platform with a rising plate meter, Over the last five years the farm stressing that it is his favourite bit has moved from a TMR system in of kit on the farm. He uses grazing pursuit of making more profit from management software to plan the grass. Paul Richards and his grass- grazing rotation, simply inputting man Ben Jacobs see monitoring and data from the rising plate meter management as key in achieving this. to monitor grass performance compared to projections and Paul became dissatisfied with demand. Having this ability to the Total Mixed Ration (TMR) and plan ahead has led to increased Holstein cow system they were confidence in the role of grass. running: Cell counts were high, Above: Paul Richards fertility was low and with the cost “Even just getting out with the of feed on an upward trend. In rising plate meter regularly every cows producing 15 litres milk on 16- many ways the farm is in an ideal week in conjunction with the farm 18 kg of DM from grazed grass.” location for milking grass, with a walk generates valuable information Some Holsteins remain from the moist and mild climate and being far for future farm management original herd, although New Zealand enough south and that it benefits decisions.” Friesian X genetics have been from productive shoulder mounts. “We can grow grass well here, brought in to suit the grazing system. Average annual rainfall is 1044mm with growth rates of 100 kg dry Paul concludes that his only and the farm is at 400m above sea matter per hectare per day for 4 to 5 regret is that he didn’t begin to fully level. The light and sandy, organic consecutive weeks. utilise his grass 10 years earlier. rich loam soils over granite, are also Their ‘magic day’, when grass “Now that we can be confident generally forgiving under hoof. This growth outstrips demand, has been about the role our grass plays being so, why didn’t they make the as early as 9th March and cows have through regular monitoring we change sooner? been turned out by 26th January. want to continue to reduce costs by In TMR you understand what is in During May we have stopped maximising forage intake on a self- the inputs through measurements, feeding cake altogether, with the feed system”. Environment News Colleges running the Campaign for the Farmed Environment in the NW

The Campaign for the Farmed (Ecological Focus Areas). The details “In addition to making Ecological Environment (CFE) aims to help behind these measures are just Focus Areas deliver benefits…, farmers protect water quality and emerging and to quote Mr Paterson: my Department will work closely develop wildlife habitats on the land with farming and environmental that they manage. This was the direct The CFE aims to support farmers organisations on how the Campaign and simple message from Owen in maintaining their voluntary for the Farmed Environment will Paterson, the DEFRA Minister, in environmental measures. deliver targets at local level for his statement to Parliament on CAP protecting watercourses, providing reform before last Christmas. habitat for farmland birds, wildlife and pollinators. We will review the Support from the DEFRA success of this at the end of 2015.” Minister The CFE is new to NW England The Government propose and started in August 2013. The that environmental measures work is co-ordinated by Reaseheath (‘Greening’) under CAP reform will College in Cheshire and is run be based around crop diversification, locally by Nicky Hall in Cheshire, permanent pasture and EFAs Michelle Fare (Myerscough

16 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada College) in Lancashire and Paul farmers have adopted ELS and HLS Look out for the CFE Co-ordinators Arkle (Cumbria Farm Environment measures on their farms and also in your county and if you wish to Partnership, Newton Rigg College) manage additional areas in ways discuss any issues with them, please in Cumbria. These three County Co- that help both their business and the feel free to give them a call. ordinators are working with farmers, environment which they farm, for industry and agency partners to example managing land for game, or CFE Co-ordinators: help demonstrate best practice fencing water courses to help stock in pollution control to protect control. water and habitat management Nicky Hall - Cheshire that benefits birds, wildlife and Key messages (07772 732508) pollinators. They will be speaking at The message from CFE is farmer forums and organising their to keep going with the positive Michelle Fare - own meetings to help farmers with environmental land management Lancashire these issues in the tricky transition that the farming community has (01768 892622) period of CAP reform. built up, even if new measures One of the targets that CFE has from CAP reform won’t kick in been asked to adopt is to maintain Paul Arkle - Cumbria until next year. There are three (01995 642206) the amount of land managed by main reasons for this. Firstly, land farmers for the environment over managed for the environment might the period of CAP transition. Many attract payments under a future EFA system and we don’t want to lose this opportunity. Secondly, in most cases the management Upcoming benefits the business as well as the environment, and lastly, if the Events community shows that we can maintain voluntary environmental Green Farm Walk measures, then there is more Tuesday 4th November chance of the modulation from 10am - 12 noon direct payments to environmental Dunham Massey Creating habitats for pollinators is measures remaining at the 12% key to DEFRA policy in maintaining that Mr Paterson announced in his Contact: their voluntary environmental December statement, and not being [email protected] measures. raised towards the maximum of 15%. Focus on Farmland Birds More than 40 farmers and advisers came to Townley Farm in Cheshire, a 300 acre dairy farm owned by the Evans family, to hear about providing habitat and food sources for the county’s declining farmland birds. Dr Nicky Hall of Reaseheath Farm Environmental Services at RADA reports.

The Spring 2014 looked at sown mosses, which hosts mainly but interesting moss providing bird seed mix crops and features livestock farms including dairy, beef habitat to rare plants such as the on the farm which are managed to and sheep enterprises. CFE Cheshire Royal Fern. Lizzie explained how benefit birds such as tree sparrow, county group joined forces with sown plots such as wild bird seed lapwing, corn bunting and linnets, the Meres and Mosses Partnership, and nectar mixes, wildflower and discussion turned to how these who have a dedicated agricultural enhanced margins and field corners fit into a productive dairy farming advisor in Lizzie Walker with the are essential for nesting and feeding business. role of supporting farmers in the refuges, and can sit alongside The farm is located on the management of these unique productive agriculture. These Cheshire/Shropshire border habitats characteristic of the Nature areas can also be beneficial for soil and falls within a unique area Improvement Area. structure, preventing soil erosion characterised by wetlands and Townley Farm itself has a small from overwinter stubble fields and www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 17 helping to improve water quality as who emphasised the importance of “Select a kale, fodder raddish and well as the direct benefits they have stale seed bed preparation, start- kale rape mix where grass weeds for birds and insects. up fertliser, selective spraying and predominate, and treat with a rotation with nectar flower mix in graminicidal herbicide. Sown mixes for birds and efforts to establish, maintain and Conversely, where broadleaved pollinators manage contrasting plots around weeds prevail, a cereal mix including the farm. When choosing a mix for a At Townley Farm bird seed plots red and white millet, triticale and particular area, Meehal commented and a nectar flower mix have been linseed can be managed with a that it is important to look carefully sown into corners or strips around broad-leaved herbicide,” Meehal at what weeds are dominant and the farm’s maize fields. The plots on advised. choose the mix accordingly. this farm are sown biennially and include both autunm and spring sown mixes. One plot sown in Spring Below: Meehal Grint from Kings Seeds answers questions about establishing 2013 with a range of brassicas and and growing conservation mixes for farmland birds. mustard had done well, providing good cover and abundant seed, while another autumn sown plot from the previous year had succumbed to weeds.

Control weeds The farmers present agreed that weed burden was the greatest challenge when establishing bird seed plots, which are particularly beset with creeping thistle and docks in these wetter climes. Advice came from Meehal Grint of Kings Seeds,

“Initially we were motivated by Since starting the ELS we have CASE STUDY points for the scheme but as we also voluntarily sown a nectar We asked dairy farmers Mr and have noticed the benefits to birds and pollen strip last year as an Mrs Lister, who run a dairy business already, we are starting to realise experiment, which hopefully will on 500 acres at Farndon in Cheshire, how important the bird feeding and be of benefit, but we know it can to tell us about measures they have overwintering areas are. We have be notoriously difficult to establish definitely seen more birds around and manage well. The event today undertaken on the farm in recent our bird seed areas, and this has provided some useful information years which are already benefitting been confirmed by a local volunteer about how best to get this area farmland birds and other wildlife. surveyor who does bird counts on the performing as it should.” A half hectare plot of bird seed mix land. We have also been astonished was established in the Autumn of by the increase in insects and 2011 as part of their Entry Level butterflies in the grass buffer strips. Stewardship agreement on land In the future we would definitely sown for wholecropped wheat, and consider growing more areas of the scheme also included some bird seed mixes, as we feel some beetle banks between cropped areas responsibility to help try to reverse and newly established wide grass the decline in farmland birds on our margins along hedgerow boundaries farm. However we are an intensive and the woodland edge. Three years dairy farm and those measures have ago they also created 4 acres of extra to fit in with our system. So far we’ve woodland with the aim of adding been able to do this by using less some diversity to the farm habitat productive land and incorporating on land that wasn’t suitable for sown strips into our cropping or re- Above: Chris Lister of Sibbersfield production. seeding rotation. Lane Farm, Farndon.

18 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Above: A chicory ‘false hedge’ (Photo courtesy of Meehal Grint of King’s Seeds).

Fill the hungry gap This is not a huge challenge for familiarity with chicory growing Farmland bird expert Seumus Cheshire and Shropshire farmers amongst the livestock farming Eaves informed the visitors that small who have an abundance of wet grass comunity, many of whom grow the cereal seed plants are particularly areas after the winters we’ve had in crop as summer forage. Chicory’s valuable for tree sparrows, recent years. These areas, left free deep tap root also breaks through linnets and corn buntings that are from inputs and allowed to become heavy soil pans, and may be a good particularly in need of overwinter tussocky, also provide useful points way to improve infiltration to reduce food sources over the ‘hungry towards stewardship schemes as well water run-off when strategically gap’. “Tree sparrow populations as areas to catch field run-off. placed to intercept water running off have suffered one of the steepest panned maize fields. declines, yet in many ways they The proposal put to CFE County are one of the easiest birds for Consider chicory Chair for Cheshire, Richard Fair, was farmers to help with a few simple The meeting also discussed whether he could see bird seed plots measures,” Seamus told the meeting. the novel practice of creating false or chicory ‘hedges’ being grown on A combination of good mature ‘hedges’ out of sown strips of chicory dairy farms in Cheshire? Richard’s hedgerows, wet grassland in the and kale, which has been successful view was that the associated benefits spring for insects for chicks, tree on a number of farms and may of having a cover strip placed to keep nesting boxes and some stubble or suit situations where weather and soil and nutrients in the field over wild bird cover, all help provide what soil conditions provide a particular wet winters, or planting legume- this species needs. challenge to getting sown mixes rich mixes that add nitrogen for the Seumus explained that the tree established. Chicory is a perennial following crop, would be a great way sparrow nests very successfully plant so persists longer than biennial to convince livestock farmers of the in nesting boxes with 32mm seed mixes, and can therefore be value to the business as well as the round openings, and with some of retained for a number of years birds. these dotted around ponds or on until it runs out of steam and a hedgerow trees, these are a great suitable window comes up for re- way to help attract breeding tree establishment. These ‘hedges’ reach For more information about sparrows to the farm. And while shoulder height and prove to be a the Campaign for the Farmed we don’t often associate wet areas favourite with finches over winter, Environment in Cheshire, with tree sparrows, field areas that but also attract insects and beetles contact your Local Campaign remain waterlogged into the spring for foraging birds in the summer Co-ordinator Nicola Hall at provide important habitat for this months. [email protected] or species along with others that feed The attending farmers particularly mobile 07772 732508 their chicks on emerging insects. liked this suggestion as there is a www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 19 Campaign for the Farmed Environment Size of farm: 245 acres CASE STUDY FROM LANCASHIRE Enterprise: 170 beef store cattle and cereals Michael Parker - Manor House Farm, Nateby Farm type: lowland - mixed grassland and arable Lancashire farmer Michael Parker has mixes only need to be re-sown on a been involved with environmental two yearly basis, Michael has taken the stewardship at Manor House Farm, decision to do this on an annual basis barn owls which Michael has provided Nateby for the last seven years and to provide greater benefits for the bird nesting boxes for, and which the anglers has been enjoying the benefits ever population, and he remarked on the are always keen to catch a glimpse of. since. Until 2001 the 245 acre farm “pleasure we have gained in seeing the Although the current stewardship was an intensive dairy farm, but since variety of wildlife on the bird seed mix agreements at Manor House Farm leaving dairying and moving into beef areas.” expire in 2016 Michael says “on stores, other options were explored reflection I realise how much I have which would allow Michael to farm Low input grassland learnt over the past seven years of the the land less intensively and in a way stewardship. It’s been a totally new way which was more environmentally All of the grassland on the farm is of farming for me and I would probably sustainable. In 2006 130 acres were in stewardship and is managed with carry on with a lot of the stewardship entered into a mixture of ELS and HLS very low inputs and low stocking rates. ideas even if we didn’t get financial agreements, whilst the remainder Despite the fact that only manure is reward.” of the land was either rented out to applied to these pastures, the grass is CFE Co-ordinator for Lancashire neighbours or used for alternative plentiful and the sward varied, with Michelle Fare added “It is great to enterprises. Michelle Fare of nutrient indices at target levels due see the work that Michael is already Myerscough College and Lancashire to the intensive management in the doing to support the environment, CFE Co-ordinator reports. past when the farm was in dairying. The low-input system means that and although many of the measures excess nutrients are not applied to the have been established as a direct result Stewardship options soil, thus reducing the risk of water of stewardship agreements, some The stewardship options chosen pollution, and is allowing the soil to practices such as the low input grassland for the farm include the creation of return to it’s former natural state and wild bird seed mixes could easily be numerous scrapes to provide feeding without disturbance from machinery or continued in the future on a voluntary areas for wading birds, overwintered excessive grazing pressure. basis.” stubbles to again provide feed and The farm is also home to popular breeding sites for birds and other wildlife fishing lakes, which attract a wide Below: One of the low input grass such as the brown hare, and two areas variety of birds and wildlife, including pastures at Manor House Farm which is of wild bird seed mix which are planted the heron and kingfisher. The lakes grazed at a very low stocking rate and annually alongside the spring cereals. On do not form part of the stewardship also has five scrapes for wading birds. one field alone there are five different agreement and are managed voluntarily, management options - low herbicide alongside other natural ponds at the spring cereals, rotation (set aside), field farm. Although fishing is the primary corner management, bird seed mix and attraction for many of the visitors, over wintered stubble, with certain Michael commented how others will management practices being chosen come along just to enjoy the bird life to encourage a number of high priority and the tranquillity of the natural species in the county including brown environment, which is something that hares, grey partridge and lapwing. many of us fortunate enough to live in Although the stewardship these areas can take for granted. The agreement states that the wild bird seed farm is also home to a pair of breeding

CASE STUDY FROM CUMBRIA Making CFE work on a grassland and arable enterprise The arable sector is often thought to have led the way when it comes to the Above: Richard Price - Lowther Park Farms Campaign for Farmed Environment (CFE), but last year a grassland package was and working with Cumbria CFE Co-ordinator developed. Farmers Guardian visited a sheep unit in Cumbria to see how CFE is Paul Arkle, as County Chair. being integrated into the farming system there.

20 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada First and foremost, Lowther Park Farms is a self-financing company. Farm manager Richard Price is keen to point out all farming decisions and schemes at the 1,400-hectare (3,500- acre) farm are entered into on a strict commercial basis. “This is all about commercial farming,” says Mr Price. “While we are owned by a landowner, we are actually a self-financing and rent-paying limited Above: Big baling at Lowther Park. company. We have got to make it pay.” The farming enterprise at Lowther The crop has grown ‘like stink’, he Last year 900 replacement ewes Park Farms, which is based at Home says, and as well as helping to avoid were bought in. Farm, is run independently from soil erosion and nitrate leaching on This lambing season 5,032 the estate’s other businesses. These lighter soils over the winter months, it scanned at 197 per cent, 780 of include more than 70 farm tenancies also works well as a ‘green fertiliser’. those were shearlings, and 900 and a range of profit-making events “It costs about £7 an acre to grow.” were carrying triplets. such as Lowther Show, which attracts says Mr Price. “We just disc the field As well as the three full-time about 30,000 visitors in August; the and spin the seed on. It puts down Kendal Calling music festival in July a good tap root, fixes nitrogen, then members of staff for the sheep (20,000 visitors), the ‘born survivor leaves us with a green crop to plough flock, about 30 dogs are also 10km endurance’ obstacle race, and in.” used on-farm. three other events run for charity. Mr Price is also leaving stubbles Mr Price says: “The owner expects over-winter and is reverting some a 9 per cent return on the farming arable land back to grass, both of business and we follow the Lowther which the CFE is encouraging to Park Farms strapline of ‘smart, ethical provide habitat for birds and wildlife. and profitable’. However Mr Price is keen to emphasise this is not just about ‘not farming’ certain areas. “I do not want Ethos to just fence parts of fields off - that is “Smart means being proud of what no good for us. I need to see a benefit we do and thinking smart; ethical in doing these things.” speaks for itself but means farming For example, Mr Price says he has sustainably; and we need to do both put in some grass buffer strips next to Above: Part of the Lowther Park flock. of these things profitably so we can watercourses to help eliminate run-off. reinvest in a business which has “However, these areas still need to be longevity.” farmed and managed,” he says. CFE grassland seven-step Mr Price says the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) work being plan done on the farm fits in nicely with all Lowther Park Farms 1. Look after established wildlife of these policies. While the public have access to 2. Maximise the value of field Of the total acreage, some 400 ha the ‘north park’ part of the farm, boundaries (1,000 acres) is ploughable. One-third the ‘south park’ is solely for farming and the environment. 3. Create small areas of rough of this is in an arable rotation of winter grassland at the edges and wheat, rape and barley, along with The farm entered into higher corners of fields stubble turnips for finishing lambs. level stewardship in September 4. Create flower rich habitats Mr Price says: “We were organic 2013. for nine years, so when we came out of Other CFE voluntary measures 5. Create a varied sward on some it in 2010, a huge remediation plan was being undertaken at Lowther of your grassland needed, which is why we now have Park Farms include the planting 6. Use a mix of forage crops to help more arable land.” of wildflower and pollen and wildlife nectar mixes, wild bird seed He says some of the CFE voluntary 7. Avoid soil erosion from forage and maize-free game strips, 15 measures put in place have had crops. a positive impact on much of this ha (37 acres) of arable land has remediation work. been reverted back to grassland, Richard Price says: “Know your and some brassica fodder crops costs - be true to yourself on your For example, a winter cover crop are now grown. of mustard has been put in. Mr Price costs, as this will stimulate innovation; says: “It works well on land with a Lambs are sold deadweight, geld pub talk is no talk; don’t be afraid low pH and a lot of our fields fit the ewes are sold, and replacements of change; and remember the bill because of their previous organic bought, from Penrith auction environment runs hand in hand with status.” mart. profitability. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 21 CAP Greening and your farm There are still a few things for DEFRA to sort out on greening of the new CAP that comes in next year, not least a final definition of permanent pasture, but here’s a very brief summary of what Above: Hedgerows will feature as we know already. Ecological Focus Areas.

Every farmer claiming Basic and 30 ha of arable land have There are still issues for DEFRA Payment Scheme (BPS) (which to grow 2 crops of which the to sort out with EFAs, but we know will replace the SFP next year) has largest one cannot cover more that Greening does impact on stand to work through the information than 75% of the arable land. alone ELS agreements that started relating to mandatory greening. Farmers with over 30 ha of on or after 1st January 2012. For those agreements there will be a Remember there are three elements arable land must grow 3 crops payment reduction (not points) to greening: crop diversification, of which the largest crop has and there will be the option to ecological focus areas (EFA) and to be no more than 75% of the carry on with the agreement and permanent grassland, and all need to arable area and no crop can be be carefully considered. receive a lower payment, amend the less than 5%. agreement, or walk away from it. HLS Defra leaflet published giving agreements and their under-pining Crop diversification rules on crop diversification - ELS agreements are not affected. Do This is known as the ‘3-crop-rule’ www.gov.uk/cap-reform not mix up the issue of being able to and there are five exemptions from use certain agri-environment scheme the rules on Crop Diversification. If Ecological Focus Areas options to count for both EFA and you fit into one of them, then the agri-environment scheme with the regulations will not apply to you if: (EFAs) requirement to work through the 1. The land is certified organic For these the same exemptions greening under BPS. (note that Greening will apply apply as for Crop Diversification. If to non-organic land where a you are not exempt, then 5% of your Greening is not optional holding has both organic and arable land must be in an EFA, and the EFA options are: The Greening requirements are non-organic areas) mandatory for farmers who apply 2. You have less than 10 ha arable 1. Cover/catch crop - 30% of the for the BPS. The Greening payment 3. More than 75% of arable land area will count towards your will only be made on the number is fallow or in temporary grass EFA area requirement. of hectares of arable land which or a mix of both and the rest of 2. Nitrogen fixing crops - 70% of you comply on, so you will not be your arable land is 30 ha or less the area will count towards eligible for Greening payments on an amount of your arable area if you 4. More than 75% of all of your your EFA area requirement. do not comply fully. The extent of agricultural area is permanent 3. Fallow land - 100% of the area this reduction will depend upon the grass or temporary grass or will count towards your EFA extent of non-compliance with the a mix of both and the rest of area requirement. Greening measures. These can be your arable land is 30 ha or less 4. Buffer strips - to work out calculated from examples given on 5. More than 50% of the area what area these account for, the Government website. under arable land declared multiply length by 9, so 100m There are still details to be was not declared by you in the counts for 0.09 ha. announced on all of the Greening previous year’s application. 5. Hedgerows - to work out issues, but farmers should start If you are not exempt, then the what area these account for, thinking now about planning for following rules apply: multiply length by 10, so 100m next year and how they are going to Farmers with between 10 counts for 0.10 ha. comply with the basics.

22 www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Market Monitor

Are EU wholesale prices stabilising? Weekly EU wholesale prices for the end of May and start of June show commodity prices stabilising, and in some cases increasing.

According to Eucolait, average prices (Belgium, Germany, France and Netherlands) for SMP and butter increased between 26th May and 8th June (1.0% and 0.2% respectively) while other market reports show dairy product prices increasing between €50-100/tonne in the second week of June. This potential rebalancing of prices could be an indication that buyers are re-entering the market to cover longer term needs and are not expecting prices to fall further, especially as production has now passed its peak in the Northern Hemisphere.

GDT auction ends four-month price slide The Fonterra Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction index rose by 0.9% at the latest auction on 17th June - the first increase since February. Prices rose to new highs at the start of the year, as Chinese import demand surged on the back of reduced domestic production. While this event provided a short uplift to commodity markets, the substantial growth in global raw milk supplies has seen prices slide at all auctions since 4th February as the markets rebalanced. According to Rabobank, these lower prices are enticing other buyers back into the market, which may have contributed to the uplift at the most recent GDT auction. The average auction index for SMP fell by 0.2% from the previous auction, however Arla’s Westbury product achieved a selling price of $3,955/tonne, a premium of more than $100/tonne over the overall average selling price of SMP. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/rada Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected] 23 Milk yields boosted by shift in age structure of dairy herd? The distribution of the GB dairy herd by age suggests potential for improved yields in the coming year. According to data from the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS), the total milking herd has grown by approximately 3% (approx. 50,000 head of cattle) in the year ending April 2014, with a particular shift towards the more productive groups. The sections of the herd which have seen the greatest increase include those cows in their second and third lactations (42-66 months), which tend to produce the highest milk yields. The number of younger cattle is stable, while there has been a reduction in older cattle (over 7 years).

Lower retail milk price beginning to affect market shares? At the start of March, many of the major retailers announced reductions for the retail price of milk. Tesco and Sainsbury’s changed the price for 4 pints (2.272 litres) of milk to £1, matching Asda, Aldi and Lidl, while 2 litres of Morrison’s Meadow Park fell to 84p. The question is how are these new prices affecting market shares in the retail milk market? The 12 weeks to 25th May 2014 covers the time in which the new low prices have been held and data from that period shows that the share of the GB pasteurised milk market belonging to the Top 4 retailers has increased slightly to over 64% by volume - up from 63% in the previous quarter. However, the lower retail prices mean that the volume growth is not translating into expenditure and, compared to the same period a year earlier, spend on pasteurised milk at the Top 4 is down by more than 2% despite volumes being up nearly 8%. Although as a whole the major retailers have made some ground following the introduction of lower prices, the hard discounters’ share of the milk market is still increasing, albeit from a lower level. As a result, the middle market - such as independent stores and doorstep deliveries - continues to be squeezed.

Published by: RADA, Enterprise Delivery Hub, Reaseheath College, Nantwich, 24 Cheshire, CW5 6DF. Tel: 01270 613 195 Email: [email protected]