THE MAGAZINE FOR FARMING & FORESTRY IN WALES What is appropriate Listening...learning... antibiotic use? taking ideas forward ISSUE 18 – November/December 2018 | www.gov.wales/farmingconnect RICHARD TUDOR Llysun, Llanerfyl, Farming Connect Demonstration Site It has been a challenging year in terms of weather, and certainly not a typical year for growing grass! Silage was cut later this year at Llysun and yields were down, with 70 acres of second cut only yielding around 90 tonnes. The third cut has certainly saved us with around 100 tonnes harvested from 40 acres, which is good quality forage and high in DM. We aerated all the silage fields this year physical and biological properties. and used a sward lifter on other deeper Soil analysis is the starting point and compacted fields. Following observation, foundation to delivering the correct we can certainly see deeper grass rooting balance of both major and minor which will help to improve soil structure nutrients. and ability to uptake nutrients. We hope We are currently running a project to to aerate fields again before the winter. demonstrate the importance of more To maximise the productivity of soils it’s complete soils analysis and the targeting INTRODUCTION important to understand its chemical, of nutrition to enhance the quality and 2 Farming Connect Issue 18 November/December 2018 | 3 productivity of grassland. The project is these initially, the fertiliser applied is a waste linked to the supply of calcium in the form of of valuable time and resources. both calcium carbonate (lime) and calcium Recognising the importance of the secondary sulphate, and from previous soil analysis it essential plant nutrients such as calcium, is known that the farm is deficient in both magnesium and sulphur, along with trace boron and zinc. These two elements are elements is essential when attempting to linked to the transport of calcium into the create a healthy balanced soil, and for this to plant and ultimately cell strength and quality occur our basic soil test needs to become of crops and grassland. less basic. Visual assessment of soil is also just Four treatments were applied on grassland as important, if not more than a chemical at Llysun in the form of: analysis to identify soil health. • Granulated lime The damaging effect of compaction is • Granulated lime plus boron & zinc apparently detected over 30 years later, • Calcium sulphate and with machinery becoming heavier the • Calcium sulphate plus boron & zinc damage inflicted today will affect the next generation’s soil. The great hope is that the Due to the year, project data has been use of technology will result in machinery limited as grass growth has been slow. We becoming smaller and lighter, but in the will monitor grass growth into next year on meantime, we can explore ways to alleviate the plots and soil and root development. damage and how to reduce weight load. Soil is every farm’s greatest asset, and most farmers believe that they are passing their In conclusion, soils, the greatest asset land onto the next generation in a better on our upland grassland farms, deserves state than they received it. Defining ‘better our attention: state’ is not easy, but we can only judge this belief if we understand the fundamentals of 1. A chemical soil analysis needs to what constitutes a healthy soil. consider more than just N, P and K However, grass is not ‘just grass’ as I learnt in 2. A soil assessment that considers all Finland ‘grass is king’, and therefore learning key indicators of a healthy soil needs the fundamentals of growing grass became to be promoted the basis of my Nuffield study; to focus on soil health and fertility in upland grassland. 3. Compaction needs to be taken seriously My study focussed on two main areas; 4. Rest periods are key to grassland 1. Understanding what constitutes a healthy productivity fertile soil and key indicators involved. 5. Species diversity needs to be 2. Management practices best suited to encouraged in grassland leys achieving healthier soils. We are applying fertiliser on many parts of the country on low pH soils as correcting pH is ‘too expensive’. But without correcting 2 Issue 18 November/December 2018 | 3 Sustainable use of Antibiotics in Agriculture Mike John, Fenton Vets, Haverfordwest There has been increasing pressure on farming and veterinary businesses to be more responsible with antibiotic use in animals and with good reason. Over recent years, increased demand to feed our rapidly growing population has led to an even more rapid intensification of agricultural businesses. This has led to both an increase in antibiotic use as well as the widespread use of modern antibiotics, such as 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones in cattle. These modern antibiotics are referred to as • Farmers should work with their vet to take Critically Important Antibiotics (CIAs). New appropriate samples to ensure the correct farm assurance guidelines have now all but antibiotic is chosen. banned their use on farms that have signed • Comprehensive records should be made up to the Red Tractor scheme. Unfortunately and withdrawal periods always followed. the only nil milk withdrawal antibiotics currently available to dairy farmers are • All cattle farmers and stock people should CIAs. This also clearly illustrates the need to have an appropriate level of training for reduce antibiotic use on economic grounds. what they do. For those involved in the administration of medicines, this should The emergence of antibiotic resistance in involve some formal medicines training. human medicine has prompted reasonable questions about the role of animal antibiotic Given the severe consequences of antibiotic use in this serious problem. It is possible use failures in human medicine it is crucial that resistance may be transferred through that farmers and vets work together to food products or through environmental ensure antibiotic use is limited to where it is contamination. really needed and never used as a substitute for poor management. The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) has created Looking to learn more? Why not try our guidelines for farmers regarding the use of “Mastering Medicines” Training Course? antibiotics on farms whilst still safeguarding For more information, visit our website: the health of their animals. https://businesswales.gov.wales/ farmingconnect/skills-and-mentoring • Reduce the risk of disease through health planning. • All antibiotics are prescription medicines and therefore treatment should only be initiated with formal veterinary approval. 4 Farming Connect Issue 18 November/December 2018 | 5 Events Farming Connect are holding meetings for livestock farmers in conjunction with local vet practices, discussing the different types of medicines used and how these relate to the common diseases relevant to your farms. DATE EVENT VENUE CONTACT Carmarthen Livestock Market, 03/12/18 What is appropriate Sarah Hughes – 07399 600146 Nantyci, Llysonnen Rd, 11:00-14:00 antibiotic use? [email protected] Carmarthen, SA33 5DR 04/12/18 What is appropriate Whitehall, Stryd y Moch, Gwion Parry – 07960 261266 19:00-21:00 antibiotic use? Pwllheli, LL53 5RG [email protected] White Hart Inn, 36 Carmarthen 05/12/18 What is appropriate Sarah Hughes – 07399 600146 Rd, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, 12:00-14:30 antibiotic use? (Dairy) [email protected] SA19 6RS What is appropriate White Hart Inn, 36 Carmarthen 05/12/18 Sarah Hughes – 07399 600146 antibiotic use? Rd, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, 16:00-18:30 [email protected] (Beef and Sheep) SA19 6RS Glynneath Golf Club, 05/12/18 What is appropriate Elan Davies – 07985 379890 Penygraig, Pontneddfechan, 19:00-21:30 antibiotic use? [email protected] Glynneath, SA11 5UH 10/12/18 What is appropriate Raglan Golf Club, Imogen Ward – 07985 379819 18:00-21:00 antibiotic use? Beaufort, Raglan, NP15 2DY [email protected] 12/12/18 What is appropriate Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Elan Davies – 07985 379890 19:00-21:30 antibiotic use? Wells, LD1 5DY [email protected] Llandovery RFC, Church Bank 13/12/18 What is appropriate Sarah Hughes – 07399 600146 Playing Fields, Llandovery, 11:00-14:00 antibiotic use? [email protected] Carmarthenshire, SA20 0DT 09/01/19 What is appropriate Priory Vets, unit 11, Parc Teifi, Abby James – 07399 970988 18:30-20:30 antibiotic use? Cardigan, SA43 1EW [email protected] 15/01/19 What is appropriate The Royal Oak, Welshpool, Catherine Price – 07792 316529 19:00-21:30 antibiotic use? (Poultry) Powys, SY21 7DG [email protected] 17/01/19 What is appropriate Lampter RFC, North Rd, Sarah Hughes – 07399 600146 19:30-21:30 antibiotic use? Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7JA [email protected] 22/01/19 What is appropriate The Royal Oak, Welshpool, Catherine Price – 07792 316529 19:00-21:00 antibiotic use? Powys, SY22 7DG [email protected] 22/01/19 What is appropriate Dolgellau Rugby Club, Dolgellau, Lisa Roberts – 07399 849148 19:00-21:30 antibiotic use? Gwynedd, LL40 1UU [email protected] 29/01/19 What is appropriate Riverside Hotel, Pennal, Lisa Roberts – 07399 849148 19:00-21:30 antibiotic use? Machynlleth, SY20 9DW [email protected] 4 Issue 18 November/December 2018 | 5 Autumn update 2018 Welsh Pasture Project Although grass growth recovered well during September with the welcome spells of heavy rain, unfortunately starting covers in certain parts of Wales have been too low for any meaningful resurrection of the 2018 grass growing season. Many farmers have been busy grazing off this valuable re-growth to help put the brakes on the large amounts of silage and concentrate that has been fed throughout July and August.