Archive Article: 2002/03/15
No backing for sheep in Brussels talks
Our government has done the UK sheep industry few favours recently. Its failure to even make the case in Brussels for state aid to supplement last years dismal ewe premium has amazed EU officials and other member states.
Meanwhile hundreds, if not thousands, of sheep producers in the uplands and lowlands are being forced out of business.
Today (Friday) marks the end of the consultation period in England on what to do with the new national envelope under the revised sheep regime.
Ministers in Scotland and Wales have already said they will pay the money as an across-the-board top-up.
DEFRA minister, Margaret Beckett, should follow suit. The cash in the national envelope only amounts to an extra k1 (62p) a sheep. To fritter it away in fancy quota buy-up or environmental schemes would achieve little, except further losses to sheep producers.
Worrying resistance to key herbicides
Herbicide resistant weeds are the bane of UKarable farming. Blackgrass, wild oats and ryegrass can all resist popular herbicides, adding to costs and hitting farm profits.
So news that broad-leaved weeds are also developing resistance to a popular and cost-effective group of herbicides is particularly worrying. Herbicide resistant poppies and chickweed have been detected in south and eastern England and Scotland.
Worse still, they are probably becoming more widespread. Like blackgrass, the problem could worsen rapidly unless farmers plan spring herbicide use cautiously.
After all, caution now could avoid the widespread breakdown in resistance.
Inspiring advocates with farming passion
Every industry needs its advocates – people who are prepared to speak up passionately for what they believe.
Agriculture has plenty of such people. They work tirelessly on behalf of farmers and their families.
They range in age and background, but they have one thing in common: They have the countrysides best interests at heart.
At a time when our industry finds itself isolated and attacked, we need such men and women as never before.
Farmlifes Agricultural Advo- cates feature is our way of saying thank-you to a few of those who contribute so much.
We hope their work inspires others. Everyone can find a role speaking up passionately for British farming and food.
Organic sector is feeling the pinch
Farmers need strong nerves during these difficult times. None more so than organic producers. Their prices have fallen and more producers have rushed to join the sector.
But lets retain a sense of perspective. Supermarkets may have an excess of organic milk but demand remains strong for organic beef.
Whatever you produce, its vital to remain realistic about potential premiums. Cost control and better marketing may be no substitute for top premiums but they can certainly mitigate the effects of falling prices.
Rhizo – classic case of tempting fate
What happens when you tempt fate? It bites back. Theres no better example than our governments decision to abandon rhizomania-free status for sugar beet, shortly before the discovery of new strains that can overcome this devastating disease.
The development demonstrates, yet again, that farming is uniquely vulnerable to events outside its control. Nature often disrupts the best laid plans.
Until government accepts that fact, it will struggle to develop an effective farming policy.
Search is on again for top-class keeper
Are you a top-quality game keeper? If so, FARMERS WEEKLY and The CLA Game Fair would like to hear from you.
We want to flush out an outstanding gamekeeper worthy of winning our Gamekeeper of the Year Award which seeks to highlight the benefits well run game shoots can bring to wildlife and the countryside.
If youre a top flight keeper, or know someone who is a credit to his or her calling, turn to our Farmlife Section for more details.