Dairy

THE dispersal of the Willenhall herd of pedigree Holsteins on behalf of Roger and Lin Edwards, Bettisfield, near Whitchurch, which was due to be held at Shrewsbury market was rearranged as an online auction.

Farming groups have united in their response to Defra’s move to relax competition laws in dairying, calling for further measures to save the sector.

Publication of Defra’s analysis on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) review has highlighted market development and on farm productivity as key priorities for the levy board going forward.

My husband, Rob and I were raised on our family farms’ so we always knew farming would feature heavily in our futures.Some 6 years ago we built our own home on my parents farm in Inglewhite, here my Dad, Mum, brother and Rob work tirelessly on our 600-acre farm milking a dairy herd of 450 Holsteins.

With the dairy sector facing significant challenges, Cedric Porter asks Tony Evans, senior business consultant at Andersons, for his advice on changes which farmers can make now.

A total reduction of 5ppl will see farmers supplying Medina Dairy receive 20.75ppl on all litres effective from May 1 in addition to delayed payments until May 4, rather than April 27 as previously stated.

A new system of virtual farm inspections developed by Red Tractor to uphold standards during the coronavirus lockdown could change the way auditing takes place after the pandemic is over.

Like nearly every other industry in the country, agriculture is experiencing incredible challenges due to Covid-19, yet Welsh farmers remain in the dark as to what support, if any, they might receive, says Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Shadow Rural Affairs Minister.

Farmers should not be concerned about stocks of farm medicines or vaccines during the current pandemic, but do need to plan ahead.

The British Sheep Dairying Association (BSDA) has voiced its concerns about the future viability of member businesses with processors cancelling sheep milk orders as a result of the spreading virus.