Livestock

For the first time the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club spring dairy bull sale at Carlisle was staged completely online with trade topping at 4,600gns to average almost £2,600.

In line with its commitment to support the UK livestock sector and maintain the food supply chain during the evolving coronavirus crisis, the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) welcomes two new online platforms which are helping to support livestock trade via dedicated auction events and services.

Wheat prices have stabilised a little since the middle of March when the full scale of coronavirus hit countries across the world, but the general trend remains upwards amid global stockpiling European weather fears.

Farm groups have joined forces to help farmers navigate the cashflow crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with banks being urged to be ’flexible’. 

Farmers and crofters across Scotland have united to produce a video to reassure the general public they will continue to work hard to feed the nation as the Covid-19 lockdown continues.

Farming unions have urged retailers and processors to reconsider their responsibility towards British beef and lamb suppliers in the newly constrained marketplace as a result of Covid-19.

Amidst all the show cancellations there is glimmer of hope of a return to normality as directors of AgriScot plan for the event to carry on as scheduled on Wednesday November 18.   

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has called on the UK Government to take advantage of any EU cash made available to support farmers through the coronavirus crisis.

NFUS vice-president Martin Kennedy has highlighted the drastic fall in air pollution in UK cities as a result of lockdown measures has confirmed agriculture as ‘part of the solution’ to mitigating climate change.

Vets have complained to the BBC following a ‘hugely biased’ Radio 4 programme on the gradual phasing out of the badger cull which allowed a well-known opponent of culling to go unchallenged.