Agriculture

Ian farms in partnership with his family near Knutsford, Cheshire. They manage 700 commercial pedigree Holstein/Friesians on 445 hectares (1,100 acres). Replacements are home reared and cows are on a composite system

Should more educational settings offer agricultural courses?

"Islwyn was a caring farmer who was proud of his stock"

Graham Redman, partner at agribusiness consultants The Andersons Centre said the business aspect of farming was pressing on the farming community ‘even more so than ever before', and he urged farmers to look beyond the headline figures on Government environmental schemes, which he said could look appealing but came with ‘obligations' and ‘costs'

The University of Exeter said intensive agriculture could contribute to emerging infectious disease risks in the future

Sean Fitzpatrick, of the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers' Association, said: "How can anyone expect our sheep farmers to maintain this when their income, which needs to support not only a business but a home, is getting significantly cut?"

Chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Christopher Price said: "In May, the previous Government promised £3m to support the creation of new and mobile abattoirs though the Farming Investment Fund. Since then we have heard nothing"

CLA senior land use policy adviser Cameron Hughes said the range of Capital Grants available were 'particularly worth investigating'

"It moves me to tears hearing how challenging it is for our farmers at the minute dealing with this awful virus"

Consultant and founder of SRH Agribusiness, Simon Haley, said these funding opportunities could help with ‘resilience planning, strategic advice and business growth', but current availability of funds must be checked on the relevant council website