Do not underestimate the role of sheep in shaping our landscapes
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is extremely alarmed by recent comments from campaigner George Monbiot that iconic areas of the UK have been ‘sheep-wrecked’. NSA says such a stance not only underestimates the role sheep play in shaping our rural environments, but overlooks their pivotal part in ecosystems, local communities and food production. Phil Stocker, […]
Beltex and Dunbia renew Lamb Export Scheme offer
Last year’s scheme rewarded Beltex cross lambs with an average bonus of £2.19 per head across the board. The Beltex and Dunbia Lamb Export Scheme arrangement is for a year round supply of up to 5,000 cross lambs in total for the Belgium marketplace. To be eligible, all lambs must be sired by a registered […]
EU boost for English sheep sector
The NFU has worked closely with EBLEX to persuade EU policy makers to change the rules which prevented the European Union co-funding promotional campaigns for “generic” sheepmeat products. Previously, only products that had recognised quality labels, such as PGI or PDO could apply for promotional money. NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe, who also chairs […]
‘Sheep killed in snow’ boost for farmers
Defra made £250,000 available to help farmers in the worst hit areas with the costs of collecting fallen stock after the snowstorms of March this year. Just over 1,000 farmers are eligible for the scheme; all will receive funds by the end of this month. Farming Minister, David Heath said: “I met some of the […]
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP hears about farming challenges
Wyn and Glenda Jones, of Pantyderi and Trefach farms at Blaenffos, together with their son Eurig and Wyn’s mother Janet Jones rear beef and sheep plus arable acreage for home consumption on both holdings which run to 1,000 acres in total. Seven hundred acres are permanent pasture, 100 acres are used for short term grass […]
BWMB in strong marketing position is the message to sheep farmers
Addressing a meeting of the English press at the NSA North Sheep event in Harrogate, Mr Hartley explains, “As a result of a competitive market in the early part of the year BWMB has been able to sell the entire 2012 clip ahead of schedule and also clear a 5m kg carry over from the […]
Texel sired females in demand at spring breeding sheep sales
It is the excellent mothering ability and milkiness of the breed backed up with confidence that the lambs have plenty of vigour and get up and go, which is driving farmers to seek out Texel cross ewes this spring, explains breed society chief executive John Yates. “Texel crosses have proved themselves to be excellent mothers […]
Wool takes centre stage at North Sheep
The BWMB stand, which this year is being organised jointly with the Campaign for Wool (CfW) will feature examples of all the work done by the organisation at every stage in the wool supply chain, explained BWMB Chairman and Northumberland sheep farmer Malcolm Corbett. “The centrepiece of the stand, the ‘WOOL’ installation is a dramatic […]
UK unions pledge action after ‘Sheep Summit’
Yesterday’s summit was called following a challenging year for producers which has seen farms hit by poor weather, a longer finishing period, rising costs, disease challenges and a marked drop in lamb prices over the past year. The summit also heard from French, Spanish and Irish farming unions who outlined many of the same concerns […]
