NBA Winter Magazine_2023_

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Chief Executive’s Report Devolution threatens food security! Neil Shand Regular newsletter and press readers will know that this is an often-beaten drum for me, and one which I will continue to pound until someone in power wakes up and smells the roses. As the devolved governments continue to pedal their individual agendas, the Agricultural Support versus Environmental Gain battle seems to be missing the point in a potentially catastrophic way. UK food security - and the security of beef producers - is being threatened across all four home countries. I therefore have a devolved wish list for next year - my own ‘Dear Santa’ letter… Wales - it’s difficult to see how the sitting Labour government could possibly be any more anti-farming. All industry stakeholders are going to be seriously challenged on every front, in the valleys, the towns and beyond. Their policies range from an uneducated and unscientific blinkered view on bTB (and with it an utter lack of any sensible control or eradication policy), to planting up to 10% of their most productive farmland with trees. Wales is, and will remain, one of the biggest challenges for next year. The best solution would probably be a new UK Labour government, removing the option for the Welsh Labour Party to blame Westminster for all their woes. The derogative terms which were used by government ministers in parliament, suggesting farmers struggling with bTB should ‘change to a different business’ is a good indication of the level of support being offered to producers in Wales by their own elected government. Northern Ireland - presently without a sitting government, but managing quite well without one! Agricultural policy is quietly progressing in the background; a number of efficiency-payment-typecarrots are being dangled for future policies, including a decrease in calving index, decreased slaughter age and early calving for heifers at two years old. Some of the carrots have been in the ground for some time and are well-grown. Many of these options were part of the NBA’s carbon reduction plan in 2020, and will undoubtedly form part of the remainder of the home countries thoughts at some point in the future. Scotland - Agriculture doesn’t appear to be a priority for the sitting government, and the Bute House Agreement which was entered into with the Green Party has left that minority party with a disproportionately loud voice. Seven years have passed since Brexit, and with it the acknowledgement that agricultural support would have to change. Only now have the Scottish Government published an Agriculture bill; a bill which basically allows them to implement anything they like. Details about the actual support which will be available are still absent from the public domain. With the Greens pulling the strings, and the likes of the RSPB and others pushing hard for a share of the pot, the future will likely be challenging. Of course, the Agriculture bill must still be approved by Westminster, and Alister Jack has already proved he is more than capable of a resounding NO. England - Defra has yet another new Secretary in place, Steve Barclay. This position has been rotated far too often, and it’s having a negative impact on the industry; the longest incumbent in recent time goes back to the last Labour government. In policy terms, SFI/ELM has progressed, and next year’s standards - announced on the 18 th September - do bring some real opportunities to predominately grass-based livestock units. It should also be mentioned that from Defra’s own figures, livestock producers - both lowland and upland - are the worst off in the industry; with average earnings below the minimum wage, there is certainly room for a lot of improvement. As we enter into what will be an election year, we, as an organisation intend to pull together a fighting manifesto, which will cover issues in all corners of the UK. It’s certainly a challenge, but it will be a manifesto which will ensure all our members – wherever they live -will feel supported by. Food security is a life priority. Government policies can only be effective if the UK is considered as a whole; there is no net environmental gain from decreasing livestock numbers in Scotland or Wales. The corresponding import increases from overseas into England would have the exact opposite effect – an increase in carbon footprint, and a dramatic decrease in food security. It really isn’t that long ago since Covid, and yet the lessons appear forgotten. Politicians should take a good long look at the needs of the people who elected them to serve their best interests; food security should not be subject to petty partisan bickering and party politics. Wishing you the very best of seasons greeting for Christmas, and a healthy, prosperous and peaceful 2024. 06 The National Beef Association Magazine | WINTER 2023
Unique respiratory coronavirus protection. The earliest and fastest protection from BRSV and Pi3. The broadest M. haemolytica prevention. 1 Concurrent use of Bovilis ® IBR Marker Live and Bovilis ® Bovipast ® RSP. Unique lungworm protection. Contact us to find out how we can help protect the long-term productivity of your herd or visit www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk Reference: 1. Donachie W (2002) The development of vaccines containing iron-regulated proteins (IRPs) of Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica for the control of pasteurellosis in cattle. XXII World Buiatrics Congress. Hanover. Bovilis Nasalgen ® -C contains live bovine coronavirus, strain CA25. POM-V. Bovilis ® INtranasal RSP Live contains live BRSV and Pi3. POM-V. Bovilis ® Bovipast ® RSP contains inactivated BRSV (strain EV908), Pi3 virus (strain SF-4-Reisinger) and inactivated Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica (serotype A1). POM-V. Bovilis ® IBR Marker Live contains live bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), strain GK/D (gE¯)*: 10 5.7 - 10 7.3 TCID 50 **. *gE¯: glycoprotein E negative. **TCID 50 : tissue culture infective doses 50%. POM-V. Bovilis ® Huskvac contains viable Dictyocaulus viviparus 3rd stage irradiated larvae. POM-V. Further information is available from the respective SPC, datasheet or package leaflets. MSD Animal Health UK Limited. Registered office Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ, UK. Registered in England & Wales no. 946942. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber. Use Medicines Responsibly. Copyright © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. UK-BOV-230200005
Page 1 and 2: Winter 2023 | ISSUE 29 Regional Rou
Page 3 and 4: Contents Winter 2023 ISSUE 29 16 ED
Page 5: Working to help the livestock farme
Page 9 and 10: “With the Vector, every animal ge
Page 11 and 12: Industry News AHDB Beef & Lamb’s
Page 13 and 14: IS NOW Stay fully charged this Wint
Page 15 and 16: Molasses Blends The Essential Ingre
Page 17 and 18: choose for the Hanskamp Spider feed
Page 19 and 20: WAGYU BREEDERS ASSOCIATION APPROVED
Page 21 and 22: Industry News Buying ‘High Health
Page 23 and 24: ® Merry Christmas from all at KW!
Page 25 and 26: Industry News continue to play its
Page 27 and 28: For Feed Industry since 1964 Elensi
Page 29 and 30: Industry News • The team at Brong
Page 31 and 32: Better Breeding Based Upon Your Goa
Page 33 and 34: Highland | Breed Society Focus How
Page 35 and 36: BREEDING SALERS IN THE SCOTTISH BOR
Page 37 and 38: Key Appointment for the British Cha
Page 39 and 40: Breed Society News NATIONAL BEEF EV
Page 41 and 42: MELTON MOWBRAY MULTIBREED SALE - 27
Page 43 and 44: # NBA Membership Join the NBA Today

NBA Winter Magazine_2023_

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