You’re probably already aware of the benefits in using a bale feeder, with livestock following rather than gathering around a ring feeder and trampling the ground. Especially in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. What you may not know is Hustler bale feeders also save 20% on feed costs, a proven fact and one which is hard to ignore. There is no doubt that Hustler from Wessex International have steadily built an enviable reputation for performance, ease of use and reliability, with a good choice of mounted or trailed bale feeders, both chain and chainless. Common features are low maintenance, easily adjustable feed rate, the facility to feed round or square bales and tough polyurethane floors that are non corrosive, impervious to UV, slippery, easily repairable and very shock resistant. The poly base ensures every bit of fodder is discharged. On chain driven models the chains themselves are

Hustler is ideal for NVZs and saves 20% on feed costsmassively heavy-duty for durability. In fact, say Wessex, there has never been a request for a replacement chain, such is their strength, reliability and durability. The Hustler SL-450X mounted bale feeder is based on the popular SL-350 but with the added advantage of an extension chute to allow delivery of the fodder into a high level trough or manger, clear of the wheels of the tractor. There’s a very low cradle for ease of loading, a high back bar to safely retain the bale and the baler requires only one hydraulic spool to operate it. If you’re feeding at a distance from the bale storage area, the Hustler SL-700X towed bale feeder is ideal as it allows two bales to be taken to the stock at the same time. One bale is lifted on the spikes and placed on the cradle ready for feeding while the second bale is carried on the rear, allowing two bales to be fed before returning to reload.

Again, you can easily feed round or square bales and chopped material. On this feeder the towing eye has an easy-to-use 50mm height adjustment that enables it to stay level behind virtually any tractor and the ability to rotate 360° makes feeding on steep terrain trouble free. You can also feed from left or right. Suited to the fastest tractors there’s a lower centre of gravity and steeper feed cradle resulting in a 20% increase in stability, for greater safety and peace of mind. The drive system includes a coupling that provides

unparalleled direct drive strength, while a bigger motor allows you to feed even the heaviest and sloppiest bales with ease. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

Farming Express. Page 5

LivestockPage 6. Farming Express

Farming Express. Page 5

LivestockPage 6. Farming Express

Farming Express. Page 7

Focus on GlampingPage 8. Farming Express

Export of its ground-breaking Secure Covers product range into varied agricultural markets around the world is underpinning significant growth for Shropshire-based Thomas and Fontaine Limited (TFL).The company, which has developed its pioneering silage clamp covers over the last 15 years, is predicting around 40% of its £2.5 million 2014/15 turnover will be from exports, with overall year-on-year growth expected to reach 30%.In addition to its established Secure Covers range, TFL has over the last five years diversified with the development of its Secure Windbreak products and has further innovative applications in the pipeline. Continued demand both at home and abroad for the established and new product lines is forecast to result in a further 20% growth in 2015/16.“We are consistently growing our market share at home in both the clamp cover and windbreak markets and there remains great potential in the UK,” says TFL managing director Andrew Fontaine. “More recently we have seen an explosion of interest from overseas, with this now

being translated into significant sales particularly for Secure Covers. The diversity of use for our product never ceases to amaze us, with our expertise being drawn upon from a 5,000 cow unit in Sumatra to large scale custom applications in California, for example. Where there are feedstuffs to protect or ensile, there is demand for Secure Covers.” The Secure Covers concept pioneered the idea of a tyre-free, rapid and resilient cover for silage clamps. The concept is now applied not only to all forage crops, but is also applied to straw, baled silage and hay, and has value outside agriculture protecting salt stacks, soil piles and even landfill sites. Further information from: Andrew FontaineTel: 01588 680661

EXPORTS UNDERPIN GROWTH FOR PIONEERING WEST MIDLANDS AGRIBUSINESS

Farming Express. Page 7

Focus on GlampingPage 8. Farming Express

Export of its ground-breaking Secure Covers product range into varied agricultural markets around the world is underpinning significant growth for Shropshire-based Thomas and Fontaine Limited (TFL).The company, which has developed its pioneering silage clamp covers over the last 15 years, is predicting around 40% of its £2.5 million 2014/15 turnover will be from exports, with overall year-on-year growth expected to reach 30%.In addition to its established Secure Covers range, TFL has over the last five years diversified with the development of its Secure Windbreak products and has further innovative applications in the pipeline. Continued demand both at home and abroad for the established and new product lines is forecast to result in a further 20% growth in 2015/16.“We are consistently growing our market share at home in both the clamp cover and windbreak markets and there remains great potential in the UK,” says TFL managing director Andrew Fontaine. “More recently we have seen an explosion of interest from overseas, with this now

being translated into significant sales particularly for Secure Covers. The diversity of use for our product never ceases to amaze us, with our expertise being drawn upon from a 5,000 cow unit in Sumatra to large scale custom applications in California, for example. Where there are feedstuffs to protect or ensile, there is demand for Secure Covers.” The Secure Covers concept pioneered the idea of a tyre-free, rapid and resilient cover for silage clamps. The concept is now applied not only to all forage crops, but is also applied to straw, baled silage and hay, and has value outside agriculture protecting salt stacks, soil piles and even landfill sites. Further information from: Andrew FontaineTel: 01588 680661

EXPORTS UNDERPIN GROWTH FOR PIONEERING WEST MIDLANDS AGRIBUSINESS

Farming Express. Page 9

What’s On 2015

There may be little festive cheer around for dairy farmers operating in a falling milk price environment, but many producers could cut feed costs by between 15p and 40p per cow per day by tweaking current winter rations.“An average 100-cow herd could quite easily make an extra £1,200 a month by replacing 3-5kg of proprietary blend with straight cereals at the moment. That’s well worth chasing,” says nutritionist Malcolm Graham from FiveF Alka Limited.Mr Graham says that some of the factors driving down milk returns have also put downward pressure on cereal prices – so much so that dairy farmers have a great opportunity to capitalise. “Cereals are a very high quality, high energy feed and full of starch to aid

milk production, but do come with a cautionary flag attached. If a diet is unbalanced, feeding high levels can predispose cows to acidosis, which is obviously highly counter-productive.”Mr Graham says the answer lies in better dietary balance and taking advantage of alkalising feed ingredients to allow more cereals to be fed. “The alkaline systems we have developed over many years allow milk producers to now feed up to 8kg of wheat to high performance dairy cows, leaving plenty of scope for typical farms to use more cereals. It’s achieved simply by replacing some dietary protein with an ammonia-releasing protein source that reduces the base acid load of the diet.”FiveF Alka says its alkalising approach also kickstarts a virtuous chain of events that will improve

animal performance and health.“We can ensure excess acids in the diet are quickly turned into ammonium salts, which are then metabolised as an highly effective rumen degradable energy and protein source. This improves rumen function, as well as helping to reduce the requirement for high protein feed ingredients like soya and rape

INTRODUCE LOW COST CEREALS TO CUT RATION COSTS

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Farming Express. Page 9

What’s On 2015

There may be little festive cheer around for dairy farmers operating in a falling milk price environment, but many producers could cut feed costs by between 15p and 40p per cow per day by tweaking current winter rations.“An average 100-cow herd could quite easily make an extra £1,200 a month by replacing 3-5kg of proprietary blend with straight cereals at the moment. That’s well worth chasing,” says nutritionist Malcolm Graham from FiveF Alka Limited.Mr Graham says that some of the factors driving down milk returns have also put downward pressure on cereal prices – so much so that dairy farmers have a great opportunity to capitalise. “Cereals are a very high quality, high energy feed and full of starch to aid

milk production, but do come with a cautionary flag attached. If a diet is unbalanced, feeding high levels can predispose cows to acidosis, which is obviously highly counter-productive.”Mr Graham says the answer lies in better dietary balance and taking advantage of alkalising feed ingredients to allow more cereals to be fed. “The alkaline systems we have developed over many years allow milk producers to now feed up to 8kg of wheat to high performance dairy cows, leaving plenty of scope for typical farms to use more cereals. It’s achieved simply by replacing some dietary protein with an ammonia-releasing protein source that reduces the base acid load of the diet.”FiveF Alka says its alkalising approach also kickstarts a virtuous chain of events that will improve

animal performance and health.“We can ensure excess acids in the diet are quickly turned into ammonium salts, which are then metabolised as an highly effective rumen degradable energy and protein source. This improves rumen function, as well as helping to reduce the requirement for high protein feed ingredients like soya and rape

INTRODUCE LOW COST CEREALS TO CUT RATION COSTS

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Farming Express. Page 7 Page 2. Farming Express

Farming Express. Page 7 Page 2. Farming Express

Page 10. Farming Express

“The market for amenity and conservation woods in England has strengthened considerably in thepast two years, in contrast to other sectors of the property market,” said Mike Tustin of woodland

specialists John Clegg & Co.

“The South West market is buoyant, with a high number of sales completed in 2014.” Here are afew for sale right now:

Burley Wood, near Okehampton, Devon, £215,000 for 27.9 hectares / 66.94 acres. Hidden in hillsjust south west of Okehampton, Burley Wood comprises 1960s conifers together with recently

planted Douglas fir, Sitka spruce and native broadleaves. History buffs will love its prominent andextensive hill fort.

Tailor’s Shop, near Callington, Cornwall (pictured), £65,000 for 6.62 hectares / 16.47 acres. Theseattractive woods will appeal to purchasers seeking a woodland offering a mixture of broadleaf and

conifers with a varied age profile. It has a long road frontage, and comes with sporting rights.

Lydcott Wood, Hessenford near Looe, Cornwall, £140,000 for 17.10 hectares / 42.27 acres

Classified as an ancient woodland, this plantation in the attractive Seaton Valley is about halfconifer and half traditional broadleaf. The conifers, mainly Douglas fir, date from 1982.

Pay Plantation & Holiday Cottages, Stapley, Somerset,Offers over £800,000 for 11.8 hectares /29.2 acres. Pay Plantation offers two five-bedroom properties and a site on which to build a third

property for holiday use, all in a stunning woodland setting.

For more information, contact John Clegg & Co on 01844 291 384 or www.www.johnclegg.co.uk.

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Branching-woodland/story-25734070-detail/story.html#ixzz3MG9ymwMu

Follow us: @WMNNews on Twitter | westernmorningnews on Facebook

Page 10. Farming Express

“The market for amenity and conservation woods in England has strengthened considerably in thepast two years, in contrast to other sectors of the property market,” said Mike Tustin of woodland

specialists John Clegg & Co.

“The South West market is buoyant, with a high number of sales completed in 2014.” Here are afew for sale right now:

Burley Wood, near Okehampton, Devon, £215,000 for 27.9 hectares / 66.94 acres. Hidden in hillsjust south west of Okehampton, Burley Wood comprises 1960s conifers together with recently

planted Douglas fir, Sitka spruce and native broadleaves. History buffs will love its prominent andextensive hill fort.

Tailor’s Shop, near Callington, Cornwall (pictured), £65,000 for 6.62 hectares / 16.47 acres. Theseattractive woods will appeal to purchasers seeking a woodland offering a mixture of broadleaf and

conifers with a varied age profile. It has a long road frontage, and comes with sporting rights.

Lydcott Wood, Hessenford near Looe, Cornwall, £140,000 for 17.10 hectares / 42.27 acres

Classified as an ancient woodland, this plantation in the attractive Seaton Valley is about halfconifer and half traditional broadleaf. The conifers, mainly Douglas fir, date from 1982.

Pay Plantation & Holiday Cottages, Stapley, Somerset,Offers over £800,000 for 11.8 hectares /29.2 acres. Pay Plantation offers two five-bedroom properties and a site on which to build a third

property for holiday use, all in a stunning woodland setting.

For more information, contact John Clegg & Co on 01844 291 384 or www.www.johnclegg.co.uk.

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Branching-woodland/story-25734070-detail/story.html#ixzz3MG9ymwMu

Follow us: @WMNNews on Twitter | westernmorningnews on Facebook

Page 4. Farming Express

Forestry & Woodland ManagementSilky Fox saws, made in Japan by Um:Kogyo Inc since 1919, have developed a world-wide reputation for being the best pruning saws you can buy.

Unique technology and design have been applied to produce an extensive range of saws with superb cutting ability. Folding Saws, Sheathed Saws and Pole Saws.

Whatever your pruning requirements, there is a Silky Fox saw here to make your job easier. We also now offer a selection of High Quality Handtools for gardeners.

Timber has traditionally been a far more significant component of the rural economy than it isnow. The critical determining factor in the economic return for woodland management is thequality of material coming out of the woodland. Unfortunately, due to low timber prices, manywoodlands have been left unmanaged, this has reduced the quality of timber available, which inturn has reduced the timber value, and so on. The advantage of producing fuel from forestry material is that it is not dependant on timberquality. This has the potential to provide a market for material from forestry thinning and othertrees with either low diameter or poor form. Thinning is an essential tool in effective woodlandmanagement to produce higher grade timber for premium markets. A growing market for poorquality timber could allow the forestry industry to manage a much greater area of woodland; thiswould increase the number of rural jobs in addition to developing the environmental and socialbenefits associated with woodland management. Forestry and timber businesses already make a significant contribution to UK productivity The UK’s forestry and timber businesses represented 0.5% of GVA in 2008, or £6.4 billion(according to the Office for National Statistics 2009 Annual Business Inquiry), and employing155,000 people.Looking at specific sectors: Forestry and logging contributed £472 million of GVA, and employed 12,000 workersWood product manufacturing contributed £3.1 billion of GVA, and employed 79,000 workersPaper and paper product manufacturing contributed £2.8 billion of GVA, and employed 64,000workersWhen indirect contributions to the economy are taken into consideration, forestry and primaryprocessing businesses employed 560,000 workers and made a £19.3 billion contribution to GVAaccording to the Centre for Economics and Business Researchand the woodfuel industry alone isexpected to create an additional 15,000 jobs by 2020 (up from 5,500 jobs in 2008) and add £1.24billion of GVA to the UK economy.There are significant further economic benefits derived from the wider forest industries, e.g.forest related tourism. For example, in 2008 the total employment due to, and direct spendingfrom, woodland tourism and recreation in Scotland is estimated to be around 17,900 FTE jobs and£209m.

Page 4. Farming Express

Forestry & Woodland ManagementSilky Fox saws, made in Japan by Um:Kogyo Inc since 1919, have developed a world-wide reputation for being the best pruning saws you can buy.

Unique technology and design have been applied to produce an extensive range of saws with superb cutting ability. Folding Saws, Sheathed Saws and Pole Saws.

Whatever your pruning requirements, there is a Silky Fox saw here to make your job easier. We also now offer a selection of High Quality Handtools for gardeners.

Timber has traditionally been a far more significant component of the rural economy than it isnow. The critical determining factor in the economic return for woodland management is thequality of material coming out of the woodland. Unfortunately, due to low timber prices, manywoodlands have been left unmanaged, this has reduced the quality of timber available, which inturn has reduced the timber value, and so on. The advantage of producing fuel from forestry material is that it is not dependant on timberquality. This has the potential to provide a market for material from forestry thinning and othertrees with either low diameter or poor form. Thinning is an essential tool in effective woodlandmanagement to produce higher grade timber for premium markets. A growing market for poorquality timber could allow the forestry industry to manage a much greater area of woodland; thiswould increase the number of rural jobs in addition to developing the environmental and socialbenefits associated with woodland management. Forestry and timber businesses already make a significant contribution to UK productivity The UK’s forestry and timber businesses represented 0.5% of GVA in 2008, or £6.4 billion(according to the Office for National Statistics 2009 Annual Business Inquiry), and employing155,000 people.Looking at specific sectors: Forestry and logging contributed £472 million of GVA, and employed 12,000 workersWood product manufacturing contributed £3.1 billion of GVA, and employed 79,000 workersPaper and paper product manufacturing contributed £2.8 billion of GVA, and employed 64,000workersWhen indirect contributions to the economy are taken into consideration, forestry and primaryprocessing businesses employed 560,000 workers and made a £19.3 billion contribution to GVAaccording to the Centre for Economics and Business Researchand the woodfuel industry alone isexpected to create an additional 15,000 jobs by 2020 (up from 5,500 jobs in 2008) and add £1.24billion of GVA to the UK economy.There are significant further economic benefits derived from the wider forest industries, e.g.forest related tourism. For example, in 2008 the total employment due to, and direct spendingfrom, woodland tourism and recreation in Scotland is estimated to be around 17,900 FTE jobs and£209m.

FOR TIMBER. FOR PEOPLEHenry Brown, Grange Farm Timber - Pickering, UK

www.wood-mizer.eu

Versatile timber production

The LT20 sawmill is ideal for businesses that require efficient, flexible and productive timber production at a low price.

Wood-Mizer UKHopfield BarnKenward Road, YaldingKent ME18 6JPTel: +44 1622 813 201WWW: www.woodmizer.co.ukE-mail: info@woodmizer.co.uk

FOR TIMBER. FOR PEOPLEHenry Brown, Grange Farm Timber - Pickering, UK

www.wood-mizer.eu

Versatile timber production

The LT20 sawmill is ideal for businesses that require efficient, flexible and productive timber production at a low price.

Wood-Mizer UKHopfield BarnKenward Road, YaldingKent ME18 6JPTel: +44 1622 813 201WWW: www.woodmizer.co.ukE-mail: info@woodmizer.co.uk

The diversified farmer – Sawmilling English oakT

This East Sussex family farm has diversified their farm and boosted profits with the additionof a sawmill to the mix. If it had not been for a chance windstorm some 15 years ago, Alex Gingell may never havediscovered a way to make his farm profitable. With a large mortgage in front of him, a family to feed, and meagre farm profits supportingboth, Alex worked his tract of land from dawn until dusk. When a large storm system sweptthrough, leaving scores of trees down across his land, Alex attempted to turn a disaster intoopportunity and sell the trees to the sawmills around him. He found that they were unwillingto pay much for them, so Alex hired a fellow with a portable Wood-Mizer sawmill to comeand cut them all for him, then sold the lumber to local builders and made a good return. That was the beginning of Alex Gingell’s career as a sawmiller. He now owns two Wood-Mizer sawmills, an LT40 and a new WM1000 for cutting big logs. Although the majority of hisday is spent on the sawmill, he has refined his farming system so that the two work togetherto provide his family and employees with a comfortable income. Alex’s son Harry joined thecompany recently, and they are quite pleased with business. Jump in the Land Rover for atour of the farm and sawmill below!

How farmers are using sawmills to diversify Small mobile sawmills are unique in the marketplace due to their affordability and versatility. Thirtyyears ago, a method of sawing timber using only a narrow band saw blade was introduced by Wood-Mizer, bringing sawmilling capacity to the general public. Today, this sawmill concept has grown and is used in almost every country in the world. Smallsawmills are popular both in developed and emerging markets due to some basic benefits – they areaffordable, they produce high quality lumber, and they require little energy. In the UK and WesternEurope, these sawmills are popular among woodlot owners, woodworkers, farmers, and furnituremakers who often find it a profitable and cost saving investment to add a sawmill to their enterprise. The Wood-Mizer LT15 is a popular entry-level model, but can also be used in daily timber productionenvironments. It comprises a log bed and a powered bandsaw head that moves down the log, cuttingit into board by board each pass. Wood-Mizer also offers popular hydraulic and portable sawmillmodels, with the option of adding computerised setworks that can run calculations andautomatically position the head for the following cut.

For more information, visit www.woodmizer-europe.com.

The diversified farmer – Sawmilling English oakT

This East Sussex family farm has diversified their farm and boosted profits with the additionof a sawmill to the mix. If it had not been for a chance windstorm some 15 years ago, Alex Gingell may never havediscovered a way to make his farm profitable. With a large mortgage in front of him, a family to feed, and meagre farm profits supportingboth, Alex worked his tract of land from dawn until dusk. When a large storm system sweptthrough, leaving scores of trees down across his land, Alex attempted to turn a disaster intoopportunity and sell the trees to the sawmills around him. He found that they were unwillingto pay much for them, so Alex hired a fellow with a portable Wood-Mizer sawmill to comeand cut them all for him, then sold the lumber to local builders and made a good return. That was the beginning of Alex Gingell’s career as a sawmiller. He now owns two Wood-Mizer sawmills, an LT40 and a new WM1000 for cutting big logs. Although the majority of hisday is spent on the sawmill, he has refined his farming system so that the two work togetherto provide his family and employees with a comfortable income. Alex’s son Harry joined thecompany recently, and they are quite pleased with business. Jump in the Land Rover for atour of the farm and sawmill below!

How farmers are using sawmills to diversify Small mobile sawmills are unique in the marketplace due to their affordability and versatility. Thirtyyears ago, a method of sawing timber using only a narrow band saw blade was introduced by Wood-Mizer, bringing sawmilling capacity to the general public. Today, this sawmill concept has grown and is used in almost every country in the world. Smallsawmills are popular both in developed and emerging markets due to some basic benefits – they areaffordable, they produce high quality lumber, and they require little energy. In the UK and WesternEurope, these sawmills are popular among woodlot owners, woodworkers, farmers, and furnituremakers who often find it a profitable and cost saving investment to add a sawmill to their enterprise. The Wood-Mizer LT15 is a popular entry-level model, but can also be used in daily timber productionenvironments. It comprises a log bed and a powered bandsaw head that moves down the log, cuttingit into board by board each pass. Wood-Mizer also offers popular hydraulic and portable sawmillmodels, with the option of adding computerised setworks that can run calculations andautomatically position the head for the following cut.

For more information, visit www.woodmizer-europe.com.

Winter FencingFarming Express. Page 13

Winter MachineryPage 14. Farming Express

Winter FencingFarming Express. Page 13

Winter MachineryPage 14. Farming Express

Farming Express. Page 11

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

Farming Express. Page 11

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 4. Farming Express

Breeding

Page 4. Farming Express

Breeding

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Page 4. Farming Express

BreedingFarming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Page 4. Farming Express

BreedingFarming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Safety concerns have been raised over proposals to turn part of the M4 into a “smart motorway”.About 32 miles (51km) between London and Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.The Highways Agency said there would be refuges for broken down vehicles. Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said converting the hard shoulder into a lane would also discourage motorists from stopping for non-emergencies, such as to answer their phones. Smart motorways also use a range of new technology, including electronic signs, to vary speed limits in response to driving conditions. They are managed and monitored by

M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raisedthe Highways Agency’s regional control centres using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses the M4 for his haulage business, described the lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous motorway,” he said. Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of being able to get into a refuge area are reduced because of the spacing between them, which is up to 2.5km,” he said.Similar schemes already operate on stretches of the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11 overbridges and five underbridges as part of the £700m project.

FARMERS are being invited to attend a free seminar to learn about the most up-to-date risks versus rewards of solar installations.Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and Saffery Champness Accountants will be speaking at an evening seminar in the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke on the November 18.Topics covered will include Clarke Willmott speaking about the affects on a landowner’s agricultural status and

tips on negotiating options and leases.Savills will be discussing the development process, its hurdles and best practice, including tips on comparing development firms and understanding exactly what is ‘a good deal’.Saffery Champness will be covering selling and leasing versus self-development, including considering the risks and rewards and financial implications, plus looking at

funding options available, and how to maximise the chances of obtaining it.The event will also include a live case study by Andrew Dyke from Pineapple Farm and Business Park who invested in Solar PV on his family farm. Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can be an important way of a enabling a farmer to diversify his income to help stay in business whilst allowing land to be multi-functional - producing food and electricity.“I’d encourage people to a step back and understand that solar farms create investment, employment, reduce reliance on overseas fossil fuel imports, plus make a substantial

contribution to the protection of countryside biodiversity, such as bees and wildflowers. Coming soon after Government announcements of funding cuts, together with the continuation of confusion and unease among landowners interested in investing in solar installations, this event aims to tackle topics and questions head on, create clarity and promote confidence.

For full details and booking contact Martha Harley atMartha.harley@clarkewillmott.com call 0845 209 1759 or click here for more information.

Free solar event for farmers and landowners

Page 12. Farming Express Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Safety concerns have been raised over proposals to turn part of the M4 into a “smart motorway”.About 32 miles (51km) between London and Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.The Highways Agency said there would be refuges for broken down vehicles. Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said converting the hard shoulder into a lane would also discourage motorists from stopping for non-emergencies, such as to answer their phones. Smart motorways also use a range of new technology, including electronic signs, to vary speed limits in response to driving conditions. They are managed and monitored by

M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raisedthe Highways Agency’s regional control centres using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses the M4 for his haulage business, described the lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous motorway,” he said. Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of being able to get into a refuge area are reduced because of the spacing between them, which is up to 2.5km,” he said.Similar schemes already operate on stretches of the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11 overbridges and five underbridges as part of the £700m project.

FARMERS are being invited to attend a free seminar to learn about the most up-to-date risks versus rewards of solar installations.Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and Saffery Champness Accountants will be speaking at an evening seminar in the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke on the November 18.Topics covered will include Clarke Willmott speaking about the affects on a landowner’s agricultural status and

tips on negotiating options and leases.Savills will be discussing the development process, its hurdles and best practice, including tips on comparing development firms and understanding exactly what is ‘a good deal’.Saffery Champness will be covering selling and leasing versus self-development, including considering the risks and rewards and financial implications, plus looking at

funding options available, and how to maximise the chances of obtaining it.The event will also include a live case study by Andrew Dyke from Pineapple Farm and Business Park who invested in Solar PV on his family farm. Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can be an important way of a enabling a farmer to diversify his income to help stay in business whilst allowing land to be multi-functional - producing food and electricity.“I’d encourage people to a step back and understand that solar farms create investment, employment, reduce reliance on overseas fossil fuel imports, plus make a substantial

contribution to the protection of countryside biodiversity, such as bees and wildflowers. Coming soon after Government announcements of funding cuts, together with the continuation of confusion and unease among landowners interested in investing in solar installations, this event aims to tackle topics and questions head on, create clarity and promote confidence.

For full details and booking contact Martha Harley atMartha.harley@clarkewillmott.com call 0845 209 1759 or click here for more information.

Free solar event for farmers and landowners

Page 12. Farming Express Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Safety concerns have been raised over proposals to turn part of the M4 into a “smart motorway”.About 32 miles (51km) between London and Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.The Highways Agency said there would be refuges for broken down vehicles. Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said converting the hard shoulder into a lane would also discourage motorists from stopping for non-emergencies, such as to answer their phones. Smart motorways also use a range of new technology, including electronic signs, to vary speed limits in response to driving conditions. They are managed and monitored by

M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raisedthe Highways Agency’s regional control centres using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses the M4 for his haulage business, described the lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous motorway,” he said. Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of being able to get into a refuge area are reduced because of the spacing between them, which is up to 2.5km,” he said.Similar schemes already operate on stretches of the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11 overbridges and five underbridges as part of the £700m project.

FARMERS are being invited to attend a free seminar to learn about the most up-to-date risks versus rewards of solar installations.Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and Saffery Champness Accountants will be speaking at an evening seminar in the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke on the November 18.Topics covered will include Clarke Willmott speaking about the affects on a landowner’s agricultural status and

tips on negotiating options and leases.Savills will be discussing the development process, its hurdles and best practice, including tips on comparing development firms and understanding exactly what is ‘a good deal’.Saffery Champness will be covering selling and leasing versus self-development, including considering the risks and rewards and financial implications, plus looking at

funding options available, and how to maximise the chances of obtaining it.The event will also include a live case study by Andrew Dyke from Pineapple Farm and Business Park who invested in Solar PV on his family farm. Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can be an important way of a enabling a farmer to diversify his income to help stay in business whilst allowing land to be multi-functional - producing food and electricity.“I’d encourage people to a step back and understand that solar farms create investment, employment, reduce reliance on overseas fossil fuel imports, plus make a substantial

contribution to the protection of countryside biodiversity, such as bees and wildflowers. Coming soon after Government announcements of funding cuts, together with the continuation of confusion and unease among landowners interested in investing in solar installations, this event aims to tackle topics and questions head on, create clarity and promote confidence.

For full details and booking contact Martha Harley atMartha.harley@clarkewillmott.com call 0845 209 1759 or click here for more information.

Free solar event for farmers and landowners

Page 12. Farming Express

Farming Express. Page 11

Safety concerns have been raised over proposals to turn part of the M4 into a “smart motorway”.About 32 miles (51km) between London and Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.The Highways Agency said there would be refuges for broken down vehicles. Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said converting the hard shoulder into a lane would also discourage motorists from stopping for non-emergencies, such as to answer their phones. Smart motorways also use a range of new technology, including electronic signs, to vary speed limits in response to driving conditions. They are managed and monitored by

M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raisedthe Highways Agency’s regional control centres using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses the M4 for his haulage business, described the lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous motorway,” he said. Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of being able to get into a refuge area are reduced because of the spacing between them, which is up to 2.5km,” he said.Similar schemes already operate on stretches of the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11 overbridges and five underbridges as part of the £700m project.

FARMERS are being invited to attend a free seminar to learn about the most up-to-date risks versus rewards of solar installations.Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and Saffery Champness Accountants will be speaking at an evening seminar in the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke on the November 18.Topics covered will include Clarke Willmott speaking about the affects on a landowner’s agricultural status and

tips on negotiating options and leases.Savills will be discussing the development process, its hurdles and best practice, including tips on comparing development firms and understanding exactly what is ‘a good deal’.Saffery Champness will be covering selling and leasing versus self-development, including considering the risks and rewards and financial implications, plus looking at

funding options available, and how to maximise the chances of obtaining it.The event will also include a live case study by Andrew Dyke from Pineapple Farm and Business Park who invested in Solar PV on his family farm. Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can be an important way of a enabling a farmer to diversify his income to help stay in business whilst allowing land to be multi-functional - producing food and electricity.“I’d encourage people to a step back and understand that solar farms create investment, employment, reduce reliance on overseas fossil fuel imports, plus make a substantial

contribution to the protection of countryside biodiversity, such as bees and wildflowers. Coming soon after Government announcements of funding cuts, together with the continuation of confusion and unease among landowners interested in investing in solar installations, this event aims to tackle topics and questions head on, create clarity and promote confidence.

For full details and booking contact Martha Harley atMartha.harley@clarkewillmott.com call 0845 209 1759 or click here for more information.

Free solar event for farmers and landowners

Page 12. Farming Express

Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 4. Farming Express

Breeding

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 4. Farming Express

Breeding

Farming Express. Page 7 Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 7 Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9 Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9 Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Page 10. Farming Express

Farming Innovations

- ELECTROVENT -- ELECTROVENT -ELECTRONIC CONTROL MANUFACTURER

EST 1980

FAN - HEATING - VENTILATIONTEMPERATURE ALARM SYSTEMSDUSK/DAWN LIGHTING CONTROLAUTO & MANUAL CONTROLLERS

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

UNIT 42, 266 - 290 WINCOLMLEE,HULL HU2 0PZ

TEL: 01482 21601507721353446

richard@electrovent.karoo.co.ukwww.electrovent.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 11

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Pets & VetsFarming Express. Page 9

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

Page 2. Farming Express

• Bird flu alarm was not sounded at Yorkshire farm for almost a week

• Issues began just three days after 15,000 eggs were sent 50 miles away

• Operator Cherry Valley insisted egg loss can be a sign of many things

• But it is also one of the six danger signs of bird flu listed by Defra

• 6,000 ducks culled after H5N8 strain became UK’s first case in six years

• WHO scientist claimed it could pass to humans for the first time

The bird flu-hit farm where 6,000 ducks have been culled waited almost a week to sound the alarm - after staff first thought the animals were spooked by Bonfire Night.Egg production dropped at the Cherry Valley breeding site in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, on November 8, but a vet only sounded a formal bird flu alert with the government on November 14, last Friday.The firm said staff first thought the noise of fireworks might have stressed the birds into laying fewer eggs. Then a vet suspected a bacterial infection, but antibiotics didn’t work.Only three days before the first problem was seen, a shipment of 15,000 eggs left the farm. They are now being tested for the virus in incubators 50 miles away amid fears they may have to be destroyed.A drop in egg numbers is one of the six key warning signs for spotting bird flu listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).But Cherry Valley, which breeds 7million ducks a year for ready meals sold in Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi at 33 sites across Britain, said many factors could have been responsibleA Cherry Valley spokesman told

MailOnline: ‘On November 8-9 the farm first noticed problems and notified a consultant [private] vet, who was in touch with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).‘There was no suspicion of bird flu originally, party because it was around bonfire weekend and there were fireworks.‘These are one of the external factors which cause stress in animals and egg production to drop.‘So it could have been one of many things rather than jumping to the very worst conclusion straight away, much like a person feeling ill and going to the GP.’The private vet first contacted the APHA on November 11, but both parties agreed it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed the ducks with antibiotics the same day.

A fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend Cherry Valley spokesman

When ducks continued to die and the antibiotics didn’t work, the vet reported a suspected bird flu case on November 14, the spokesman added. Tests then confirmed the disease the next day and a public warning went out a day after that. In a statement, the firm added: ‘There are well-established robust processes in place and they were closely followed. ‘There was no suspicion of bird flu initially as a fall in egg production can be a symptom of several different things. These include general stresses, such as disturbance due to such things as fireworks which were a feature of that weekend.’ Defra confirmed yesterday the virus was the same H5N8 strain found in

Germany and the Netherlands.A leading health expert claimed there will ‘probably be human cases’ of the strain - despite it never infecting a human before. Elizabeth Mumford from the World Health Organisation warned the virus was ‘unpredictable’ as all 6,000 white Pekin ducks on the farm were gassed to death and dumped in metal containers. She said there could be ‘a few sporadic cases’, adding: ‘We believe any time that humans are in close contact with poultry, there’s a possibility of transmission to humans’.Although the possibility of seeing human cases was low, she said: ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If it’s really circulating widely, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see human cases.’ It was the first time an expert had claimed the H5N8 strain could pass to humans. Other top scientists, including Britain’s chief vet and Public Health England, have stressed repeatedly that the risk of transfer to humans is negligible.Yesterday a second site owned by Cherry Valley was drawn into bird flu fears for the first time. The firm’s Usselby hatchery near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, incubating between 14,000 and 15,000 duck eggs which left the stricken farm on November 5 and are due to hatch in two weeks. Defra is now set to test the eggs and work out whether they need to be destroyed.A spokesman said: ‘As part of our robust action in response to the confirmed case of avian flu, we are considering a range of measures including destroying a shipment of eggs sent to a separate farm for hatching earlier in November.‘This is in line with our tried and tested procedures for dealing with avian flu outbreaks.’Cherry Valley admitted the move

but insisted: ‘As the World Health Organisation, the Minister, the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and others have made clear, there is absolutely no risk to humans and people should continue to eat all forms of poultry.‘Any eggs that are destroyed are done so to protect the integrity of the supply chain and ensure that the disease does not affect more birds.’ Dr Colin Butter, head of avian viral immunology at The Pirbright Institute for animal health, said: ‘It’s certainly possible that eggs from an infected flock could carry influenza on their surface.’He added: ‘In chickens you would know very fast because they die. With highly pathogenic bird flu, which this is, the can die within a couple of days, so you know very fast that you have a problem in the flock.‘However, with some water fowl such as ducks, the symptoms of influenza can be much less severe, so farmers have to be on a very sharp lookout.’But he added: ‘There’s all evidence to suggest this farm picked it up extremely quickly... [And] I’m quite sure the scientists from Defra have this question in hand.’ A Defra spokesman said: ‘The advice from the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England remains that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said there is no food safety risk for consumers.’

Duck farm first noticed signs of bird flu almost two weeks ago when egg production dropped but did not report it because they thought animals were just spooked by fireworks

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Page 4. Farming Express

Breeding

Farming Express. Page 5

Slurry, snow, standing water, mud and slush, it’s all the same to a SweepEx push broom. It’s all about performance and you can sweep up to 450 miles before changing the bristles. That would sweep your way from Lands End to Gretna Green with a hundred miles to spare, all of which makes the marriage of your SweepEx and chosen mounting the ideal solution, especially in the depths of winter when you want to clear up extra fast and efficiently. Easily hitched to a skidsteer, telehandler, fork lift or any category 11 three point hitch, they and your SweepEx were made for each other, clearing the area fast and efficiently with the facility to ‘squeegee’ wet surfaces, shift fallen leaves and

plough your way into all types of debris including wood chips, gravel, small rocks and spills. Considering the time it takes one person to sweep up, a SweepEx is another world. Take the SweepEx Pro broom. It’s designed for medium to heavy sweeping while the Mega broom, with its eleven rows of bristles, provides maximum sweeping power. The MegaMax C-broom takes the concept of the push broom and adds carefully twisted side retainers which will hold bulk volumes of material in front of the brush without spillage. All SweepEx brooms dramatically reduce sweeping times and in the case of the MegaMax you eliminate spill lines and so reduce the time clearing up even further. There are no moving parts, belts or chains and no motor, offering safe and maintenance-free operation. The SweepEx comes with polypropylene bristles, a high tensile steel broom head and highly durable mounting hardware. The patented bristle track holds the bristles firmly in place and there are 25% more bristles per inch than competitor types. In fact, the system is so strong the SweepEx will even sit on its own weight without a stand in sight.. The SweepEx honeymoon has just begun. Wessex International: 01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com

SweepEx gets hitched

Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of grain and bulk materials handling & drying equipment. Established in 1947 they now have over 65 years of manufacturing experience. Today Perry are announcing their newest product, CentriKleen. This is the biggest step forward in allowing farms to cost effectively collect the dust emitted by their grain drier and also presents the most cost effective retrofit device for existing driers there is.The Perry CentriKleen is the simple solution to your drier’s dust & chaff problems. If you have had enough of your yards, rooves or equipment being covered in chaff then the Perry CentriKleen is the solution. The CentriKleen has many key features:• 90% of visible dust & chaff can be collected.

Perry Launch New CentriKleen Dust & Chaff Separator• The CentriKleen can be fitted to axial fans (1m & 1.25m diameter options available) on all makes and models of drier. • The CentriKleen has no moving parts.• The CentriKleen does not require any additional motor power. So no rewiring and extra contactors required.• The CentriKleen is manufactured from galvanised steel.• The CentriKleen is relatively light and does not require any additional steel supports. Harper Adams University have independently assessed the Performance of the CentriKleenAnd a full report is available upon request.For more information on the CentriKleen please contact our sales team on +44 (0)1404 890300 or visit our website www.perryofoakley.co.uk

Page 4. Farming Express

Breeding

Safety concerns have been raised over proposals to turn part of the M4 into a “smart motorway”.About 32 miles (51km) between London and Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.The Highways Agency said there would be refuges for broken down vehicles. Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said converting the hard shoulder into a lane would also discourage motorists from stopping for non-emergencies, such as to answer their phones. Smart motorways also use a range of new technology, including electronic signs, to vary speed limits in response to driving conditions. They are managed and monitored by

M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raisedthe Highways Agency’s regional control centres using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses the M4 for his haulage business, described the lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous motorway,” he said. Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of being able to get into a refuge area are reduced because of the spacing between them, which is up to 2.5km,” he said.Similar schemes already operate on stretches of the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11 overbridges and five underbridges as part of the £700m project.

FARMERS are being invited to attend a free seminar to learn about the most up-to-date risks versus rewards of solar installations.Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and Saffery Champness Accountants will be speaking at an evening seminar in the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke on the November 18.Topics covered will include Clarke Willmott speaking about the affects on a landowner’s agricultural status and

tips on negotiating options and leases.Savills will be discussing the development process, its hurdles and best practice, including tips on comparing development firms and understanding exactly what is ‘a good deal’.Saffery Champness will be covering selling and leasing versus self-development, including considering the risks and rewards and financial implications, plus looking at

funding options available, and how to maximise the chances of obtaining it.The event will also include a live case study by Andrew Dyke from Pineapple Farm and Business Park who invested in Solar PV on his family farm. Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can be an important way of a enabling a farmer to diversify his income to help stay in business whilst allowing land to be multi-functional - producing food and electricity.“I’d encourage people to a step back and understand that solar farms create investment, employment, reduce reliance on overseas fossil fuel imports, plus make a substantial

contribution to the protection of countryside biodiversity, such as bees and wildflowers. Coming soon after Government announcements of funding cuts, together with the continuation of confusion and unease among landowners interested in investing in solar installations, this event aims to tackle topics and questions head on, create clarity and promote confidence.

For full details and booking contact Martha Harley atMartha.harley@clarkewillmott.com call 0845 209 1759 or click here for more information.

Free solar event for farmers and landowners

Page 12. Farming Express

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

Safety concerns have been raised over proposals to turn part of the M4 into a “smart motorway”.About 32 miles (51km) between London and Theale, Berkshire, would be widened in both directions to four lanes, using the hard shoulder.Some motorists and the RAC have said the lack of a hard shoulder would leave motorists in a vulnerable position if there was a breakdown.The Highways Agency said there would be refuges for broken down vehicles. Senior project manager Andrew Hitch said converting the hard shoulder into a lane would also discourage motorists from stopping for non-emergencies, such as to answer their phones. Smart motorways also use a range of new technology, including electronic signs, to vary speed limits in response to driving conditions. They are managed and monitored by

M4 ‘smart motorway’ safety concerns raisedthe Highways Agency’s regional control centres using CCTV. Steve Bowles, who regularly uses the M4 for his haulage business, described the lack of a hard shoulder as “scary”.“I want to deliver the cargo safely. I don’t want to deliver it in a dangerous way on a dangerous motorway,” he said. Simon Williams, of the RAC, said the permanent use of the hard shoulder as a running lane would put lives at risk. “The chances of being able to get into a refuge area are reduced because of the spacing between them, which is up to 2.5km,” he said.Similar schemes already operate on stretches of the M25 and M1.The proposals, which went on public display earlier at Reading’s Madejski Stadium, include upgrading or replacing 11 overbridges and five underbridges as part of the £700m project.

FARMERS are being invited to attend a free seminar to learn about the most up-to-date risks versus rewards of solar installations.Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Savills and Saffery Champness Accountants will be speaking at an evening seminar in the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke on the November 18.Topics covered will include Clarke Willmott speaking about the affects on a landowner’s agricultural status and

tips on negotiating options and leases.Savills will be discussing the development process, its hurdles and best practice, including tips on comparing development firms and understanding exactly what is ‘a good deal’.Saffery Champness will be covering selling and leasing versus self-development, including considering the risks and rewards and financial implications, plus looking at

funding options available, and how to maximise the chances of obtaining it.The event will also include a live case study by Andrew Dyke from Pineapple Farm and Business Park who invested in Solar PV on his family farm. Mr Dyke said: “Solar installations can be an important way of a enabling a farmer to diversify his income to help stay in business whilst allowing land to be multi-functional - producing food and electricity.“I’d encourage people to a step back and understand that solar farms create investment, employment, reduce reliance on overseas fossil fuel imports, plus make a substantial

contribution to the protection of countryside biodiversity, such as bees and wildflowers. Coming soon after Government announcements of funding cuts, together with the continuation of confusion and unease among landowners interested in investing in solar installations, this event aims to tackle topics and questions head on, create clarity and promote confidence.

For full details and booking contact Martha Harley atMartha.harley@clarkewillmott.com call 0845 209 1759 or click here for more information.

Free solar event for farmers and landowners

Page 12. Farming Express

the higher ranked varieties on Recommended Lists in the UK.“The highest of all varieties on the PPI, the tetraploid late perennial ryegrass AberGain, is also an outstanding performer for dry matter yield and D-value on the 2015 Recommended Lists for England and Wales, and also Scotland,” points out Paul Billings of Germinal.

“Similarly, the highest ranked diploid perennial ryegrass on the PPI, AberChoice, has very high performance characteristics on the lists for British farmers. With three of the top five in the Irish PPI being Aber varieties from the IBERS Aberystwyth University grass breeding programme, credit should be given to the longstanding strategy to breed for quality alongside dry matter yield and other characteristics. It is clear from the new Irish PPI that grass quality, when available in quantity, equates to financial gain for farmers.”Announced on 13th November, the PPI will become an official list in Ireland for 2015, published as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Recommended List. The currently available list is a test proof and includes 17 varieties, with several other varieties potentially to be added to the official 2015 list once DUS and seed availability information is known. Even then, the PPI will not be fully representative of the Irish Recommended List, but development will continue and the expectation is that there will be a PPI in Ireland for all Recommended List varieties by 2017.

Farming Express. Page 3

The launch of Ireland’s new Pasture Profit Index (PPI) that aims to help farmers in their selection of grass varieties should encourage UK farmers to make better use of their own Recommended List information.So says Dr Mary McEvoy, previously part of the Teagasc Moorepark research team that spent six years developing the PPI, who says the new index is a response to Irish farmers’ increased interest in individual grass varieties and demand for some form of economic evaluation.Dr McEvoy, now technical development manager with Germinal, believes some of the benefits that Irish farmers will gain from using the PPI can be replicated in the UK simply by more thorough interrogation of variety information available through the independent Recommended Lists.“The PPI provides a total merit index for individual grass varieties that is based on the economic value of a number of important traits,” she explains.“These include seasonal dry matter yield, quality, silage dry matter yield and persistency, with values being prescribed according to a range of parameters and base assumptions. The advice to farmers using the PPI is usually to look beyond the headline figure and review the sub-indices, to ensure they match varieties as closely as possible to their own specific farm and system requirements.”Whilst there is no PPI for farmers throughout the UK, there are independently compiled Recommended Lists for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all containing dry matter yield, quality and persistency information. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is some consistency between the best performers on the Irish PPI and

Launch of Irish Pasture Profit Index encourages greater focus on grass variety traits

Page 4. Farming Express

BreedingFarming Express. Page 7

Page 4. Farming Express

BreedingFarming Express. Page 7

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Page 8. Farming Express

Zhoodz® – a first of its kind high visibility, functional fashion brand has been designed to keep dogs and their owners safe whilst spending their evenings outdoors.Introducing a fun element to road safety with full colour reflective designs, Zhoodz® products ensure that dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights.Dog walkers can now enjoy the outdoors with their pets with the added reassurance that their furry friends will be protected in style with the Zhoodz® reflective dog coats priced from RRP £18.75.Available in a vast range of designs, the funky Zhoodz® prints bringing fashion and road safety together, are the essential stocking filler to protect you and your loved ones on long winter nights.The night-safety brand with its strapline ‘now you see me, now you really see me’ caters for both adults and children as well as special interest enthusiasts such as dog walkers.Zhoodz® is proud to be a registered Corporate Friend of the Dogs Trust and donate 10% of the sale of Zhoodz® dog related items to the charity, to help support canine welfare across the UK.For more information, and to buy direct online go to the Zhoodz®

There’s no doubting puppies are cute! They are cuddly! They love to play!

There is also no doubting that your puppy will run rings around you if you don’t invest time and energy into training in the early days. It needn’t be ‘boot-camp’ but we are going to share some top tips to teach your four legged friend some manners!

Early days Puppies learn very quickly and the first few days of having him home with you are vital. You must set the ground-rules now and ensure your whole family knows the rules.For example: Your puppy is very likely to cry the first night he is alone. If you give in andtake him into your bed, that’s where he is likely to stay. Ensuring he has a warm, safe and secure bed (crate training is an option) in a room that is closed off from the rest of the house with toys and a papered area to toilet is a good idea from day one!Puppies are excitable and ‘jumpie!’ Did you say ‘not on the furniture?’ But isn’t he bouncing around on the sofa? Stick to the rules.

Toilet training Your puppy won’t be toilet trained overnight. Be patient and consistent. Good tips include: Take your puppy out to the garden regularly – ever 30 minutes or so if possible – to allow him the chance to go to the toilet. Give lots of praise when he pee’s or poops! NEVER punish your puppy if he has an accident in the houseSet up a regular feeding routine – this will help you to anticipate when he’ll need the loo!

Pets & Vets

Training tips for a new puppy

MouthingThis is the act of ‘biting’ something that very young puppies do frequently. NEVER punish a puppy for mouthing – it is a natural state of play for puppies and also occurs when they are teething. Socializing your puppy with other dogs will help to curb biting as other dogs will ‘show him the way.’ Your local vet may run puppy parties!If your puppy is playing and biting – stop the play session. Give him a ‘raggy’ to chew on rather than your trousers!

Obedience Once your puppy has had all of his vaccinations you can enroll in puppy classes. Your local vet may run these or will be able to recommend local trainers Basic sit, down, stay and recall are relatively easy to teach most puppies.Find out what motivates your dog Food (although don’t over-feed with treats),Toys or FussTraining should always be fun and don’t overdo it – a bit like a child a puppy will only have a short attention span!

Keep you and your dog safe at night with Zhoodz® website: www.zhoodz.co.uk

Page 6. Farming Express

EVENT OVERVIEWDid you know that a farm involved in some form of diversification will bring in on average an additional £10,400 per farm? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is an interactive exhibition designed specifically to help farmers, farm managers and land owners find new ways to diversify their business, or start a new one, and get more from their land. Meet with suppliers, experts, and associations to get inspiration, new ideas, advice, and funding. Meet other farmers and find out what has worked for them. Listen to insightful seminars for advice on the latest trends and how to avoid problems. Speak to the experts for advice on planning, grants and funding, and speak to the businesses who can supply you with the tools and equipment you need to turn your inspiration into profit.WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?How diversification can make you

more money What diversity ideas are already proven and working Find out about the newest opportunities Discover niche products which could work for you Find the latest new products on the market Speak to specialist rural business consultants Meet face to face with the suppliers offering exactly what you need What planning regulations might affect you How to market your new business What funding and grants might be available to get your project off the ground The latest industry news, regulations and offerings And much more...HIGHLIGHTS…3,000 Farmers from across all areas of agriculture meeting to talk business, 120+ exhibitors offering

suppliers, products, advice, finance and opportunities.Learn from 6 seminar theatres and 60+ expert speakers - covering areas such as Renewable Energy, Recreation and Tourism, Planning, Niche Products, and Using Existing Resources. Gain a unique insight from some Keynote speakers, industry experts and associations, surveyors, planners, leading suppliers and listen to those that have already been there and done it.WHO SHOULD ATTEND?Farmers Land Owners Farm managers Smallholders Land Agents Country Estates Tennant Farmers Council FarmsANYTHING ELSE?Farming is a full time job so you probably don’t have enough time to learn everything you want about

all the other aspects of running a business; how to manage your cash flow, prepare a business plan, the best accounting practices, or how to market and brand your products? Farm Business Innovation 2014 is running alongside The Business Show. The Business Show is the UK’s largest business event attracting 25,000 businesses, 350 exhibitors and presents the ideal opportunity to find help and advice on all other aspects of running your farm as a business. Visit both shows for free, and make your farm more profitable.STOP PRESSWe are very proud to announce The Business Show has been short listed for The Best Trade Show Award by Exhibition News, and what’s more Farm Business Innovation 2014’s own John Pearce is also in the running for Best Operations Manager.Join us on the 27th and 28th November at Olympia.CONTACT USThe Farm Business Innovation Show, Prysm Media Group, Suite 6c, Whitefriars, Bristol, BS1 2NTGary Hall - Event DirectorTel: 0117 930 4927Email: gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk

Farming Express. Page 7

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