Technical Updates
Ergot and eMB reminders | Technical Briefings for Pigs and Crops members
In the past few weeks, we have issued technical briefings for our pigs and combinable crops members.
If you missed them CLICK below to get the latest technical news and advice from the Red Tractor team.
Have you submitted your Q2 antibiotic usage data to the eMB yet?
The deadline for uploading your quarter two (Apr to Jun) antibiotic usage data to the e-medicine book is Sunday 11 August.
When you submit your data, you will notice a benchmarking feature. This enables you and your vet to see whether your unit(s) falls in the top 5% or 10% of antibiotic use for your holding type.
New UK and EU regulations on responsible soya sourcing are set to affect farmers. Here's what you need to know and how Red Tractor is looking after your best interests.
Key Regulatory Changes:
UK's New Rules: The UK Forest Risk Commodities Regulation (UKFRC) will require major businesses to prove their soya, palm oil, cocoa, and cattle products aren't linked to illegal deforestation.
EU's Approach: The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) takes effect next year. It differs from UK rules and will impact UK supply chains, including cattle producers exporting beef to the EU.
Impact on farmers and wider UK food industry:
These regulations primarily target large businesses, but will indirectly affect farmers using soya in animal feed.
Specifics and timelines remain unclear. We advise staying alert for updates.
Retailers are pressing the government for clearer guidance amidst market uncertainty.
Red Tractor takes action:
We recently hosted a webinar for our Beef & Lamb, Dairy, Pig, and Poultry sector boards. Efeca experts briefed attendees on upcoming legislation, the UK Soy Manifesto commitments to tackle deforestation and implications the changes could have for members.
Following the webinar, our sector boards met to discuss sustainable soya armed with this new knowledge. Each sector board has committed to closely monitor this evolving policy area. We'll continue to facilitate these types of discussions and keep you informed on any important developments.
Within the UK Soy Manifesto group Red Tractor has also been highlighting the need to keep any future reporting requirements for farmers simple, urging the supply chain to utilise existing reporting and verification mechanisms where possible to avoid unnecessarily burdening farmers.
AHDB has encouraged farmers to be familiar with how to spot the signs of ergot and fusarium and the potential risk to livestock.
This year early indications are that fusarium and in particular, ergot (Claviceps Purpurea) levels are once again at a level whereby many members will experience rejections this coming season.
Ergot presents a toxic risk to both the human and feed supply chain and AHDB have recently published guidance to farmers who feed grain direct to livestock and the early signs of poisoning.
As the results of ergot poisoning can be so acute, few processers are willing to accept contaminated grain and although grain cleaning can remove sclerotia post-harvest it is costly, usually shouldered by the grower and is not always 100% effective at removing ergot alkaloids.
Currently the grower is disadvantaged at all stages of production; the tolerance of ergot presence in seed, the lack of agronomic treatments available, the cultural move and reward for min till/direct drill systems and incentives for wildflower margins etc
Red Tractor has been a part of a working group on ergot and welcomes AHDB issuing a call for applications for a review and update of ergot guidance. This is to identify UK knowledge gaps and where research would be advantageous to the UK farmer. For more information, visit AHDB's website: Updating UK management guidelines for the ergot pathogen, Claviceps purpurea | AHDB
The UK Grain Testing Network is a membership organisation for those interested in the analysis of barley, wheat, oilseed rape, oats, and beans, with the common objective of achieving the best possible accurate results from their instruments. The membership includes growers, merchants, and end users (millers, maltsters, and distillers for example).
To achieve the best results possible, they standardise the equipment for their full members and run monthly ring checks throughout the year. To do this they require bulk samples of each commodity, which are normally supplied by their members. UKGTN members who send samples would receive a rebate from next year’s membership.
This year they have been finding it difficult to source bulk samples for oats and beans (60kg for oats and 40kg for beans), so are requesting bulk samples from the wider community of farmers and growers.
Visit UK Grain Testing Network's website for more information. Sacks to fill are provided.
