Euro Rate Good News for Farmers

It's that time of year again when many in the farming industry take an even closer interest in the value of sterling and what is going on in the international currency markets.

Of course such things are always important and the weakness of sterling has already served the farming industry pretty well over the past 12 months.

For example, where it not for the 15% drop year-on-year, dairy farmers would be getting a milk price nearer to 18p/litre than the current 22p/litre, and arable producers would be getting just £70/t for their wheat.

But the value of sterling is even more important now as in just over a week, at close of play on 30 September, the EU commission will fix the rate at which this year's single farm payments will be converted from euros into national currencies.

The use of this seemingly arbitrary date has often been criticised in the past for making the whole process something of a lottery. But, if that is the case, then at least UK farmers seem to have hit the jackpot for a second year in a row......

Collateral damage - Pat Bird's TB blog

Collateral damage - Pat Bird's TB blog: "The main thrust of these stories from the farm gate concern cattle, badger TB and the effect of the disease on our business."

Whiteparish Gypsy caravan to remain (From Salisbury Journal)

Whiteparish Gypsy caravan to remain (From Salisbury Journal): "A GYPSY caravan that has stirred up huge controversy in Whiteparish is to remain where it is after a planning inspector overturned a council decision to refuse planning permission.

The inspector’s report said: “The harm to the area’s character and appearance should not be perpetuated longer than is necessary and I consider that a temporary planning permission for a period of three years is appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances.”

The council had been advised by planning officers to approve the application in line with government guidance issued in a 2006 circular that more Gypsy and traveller sites are needed and local planning authorities should be flexible about where they are provided.

But refused it on the grounds that the guidance should not override planning policy and objections raised by health and safety and highways officers.

Crop Circles Go Worldwide Overnight

Crop Circles Go Worldwide Overnight: "Crop circles first drew attention in the mid-1970s, when they were photographed from the air in fields in the county of Wiltshire, U.K. Made mainly from flattened cereal crops such as wheat and barely, these earliest examples were fairly simple in design.
Since then the Wiltshire region has played host to increasingly an elaborate portfolio of crop circles."

Grants Available

There is now a strand of RPDE money available as LEADER grants in the North Wessex Downs AONB. There is a website at www.northwessexleader.org.uk The latest news is about a wood chip fuel company we’ve helped to start with a £50k grant.
Some of you will be interested in getting a grant – others will be interested in securing woodchip supplies for their future boilers!

Rural safety initiative launched

Rural safety initiative launched: "Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service has launched a new rural safety initiative to give firefighters vital information when attending incidents at farms and equine businesses.
Premises information boxes are lockable containers that contain details of water sources, electricity shut-off points, access, livestock numbers and storage, fuel tanks etc.
All fire appliances in Wiltshire will hold a master key to the boxes, which can also carry information such as contact details for vets, electricity suppliers, other key holders etc and plans of the whole site, showing where potential dangers such as gas cylinders may be located.
Watch Manager Tom Brolan, from the rural safety team, said that investing in the boxes could make a huge difference in the event of a fire. “If we have a fire at a farm, having this sort of information immediately to hand can save a huge amount of time as firefighters will know immediately where there are risks. Equally, where there is livestock or perhaps horses on site, we will be able to bring them to safety virtually straight away.”
Although the lockable box will cost the farmer £140, the information folders and site plans will be drawn up with either WM Brolan or his colleague, Crew Manager Adam Martin, for no additional cost.
WM Brolan said: “We are hoping that rural businesses will see these boxes as a worthwhile investment. As a Fire & Rescue Service, we want to make all parts of our community as safe as possible, and this initiative has been prompted by a number of barn fires and similar incidents over recent months.”
To find out more about the premises information boxes or rural safety in general, contact the rural safety team on 01380 731112 or email tom.brolan@wiltsfire.gov.uk"

Crop circle arrest ordeal (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Brothers tell of Devizes crop circle arrest ordeal (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald): "Mr Wilson was arrested on suspicion of using a firearm to cause fear or violence and spent six hours at Melksham Police Station where he had his fingerprints and DNA taken. He had his shotgun seized along with five other guns from his home in Oldham while police investigated the circumstances.
But he has now been told by Wiltshire police that he is not going to be charged."

You may remember this was next door to where I live, in fact the Police and Press thought it was on my land to begin with. As I said at the time it was an over-reaction to a normal countryside scene. But then guns frighten people!

Organic Farming Workshops

Community Newswire: "The Soil Association is holding a series of free meetings at organic farms across the country to give farmers, growers, and those interested in organic production, the chance to discuss current farming issues and to find out more about the organisation and the kind of support it offers.
Patrick Holden, Soil Association director, and Phil Stocker, director of farmer and grower relations at the Soil Association, will attend each event which are being held at Soil Association certified organic farms."...

In September, The Soil Association Producer roadshow will visit Yatesbury in Wiltshire on the third, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on the eighth, Edenbridge in Kent on the ninth and Pershore, Worcestershire, on the 15th. In October the roadshow will go to Leicestershire, County Durham, Cumbria and Devon.

Attendance is free, but participants must reserve a place. For more information call 0117 914 2400 or email ff@soilassociation.org or go to www.soilassociation.org and click on Get Connected in the Farmers and Growers section