Agribusiness News October 2024

Welcome to the October edition of Agribusiness News.  If you prefer to download this document click the download button.

N e w s  i n  b r i e f

Opportunities and Challenges

While falling numbers in the beef and sheep sector are pushing sale prices higher; it is not all plain sailing for livestock producers with adverse weather increasing the risk of parasitic burden with tried and tested animal health care products not always readily available.

While currently the pig sector is enjoying a period of stability with prices and costs having remained fairly stable for some time; as Defra has estimated that an outbreak of African Swine Flu (ASF) could cost the UK between £10- £100 million, they have announced immediate measures to safeguard pig farmers and the industry from an ASF outbreak.  The ban on imports started on the 28^th of September unless it can be proven that the products are manufactured and packaged to EU commercial standards and weigh less 2 kg.

Following a challenging harvest for both forage and grain, our feed and forage budgeting article highlights the important of knowing both the quantity and quality of on-farm feedstuffs when planning winter rations; with our bale grazing article giving food for thought on making life simpler when out wintering cattle.

With the weather already turning colder, our article on heating rural housing discusses the temporary lifting of the ban on woodburning stoves and other biofuel heating systems including peat in new houses and building conversions and the pros and cons of new technologies in helping to heat draughty farmhouses and cottages.

With an ever increasing emphasis on a cyclical economy, our article on biomass highlights that, as currently, the UK only produces 66% of what we need and with increasing demand from the construction, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries; there are opportunities for the agricultural sector to help meet the growing demand. For farmers interested considering this land use option, the Biomass Connect Project (led by UKCEH) demonstration sites at Auchincruive in Ayrshire and Boghall, Edinburgh or the Biomass Connect Showcase Event in Warwick on the 7 & 8^th November 2024 could be a worthwhile day away from the farm.

Next month:

• Home Grown Proteins
• Biodiversity

This month’s editor – Christine Beaton