farm news New Network Head Announced
The region’s link with Defra has a new head, and timing could not be more appropriate with the announcement of Defra’s 25 Year Food and Farming Plan consultation for Yorkshire and the North East scheduled to be made in early December. Madge Moore, has been appointed Chairman of the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network which brings together rural communities, businesses and the food and farming industries, to identify and feedback local issues and concerns direct to Government. The Network is hosted and supported by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, best known as the organiser of the annual Great Yorkshire Show. She succeeds Charles Mills who became Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show earlier this year.
Her role will encompass leading discussions with Defra and related organisations at both national and regional levels, including Future Farmers of Yorkshire. One of her first tasks will be to chair the Defra consultation meeting, which will showcase a number of Yorkshire examples of: - Productivity and the Growing Economy
- Exporting to Global Markets - Innovation and Agriculture Speakers include James Hopwood, Director, Ibbotsons Produce Ltd, at York, Prof Rob Edwards, Head of Agriculture, University of Newcastle and Chair of the Farmer Scientist Network which is based at the showground, and Sam Hoste, on the planned livestock Centre for Agricultural Innovation based at the national AgriFood Innovation Campus, York. This follows similar events around the country and provides a valuable opportunity to feed into and influence the government’s vision for agriculture over the next two decades and beyond. Commenting on her new role Madge said: “I am delighted to take up this appointment and look forward to building
Peter Hull
Billboards will blot the landscape
Further to recent announcements, Peter Hull, Commercial Director for H&H Land and Property explains the regulations set out in the Government’s countryside stewardship manual stating that all farmers and landowners will be forced to erect billboards publicising the fact that they have received EU grants, or face having the money claimed back under new regulations proposed by the EU.
The new regulations have led to warnings that farmers are being forced to become part of the EU propaganda machine in the run up to the referendum on Britain’s membership.
Madge Moore, the new Chairman of the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network
on the Network’s activity to date and Charles’s leadership. The Network is ideally placed to act as a two way channel of communication to respond proactively to Defra’s latest Food and Farming Plan. I will continue to make it a priority that the voice of Yorkshire’s food, farming and rural businesses is heard and that both national and regional agencies respond accordingly.” Madge, who was brought up on an East Yorkshire farm and lives in Roos near Withernsea, has extensive experience - as a farmer, and also on the national stage. Most recently she was Lantra’s National Director focusing on employer engagement across the environmental and land-based businesses. An honours graduate in Botany, Madge began her career as
a hybrid wheat breeder for Nickersons in Lincolnshire before she and her husband moved to his family farm in New Zealand. There she helped manage the mixed arable and livestock farm looking after 2,000+ breeding Romney sheep and mohair goats whilst developing various export initiatives, including evening primrose, grass seed and out of season plant multiplications for UK breeding firms. On their return to the UK, Madge worked firstly for the Agricultural Training Board in Yorkshire and then Lantra. For the last two decades her national role has included working at senior levels with government, regional development agencies, trade, education and professional organisations, charities, as well as with employers in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Under the proposals those who receive more than £388,250 from the Countryside Stewardship scheme, part of the Common Agricultural Policy will have to display a 6’ x 4’ billboard “at a location readily visible to the public”. For smaller awards the size of the billboard is reduced, but the recipients of the grant must meet the costs of the signs themselves.
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme awards cash to landowners and farmers to improve the countryside by planting trees, protecting heath land or restoring lakes or other natural features. Peter says: “The initial reaction of many is that the signs will blight the countryside, and give the impression that farmers are supporters of the EU. It is currently unclear whether the signs would require planning permission.
“It is an uncomfortable position for farmers. Traditionally they do not receive positive press coverage and have kept many good news stories to themselves, while the media often portray them as pillages of the countryside.”
New dairy project to transform data use on farm
partners from 9 EU countries spread from the Baltics to the Mediterranean and from West to East.
Innovation for Agriculture has been awarded a Horizon 2020 grant for its project proposal ‘4D4F - Data Driven Dairy Decisions for Farmers’. The project brings together 16
It will investigate the technologies that are available to farmers to collect data on their cows and then how best to utilise it, bringing together specialists from across Europe to share information. It will have an on-line presence and will conclude with a series of on farm events for farmers.
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David Gardner, CEO of Innovation for Agriculture commented: “We are delighted to have been successful with this proposal. The ability to successfully collect data and use it to make better decisions will be a vital factor in creating a competitive advantage in the future.
“The new sensor technologies that are being developed to collect data on both individual cows and the herd as a whole
are really exciting and we expect that this project will help farmers get the best from their investment in these sensors.
“This project is a major step forward for us, it is the first that we have been awarded and we are looking forward to working with our European partners.” Farmers who would like to be involved in the project can contact davidg@
innovationforagriculture.org.uk
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