The Dealer has often heard farmers talking about pigs flying but the term “flying bulls” is a new one on me.

It seems the looming BDGP deadline prompted some farmers to think outside the box to try to meet scheme deadlines.

One pedigree breeder had a phone call from a farmer wanting to know if he had any bulls left, five stars of course.

The breeder said he had just two left. After 10 minutes chatting about the bulls in question, the farmer told the breeder he had a good bull of his own but he was only three stars.

He then enquired if the breeder had not sold his five-star bull by 30 June, would he consider transferring the five-star bull out to him for a fortnight or so until the deadline passed and he would transfer him back.

If bulls could fly …