Deadline for pig producers

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has reminded pig producers that the deadline to upload their herds’ quarterly antibiotic usage to the AHDB pork electronic Medicine Book (eMB) for Red Tractor compliance is Saturday 11 November.

By Saturday 11 November, farmers will need to have uploaded data for quarter two: 1 April to 30 June 2017 and quarter three: 1 July to 30 September 2017, in order to comply with the new Red Tractor Assurance standards.

From then on, producers need to upload collated data on a quarterly basis in a timely fashion (ie within six weeks of the end of the quarter).

Further advice is available from the Red Tractor member helpline: memberhelp@redtractor.org.uk or call 02036173670.

Problems with recruiting vets

Problems with recruiting staff in the veterinary profession will intensify after Brexit, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

In a joint statement issued with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons this week, the organisations called for vets to be placed on the Government’s shortage occupation list to allow restrictions on recruiting veterinary surgeons from abroad to be reduced.

At present, around half of vets registering in the UK each year are graduates from other EU countries.

The problems recruiting vets is already being felt locally, especially when looking for vets to work in a large animal practice.

Showing demo at Pedigree Calf Fair

A demonstration on preparing cattle for showing will be given by Irish Farmers Journal pedigree reporter Shane Murphy at the Pedigree Calf Fair in Belfast later this month.

The demo will also look at traits that make a pedigree animal stand out in a show and what to look for when buying a stock bull. The third annual Pedigree Calf Fair is being held on Saturday 18 November 2017 at the King’s Hall.

There are 10 breeds of native and continental cattle catalogued for the event with calves ranging from seven to 14 months old. Judges from across Britain and Ireland will select the winners in six classes within each breed. There are also over 20 entries for the young showperson competition.

Judging begins at 10am and the parade of champions is scheduled for 3.30pm. Admission is £10 for adults with children under 16 entering are free of charge. Free on-site parking is also available.