Linwoods looks to offload liquid milk

Sources in the dairy industry suggest that Armagh-based Linwoods is keen to offload its liquid milk business, allowing the company to concentrate on its bakery and health food lines.

Over the past year, discussions have been had with a number of other milk buyers, mainly attracted by the prospect of adding a milk pool of approximately 12m to 13m litres.

It is understood that there are around 12 farmers in NI who currently supply Linwoods.

The company also takes in some additional milk from LacPatrick to supplement its liquid milk offering, which is mainly to the independent retail trade in NI.

Labour unveils animal welfare plan

The Labour party in Britain has opened a public consultation on proposals designed to protect and improve animal welfare.

The consultation runs to the end of May, and covers a wide remit from the use of animals in sport, to animals in circuses and domestic pets.

In terms of animal welfare on-farm, Labour wants to ban live exports for fattening or slaughter (except across the Irish border), end the use of cages on farms, put CCTV in all slaughterhouses, ban sow farrowing crates, and generally move away from factory farming.

The party is also proposing an end to the badger cull in Britain and the routine use of antibiotics in preventing animal disease.

If in power, Labour would appoint an animal welfare commissioner to ensure that standards are protected in legislation and in any new trade deals.

GrassCheck project deadline

AgriSearch has reminded farmers that the deadline to apply to become a GrassCheck pilot farmer is 12pm on Monday 19 February.

Both dairy and beef producers are sought to take part in projects related to precision grazing and beef from grass.

Farmers will be required to measure grass weekly throughout the grazing season. Each of the pilot farms will also have an automatic weather station installed.

Interested farmers can download application forms and information packs from www.agrisearch.org. Applications are particularly welcome from Armagh, south Antrim and the northwest.

Kelly elected to Wool Board

Randalstown sheep farmer Brendan Kelly has beaten off the challenge from Dungiven farmer Robert Carmichael to be elected as the NI representative to the British Wool Marketing Board, beginning on 1 April.

He replaces Dungiven farmer Ian Buchanan who has completed four three-year terms on the board. He has been chair of the board since 2015, and steps down at the end of March.

Public meeting in the Sperrins

DAERA will host a public meeting at 8pm on Thursday 22 February in Cranagh Hall, Glenelly, for hill farmers who had land badly damaged in landslides in the Sperrins last August.

Dr Alan Dykes, from Kingston University, will outline his findings on the causes of the landslides, the likelihood of further landslides and the management of the affected hillsides.

A representative from DAERA will also outline how these specific areas will be treated in relation to area-based payments and possible force majeure in 2018.

This meeting will not cover issues relating to restoration of lower areas affected by debris and deposition.