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At 81.1p/kg/lw, average finished cattle prices were slightly ahead of last week's 80.9p/kg/lw.
Brussels will host an emergency farm council meeting today, Monday 4th December, to discuss how best to deal with the growing problem of BSE in continental Europe. Farm Commissioner, Franz Fischler, has the twin aims of "restoring consumer confidence and stabilising the beef market".
Average finished lamb prices were up sharply from last week's 83p/kg/lw to 89.5p/kg/lw.
The important pre-Christmas export trade in lightweight lambs has come under pressure as consumers shy away from lamb in the wake of continuing adverse publicity about BSE. In Spain, increased supplies from domestic producers have also restricted opportunities for exporters.
Average finished pig prices improved to 104.3p/kg/dw from last week's 103.5p/kg/dw.
There was some much needed good news for pig producers last week as Nick Brown used the Smithfield Show to announce that the government's long-awaited restructuring scheme for the pig industry is due to get underway on December 4th - the £66m scheme for "ongoers and outgoers" will run over three years and will be aimed particularly at those who have been unable to move or sell pigs due to swine fever restrictions. Movement restrictions have been further eased in East Anglia, freeing hundreds of producers and leaving just two restriction zones in place, covering some 260 premises.
The consultation period for the Government’s National Scrapie Plan’s proposals has just ended and we now await the final version. Although the final version may differ from the proposals in the consultation document, flock owners may wish to consider whether they should enroll their flocks in the National Scrapie Plan (NSP).
Initially membership of the NSP is voluntary. The main elements are likely to be:
 | a register of farms which only use rams of specific genotypes; |
| a register of "eligible" rams which qualify for use on registered farms; |
| selection of rams in favour of the "ARR" allele; |
| free testing of stock rams and a proportion of their offspring in registered flocks; |
| slaughter of rams and ram lambs on registered farms which fail to qualify for registration; |
| a register of "eligible" rams not in registered flocks which were tested by the owners at their own expense. |
The consultation document envisaged only two categories of "eligible" rams (ie rams which qualify for use on registered farms). These categories were "type I" which are rams with a scrapie genotype ARR/ARR (National Scrapie Risk Group R1), "type II" which are genotypings ARR/AHQ, ARR/ARH and ARR/ARQ (Risk Groups R2 and R3). The consultation documents proposed that rams with other genotypes may not be used on registered farms. However another category of farm may be introduced - an NSP "start-up" farm on which rams not carrying the ARR allele may be used to retain other desirable characteristics within the flock while it progresses towards registration.
Flock owners considering whether to enroll their flocks in the NSP are advised to know the genotypes of their flocks’ principal stud sires. Those flocks which have used "type I" rams in the most recent breeding season (or seasons in the case of flocks selling shearling rams) should have most to gain from membership of the NSP. All their rams and their progeny should pass the test. The only failures should occur in breeds where "VRQ" allele is present as animals with the ARR/VRQ genotype would fail and require to be slaughtered.
Flock owners with flocks in which rams with genotypes other than ARR/ARR have been used are advised to seek advice from their veterinary surgeon about the possible impact of NSP membership on their flocks. A final decision can await the announcement of the NSP to Parliament.
For further information on scrapie genotyping and for submission forms please contact the Sheep and Goat Health Schemes Office in Inverness, Tel: 01463 226995, Fax: 01463 711103, E-mail: m.black@ed.sac.ac.uk.
BH
Sheep farmers may take some solace that their sheep have been found not proven of being the origin of the BSE epidemic. The recent BSE enquiry indicates that it is now believed BSE originated in the 70s, probably as a result of a mutation of prion proteins of cattle and that the spread was through the use of meat and bone meal which amplified the occurrence of the prions. Changes in rendering techniques were not involved as previously thought. The erroneous assumption that BSE was due to the Scrapie agent meant BSE was taken less seriously than it should have been as Scrapie was not considered transmissible to humans. When BSE was thought to be due to Scrapie, the risk of it being passed back to sheep through infected feed was not thought important.
It is now appreciated that BSE can infect sheep. Only 0.5 g of infective material given orally has been found in experiments to be necessary to infect a sheep with BSE. However, natural transmission of BSE to sheep has yet to be proven, but results of trials on this area will be reported in the year 2003.All sheep notified as suspected Scrapie are tested for BSE. The identification of BSE in sheep is made more difficult because it may be confused with certain strains of Scrapie. Cases of reported Scrapie are currently at under 500 per year, but there is widespread under-reporting of the disease. These levels are not high relative to the levels of BSE which ran at 100s per week at the peak. If BSE was being transmitted to sheep, a rise in the incidence of Scrapie would have been expected, but has never materialised.
We are all being encouraged to reduce the incidence of transmission spongiform encephalopathies in livestock and the current work at removing the susceptible genotypes by selecting rams which are resistant to Scrapie is a very good move. If we can reduce the overall incidence of Scrapie, then we cannot be accused of hiding BSE in the sheep flock.
JEV
December is a good month to get on top of the footrot problem in sheep. Go through the flock and pull out lame ewes for footparing. The whole mob should then be run through a footbath containing formalin and any lame ewes shedded out straight into strawed housing accommodation. Cow mats can be placed under drinkers to give continuous footcare for lame sheep. Use zinc sulphate in these 6 ft x 3 ft mats. Typically 50 litres of solution would be required and this would last for several weeks. All that is required is to check regularly that the mats contain some solution of zinc sulphate. Regular exposure of the sheep’s feet to this results in rapid improvement in footrot.
JEV
SHEEP DIPPING - OPs BACK ON THE MARKET
Sheep farmers can now use OP dips again. At around 26p/ewe dipped this is the cheapest protection method for scab where existing facilities are already present. OPs provide the longest protection period against scab of 28 days and can now be purchased because the manufacturers have made alterations to the design of the can so that operators are less likely to be exposed to the concentrate. As an example of an OP product, the Coopers All-season Fly and Scab Dip now comes in a kit. This includes a pair of gloves and a device to remove the seal on the barrel and insert a tap. Farmers are advised to use the tap to transfer the concentrate into a measuring jug and then use that to make up the dip solution. Instructions for the safe handling of the concentrate, together with information on the product, is also provided in an easily readable laminated plastic sheet.
The dips are only back as an interim measure until 1 August 2001 when it is expected that closed systems will be introduced by at least two dip manufacturers. Farmers should note that they must ensure they and their employees are competent to use the product (in possession of a certificate of competence) before they are allowed to purchase these dips.
OPs are the preferred products for treating sheep because they are broad-spectrum and control scab, flies, ticks, keds and lice. They are safer for the environment and there is virtually no resistance to this product. However, SPs are also dangerous for the operator and more dangerous to the environment. The National Proficiency Test Council produce a booklet showing the questions and answers which need to be read before taking a competency test. This involves both a practical and written test. Farmers faced with an outbreak of scab should take the following precautions when using OP dips.
| Remember when treating an outbreak of scab that, to be effective, animals must be held in the mix for one minute with immersion of the head at least once. |
| Sheep should be dipped during mild weather to reduce stress. |
| Dipping within 35 days of tupping is likely to increase stress and could result in embryo mortality. |
| Dipping late in pregnancy or very cold weather can also be very stressful for ewes and here the use of injectible products is more reasonable. |
Some commentators are surprised that sheep farmers have been given the opportunity to use OPs again given the problems that have arisen due to accidental exposure of shepherds and flock owners to the concentrate. Although the changes to the current presentation of the product may look somewhat minor, it is important that farmers realise the risks associated with the use of OPs and take a professional attitude to their use.
JEV
The Sheep and Goat Identification (Scotland) Regulations are due to come into force on 1 January 2001. A period of industry consultation ended in August and a Scottish Executive announcement regarding the introduction of the regulation is imminent.
As from 1 January 2001, all sheep and goats must be tagged or tattooed with a flock mark, which identifies their holding of birth, before being moved off that holding. The legislation will apply to all sheep and goats on the holding of birth on 1 January 2001 and those born after that date. There will be no mandatory requirement to tag animals born before 1 January 2001, which are no longer on their holding of birth, unless they are to be exported.
SERAD will have allocated new all numeric flock marks and explanatory booklets to all registered sheep and goat producers during October. Producers should use this new flock mark when ordering new eartags. New eartags must carry the letters 'UK' followed by the all-numeric flock mark, although there is likely to be some concessions, which will allow producers to use up existing supplies of eartags. Unless the animal is for export, individual animal identification will not be compulsory.
The implementation of the tagging regulation raises a number of practical concerns, including availability of the tags before 1 January 2001, tagging or tattooing of damaged or missing ears due to 'yellows', rate of tag loss and full details regarding the use of replacement tags. Timing of tagging will also be critical, as freshly tagged animals (with unhealed wounds) cannot be marketed. Producers will need to carefully consider whether tagging or tattooing will be the most appropriate method of identification for their own circumstances.
Electronic Identification of CattleFollowing collection of data from all UK farmers in the recent 'older cattle registration' exercise, SERAD now believe that they have taken a significant step forward in their plans to develop electronic traceability of cattle in Scotland. Many farmers have identified marketing benefits from using electronic identification and some have already introduced local initiatives.
The Scottish Executive continues to evaluate technical and practical aspects of electronic tagging for cattle. These investigations have flagged up a number of concerns, particularly with regard to system compatibility within Europe in the absence of a European standard. There are also concerns about the movement of microchip implants moving significant distances under the skin and how acceptable specific devices will be to other countries.
SERAD remain optimistic that they will be able to announce progress in the next few months.
IC
There is increasing pressure within agriculture to reduce labour inputs and associated costs. Obviously the best economic beef housing solution to achieve this outcome while still satisfying the need to suitably handle the required number of cattle and satisfy the animal welfare, farm pollution regulations and quality assurance requirements would be desirable. This is even more so if both the initial and other running costs can be reduced or minimised.
The range of building options available for beef housing is extensive and varied. The size of the unit, the housing layout, feeding arrangements and stocking densities to be adopted will be reflected in the potential construction and operating costs.
The cost of bedding is increasing and it is difficult to predict accurately in advance. In some parts of Scotland, straw is currently approaching £40 per tonne delivered to the farm. This may increase still further later in the year. What about cost predictions for straw bedding for use in 5 years time or 10 years time?
The use of woodchip corrals and some low cost buildings options including low cost building shell, roof only and plastic sheet roofing are illustrated and included in the cost comparison.
A comparison using indexed current costs is illustrated below.
Capital building cost index – per cow
GC
One tonne of timber suitable for producing large woodchips for outside corrals is approximately 1m3. After the timber has been chipped it will produce twice the volume of chips – as they contain around 50% air spaces.
Therefore 1 tonne of timber (or 1m3) will produce 2m3 of woodchips.
Using a minimum area per cow of 12m2 and an original depth of 0.3m means that just under 2 tonnes of timber will be required per cow to set up the corral.
Assuming 50 mm chips are used to top up the corrals every year or two the requirement would be around a third of a tonne of timber per cow.
BL
WARNING: HIGH RISK OF IBR
Severe clinical outbreaks of IBR were seen in the UK during the late 1970s. These were thought to be associated with the introduction of a new virulent strain of virus. Since then confirmed outbreaks in Great Britain (based on VLA and SAC laboratory data) peaked in 1983 at 738 and have now stabilised at around 300 per year. However this year there is a high risk of outbreaks of severe infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) this winter. Severe cases of the disease, which can result in the death of affected animals, were seen in the North East of Scotland during the winter of 1999/2000 and again in the autumn of 2000. Outbreaks have now been confirmed in Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, Aberdeenshire, Fife ,the Lothians and the Borders with a total of 47 farms already affected this year. This compares with 27 for the corresponding period in 1999.
IBR is a common cause of respiratory disease in young cattle but adult cattle ranging are also affected. The major risk factor is the purchase of animals through markets. It is seldom a problem in home reared calves. Prevention is the best policy and the prophylactic use of vaccines and annual revaccination are recommended whenever cattle are purchased. When outbreaks of IBR occur they are best controlled by the early use of vaccines. The clinical picture of IBR in individual cattle and outbreaks can be very variable. In many cases, mild disease may not be detected easily. However an acute milk drop in dairy cows or a drop in feed intake in beef cattle can alert farmers to the presence of infection. The clinical acute disease, with fever, coughing and discharge from the eyes and nose, tends to be seen in younger animals following housing. After infection the virus remains dormant in the nervous system of the animal for the rest of its life. Stress may cause infection to break out again in carrier animals and the virus will be shed from the respiratory or genital tracts leading to further outbreaks of disease.
DG
For most intensive beef finishing systems the goal is to maximise food intake and therefore growth rate. This allows animals to be finished as quickly as possible and maintenance feeding costs to be minimised. However there are a number of potential pit fall in this approach, the major one of which is acidosis. Animals adapt to the high levels of fermentable carbohydrate with time and a belly full of barley that would be normal for a well adapted animal would kill one that was unused to it.
The following provides the important points to be aware of:
Acidosis - What is it?Initially there is rapid fermentation of starch usually from a cereal source including barely, wheat etc and urea treated wheat. If the fermentation produces excess acid - firstly the normal spectrum of organisms in the rumen are killed and secondly the rumen movement is stopped. These two actions prevent the animal from making a quick recovery.
Acidosis - What does it do?Animals cease to eat and will often scour. Rumen movements cease. If the acidosis is severe enough it will cause the death of the animal through circulatory and respiratory failure. In less severe cases the wall of the rumen is damaged and recovery may be prolonged. In milder cases all that may be seen is an interruption in food intake and scour.
Acidosis - Are there other consequences?Where animals have low grade to severe acidosis their ability to fight disease is impaired and they are therefore at more risk of developing pneumonia. An upset in rumen fermentation can cause CCN, a disorder of the brain where blindness and increased nervous excitement is observed.
Acidosis – Prevention | Gradual introduction of concentrate food. Move from 2 to 3 feeds to ad lib. Stepping up by 0.5kg total per day every 3 days to a maximum feed of 2½kg (0.5kg per 100kg LW). |
| Provision of long forage. Straw is required to promote rumination and salivation to buffer the production of acid in the rumen. Clean straw must be available at all times. |
| Maintain ad lib conditions. Make sure that hoppers flow freely and spoiled food (and dung) is removed from the feed face of the hoppers at least twice daily. Make sure that freezing pipes do not interfere with water supply. |
Whenever animals are unwell and do not feed they should be removed from group and as they recover once again feed should be gradually introduced.
Acidosis TreatmentSevere cases require immediate veterinary treatment otherwise they will die or suffer lasting damage. Other conditions such as CCN or pneumonia must also be diagnosed and treated promptly to prevent significant loss.
GC
One of the critical aspects in an outbreak of pneumonia is the dampness (relative humidity) of the air. In a dry atmosphere, below 75% relative humidity, the pneumonia organisms which are always present, dehydrate rapidly and die. In a dry atmosphere there are therefore relatively few pneumonia organisms in the air the cattle breathe, and as a result the risk of pneumonia is lower.
An outbreak of pneumonia can be extremely expensive. As a conservative estimate we can use an example of 30 recently weaned spring born suckled calves. The cost could easily be:
| £200 for the loss of one calf |
| £20 for the cost of disposing/burying it |
| £80 for antibiotics to treat the most severely affected calves |
| £20 for the labour involved in treating sick calves |
| an average of £30 per head for the remaining 29 calves due to their poor subsequent performance resulting in either months delay in finishing, and/or lighter sale weights. |
This gives a total cost of over £1,000 – sufficient to buy many tonnes of straw even at today’s prices to ensure the calves are always well bedded and dry.
(The other advantage of keeping calves well bedded over the pneumonia danger period is that rapidly developing a deep, dry bed will minimise bedding requirements for the remainder of the winter.)
BL
CLAIMING BSPS – THIS YEAR OR NEXT?
With both BSPS and Slaughter Premia increasing next year there is the temptation to delay claiming eligible steers until next year.
Changes in value of subsidy payments2000 (£) |
2001 (£) |
Increase (£) |
|
BSPS |
76.45 |
81.60* |
5.15 |
Slaughter premia |
16.92 |
31.80* |
14.88 |
20.03 |
|||
Extensification |
20.68 |
19.80* |
- 0.88 |
Super extensification |
41.36 |
39.60* |
- 1.76 |
*Based on expected exchange rate of 60p/Euro
If BSPS claims are also eligible for extensification premia then based on the expected Euro exchange rate for next year the potential increase in BSPS will be reduced due to an expected slight reduction in the value of extensification payments.
Obviously all animals, whether they are claimed now this year, or next year will be slaughtered in 2001 and will be eligible for the increased Slaughter Premium, hence the expected improvement in subsidy returns from delaying BSPS claims until the new year would be small as seen in the following table.
Net subsidy increase for delaying BSPS claims until 2001BSPS + £5.15
BSPS + extensification + £4.27
BSPS + super extensification + £3.39
In general the best approach will be to claim as many BSPS as possible this year providing:
| The 90 head limit for each age group is not exceeded and |
| Any additional claims do not breach the maximum subsidy claim rate of 2 LSU/forage hectare for this year. |
The benefits of maximising the number BSPS claims made this year would be:
| The payment will be made approximately 12 months earlier compared with claims made next year. |
| With the proposed removal of the 90 head limit next year, large units will want to claim more BSPS payments, moving them closer to the 2 LSU/forage hectare claim limit. |
The additional benefit of claiming this year for 19 months plus cattle eligible for the second BSPS payment is that they will come out of retention quicker and avoid both the risk of penalties of over fat, over weight carcasses as well as reducing the high cost incurred in finishing heavy cattle.
Possible scaleback on 2001 BSPS paymentsIf the 90 head limit is removed next year it is possible that BSPS payments will end up being scaled back due to the national BSPS ceiling being over claimed. The increased number of bull calves born in the dairy herd now being kept for finishing will also increase the number of claims made next year.
BL