FABBL Beef Herd Health plan

[balerman]

How much are we all expected to pay for this,just had mine done for the first time,it took less than an hour of a highly skilled vets time,including printing off a list of drugs used during the year,and 10 pages of photocopying.No herd visit,it was all done in the office.

 

[sticky]

Just done my beef and sheep and I can't remember and my wife has sent the paperwork to the accountant already. It was somewhere around £100 I think but I do remember thinking that because I haven't bought any cattle this winter yet and I only have ewe lambs to sell next august/September, if it stays like that I won't see my money back.
Don't forget it's an annual review!

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Another p!ss take

 

[Cowabunga]

How much are we all expected to pay for this,just had mine done for the first time,it took less than an hour of a highly skilled vets time,including printing off a list of drugs used during the year,and 10 pages of photocopying.No herd visit,it was all done in the office.

Thank your lucky stars you don't do the dairy one. I did the beef and dairy farm assurance the other day. Usually pass with flying colours but this year I need to go on a compulsory medicines application course with the vet and test for Johnes and then work out a plan for it with the vet. All extra work and at my expense.

For the dairy one they inspect the buildings, housing, water supply, security, light fittings, dust, calving and isolation facilities, condition of cattle crush and cleanliness of cattle trailer and its chassis number, condition of the cattle, feed plans, manure plans, rodent policy and poison records, passports, feed delivery notes going back two years or more plus the comprehensive medicines and application records including a vet approved herd health plan and antibiotics reduction plan.

 

[S J H]

I used the online template, they didn't ask for a vets one.

 

[gone up the hill]

Thank your lucky stars you don't do the dairy one. I did the beef and dairy farm assurance the other day. Usually pass with flying colours but this year I need to go on a compulsory medicines application course with the vet and test for Johnes and then work out a plan for it with the vet. All extra work and at my expense.

For the dairy one they inspect the buildings, housing, water supply, security, light fittings, dust, calving and isolation facilities, condition of cattle crush and cleanliness of cattle trailer and its chassis number, condition of the cattle, feed plans, manure plans, rodent policy and poison records, passports, feed delivery notes going back two years or more plus the comprehensive medicines and application records including a vet approved herd health plan and antibiotics reduction plan.

They inspect/ require all the above for the beef/lamb scheme as well ( with the exception to go on the meds course and Johnes issue )

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Thank your lucky stars you don't do the dairy one. I did the beef and dairy farm assurance the other day. Usually pass with flying colours but this year I need to go on a compulsory medicines application course with the vet and test for Johnes and then work out a plan for it with the vet. All extra work and at my expense.

For the dairy one they inspect the buildings, housing, water supply, security, light fittings, dust, calving and isolation facilities, condition of cattle crush and cleanliness of cattle trailer and its chassis number, condition of the cattle, feed plans, manure plans, rodent policy and poison records, passports, feed delivery notes going back two years or more plus the comprehensive medicines and application records including a vet approved herd health plan and antibiotics reduction plan.

And then expect you to produce the stuff for fanny Adams

 

[gone up the hill]

I used the online template, they didn't ask for a vets one.

When were you last inspected?

 

[gone up the hill]

And then expect you to produce the stuff for fanny Adams

Yes but that's the NFU for you!

 

[S J H]

When were you last inspected?

Earlier this year, they stopped me on it, but I submitted it later

 

[balerman]

They inspect/ require all the above for the beef/lamb scheme as well ( with the exception to go on the meds course and Johnes issue )

The Meds course is coming next year for beef and sheep apparently.Our vets charge a standard £200 for the beef herd plan no matter if you have suckler cows or just finishing cattle,next year it will only be £150 to update it,that will take no longer than 1/2 hr.So that takes the total cost of FABBL membership to £400/yr !

 

[gone up the hill]

The Meds course is coming next year for beef and sheep apparently.Our vets charge a standard £200 for the beef herd plan no matter if you have suckler cows or just finishing cattle,next year it will only be £150 to update it,that will take no longer than 1/2 hr.So that takes the total cost of FABBL membership to £400/yr !

Then starting adding all the extra costs ( including your labour time in dealing with all the extra rubbish FA demand ) and it will be a lot more than £400 farm!

If its time for a 3 year review next year of FA rules then you will prob be correct on the med course being mandatory but no doubt you will have to attend a course yearly and it wont be a one of course for life!

Thus with all these costs/ extra rules is the main driver in why so many farmers are now quitting the FA scheme!

 

[gone up the hill]

Earlier this year, they stopped me on it, but I submitted it later

So they did ask for a signed off vet plan then?

 

[JSmith]

The Meds course is coming next year for beef and sheep apparently.Our vets charge a standard £200 for the beef herd plan no matter if you have suckler cows or just finishing cattle,next year it will only be £150 to update it,that will take no longer than 1/2 hr.So that takes the total cost of FABBL membership to £400/yr !

£400 sounds a lot to me for someone to have a day out an point out what’s wrong with the place!! Once the heads in the bin an the jackets off who’s watching what’s what any way??

 

[neilo]

They inspect/ require all the above for the beef/lamb scheme as well ( with the exception to go on the meds course and Johnes issue )

I'm told the certificate of competence for administering V&M is needed for FA now, but that may just be in Wales at the moment. I can't see that it's going to be particularly onerous though, as the vet is offering a 'course' for about £25. It takes place over about 2 hours in a local pub at lunchtime, and the course fees include lunch and a pint.

 

[gone up the hill]

I'm told the certificate of competence for administering V&M is needed for FA now, but that may just be in Wales at the moment. I can't see that it's going to be particularly onerous though, as the vet is offering a 'course' for about £25. It takes place over about 2 hours in a local pub at lunchtime, and the course fees include lunch and a pint.

Not mandatory this side of the border yet.

Trouble is when you have to do it they will find ways to increase what you have to do to comply with the course and then the fees will go up as well.

All these £25/50 notes here and there soon start to add up, especially given the poor lamb/ beef prices the last few months!

 

[Inky]

I did my assurance this week, was told the safe meds would likely be mandatory next year. Local westpoint recently ran a meds / injection course which wasn't to arduous, just don't eat the oranges afterwards.

 

[milkloss]

They need putting back in their box.

 

[neilo]

Not mandatory this side of the border yet.

Trouble is when you have to do it they will find ways to increase what you have to do to comply with the course and then the fees will go up as well.

All these £25/50 notes here and there soon start to add up, especially given the poor lamb/ beef prices the last few months!

True. The fact the course is so brief makes me think it's little more than a joke/box ticking exercise, which of course it should be for most people that are doing it all the time. I'll have a nice certificate to show my lamb buyer too, as proof of ongoing training.....

I've no doubt it will be an enjoyable weekday pub lunch, chewing the fat with other local farmers, so not too upset about it.

 

[Cowabunga]

I'm told the certificate of competence for administering V&M is needed for FA now, but that may just be in Wales at the moment. I can't see that it's going to be particularly onerous though, as the vet is offering a 'course' for about £25. It takes place over about 2 hours in a local pub at lunchtime, and the course fees include lunch and a pint.

I saw the price my vet is charging on their counter yesterday. It does include some kind of lunch apparently. £70 though. Presumably plus VAT.