Livestock back onto arable land

[unlacedgecko]

Uplands going to be trees.

Upland farmers pocket grants & rent grazing on arable farms.

Reading between the lines that is the plan.

No no fuking no. The last thing I need is a new form of farmers dole to distort land rentals and artificially inflate COP.

 

[steveR]

Yes. UK agriculture is going to be turned upside-down and inside-out by all the signs.

imagine all the fencing required for those cows and sheep on arable land. The need for new quad bikes, dogs, sticks and designer Ifor Williams trailers. New dynamic animal markets in areas that have been bereft of then for getting on s century.

The depopulation and desolation of western marginal and hill land where open ranges and animals now abound, to be replaced by trees, trees, trees and more trees and...... nothingness.

Highland Clearances Mark 2.....

 

[Cowabunga]

Highland Clearances Mark 2.....

I doubt whether it will be restricted to highlands. There are really vast areas of marginal land unsuitable for anything but grassland production that will be rendered uneconomic to farm and will also likely be planted with trees. There will no longer be a 'landscape' for people to enjoy, because it will all be subsumed by trees.

On the bright side, it could make for some spectacular summer forest fires of course, possibly rivalling those of Australia.

 

[steveR]

I doubt whether it will be restricted to highlands. There are really vast areas of marginal land unsuitable for anything but grassland production that will be rendered uneconomic to farm and will also likely be planted with trees. There will no longer be a 'landscape' for people to enjoy, because it will all be subsumed by trees.

On the bright side, it could make for some spectacular summer forest fires of course, possibly rivalling those of Australia.

Seen Staffs moorlands on fire already.... Only thing is broadleaf trees don't go like a gum tree... But if we end up with zillions of ha of conifers, who knows.

 

[The Ruminant]

I see a letter writer to FW isn’t massively in favour of the idea ....
PS tickets still available:

Innovation for Agriculture - The Animals to Arable Conference

Learn from a range of industry experts how the introduction of livestock into an arable rotation could tackle some key issues in UK farming

www.eventbrite.ie

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Why should it result in more imports?
Or an increase in livestock that the duck was worried about.
Why not use the arable area to reduce the need for livestock to be fed cereals/ concentrates by using break crops/ cover crops?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Why should it result in more imports?
Or an increase in livestock that the duck was worried about.
Why not use the arable area to reduce the need for livestock to be fed cereals/ concentrates by using break crops/ cover crops?

There is the potential for great synergy between arable farmers and livestock farmers.

I just hope any arrangements which result can be based on mutual profit for both parties, and not some half baked government scheme to enrich landowners.

 

[thesilentone]

I think this is a first class idea, and ticks many boxes.

The issues I would consider are, what is the ultimate objective ? and how do you stop someone hi-jacking it to suit there own agenda ?

The long-term prognosis for the beef market is good, however their are many topics and agenda's to deal with if planning a long-term strategy.

There is power in numbers ( I hate the word co-operative) but setting up an association or brand with clearly identifiable objectives and standards to gain credibility from the supply chain would strengthen the message.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Don't be put off !!!!

 

[Cowabunga]

Why should it result in more imports?
Or an increase in livestock that the duck was worried about.
Why not use the arable area to reduce the need for livestock to be fed cereals/ concentrates by using break crops/ cover crops?

More imports are almost inevitable and irrespective of any increased ruminant population on arable land.
Either these will be additional livestock or they will displace livestock from less favoured areas. Both will be against a backdrop of falling demand and increased cheap imports welcome by commandant Johnson and those wanting agriculture to be 'zero emission' and mostly a massive forest.

Already we have seen the closure of the beef slaughter section of Llanidloes abattoir, leaving Merthyr as the only major cattle abattoir left in Wales. Perhaps they will build new ones in Norfolk or Lincolnshire soon to cope with the altering logistics. Or just open refrigerated warehouses for US, African and S.American cuts to be distributed?

 

[Cowabunga]

I think this is a first class idea, and ticks many boxes.

The issues I would consider are, what is the ultimate objective ? and how do you stop someone hi-jacking it to suit there own agenda ?

The long-term prognosis for the beef market is good, however their are many topics and agenda's to deal with if planning a long-term strategy.

Don't be put off !!!!

What planet are you on? It may be great for African, American and perhaps Australasian production but for Europe? Pull the other one!

 

[Blaithin]

NZ is out.

Likely to be Exmoor, Herefordshire/South Shropshire or Dumfries and Galloway now.

This bit of Hertfordshire just isn't my cup of tea any more and we might as well take advantage of relative land prices to get more area as well as better quality of life.

Canada? ?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Canada? ?

It's becoming very attractive from the YouTube videos I watch.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

More imports are almost inevitable and irrespective of any increased ruminant population on arable land.
Either these will be additional livestock or they will displace livestock from less favoured areas. Both will be against a backdrop of falling demand and increased cheap imports welcome by commandant Johnson and those wanting agriculture to be 'zero emission' and mostly a massive forest.

Already we have seen the closure of the beef slaughter section of Llanidloes abattoir, leaving Merthyr as the only major cattle abattoir left in Wales. Perhaps they will build new ones in Norfolk or Lincolnshire soon to cope with the altering logistics. Or just open refrigerated warehouses for US, African and S.American cuts to be distributed?

You miss the point. The increased imports reference was from the fw letter the Ruminant posted. The writer of that was suggesting an increase in arable crop imports due to reduced arable production.
My point was this needn't be so.

I don't dispute your assumption that we will be challenged by a likelihood of increased meat imports.

 

[SteveHants]

It's becoming very attractive from the YouTube videos I watch.

I could apparently get a fast track Visa in Canada.
If I could go there, I would.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I could apparently get a fast track Visa in Canada.
If I could go there, I would.

Divorce/kill whoever you need to then get on a flight ?

 

[lloyd]

NZ is out.

Likely to be Exmoor, Herefordshire/South Shropshire or Dumfries and Galloway now.

This bit of Hertfordshire just isn't my cup of tea any more and we might as well take advantage of relative land prices to get more area as well as better quality of life.

I dont think you'll gain any land in a swap to Herefordshire lately.

 

[lloyd]

No no fuking no. The last thing I need is a new form of farmers dole to distort land rentals and artificially inflate COP.

The Welsh are coming?‍?‍Only a wall will save you ?

 

[unlacedgecko]

The Welsh are coming?‍?‍
Only a wall will save you ?

quickly, to Offa’s Dyke!

 

[lloyd]

I doubt whether it will be restricted to highlands. There are really vast areas of marginal land unsuitable for anything but grassland production that will be rendered uneconomic to farm and will also likely be planted with trees. There will no longer be a 'landscape' for people to enjoy, because it will all be subsumed by trees.

On the bright side, it could make for some spectacular summer forest fires of course, possibly rivalling those of Australia.

Except for our usual summers are

 

[GeorgeK]

I doubt whether it will be restricted to highlands. There are really vast areas of marginal land unsuitable for anything but grassland production that will be rendered uneconomic to farm and will also likely be planted with trees

At the other end of the spectrum some of the most productive grade 1 silt is destined to be sacrificed for flood water storage and wetland restoration. And of course turn all the fertile peat soil back into bogs. That's a lot of the best land gone!