At the market: The ghastly net closes in around Ryedale farmers

It was bizarrely appropriate that the Holtby's premises are called Ashes Farm but the implications go far beyond this particular funeral pyre.

Each moor, be it Westerdale, Rosedale or Spaunton has its own individual flocks of sheep 'hefted' on; and knowing instinctively the unseen boundaries built up over generations of flock management.

These hefted flocks are sold with the property and cannot be replaced.

The risk to the landscape which we all cherish is enormous, for I doubt the economics or the will to restock the moors.

We must all be vigilant and report any unnecessarily risky event to the NFU or anyone in authority who can take action.

I am afraid those in charge of the Whitehall farce need to know that our piece of countryside is not yet open for business unless they want to destroy it completely - now there's a thought!

I have every sympathy for the farmer's wife who rang me last evening to ask about the feed wagon parked down the road overnight; and no-one should be shy of questioning what is happening around us.

In some respects livestock transport carries low risk as the vehicles are all cleansed and disinfected totally at the start and finish of each journey.

Other farm deliveries get perhaps only the wheel hub and welly spray which is a gesture but little more.

Perhaps we need to ask the question: "Where have they been and when were they last totally cleansed?"

Perversely maybe, but I have every sympathy with the NFU chairman in the South West who defended farmers who had breached the law by moving stock very short distances on welfare grounds.

It is not in our nature to allow lambs to die from exposure 50 yards from a covered building nor to let any animal suffer when we can easily prevent it.

When regulations are rigidly and stupidly enforced without question, they will be broken; the fault lies not with the law breaker but with the law maker and we should exercise great sympathy and clemency.

Regrettably, it seems to be the hidden thrust of the Blair Government policy to blame the farmer at every opportunity. We apparently started foot and mouth and are responsible for spreading it around the countryside.

When the history books are written, judgement will be made on badly advised politicians with no rural background who have handled the agricultural portfolio with supreme incompetence from the impotent controls on imported meat to their failure to contain the disease.

The spirit of the Whitehall farce is demonstrated in an incident ten days ago when a Cumbrian farmer was about to witness eight slaughtermen start to destroy his sheep flock. Into the yard drove a Ford Mondeo, spilling out a young suited official from the Health & Safety Executive.

This idiot announced that before the cull could begin he had to check if there were adequate toilet facilities for the slaughtermen.

Unfortunately, the farmer's response was not recorded.

For many farms, we need to do a stocktaking valuation and the crisis makes it very difficult to carry out the work and collect the data.

It is important that you make a record of all numbers and quantities as at your year end date and if you want some help please ask for the pro forma that we have put together.

I am sure values can be discussed and added later if necessary but actual numbers must be done now.

The IACS forms have landed on our desks and we have until Tuesday, May 15, to return them.

Apart from foot and mouth, the state of our arable countryside is also pretty desperate following the wettest 12 months on record.

There are special measures to help those affected by flooding and water logging and if you want any advice, we are geared up to assist in the valuation profession.

Spring, we are told, is round the corner and pressure is building up on many farms to buy or sell store stock. If you want to move stock here are some points to note:-

- We have established at Malton and York a register of stock wanted and for sale. Please use this service and we have kept down the charges to a fairly minimal level to cover costs.

- At the present time, once you have brought stock onto your holding you cannot move out those animals for 21 days - they are in quarantine.

However, there is a dispensation which allows you to continue to move slaughter stock direct to the abattoir; and also animals being moved on occupational or short distance licences within five kilometers can continue.

This gives a degree of flexibility which is welcome at this time of year.

- To move any stock you need a licence. The short haul within five kilometers can be done relatively easily without official disinfection but the long distance movements do need approval, not only of the journey itself but also of the vehicle to be used.

Malton and York are official disinfection wash centres and approval for vehicles can be obtained.

- Values are going to be difficult to agree and trends, no doubt, will soon appear. Initially, most people are looking towards taking up where the markets finished in February.

- The Trading Standards Office, with consummate commitment to community service, have decided to close their offices for licensing in Yorkshire from 2 p.m. today, Thursday, until 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Get a licence if you need one immediately.

Help us to help you and ring our help lines at Malton on (01653) 697820/692151 and York on (01904) 489731.

The Malton end doesn't seem to be getting any quieter although we are really looking for more stock, especially in the cattle sector.

We are selling about 200 cattle each week and just short of 2,000 hoggs and lambs which is a good indicator of the demand.

There is talk afoot that there might be an easing of the movement restriction for those cattle in restricted areas which could bring something of a glut onto the market, but we still endeavour to find the best prices to fit the type of stock.

Cattle trade this week has firmed a touch and any quality cattle are easy to move and can command about 175p/kilo and possibly even a bit more if the goods are fit.

Friesian bulls are short in number now and are generally running at over 150p/kilo. We are very short on stock now so please let us know when you have anything ready and we will get you some up to date prices.

Hogg trade is holding firm at 200p/kilo or better and we are getting some away at a bit more, which is a fair trade really.

Spring lambs are the flavour of the week and are turning out to be like gold dust. Trade has charged up to about 280p/kilo and is looking like it could get better still. We have buyers crying out for spring lambs so please let us know when you have some ready and we can certainly find a slot.

The pig department is equally busy and demand is similar to the spring lambs. Trade is generally running between 90-100p/kilo, which is a fraction up on last week, and we have had some smart gilts away at 110p/kilo, which is encouraging.

We have a bit of demand for sows although trade isn't going to provide an enormous retirement fund. The figures are still set at about 44p/kilo ex head providing they have a bit of flesh.

We have now set up a store stock register and purchasers looking for stock so if you can let us have your details we will try and help out.

The lorry wash has been inspected and passed as an approved cleansing and disinfecting facility so we are open for business.

It is a fairly complex operation as it involves organising MLC Inspectors to be present, so we would like a minimum of 48 hours notice if you are waiting to utilise this facility.

If you want any further information on the lorry wash, movement of store stock or sale of prime stock, please don't hesitate to contact our help lines at Malton on (01653) 692151/697820 or at York on (01904) 489731.

Updated: 09:11 Thursday, April 12, 2001