The farming week in review

Concerns grow over Bluetongue, as Denmark becomes the latest European country to record the disease, and African swine fever rears its head in a new region of Germany. NFU Scotland have also reminded bird keepers that they have to register their birds from the 1st September, and on a more positive note, UCAS revealed that there has been an 8% increase in applicants who have been accepted onto agricultural courses due to the Clarkson effect.

Aldi hits target to sell 100% cage-free eggs a year early

Aldi has announced that it has reached its goal a year early. This comes after their £50 million investment in egg farming and its producers over the last two years and their introduction of long-term contracts for cage-free suppliers. Aldi have also pledged a £3 billion investment into the British beef industry over the next five years and £500 million for the UK’s pork producers.

Denmark becomes latest country to confirm Bluetongue outbreak

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) has reported cases of Bluetongue at six sites, with several others being tested. This makes Denmark the seventh European country to succumb to the disease. The last outbreak in Denmark was back in 2009, and despite vaccination programmes in Europe the disease shows no sign of abating. Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, has urged vigilance, and reminds farmers who are moving livestock from high risk countries to take advantage of the free Bluetongue testing scheme available.

Clarkson’s Farm believed to be behind rise in applications for farming courses

UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, has revealed that there has been an 8% increase of applicants who have been accepted onto agricultural courses over last year. This upward trend follows on from an initial rise starting in 2021 when the hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm first aired.

African swine fever confirmed in domestic pigs in another German region

A dead pig from a small farm in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate has tested positive for African swine fever (ASF). Although ASF has been found to be in wild boar in the region, this is the first case to be found in domesticated pigs. The district where the case was confirmed is not thought to be a pig dense area and the infected premises is under a 10km restricted zone.

NFU Scotland remind all Scottish bird keepers to register their birds

This week, NFU Scotland has reminded all bird keepers that they must register their birds on the Scottish Kept Bird Register between 1st September and 1st December of this year. If you have species such as parrots, budgerigars, finches or perching birds where the birds have no access to outside air, then the new rule does not apply.