The end of a Challenging Winter for UK Farmers Battling Bluetongue
This winter has been particularly challenging for livestock farmers across the UK, as they grapple with the outbreak of Bluetongue virus (BTV). Bluetongue, a vector-borne viral disease primarily transmitted by biting midges, affects domestic and wild ruminants, with sheep being especially susceptible.
Bluetongue causes a range of symptoms in livestock including fever, swelling of the mouth and head, lameness, and in severe cases, death. The disease not only affects the health and welfare of the animals but also has significant economic implications for farmers due to loss of livestock, decreased productivity, and increased veterinary costs.
The outbreak has led to restrictions on the movement of livestock, affecting trade and market dynamics. Farmers are facing financial strain as they invest in preventive measures, including vaccination and enhanced biosecurity protocols. The cost of controlling the disease, combined with potential loss of income from reduced flock productivity, has added to the economic burden on the agricultural sector.
To combat the spread of Bluetongue, farmers and agricultural authorities have been working tirelessly to implement preventive strategies. Vaccination campaigns are being rolled out to immunize livestock against the virus. Enhanced surveillance and monitoring are crucial to detect and respond to new cases promptly. Farmers are also adopting strict biosecurity measures to minimize the risk of midge bites and prevent the spread of the virus.
While the current situation remains challenging, the resilience and determination of UK farmers are commendable. Continued vigilance, effective vaccination programs, and robust biosecurity measures will be key to overcoming this outbreak. By working together, the agricultural community can navigate these tough times and safeguard the health and wellbeing of their animals. As we move towards spring, there is hope that the concerted efforts to control Bluetongue will yield positive results, ensuring a healthier future for UK livestock farming.
Number of Tractors on farm
QPLS1. ‘How many tractors (under 10 years in age) do you have on the farm?’
A total of 49% of farmers said they did not own a tractor under 10 years in age. With 27% saying they owned 1 tractor under 10.
Base – All 407
Looking further into tractor brand selection
Now that we understand the percentage of farmers that have a tractor on farm under 10 years, let’s see which tractor brands are most popular.
Tractor by Brand
The 3 Main brands of tractors mentioned were John Deere, Massey Ferguson and New Holland. All individual contributing to over 20% of the tractors on farm being used under 10 Years.
Base – 407; Yes, Tractor Under 10y - 209 (Allows multiple response); Total Tractor Count - 386
Arable Tractor Brand
We found that John Deere (24%) tractors were the most popular amongst arable farmers with over 25ha+
Base – 407; Yes, Tractor Under 10y (Arable Land 25ha+) - 172 (Allows multiple response); Total Tractor Count - 295
Livestock Tractor Brand
We found New Holland to be the most popular tractor brand amongst livestock farmers at 28% of the total tractors used.
Base – 407; Yes, Tractor Under 10y (Livestock) - 59 (Allows multiple response); Total Tractor Count - 74
Land Taken Out Of Production
Percentage Responses
QPLS1. Have you taken any land out of production this Autumn?
A total of 14% of farmers said that they had taken some portion of their land out of production this Autumn. 85% said they had not.
Base – All - 1829
Amount Of Land Taken Out Of production
Percentage Responses
Of those who said they had taken some land out of production last Autumn, let’s see if they have taken more land than previous years…
QPLS2. Is this more or less than previous years?
Of the 266 farmers that said they had taken some land out of production, over half (62%) said that this was more than they had done in previous years.
Base – 1829; Yes, land taken out of production - 266
Land taken out of production per enterprise
Now let's investigate whether this had impacted certain farm enterprises more than others.
Farm Enterprise Breakdown
Percentage Responses
Of those who said they had taken some land out of production last Autumn, let’s see who of those were predominantly in arable or livestock farming…
QPLS1. Have you taken any land out of production this Autumn?
Of the 266 farmers that said they had taken some land out of production, the majority (85%) of those were arable farmers.
Base – 1829; Yes, land taken out of production - 266
Arable by Farm Size
Percentage Responses
QPLS2. Is this more or less than previous years?
The farms with more than 100+ha were found to be taking more land out of production than the farms with less than 100ha.
Base – 1829; Yes, land taken out of production - 266; Arable - 225
Arable land taken out of production (Farm Size)
We can see that arable farms of 100+ha made up the largest portion of those that had taken land out of production this Autumn. Will we find the same outcome for Livestock farms?…
Livestock by Farm Size
Percentage Responses
QPLS2. Is this more or less than previous years?
Amongst Livestock farmers we see no major difference in farm size for those that have taken land out of production this Autumn.
Base – 1829; Yes, land taken out of production - 266; Arable - 225
Livestock land taken out of production (Farm Size)
Comparatively to Arable farms, we see no major corelation between the size of farm and land taken out of production in livestock farms this Autumn. Perhaps the farm regional demographic will have an impact…
100+ Ha Regional Farm Spread
Percentage Responses
QPLS2. Is this more or less than previous years?
| Percentage Breakdown Per Region | |||
| REGION | MORE | SAME | LESS |
| East Midlands | 72% | 28% | 0% |
| Eastern | 60% | 34% | 6% |
| North East | 75% | 15% | 0% |
| North West Inc. Merseyside | 60% | 30% | 10% |
| Scotland | 0% | 93% | 7% |
| South East | 70% | 23% | 7% |
| South West | 74% | 22% | 4% |
| Wales | 28% | 72% | 0% |
| West Midlands | 69% | 31% | 0% |
| Yorkshire & The Humber Region | 72% | 18% | 0% |
Base – 1829; Yes, land taken out of production - 266; 100+ha farms - 200
Conclusion
We found that, compared to previous years, the majority of farmers who took land out of production this autumn removed a larger area of land. This trend was most noticeable among large arable farms. While this pattern was observed across all of England, both Wales and Scotland saw no significant change in the amount of land taken out of production.
Each quarter we would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our fantastic team of interviewers.
This quarter’s spotlight focuses on Lana
"“My favourite thing about speaking to farmers is learning about some of the farm's history & future plans, therefore making each call unique. It’s lovely to hear how passion has got a lot of farmers through those tough times. We appreciate every single one of you.”
"What I enjoy most about working at the National Farm Research Unit is every day is different, and every day I learn a lot about farming in general. I feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful team of people and a company with a great reputation.”"Outside of work I enjoy time with my family, going on a lot of hikes and taking lots of breaks here in the UK and abroad to make as many memories as possible.”
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