Farming

Fighting pests with predators

Published

10 years ago

May 28, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Tiny but lethal to soft fruit crops: T he western flower thrip.

WELSH soft fruit and ornamental flower growers are drafting in insect predators to control pests the natural way.
The horticulture industry aspires to achieve zero pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables and that means using nature’s own controls.
During a Farming Connect Knowledge Transfer Event at Springfields Fresh Produce, Manorbier, growers were given expert advice on this approach, known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), by ADAS soft fruit and ornamental plant adviser, Chris Creed. It was also an opportunity to share their own experiences and ideas.
IPM seeks to manage pests and diseases without damaging the environment and beneficial organisms.
Nick and Pat Bean have been growing horticulture crops at Springfields for 30 years and only use sprays to combat pest infestations as a last resort. “We don’t use any conventional pesticides during harvesting. To achieve that you need to know the lifecycle of the pests you are fighting against and understand the physiology of your crops,’’ explained Nick, who grows daffodils, soft fruit and asparagus.
“You have to anticipate what is going to come in and be prepared to do everything at the right time.’’ Nick and Pat use pheromone and coloured sticky traps as an advanced warning of pest levels.
The majority of growers embrace IPM as they recognise it as the right approach. Government directives are also designed to ensure conventional pesticides are only used when other approaches have failed, directives enforced by auditors.
“It is nothing more complicated than good crop hygiene and husbandry,’’ said Nick.
For those who use chemical sprays to control pests and disease, natural biological pesticides are available.
There are multitudes of pest species intent on damaging crops in Wales but among the worst is the Western flower thrips. This prolific pest is resistant to all pesticides and was responsible for destroying hundreds of acres of strawberries last year.
Chris Creed recommends using predators, in the case of Western flower thrips, Neoseiulus cucumeris, to eat the insects as they hatch. “On the farms I work with, we introduce 25 predators per plant every two weeks which reflects how serious this problem is and it has been quite a success story,’’ he said.
It takes time, often a month, for predators to establish on the crop before they control the pest. “Patience is therefore important” said Mr Creed.
The Western flower thrips is among five main pest species which attack the flowers of developing fruit and vegetables. The others are the capsid bug, pollen beetle, British thrips and blossom weevils.
Mr Creed recommended encouraging wild predators, which can be very tolerant to pesticides within IPM programmes. This could mean introducing background plants such as nettles which provide habitat and food for these predators. Mr Creed also advises using plant varieties which are resistant to pests.
Regular crop inspections should be carried out through the growing season. “Either monitor the crops yourself or use an agronomist,’’ advised Mr Creed. “There should be a lot of crop walking and checking and making key decisions.
“It may be that if you spot red spider mites in March you use a pesticide then because predators don’t work when the temperature is under ten degrees Celsius. Predators can then be introduced in May.’’
Mr and Mrs Bean regard membership of organisations such as the Horticultural Development Council is essential for keeping them up to date on new pests and diseases and control methods.
“There is huge value in knowing what is going on in the industry, it is important not to be isolated. We are on our fifth system of growing strawberries here and it is by attending events like this organised by Farming Connect where we can exchange information that has allowed us to do that.’’
The Farming Connect event at Springfields Fresh Produce was facilitated by Jamie McCoy.

Farming

Special farming role for senior Pembrokeshire councillor

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN OFFICIAL special farming role for Pembrokeshire’s deputy leader is to be established following a call made to full council, the first time the council has had such a role for a senior member.

In a question to council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements asked: “With the recent changes in the budget from the UK Labour Government on Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief, many Pembrokeshire farmers are feeling concerned for the future of their family farms, many in Pembrokeshire which have been in the same family for generations.

“I have always found it disappointing that in all the years I have been a councillor, and the major contribution farming has to this county’s economic, cultural and environmental well-being, there has never been a Cabinet Member’s title with rural affairs or farming, or agriculture within it.

“To show that this council recognises the importance of agriculture, and the hundreds of millions of pounds generated by farming, will the Leader consider including it in one of the titles of his Cabinet Members’ portfolio?”

Responding, Cllr Harvey said: “I full share your perspective; it’s true this council has never had a Cabinet member with this role; however I can reconsider, I regard all aspects of rural life as vitally important.”

He told members farming and rural affairs came under the portfolio of the deputy leader [Cllr Paul Miller], adding: “we’re all aware of the changing aspects of rural life at the moment, we do have a rural affairs champion in Cllr Steve Alderman, but I’ve had a conversation with the deputy leader and agreed to review this title to reflect the importance of the role and will happily make an announcement in the next few days.”

Cllr Clements responded: “These words say a lot, it shows this council recognises the importance of the most constant and probably most important business in the county.”

Farming

Call for Pembrokeshire to oppose farming inheritance tax withdrawn

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL on Pembrokeshire County Council to oppose government changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms has been withdrawn, but its proposer hopes his motion will return to a future meeting.

At the Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced farmers would have to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than £1 million at a rate of 20 per cent, with a £3m threshold for couples passing on their farms.

This compares to a 40 per cent rate on other estates.

A Notice of Motion by Councillor Aled Thomas, ‘relating to Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities’ was to be heard at the December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting.

Cllr Thomas, who stood as a Conservative candidate for Ceredigion-Preseli in the 2024 general election, asked that: “Pembrokeshire County Council notes its concern to the proposed changes to inheritance tax announced by the Labour Government in the recent Autumn budget, which would scrap Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

“APR has been instrumental in allowing British family farms to remain intact across generations, supporting food security, sustaining rural communities, and aiding environmental stewardship. This tax is estimated to impact over 70,000 family farms, leaving the average farming family with a tax bill of at least £240,000, which will force many to sell portions of their land or close entirely, paving the way for corporate ownership over family ownership.”

It called on the council to resolve to “oppose the Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms,” to “advocate for the exemption of family farms to preserve the UK’s food security, rural communities, environmental initiatives,” and to “commit to maintaining its county council farms portfolio, particularly to encourage younger and new generations of farmers into the industry”.

It finished: “This council urges all councillors to stand with Britain’s family farms, to support our rural communities, and to protect the environment by formally rejecting this proposed ‘family farm tax’.”

At the December 12 meeting Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock informed members the notice had been withdrawn from the meeting.

Speaking after the announcement, Cllr Thomas, himself a farmer, said: “There was a dispute whether I should have been allowed to submit it as I am a farmer, so I took advice from the monitoring officer that I should withdraw it until I can get a dispensation from the standards committee to speak on the matter.”

He said he hoped to get the motion resubmitted to be heard at the next council meeting.

Farming

Welsh Lamb shines at the Winter Fair Taste Awards

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR TASTE AWARDS, showcasing the finest native lamb breeds of Wales in a celebration of sustainability, flavour and culinary excellence, were hosted by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

The awards, held in collaboration with Cambrian Training Company, the Culinary Association of Wales and the National Culinary Team Wales, spotlighted the exceptional quality of Welsh Lamb and its unique characteristics.

The competition aimed to promote native Welsh Lamb breeds and emphasise their distinct flavours, encouraging chefs, businesses and consumers to consider Welsh Lamb a premium product.

The RWAS says the competition provides a vital platform to showcase the exceptional flavours of native Welsh Lamb breeds while promoting sustainable farming practices.

These lambs are grass-fed, raised in Wales and come with full traceability from farm to fork. The initiative aims to highlight the story behind the meat and the dedicated efforts of farmers in preserving these breeds.

Societies representing seven native Welsh Lamb breeds participated in the competition, held at the Cambrian Training Company building on the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd.

Each breed’s lamb was expertly cooked by chefs and presented to a distinguished panel of judges, including Dilwyn Evans, a vet featured on TV series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’, Steven Owen, Castell Howell development chef, Neil Fenn, Professor Rhian Goodfellow, OBE and Arwyn Watkins, OBE, executive chair of Cambrian Training Group.

The breeds showcased included Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Torddu and Torwen), Balwen Welsh Mountain, Black Welsh Mountain, Clun Forest, South Wales Mountain, Llanwenog and Pedigree Welsh Mountain.

Each lamb had been bred, born and reared in Wales, ensuring sustainable and traceable farming practices.

The awards highlighted the diversity among native Welsh Lamb breeds, from the Torddu and Torwen’s hardy nature to the Llanwenog’s docile temperament and premium meat quality.

Farmers and breed societies demonstrated the unique traits of their lambs, such as flavour, sustainability and adaptability to diverse farming environments.

Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I. T. Davies & Son (Clun Forest) were declared joint winners of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards. Both breeds impressed the judges with their remarkable flavour, tenderness and quality, showcasing the very best of Welsh Lamb.

The event emphasised the importance of promoting the culinary excellence of Welsh Lamb alongside its visual appeal in show rings.

Guest judge, Dilwyn Evans said: “It has been an absolute honour to judge the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards and experience first-hand the superior taste of native Welsh Lamb.

“This exceptional meat not only embodies the rich heritage and dedication of Welsh farming but also highlights the importance of preserving these unique breeds and the sustainable practices behind them.”

The RWAS thanked the judges and Cambrian Training Group for their continued support, helping ensure the lambs were cooked to perfection for the competition.

With the awards, Wales has cemented its position as a leader in premium lamb production, bringing the exceptional flavours of its native breeds to the forefront of the culinary world.