The Farmers Mart Summer 2017 - Issue 51 | Page 18

Farm News More innovation from UPU » » UPU INDUSTRIES HAS added more new products to its ‘Farmer’s’ range of crop packaging solutions, building on its existing range of net wrap, silage wrap and baler twines. UPU is the only indigenous manufacturer of net wrap in the UK and Ireland. The newest addition is Colorbale®, made with an innovative form of plastic which enables dynamic intelligent spreading across the bale and right over the edge, Colorbale ensures bale contents are tightly compressed and completely wrapped. Farmer’s 7200 Twine has been the champion of Big Square baling for decades; now new Plus and Xpro Heavy Duty Baler Twine products join the Farmer’s family, for use with the latest generation of high density balers with larger, heavier bale capabilities. Plus and Xpro allow for maximum knot strength and bale security, ensuring extra high density bales. ‘produce top quality silage’ Silage wrap is a specialist product, and UPU’s Silograss Film is one of the most established. Suitable for round bale wrapping and big square bales in all conditions, its high tack levels and film impermeability ensure weather proof bales that consistently produce top quality silage. Call Simon Hickey on 078856728830 for more. APHA EXTENDS FREE-TO-FARMER CARCASE COLLECTION SERVICE IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND » » FARMERS IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND now benefit from additional free carcase collection services where disease is suspected and a veterinarian has recommended a post mortem examination. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has signed a new contract with Meraxian Limited who will provide a free carcase collection service for farmers who wish to use post mortem examination (PME) services at APHA’s Thirsk Veterinary Investigation Centre (VIC). APHA works with vets and farmers to investigate and diagnose livestock and poultry disease across Great Britain. It offers a state-of-the-art post mortem examination (PME) and sample testing service to detect disease in all farmed animals and wildlife. APHA has recently extended its ‘free-to- farmer’ carcase collection service across England, but until now, it didn’t apply 18 Summer 2017 www.farmers-mart.co.uk to farmers located more than an hour’s drive south of Thirsk VIC owing to a lack of provider. To the north of Thirsk, the free carcase collection service has been available for some time. The free carcase collection service is for use when a farmer’s veterinarian has agreed with APHA that a post mortem examination is required for diagnosis of disease – it is not provided for the purposes of general carcase disposal. ‘when disease is suspected, farmers should discuss with their vet’ Farmers who are within an hour’s drive of the Thirsk VIC will need to deliver carcases by their own means; however, farmers who are more than an hour from Thirsk VIC are entitled to use the free carcase collection service. Thirsk VIC will arrange the collection of the carcase with the haulier, who will liaise directly with the farmer to arrange the collection and transport of carcases to Thirsk VIC for PME. When disease is suspected, farmers should discuss with their vet whether to send samples onto APHA laboratories for diagnostic testing or submit a carcase for post mortem examination. Vets are also encouraged to contact APHA VICs, or our partner PME providers, to discuss cases and options for diagnostic investigation. Contact details for APHA VICs and non-APHA post mortem providers can be found here https://www.gov.uk/ government/organisations/animal-and- plant-health-agency/about/access-and- opening. Or to find your nearest PME facility use APHA’s post code search tool http:// ahvla.defra.gov.uk/postcode/pme.asp.