Achi news desk-
Commenting on the 2023/24 fatality statistics published by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) this week, Scottish NFU vice-president Alasdair Macnab said: “The number of farming deaths on this list is a reminder completely and sobering at how poor the state of our industry is. the record is when it comes to deaths and serious injuries on our farms and ranches.
“Every death and serious injury on a farm or croft has lasting, life-changing consequences for family, friends and colleagues. It is well recognized and documented that we work in a dangerous environment on a daily basis, but we must not just accept that. Instead, we must strive to make improvements, change attitudes and behavior and rethink the risk around machinery, equipment, working with animals or operating at height.
“More often than not, we forget to take a closer look at how we look after ourselves and how we operate in the same environment – are we making it a safe place to work? There is no room for complacency or any excuse for ignoring the opportunities to improve safety that are available”.
Rounding off
Hoggs at Newton Stewart yesterday were of mixed quality, averaging 340p/kg. However, good flesh types met demand and sold to 413p/kg for Barlure Farmers, who also led the cast sheep at £100 per head for Blackies, or to £205 per head for Texels from Low Glasnick. Mules met demand, selling to £130 for Mid Skeog, Drumjargon and Clauchrie.
A Simmental bull calf from East Drummodie topped the sale at Carlisle yesterday at £730, while Connell Farms topped the heifer section at £650 for Charolais. Meanwhile, a Limousin cross heifer from Woodfield topped the storage cycle at £2,190 while achieving a superb average of £1,895 per head for eleven animals. And Hereford bulls from Keyla Park topped the weaned cattle classes at £1,640 each.
Old season lambs at Llandudoch on Tuesday averaged 346p/kg and sold to 387p/kg for a pair of 46kg Texel crosses from Pitcalnie Holdings or £218/gross head for a Texel cross from Easter Dalziel, while sold feeder sheep to £248 for Texel crosses from Killearnan.
Heifer calves at Ayr on Tuesday sold to £610 for a British Blue cross from Low Barledziew, who also topped the bull calf section at £540, and spins peaked at £1,230 for an Aberdeen Angus cross heifer from Meikle Auchengree, while steers to £1,000 for Holsteins from Tannockhill.
