Option Trading Euan Sinclair

Scrapie Monitoring Scheme Sie haben vielleicht gehört, dass Änderungen mit dem Scrapie Monitoring Scheme infolge geänderter EU-Vorschriften stattfinden. Ich habe diese unten zusammengefasst. Wir haben die Regeln und Bedingungen des SMS-Schemas aktualisiert und Sie können sie bei sheepandgoathealth. co. uk sehen. Ich möchte auch diese Gelegenheit nutzen, um Sie darüber zu informieren, dass einige SMS-Herden ihren geschätzten Status aufgrund der Nichtbeachtung der Regeln verloren haben. Häufige Gründe für den Verlust sind nachfolgend aufgeführt. SMS - Allgemeine Gründe für den Verlust des Status Kauf von Ram aus nicht-SMS-Herde. Nur ein Stempel mit dem ARRARR-Scrapie-Genotyp darf eine SMS-Flock aus einer nicht-SMS-Flock nehmen. Züchter sind ermutigt, genotype rams vor dem Verkauf, wie es am besten für SMS-Mitglieder, einen Widder mit dem ARRARR Genotyp zu kaufen, anstatt ein Glücksspiel auf einen Kauf, die sich als nicht ARRARR. Wenn Sie bereits einen Widder in Ihrer Herde, die von einem Nicht-SMS-Herde kommt und es hat nicht die ARRARR Scrapie Genotyp ist es zu spät. P-Kauf von Frauen aus Nicht-SMS-Herden. Wenn Sie von Nicht-SMS-Herden kaufen wollen, stellen Sie sicher, dass die Einkäufe von ARRARR Genotyp sind. Kauf von In-Lamm-Weibchen bei nicht-segregierten Verkäufen. Sehr wenige Verkäufe (gehalten vom 1. September bis 30. April) beantragten die Segregation. Als Folge davon werden alle Aktien, die bei diesen Verkäufen gekauft wurden, als Nicht-SMS eingestuft, sofern der ARRARR-Status nicht vorhanden ist. Flocks Einkauf Lager bei diesen Verkäufen verlieren SMS Status. Flocks, die Bestände zu diesen Verkäufen aufnehmen, verlieren ihren Status, wenn unverkauftes Lager nach Hause zurückgebracht wird. Es gibt viele Verkäufe der Lammtiere im Spätherbstzeitraum. Der Einkauf bei diesen Verkäufen kann Ihren Flockstatus gefährden. Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie nicht in einer der oben genannten Kategorien sind. Kann ich Sie auch als SMS-Mitglied daran erinnern, dass ALL FALLEN STOCK zum Testen eingereicht werden sollte. Grüße Ian Pritchard PSGHS-Manager Geänderte EU-Verordnungen, die ab 1. Juli 2013 gelten, bringen die Anforderungen der EU an die Anforderungen der Weltorganisation für Tiergesundheit (OIE). Um die Freiheit von Scrapie zu demonstrieren, wird nun eine erweiterte Überwachungszeit von sieben Jahren eingeführt, die für einige Länder erforderlich ist. Es gibt zwei Kategorien von Status für SMS-Mitglieder. 1) Vernachlässigbares Risiko - das entspricht Scrapie frei und ist für Hütenhunde, die die Einhaltung von mindestens 7 Jahren zeigen. Die Verbringung von Schafen und Ziegen (und deren Embryosen) in die 4 Mitgliedsstaaten (siehe unten) mit einem zugelassenen Kontrollprogramm kann nur von Betrieben mit diesem Status erfolgen. Einige südamerikanische Länder setzen auch Tiere des vernachlässigbaren Risikostatus fest. 2) Kontrolliertes Risiko - ist mindestens 3 Jahre lang und ist für alle anderen Mitgliedsstaaten gedacht, die nicht über ein zugelassenes Scrapie-Kontrollprogramm verfügen. Dies ist der gegenwärtigen Situation ähnlich. Kontrollierte Risikoströme können nach einer siebenjährigen Überwachung einen vernachlässigbaren Risikostatus erreichen. F: Warum wurden diese Änderungen eingeführt? A: Die EU-Vorschriften in diesem Bereich an die von der Weltorganisation für Tiergesundheit (OIE) empfohlenen Bestimmungen anzupassen, um die Mitgliedstaaten (MS), die als vernachlässigbares Risiko angesehen werden oder ein zugelassenes nationales Scrapie haben, zu ermöglichen Um ihren Status zu schützen, indem nur Tiere mit einem ähnlichen Gesundheitsstatus zugelassen werden. F: Wann treten diese Änderungen in Kraft A: Diese Änderungen traten am 1. Juli 2013 in Kraft. F: Gibt es eine Übergangszeit A: Ja. F: Was ist diese Übergangszeit A: Die Übergangszeit bezieht sich nur auf die Klassifizierung des Herkunftsbetriebs im Hinblick auf das klassische Scrapie-Risiko. Bis zum 31. Dezember 2014 können Beweise für ein kontrolliertes und vernachlässigbares Risiko von anderen Strecken als der Mitgliedschaft eines von der Regierung genehmigten Systems bereitgestellt werden. Ab dem 1. Januar 2015 muss es sich jedoch um eine solche Regelung handeln, die im Vereinigten Königreich das Scrapie Monitoring Scheme (SMS) ist. Die SMS wird von SAC Consulting: Premium Schaf und Ziege Gesundheit Scheme (PSGHS) zur Verfügung gestellt. SAC Consulting ist Teil des Scotlandrsquos Rural College (SRUC). F: Was muss getan werden, um den Status des vernachlässigbaren Risikos zu erhalten A: Die Kriterien entsprechen im Großen und Ganzen denen für eine scrapiefreie Einrichtung, wie im OIE-Code für terrestrische Tiergesundheit empfohlen, nämlich für die Demonstration der Freiheit von klassischer Scrapie für mindestens 7 Jahre . Englisch: eur-lex. europa. eu/LexUriServ/LexUri...0083: EN: HTML Die Verbringung von Schafen und Ziegen für Zucht und Mast in Mitgliedstaaten mit einem genehmigten nationalen Kontrollprogramm für klassische Scrapie (derzeit nur Österreich, Dänemark, Finnland und Schweden) kann nur von Betrieben mit einem solchen Status durchgeführt werden, sofern es sich nicht um ARRARR - Genotypen handelt Holding ist nicht unter einer offiziellen klassischen Scrapie-bezogenen Beschränkungen). Dies ist abhängig von der Bescheinigung, dass das Schaf lsquoARRARR - Prionprotein genotypersquo ist, und die Bescheinigung eines zugelassenen Labors, das die Schafe getestet hat und zum Zeitpunkt der Prüfung entweder im Rahmen des National Scrapie Plan (NSP) Grossbritannien (jetzt geschlossen) oder der Nordirland-Scrapie-Plan oder Die Prüfung wurde entweder von AHVLA oder SAC Consulting: Veterinärdienstleistungen im Rahmen ihrer Ausfuhrgenehmigungen durchgeführt. Export genehmigte Genotypisierung kann nur durch AHVLA oder SAC Veterinary Services erfolgen. Der bescheinigende amtliche Tierarzt (OV) muss sich davon überzeugen, dass die individuelle Schafidentifikation mit den Laborinformationen über das Genotyp-Ergebnis korreliert. Cellmark nicht mehr tun Scrapie-Genotyp-Tests. Q: Was muss getan werden, um den kontrollierten Risikostatus A zu erhalten: Dies spiegelt den Status quo (Demonstration der Freiheit von klassischer Scrapie für mindestens drei Jahre). Q: Können Sie innerhalb der EU in Schafen und Ziegen und deren Sememembryos handeln, wenn Sie nicht in der SMS A sind: Nicht ab dem 1. Januar 2015, da Sie dann in der SMS sein müssen, wenn Sie innerhalb der EU in Schafen handeln möchten Und Ziegen und ihre Semenembryos. Die einzige Ausnahme ist ARRARR Schafe (und ihre Semenembryos). F: Wenn eine Herde die Anforderungen für die SMS erfüllt hat, z. B. für 5 oder 6 Jahre (und so nahe an den ldquoNegligible Riskrdquo-Status), sollten sie nur Tiere aus einer Herde mit demselben oder mehreren Jahren der Einhaltung erworben haben. Für eine Flockherd, die einen vernachlässigbaren Risikostatus erreicht oder beibehält, müssen alle erhaltenen Tiere aus anderen SMS-Hüten stammen, die (1) einen vernachlässigbaren Risikostatus haben oder (2) vom ARRARR-Genotyp und nicht von Huftiere sind, die Scrapie-Einschränkungen unterliegen. Wenn der Kauf von einer kontrollierten Risikoflockherd Vorsicht geboten wird, muss sichergestellt werden, dass die Flockhirte mindestens die gleiche Anzahl von Jahren überwacht wird. Wenn dies nicht geschieht, wird der Fortschritt zum vernachlässigbaren Risikostatus verzögert. F: Wenn ich nicht Mitglied der SMS bin, möchte ich mich jetzt für den Handel innerhalb der EU bei Schafen und Ziegen und deren Semenembryos entscheiden, was muss ich tun? A: Es ist ratsam, an der SMS teilzunehmen. Bitte wenden Sie sich an das Premium Schaf - und Ziegengesundheitsamt (PSGHS) unter 01463 226995 oder auf psghssac. de, wenn Sie zurzeit kein Mitglied der SMS sind. F: Wenn Sie eine Abfrage haben, wie diese Änderungen verwaltet werden sollen, wer Sie kontaktieren sollten A: Wenn Sie ein aktuelles Mitglied der SMS sind (oder beabsichtigen, in der Zukunft vor dem 1. Januar 2015 teilzunehmen), wenden Sie sich bitte an die Premium Schaf - und Ziegengesundheit Schemes (PSGHS) Büro auf 01463 226995 oder an psghssac. co. uk für alle mögliche Fragen, die Sie auf haben, wie diese Änderungen für Mitglieder der SMS verwaltet werden. F: Wenn Sie allgemeine Fragen zu Exporten haben, die Sie kontaktieren sollten, wenden Sie sich bitte an das Export-Team von AHVLA Carlisle unter 01228 403600, wenn Sie allgemeine Fragen bezüglich dieser Änderungen haben. F: Wie viele gefallene Aktien muss ich testen? A: Die neuen Regeln geben ALL FALLEN STOCK an. Tatsächlich handelt es sich dabei um Tiere, die über 18 Monate alt sind und im Betrieb sterben. Es schließt keine Tiere ein, die in die Nahrungskette gelangen. Es gibt eine Ausnahmeregelung für Ziegenherden, die nicht für Tiere gilt, die am Ende ihres Arbeitslebens getötet wurden. F: Wo sende ich gefallene Bestände A: Diese sollten an Ihre örtliche SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services Center oder das lokale Zentrum von AHVLA geliefert werden. Das onus ist auf Ihnen, gefallenen Vorrat geprüft zu erhalten - dort wird eine Gebühr dafür sein. Die Einreichung von Schlachtkörpern an Knackeries, Jagdhunde usw. entspricht nicht den SMS-Regeln. F: Wo kann ich eine aktuelle Liste der SMS-Mitglieder sehen A: Bitte schauen Sie auf psghs. de. Wenn Ihr Name nicht auf Liste ist, treten Sie bitte PSGHS auf 01463 226995 oder an psghssac. co. uk in Verbindung. Die Liste, die veröffentlicht wird, umfasst nur Produzenten, die PSGHS autorisiert haben, ihre Angaben zu veröffentlichen. Die Liste identifiziert vernachlässigbare Risiken und kontrollierte Risikostrassen und Bestände. Defra und AHVLA werden monatlich aktualisiert. Q Wo kann ich die Regeln und Bedingungen der Scrapie Monitoring Scheme (SMS) A: sheepandgoathealth. co. uk Die Shropshire Schafzucht Verein ist Mitglied der National Sheep Association 23. Januar 2015 ALLE SET FÜR NSA CENTRAL REGION WINTER FAIR: Mit weniger als Woche zu gehen, bevor die NSA Central Region Winter Fair ist es alle Systeme gehen für die Veranstaltung am Donnerstag, 29. Januar 2015 in Bakewell Mart, Derbyshire. Hier finden Sie alles, was Sie über das Event wissen müssen. Alastair Sneddon, Senior Partner für NSA Central Region Winter Fair Gastgeber Bagshaws, sagt vor der Veranstaltung, sagt. LdquoFarmers müssen alles tun, um ihre Unternehmen vor den Faktoren zu schützen, über die sie keine Kontrolle haben. Wesentlich für jede Verteidigung ist das neueste Wissen, und ich bin zuversichtlich, dass ein Tag auf der NSA Central Region Winter Fair ausgegeben werden Sie an der guten Stelle und stellen eine wesentliche Transfusion von technischen und politischen Informationen. rdquo Eintrag in die NSA Central Region Winter Fair Ist KOSTENLOS für Mitglieder. Verbreiten Sie das Wort, denn wenn Sie mitbringen einen Freund oder Nachbar, der derzeit nicht ein NSA-Mitglied ist und sie melden sich am Tag werden sie ihre Eintrittsgeld zurückerstattet bekommen und Sie BEIDE in die Verlosung ein Shearwell EID-Stick-Leser zu gewinnen Kit. Zurück nach oben NSA NEXT GENERATION AMBASSADOR GROUP 2015 BESTÄTIGT: Diese Woche war das Ende eines langwierigen und schwierigen Auswahlprozesses für die NSA Next Generation Ambassador Group von 2015 geplant. Wort hatte den Erfolg des Programms im vergangenen Jahr verbreitet und wir waren mit Top-Qualität Anwendungen überwältigt dieses Mal, so dass es ein harter Job für NSA Mitarbeiter und regionale Komitees, um nur 12 Personen für die letzte Gruppe auswählen. Alle Bewerber wurden nun kontaktiert, um zu bestätigen, ob sie einen Platz gewonnen haben oder nicht und wir freuen uns, das letzte Line-Up Anfang nächster Woche zu teilen. Zurück zum Anfang NSA FÖRDERT INTEGRALES ROLLE DES UPLAND-SCHAFENS IN FORSCHUNGSFORUM: NSA hatte am Donnerstag die Gelegenheit, an einem Hochschulwissenschaftsworkshop in Cardiff teilzunehmen, wo Forscher aus einer Vielzahl von Disziplinen (Sozialwissenschaften, Böden, Wasser und Landwirtschaft) teilnahmen ), Um die Arbeit und die zukünftigen Bedürfnisse für die Hügel und das Hochland von Wales zu besprechen. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, wurde eingeladen, auf dem Workshop über die Zukunft der Viehzucht in den Hügeln und Hochebenen zu sprechen. Er berichtet: ldquoWe wissen über die Vernetzung der Landwirtschaft, der Umwelt, unserer natürlichen Ressourcen und Gemeinschaften, und es war erfrischend zu sehen, Wissenschaftler und Forscher für alle diese Bereiche zusammen kommen. Ein gemeinsames Thema war die Notwendigkeit einer ganzheitlichen Forschung und die Verknüpfung der Integration von Forschungsprogrammen, z. B. die Verknüpfung der Armutsarbeit in Wales oder die Bewirtschaftung von Torfböden mit der Arbeit zur nachhaltigen Intensivierung der Nahrungsmittelproduktion. Während es großartig war, über einen Großteil der geleisteten Arbeit zu erfahren, war es auch klar, dass es viel, das wir noch donrsquot wissen, und interessanterweise wurde vorgeschlagen, dass Griffblockierung in Torfsteigen, um Torf zu nassieren, in der Erwartung, dass Würde es Methan-Ausgänge verringern, war tatsächlich eine Erhöhung der Methan-Ausgänge. Ich hatte die Chance, den Fall für die zentrale Viehhaltung zu machen, um die Hochebenen so zu halten, wie sie die meisten von ihnen sehen wollen, und dass die empfindliche und traditionelle Landwirtschaft in den Hochgebirgen mehrere öffentliche Vorteile bietet, die noch nicht berücksichtigt werden von. Meiner Ansicht nach gibt es viel, was im Hochland getan werden kann, um tatsächlich ihren Beitrag zur Ernährungssicherheit zu erhöhen, während nicht nur die Erhaltung, sondern die Verbesserung unserer Umwelt. Umgekehrt gibt es Hinweise darauf, dass die bisherige Politik nicht nur die Produktivität verringert hat, sondern gleichzeitig auch einige unserer Hochland-Ökologie verschlechtert hat. Nach oben KRANKHEIT ERADISIERUNGSPLANE UNTER DISKUSSION IN SCHOTTLAND: Die Teilnahme an diesem weekrsquos Tiergesundheit und Wohlfahrt Stakeholder-Treffen in Edinburgh erwies sich als wichtig , Wie es jetzt aussieht wie eine oder vielleicht zwei Schafe Krankheiten könnten von einer gemeinsamen Industrie und Regierung Gruppe, um einen großen Reduktion oder Ausrottung Plan, ähnlich wie das, was im Gange bei BVD in Vieh in Schottland gesehen werden könnte gezielt werden könnte. George Milne, NSA Scottish Region Development Officer, nahm an dem Treffen teil und schlug die Notwendigkeit vor, auf Schafe Krankheiten zu suchen, um einen zu identifizieren, der ein ähnliches Schema wie das von BVD folgen könnte. Die Idee wurde von der schottischen Regierung und anderen Stakeholdern begrüßt, und ein weiteres Treffen wird in naher Zukunft stattfinden, wenn George in der Lage sein wird, die Ansichten der NSA Scottish Region nach Gesprächen zu teilen, wenn sie das nächste Mal zusammenkommen. Zurück nach oben NEUER COUNSELOR, DER HANDELSMÖGLICHKEITEN MIT CHINA STEHT: Eine Reise nach China durch den britischen Staatssekretär Liz Truss wurde von der Ankündigung einer neuen Position eines britischen Agrar - und Ernährungsberaters mit Sitz in China für weitere künftige Handelsmöglichkeiten verfolgt . Dies ist eine große Investition von der britischen Regierung und unsere eigene Abgabe Geld über AHDB, und zum ersten Mal wird eine Person mit Verantwortung zu helfen britischen Unternehmen tippen Sie in Chinarsquos wachsendes Interesse an Produkten und Spezialitäten Lebensmittel zu sehen. Die Rolle wurde von Karen Morgan, der derzeit führt Defrarsquos wettbewerbsfähige Landwirtschaft Team gefüllt und wird die neue Rolle in Peking in diesem Frühjahr. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, kommentiert: ldquoWe sehr begrüßen die Schaffung dieser neuen Rolle und von dem, was ich auf meiner Reise nach China im vergangenen Jahr sah, ist es ein wesentlicher Schritt, um von diesem wachsenden Markt profitieren. Wir sind immer noch ein Weg von der Sicherung der direkten Zugang in China für Schaf-Fleisch, und jemanden dort basieren und für uns arbeiten wird zweifellos helfen, den Weg zu ebnen. Es ist eine große Investition, sondern sollte eine Verwendung von Abgabengeldern, die Erträge in der richtigen Zeit ernten. Sie können die Ankündigung von Defra über die neue Position hier lesen. Zurück nach oben BUSY TIME FÜR ROTE TRAKTORVERSICHERUNG Folgende Informationen in der letzten weekrsquos NSA Weekly Update über ein Red Tractor Assurance Treffen in Devon nächste Woche, sind zwei weitere Treffen in Yorkshire und Warwickshire geplant. Alle drei sind offene Sitzungen ab 18 Uhr und bieten Gelegenheit, die jüngsten Änderungen an den Standards der Versicherung zu diskutieren und einen Vorschlag für eine vollständige Lebensversicherung für Rindfleisch zu erörtern. Bryan Griffiths, NSA Süd-West-Regionalvorsitzender, kommentiert: ldquoFollowing Bedenken, die von den Mitgliedern über die überarbeiteten Red Tractor Assurance Standards eingeführt wurden, die im Herbst 2014 eingeführt wurden, näherte ich mich dem RTA und diskutierte die Möglichkeit eines Treffens zwischen hochrangigen Mitgliedern der RTA und West Country Landwirte . Das Konzept wurde inzwischen entwickelt und erweitert, um NFU und NBA, sowie NSA-Mitglieder gehören. Dies ist eine großartige Gelegenheit für die Landwirte, ihre Ansichten über die zukünftige Zweck und Richtung der Farm Assurance. rdquo Die drei Treffen sind: - Donnerstag, 29. Januar im Padbrook Park Hotel, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 1RU. Dienstag 3. Februar im Skipton Livestock Market, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1UD. Donnerstag, 12. Februar im Warwick Komplex, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG. Neben diesen Red Tractor Assurance-Meetings berät RTA derzeit auch über neue Standards für Viehmärkte und Sammelstellen. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, sagt: ldquoNSA arbeitet mit einer Reihe von Mitgliedern mit Interessen in diesen Bereichen zusammen, um eine Antwort zu gewährleisten, die die Erfahrungen der Beteiligten widerspiegelt. Wir akzeptieren, dass Standards nicht für immer bleiben, aber unsere grundlegende Position ist, dass die Anforderungen verhältnismäßig sein müssen, vermeiden Doppelarbeit und auf einer Ebene, die Teilnahme ermutigt. rdquo Zurück nach oben VITAL SITZUNG auf CARCASE SPLITTING geplant für FEBRUAR: NSA und NFU trafen sich diese Woche Auf eine gemeinsam organisierte und abgehaltene Sitzung vorzubereiten, um Lösungen für die Probleme zu finden, die durch Zahnausbruch und Kadaverspaltung verursacht werden. Das Treffen, das Anfang Februar stattfinden wird, umfasst die Einrichtungen der Viehwirtschaft, Gewerkschaften, Defra und die dezentralen Verwaltungen, Food Standards Agency, Chief Veterinary Officers und andere. Die NSA wird die Mitglieder informieren, wenn diese wichtige Sitzung stattfindet. Die Arbeit folgt dem NSArsquos TSE Report, der letztes Jahr gestartet wurde. Zurück nach oben INTERNETTECHNOLOGIE ÜBERHOLT SCHLECHTES WETTER NSA-Mitglieder und Unterstützer, die an der NSA Scottish Region jährliches Abendessen am anderen Tag besucht haben, werden wissen, dass die beiden 2014 NSA Botschafter der nächsten Generation von Schottland eingeladen wurden, auf der Veranstaltung zu sprechen. Jennifer Craig aus Lanarkshire sprach über das Ambassador-Programm und wie es ihr Familienunternehmen zugute gekommen war, aber Andrew Prentice verhinderte es, von Iona zu reisen, wenn schlechtes Wetter die Fähren stoppte. Er schickte stattdessen eine Video-Nachricht, die Sie auf dem NSA You Tube-Kanal auf youtubeusernatsheepassoc ansehen können. Das Abendessen folgte der NSA Scottish Region AGM, wo Sybil Macpherson und Ian Hepburn für eine weitere Amtszeit als Chairman bzw. Vice Chairman gewählt wurden. Andere Büro-Inhaber bleiben auch in Position. Zurück nach oben VORSITZENDER UND MITGLIEDER FÜR WELSH-UPLAND-FORUM: Die walisische Regierung bemüht sich, für ihre vierte Amtszeit (2015-2018) einen Vorsitzenden und sieben unabhängige Mitglieder zum Upland-Forum zu ernennen. Das Upland Forum wurde 2005 gegründet, um die walisische Regierung und die Nationalversammlung für Wales zu Fragen zu beraten, die Auswirkungen auf die Hügel und das Hochland von Wales haben. Die Mitglieder werden freiwillig für mindestens vier Sitzungen pro Jahr und einige zusätzliche Veranstaltungen (Reisekosten) versichert, während der Vorsitzende 114 pro Tag bezahlt wird. Ernennungen werden von Rebecca Evans, stellvertretender Minister für Landwirtschaft und Lebensmittel. Bewerbungen schließen am Dienstag, 10. Februar hier klicken für mehr Informationen. Zurück nach oben RESEARCH SUGGESTS SOYA ALTERNATIVES: Mit den Schafhaltern, die im Vorfeld des Lammens nach erschwinglichen Proteinquellen suchen, hat Eblex die Ergebnisse eines Projektes mit HCC, Adas und Reaseheath College, das alternative Proteinquellen für Soja untersucht, mit einbezogen . Liz Genever, Eblex Senior Viehzucht-Wissenschaftler, erinnert Produzenten, dass Pansenabbauprotein (gefunden im Gras, im Heu, in der Silage und im grünen belaubten brassicas) mit verdaulichem undegradabletem Protein in der späten Schwangerschaft aufgeladen werden muss, um ewesrsquo Energiebedarf zur Verfügung zu stellen. Während 3 von Soja, das in das Vereinigte Königreich eingeführt wird, das zu den Schafen gefüttert wird, wird es gut als Futterbestandteil für in-lamb Schafe verwendet, aber Dr. Genever sagt, daß billigere Alternativen das gleiche Niveau des Proteins anbieten können (sehen Sie Tabelle). Sie kommentiert: ldquoThere waren keine signifikanten Unterschiede in der tierischen Leistung zwischen den Diäten. Die Soja-Diät war die teuerste und die Diät auf der Grundlage von Weizen-Destillatoren dunklen Körnern war die billigste, auf der Grundlage der Futterpreise ab Januar 2014. Diese Diäten wurden als TMR gefüttert, und während nicht alle Hersteller haben Zugang zu TMR Einrichtungen, einige werden Haben die Möglichkeit, ihre eigenen Diäten mischen und könnte einige Änderungen zu berücksichtigen. Wenn Diäten geändert werden sollen, ist Hilfe von einem Ernährungsberater entscheidend und Futteranalyse sollte durchgeführt werden, damit Futtermittel verwendet werden können, um es zu ergänzen it. rdquo Lesen Sie mehr über die Forschungsergebnisse hier. Zurück zum Anfang GLUCOSE SHORTAGE: NSA hatte von Mitgliedern gehört, dass sie kämpfen, um Glukose-Produkte für die Behandlung von hypothermischen Lämmern und Zwillings-Lamm-Krankheit in Mutterschafe zu bekommen. Einige Untersuchungen deuten darauf hin, dass Fertigungsprobleme in Europa die Ursache sind und Lieferanten im März das Produkt wieder auf Lager haben werden. In der Zwischenzeit sagt Paul Roger von der Schaf-Veterinärgesellschaft, dass es sicher und legal ist, Ihre Selbst zu machen und stellt ein Rezept zur Verfügung, das zur NSA Web site bald hinzugefügt wird. Zurück nach oben SHEEP RUSTLING FORTSETZEN: Das Problem der Schafdiebstähle wurde noch einmal in dieser Woche mit einem NSA-Mitglied aus Colwall, Worcestershire hervorgehoben, in dem 75 Schafe aus seinem Feld gestohlen wurden, möglicherweise über einen gewissen Zeitraum. Bitte bleiben Sie wachsam für Diebstähle, tun, was Sie können, um Remote-Feldern zu sichern, und ermutigen Nachbarn, Sichten von Vieh-Anhänger zu ungewöhnlichen Zeiten des Berichts zu melden. Nach oben SHEARING EFFORTS RECOGNIZED: Die 2014 BWMBLister Scheren Pers5onlichkeit des Jahres Award ist Richard Jones von Corwen, Wales gegangen (Bild). Die Auszeichnung wird jährlich für die Person, die gefördert hat und ermutigt andere Interessenten an Scheren und wer hat die Achtung der britischen Scherenindustrie gewonnen präsentiert. Richard vertrat Wales in 2012 und 2014 World Shearing Championships und wurde der erste Waliser, um eine offene Show in Neuseeland zu gewinnen. Zurück zum Anfang PREISE FÜR BLACKIE-FINISHER: Der dritte jährliche Wettbewerb für Blackface-Lämmer in Südschottland und Nord-England, der in Dunbia Llanybydder, Wales, stattfand, sah den bisher größten Einstieg von 22 Konsumenten, die Dunbia für den Sainsburyrsquos-Geschmack gekauft hatte Der Unterschied. Das Champion-Lamm kam aus der schweren Klasse und war ein 21kg U3L von W. A. Wilson amp Co, Yarrow, Scottish Borders (im Bild), und reservieren Sie ein 19kg R3L Schlachtkörper von Hugh Hamilton, Thornhill, Dumfries und Galloway. Champion Paar war zwei 18kg U3H Lämmer von Jim Walker, Sanquhar, Dumfries und Galloway. Zurück zum Anfang KÖNNEN SIE KOMMENTAR AUF DEM WERT IHRES NSA-MITGLIEDS NSA sucht nach Zeugnissen darüber, warum Sie ein Teil von NSA sind und welchen Wert Ihr Mitgliedschaftspaket hat. Wenn Sie bereit sind, einen Kommentar zu geben, dass NSA in seiner Mitgliedschaft Rekrutierung Aktivitäten verwenden können, dann bitte mailen Sie Charlotte Underwood an NSA Head Office charlottenationalsheep. org. uk. Zurück zum Anfang ANMERKUNG NSA WELSH SHEEP AUSSTELLER: Helen Davies, NSA Waliser Schaf Veranstalter, sagt Anwendungen für Stand Standfläche bei der Veranstaltung in der Nähe Ende Januar. Zuchtverbände und Firmen, die Raum reservieren möchten, sollten dies jetzt tun, indem sie Helen unter 01938 590535, 07976 803066 oder helennationalsheep. org. uk für ein Anmeldeformular kontaktieren. Bewerbungen für NSA-Veranstaltungen später im Jahr schließen zu gegebener Zeit und Sie finden Kontaktdaten für alle Veranstalter auf nationalalsheep. org. ukevents. Zurück nach oben SCOTTISH FARMERSrsquo ANSICHTEN AUF DEUTSCHER WELFARE AN SCHLACHT: Janie Orr, ein Ehrenstudent an der Royal Agricultural University, von den Scottish Borders, bittet die NSA-Mitglieder in Schottland, ihre Ansichten über das Wohlergehen bei der Schlachtung zu teilen. Klicken Sie hier für die kurze anonyme Umfrage. Zurück zum Anfang DREI JOBS AUF ANGEBOT AN AHDB: Drei sehr unterschiedliche Rollen werden derzeit von AHDB zur Unterstützung des englischen Rindfleisch - und Lammfleischsektors beworben. Eine Position ist für einen Senior Analyst in der Markt-Intelligence-Abteilung, eine Rolle, die Erforschung, Analyse, Interpretation und klar kommunizieren relevante Informationen beinhaltet. Diejenigen, die mit dem Team von Eblex vertraut sind, wissen, dass dies die Rolle von Paul Heyhoe bis vor kurzem war. Bewerbungen schließen in naher Zukunft für diese Position, so dass jeder Interessierte sollte jetzt handeln. Anwendungen für die beiden anderen Positionen sind etwas länger offen. Diese sind für einen Zuchtberater mit dem Signet Breeding Services Team, verantwortlich für die Rekrutierung und Beibehaltung der Kunden, die Beratung bei der Entwicklung von Programmen zur genetischen Verbesserung und die Schaffung von Wissen Transfer Material und ein Beef Scientist verantwortlich für die Bereitstellung einer Vielzahl von Industrie-bezogene Wissenstransfer Aktivitäten und Forschungs - und Entwicklungsprojekten. NSA REGIONAL VORSTÄNDE HOSTS SHEEP VET GESELLSCHAFT: Die Sheep Vet Society hielt ihre Frühjahrstagung in der Nähe von Weston Super Mare von Montag bis Mittwoch diese Woche (19.-21. Mai) zieht gerade mehr als 100 Delegierte, vor allem üben Tierärzte. Am zweiten Tag besuchten sie NSA Marches Region Vorsitzender Kevin Harrison in der Nähe von Bath für eine Farm-Tour und es gab viele positive Kommentare, die folgten (von beiden Delegierten und Kevin). Phil Stocker war Teil der Konferenz. Er berichtet: ldquoIt gibt Ihnen wirklich Vertrauen, wenn Sie die Zahl der begeisterten Tierärzte sehen, die an einer Fachkonferenz wie diese teilnehmen und scharf sind, ein Teil der Schaf-Tierarzt-Gesellschaft zu sein. Die Altersgruppe deutet auch darauf hin, dass es keinen Mangel an neuen Marktteilnehmern in diesem Bereich unserer Branche gibt und Schafzüchter sollten sich sicher sein, dass wir eine Gesellschaft hier im Vereinigten Königreich (SVS) haben, die für ihre Beteiligung an der Schafgesundheit und der Krankheitsforschung weltweit bekannt ist praktische Anwendung. Ich würde alle NSA-Schafzucht-Mitglieder ermutigen, ihren Tierarzt zu fragen, ob sie Teil von SVS sind, indem sie damit zweifellos einen verbesserten Service für Sie anbieten und gemeinsam können wir die Gesundheit und Produktivität unserer Schafe in die richtige Richtung fahren. Rdquo NSA DISCUSSES CAP REFORM MIT LOCHHEAD: Am Ende der vergangenen Woche treffen sich NSA-Office-Inhaber mit dem Kabinettssekretär Richard Lochhead, um die GAP-Reform, einschließlich der Zahlungsregionen und freiwilliger gekoppelter Unterstützung, zu diskutieren. Schottland betrachtet die Aufspaltung von Zahlungsregionen in landwirtschaftliche, vorübergehende Weiden und grobe Weiden und in den letzten Wochenrsquo-Treffen betonte die NSA, dass Gebietszahlungen hoch genug sein müssen, um Schafzüchtern in ganz Schottland langfristige Unterstützung und Stabilität zu bieten die Zukunft. Die Sorge ist, dass die Flächenzahlung für Rate für grobe Beweidung nicht das tun wird. George Milne, NSA Schottland Regional Development Officer, sagt: ldquoSplitting der rauen Weide Region in zwei diskutiert wurde, was etwas ist, fühlte sich Vertreter gab es eine Anforderung zu sehen. Ein Vorschlag war, auf Pillar-Zwei-Finanzierung zu schauen und zu sehen, ob irgendeine Form von top-up verabreicht werden könnte, um zusätzliche Unterstützung für diejenigen mit höheren Besatzdichten hinzuzufügen. Diskussionen um eine freiwillige gekoppelte Regelung fand auch statt, und während dies eine Option sein kann, ist es sicherlich keine Lösung und kommt mit einer riesigen Menge an Bedingungen und Bürokratie. Es wird von der Mehrheit der NSA Scottish Region Board, dass dies nicht der beste Weg nach vorne für die Schafe-Industrie, mit dem Einsatz von einer besser gezielten Flächenzahlungen stark unterstützt stattgefunden. rdquo Diskussion über alle Elemente der GAP Reform wird in der nächsten Woche fortsetzen , Vor dem Kabinettssekretär seine Ankündigung machen. NEUES LAYOUT-SCHAFE-ZENTRUM FUNKTIONIERT GUT BEI BALMORAL: Edward Adamson, NSA Nordirland-Regionalentwicklungsoffizier, berichtet, dass das gute Wetter bei Balmoral Show letzte Woche (14.-16. Mai) zugenommen hat. NSA stellte ein Schafzentrum (wie es auf dem königlichen Hochland und königlichen Walisisch) ein Festzelt zur Verfügung, das eine NSA-Anwesenheit, Zuchtgesellschaften und Handelshandelsstände einschließt. Edward berichtet: ldquoMost Besucher waren zufrieden, da theyrsquod hatte eine gute Lamm und Gras Wachstum war gut. Unser Layoutwechsel auf dem NSA-Stand hat sich positiv entwickelt und die Aussteller freuten sich. Die meisten Fragen an unserem Stand waren die Reform der GAP, die zu erwartenden Ergebnisse und die noch zu treffenden Entscheidungen. Die walisische Regierung hat am Mittwoch (20. Mai) angekündigt, dass die geplanten Gesetze, die den freien Zugang zu Land in Wales gewähren, sich verzögert hätten. Die walisische Regierung hatte am 22. Mai eine nicht unerwartet erhöhte Zahl von Politikern hervorgebracht Bis zur weiteren Konsultation. Während es wichtig ist, die Menschen zu ermutigen, die Landschaft in allen Bereichen des Vereinigten Königreichs zu genießen, waren NSA und andere äußerst besorgt, dass die walisischen Governmentrsquos Pläne nicht empfindlich genug für Landwirte und andere, die das Land verwalten. Eine Erklärung von John Griffiths, Minister für Kultur und Sport, unter Bezugnahme auf mehr Konsultation, bevor irgendeine Gesetzgebung entworfen wird, kann hier gelesen werden. BEWEGUNG AUF SCOTTISCH 13-TAGES STANDSTILL Während England und Wales schauen, um ihren sechstägigen Stillstand zu beurteilen und Nordirland hat nicht lange eine Stillstandperiode in der Krankheit lsquopeacetimersquo, hat Schottland noch eine 13 Tagesstillstandanforderung. Dies wurde bei der Tiergesundheit und Wohlfahrt Stakeholder Group Treffen in dieser Woche erhoben und eine Anfrage gestellt, um im Detail die Vor-und Nachteile der Umzug in eine kürzere Zeitskala, unter Berücksichtigung Scotlandrsquos robust Tractability-System zu diskutieren. Es wurde vereinbart, in naher Zukunft ein Treffen einzuberufen, in dem alle interessierten Kreise eingeladen werden, die aktuelle Situation vollständig zu untersuchen. KAMPFENDES LÄNDLICHES VERBRECHEN: Seit dem Schreiben an alle Polizeikräfte im Vereinigten Königreich, um das Profil der Schafe zu erhöhen, die durch Hunde sich sorgen, hat NSA alle Elemente der landwirtschaftlichen Verbrechen in den letzten Wochen diskutiert. Dazu gehörte auch Caitlin Peck, der NSA-Kommunikationsbeauftragte, der gestern (Donnerstag, 22. Mai) an der Herefordshire Rural Crime Conference teilnahm, als wichtige Mitglieder der Westmizia-Streitkräfte die Polizei und die Öffentlichkeit aufforderten, gemeinsam gegen die Landeskriminalität vorzugehen. Diskussion auf dem Treffen, an der sich Landwirte und Vertreter der Industrie beteiligten, konzentrierte sich auf eine Vertrauens - und Kooperationspolitik mit Bürgermeister Patrick Darling (High Sheriff von Herefordshire), David Shaw (Chief Constable of West Mercia Police) und Bill Longmore (Police Und Verbrechenkommissar) unter denen, die für Mitglieder der ländlichen Gemeinde appelliert, um die polizeiliche Handlung auf die ländliche Kriminalität durch Berichterstattung über Zwischenfälle und den Austausch von Informationen zu helfen. Es gab auch Versprechen einer erneuten Anstrengung unter den Polizeikräften im Gebiet, um ländliche Vorfälle zu priorisieren. Herr Shaw sagte: "Heute ist der Beginn einer sehr bedeutenden Veränderung. Ich kann nicht ehrlich sagen, weve einige von Ihnen den Fokus, den Sie verdienen. Wir müssen bilden, was im wahren Sinne eine partnership. quot Crime Risk Adviser Charles Naylor sprach über die Stop That Thief Schema in Kingham, die gesehen hat, Landwirte passen Tore und Türen mit Alarmen, die ausgelöst werden, wenn ein möglicher Verbrecher nähert, beabsichtigt Erschrecken Einbrecher, bevor sie eine Pause einleiten können. Das Projekt war ein Erfolg in Kingham und wird nun über Herefordshire Landwirte in diesem Bereich gerollt werden sollten ihre lokalen Polizei wenden, um ein Interesse auszudrücken. REMINDER 1: TAIL DOCKING: Mit der Show und Verkauf Saison nähert sich eine Zeit, wenn viele unserer Schafe zu sehen sind. Es kann ein wenig spät sein, dass Docking bereits geschehen ist, aber NSA möchte alle Schafzüchter an die gesetzlichen Anforderungen des Docking Schaf erinnern. Die Verordnung über den Schutz von Viehbeständen (verbotene Operationen) 1982 in der Fassung des Gesetzes über den Schutz der Viehbestände (verbotene Operationen) (Amendment Regulations 1987) verbietet das Heckdocken von Schafen, solange nicht ausreichend Schwanz zur Abdeckung der Vulva bei weiblichen Schafen und der Anus bei männlichen Schafen. REMINDER 2: RÜCKTRITTSZEITEN Die FSA prüft routinemäßig auf Rückstände von Arzneimitteln und Parasitenbehandlungen, um die Lebensmittelsicherheit zu gewährleisten. This relates to stated withdrawal periods being properly met and the NSA encourages all sheep farmers for the sake of confidence and trust in our product to adhere closely to withdrawal periods and to ensure that medicine books and flock registers are up to date. ASULAM NOW ON SALE FOR EMERGENCY USE FROM JULY: The Bracken Control Group reports that, as anticipated, asulam has been granted an Emergency Authorisation for bracken control in 2014. The Emergency Authorisation has two periods the one permits purchase and storage of asulam products between Monday 19th May and Monday 15th September, and the other permits application between Tuesday 1st July and Friday 31st October. It is illegal to apply or store asulam outside those dates. There are rules about methods of application (e. g. weed wipers, drift sprayers and spot applicators are not authorised) and information about this, plus a list of contractors, can be found at brackencontrol. co. uk . GET SHEEP MARKET PRICES ON NEW EBLEX APP: Eblex has launched a new mobile app providing the latest market prices and trends along with access to the most popular areas of the Eblex website. Users will be able to view events, news, localised weather reports and other tools and resources on their mobile phone. James Wilde of Eblex says: ldquoThe app obviously needs wi-fi or mobile data connectivity to download and update but, importantly, it means latest saved data can be accessed even when off-line, which is an advantage in more rural areas where coverage can be patchy at best. It means producers, processors and other industry stakeholders can access key services without waiting until they are in front of a computer screen. rdquo The Eblex Mobile app is available for free on both Apple and Android platforms. To find it, visit Applersquos App Store or Google Play and search for Eblex. NEW SHEEPDOG TRIAL AT NSA SOUTH SHEEP: Visitors to NSA South Sheep 2014 on Saturday 28th June will be treated to a new sheepdog trial, introduced for the first time at this yearrsquos event. The competition, which will take place in a picturesque valley setting on the event site, is being organised by the Sussex Sheep Dog Society and will feature Open and Novice classes. Anyone wishing to enter should send their details, including name, address, telephone number and email, to John Marsh, West End Farm, Gatehouse Lane, Goddards Green, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9LE, 01444 246962 or westendtalktalk. net. Find out more about the sheepdog trial and other events at NSA South Sheep 2014 here. AND REMEMBER THERE IS ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENTER THE NSA SOUTH SHEEP PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION - CLICK HERE TO ENTERFOR DETAILS. SIX SHEARING COURSES IN NI IN JUNE: CAFRE and BWMB are running a series of shearing courses across Northern Ireland in June, aimed at everyone from the complete novice to the competitioncontract shearer. The courses are two days each (9.30am-4.20pm each day) and will cover every aspect of shearing, from setting up equipment and pens to packing and presenting the fleece for sale. Course locations are Claudy (6th7th June), Saintfield (10th11th), Draperstown (13th14th), Kilcoo (17th18th), Ballycastle (20th21st) and Glenwherry (24th25th). Booking is compulsory contact CAFRErsquos industry training administration team at Greenmount Campus on 02894 426873 or industry. trainingadmindardni. gov. uk . THREE FARM WALKS FOCUSING ON LAMB GROWTH RATES: The next step in QMSrsquos project to drive efficiency in the lamb supply chain is a series of free farm walks organised by the Borders, South West and Central lamb supply chain groups. All three farm walks will focus on maximising lamb growth rates in early season through good grazing and flock health management, plus optimal weights for selling lambs. The first walk is hosted by Graham Lofthouse, Bankhouse, Stow (27th May), then Colin Mair, Montgomerieston, Dalrymple, Ayrshire (28th May), and the James Hutton Institute farm, Hartwood, Shotts (10th June). Register your attendance with Kirsty at QMS on 01314 724040 or infoqmscotland. co. uk . FOCUS FARM EVENTS TO LEAD EBLEX HEALTH AND WELFARE CAMPAIGN: Eblex is creating a network of 19 sheep focus farms across England as part of a campaign addressing health and welfare issues. The farms will play host to a series of events during the 12-month project, starting with a programme of summer meetings focusing on lameness and the five-point lameness management plan. Both upland and lowland farms have been selected. The first focus farm meetings will be held in Callington, Cornwall, on 28th May and Dorchester, Dorset, on 5th June. As well as the activity on the focus farms, Eblex will be running a number of sheep health workshops designed to help farmers focus on issues on their own farms. These sessions will cover health planning, lameness, infertility and scab. See Eblexrsquos events schedule here . ENTRIES OPEN FOR BRITISH FARMING AWARDS: Entries are now open for Farmers Guardianrsquos lsquoBritish Farming Awardsrsquo, which recognise creative thinking and progress in agriculture. If you know someone who has made a change or innovation in their sheep farming business, why not nominate them for Sheep Innovator of the Year You can even nominate yourself There are 11 categories in total, including Farming Partnership of the Year, Family Farming Business of the Year and Farmers Guardianrsquos Farming Hero. Entries close on 31st July. Find out more here . JOINT WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT WANTED: Pearly Sanjita Garg and Sophie Turrell (both 17) are looking for a two-week placement on a sheep farm anywhere in the UK, ideally in mid-July. Both are A-level students looing to study veterinary science and have experience working with animals, including the two of them completing a lambing course. They would like to be placed together and are keen to take on any sort of farm work, saying they are enthusiastic and keen to learn. They are based in Woodford Green, Essex, so would require accommodation if travelling any distance. You can contact the pair on pearly. s.garghotmail. co. uk or 07825 017362. NEW L EGAL HELPLINE ON OFFER FOR NSA MEMBERS: NSA is delighted to offer a new legal helpline for members, at no extra cost over the existing membership fee. You can call Clarke Willmott LPP, a national law firm, for up to 30 minutes of free advice on the telephone, after which you can instruct them to take further action if appropriate or use an alternative company. When you call the hotline number of 08719 193505 and give your NSA membership number you will be directed to the best person to deal with the enquiry in Clarke Wilmottrsquos agricultural team. There is no limit to the number of times you can use the service, so you can access additional 30-minutes sessions if you have more than one legal issue over a year, but you must have your NSA membership number to hand. STUNNON STUN DEBATE CONTINUES: Following another All Party Parliamentary Group debate on this subject, the media focused heavily on halal and stunnon-stun slaughter yesterday and today (Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May). Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: ldquoOne of the most disturbing things is how radio phone-in programmes give a voice to callers irrespective of whether the information they give is right or wrong, and Irsquom sure many people will have got the impression over the last couple of days that if itrsquos halal itrsquos not pre-stunned this is very wrong. New Zealand lamb attracted a lot of attention but we know the vast majority of lamb from NZ is to halal standards and is also pre-stunned, giving the best possible welfare at point of death. NZ processors do this so they have the widest access to all the markets they supply, and this is no different from our main processors here in the UK. While I can accept the value of giving maximum information to the consumer this somehow also needs to be backed up with accurate and realistic knowledge and the contentious issue here for most of the public is not whether itrsquos halal accredited or not, itrsquos whether its pre stunned or not. Defra has made it clear that the Government does not intend to take away the rights of religious communities, so non-stun slaughter will continue, but the derogation to the slaughter regulation is to allow for where this demand exists and as far as possible should be limited. rdquo Read the NSA press statement here . TWO DOZEN BREEDS REPRESENTED AT NSA FORUM: NSArsquos annual event for sheep breed societies attracted a very healthy audience, with 50 attendees representing 24 breed societies. The event focused on the need for pedigree breeders to meet the demands of the commercial farmer and a full report can be read here. Pictured below pedigree breeders Dai Morris (far left), Margaret Lawrence (centre) and Tim Tyne (far right) with commercial farmers Sion Jones (left) and Martin Greenfield (right) they all provided case studies of the working relationship between breeders and producers. A separate summary report has also been sent to all NSA affiliated breed societies. LOTS OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR NSA BOARD MEETING: This Wednesday (7th May) saw the NSA Board of Trustees met at the Sheep Centre, Malvern, for the second of its meetings in 2014. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, explains the set-up here: ldquoThis body of men and women are Trustees and Directors of the Charitable Company of the NSA so oversee the governance of the association as well as giving guidance on more practical sheep farming matters. The Board is supported by a Finance and General Purposes Committee and a UK Policy and Technical Committee in respective financial and HR, and policy and technical matters it may sound complicated but it gives a sound base to the NSA and works really well in practice This weekrsquos meeting included subjects as broad as ensuring that the association is optimising the use of our resources, including our HQ site at Malvern and our financial reserves, planning for our annual report and this yearrsquos AGM, and also discussing our three main events for 2014 NSA Scot Sheep in Berwickshire on Wednesday 4th June, NSA South Sheep on Saturday 28th June, and NSA Sheep 2014 at Malvern on Wednesday 30th July. Suffice to say our Trustees went home looking more tired than they arrivedrdquo LATEST ON MOVEMENT REPORTING IN ENGLAND: The new ARAMs movement reporting system is now just over a month into operation and although there were introductory hiccups we can report that (whatever is said in the farming press) that Defra and SouthWestern (the company operating ARAMs) are working hard, taking guidance from industry bodies including NSA, to make rapid improvements so the system operates effectively for the industry. One of the first teething problems was that the list of CPH registered for sheep, provided by AHVLA to SouthWestern, clearly didnrsquot cover all the holdings actually keeping sheep. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: ldquoWe have been urging sheep farmers to check with AHVLA that all their holdings are properly registered, which has definitely helped, but AHVLA and SouthWestern also took this on board and on Wednesday night this week the ARAMs system was closed overnight to allow all CPHs registered for any species to be loaded into their system simply allowing recognition when sheep farmers try to register. There are now over 2,250 farmers with electronic accounts registered with ARAMs, around 7 of sheep keepers in England, and with many of the hiccups now being overcome and more numbers of sheep starting to move we would expect many more to register over the coming months. Of course paper moves from farms are still perfectly permissible and while ARAMs is still accepting the old ALMS forms, the new ARAMs movement forms should be being used and can be downloaded and printed from their website and should also be available from markets and abattoirs. rdquo FINAL REMINDER This is your final reminder ahout the NSA Sheep Event video competition (with a prize fund of 700), as entries close on Friday 16th May. Klicken Sie hier für mehr Details. EBLEX REPORT LINKS LAMBING BCS WITH WEANING WEIGHTS: An Eblex report has linked ewe body condition score (BCS) at lambing with lamb weaning weights. The study shows that for every one unit increase in a ewersquos BCS at lambing (up to BCS 3.5) her lambs would each weigh 1.5kg more at weaning. This pattern highlights the benefit of targeting optimum BCS at lambing, as thinner and fatter ewes are vulnerable to other problems too. Ewe BCS at eight weeks post lambing and the change in BCS from lambing showed no effect on lamb weaning weights. Nerys Wright of Eblex says: ldquoEwes with greater fat reserves are better placed to meet the milk production demands of lambs when diet is deficient by mobilising body fat. Thinner ewes are likely to struggle when the energy is deficient, because they have less body fat to mobilise. The rate a ewe mobilises body fat to meet requirements during lactation can affect her performance in the next tupping season. Ewes which are thin at weaning will require additional time and supplementary feed to achieve the optimum BCS for tupping. rdquo Target scores for different types of ewe can be found in the EBLEX BRP publications Target Ewe Management for Better Returns and Improving Ewe Nutrition for Better Returns . DONrsquoT GET CARELESS OVER LIVER FLUKE: SAC Consulting has put out a warning this week following concerns that sheep farmers are getting careless about liver fluke because it did not hit the headlines as much this winter as last. Heather Stevenson, SAC Consultant, says: ldquoThe very welcome drier summer of 2013 put the brakes on fluke development. There were fewer wet areas for the mud snail that hosts the fluke during part of its life cycle and this in turn meant there were fewer numbers of infectious cysts on the autumn grass for sheep to ingest. In addition the increased awareness of fluke encouraged farmers to treat their stock for fluke and reduced losses. But if it rains a lot this summer fluke eggs passed in dung at this time of year will end up as infectious cysts on the autumn grazing. Since the weather canrsquot be accurately predicted it is better to be safe than sorry and the MayJune period is a good time to treat sheep in order to break the fluke cycle. rdquo Remember, treatment is specific to your farm so consult your vet or animal health advisor first and pick a product that is suitable for the time of year. More information at scops. org. uk. And read the latest instalment from lsquoGeorgersquos Journalrsquothe Scottish Fluke Action Group here . FLYSTRIKE WARNING: A couple of NSA members have already reported cases of flystrike, due to the wet and warm weather. The forecast is damp again for many places this weekend so many flocks will see an increased threat. SEE YOU AT BALMORAL SHOW: If yoursquore at Balmoral Show this week (Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th May) call in to the NSA Sheep Centre, featuring trade stands from NSA, breed societies and commercial companies. Itrsquos located next to the sheep judging rings. EXCELLENT FARM TOURS AVAILABLE FOR SCOT SHEEP VISITORS: Visitors to NSA Scot Sheep 2014 will have the chance to look around host farm Quixwood and ask questions about its stratified closed flock system. A 45-minute guided tour will be running on the day of the event, taking in soil condition demonstrations by SRUC and display areas of different grass species courtesy of Watson Seeds. Quixwood is farmed by John Macfarlane and his son Ian, who run 1,500 ewes over its 2,500 acres. The farm policy is focused on minimising feed imports through the use of home grown feed. The Macfarlanes produce their own Mules to put to Texel tups, and breed their progeny with Suffolk rams to get slaughter lambs. Iain Macfarlane says ldquoWe are planning to take this policy one stage further by breeding our own replacement Blackface ewes in the futurerdquo. Find more information about Quixwood Farm and NSA Scot Sheep here. CALLING ALL YOUNG SHEPHERDS: Itrsquos no too late to enter the NSA Marches Region Young Shepherd of the Year competition on Saturday 7th June. Under 27s can compete for a 600 prize fund. Click here for an entry form. TWO FARM WALKS AT EASY CARE OPEN DAY: The Easy Care Sheep Society is inviting NSA members to its annual open day and farm visits at Abbey St Bathans, Dunns, Scottish Borders, TD11 3TX on Friday 6th June. The event will start at the village hall at 11am and tour the farms of Charley and Andrea Walker (1,000 Easy Care ewes and 65 Welsh Black sucklers) and Duncan and Laura Shell (2,000 Easy Care ewes and 150 Angus cattle) before returning to the village hall for tea and discussion. There will also be an annual dinner that evening in Berwick-on-Tweed. Contact Iolo Owen if you wish to attend 01289 331133 or infoeasycaresheep. org. uk. Please note NSA Scot Sheep is in a similar area on Wednesday 4th June consider combining the two events if yoursquore travelling long distances ONE SHEEP FARM WALK AND FIVE RUSH CONTROL EVENTS IN WALES: Farming Connect demonstration farmers Richard Rogers is opening his farm gates on Anglesey on Thursday 15th May and inviting sheep farmer Neil Perkins (who also farms on the Welsh coastline but almost as far south from Anglesey as possible) to look at his sheep management systems. Click here for information and booking instructions. Farming Connect is also running five events looking at rush management options on Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st May. Click here for times and locations. 12-MONTH PLACEMENT WANTED: Liberty Turner (17) is looking for a 12-month middle year placement to start in September, as part of her level 3 extended diploma in agriculture at Reaseheath College. Liberty comes from a farming background of commercial and pedigree sheep and beef and is very interested in the sheep side. She has started her own pedigree Texel flock. Liberty says she is hardworking, full of enthusiasm and willing to take on any kind of work. Contact her on 07958 485327 or liblob. ltgooglemail . C AP, TSEs AND EID TOLERANCE DISCUSSED AS SECRETARY OF STATE SPENDS DAY WITH NSA: Happening just 48 hours after Defras announcement that it was moving CAP money up the hill to such an extent that moorland would see a 90 increase in payments to 56 per hectare, the long-anticipated visit from Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, yesterday (Thursday 1st May) was ideally timed. NSA Chairman John Geldard invited Mr Paterson to visit his farm near Kendal, Cumbria, when he first replaced Jim Paice in the top job at Defra 18 months ago, so it was great to see the visit finally going ahead, taking in a number of rural businesses at the gateway to the Lake District. John (right) is pictured here with Mr Paterson (middle) and NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker (left). Phil told Mr Paterson that was NSA was very pleased with steps taken to move direct payments to farmers (Pillar One) up the hill but would have like to see more progress on money being better targeted to active farmers. He highlighted the equal importance of Rural Development Programme (Pillar Two) money going directly to farmers too, describing the proposed NSA Animal Health Scheme as a way to increase productivity and competitiveness, while also improving resource efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Phil says: ldquoWe ac knowledge the animal health budget within RDPE is insufficient to fund this scheme on a major scale, but we strongly believe it is justifiable to talk about r eassessment of Pillar Two priorities and a more equal balance between environmental projects and resource efficiency within food production systems. After all, itrsquos still a Common Agricultural Policy not a Common Environmental Policy. I think Mr Paterson appreciates NSArsquos stance on this issue and the importance of not forgetting the vital role livestock farms play in economic activity and feeding the nation as well as further improving our iconic landscapes and environments. There is a lot of common ground between us when we talk about production, profitability and environmental enhancement running hand in hand. quot With the Secretary of State speaking very passionately about the role of agriculture and rural business in strengthening the UK economy, the visit also presented an ideal opportunity to talk about two key issues that NSA members know are holding the sector back carcase splitting and the lack of tolerance for EID read rates. Mr Paterson picked both of these up very strongly and NSA will follow up the dialogue to ensure they remain on the agenda within Defra. John says: ldquoThe Secretary of State must be congratulated for his strong convictions and clear vision that agriculture is a vital part of our countryrsquos economy. Now is a tim e of opportunity and it was very heartening to find common ground when discussing the huge potential within the sheep sector. rdquo ENDEMIC DISEASE A PRIORITY FOR RDPE: The day with Owen Paterson yesterday was perfectly bookended by two crucial meetings on Wednesday and today about the Rural Development Programme in England. The RDP team in Defra has held a series of workshops looking at potential animal health and welfare schemes in the future and the third of three sessions was held today (Friday 2nd May) in London. This was proceeded by a Sheep Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG) meeting on Wednesday (30th April) when consensus was reached on a scheme along the lines of what NSA has been proposing for some time now, financially incentivising farmers to proactively tackle endemic diseases appropriate to their farm, gaining funding for veterinary input and testing and grant funding for on-farm equipment such as handling and identification kit, quarantine facilities and biosecurity measures. The sheep group proposal to the RDP team today was along very similar lines to the cattle, poultry and pig sectors and so the next step is to model a scheme that all livestock farmers can access and make applicable to their farm. Joanne Briggs, NSA Communications Manager, attended todayrsquos meeting. She says: ldquoWe are a very long way from definitely having a workable scheme, but steps are being made in the right direction. It is just very frustrating that all the RDPE streams seem to be so tightly confined by Defra, with little appetite for formulating programmes that cover more than one area. The pots of money are also incredibly small with 87 of the RDPE budget already allocated for agri-environment schemes. rdquo MORE NSA ACTION ON SHEEP WORRYING BY DOGS: The NSA sheep worrying by dogs campaign continued apace this week with letters sent to all police forces and regional Police and Crime Commissioners in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NSA outlined the seriousness of the problem in rural areas and urban fringes and the incredible variability in police engagement around the UK revealed by the NSA survey of sheep farmers. The letters also highlighted the growing problem with rural crime in general and asked the police to engage with NSA and others to tackle sheep rustling as well as sheep worrying. Today (Friday 2nd May) also saw an excellent debate about sheep worrying on BBC Radio 2rsquos Jeremy Vine show, involving NSA Marches Region Kevin Harrison. Click here to listen again. As an example of the variability of action being taken by police forces, Avon and Somerset Constabulary is leading the way with the launch of a new Rural Crime Team. The team is promoting Farm Watch Schemes and encouraging farmers to mark property as ways to tackle rural crime. Superintendent Ian Wylie says: ldquoWe understand rural crime has a huge impact on both individuals and the local economy and, whilst it is falling, it still cost the UK 43m in 2012. We are already working closely with farmers and rural communities and over the past six months we have been talking directly to them to discuss the issues that concern them the most and ways we can improve our service. Launching the rural crime team is a direct result of those conversations. rdquo Find out more about activity in Avon and Somerset with at avonandsomerset. police. uk. or local residents can call 101 and ask to speak to the local policing team. SECOND 3IN1 FEEDER GIVEN AWAY: The second of six 3in1 Advantage Feeders has been given away in the NSA 2014 membership recruitment campaign, this time to Worcestershire farmer Andrew Baxter. A draw for the feeder is held every two months, with all new members eligible plus existing members who recommend a friend or neighbour. Mr Baxter is pictured here (centre) with NSA Marches Region Chairman Kevin Harrison (left) and Robert Ball of Advantage Feeders (right). Mr Baxter is a tenant on the Croome Estate, farming 670 acres in partnership with his wife. They run 350 ewes and 100 sucklers, as well as growing 450 acres of combinable crops. The North Country Mule ewes are put to Suffolk rams and the finished lambs sold through Worcester Market. The sheep and cattle are primarily grazed on HLS grassland that makes up part of the National Trustrsquos Croome Landscape Park. Mr Baxter paid to upgrade from the 800 model (holds 500kg of feed) to the 1800 (1,150kg). Download an entry form to pass to a friend and view terms and conditions atnationalsheep. org. uk . DONrsquoT MISS NSA VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS: The deadline for the NSA Sheep Event video competition (with a prize fund of 700) is Friday 16th May. Remember, you do not need to submit a fully edited, professional video as event partner Farmers Guardian will be lending an expert hand to the eight shortlisted entries before them go live online for the big vote. Klicken Sie hier für mehr Details. And if photography is more your thing, entries are open for a new photography competition, the results of which will be announced at NSA South Sheep on Saturday 28th July. The theme for the competition is simply sheep and competitors are welcome to enter any image relating to the sheep sector. There is a 80 prize fund for entries into the Open section and 60 in the Junior section, Entries will be judged by a panel of NSA representatives, South Eastern Farmer magazine and the event photographer, but visitors to South Sheep will also be able to vote for the peoples choice with a prize fund of 50. Enter here before Saturday 31st May. NADIS BULLETIN AVAILABLE: The latest Health Bulletin from the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) is available now, plus a NADIS webinar. sponsored by Eblex and DairyCo, offering disease alerts and topical disease challenges. LEATHERJACK NUMBERS AT RECORD HIGH: An annual survey carried out by SRUC in west and central Scotland has revealed that leatherjackets (daddy long leg larvae) are at a 39-yer high and posing a significant threat to grassland. Professor Davy McCracken, SRUC Ecologist, says: ldquoWhile over 90 of the fields sampled contained more than 0.6 million grubs per hectare, nearly 60 of the fields harboured populations of over two million per hectare. Densities like that, if left untreated, are likely to result in severe and visible damage to the grass sward or any spring crops sown after the grass. One result showed 13.6 million grubs per hectare, the highest density we have ever found in one field. Uninformed insurance spraying is not recommended, as grub populations can vary, not only from area to area but also within an area and from field to field on the same farm. It is essential that an assessment of leatherjacket densities is conducted prior to deciding whether any insecticide application is necessary. If it is needed then an insecticide should be applied as soon as the ground is dry enough to bear machinery. rdquo SAC Consulting recommends that pre-ploughing insecticide treatments when the field is still under grass are more effective than those applied once any damage is under way in the spring-sown crop. DATA SUGGESTS TOO MANY LAMBS KEPT BACK IN HOPE OF RISING PRICES: Eblex has called for the sheep industry to tackle the problem of over-fat lamb production. New figures released by the levy board reveal that while the proportion of old season lambs with a classification of lsquoR3L or leanerrsquo increased by 2.2 in 2013, the percentage of new season lambs falling within that class dropped from 60.1 in 2012 to 58.8 in 2013. Eblex suggests the rise in over-fat new season lambs may have been caused by additional creep feeding as a result of last yearrsquos poor spring weather. The figures also show that in November and December 2013 more than one in four lambs classified as lsquoR or betterrsquo fell into fat class 3H or above, leading to concerns that some farmers have been keeping lambs back in the expectation of price rises. Eblex Beef and Sheep Scientist Dylan Laws says: ldquoLambs in the correct condition for their designated market will maximise returns. Frequent, careful handling of stock is essential to ensure each animal has reached its target specification. rdquo Click here for more detail and links to information about Eblex Better Returns Programme live-to-dead days held regularly at abattoirs across England. NEW BOOK BITES BACK AT MONBIOT AND CO The perfect antidote to the George Monbiot-led campaign to re-wild the uplands of the UK comes in the form of Philip Wallingrsquos new book about the role of sheep in Britainrsquos history and future. Counting Sheep is reviewed in the MayJune edition of Sheep Farmer magazine, which will be arriving with members any day now, and the author has also agreed to participate in lsquoThe Big Debatersquo at the NSA Sheep Event on Wednesday 30th July (the same event that Mr Monbiot has declined an invitation to). The Daily Mail has even given Counting Sheep a good review Find it here . COULD YOU BE A FARMING MENTOR The Get Mentoring in Farming programme has just passed half way in its recruitment of farmer-mentors and has announced a series of training events for mentors Exeter on 6th May, Hertfordshire on 16th May, the Peak District on 22nd May, Warwickshire on 2nd June, Northumberland on 4th June, plus trade stands at NBA Beef Expo on 22nd May and the Livestock Event on 2nd and 3rd July. Trained mentors will be matched with farming businesses seeking support at Meet a Mentor events planned from July onwards. Get Mentoring in Farming is run by the Sfedi Group and supported by the Lloyds Banking Group, LANTRA, the Farming Community Network, Waitrose and the National Federation of Young Farmersrsquo Clubs. Sarah Trouten, SFEDI Group says: ldquoWe are looking for mentors who can bring their experience to bear in areas including business growth, diversification, reducing costs, improving performance and using technology. Ideally, we are looking for people who have been there and done it themselves. Their ability to share that knowledge with others could prove the difference between a business succeeding or failing. rdquo Find out more atgetmentoringinfarming. org. uk . SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TARGETS SOCIAL MEDIA WITH POSITIVE FARMING MESSAGE: The Scottish Governmentrsquos Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) has created a new Facebook page to run fun rural facts, posts on rural topics, Scottish food recipes and videosinterviews with Drew Sloan, Chief Agricultural Officer, and others within RPID, plus footage out and about on farms across Scotland. Find the Facebook page here. And donrsquot forget the NSA Facebook page either Itrsquosnationalsheep. org. uknatsheep . WOOL DEPOT OPEN DAY: The British Wool Marketing Board has invited NSA members to an open day at its Devon and Cornwall Wools Depot this Thursday (Thursday 8th May) at Pathfields, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3DU. Guided tours of the depot will run through the day (10.30am-3pm), looking at intake, grading and packing. There will also be wool demonstrations, sheet frame demonstrations, a competition to identify sheep breeds and information on prices, shearing training and the Campaign for Wool. Ian Hartley, BWMB Chief Executive, senior staff and boardcommittee members will be around all day to answer questions. To attend contact Depot Manager Mike Berry on122britishwool. org. uk or 01769 572178. Please note that this event clashes with the NSA Breed Society Forum at the Royal Welsh Showground, so we ask that breed society secretaries and representatives do not double-book themselves GRAZING FOR GROWTH CONFERENCE IN SCOTLAND: Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has organised a Grazing for Growth Conference on Friday 30th May at United Auctions, Stirling. The event is part of a new campaign by QMS to help Scottish livestock farmers increase liveweight gain from pasture and wil include a programme of expert speakers followed by a visit to the Forth Monitor Farm. QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist Michael Blanche says: ldquoThe aim of this event, which will feature a diverse line-up of expert speakers from around the globe, is to take a fresh look at grazing and animal performance from pasture. rdquo Attendance is free of charge. To request a place emailinfoqmscotland. co. uk or call 01314 724040. Find out more here . DUTCH STUDENT SEEKING 10-WEEK WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT: Dirk de Bruijn (22) is looking for a 10-week placement from the beginning of June, either on a commercial sheep farm or a mixed farm that includes sheep. The placement is a compulsory part of Dirkrsquos studies at the Higher School of Business Studies and Agribusiness in the Netherland, and he is trying to find a UK-based placement to improve his English and also learn more about the UK sheep sector. Dutch students are expected to live the family during their placement and do not require remuneration, although they will need some spare time to write reports and papers. Dirkrsquos family runs a large sheep flock, so he is very experienced in all aspects of handling sheep. He also has a driving license and HGV license. Email Dirk on dirk-de-bruijnhotmail . PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO THEN SPREAD THE WORD FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN 400: With the nation getting excited about the launch of Lambing Live this weekend (visit the dedicated BBC page here ) now is the time to put your own filmmaking skills to the test and enter the brand new NSA video competition ahead of the NSA Sheep Event on Wednesday 30th July. The competition is to find the best lsquoadvertrsquo for a career in sheep farming, and donrsquot worry if yoursquove never picked up film camera before, as help is on hand. We all know how rewarding living and working in the countryside can be, producing top quality lamb for British and international consumers, so this is your chance to shout about it and encourage youngsters to consider taking a shepherding job or a role in ancillary services when they are older. Show off how beautiful your corner of the UK is, how proud you are of your stock and why there are enough good things about your job to outweigh the days when it just never stops raining This is how the competition will work:- Submit your video by Friday 16th May tips below An NSA judging panel will shortlist eight videos A skilled videographer at Farmers Guardian will edit the selected videos to create eight three-minute adverts and host them online The big online vote begins vote for your favourite The best three or four will be aired on large screens at the NSA Sheep Event for the final vote, and the video with the best combined vote (judging panel, online vote and event vote) will receive 400 first prize, with second and third attracting 200 and 100 respectively. You do not need to send in a properly edited video, just take lots of footage on your farm (up to one hour) and Farmers Guardian will do the rest. Tips for sending in footage include taking shots of your farm and you at work, as well as spoken bits to the camera. You can send the footage in any format but, particularly if you are using a video on a mobile phone, please select a high setting so the filming is of high quality. Sent your video to enquiriesnationalsheep. org. uk marked lsquoSheep Event Video Competitionrsquo. Click here for full terms and conditions. 10 DAYS TO MAKE SURE YOUrsquoRE IN THE NSA FREE PRIZE DRAW: There are just 10 days left before the end of the month when the second draw will be made it the NSA 2014 membership recruitment campaign to win an Advantage 3-in-1 Feeder (pictured). Everyone who joins the NSA automatically gets entered in the draw and existing members can also get their name in the hat if they recommend a friend or neighbour to sign up. There is no limit to the number of entries per person (the more people you recommend the more entries you get) and if yoursquore not successful this time your name will remain in the hat for the four other draws being held this year. Find membership application forms, more information and terms and conditions at nationalsheep. org. ukdraw. or go to pages 10 and 11 in the MarchApril edition of Sheep Farmer magazine. NSA SCOTLAND GETS MORE CAP DETAIL FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT: Today (Friday 21st March) saw NSA Scottish Region Chairman Sybil Macpherson, Vice Chairman Ian Hepburn and Development Officer George Milne meet with Scottish Government officials to discuss CAP reform ahead of the Governmentrsquos consultation closing next week. George reports: ldquoWe discussed in detail the benefits and consequences of using coupled support in the sheep sector. It became clear that whilst an additional 5 of the budget may be available for coupled support, there were many burdens that would come on the back of this scheme being used. However, at this stage, all options remain open. We also discussed the possibility of splitting rough grazing into two regions, and it may well be that the use of land classifications may be an option to do this. Also discussed in detail was the splitting of the budget between region one and region two. The conclusions will be up for debate following the closure of the consultation, but at this stage we now have enough information to progress with a response that will provide the best outcome for the sheep sector. rdquo NSA RESPONSE TO GLASTIR CONSULTATION IN WALES COMING TOGETHER: The Glastir consultation in Wales closes a week today (Friday 28th March) and NSA has been firming up its response. As well as feeding opinions to NSA, farmers in Wales are also able to respond individually if they chose click here. A few significant points include the ability to enter into targeted agreements without being part of an entry level scheme, the shifting of resources more towards targeted initiatives and away from entry level schemes for all, and proposals to offer advanced schemes and payments to all land over the 400 metre moorland line rather than just common land (this is possibly the ANC, areas of natural constraint approach, although no ANC in Wales has been confirmed yet). Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, adds: ldquoThere is recognition within the consultation document of examples where biodiversity and habitats have been damaged through a lack of grazing (finally we are starting to see recognition that livestock farming is central to upland ecology) with proposals to introduce minimum stocking levels to ensure optimum grazing levels. Any views from members would be well received and copies of our draft response to help with individual responses can be provided by email. rdquo Email Helen Davies, NSA CymruWales Regional Development Officer, at helennationalsheep. org. uk . SIX-DAY STANDSTILL CLAIM BY MP COULD CAUSE CONFUSION: Followers of the Lib Dem MP Tim Farron may have seen that Tim has claimed to have secured the abandonment of the six-day standstill rule in England by 2017, following a meeting with Farming Minister George Eustice. NSA welcomes this intervention but we would not like members expectations to be falsely built. NSA has been lobbying hard for the implementation of all the MacDonald recommendations relating to sheep (not just the six-day standstill but also tolerance on sheep tagging requirements and other issues) and was informed by Defra some time ago that there would be a full review of the six-day standstill but no guarantee it will be abandoned although abandonment is now one of the options that will be considered, whereas it wouldnrsquot have been entertained six months ago. The one decision that has been confirmed in England is the extension of the five-mile radius requirements to a 10 mile radius in 2016. We will continue to keep members informed of decisions as they are made, and keep up the pressure on Defra in this area. OFFICIAL DEFRA GUIDANCE ON NEW MOVEMENT REPORTING OPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE: Defra has posted its new official guidance document to all registered sheep keepers in England today (Friday 21st March) so you should receive your copy in the coming days. This is an updated version of its lsquoIdentifying Sheep and Goats: Guidance on the Rules for Keepers in Englandrsquo (last updated in December 2009) and Defra has asked us to inform you that this is the very final time they will be posting a copy of this document out, as all subsequent updates will be made to the online version only. This is part of the Governmentrsquos lsquodigital strategyrsquo and a general move towards putting everything online. A copy of the new guidance can be found in the members-only area of the NSA website, alongside information from SouthWestern about the new electronic database and a QampA created by NSA. If you do not know how to log into the members-only area at nationalsheep. org. uk. please email enquiriesnationalsheep. org. uk . NEW EBLEX BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED: AHDB has appointed seven new EBLEX board members, including NSA Vice President and former Chairman Peter Baber. The other five new farmer members are Ed Green, Steve Conisbee, Philip Abbott, James Evans and Duncan Nelless, and public health nutritionist Gill Fine is joining as an independent member. All six incoming farmer members run sheep as part of their farming enterprises. Gill Fine is a former director of consumer choice and dietary health at the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The new appointees will take up their posts on 1st April. GET THAT SPADE OUT TO ASSESS WATER DAMAGE: We may not have seen much frost or snow this winter but the amount of rainfall certainly made up for it and shows again that we are living in changeable and uncertain times. But wersquove now had a couple of weeks of far drier weather, drying winds and even some sunshine, and the result is that we are seeing ewes and lambs being turned out and grass starting to move in some areas. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: ldquoGetting that grass moving is important, and considering the impact the wet weather may have had on soils equally important. All soils and regions will vary but getting that spade out and taking a look here and there to identify compaction and moisture below the surface should be the first thing that is done before we rush out with harrows, grass slitters and sub soilers. Before anything else, making sure soils are in optimum physical condition and ensuring the pH is within the right boundaries, is the best place to start. rdquo WARNING ABOUT CHEAP IMITATION BOTTLE TEATS: NSA has been contacted by Brian Hawes, Director of Paragon Rubber, who has become aware of a very poor and dangerous copy of the Pritchard Screw on Lamb Teat (pictured). Mr Hawes says: ldquoOur product is made to a high standard with the nipple being made from latex and the bottle cap clearly marked as Pritchard Screw on Teat. The Chinese copy has no name on the cap and the nipple is made of very thin moulded synthetic rubber. It breaks very easily and our fear is that this may be swallowed by a lamb with disastrous effect. We wish to disassociate ourselves from this product and all resulting problems caused by it. rdquo FREE LAMENESS GUIDE AVAILABLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: A newly developed sheep lameness guide is being offered for free to sheep farmers in Northern Ireland, thanks to AgriSearch, LMC and AFBI. The practical, pocket-sized publication helps producers diagnose the cause of lameness in sheep, identify treatment and prevention options, as well as follow best practice for foot bathing and foot trimming. Designed to fit in the pocket and stand up to use outside as you work with sheep, the ring-bound booklet combines photographs with bullet points on each possible cause of lameness. Email infoagrisearch. org for a free copy, call 02887 789770 or ask a CAFRE sheep advisor. FARMERS ENTERPRISE COMPETITION TO RUN AGAIN IN 2014: Following the success of the 2013 competition, Menter a Busnes it looking for five teams of three Welsh farmers to compete against each other in producing a profitable pen of lambs grazed on a crop of their choice. This yearrsquos location will be Bangor Universityrsquos farm (the Henfaes Research Centre in Abergwyngregyn) and contestants will work with 50 Welsh Mountain lambs each, brought straight down from the Carneddau mountain range to be managed on two-acre plots of lower lying land at Henfaes. Although the five selected teams will not have to deal with day-to-day husbandry they will have full responsibility over choosing crops to be established, managing them and implementing grazing strategies, plus all other elements of animal nutrition and health, and deciding when lambs are ready to be marketed. Teams will be judged by a panel of industry experts on their management skills and profitability of the lambs, with a top prize of an electronic tablet device each for the winners. Click here for an application form, which must be completed by 24th April 2014. Details from Gwawr Hughes on 01248 660075 or gwawr. hughesmenterabusnes. co. uk . INVITATION TO EWE NUTRITION EVENT (WITH A SUBSIDY FOR ENGLISH LEVY PAYERS): Eblex has invited NSA members to an event it is running with the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) looking at improving ewe efficiency through better feeding. The event, held on Tuesday 19th April at Nottingham University, will look at traditional ewe wintering diets compared to grazing swedes, options for replacing soya bean meal in ewe diets and whether the currently held metabolisable protein requirements for ewes are correct. Speakers will include independent consultant Lesley Stubbings on the unknowns of nutrition, Poppy Frater of Elbex on all-grass wintering, Jenny Sneddon of Liverpool John Moores University on sheep grazing behaviour, Adasrsquos Kate Philips on nutrition and mastitis, and vet Harriet Fuller on selenium and iodine requirements. The event is open to all at a cost of 60, but is subsidised to 30 for Eblex levy payers. Register at bsas. org. ukewe-nutrition . ALSO SUBSIDISED, is a workshop on the potential of genetics and genomics to livestock and crop breeding programme on Thursday 27th and Friday 29th March in Cambridge. Click here for more information about the Advanced Training Partnership workshop, which farmers can attend with a 60 bursary from the Government. WELSH LAMB TRIUMPH IN SWEDEN: A new supermarket opening on the Swedish-Norwegian border in April will stock nothing but PGI Welsh Lamb, following a successful trade mission by HCC (Meat Promotion Wales). The deal, which is tied up with Swedish importer Farskvaruhuset, will see in excess of 150 tonnes of Welsh Lamb per year supplied to this supermarket alone, including retail and vacuum packed chilled products and 1,000 whole carcases every six to eight weeks to suffice the demand of Norwegians across the border. Farskvaruhuset also plan to take four to six tonnes per month of retails packed Welsh Lamb for another Swedish supermarket chain with up to 400 stores. HCC says Scandinavia has opened its borders to Welsh red meat as a result of its PGI credentials, which guarantees authenticity, provenance and quality and can only be applied to sheep and cattle born and raised in Wales and slaughtered in approved abattoirs. ROLE OF CAP IN THE WIDER ECONOMY HIGHLIGHTED: While the value of agriculture to the economy is frequently overlooked in the UK, it was the main focus at a CAP conference held in Seville, Spain, on Tuesday (18th March) organised by Asaja and Copa-Cogeca (Spanish and cross-European farming organisations respectively). Speakers acknowledged the positive role of agriculture in the economic crisis and the crucial role CAP played in facilitating it, which is being ignored in the current CAP reform. While there was much discussion about ways for farmers to mitigate falling CAP payments, there was also a powerful example of the need to communicate the importance of CAP to consumers. Asaja has been running a communication campaign called lsquoThe new CAP: future for farmers, future for societyrsquo, which included city farm events in Spain and Portugal attracting over 300,000 visitors. The campaign will also hold an event in the European Parliament in Brussels next week to portray positive images of agriculture and show the crucial role farmers play in providing quality, healthy food and environmental services, maintaining rural areas, for society, thanks to the CAP. Hopefully this will raise the profile of agriculture with MEPs who misunderstand the role of CAP. OFFICE FURNITURE, FREE TO A GOOD HOME: NSA is in the process of finding a new tenant for empty office space at The Sheep Centre, Malvern, and has been advised to clear out all our old office furniture. We have amassed a considerable number of desks, tables and metal filing cabinets which we would prefer to re-home than throw away. If you would like any office furniture or know a business in the Worcestershire area that might be able to use them, please call 01684 892661 or email enquiriesnationalsheep. org. uk. All the furniture is free, but you will need to collect it. SEARCH FOR SOMERSET FARMERS TO HELP WITH SHEEP BEHAVIOUR STUDY: NSA has been contacted by Destiny Bradley, an agricultural student at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, who is looking for anyone lambing indoors in a large under-stocked shed in the Somerset area with around 200-300 ewes (commercial white, MuleSuffolk varieties) who wouldnt mind marking 20 in-lamb ewes of variable ages. Destiny is aware of how specific her request is but would welcome enquiries from anyone who thinks they might fit the criteria. She will then set up video cameras to measure the movements of the sheep to monitor their behaviour. Destiny says: ldquoThe study is already proving interesting, showing a high level of assisted lambing on the first two farms I monitored. My aim is to develop implements to encourage natural grazing behaviour within lambing sheds, which can be put into practice next season in the hope of achieving less assisted lambing and less stress to the ewe. rdquo Contact Destiny on dezibradley87gmail or 07784 648193. FREE FEC KIT FOR FARMERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN WORMING PROJECT: Jeremy Fern from the veterinary research company Ridgeway Research is looking for sheep farmers interested in completing a survey linked to the development of a diagnostic tool and new methods to undertake faecal egg counts (FEC). Jeremy and his co-researchers at Bristol University hope the new tool will allow farmers to conduct quick, cheap and easy pen side faecal worm tests in order to decrease the use of wormers and the build up of potential resistance. The survey will find out what farmers would want from such a product and what their general worming practices are. Each person whom completes the survey will be sent a free FEC kit with full instructions and a stamp addressed envelope to return the sample at a time of their choosing. To volunteer to complete the survey please contact Jeremy on 01594 530809 or jeremyridgewayscience. co. uk . HOST FARMERS SOUGHT FOR VISITING KIWIS THEYrsquoRE WILLING TO WORK AND THEY CAN SHEAR NSA has been approached by Hugh Abbiss and Sam Hodsell, two 21-year-old agricultural students from New Zealand planning a farming tour of the UK this May. Theyrsquore hoping to take in as much of England, Wales and Scotland as they can between Tuesday 6th May and Sunday 18th May and would like to see the country via livestock farms, offering work in return for a visit. ldquoIdeally 24 hours at each farm is about what we are looking for, maybe less depending on what suits, rdquo says Hugh. ldquoWersquore definitely prepared to lend a hand in return for a bed and are both qualified sheep shearers. Our main priority is visiting farms, so at the expense of sightseeing if needs be. rdquo Hugh and Sam both have extensive on-farm experience and can be contacted via Hughrsquos email address hughabbisswindowslive . MONDAY 26TH MAY: NSA NI SHEEPDOG SALE: Held in conjunction with Norbrook Closamectin in Ballymena Market. SHEEP EVENT: NSA SCOT SHEEP: WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE 2014: At the Berwickshire farm of Quixwood, Grantshouse, courtesy of the Macfarlane family. Details and sponsorship packages from Euan Emslie on 01430 441870 or euanappliedremedies. co. uk . SATURDAY 7TH JUNE: NSA MARCHES REGION YOUNG SHEPHERD OF THE YEAR COMPETITION: Details to follow. MONDAY 9TH JUNE: NSA MARCHES REGION COMMITTEE MEETING: 7pm at the Lower House Farm, Cannon Frome, Ledbury, HR8 2TG. All NSA Marches Region members are welcome, not just committee members. WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE: NSA EASTERN REGION FARM WALK: At Ickworth Park, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, by invitation of Paul Seabrook. To include the Eastern Regionrsquos second Young Shepherds Competition of the year, subject to demand. SHEEP EVENT : NSA SOUTH SHEEP: SATURDAY 28TH JUNE . Blackcap Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, by kind permission of Tony Monnington and family. Details and sponsorship packages from Bob Blanden on 01666 860308 or bobnationalsheep. org. uk . SHEEP EVENT: NSA SHEEP EVENT: WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY 2014 . The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. Details and sponsorship packages from Helen Davies on 01938 590535, 07976 803066 or helennationalsheep. org. uk . RAM SALE: NSA WALES amp BORDER EARLY RAM SALE: MONDAY 4TH AUGUST . Royal Welsh Showground. Contact Jane Smith on 01291 673939 or janensaramsales. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA SOUTH WEST REGION RAM SALE: WEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST . Exeter Livestock Centre. Contact Sue Martyn on 01409 271385, 07967 512660 or suemnationalsheep. org. uk . RAM SALE: NSA EASTERN REGION RAM SALE: FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST . Rugby Farmers Market. Contact Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or carrollceressolutions. co. uk . MONDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER: NSA MARCHES REGION COMMITTEE MEETING: 7pm at the Lower House Farm, Cannon Frome, Ledbury, HR8 2TG. All NSA Marches Region members are welcome, not just committee members. RAM SALE: NSA EASTERN REGION RAM SALE: FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER . Melton Mowbray Market. Contact Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or carrollceressolutions. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA WALES amp BORDER MAIN RAM SALE: MONDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER . Royal Welsh Showground. Contact Jane Smith on 01291 673939 or janensaramsales. co. uk . MONDAY 8TH DECEMBER: NSA MARCHES REGION COMMITTEE MEETING: 7pm at the Lower House Farm, Cannon Frome, Ledbury, HR8 2TG. All NSA Marches Region members are welcome, not just committee members. WARWICKSHIRE FARMER WINS FIRST OF SIX SPECIALIST SHEEP FEEDERS GIVEN AWAY BY NSA: Warwickshire farmer Antony Spencer was lsquoover the moonrsquo when he heard he was the first NSA member to win a 3in1 Advantage Feeder in our 2014 membership recruitment campaign. NSA is giving away six of the feeders this year in a free prize draw for both new NSA members as well as existing members who encourage a friend or neighbour to join the association. Mr Spencer, who filled in a membership form at the Lamma machinery show in January, says: ldquoIt was my first time visiting Lamma and, being an out-and-out stock person I had soon worked out from the programme where to make for to get away from the tractors for a bit. I found myself at the Advantage Feeders stand and was quite surprised to see NSA there too. I had been meaning to re-join for quite some time and am very glad to be a member of the NSA again. In this ever uncertain agricultural world itrsquos good to know UK sheep farmers have a voice plus Irsquod forgotten what good bath-time reading Sheep Farmer magazine is And I was absolutely over the moon to hear I was the lucky winner of the feeder as a result of joining up. New members of NSA get automatically entered into the free prize draw, while existing members get one entry for every person they refer to NSA with no limit to the number of entries. The five remaining draws will be staggered through 2014 and peoplersquos odds of winning increase the sooner they get their name in the hat, as all entries are eligible for each subsequent draw if they donrsquot win straight away. Full terms and conditions can be found at nationalsheep. org. ukdraw . GREAT START FOR NSA NEXT GENERATION AMBASSADOR GROUP: The first training session for the NSA Next Generation Ambassador Group (pictured) was held this week (Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th February) in Worcestershire and was a huge success. Those present took advantage of the information on offer and the chance to meet likeminded people with a passion for sheep farming. Farming Connectrsquos Wyn Owen provided an inspirational workshop encouraging the ambassadors to be receptive to change and set themselves immediate and long-term targets for their business and the skills to make time to achieve those objectives. ldquoItrsquos just a dream until you put a on deadline on it, rdquo he said, also providing the skills to make time for doing important business management as well as immediate day-to-day tasks. A team from Eblex delivered the three days of training, with superb practical skills discussed on performance recording, grassland management, body condition scoring, minimising lambing losses and increasing efficiency. Click here to meet the 2014 Ambassadors. ENGLISH COMMITTEE WELCOMES NEW REPS AND ELECTS OTHERS: The NSA English Committee met in London on Thursday (27th February) and welcomed Alan Derryman as a new NSA South West Region representative. NSA Northern Region also elected a new rep at its recent AGM, Greg Dalton, who will be joining the English Committee at the next meeting. The English Committee in turn elected its new representatives for the NSA Finance and General Purposes and UK Policy and Technical Committees Matt Bagley and Bob Blanden were elected for FampGP while Kevin Harrison joins Dan Phipps as the two English reps on UKPampT. The meeting also saw lively discussions cover the topics of the impending sheep movements database and the series of meetings being held around the country (Donrsquot forget the four meetings this week at Ashford and Bakewell markets on Tuesday, and Junction 36 and Hexham on Wednesday), an update and immediate focus on CAP, the Stamp out Scab project that is approaching its conclusion, and Red Tractor Assurance. NSA SCOTLAND WORKSHOP ORGANISED TO DISCUSS CAP: NSA Scottish Region has organised a CAP workshop on Monday 10th March for NSA members and non-members to give their views on issues around CAP in the sheep sector. There will be a focus on the options for splitting area payments between regions and on the possibility of the use of coupled payments. NSA Scotland Regional Development Officer George Milne says: ldquoThis is an important meeting and gives members the opportunity to be involved in discussions prior to NSA Scotland filling in the CAP consultation, which closes on March 17th. We now know Scotland has the opportunity to use up to 5 as a coupled payment in the sheep sector, which is considerably more than the original offer of 2, so needs more careful consideration. Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead has had the go-ahead from Brussels and wersquore just seeking clarification from Owen Paterson to see if he will allow it. rdquo The CAP workshop, which includes guest speaker Douglas Bell, Senior Agricultural Policy Consultant within Farm Business Services at SRUC, will take place from 1pm in the Highland Suite of the MacRobert Pavilion at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB. NSA PICKS UP THE CHALLENGE OF RAISING AWARENESS OF CLA IN SHEEP: Following recent discussions at NSA English Committee and NSA UK Policy and Technical Committee about the growing problem of CLA in the UK sheep flock, we welcomed today (Friday 28th February) Dr Mike Fontaine from the Moredun Institute to NSA Head Office to discuss with a small group of NSA members and vets the issues and potential solutions to overcome this damaging disease. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, reports: ldquoIt was widely agreed that more needs to be done to increase awareness of all sheep farmers to the disease as a first step to the industry working together to drive this disease out, an important part of which is to remove the stigma that surrounds having it in your flock. While the Australian vaccine Glanvac is quite widely used under special licence here in the UK, keeping CLA under control in many sire-producing breeding flocks, its use means that blood tests to determine infection are fairly meaningless (the vaccine confusing the test results). Additionally the immunity gained from vaccination is fairly short-lived with a need for an annual vaccination, something that very rarely happens with dangerous consequences. The answer seems to have been pending for some time but does appear to be getting closer a new vaccine and a more accurate blood testing process that are not mutually exclusive. In the meantime NSA will continue to work to raise awareness of CLA and encourage transparency between breeders and buyers with the aim of reducing the risk of CLA and its associated costs to both breeders and commercial sheep farmers. rdquo FOUR NSA MEETINGS THIS WEEK Itrsquos a busy week this week with four NSA meeting planned:- Tuesday evening: NSA CymruWales AGM and liver fluke workshop, 2pm at Hafod-y-Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground. Click here for an agenda and more information. Wednesday afternoon: NSA Electronic Database Meeting, 1pm at Cirencester Market. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by calling 01684 892661 or emailing charlottenationalsheep. org. uk . Wednesday evening: NSA South West AGM and Electronic Database Meeting, 7.30pm at Exeter Livestock Centre. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by register with Sue Martyn on 01409 271385 or suemnationalsheep. org. uk . Thursday evening: NSA Northern Region AGM and guest speakers, 7.30pm at Hexham Auction Mart. Click here an agenda and more information. There are four more NSA Electronic Database Meetings the week after in Ashford, Bakewell, Kendall and Hexham - check out the diary at the bottom of this email. AMENDMENT TO EUROPEAN EID LAW TAKES ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO REALITY: The option for farmers to tag sheep with their holding number on a single plastic tag (i. e. no individual or electronic identifier) until the day they leave the holding of birth has been passed by the European Parliamentrsquos Agriculture Committee during the process of developing a new EU Animal Health Law. The law is a long way from being completed or implemented, but the adoption of this amendment (tabled by Scottish MEP Alyn Smith and supported by NSA and the Shetland Crofters) by a majority of 28 votes to 12 is an important hurdle cleared. George Milne, NSA Scotland Regional Development Officer, says: ldquoThis is clearly a step in the right direction and the scale of the majority vote shows that at last other countries are beginning to realise and experience the difficulties of EID regulations. Having tried to tell the European Commission on several occasions over the past few years that these regulations were unworkable on a practical basis, it would now seem that they have finally woken up to the situation. rdquo Mr Smith echoes this: ldquoIt shows that there is considerable political will in the European Parliament to re-open the discussions on the sheep EID laws, and that the Commission have to deal with this and the problems that farmers are finding in implementing the rules. rdquo The NSA UK Policy and Technical Committee met with Pamela Thompson from Defra last Friday (7th February) to discuss the EU Animal Health Law, which will be the overarching principle that sits above all animal health regulations in Member States. She says the UK is lobbying hard to ensure the new law sets the framework but leaves the detail to Member States, and that all decisions are based on risk, evidence and science. NSA listed EID regulations (tagging before animals leave the holding of birth and read ratescross compliance penalties) and splitting of carcases under TSE rules as two priorities for sheep farmers, and while it is clear the new law will not repeal the existing EID and TSE regulations it will provide an opportunity to revisit them and bring them into line with the EU Animal Health Law principle of all rules being proportionate to risk. Not surprisingly, the new law has potential pitfalls too, such as passing inspection costs back to farmers and UK forfeiting power to Europe, and so the forthcoming negotiations between the European Parliament, European Council of Ministers and European Commission are crucial. The law is not expected to be passed until 2015 at the earliest, after which there will be a three-year transition before full implementation. NSA will keep members up-to-date on progress. CAP REFORM, THE MOORLAND LINE AND OPEN ACCESS DISCUSSED BY WELSH COMMONS FORUM: Monday (10th February) saw the Welsh Commons Forum meet at the Royal Welsh Showground to receive reports on recent meetings with William Powell and Antoinette Sandbach (respectively Lib. Dem and Conservative spokesmen for Rural Affairs) where issues of CAP reform and the moorland line, along with the open access and recreation discussion paper, were discussed. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker reports: ldquoThe open access discussion process has been delayed and the latest expectation is that there may be a Welsh Government green paper in April. Discussion on this subject on Monday focused on liability relating to access, and where the responsibility for insurance cover lies (or should lie). Land management restrictions post Glastir agreements came up again and, while assurances have been given that the requirements only last as long as the agreements, with a simple Environmental Impact Assessment required before substantially changing management, communication received by farmers makes the whole process look far more complicated and uncertain. Finally a thorough discussion was held on the need to communicate all the very good things (public goods) that come from sheep farming in upland areas. We have a good story to tell and we need to be telling it morerdquo ELECTRONIC COMMON LAND REGISTER FOR WALES IN 2017: In other news affected common land this week, Minister for Natural Resources and Food Alun Davies, has announced that the current paper based registration system for common land in Wales (established in the 1960s) will be replaced with electronic registers by 2017. He says this will deliver lsquosignificant benefitsrsquo for common land management by creating consistency and 24-hour-a-day access, making it easier for local authorities to process registrations to change the register, easing Glastir administration, and improving response to a disease outbreak that affects animals on common land. Development of the common land electronic register will not start until April 2015, when the Welsh electronic sheep movement database will be up and running, and will take two years and 5m to complete. The electronic system will replace the current large paper legers and maps held by local authorities, making the records easily accessible online and more straight forward to update. Common land in Wales accounts for 8.5 of the total land area (175,000 hectares) 40 of it is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 50 within the protected landscape of Wales. WEIGHING STOCK AND CALIBRATING GUNS KEY CONCERNS AT SCOPS: The six-monthly SCOPS Steering Group meeting on Thursday (13th February) covered a wide range of topics linked to sustainable control of sheep parasites and made some important decisions about priorities for SCOPS this year and beyond. It was agreed that the basic messages about administering wormers and flukicides correctly could not be reiterated enough, particularly as the majority of reports of a product not working are link to incorrect administration rather than a drug resistance. NSA members are reminded that they always need to calibrate drench guns before use, including when the gun is brand new. Use a calibration pot or remove the plunger from a 10ml syringe, put your thumb over the end and squirt the dose into it, making sure you have got rid of any air bubbles first. Adjust the gun until the dose delivered is correct. Drenching guns should also be well maintained and replaced regularly. Clean with warm soapy water after use and check springs and tubes to make sure there are no kinks that will form air bubbles. Click here for more information. RABI OFFERING EMERGENCY GRANTS TO FLOOD-HIT FARMERS: The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) says it wants to give emergency grants to flood-hit farmers and will accept applications as soon as farmers have the recovering from the immediate crisis of keeping themselves and livestock safe. RABI has fast-tracked the application process in readiness and is accepting enquiries via 03003 037373 and email grantsrabi. org. uk. The Prince of Wales has given 25,000 to RABI specifically for flood-hit farmers in Somerset and the charity is welcoming other (smaller) donations from farmers wishing to support other in their time of need. RABI has set up a special fund with the Royal Bath and West of England Society to receive donations from businesses and individuals, which it will distribute with the help of a number of agencies to farming businesses to help their recovery. Click here to donate or find out more at rabi. org. uk and find out more below about a (coincidental) NSA-backed fundraising campaign for RABI and its Scottish sister charity. In addition, as a result of many people offering donations of forage rather than cash, Sedgemoor Livestock Market is coordinating collection and distribution of deliveries. Contact Rebecca Horsington to arrange a delivery time on 01278 410278 or rhorsingtonhotmail . SPONSOR OUR lsquoBOOZE FREE FEBrsquo CHAMPIONS IN AID OF RABI: Four NSA office holders are taking part in a month-long lsquodryathlonrsquo in aid of RABI and RSABI this February. The booze ban has been organised by the Farmers Guardian to mark its 170th anniversary, which falls this month, and Farmers Guardian staff and other industry representatives are also taking up the challenge. NSA faces giving up their pints include NSA Chairman John Geldard (pictured top left), NSA South East Regional Chairman Andrew Barr (top right), NSA South East Regional Manager Bob Blanden (bottom left) and NSA Central Region Committee Member and Newton Rigg Head of Agriculture Matt Bagley (bottom right). You can support those taking part by donating online here or by texting ldquoFGBF70rdquo followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070. DATE OF NSA BREED SOCIETY FORUM ANNOUNCED: The date of the next NSA Breed Society Forum has been announced as Thursday 8th May at Hafod-y-Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground. NSA-Affiliated Breed Societies will be able to send two representatives each and will be sent the full itinerary in the near future. TIGHT LAMB SUPPLIES AHEAD, BUT ON-FARM IMPROVEMENTS ALSO NEEDED TO DRIVE PROFITABILITY: There was a great deal of positivity from Paul Heyhoe, AHDBEblex Sheep and Beef Senior Analyst, at Wednesdayrsquos Eblex Outlook Conference in London (12th February). He highlighted 2013rsquos strong export values and furthermore predicted that a lack of growth in the UK breeding flock in 2013, coupled with the average lambing rates expected in 2014, would lead to tight domestic sheep meat supplies for at least the first few months of this year. He said: ldquoThe Defra UK June 2013 census showed a 1 rise in lamb numbers, however this was driven by unexpected results from Wales that indicated lamb numbers were up 7 on the year. Industry opinion suggests these numbers are too high, so these forecasts continue to assume a lower figure for lamb numbers. While production forecasts for the first half of 2014 are higher than previous levels, they are still substantially below year-earlier levels, as the carryover of lamb from 2012 made production in early 2013 unusually high. A lower number of adult sheep culls are also currently expected, after what has mostly been a better season. rdquo This tight supply, along with uncertainty surrounding the economic climate in Europe, may prevent the UK from fulfilling high export potential in the near future, Mr Heyhow said, but sheep meat stocks are set to be tight globally, including in New Zealand, resulting in relatively low UK imports for at least this year. Although supplies may be pinched, there are global opportunities for the UK industry, Mr Heyhoe said. Whereas most EU flocks are dwindling, the UK flock is not. A continued fall in EU production is predicted, as China ups its imports. While New Zealand focuses on this new market, demand from Europe and the US continues this, Mr Heyhoe points out, is a big opportunity for the UK. But the challenge for UK sheep farming is profitability, he warned, advocating increased output and streamlined costs as the key to on-farm success. Mr Heyhoe concluded that this is a pivotal point for the UK sheep industry, with a need to restore confidence within the sector and this yearrsquos weather and prices proving crucial. Mr Heyhoe said: ldquoWe have got a product the world wants but we need to make it profitable and sustainablerdquo. PLEA TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR STOLEN PEDIGREE SHEEP: Lancashire farmer Dan Towers has asked NSA members to keep an eye out for 58 pedigree Beltex and cross-bred recipient ewes stolen on Friday night between 6.30pm and 7.30am from isolated lambing sheds at Scale House Farm, Wray. All the animals can be identified by red marks on the backs of their heads and scan marks on their huggin bone. Some of the recipients with implanted embryos have marks on their backs and notches out of the end of both ears and at the top of the right ear. Those ewes which were imported from Belgium have tags beginning with lsquoBErsquo and some of the pure ewes had a K on their back. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker said ldquoAs with any potentially stolen sheep, members should keep an eye out for anything suspicious and contact the police if they have any suspicion. NSA continues to hear reports of sheep rustling and we urge farmers to stay vigilant, and ask others to do the same, in order to protect their flocks. rdquo LIVELY DISCUSSION WITH THE HAMPSHIRE SHEEP GROUP: Over 40 Hampshire Sheep Group members turned their backs on the effects of the weather (with some even travelling from the Isle of Wight) and attended a presentation and discussion with NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker at Stockbridge on Thursday evening (13th February). After an overview of the NSArsquos work, the discussion was broad and included key market and sheep industry trends, policy issues such as CAP reform, the movements database and sheep identification, and then a discussion on the importance of moving the sheep industry more rapidly forward in terms of health and disease and productivity status, in order to protect our industry and maintain the diversity and culture that we have. Phil reports: ldquoThe discussion was lively, with most of the frustration being around a lack of clarity of movement recording rules with inconsistency of guidance coming from several quarters, RPA included. It was even suggested that the RPA hadnrsquot heard of the NSA something we will address immediatelyrdquo NEW ADAPTATION OF RED TRACTOR LOGO FOR CONSUMER CONFIDENCE: Assured Food Standards have created a new lsquoMade with Red Tractorrsquo logo to appear on ready meals and pies. The familiar Red Tractor logo can only be used on primary products, such a pack of lamb chops or a roasting joint, so the new logo allows the farm assurance logo to be used on products where the meat is only one element of the product. There are strict rules governing its use, such as 100 of the meat having to be British farm assured not just some of it, and guidance that processors should try and source Red Tractor Assured products for the rest of the meal too i. e. potatoes for a shepherdrsquos pie not just lamb. FREE UPLAND TRAINING EVENTS IN NORTHUMBERLAND: NSA members have been invited by Strutt and Parker to attend a series of free events they are funding with financial support from the Rural Development Programme for England. The events are targeted at farmers with a least half their land in SDA and start at 6.30pm with refreshments provided. There is no fee to attend but you must book a place by calling 01670 500871 or emailing ben. rogersonstruttandparker. Newcastle House, Rothbury: Monday 17th February for CAP post-2015 Monday 24th February for tenancy issues Monday 3rd March for business monitoring and Monday 10th March for resources and energy. Riverdale Hotel, Bellingham: Thursday 20th February for CAP post-2015 Wednesday 26th February for tenancy issues Thursday 6th March for business monitoring and Thursday 13th March for resources and energy. YOUR VIEWS SOUGH ON MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF EWES: We have received a request from Hayley Jackson, a student in her final year at the Royal Agricultural University, for sheep farmers in England and Wales to complete a questionnaire about mineral supplements and administration methods. Completing the questionnaire will help Hayley complete her research into the effects of mineral deficiencies and how timingadministration improve ewe production and welfare. Click here for the survey, which is anonymous and should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. If you have questions about the questionnaire please email Hayley on hayleyjayne. jacksonstudent. rau. ac. uk . ON-FARM APPRENTICESHIP WANTED: Agriculture student Rebecca Bradley (19) is looking for a level 2 apprenticeship in Northern England, which involves 40 hours per week working on farm plus one day at college for a 12-month period. Rebecca has already completed her level 2 diploma in agriculture and the first year of her level 3 at Newton Rigg College. She lives in Seaham, County Durham, but is willing to travel for a placement. Rebecca has experience lambing, is happy to work with all livestock and is very keen to learn. She has a full UK driving licence, experience driving tractors and can carrying out basic maintenance. She can provide references and can be contacted at rebeccaxbtinternet or 07805 254404. TUESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY: NSA CYMRUWALES REGION AGM: 2pm at Hafod-y-Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground. The meeting will be followed by guest speakers Dr Neil Mackintosh, vet Kate Hovers and Margaret Dalton on lsquoExperiences of dealing with liver fluke, including where drug resistance maybe a problemrsquo. Click here for an agenda and minutes of the last meeting. WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY: NSA ELECTRONIC DATABASE MEETING 1 OF 6: 1pm at Cirencester Auction Market, Cotswold Agricultural Centre, Driffield Road, Cirencester, GL7 5QA. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so please spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by calling 01684 892661 or emailing charlottenationalsheep. org. uk . WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY: NSA SOUTH WEST REGION AGM AND NSA ELECTRONIC DATABASE MEETING 2 OF 6: 7.30pm at Exeter Livestock Centre. The AGM will be followed by a presentation by SouthWestern, the company providing the new electronic movement database for Defra from 1st April 2014. This is your opportunity to hear how the database will work and ask questions about how it will affect you. Donrsquot miss what might be one of the only opportunities to hear SouthWestern speak in South West England. The meeting is open to non-members too, so spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register with Sue Martyn on 01409 271385 or suemnationalsheep. org. uk . THURSDAY 20TH FEBRUARY: NSA NORTHERN REGION AGM: 7.30pm at the Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Auction Mart, Hexham, Northumberland. To be followed by speakers on their trip to New Zealand, David Raine and Phil Stocker, plus a report by our two regional sponsored young farmers, Tom Carrick, High Crossgil, and James Raine, Randalholme, on their day spent at the Northern Farming Conference. TUESDAY 4TH MARCH: NSA ELECTRONIC DATABASE MEETING 3 OF 6: 12 noon at Ashford Market, Monument Way, Orbital Park, Ashford, TN24 0HB. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so please spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by calling 01684 892661 or emailing charlottenationalsheep. org. uk . TUESDAY 4TH MARCH: NSA ELECTRONIC DATABASE MEETING 4 OF 6: 7.45pm at Bakewell Market, The Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell, DE45 1AH. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so please spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by calling 01684 892661 or emailing charlottenationalsheep. org. uk . WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH: NSA ELECTRONIC DATABASE MEETING 5 OF 6: 1pm at J36 Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands, Milnthorpe, Cumbria LA7 7FP. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so please spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by calling 01684 892661 or emailing charlottenationalsheep. org. uk . WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH: NSA ELECTRONIC DATABASE MEETING 6 OF 6: 7.30pm at Hexham Auction Market, Tyne Green, Hexham, NE46 3SG. Free entry and open to both NSA members and non-members so please spread the word. Booking is not essential, but for catering reasons please register by calling 01684 892661 or emailing charlottenationalsheep. org. uk . SHEEP EVENT: NSA SCOT SHEEP: WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE 2014: At the Berwickshire farm of Quixwood, Grantshouse, courtesy of the Macfarlane family. Details and sponsorship packages from Euan Emslie on 01430 441870 or euanappliedremedies. co. uk . SHEEP EVENT: NSA SOUTH SHEEP: SATURDAY 28TH JUNE . Blackcap Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, by kind permission of Tony Monnington and family. Details and sponsorship packages from Bob Blanden on 01666 860308 or bobnationalsheep. org. uk . SHEEP EVENT: NSA SHEEP EVENT: WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY 2014 . The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. Details and sponsorship packages from Helen Davies on 01938 590535, 07976 803066 or helennationalsheep. org. uk . RAM SALE: NSA WALES amp BORDER EARLY RAM SALE: MONDAY 4TH AUGUST . Royal Welsh Showground. Contact Jane Smith on 01291 673939 or janensaramsales. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA SOUTH WEST REGION RAM SALE: WEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST . Exeter Livestock Centre. Contact Sue Martyn on 01409 271385, 07967 512660 or suemnationalsheep. org. uk . RAM SALE: NSA EASTERN REGION RAM SALE: FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST . Rugby Farmers Market. Contact Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or carrollceressolutions. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA EASTERN REGION RAM SALE: FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER . Melton Mowbray Market. Contact Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or carrollceressolutions. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA WALES amp BORDER MAIN RAM SALE: MONDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER . Royal Welsh Showground. Contact Jane Smith on 01291 673939 or janensaramsales. co. uk . DONrsquoT MISS THE NSA EASTERN REGION WINTER FAIR - OR YOUR CHANCE TO ENTER THE YOUNG SHEPHERD OF THE YEAR COMPETITION: With only a couple of weeks left until the NSA Eastern Region Winter Fair on Friday 31st January at Melton Mowbray Market, Leicestershire, there has been a last minute flurry of activity with more trade stands booked that at the previous event and lots of excitement about an action-packed day. The event is FREE for NSA members - and if you bring along a friend or neighbour and they sign up on the day, they will get free entry too and yoursquoll both get entered into a free prize draw for an Advantage 3in1 Feeder. Entry for non-members is 5 per person. Click here for more information about the free prize draw and here for information about whatrsquos on offer at the NSA Eastern Region Winter Fair. It is also not too late to enter the Young Shepherd of the Year competition at the Eastern Region Winter Fair. Competitors must be 26 years old or less and will complete five tasks to be in with a chance to share a prize fund of 500 and qualify for the national final in July. Click here to download an entry form. ALSO ON FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY, itrsquos not too late to book tickets for the NSA Scottish Region Annual Dinner at The Roxburghe Hotel (Crowne Plaza), 38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. Click here a booking form, which must be returned by Monday. The dinner will be proceeded by the NSA Scottish Region AGM at 4pm, with a drinks reception at 7pm ahead of the dinner and guest speaker. We look forward to seeing lots of members at both the AGM and dinner. OTHER REGIONAL ACTIVITY INCLUDES an NSA Central Region Committee Meeting on Wednesday 22nd January and an NSA Marches Region and Eblex Lambing Management Meeting evening on Tuesday 4th February - times and venues at the bottom of the page. The Marches lambing event will focus on the nutritional and health requirements of ewes in the critical pre-lambing and post-lambing periods, a market update and outlook, a summary of health and welfare issues at lambing, and a discussion on sheep scab, how to keep it out of your flock and treatment best practice. The event is open to NSA members and non-members so spread the word. Contact the Eblex events office on 01904 771211 or brpeventseblex. ahdb. org. uk to book a free place. WALES TO ADOPT THREE-REGION MODEL FOR FUTURE CAP PAYMENTS: Alun Davies, Minister for Natural Resources and Food in Wales, made his much-anticipated CAP announcement on Tuesday (14th January) following a consultation period in the autumn that NSA CymruWales Region responded to along with large numbers of other stakeholder groups and individuals. Mr Davies said Wales will move from historical payments to area payments over five years (a transition period of 2015-2019) and the area payments will be based on a three-region model of moorland, severely disadvantaged and less favouredlowland. Indications are that moorland will get around 17ha, SDA 166ha and LFAlowland 200ha. Wales will also cap the maximum amount single farm businesses can receive and insist all farms meet the EUrsquos three greening requirements (permanent grassland, crop diversification and ecological focus areas) to get 30 of their direct payment. Given that farms with more than 70 grassland automatically qualify under greening, NSA biggest concern over Mr Daviesrsquo announcement is the very low payment rate for moorland. We are very worried about the future for farms that are predominantly moorland and will ensure we continue to work hard to influence Pillar Two of the CAP (rural development) so money is available to farmers to top up their shrinking allocation from Pillar One (direct payments). MEANTIME, THE CAP FIGHT CONTINUES IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND. The consultation period in Northern Ireland draws to a close before the end of January and NSA NI Regional Development Officer Edward Adamson reports a lot of activity this week to ensure the voice of sheep farmers is heard in the negotiations. He says: ldquoAfter the first CAP agreement in 2005 we feel the sheep farmer was discriminated against, but this time DARDrsquos suggested model would help rectify that. However, there are interested parties proposing an alternative two-region model which would reduce payments to farmers in the Severely Disadvantaged Areas, which includes some beef and dairy farmers as well as many sheep farmers. This week has seen several meetings to try and counter these latest proposals. It will be several weeks before we know the final outcome to be decided by DARD and our Minister of Agriculture - we wait in anticipationrdquo The consultation in Scotland does not close until 17th March. George Milne, NSA Scottish Regionrsquos Development Officer, says: ldquoThe consultation is lengthy and detailed with 56 questions requiring detailed thought in order to provide the best way forward for the sheep sector. We will be working on this over the next two months and an updated CAP presentation will be made to NSA members at the Scottish AGM on 31st January. I am also available to attend meetings in your area if required. rdquo Contact George on 01334 472403 or george. nsabtconnect . TOP LEVEL MEETING TO KEEP SHEEP IN THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT: On Tuesday (14th January) NSA Chairman John Geldard and NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker met with George Eustice (Minister for Farming, Food, and Marine Environment) and a team of top ranking Defra staff to discuss sheep farming. Phil reports: ldquoWe started by saying there is no doubt sheep farming is a vital part of UK farming, but there are a number of reasons why we feel it is being constrained from reaching its potential. In the uplands stocking rates are still being driven down on conservation grounds, and often well below rates that are essential to optimise biodiversity. In the lowlands the role of sheep in rotational farming and as soil improvers is not being recognised, and cross compliance penalties and an absence of EID and movements recording tolerance is seriously discouraging many mixed farms and large arable estates from retaining or setting up sheep enterprises. Furthermore there are undoubtedly production gains that could be made if we could encourage sheep farmers to adopt the best possible health and disease control management. rdquo This was one of a schedule of routine meetings that the Minister has requested with the NSA with an intention to work in partnership to better optimise the contribution to the Governmentrsquos public agenda of this great farming sector. WORK CONTINUES ON BAD WEATHER PLANNING: Regular readers of the NSA Weekly Email Update will have recently read our warning about the need for good winter feed planning and contingency against the threat of bad winter weather. This is as a result of the UK being warned by the EU against too freely issuing relaxations in HGV driversrsquo hours during bad weather. Our advice on feed planning still stands, as the recent flooding and last yearrsquos spring snow highlight the massive disruption bad weather has on farm deliveries, but NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker also reports on a meeting this week that Defra helpfully facilitated. He says: ldquoThe meeting looked at what can be done to explain our situation more in the EU and to consider what agricultural suppliers, transporters and farmers could do to reduce the need for relaxation. Information provided to the meeting suggested 27 of the 35 cases of recent EU relaxation were for the UK, but as an island our weather is undoubtedly more changeable and unpredictable than on mainland Europe and this needs to be understood. If we do experience bad weather that results in transport difficulties in this second half of the winter we should be warned that relaxations will be a lsquolast resortrsquo. So every effort should be made to watch weather forecasts and ensure reasonable stocks of delivered feed. It is also worth reminding farmers that you can clear and grit roads to enable access to farms - and red diesel can be used to carry out this work. rdquo WELSH SHEEP SCAB REPORT APPROVED FOR NEXT LEVEL - BUT WALES LOOKS TO FOLLOW SIMILAR FORMAT TO ENGLAND ON FUTURE ANIMAL HEALTH WORK: NSA CymruWales is one of several stakeholder groups involved in the Welsh Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Steering Grouprsquos sheep scab sub-group, which has created a proposal for a long-term strategy to eradicate sheep scab in Wales. This work culminated on Tuesday (14th January) at an AHWSSG meeting when the group agreed the proposal would be put forward to Alun Davies, Minister for Natural Resources and Food. If Mr Davies agrees the eradication plan can go out to consultation we will be one step closer to tackling sheep scab in Wales. However, Tuesdayrsquos AHWSSG meeting was the last one, as the Welsh Government has decided instead to create a similar body to the Animal Health and Welfare Board in England, with appointed (and paid) public officials instead of contributions from stakeholder groups such as NSA. Unlike the English Boardrsquos four public officials, the new Welsh body will have six positions - five of these will be advertised in national and farming publications towards the end of January and the sixth will be filled by the existing AHWSSG Chairman. NSA CymruWales is nervous about how the future of the decision-making process but will follow the changes over the coming months and keep members informed. We also encourage NSA members in Wales to consider applying for one of the public positions, as we would very much like to see active farmers taking up the new roles. SHEEP RUSTLER SENT TO PRISON FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS: A strong deterrent has been issued to all sheep rustlers operating in the UK, with Robert Martin Birnie of Longtown, Carlisle, given a three year and seven month prison sentence and ordered to pay 2,000 compensation to his victim for stealing 270 sheep from a farm in Cumbria. KEEN SHEARER LOOKING FOR A GANG IN YORKSHIRE: We have been contacted by 17-year-old Alex Clapham who is looking for a shearing gang to join in West Yorkshire or somewhere near. He is a keen shearer and is looking for more work and experience this coming season. Alex can be contacted on alexclaphamlive. co. uk or 079996 93195. NOMINATIONS REQUESTED FOR BRITISH WOOL REPS: The British Wool Marketing Board is inviting nominations for board members in its English Southern, Welsh Northern and Scottish Southern regions. Board members are expected to work approximately 30 days a year attending board meetings over a period of two or three days each month, as well as other local and national BWMB business. Remuneration is around 8,800 annually plus expenses. Email nominations to jeanmurphybritishwool. org. uk . NOMINATIONS ALSO SOUGHT FOR AGRISEARCH SHEEP ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN NI: AgriSearch in Northern Ireland is looking for a sheep farmer with a passion for progress and problem-solving to join their Sheep Advisory Committee. Advisory committees usually meet three times a year to develop ideas for new research and review research proposals, and committee members are paid travelling expenses to attend meetings. Applications close on Friday 24th January. Contact Jason Rankin on 02887 789770 or visit agrisearch. org . REGISTER NOW FOR OPEN FARM SUNDAY: NSA members intending to host an Open Farm Sunday event on 8th June 2014 are encouraged to register as soon as possible at farmsunday. org. You can also use the website to find details of free information events being held between February and April to provide advice, tips and new ideas for host farms. Annabel Shackleton, Open Farm Sunday Manager, says: ldquoOpen Farm Sunday is fantastic opportunity for farmers to engage with the public, tell their story, and showcase all that is best about British farming and food. You donrsquot have to put on a big event. Events can be any size or format to suit your farm, ranging from a guided farm walk through to a full open day. One of the great things about Open Farm Sunday is the uniqueness of each event so it is up to you to decide on the size and type of event you run. rdquo NSArsquos communication team would also like to hear from an NSA member hosting an Open Farm Sunday event drop us an email to enquiriesnationalsheep. org. uk . OVERSEAS TOURS PLANNED AS PART OF TEXEL CELEBRATIONS: As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the British Texel Sheep Society is planning two overseas tours for members one to Switzerland and another to New Zealand. Closer to home will be a series of receptions, a large presence at the NSA Sheep Event on Wednesday 30th July and celebratory events at their four national sales, with anniversary medals presented to class winners. The ruby anniversary celebrations will culminate with an AGM and social weekend in Chester from 7th to 9th November 2014. Details from the society office on 02476 699629 or officetexel. co. uk . SHEEPY NUMBER PLATE ON OFFER: NSA members have been offered first refusal on the personalised number plate C9 BAA. If you are interested in purchasing the number plate for 600 you have until Monday to contact John at Connollys Euronics Centre on salesconnollysdigital. net or 0141 649 4758, after which the plate will be listed for general sale. SHEEP EVENT: NSA EASTERN REGION WINTER FAIR: FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY: 10am-4pm at Melton Mowbray Market. Click here for event details enquiries to Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or jonathanceressolutions. co. uk . FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY: SCOTTISH REGION AGM AND DINNER: AGM at 4pm followed by drinks reception and dinner at 7pm at The Roxburghe Hotel (Crowne Plaza), 38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. Click here for a dinner tickets booking form. TUESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY: NSA MARCHES REGIONEBLEX LAMBING MANAGEMENT MEETING: 6.30pm-9.30pm at the NSA Sheep Centre, Malvern, WR13 6PH. A joint meeting with Eblex focusing on the nutritional and health requirements of ewes in the critical pre-lambing and post-lambing periods. There will also be a market update and outlook, a summary of health and welfare issues at lambing, and a discussion on sheep scab, how to keep it out of your flock and treatment best practice. NSA members and non-members welcome contact the Eblex events office on 01904 771211 or brpeventseblex. ahdb. org. uk to book a free place. TUESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY: NSA CYMRUWALES REGION AGM: 2pm at Hafod-y-Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground. WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY: NSA SOUTH WEST REGION AGM: 7.30pm at Exeter Livestock Centre. THURSDAY 20TH FEBRUARY: NSA NORTHERN REGION AGM: 7.30pm at the Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Auction Mart, Hexham, Northumberland. To be followed by speakers on their trip to New Zealand, David Raine and Phil Stocker, plus a report by our two regional sponsored young farmers, Tom Carrick, High Crossgil, and James Raine, Randalholme, on their day spent at the Northern Farming Conference. SHEEP EVENT: NSA SCOT SHEEP: WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE 2014: At the Berwickshire farm of Quixwood, Grantshouse, courtesy of the Macfarlane family. Details and sponsorship packages from Euan Emslie on 01430 441870 or euanappliedremedies. co. uk . SHEEP EVENT: NSA SOUTH SHEEP: SATURDAY 28TH JUNE . Blackcap Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, by kind permission of Tony Monnington and family. Details and sponsorship packages from Bob Blanden on 01666 860308 or bobnationalsheep. org. uk . SHEEP EVENT: NSA SHEEP EVENT: WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY 2014 . The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. Details and sponsorship packages from Helen Davies on 01938 590535, 07976 803066 or helennationalsheep. org. uk . RAM SALE: NSA WALES amp BORDER EARLY RAM SALE: MONDAY 4TH AUGUST . Royal Welsh Showground. Contact Jane Smith on 01291 673939 or janensaramsales. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA SOUTH WEST REGION RAM SALE: WEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST . Exeter Livestock Centre. Contact Sue Martyn on 01409 271385, 07967 512660 or suemnationalsheep. org. uk . RAM SALE: NSA EASTERN REGION RAM SALE: FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST . Rugby Farmers Market. Contact Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or carrollceressolutions. co. uk . RAM SALE: NSA EASTERN REGION RAM SALE: FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER . Melton Mowbray Market. Contact Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or carrollceressolutions. co. uk . RAM SALE : NSA WALES amp BORDER MAIN RAM SALE: MONDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER . Royal Welsh Showground. Contact Jane Smith on 01291 673939 or janensaramsales. co. uk . NSA SUPPORTS THE NEXT GENERATION WITH NEW WEBSITE AND LAUNCH OF AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME: A joint event held by NSA and RASE on Tuesday (8th October) in Wiltshire saw NSA take the next step in our project to support young people in the sheep sector, by launching a NSA Next Generation website and opening applications for the 2014 Ambassador Programme. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, reports: ldquo Tuesdayrsquos event was the perfect opportunity to unveil the next phase of NSA Next Generation, which now has its own branding and a dedicated website signposting young people to opportunities within the sheep sector. The nsanextgeneration. org. uk website provides links to training, funding and scholarship opportunities, it lists colleges and universities around the UK offering agricultural courses, and offers advice on starting your own sheep flock. It also brings together all the existing NSA activity, including our very popular matchmaking service for students looking for on-farm placements at lambing time. The website will be added to over time and we welcome comments from people with suggestions for additional content - just email youngentrantsnationalsheep. org. uk with your suggestions. ldquoNSA was also delighted to open the application process for the NSA Next Generation Ambassador Group 2014 today, which is the next stage of our project and something we are very excited about. By the end of this year we will have selected up to 12 young people with a real enthusiasm for the sheep sector and provide them a unique experience throughout 2014, offering technical and personal development, covering elements such as market selection, food chain development, sheep husbandry, brand development and adding value, optimising genetics, time management, business planning, presentation skills, conflict resolution and promotion of the sheep sector. With ambassadors selected from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the programme will provide the opportunity to meet likeminded people throughout the UK, as well as key people within the sheep sector. Application forms can be found on the new website and we urge you to have a look, either for yourself or someone else you know. rdquo Tuesdayrsquos event in Wiltshire, which was kindly hosted by Tim White, a self-made sheep farmer on an organic farm at Sutton Mandeville, where he has grazing rights, attracted around 60 young people under the age of about 35 years, all with an interest in pursuing a future in the sheep industry. Tim provided an inspirational presentation and farm walk about his route into farming, while NSA South East Committee Member Marie Prebble talked about her own individual experience of starting out. Catherine Nakielny and Rob Hodgkins talked about their Nuffield Scholarship travels learning about innovative sheep breeding techniques, and Charlotte Johnstone of RASE delivered an informative video presentation by Sam Bullingham, who won the NSA Sheep South West Shepherd of the Future 2013 competition, describing his experiences as a first generation contract shepherd. The event saw much interaction, resulting in deep discussion and lively debate amongst the delegates. Charlotte from RASE says she has already received positive feedback from those who attended and is considering organising a follow on event. SIGN UP FOR THE NSA SHEEP CONTRACTORS EVENT: Are you are Sheep Contractor or carry out certain aspects of sheep husbandry for others Are you thinking you might like to set up a contracting business in the future or just interested in finding out more If so this event is not to be missed. Being held near Cirencester Market in Gloucestershire on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November, the event will provide the opportunity for contractors to meet likeminded people and compare trades, while speakers and other guests will cover practical topics, including advice from the British Wool Marketing Board on shearing, a look at different control methods for sheep ectoparasites, and tips for running a contractor business (managing cash flows, accounts and billing systems). There will also be a sheep handling workshop to help contractors think about efficient and effective ways to move sheep through handling systems. Please register your interest with NSA Head Office on 01684 892661 or enquiriesnationalsheep. org. uk . NOMINATIONS REQUESTED FOR ANNUAL AWARD: NSA CymruWales Region are inviting nominations and applications for its annual Achievement Award, presented each year to recognise the contribution of someone under the age of 35 to the sheep industry. Anyone born, working or living in Wales is eligible for the award and applications must be received by Thursday 31st October 2013. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the NSA CymruWales Committee Meeting on 19th November in Neuadd Henllan on the Royal Welsh Showground to explain why they deserve the award and about their farming enterprise. Previous winners are sheep consultant Catherine Nakielny, Welsh shearing champion Gareth Daniels, NSA Cymru YFC Committee Rep Marc Jones, who also works for ADAS, and Lleyn breeder Dylan Jones. Click here for an application form below, and for more information contact Helen Davies, NSA CymruWales Regional Development Officer on helennationalsheep. org. uk. 01938 590535 or 07976 803066. REMEMBER QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOUGHT-IN SHEEP: Novartis Animal Health has highlighted findings from their Farming Against Wormer Resistance (FAWR) campaign, to underline the importance of quarantine treatments for bought-in animals. Responses to a FAWR survey showed just under half of farmers did not separate incoming stock, 32 were not worming at quarantine, and of the 68 that did worm, well over half were using one active only. All these practices are likely to increase the risk of spreading resistant worms. In fact only 25 of survey respondees used the recommended products and, according to Lesley Stubbings, SCOPS representative and FAWR panel member, only 10 carried out an effective quarantine routine. Lesley says: ldquoSheep farms are at their most vulnerable when they are bringing in stock from markets or other farms. Quarantine is the only effective defence against a number of serious health threats, including resistant worms and sheep scab. Even expensive sheep from reputable sources can still carry problems - you canrsquot tell just by looking at them - so the only way to be sure is to implement a rigorous quarantine protocol using effective treatments. Quarantine should be regarded as an investment in your flock. Even if it is just lsquoa few ramsrsquo the proper procedure must be followed. And when buying in replacements, yoursquore not going to know the impact of buying in resistant worms in the short term, possibly not for years. So it can never be regarded as being expensive to spend a bit of money on these few animals - even though they are only small proportion of the flock - because you are protecting the rest. rdquo Click here for more information about quarantine treatments, and visit scops. org. uk for more detail. HALAL ASSURANCE SCHEME TO BE DISCUSSED: A draft halal assurance scheme will be one of the things discussed at the first Eblex-organiseed halal forum on Thursday 24th October at Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwickshire. Also on the agenda will be a discussion on forthcoming legislation and a look at a new slaughter education film, laying out the different methods of religious slaughter. The event is open to all - please email alex. mobbseblex. ahdb. org. uk or call 02476 692051 if you have an interest in attending. GLASTIR REMINDERS FOR FARMERS IN WALES: The Welsh Government is urging Glastir applicants to respond promptly if they are contacted by a Welsh Government Divisional Office or Natural Resources Wales representative for additional information, as delayed responses may prevent a Glastir contract being in place by 1st January 2014. Other important dates include:- 31st October for any remaining claims for slurrymanure storage grants under the Glastir Efficiency Grants schemes, and 31st December for waterenergy and manureslurry machinery. 31st December to complete capital works - this includes any fencing work, tree planting or construction under Glastir Entry 2013 contracts capital works under Glastir Advanced are to be completed as scheduled in your contract. Of capital works cannot be undertaken in the agreed location or within the required timescales, you are advised to contact Welsh Government as soon as possible. MAKE A DATE FOR THE MOREDUN ROAD SHOW: You will all have received a yellow sheet tucked inside your copy of Sheep Farmer with the dates of the annual Moredun Road Show. But to remind you that it kicks off on Monday 11th November at Ashford Livestock Market, Kent, with worm and liver fluke control as the topic. There are five other dates in England and Wales before the roadshow moves up to Scotland for another four dates. The final event slips back over the border into England on Thursday 21st November at Hexham. The Moredun meetings are very highly rated and we encourage you all to attend one evening all meetings are at 7.30pm. Click here for a full list of events. WANTED - FULL TIME SHEPHERD We are a mixed farm of dairy, beef, sheep and some arable, located in the beautiful Blackdown Hills on the DevonSomerset border. Currently with about 1200 breeding ewes, which we are constantly seeking to expand, we are looking for someone who can take on the day to day work of our flock, with a strong work ethic, good stockmanship and a careful nature. As well as flock work the role will also include being able to get involved with most other aspects of general farm work, and ideally any applicant will have good tractor driving skills for times such as silaging and hay making. This is a very basic outline of what we are looking for, and we will always try to make the role suit a good candidate. We feel it is best suited to someone with great enthusiasm as we will work together to improve and expand our flock. For further details please contact Patrick 07782 191260 or email stevensfarminggmail AIMS CONFERENCE NSA was proud to support and attend the AIMS (Association of Independent Meat Traders) conference last Saturday held at the Celtic Manor just outside Newport. A fast a furious series of presentations on the positioning of meat in the marketplace, effective risk based controls, and new initiatives to improve meat quality made for a very interesting morning. All our routes to market are equally important for the UK sheep industry and there is no doubt that our small and medium scale independent sector, represented by AIMS, are an essential and desirable part of the mix. CAP IN WALES NSA was involved in a number of CAP related meetings in Wales this week as the pressure builds to ensure that both the 1st Pillar (SFP) and the 2nd Pillar (RDP programmes) continue to move in a direction that supports the farming industry in this next programme and beyond. The response deadline to the WG consultation on direct support has been extended until 8th November and we are expecting the proposed new moorland line maps to be available over the next few days (this being a crucial part of working out the impact of the land category payments options). In addition much work is being done in Wales on the Rural Development Programme and it is heartening to see farming and food production being recognized as the central driver with environment and social outcomes as integral. AND FINALLY A MESSAGE FROM PHIL STOCKER I hope all recipients of this e newsletter will join me in congratulating Jo Pugh and Ben Briggs and send them our very best wishes for their wedding day this coming Saturday (tomorrow). Jo will come back in just over 2 weeks time as Mrs Briggs so as you start to see a new name appear over the following weeks yoursquoll know that itrsquos not a new person - just a new name. Jo has worked incredibly hard (even harder than normal) over this last week or so, making sure her backlog of work is cleared before she goes away. I hope both Jo and Ben manage to clear their minds of work as soon as they can and enjoy a very well deserved break and celebration. NSA DIARY OF EVENTS TUESDAY 15TH OCTOBER: NSA SOUTH EAST ANIMAL HEALTH MEETING (2 of 4): 7pm at Salisbury Market, covering Schmallenberg vaccination (with MSD Animal Health or Merial Animal Health) and Stamp out Scab presented by Vet Harriet Fuller. Unfortunately nutritional supplements will be off the agenda as, due to an accident, Jonathan Guy is unable to be present. Refreshments available so please let Bob Blanden if you wish to attend - 01666 860308 or blandenbtinternet . WEDNESDAY 16TH OCTOBER: NSA SOUTH EAST ANIMAL HEALTH MEETING (3 of 4): 7pm at Thame Market, covering Schmallenberg vaccination (with MSD Animal Health or Merial Animal Health) and Stamp out Scab presented by Vet Ann Gibbs. Unfortunately nutritional supplements will be off the agenda as, due to an accident, Jonathan Guy is unable to be present. Refreshments available so please let Bob Blanden if you wish to attend - 01666 860308 or blandenbtinternet . FRIDAY 1ST - SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER: SHEEP BREEDERS ROUND TABLE: At Eastwood Hall, Nottingham, organised by Eblex, Signet Breeding Services, NSA, HCC and Biosciences KTN, will John McEwan of AgResearch New Zealand as keynote speaker and a theme for the three days of lsquotransforming data into profitrsquo. Details at nationalsheep. org. ukSBRT . WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER: NSA SOUTH EAST AGM AND OPEN ANIMAL HEALTH MEETING: 7pm at Plumpton College. The AGM will be followed by two animal health presentations - one on nutritional supplements (with Jonathan Guy) and the other on Schmallenberg vaccination. Refreshments available so please let Bob Blanden if you wish to attend - 01666 860308 or blandenbtinternet . TUESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER: NSA CENTRAL REGION AGM: At the Bluebell at Tissington, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 1NH. FRIDAY 29TH and SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER: NSA SHEEP CONTRACTORS EVENT: A new event for sheep contractors near Cirencester. Please register your interest ASAP by calling NSA Head Office on 01684 892661 or enquiriesnationalsheep. org. uk . MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER: NSA MARCHES REGION COMMITTEE MEETING: 7.30pm at the Stables, Lower House Farm, Cannon Frome, Ledbury, HR8 2TG. All NSA Marches Region members are welcome, not just committee members. NSA EASTERN REGION WINTER FAIR: Friday 31st January at Melton Mowbray Market. Details and sponsorship packages from Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or jonathanceressolutions. co. uk . NSA SCOT SHEEP: Wednesday 4th June 2014, at the Berwickshire farm of Quixwood, Grantshouse, courtesy of the Macfarlane family. Details and sponsorship packages from Euan Emslie on 01430 441870 or euanappliedremedies. co. uk . NSA SOUTH SHEEP: Saturday 28th June at Blackcap Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, by kind permission of Tony Monnington and family. Details and sponsorship packages from Bob Blanden on 01666 860308 or blandenbtinternet . NSA SHEEP EVENT: Wednesday 30th July 2014 at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. Details and sponsorship packages from Helen Davies on 01938 590535, 07976 803066 or helennationalsheep. org. ukGETTING READY FOR TUPPING: WHAT TO THINK ABOUT. A quick guide with tipps on getting ewes and rams ready for TUPPING (Click Here) BREEDS AT RISK REGISTER FOR NORTHERN IRELAND - The Northern Ireland Assemblys Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has established a Breeds at Risk Register (BARR), based on a list of breeds determined by expert advice from the UK FAnGR committee. As at June 11, 917 individual cattle and 146 herds and flocks of pigs, poultry and sheep have been registered. The BARR may provide some protection for registered breeds at risk in the event of a disease outbreak, for example, exemption from culling, provided rigorous biosecurity measures are in place and that disease control measures are not compromised. The decision to exempt certain animals from culling will be based on the outcome of a veterinary risk assessment which will consider the situation on individual premises as well as other factors such as wider disease control measures and the impact on trade. Livestock and poultry keepers in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to register their rare breeds, free of charge. More information and the application form are available on dardni. gov. ukbreeds-at-risk EXCELLENT INDUSTRY FORUM PROVIDED BY NSA NORTH SHEEP 2013: Be it at the opening ceremony, in the seminar tent, or conversations amongst the thousands of visitors who flooded through the gates, there was a great sense of optimism at NSA North Sheep, coupled with a lot of respect for the role of the family farm in the sheep sector. This was exemplified by the hosts, with all three generations of the Wilson family (J. M. Wilson and Sons picture 1) showing their support for the event throughout the day. Our thanks goes to them, as well as the organising committee, willing volunteers, trade stands, demonstrators and visitors what an amazing day. Results of the competitions included:- Ripon Farm Supplies as best outdoor trade stand (picture 2) Logie Durno Sheep, from Aberdeenshire, as best indoor trade stand (3) and the Lleyn Sheep Society as best breed society stand (4). The Young Shepherd of the Year title went to Josh Ryder (5) of Central House Farm, Haverah Park, Harrogate. Josh works at CCM auction and on the 300-acre family home farm where they run 1,200 Dalesbred and Swaledale ewes and a small herd of sucklers. Winning stockjudgers were Cecil Hutchinson in the Gents section, Margaret Iveson (6) in the ladies section, Eddie Heard in the under 26s and Henry Forsett in the under 19s. Andrew Atkinson (7), a lamb buyer of Felliscliffe Harrogate, proved he knows as much about preparing lamb as purchasing it when he won the Ready, Steady, Cook competition. Coming top in the first ever NSA North Sheep Shearing Competition was 30-year-old Adam Berry (8) of Kendal. The seminar tent also proved to be a draw throughout the day. Phil Stocker and John Geldard, NSA Chief Executive and Chairman respectively, had an opportunity to update visitors on the topics NSA is currently working on, including CAP reform and countering arguments that eating less meat will save the planet (see more below). They also answered questions on the new electronic movement database for England and what was being done to engage with New Zealand and prevent them repeating their 2012 marketing strategy. Another popular seminar was Dr Fiona Lovatt tackling liver fluke, Schmallenberg and scab. As a practising vet who recently set up her own sheep consultancy business, Fiona said shes seen the impact of fluke on many farms in recent months. Using basic farm costing information for an average lowland flock, she calculated that fluke (by reducing scanning percentages, killing a small number of ewes and forcing a few more to be culled) could easily cut a flocks lamb rearing potential from 160 to 120, slashing margins from just over 33ewe to only 21pewe. She urged farmers to test for triclabendazole (TBZ) resistance (rather than assuming a treatment failure automatically meant the farm had resistance) and to also quarantine incoming stock. There were several quarantine options to stop fluke getting onto fluke-free farms and TBZ-resistant fluke getting on TBZ-susceptible farms, and so Fiona urged farmers to talk about quarantine options with their vet. NEXT UP IS THE NSA YOUTHFUL SHEPHERD EVENT: Specifically aimed at young people working in the sector or looking to pursue a career in the sector, the first ever NSA Youthful Shepherd Event is tomorrow (Saturday 8th June). This will be a unique opportunity for new and potential new entrants to have access to industry leaders and influencers, gain information and advice, and have a say about what the industry can do to better support young people. The event starts at 2.30pm at Darley Stud Management Co Ltd, Rutland Yard, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9RF. It is organised by NSA Eastern Region but open to young people from around the UK. The event will include:- Advice and open discussion forums on store lamb production, pedigree sheep breeding, financing a start-up business, live and deadweight marketing, and breed types. Demonstrations on Signet recording and ultrasound scanning, show and sale presentation, tagging and electronic readers, and sheepdogs. NSA Eastern Region Young Shepherd of the Year Competition . which is a qualifier for the national and European finals. Pre-entry required. Fun competitions including electric fencing, sheep counting and eat-a-pie-shear-a-sheep-drink-a-pint The event will conclude at 6pm with a BBQ, to which all NSA Eastern Region members are invited for a social evening. This replaces the NSA Eastern Region farm walk. AND THEN NSA SHEEP SOUTH WEST: The penultimate NSA summer sheep event - NSA Sheep South West - is being held this Tuesday (11th June) from 10am at Moortown Barton, Knowstone, South Molton, Devon, EX36 4RZ, by kind permission of Michael and David Snell (pictured here with their families). Tuesday will be an action-packed day with plenty going on, including farm tours, carcase and fleece competitions, stockjudging challenges, a sheepdog sale and Young Shepherd (and Student Shepherd) of the Future competitions. For the first time a seminar programme has also been introduced. Find out more at sheepsouthwest. org. uk . NSA INVOLVED IN MEDIA ACTIVITY AROUND MEAT AS A LUXURY PRODUCT: This Tuesday (4th June) say the House of Commons Select Committee on international development release a report on global food security, which hit the mainstream press in the papers, radio and TV. This subject relates to the highest level of policy work the NSA is involved in, as it is likely to underpin many policies for future food production and land use. The reports headline essentially said that the growing global population should eat less meat, but when you dug a little deeper it was saying clearly that increasing grain-fed meat was likely to be unsustainable whereas grass-fed meat would be an essential part of sustainable meat production and consumption. The media debate quickly (and unhelpfully) evolved into a meat versus non-meat argument, although this allowed Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, to be quoted on the front page of the Tuesdays Daily Mail and be involved in a live debate on Radio 5 Live, making the case that sheep production was one of the most natural and sustainable ways of converting our largely grass-based land area into nutritious and tasty food for the population - not only does it make use of grass but in doing so creates the sort of countryside that the public love. Phil says: quot When you consider this debate and also the re-wilding proposals discussed in last weeks NSA Weekly Email Update, it is crucial NSA continues to get reasonable and practical facts across to a public, many of whom are enthusiastic about what we are doing but always need reassurance. quot NSA ENGLISH COMMITTEE GETS UPDATE ON CAP REFORM: In addition to NSAs regular work on CAP reform, the English Committee also invited Gail Soutar, NFU Senior CAP and International Affairs Adviser, to provide an update at their meeting last week (Wednesday 29th May). One of the most pressing issues to come out of the discussion with Gail was a reminder that anyone interested in Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) only had until 1st September 2013 to apply, with the final ELS agreements to be offered on 1st December 2013. HLS closes at the end of July but Gail suggested Natural England already had to be aware of your interest and so no new applications could now be submitted. ELS and HLS schemes will then permanently close and be replaced with a new scheme from 1st January 2016, which is expected to be a middle tier between ELS and HLS. There is no firm information available on what will happen to existing environmental stewardship agreements that end in 2014 and 2015, but it is though unlikely that very few newextended agreements will be offered. Meanwhile IN WALES . the Glastir deadlines are:- 31st July to be included in the next selection process for Glastir Efficiency Grants or Glastir Advanced. 30th August for Glastir Commons applications (application forms will be issued next month, only to Grazing Associations who have already submitted an expression of interest form). 30th September for Glastir agreements starting on 1st January 2014. Also, from now until 4th July Glastir drop-in surgeries are being ran at Farming Connect divisional offices, with on-farm events also available until 5th July. Details at menterabusnes. co. ukfarmingconnect. NEW DUNBIA LLANYBYDDER PREMISES OPEN: NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker was one of many guests present today (Friday 7th June) to see Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones open Dunbias new premises at Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire. HCC (Meat Promotion Wales) has welcomed the 12m investment and 600 employed positions, saying it shows faith in Welsh farmers and the quality of stock they produce. Gyn Howells, HCC Chief Executive, says: quotDunbia has demonstrated an eagerness to develop their domestic and export business and, working alongside HCC, has secured several business contracts in countries across the globe including Canada, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal and Italy. HCC works closely with Dunbia to market PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef on the UK and world stage, generating business for the Welsh economy. quotThe investment at Llanybydder includes 2.71m from the Welsh Governmentquot. IN-FIELD PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR RED TRACTOR: July will see Red Tractor Assurance launch a new Trust the Tractor campaign, which will see a great deal of promotional activity, including Trust the Tractor advertising banners appearing in farmers fields alongside around the country. If you are a farm assurance member and have a field in a visible spot near a major transport route that you think should be considered as a site for a 15ft by 4ft banner please email marketingredtractor. org. uk . BELGIAN SUPERMARKET CHOSES UK LAMB OVER SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: The decision by one of Belgiums largest supermarket chains to switch away from chilled New Zealand and Australian to UK product could see an additional 1,100 tonnes of UK lamb exported each year (we exported a total of 95,000 tonnes in 2012). Belgium is an important market for the UK, as Belgian lamb consumption is on the up, with lamb being the only meat species in 2012 to see an increase. EblexHCC believe an increasing number of cuts being offered in Belgium could further bolster this growth. GRASS AND SILAGE FIGURES AVAILABLE IN WALES: You can follow the quality, growth and financial value of new and old leys on three Farming Connect beef and sheep demonstration farms in the Grazing for Profit area of menterabusnes. co. ukfarmingconnect. Also check out the Mileage in Silage area for analysis of grass samples from demonstration farms to determine sugar levels and sulphur requirements of second cut silage. TAKE A FIRM GRIP ON RAGWORT: The common ragwort growing season has begun, with young plants forming low rosettes in fields and pastures. Landowners and occupiers have a statutory responsibility to prevent and control the spread of ragwort under the Weeds Act 1959, and it is also a cross compliance requirement. Control options include spot-spraying with a selective herbicide or hand-pulling - but remember ragwort remains toxic after the plant is dried, so proper disposal following clearance is necessary to protect livestock. NUFFIELD SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS 31ST JULY: Anyone considering applying for a 2014 Nuffield Scholarship Award has until 31st July to decide on their topic and complete an application. The Nuffield Scholarship Programme offers an incredible opportunity for people wishing to travel overseas for eight weeks to study a specific farming topic. The sheep sector (via some NSA members) has benefitted many times from discoveries made by previous scholars, and NSA encourages anyone under the age of 45 to consider applying. Applicants must be three year or more post tertiary education and been engaged in farming, rural land-based industries, food industries and agriculturally associated industries for at least two years, and intend to remain in these industries. Around 20 awards are available and applications are via an online process at nuffieldscholar. org . GERMAN STUDENT LOOKING FOR TWO-MONTH WORK PLACEMENT: NSA has been contacted by 19-year-old Amelie Kreuzer, who is looking for a placement on a UK farm during July and August. Amelie is a fluent English speaker and has experience working on German farms, including her parents pig unit. She has a keen interest in sheep and is eager to learn more through a practical placement in this country (with accommodation provided). She has a full driving licence. Amelie is not looking for wages but would be willing to accept a financial reflection of her commitment to the work placement at its conclusion. Email Amelie at amelie. kreuzergmail . NSA EVENT DIARY:- NEW EVENT: NSA YOUTHFUL SHEPHERDS EVENT: Saturday 8th June at Darley Stud Management Co Ltd, Rutland Yard, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9RF. Organised by NSA Eastern Region but open to young people from around the UK with an interest in the sheep sector, with a BBQ and social event to follow in the evening for sheep farmers of all ages. Click here for more information and an application form. NSA EASTERN REGION EVENT: The Youthful Shepherds Event on Saturday 8th June replaces the NSA Eastern Regions annual farm walk and so all Eastern Regional members are invited to the 8th June event and the BBQ afterwards. If anyone wishes to help, either before or on the day, please contact NSA Eastern Regional Manager Jonathan Barber on 01953 607860 or jonathancharollaissheep . NSA SHEEP SOUTH WEST: Tuesday 11th June at Moortown Barton, Knowstone, South Molton, Devon, EX36 4RZ. More information here . NSA SOUTH EAST FARM WALK: Thursday 13th June, hosted by NSA SE Regional Chairman Andrew Barr, 2pm at Place Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LP. Please let Bob Blanden know you plan to attend - call 07860 689391 or email blandenbtinernet . NSA SHEEP NORTHERN IRELAND: Monday 1st July at Ballymena Market, Woodside Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT42 4HX. Email Edward Adamson for more information by clicking here . SHEEP BREEDERS ROUND TABLE: Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd November at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham. Organised by Eblex, Signet Breeding Services, NSA, HCC and Biosciences KTN, will John McEwan of AgResearch New Zealand as keynote speaker and a theme for the three days of transforming data into profit. To register an interest in attending email karen. morriseblex. ahdb. org. uk or call 024 7647 8828. Details of next years ram sales can be found by clicking here . Stamp Out Scab Roadshow: To give the English-wide Stamp Out Scab campaign the best possible chance of success it is vital that everyone involved in the sheep sector is involved in the project, not just farmers. So please spread the word to vets and SQPs that a series of meetings is being held in June and July (click here for a full list). Meetings for farmers will follow this summer. Schmallenberg (SBV) latest From reports being received at NSA HQ it would appear that fewer lambing flocks are now experiencing SBV compared to those lambing before Christmas and early into the New Year. This might be expected on two fronts - as the tupping season progressed midge activity should have reduced, and probably more of the early lambing flocks were synchronized compared to those lambing now. We now have some additional information from a recent European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) meeting:- SBV has a very high level of vector competence compared to other viruses and it is this that is accounting for the fast and wide spread of the virus across the country. EU Members States, including the UK, are still saying that on an industry level SBV will have a low impact (although everyone recognises that for those farmers affected the suggestion that it is low impact can be offensive), but the impact on synchronized flocks can be far higher. There is strong evidence that there is very high protective immunity in individual sheep that were affected in the previous year, and there is fairly high prevalence of antibodies (87-98) across flocks that have been exposed. There is talk of the virus being present and infective in semen but this is not proven. AHVLA are to do some research into this, and scientists are very skeptical that in natural mating or AI this spread of infection would happen. Approval of the application for authorisation of a SBV vaccine is still underway and Ministers, Defra, AHVLA, and VMD have all been made aware of the importance of this vaccine to the livestock industry. To finish with some good news there has been exhaustive research completed that has shown there is no risk to human health of the current Schmallenberg virus. NSA SBV survey goes online You should have all received an email letting you know the industry-led Lambing Survey is now online and will be available until the end of May for farmers to fill in once they have finished lambing. The questions are designed to help get an impression of the lambing season as a whole, but specifically the impact of Schmallenberg (SBV). NSA called for such a survey back in December, when it became clear AHVLA would not be collecting any detailed information about SBV on individual farms. This has resulting in the Lambing Survey, which is a joint initiative between NSA, AHVLA, Eblex, HCC, NBA, NFU and QMS. The survey can be found at surveymonkeysWWHBNC5 and should take about 10 minutes to complete if you have to hand information on the number of ewes and losses between then and lambing. The survey should be completed once you have finished lambing, and should be completed twice or more if you lamb ewes in two or more batches. If you know any NSA members without internet access please tell them they can contact the NSA to complete the survey over the phone instead - weekdays (9am-5.30pm) on 01684 892661, preferably with their NSA membership number to hand. The ewe was working hard to lamb but progress was slow. On first inspection the legs were jointed giving the impression of front legs. BUT there was a tail where the head was expected and in actual fact this lamb was presented backwards. Lambing progressed very slowly and it became apparent that the front legs were fused bent at the knee joint. Very luckily and with great care she was lambed normally. If this lamb had been presented normally our vet said that a caesarian would have been needed. From the hip down to the foot each joint was back to front. The front legs could only be moved and straightened by breaking the knee joint. This particular ewe was 8 days overdue and had been looking uncomfortable but not showing any obvious signs of lambing. On investigation the cervix was not open. The following day she started to push and show signs of lambing but progress was very slow. There was a jumble of lambs legs in the birth canal. It proved too difficult to lamb this ewe as it was obvious the lambs were deformed and the vet was called. She eventually managed to draw out two stillborn lambs which had been entangled. These lambs had been dead for some time (2 - 3 weeks). Although this ewe had been scanned carrying twins the vet then felt another lamb inside. This lamb was huge and very bloated and could not be lambed naturally therefore a caesarian was conducted. Although the lamb was dead it would appear that the placenta was still feeding the lamb which caused the oedema. This was a very difficult caesarian. The appearance of this lamb was that of a bloated rugby football with deformed leg appendages and very large head with undershot jaw. Ewes not developing udder as would be expected and giving birth to very small andor stillborn lambs. These weak lambs require lots of attention to get them going but once they do they seem to be quite robust. Lambs appearing normal at birth which, in spite of attention, have then faded and died within a few hours. Newborn lambs from a normal deleivery being very slow to suckle and requiring time and patience to get them drinking. In some cases it has been more efficient to take colostrum off the ewe and feed it to the lamb. Ewes giving birth to a mix of normal and abnormal, live and dead lambs. SBV Update by Sue Farquhar SBV Update: 4th February 2013 Having recently attended an NFU livestock meeting for sheep farmers in Hereford market, where we had an interesting talk on SBV, by a large veterinary practice. The one overwhelming anecdote is that is that once an area is affected the level of impact is very random i. e. Joe Bloggs may have 50 losses in his lambs and Fred just 14 mile away and lambing at the same time is unaffected. Many other shepherds are reporting that they have had live lambs that have been smaller than usual. these lambs start of ok but then 3-4 days later may go off their feet and fade away and will certainly require TLC if they are to survive. These weakly lambs have been tested positive for SBV. Some farmers have had deformed lambs, that have been tested positive but on testing the mothers they have shown no anti bodies, which the vets are finding this a little puzzling. In the South West the news according to local vets is that the incidence of affected lambs is reducing as lambing proceeds from the high of up to 50 affected in early December. Just remember if in doubt, seek your vets advice. SBV Update: 26th January 2013 This will be a short note to keep breeders and flock owners up to date on the practical side with the Schmallenberg virus (SBV). There are many stories, rumour and half truths circulating and they seem to be gathering momentum. I have unfortunately been affected with SBV in my flock, so I would like to share a few snippets that might be of help to others. You can read the theory on the internet at defra. gov. ukanimal-diseasesa-zschmallenberg-virus. but from my experience the virus can manifest itself in many different ways. The lambs with fused joints as in the photo nearly always come breach, these are boxed shape with the leg joint fused and often the neck is fused back towards the spine. Great care is needed when assisting these ewes to lamb in order to avoid tearing the womb with the fused feet. If in doubt seek veterinary help. Some lambs come with very spindly legs and a rugger ball belly, some are neurologically miswired. they can suck but are unable to stand, others are born weak, some with a curved spine. In addition to the problems with SBV the weather has played its part leading some ewes to produce weak lambs this season probably due to the lack of nutrition after such an appallingly wet summer and autumn that has leached all the goodness from the grass. Even for seasoned Shropshire breeders this lambing is one of the most difficult ever. If you have any queries on SBV please e-mail Sue Farquhar on hansnetttalktalk. net or phone, you are not alone this lambing season. Article posted Friday 1st February 2013 by the NSA Some positive Schmallenberg reports are emerging - and survey will be available soon. Our sympathy is with those early lambing flocks that have been hit very hard by Schmallenberg (SBV) and we know how nervous many members are about ewes that are yet to lamb. It was therefore nice to receive one very positive report from NSA member Dan Phipps this week. Dan suffered large losses from SBV last year but has just finished lambing 435 ewes on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border without seeing a single lamb with SBV-like symptoms. He marked individual ewes that produced affected lambs last year and all of these had healthy, strong lambs. However, he did experience a higher barren rate than in previous years, with 120 ewes carrying raddle marks but scanning empty being moved into the later lambing flock. These will be scanned next week, and regardless if they are in lamb or not (fingers crossed they are) Dan would like to know if their infertility is linked to SBV. Questions such as this, and the huge disparity across the country of some flocks suffering losses and others not, underline yet again how vital it is that we collect information on a large-scale to improve our understanding. The 201213 lambing season survey will be available very soon and we cannot overstate the importance of everyone filling this in. It has come about due to some hard work by NSA, along with AHVLA, EBLEX, NFU and NBA, and will hopefully capture the impact that the virus had hadis having on sheep farms. It has been designed to be completed online once you have finished lambing each batch of ewes - i. e. if you lamb some ewes early and some later complete the survey twice, but if you lamb everything together do it just once. As long as you have basic information to hand (such as scanning rate, number of losses etc) then it will not take long to fill in. We will alert you as soon as the survey is available, and NSA Head Office will happily complete the survey over the phone with any NSA member who does not have the ability to do it online. Disease surveillance in England and Wales to be overhauled. The emergence of Schmallenberg reiterates how important disease surveillance is, and will be a key consideration as NSA completes the consultation paper that has been issued by AHVLA about surveillance on a greatly reduced budget. NSA representatives have also been attending AHVLA-ran workshops in the last fortnight to get a better understanding of what surveillance might look like in the future when the chance of all existing AHVLA centres remaining open is very slim. AHVLA is considering ways for 75 of all farmers to have a drop-off point within a one-hour drive, from which carcases will be taken to centralised post-mortem centres - but it is also open to other suggestions and NSA will gladly communicate with any member who has an interest in this area. Please email joannenationalsheep. org. uk. but bearing in mind the note at the top of this Update explaining the NSA server will be out-of-action this weekend. This lambing season has seen cases of the Schmallenberg Virus affecting Shopshire Sheep flocks. The Society thought that it might be of help to other flock members of theses situations that have presented themselves. Below are records of individuals encounters and in some cases what had to be done to deliver the lambs, and their findings. Please be aware that this virus is affecting sheep and cattle, all breeds and is not just specific to the Shopshire Sheep Breed and the SSBA have published this information for the possible benefit of experience from other breeders. Hopefully this will give people more information on the subject as we all seem to be learning as we go and hopefully to understand that we are not alone should it happen to you. Should you wish to know more information on the Virus then have a look on the net and to talk to your own vet. Remember that should you ever be in difficulty with your sheeps health and well-being then please raise your concerns with your vet as is normal practice. In summary from the findings below. this is all the theory, but remember that this is a new virus and we are all still learning. The virus seems to manifest its self in different ways. fused joints. nearly always breach. some with very spindly legs and a rugger ball belly. some are neurologically miss wired and result in lambs that will suck but not stand. others are born weak or one is ok and the other twin is deformed. Article posted Wednesday 30th January 2013 on RBST Website Livestock breeders are urged to be vigilant With lambing already underway for some early lambing flocks, the impact of the Schmallenberg virus appears to be greater than originally predicted, with some commercial flock owners reporting losses as high as 60 in some cases. According to figures published by Defra, a total of 1211 holdings had been affected by mid January. The virus can have a devastating impact on unborn lambs. The AHVLA website states that . quotmalformations observed to date include bent limbs and fixed joints twisted neck or spine, a domed appearance to the skull, short lower jaw and brain deformities. the foetal deformities vary depending on when infection occurred during pregnancy. In adult cows the acute infection resulted in diarrhoea, fever, a reduction in milk yield, with a full and rapid recovery over several daysquot. In some cases ewes may give birth to one deformed lamb and one normal lamb. Schmallenberg Virus is not a notifiable disease but breeders are advised to contact their veterinary surgeon if they encounter cases of ruminant neonates or foetuses which are stillborn. A Europe-wide risk assessment has concluded that Schmallenberg virus is very unlikely to cause illness in people. Livestock keepers are reminded of the importance of maintaining strict bio-security. Pregnant women should not have contact with sheep and goats at lambingkidding time due to risks of exposure to disease causing organisms. This particular ewe was 8 days overdue and had been looking uncomfortable but not showing any obvious signs of lambing. On investigation (Tues evening) the cervix was not open however yesterday (Wed) she started to push and show signs of lambing but progress was very slow. During a further internal examination the cervix was gently manipulated to help dilate it which caused the waters to break releasing an extraordinary amount of birth fluid. Once the ewe had passed all this fluid a jumble of lambs legs were in the birth canal. It proved too difficult to lamb this ewe as it was obvious the lambs were deformed and the vet was called (yet again). She eventually managed to draw out two stillborn lambs which had been entangled. These lambs had been dead for some time (2 - 3 weeks). Although this ewe had been scanned carrying twins the vet then felt another lamb inside. This lamb was huge and very bloated and there was no way it could be lambed naturally therefore a caesarean had to be conducted. This was a very difficult caesarean as although the lamb was stillborn it would appear that the placenta was still feeding the lamb which caused the oedema. It weighed 6 Kg. The appearance of this lamb was that of a bloated rugby football with deformed leg appendages and very large head with undershot jaw. If this ewe had been left she would have shed her afterbirth and succumbed to toxaemia and died. Please be very aware when delivering Schmallenberg affected ewes that you check there are no more lambs inside. Dont rely on scanning, this ewe had been scanned carrying twins and in fact had triplets. Of our other affected ewes, one was scanned with twins yet delivered triplets.. Sharing our experiences certainly help me keep a calm head in the early hours of this morning. I kept thinking back what you had all found which helped us to lamb a ewe. The ewe lambed herself and produced a nice healthy lamb. She went down to have the second lamb and I noticed a nose but nothing else. The lamb was alive but had both legs back. Found the legs and brought them forward so everything looked ok and normal. Gave a pull and the lamb started to come out then got stuck behind the shoulders. Went to investigate but couldnt find anything wrong, lots of room, back legs not tucked under, everything seemed fine but couldnt understand why we couldnt get it out. My husband tried, but had no joy so we decided to call the vet. Whilst waiting for the vet to arrive the ewe gave a big push and he saw the lamb move slightly so he gave another pull and it came out. Unfortunately the lamb was dead but its belly was so distended and the hind legs very thin. The vet has taken it away to test for schmallenburg. Thank goodness for the stories as I thought back to the previous message with the rugby ball. Dear SSBA Members This is an important update produced by the Charollais Sheep Society concerning the reported incidence of Schmallenberg Virus in flocks that have lambed from 1st December to date. In some flocks up to 50 of lambs born have been infected. Carroll Barber has kindly allowed the use of this information by the SSBA. Her report follows. We are sorry to report that many (Charollais) flocks are reporting cases of deformed lambs being born which are most likely to be as the result of Schmallenberg infection. Breeders have contacted us from the South West, Midlands, Home Counties and South Wales. We are very sorry for those of you who are affected and can only hope that the level of problems drop back as we proceed with lambing. We thought it might be helpful to set out a few facts on the disease. - This virus belongs to a group of viruses that are spread by insect vector, principally midges and mosquitoes. - Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) is not a notifiable disease. - When ewes are bitten by infected midges they show virtually no signs of illness. - The effect of the infection is seen in deformed lambs, born at full term. Classic signs of SBV are extended limbs which are fused, deformed heads and lambs that show few signs of normal behaviour stupid lambs. - Often a ewe can give birth to twins one deformed and the 2nd normal. - Not all ewes in a flock will be give birth to deformed lambs, or all ewes on a farm. Infection is generally quite sporadic. - Ewes and lambs cannot pass the disease on to other sheep. You require the midge as the host for transmission of the virus. - The growing foetus is vulnerable to the infection for only a short period of time, thought to be around 30 - 45 days into pregnancy. - Once ewes have been infected they will have a high level of immunity for subsequent years. - A vaccine is nearly ready for market - but we need to apply pressure to make sure this is available for later lambing flocks and for next year. - Care should be taken while lambing deformed lambs, as with fused limbs it is possible to severely damage ewes. We would suggest that anyone who suspects that they may have the infection on their farm to contact their veterinary surgeon. We know that they cannot do anything to alleviate the problems, but we do need to get the disease fully recorded. This is so the vaccine is pushed to market as soon as possible which might help later lambing flocks in 2013. Veterinary surgeons should then contact their local AHVLA Laboratory (England and Wales) or SAC Disease Surveillance Centre (Scotland) if they suspect infection with the virus and arrange to have the dead lambs tested to confirm. It would also be helpful if you could let the office (SSBA) know if you have had a problem. It will give us a picture of the spread of the disease and put us in a better position to push hard for the arrival of the vaccine. We need to be able to advise farming groups and bodies just how devastating this disease is. We are sorry to bring you bad news, but hopefully many healthy, strong lambs will be born. Remember you are certainly not alone in this horrid situation. Jonathan amp Carroll Barber, Charollais Sheep Society The following is extracted from the Farmers Guardian Schmallenberg virus circulating in Britain again 24 July 2012 By Alistair Driver SCHMALLENBERG Virus (SBV) has survived the winter and is already circulating among livestock again in Britain, with potentially serious consequences for parts of the country later this year. Defra has announced the virus was identified on seven late-lambing farms between mid-April and May - two in the Channel Islands and one each in Dorset, West Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Kent. According to Defra Deputy Chief veterinary Officer Alick Simmons, the ewes carrying these lambs must have become infected in January or early February. This suggests that the disease probably over-wintered in midges. We probably have more infection transmitting out of the infected areas moving westwards and northwards was we speak, quothe told Farmers Guardian on Tuesday. Mr Simmons announced that Defra is set to embark on a major nationwide SBV surveillance programme and urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of disease. He said the re-emergence of the virus was no surprise, given the speed and efficiency with which it has already been shown to spread in midges in mainland Europe. But he said it was impossible to estimate how far and how fast the infection would spread in Britain this year. Animals that have already been infected, including a high proportion in southern and eastern England last year, will have built up immunity. The virus is therefore expected to travel, via midges, like a moving front westwards and northwards from the infected areas, Mr Simmons said. As the virus causes most of its damage in pregnant animals - leading to stillborn and deformed lambs and calves that characterise SBV - infection during the summer months is relatively harmless. The real danger time is the autumn breeding period. One could argue that the quicker infection moves across the country and infects areas before ewes and cows go to the ram or bull, the better it will be because they will become immune before they get pregnant. It arrived in August or September last year so there was no time for sheep to gain immunity before they get pregnant, but there is time this year, Mr Simmons said. However, the areas where the disease strikes in the autumn breeding season could endure a similar experience to the most infected southern and eastern counties in the early month of this year. He stressed, however, that only small proportion of infected pregnant animals go on to have deformed and stillborn offspring. He added that Defra was unable to give farmers any advice about reducing the risk because of the gaps in the knowledge about its spread and impact. Looking for signs of SBV Defra is urging farmers, particularly along the edge of the risk area, to look out for, and report to their vets, signs of SBV in adult cattle, such as milk drop, fever and diarrhoea. AHVLA will also shortly be launching a web-based survey to assess the prevalence of the virus in the national sheep flock. It will concentrate on counties where there were no confirmed cases in 20112012 or that are on the edge of the infected area, such as Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Herefords, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The survey will use samples taken as part of the sheep and goat survey for Brucella melitensis. The aim is to test sufficient samples to provide 95 per cent confidence that less than 6 per cent of the flocks in these regions were exposed to the virus. Schmallenberg has been found on 275 farms in England, 219 in sheep, 53 in cattle and three in both, although very few new cases have been identified over the summer. It has been found in 27 countiesauthorities, mainly in southern and eastern England but as far north as East Riding and as far west as Cornwall. There have been 5,663 cases in nine member states so far, with France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and UK the worst affected. It has also been found in much smaller numbers in Luxembourg, Italy, Spain and Denmark. NSA Members Update - 22nd June 2012 AHVLA conducts survey to measure impact of Schmallenberg virus on sheep farms The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency is undertaking a survey to measure the impact Schmallenberg (SBV) had on sheep farms during the 201112 lambing season. As this is a new disease, the main aim is to assess possible losses to farmers and to better understand how the disease has affected animal health and welfare in Great Britain. AHVLA is asking all sheep farmers, including those who did not have Schmallenberg in their flocks, to answer a short online questionnaire. There are 30 questions, which should take less than 30 minutes to complete. Links to English and Welsh versions of the questionnaire can be found below: A summary of the survey results will be published on the AHVLA website. but no individual farms will be identifiable from these results. The closing date for answering the online questionnaire is 15 July 2012. Any questions about the survey should be sent to SBVsurveyahvla. gsi. gov. uk . More information about Schmallenberg can be found on the Schmallenberg virus pages of the AHVLA website. The Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association is affiliated to the National Sheep Association NSA engages with AHWBE and Welsh Government on RDP. Two separate meetings this week gave the opportunity for NSA to keep the focus on Pillar Two of the CAP and the Rural Development Progamme (RDP) in both England and Wales. As reported in previous newsletters, NSA believes tightening of Pillar One budgets (Single Farm Payments) in the current CAP negotiations, and a desire by Defra to modulate funds from Pillar One to Pillar Two, means new ways must be created for farmers to access RDP money. One way we could like to see this happen is through the creation of a scheme recognising on-farm contributions to animal health and welfare, rewarding farmers in the same way as agri-environment schemes do. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: We are proposing that a proportion of CAP money is targeted towards encouraging good animal health management, involvement in monitoring and accreditation schemes, and implementation of biosecurity and quarantine measures, and that the money is offered to farmers to enable them to do the right things with ensuing benefits for resource use and carbon footprints. With virtually no CAP money being spent on addressing societys current and future challenges, including resource-efficient food production in a way that helps address climate change, it seems a reasonable ask. On Tuesday (5th March) NSA Chairman John Geldard and Chief Executive Phil Stocker met with the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) and presented NSAs thoughts on CAP reform and RDP measures to incentivise animal health and disease control. The Board, which has an advisory responsibility for animal health issues in England, showed interest in the principles and engaged in an interesting discussion but previous meetings in Wales and Northern Ireland have been more positive and more focused on creative solutions that potential hurdles. On Thursday (7th March) NSA Senior Communications Officer Joanne Pugh attended a workshop at Llandrindod Wells, which the Welsh Government organised as part of its consultation on Pillar Two spending in Wales. The workshop allowed NSA to feed into current thinking in Wales and also opened doors for further discussions in the future. The Welsh Government made it very clear that a priority for RDP is mitigating the pain many Welsh farmers will experience from reduced Single Farm Payment cheques, which is very positive and suggests some funding will be ring-fenced for solely for access by farmers. Red Tractor conference shows unique position of the sheep sector. Red Tractor Assurance (RTA) held a conference for all its Boards, advisory committee members and partner organisations at Stoneleigh on Thursday (7th March). This was an opportunity for all the different sectors of fresh produce, cereals, dairy, pigs, poultry, and of course beef and sheep, to come together reflect on what RTA had achieved, compare how standards in the different sectors differed, and debate future strategies. Sheep farmers are amongst the lowest percentages assured with less than 50 of farmers and approximately 65 of lambs marketed being assured. NSAs view is that priorities and opportunities are very different for each sector and for sheep RTA has to concentrate on being a base-level scheme to allow for increased uptake, rather than a more elite scheme for fewer farmers. The RTA scheme allows farmers to make a voluntary declaration of legal and good agricultural practice (GAP) compliance providing a valuable industry assurance as well as a qualification of British produce. With the horsemeat scandal still high on the agenda it looks as though there will be much future discussion over the use of RTA in multi-ingredient foods. NSA English Committee embraces modern technology It was a first for the NSA on Wednesday (6th March) when Nick Davies, English Committee Member and NSA Marches Region Chairman, joined a NSA meeting via Skype. The rest of the NSA English Committee was in the Farmers Club, London, but could see and chat to Nick on a large screen, despite him being in Northern Ireland. Nick had not wanted to miss the meeting as New Zealand lamb was an agenda item and he had recently been in New Zealand for work reasons and wanted to share his experiences. A report of this trip is also included in the next edition of Sheep Farmer, which will be with members very soon. AHVLA publishes report on Ramsgate. This week saw AHVLA finally release their report on the sheep welfare incident at Ramsgate last September. The purpose of the report is claimed to be to prevent similar incidents happening in the future and therefore focusses on failures and intended improvements in procedures, and contains useful information on the required procedures and responsibilities. AHVLA has identified issues with the journey logging and transporter procedures and is making changes to requirements, and will be reminding official veterinarians of their legal responsibilities in export approvals. Kent Trading Standards is currently investigating the incident with a view to a prosecution and RSPCA are still planning a judicial review against the export trade. However, the timelines provided by AHVLA clearly spell out that the RSPCA objected to AHVLAs plans to transport the sheep to contingency premises for unloading and the NSA believes it was this decision that led to two sheep drowning and over 40 being euthanised. Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: The NSA is keen to see better enforcement of transport regulations and improvement in procedures so that good welfare can be assured in this legal trade. We are completely opposed to interference with AHVLA staff who are responsible for making decisions in these cases, and it doesnt add up when you consider the efforts that the RSPCA put into rescuing injured animals generally that they were so keen to kill these sheep on site. The report can be read at defra. gov. ukahvla-en20130304ahvla-report-events-of-12-sept-at-the-port-of-ramsgate . Research to continue to help understand black loss. A two-year study by the Highlands amp Islands Sheep Health Association, in conjunction with Quality Meat Scotland, ScotEID, SRUC and SAOS, has confirmed the existence of an average of 18.8 annual black loss (the unexplained disappearance of sheep) on four participating hill farms. The study saw 5,063 lambs electronically tagged as close as practically possible to birth and their identity recorded and uploaded to the ScotEID sheep database. Tags were read periodically over the summer through to the following winter and it was found lambs that had disappeared without trace over the period black loss sheep were mostly lost in the first six weeks from birth. The next step is therefore to identify a practical and cost effective technology to track lambs, and discussions have been held with Chinese researchers who use sensors and global positioning to identify active i. e. tags on animals that are moving. Any unusual movement or lack of movement recorded by sensors would be interpreted as a sign of illness or death, and black loss, and the hope is to develop a commercially-available system that will help sheep farmers intervene before this occurs. The work is expected to take another two years. NSA wishes Two Sisters Food Group well for the future. The acquisition of Vions UK poultry and red meat business by Two Sisters Food Group was announced on Monday (4th March). NSA is very pleased a resolution has been reached, wished Two Sisters every success and looks forward to working with them in the future. ScotHot puts Scotch Lamb on center stage: This week saw ScotHot, a three-day event for the best young chefs in London, take place in Glasgow and four of the eight finalists chose Scotch Lamb as the main ingredient to impress the judges with their cooking skills. During ScotHot, QMS also joined forces with the Federation of Chefs Scotland to do five 40-minute Scotch Lamb butchery demonstrations showing how innovative butchery can increase the culinary repertoire and make the most of the versatility of Scotch Lamb. Here George Milne, NSA Scotland Development Officer, is pictured with some of the competitors. One new entrant and one student looking for help from NSA members. NSA has been contacted by 20-year-old Conor McCrossan, who is looking for farmers in central Scotland who have foster lambs they may sell cheap or donate to help him establish a small flock as a way into sheep farming. He has a shed set up and colostrum and milk replacer at the ready Email Conor at fosterlambfarmhotmail. co. uk. Also Tomas Richards, who is studying Agriculture with Animal Science at Aberystwyth University, is looking for a work placement with a focus on breedint either on a large sheep farm or an industry company. He is looking for a placement from January to September 2014 anywhere in the UK, but will require accommodation if travelling any distance from his home in north Herefordshire. Tomas has some experience working with sheep and can be contacted at tomas. richardshotmail. co. uk or 07800 832768. NSA EVENTS DIARY NSA Welsh Sheep: Tuesday 21st May at Beili Ficer Farm, Llansawel, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 7JT. More information here . NSA Highland Sheep: Thursday 30th May at Dingwall Mart, Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9TP. More information here . NSA North Sheep: Wednesday 5th June at Crimple Head Farm, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1QT. More information here . NSA Sheep South West: Tuesday 11th June at Moortown Barton, Knowstone, South Molton, Devon, EX36 4RZ. More information here . NSA Sheep Northern Ireland: Monday 1st July at Ballymena Market, Woodside Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT42 4HX. Email Edward Adamson for more information by clicking here . Sheep Breeders Round Table: Friday 1st Sunday 3rd November at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham. More information available later in the year. Details of next years ram sales can be found by clicking here BLUE TONGUEThe Thalesians Images from Thalesians events from around the world over the past 6 years The Thalesians are a think tank of dedicated professionals with an interest in quantitative finance, economics, mathematics, physics and computer science, not necessarily in that order. Blog See our new Thalesians blog Book Buy our new book. Trading Thalesians - What the ancient world can teach us about trading today (Palgrave Macmillan) by the Thalesians co-founder, Saeed Amen amp foreword by founder, Paul Bilokon Founding The group was founded in Sep 2008, by Paul Bilokon (then a quantitative analyst at Lehman Brothers specialising in foreign exchange, and a part-time researcher at Imperial College ), and two of his friends and colleagues: Matthew Dixon (then a quantitative analyst at Deutsche Bank) and Saeed Amen (then a quantitative strategist at Lehman Brothers). The opening of Level39 in 2013 by Mayor Boris Johnson The Thalesians are also now a member of Level39 - Europes largest technology accelerator for finance, retail, cyber-security and future cities technology companies Events Research Consulting Events The Thalesians were originally based in London, UK. In Jan 2011, the organisation became truly global when Matthew Dixon brought it to the United States where he runs the Thalesians NYC seminars with New York Leader Harvey Stein. Attila Agod is the Budapest Leader for our Thalesians Budapest seminars. We are currently in the process of expanding our seminars to Prague and running more workshops. Research In late 2013, we started published ground breaking quant strategy notes. Our effort is lead by Saeed Amen, using nearly a decade of his experience both creating and later trading systematic trading models in FX at major investment banks. Visit Research for more. Consulting In 2014, we started offering bespoke quant consulting services in markets, signing up our first client, a major US hedge fund and RavenPack, a major news data vendor. Our services includes the creation of bespoke systematic trading models and other quant analysis of financial markets, such as currency hedging and FX transaction cost analysis (TCA). Visit Consulting for more. Our Philosophy We are named after Thales of Miletus ( ), a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who lived in ca. 624 BC-ca. 546 BC. Thales was a mathematician and is familiar to many secondary school students for one of his theorems in geometry. But more relevantly to us, he was one of the first users of options: Thales, so the story goes, because of his poverty was taunted with the uselessness of philosophy but from his knowledge of astronomy he had observed while it was still winter that there was going to be a large crop of olives, so he raised a small sum of money and paid round deposits for the whole of the olive-presses in Miletus and Chios, which he hired at a low rent as nobody was running him up and when the season arrived, there was a sudden demand for a number of presses at the same time, and by letting them out on what terms he liked he realised a large sum of money, so proving that it is easy for philosophers to be rich if they choose, but this is not what they care about. Aristotle, Politics, 1259a. The morale of this anecdote is that it is easy for philosophers to be rich if they choose the famous Milesian went ahead and proved it. We, the Thalesians . admire him for that. But we also share many of his values, for example his core belief that a happy man is defined as one , , (who is healthy in body, resourceful in soul and of a readily teachable nature). This wiki was created to serve as a source of information on quantitative finance, to collate references to various related resources, and to serve as a convergence point for the Thalesians . our colleagues and collaborators. It grew out of Paul Bilokons finance wiki, which he started in February, 2007. We believe that secrecy and fidelity are important in the world of finance. But we also acknowledge the power of information sharing in open societies. Let your business logic remain a closely guarded secret. But release everything else into the public domain. What goes around, comes around this will ultimately spare you reinventing the wheel. More of our speakers at Thalesians events over the past 6 years Forthcoming Events Thalesians Seminar (Frankfurt) 8212 Thalesians Frankfurt 1st Open Stage Seminar Registration Instantaneous volatility of logarithmic return in lognormal fractional SABR model is driven by the exponentiation of a correlated fractional Brownian motion. Due to the mixed nature of driving Brownian and fractional Brownian motions, probability density for such models are less known in the literature. We present in this talk a bridge representation for the joint density of the lognormal fractional SABR model in a Fourier space. Evaluating the bridge representation along a properly chosen deterministic path yields an Edgeworth style of expansion of the probability density for the fractional SABR model. A direct generalization of the representation to joint density at multiple times leads to a heuristic derivation of the large deviations principle for the joint density in small time. Approximation of implied volatility is readily obtained by applying the Laplace asymptotic formula to the call or put prices and comparing coefficients. The presentation is based on a joint work with Jiro Akahori and Xiaoming Song. Tai-Ho Wang holds a professorship in mathematics at Baruch College, City University of New York since 2012. His research in quantitative finance includes implied volatility asymptotics in small time, static arbitrage free bounds on basket options, optimal liquidation and execution in market impact models, and recently information dynamics in financial market. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Alan Moreira 8212 Volatility Managed Portfolios Wednesday, February 15, 2017: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration Managed portfolios that take less risk when volatility is high produce large alphas, increase Sharpe ratios, and produce large utility gains for mean-variance investors. We document this for the market, value, momentum, profitability, return on equity, and investment factors, as well as the currency carry trade. Volatility timing increases Sharpe ratios because changes in volatility are not offset by proportional changes in expected returns. Our strategy is contrary to conventional wisdom because it takes relatively less risk in recessions yet still earns high average returns. This rules out typical risk-based explanations and is a challenge to structural models of time-varying expected returns. Alan Moreira is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Yale University School of Management. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he received his undergraduate degree from the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ) and his PhD in Financial Economics from the University of Chicago. Dr. Moreiras research investigates how financial intermediation shapes the real economy and the causes and consequences of fluctuations in uncertainty. His research has been published in the top journals including the Journal of Financial Economics and Journal of Finance. In addition to teaching Risk Management in the MBA program at the Yale School of Management, Dr. Moreira teaches Asset Pricing at the PhD level. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, traveling, and hanging out the family. Alan Moreira, Assistant Professor of Finance, Yale School of Management 1 IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Recent Events IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Hongzhong Zhang 8212 Intraday Market Making with Overnight Inventory Costs Thursday, December 14, 2016: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration The share of market making conducted by high-frequency trading (HFT) firms has been rising steadily. A distinguishing feature of HFTs is that they trade intraday, ending the day flat. To shed light on the economics of HFTs, and in a departure from existing market making theories, we model an HFT that has access to unlimited leverage intraday but must fund any end-of-day inventory at an exogenously determined cost. Even though the inventory costs only occur at the end of the day, they impact intraday price and liquidity dynamics. This gives rise to an intraday endogenous price impact mechanism. As time approaches the end of the trading day, the sensitivity of prices to inventory levels intensifies, making price impact stronger and widening bid-ask spreads. Moreover, imbalance of buy and sell orders may catalyze hikes and drops of prices, even under fixed supply and demand functions. Empirically, we show that these predictions are borne out in the U. S. Treasury market, where bid-ask spreads and price impact tend to rise towards the end of the day. Furthermore, price movements are negatively correlated with changes in inventory levels as measured by the cumulative net trading volume. (Joint work with Tobias Adrian, Agostino Capponi, and Erik Vogt) Hongzhong Zhang is an assistant professor at Columbia University. His research focuses on the broad area of applied probability with applications in engineering, finance and insurance. In particular, some of his current research interests include asymptotics, drawdowns, optimal stopping, and detection of regime changes. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Xmas Party (London) 8212 Iain Clark 8212 Implied Distributions from FX Risk-Reversals and Predictions for the Effect of the Brexit Vote and the Trump election We would like to invite you to our Thalesians Christmas seminar in London, where Iain Clark will be presenting This will be followed by our Christmas party at the GampTea Bar in the Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, where we will be serving drinks and canapes. The ticket price includes both the talk and the party (first drinks canapes). The canape selection will include some of the following: Aubergine and haloumi wrap Brie and parma ham finger brioche Crudits and hummus shot glasses Open face smoked salmon bagel Mini burgers Lamb samosa Spring rolls Prawn potato shells Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Monday 12th December 2016 Ginger Room, followed by drinks amp canapes at GampTea Bar, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK, Meetup In May 2016 it was noted, in the audience QampA after a presentation by the speaker, that GBPUSD risk reversals were exhibiting very unusual behaviour - namely, extreme skew in short dated tenors but relatively flat smiles thereafter. This is a most unusual volatility signature and the connection with the upcoming Brexit referendum vote was immediately made. The speaker, as a matter of urgency given the topical nature of the pre-Brexit market, performed an analysis with his co-author on implied distributions for the market expectations for GBPUSD around the referendum date (23 June 2016), with predictions for spot thereafter. The paper was uploaded to SSRN (ssrnabstract2794888 ) on 13 June, in which we identified empirical evidence in the volatility skew for a fall in GBPUSD from 1.4390 to the range 1.10 to 1.30 in the event of a Leave vote - a downward move of 0.14 to 0.34. The analysis, unusually for quant research, received coverage in the FT and the Sunday Telegraph and indeed our predictions were borne out when the referendum result was announced and sterling fell from 1.50 to 1.33 - a downward move of 0.17 - in a matter of hours. Subsequent to this analysis, we applied similar methods to the Mexican peso quoted versus the US dollar (USDMXN) immediately before the 2016 US election and we were able to predict peso devaluation into a range of 20-24 pesos per dollar in the event of a Trump victory, which was borne out by subsequent events. In this talk I will go through our analysis of the information embedded in the volatility skew and the basis for our predictive analysis. Iain J. Clark (MIMA CMath, MInstP CPhys, CStat, FRAS) has over 14 years experience as a front office quant. He has worked as Head of FX and Commodities Quantitative Analysis at Standard Bank, as Head of FX Quantitative Analysis at Unicredit and at Dresdner Kleinwort, and at Lehman Brothers, BNP Paribas and JP Morgan. Iain has a PhD in applied mathematics from Queensland University and a MSc in financial mathematics from Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt Universities. His main research interests are on exotic options, stochastic models for FX and commodities, and numerical methods for option pricing. He is a frequent contributor to industry conferences, training courses and invited speaker at various universities. His first book Foreign Exchange Option Pricing: A Practitioners Guide was published in November 2010 by Wiley Finance and his second book Commodity Option Pricing: A Practitioners Guide is due to appear in early 2014 (also with Wiley Finance). Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Vlasios Voudouris 8212 Flexible machine learning for finance Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Ginger Room, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Meetup With rapid changes in computing technology and the big data age, the field of data science is constantly challenged. Data scientists job is to make sense of the vast amounts of data: to extract important patterns and trends, and understand what the data says. The challenges in learning from data have led to a revolution in machine learning techniques. The GAMLSS suite of tools in our attempt to learn from financial data. GAMLSS is now widely used for predictive analytics and risk quantification (e. g. loss given default). Because of the flexibility of GAMLSS models, we can capture the following data characteristics: The heavy-tailed or light-tailed characteristics of the distribution of the data. This means that the probability of rare events (e. g. an outlier value) occurs with higher or lower probability compared with the normal distribution. Furthermore, the probability of occurrence of an outlier value might change as a function of the explanatory values. The skewness of the response variable, which might change as a function of the explanatory variables. The nonlinear or smooth relationship between the target variable and the explanatorypredictor variables. Based on our book Flexible Regression and Smoothing: Using GAMLSS in R, the talk includes a large number of practical examples (e. g. predictions and risk quantification) which reflect the range of problems addressed by GAMLSS models. This also means that the examples provide a practical illustration of the process of using GAMLSS models for machine learning. Vlasios Voudouris is a Data Scientist with expertise in data-driven predictive analytics and risk quantification of financial markets. His primary research focus is on i) semi-parametric machine learning models ii) innovative model selection processes and iii) robust diagnostics for systematic trading and risk quantification. He is the co-author of the book Flexible Regression and Smoothing: Using GAMLSS in R and the associated software in R and Java. GAMLSS (Generalized Additive Models for Location Scale and Shape) is about learning from data using semi-parametric supervised machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, Vlasios developed data-driven agent-based models for stress testing scenarios (with an emphasis on commodity markets). His models and tools are used by a range of organisations. By way of two specific examples: 1) the IMF used GAMLSS for stress testing the U. S. financial System 2) Vlasios and his colleagues demonstrated a suite of GAMLSS models for the Bank of England (BoE). Using GAMLSS, Vlasios developed a systematic trading model for WTI Crude Oil (NYMEX). Vlasios holds a Ph. D. from City, University of London. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Michael Imerman 8212 Insights from a Data-Driven Analysis of the Volatility Risk Premium Thursday, November 17, 2016: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration Much of this talk will come from joint work I did with Jianqing Fan at Princeton and Wei Dai now at Dimensional Fund Advisors. We set out to provide a purely data-driven analysis of the volatility risk premium, using tools from high-frequency finance and Big Data analytics. We argue that the volatility risk premium, loosely defined as the difference between realized and implied volatility, can best be understood when viewed as a systematically priced bias. We first use ultra-high-frequency transaction data on SPDRs and a novel approach for estimating integrated volatility on the frequency domain to compute realized volatility. From that we subtract the daily VIX, our measure of implied volatility, to construct a time series of the volatility risk premium. To identify the factors behind the volatility risk premium as a priced bias we decompose it into magnitude and direction. We find compelling evidence that the magnitude of the deviation of the realized volatility from implied volatility represents supply and demand imbalances in the market for hedging tail risk. It is difficult to conclusively accept the hypothesis that the direction or sign of the volatility risk premium reflects expectations about future levels of volatility. However, evidence supports the hypothesis that the sign of the volatility risk premium is indicative of gains or losses on a delta-hedged portfolio consistent with Bakshi and Kapadia (2003). As someone who has come from a background in financial modeling but has developed a penchant for data science and analytics, I will spend some time at the end of my talk on my thoughts about how data science is being embraced (in some ways, and eschewed in others) by the quantitative finance community. Michael B. Imerman is the Theodore A. Lauer Distinguished Professor of Investments and Assistant Professor in the Perella Department of Finance at Lehigh University. Dr. Imermans previous appointments were at Princeton in the ORFE Department and Rutgers Business School from where he received his Ph. D. Before coming to academia, Imerman worked as an analyst at Lehman Brothers supporting the high grade credit and credit derivative trading desks. At Lehigh, Professor Imerman teaches Derivatives and Risk Management both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His primary research area is in credit risk modeling with applications to banking, risk management, and financial regulation. Most recently he has been actively involved in integrating data science techniques into the evaluation of risk in the securitized mortgage market. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Prof David Hand 8212 The Improbability Principle: Why Coincidences, Miracles, and Rare Events Happen Every Day Date and Time Registration Sellers of variance swaps earn time-varying risk premia for their exposure to realized variance, the level of variance swap rates, and the slope of the variance swap curve. To measure the variance term premium, we estimate a dynamic term-structure model that prices variance swaps across the US, UK, Europe, and Japan. The model decomposes the variance swap curve into term-structures of risk premia and expected quantities of risk. Empirically, we document a strong factor structure in global variance swap rates and find that variance term premia are negatively correlated with the wealth of the financial intermediary sector. Our results support the hypothesis that financial intermediaries are the marginal investor in the variance swap market. Erik Vogt is a financial economist in the Capital Markets Function of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His main research interests are in asset pricing, financial econometrics, volatility and liquidity risk, and high-frequency data across a variety of asset classes, including equities, Treasuries, derivatives, and corporate bonds. His research on market liquidity and broker-dealers has received media coverage in Bloomberg, Reuters, and Yahoo Finance, among others, and was also cited in U. S. Senate testimony before the Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment, and the Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Erik actively serves as a referee for several peer-reviewed journals, including the Review of Financial Studies, the Journal of Econometrics, the Journal of Empirical Finance, the Journal of Financial Econometrics, and Quantitative Finance. Erik joined the New York Fed in July 2014 and holds a Ph. D. and M. A. in Economics from Duke University and a B. Sc. in Mathematics and Economics from the London School of Economics. Prior to graduate school, he worked as an Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Nick Baltas 8212 Multi-Asset Carry Strategies Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday 28th September 2016 Ginger Room, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Meetup Carry strategies have been primarily studied and explored within currency markets, where, contrary to the uncovered interest rate parity, borrowing from a low interest rate country and investing in a high interest rate country has historically delivered positive and statistically significant returns. This presentation extends the notion of carry to different asset classes by looking at the futures markets of commodities, equity indices and government bonds. We explore the profitability of cross-sectional and time-series variants of the carry strategy within each asset class but most importantly we investigate the benefits of constructing a multi-asset carry strategy after properly accounting for the covariance structure of the entire universe. Nick Baltas is an Executive Director within the Global Quantitative Research group at UBS. His research interests include systematic multi-asset strategies, portfolio construction, risk analysis and performance evaluation. Nick joined UBS in February 2013 and since then he additionally maintains visiting academic positions at Imperial College Business School and Queen Mary University of London. His research has been awarded with numerous grants and prizes and quoted by the financial press. Prior to his current role, Nick spent two years as Lecturer in Finance at Imperial College Business School, when he was awarded the Star Teacher of the Year award for both years in recognition of his teaching, and almost a year as risk manager in a London-based equity hedge fund. He holds a DEng in electrical and computer engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, an MSc in communications amp signal processing from Imperial College London and a PhD in finance from Imperial College Business School. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Arun Verma 8212 Statistical arbitrage using news and social sentiment based quant trading strategies Thursday, September 15, 2016: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration To explore the value embedded in News amp Social Sentiment data, we build three types of equity trading strategies based on sentiment data and show that strategies based on sentiment outperform the corresponding benchmark indexes significantly. Arun Verma joined the Bloomberg Quantitative Research group in 2003. Prior to that, he earned his Ph. D from Cornell University in the computer science amp applied mathematics. At Bloomberg, Dr. Vermas work initially focused on Stochastic Volatility Models for EquityFX Derivatives and Exotics pricing, e. g. Arbitrage free Volatility interpolation, Variance Swaps and VIX FuturesOptions pricing and Cross Currency Volatility Surface construction. More recently, he has enjoyed working at the intersection of such areas as data science, innovative quantitative techniques and interactive visualizations for help reveal embedded signals in financial data, e. g. building quant trading strategies for statistical arbitrage. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Scott Cogswell 8212 Initial Margin Model and Regulation for Uncleared Derivatives Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday 20th July 2016 Meetup Deep Learning has experienced explosive growth over the last few years with applications in diverse areas such as biomedicine, language processing and self-driving cars. The goal of this talk is to give an introduction to Deep Learning from the perspective of learning patterns in sequences, with an emphasis on understanding the core principles behind the algorithms. We will review the latest advances in Recurrent Neural Networks and discuss applications of RNNs to learning patterns in market data. Steve Hutt is a consultant in Deep Learning and Financial Risk, currently working for CME Group. He has previously been head quant for credit at UBS and Morgan Stanley, and before that a mathematician doing stuff in an obscure branch of topology. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Tobias Adrian 8212 Nonlinearity and Flight-to-Safety in the Risk-Return Tradeoff for Stocks and Bonds Thursday, June 16, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 905907, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration We document a highly significant, strongly nonlinear dependence of stock and bond returns on past equity-market volatility as measured by the VIX. We propose a new estimator for the shape of the nonlinear forecasting relationship that exploits additional variation in the cross section of returns. The nonlinearities are mirror images for stocks and bonds, revealing flight to safety: Expected returns increase for stocks when volatility increases from moderate to high levels, while they decline for Treasuries. We further demonstrate that these findings are evidence of dynamic asset pricing theories where the time variation of the price of risk is a function of the level of the VIX. Tobias Adrian is a Senior Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Associate Director of Research and Statistics Group. His research covers asset pricing, financial intermediation, and macroeconomics, with a focus on the aggregate implications of capital market developments. He has contributed to the NY Feds financial stability policy and to its monetary policy briefings. Tobias Adrian holds a Ph. D. from MIT and a MSc from LSE. He has taught at MIT, Princeton University, and NYU. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (Zurich) 8212 Felix Zumstein - Python in Quantitative Finance Date and Time 7:00 p. m. on Thursday, 9 June, 2016 Examining the electronic trading business from a practitioners perspective. This business has undergone many changes in recent years due to the emergence of new hardware and software products, the development of new quantitative and computational techniques, and changes in market structure and regulations. A market maker needs to be agile in order to remain competitive. This synoptic talk briefly considers the various factors that come into a market makers business calculus. Paul A. Bilokon is Director at Deutsche Bank, where he runs the global credit and core quant teams, part of Markets Electronic Trading (MET) group. He is one of the pioneers of electronic trading in credit, including indices, single names, and cash, and has worked in e-trading, derivatives pricing, and quantitative finance at bulge bracket institutions, including Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers, Nomura, and Citigroup. His more than a decade-long career spans many asset classes: equities, FX spot and options, rates and credit. Paul was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and Imperial College. The domain-theoretic framework for continuous-time stochastic processes, developed with Prof. Abbas Edalat, earned him a PhD degree and a prestigious LICS paper. Pauls other academic interests include stochastic filtering and machine learning. He is an expert developer in C, Java, Python, and kdbq, with a special interest in high performance scientific computing. His interests in philosophy and finance led him to formulate the vision for and found Thalesians, a think tank of dedicated professionals working in quant finance, economics, mathematics, physics and computer science, the focal point of a community with over 1,500 members worldwide. He serves as its CEO, and runs it with two of his friends and colleagues, Saeed Amen and Matthew Dixon, as fellow Directors. Dr. Bilokon is a joint winner of the Donald Davis Prize (2005), winner of the British Computing Society Award for the Student Making the Best Use of IT (World Leadership Forums SET award, 2005), Ward Foley Memorial Scholarship (2001), two University of London High Achiever Awards (in mathematics and physics, 1999) a Member of the British Computer Society, Institution of Engineering and Technology, and European Complex Systems Society Associate of the Securities and Investment Institute, and Royal College of Science and a frequent speaker at premier conferences such as Global Derivatives, alphascope, LICS, and Domains. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Luis Seco 8212 Hedge funds: are negative fees in the horizon An option pricing perspective Thursday, May 12, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration The growth of the hedge fund sector is creating a difficult environment for start-ups, which is creating a climate that favors innovative fee structures. In this talk we will review some of them, and will propose a costbenefit analysis using Black-Scholes option pricing which will show that in some situations, the manager will pay the investor. Luis Seco is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Toronto, where he also directs the Mathematical Finance Program and the RiskLab, a research laboratory that specializes in risk management research. He is the President and CEO of Sigma Analysis amp Management, an asset management firm that provides hedge fund investment products that employ managed account structures to obtain unique transparency, analytics and liquidity services. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from Princeton and was a Bateman Instructor at the California Institute of Technology. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. ThalesiansQuant Finance Group Germany (Frankfurt) 8212 Thomas Wiecki 8212 Predicting out-of-sample performance and building multi-strategy portfolios using Random Forests Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday 11th May 2016 PPI AG Office, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Strae 79, Frankfurt Am Main Meetup FREE event, kindly hosted by PPI Thanks for Jochen Papenbrock and Adrian Zymolka for organising and for PPI for hosting. The question of how predictive a backtest is of out-of-sample performance is at the heart of algorithmic trading. Using a unique dataset of 888 algorithmic trading strategies developed and backtested on the Quantopian platform with at least 6 months of out-of-sample performance, we study the prevalence and impact of backtest overfitting. Specifically, we find that commonly reported backtest evaluation metrics like the Sharpe ratio offer little value in predicting out of sample performance (R lt 0.025). However, we show that by training a Random Forest regressor on a variety of features that describe backtest behavior, out-of-sample performance can be predicted at a much higher accuracy (R 0.17) on hold-out data compared to using linear, univariate features. We then show that we can construct a multi-strategy portfolio based on predictions by the Random Forest which performed significantly better out-of-sample than other alternatives. Thomas Wiecki is the Data Science Lead at Quantopian focusing Bayesian models to evaluate trading algorithms. Previously, he was a Quantitative Researcher at Quantopian developing an open-source trading simulator as well as optimization methods for trading algorithms. Thomas holds a PhD from Brown University. Global Derivatives (Budapest - External Event) 8212 Speakers including Carr amp Hull 8212 Trading and risk management Thalesians Workshop Date and Time 9th - 13th May, 2016 Hotel Intercontinental, Budapest, Hungary To sign up You can register for this event and pay online at the Global Derivatives Europe website: icbi-derivativesFKN2466TH - Members of the Thalesians receive a 15 discount (click on the link to activate) The Worlds Largest Quant Finance Conference Join 500 Quants amp Traders From Around The World Over 130 Sessions Covering 5 Full Days Of Content 120 Expert Speakers Buy-Side Summit: Quantitative Investment amp Portfolio Strategies Fintech amp Disruptive Innovation Summit Unmissable speakers for 2016 Peter Carr, Global Head of Market Modelling, Morgan Stanley John Hull, Professor Of Derivatives amp Risk Management, University of Toronto Zoltan Eisler, Co-Head of Execution, Capital Fund Management Fabrizio Anfuso, Head of Collateralized Exposure Modelling, Credit Suisse Thalesians Workshop on ElectronicSystematic Trading at Global Derivatives The Thalesians will be running a workshop at Global Derivatives, which will be led by Saeed Amen and Paul Bilokon, who have a combined experience of two decades in this field. Topics to be discussed include market microstructure and an interactive Python session on systematic trading strategies. Introduction to algorithmic trading and market microstructure models Foundations of linear filtering with applications Foundations of nonlinear filtering with applications How can we define beta in FX and how can we make it smarter Trading with Big Data: Creating systematic trading strategies in FX and fixed income, using new forms of data, with a focus on central bank communications, alpha capture amp news analytics Trading Strategy Focus: How to build a CTAtrend following fund Python amp PyThalesians: Going from systematic trading ideas to backtesting in Python (with tutorial) Author Talk: Trading Thalesians What the ancient world can teach us about trading today (Palgrave Macmillan) External: Emerging Quant Managers (Chicago) 8212 Euan Sinclair 8212 Systematic Vol Trading Date and Time 3:30 p. m. on Friday 6th May 2016 In this talk, we investigate whether we can improve the risk adjusted returns of a traditional, directional (CTA style) trend following strategy by employing systematic option trading strategies. We shall be looking at several markets including FX and equities. Jacob Bartram has extensive experience in trading at both banks and hedge funds. His background includes FX option and volatility trading, along with trading system design and development. He has presented at numerous industry conferences, including Global Derivatives and TradeTech FX. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Lawrence R. Glosten 8212 Strategic Foundation for the Tail Expectation in Limit Order Book Markets Thursday, April 14, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration We analyze the strategic interactions of liquidity suppliers quoting on a limit order book. In an environment with noise traders and informed traders trading on news we show that there is an equilibrium that feature quoters using mixed strategies each offering the same quantity of shares at random prices (and, of course, random bid prices). These random prices with the associated quantities form the market quotes and the depth of book, or price schedule. There are equilibria with a smaller number of quoters quoting a larger number of shares and equilibria with a larger number of quoters quoting a smaller number of shares. Considering a sequence of equilibria with the number of quoters getting large, we establish that the stochastic equilibrium price schedule converges to the zero profit deterministic competitive price schedule. An offer (or bid) is characterized as the expectation of the future value conditional on the offer being picked off by a larger buy (or sell) order. Lawrence R. Glosten is the S. Sloan Colt Professor of Banking and International Finance at Columbia Business School. He is also co-director (with Merritt Fox and Ed Greene) of the Program in the Law and Economics of Capital Markets at Columbia Law School and Columbia Business School and is an adjunct faculty member at the Law School. He has been at Columbia since 1989, before which he taught at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and has held visiting appointments at the University of Chicago and the University of Minnesota. He has published articles on the microstructure and industrial organization of securities markets the relationship between venture capitalists and entrepreneurs evaluating the performance of portfolio managers asset pricing and more recently exploration of the law and economics of capital market regulation. His work on electronic exchanges in the Journal of Finance won a Smith Breeden Distinguished Paper Prize. He has served as an editor of the Review of Financial Studies, associate editor of the Journal of Finance and serves on several other editorial boards. He has been a consultant for the New York Stock Exchange, Justice Department, and SEC and has served on the NASDAQ Economic Advisory Board. He received his AB from Occidental College (1973) and his Ph. D. in managerial economics from Northwestern University (1980). IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Robin Hanson 8212 Economics when robots rule the Earth (Book) Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Monday, 21 March, 2016 Level39, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14, UK Meetup FREE event - kindly sponsored by the Level39 - fintech accelerator - level39.co Full title: The Age of Em: Work, Love and Life when Robots Rule the Earth (Amazon pre-order book here ) Robots may one day rule the world, but what is a robot-ruled Earth like Many think the first truly smart robots will be brain emulations or ems. Scan a human brain, then run a model with the same connections on a fast computer, and you have a robot brain, but recognizably human. Train an em to do some job and copy it a million times: an army of workers is at your disposal. When they can be made cheaply, within perhaps a century, ems will displace humans in most jobs. In this new economic era, the world economy may double in size every few weeks. Some say we cant know the future, especially following such a disruptive new technology, but Professor Robin Hanson sets out to prove them wrong. Applying decades of expertise in physics, computer science, and economics, he uses standard theories to paint a detailed picture of a world dominated by ems. While human lives dont change greatly in the em era, em lives are as different from ours as our lives are from those of our farmer and forager ancestors. Ems make us question common assumptions of moral progress, because they reject many of the values we hold dear. Read about em mind speeds, body sizes, job training and career paths, energy use and cooling infrastructure, virtual reality, aging and retirement, death and immortality, security, wealth inequality, religion, teleportation, identity, cities, politics, law, war, status, friendship and love. This book shows you just how strange your descendants may be, though ems are no stranger than we would appear to our ancestors. To most ems, it seems good to be an em. Robin Dale Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. He is known as an expert on idea futures and markets, and he was involved in the creation of the Foresight Exchange and DARPAs FutureMAP project. He invented market scoring rules like LMSR (Logarithmic Market Scoring Rule)used by prediction markets such as Consensus Point (where Hanson is Chief Scientist), and has conducted research on signaling. MathFinance 2016 (Frankfurt - External Event) 8212 Speakers including Wystup amp Dupire 8212 Quant event Date and Time 21-22st March 2016 Frankfurt School of Finance amp Management To sign up You can find out more about this event and register and pay online at the MathFinance website: mathfinanceconference. html In the past 16 years the MathFinance Conference became to one of the top quant events tailored to the European Finance Community. The conference is intended for practitioners in the areas of trading, quantitative or derivative research, risk and asset management, insurance as well as for academics studying or researching in the field of financial mathematics or finance in general. The Conference talks are given by both industry experts and top academics. A wide range of subjects is covered, from state-of-the-art approaches to key issues faced in industry and academia to IT implementation and pricing software. There will be enough time for questions and discussions after each talk and additional breaks provide you the opportunity to build networks within the quantitative finance community. Many speakers who have also spoken at the Thalesians will be speaking, including Uwe Wystup and Attilio Meucci. Many other well known figures such as Bruno Dupire will also be addressing the conference. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Alexander Lipton 8212 Modern Monetary Circuit Theory Tuesday, March 15, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration A modern version of Monetary Circuit Theory with a particular emphasis on stochastic underpinning mechanisms is developed. It is explained how money is created by the banking system as a whole and by individual banks. The role of central banks as system stabilizers and liquidity providers is elucidated. Both the Chicago Plan and the Free Banking Proposal are discussed. It is shown how in the process of money creation, banks become naturally interconnected. A novel Extended Structural Default Model describing the stability of the Interconnected Banking Network is proposed. The purpose of bank capital and liquidity is explained. A multi-period constrained optimization problem for a banks balance sheet is formulated and solved in a simple case. Both theoretical and practical aspects are covered. Alexander Lipton is a Managing Director, Quantitative Solutions Executive at Bank of America, Visiting Professor of Quantitative Finance at University of Oxford and Advisory Board member at the Oxford-Man Institute. Prior to his current role, he was a Managing Director, Co-head of the Global Quantitative Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and a Visiting Professor of Mathematics at Imperial College London. Earlier, he was a Managing Director and Head of Capital Structure Quantitative Research at Citadel Investment Group in Chicago he has also worked for Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Bankers Trust. Before switching to finance, Alex was a Full Professor of Mathematics at the University of Illinois and a Consultant at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in pure mathematics from Moscow State University. Liptons interests encompass all aspects of financial engineering, including large-scale bank balance sheet modeling and optimization, enterprise-wide holistic risk management and stress testing, CCPs, electronic trading, trading strategies, payment systems, theory of monetary circuit, as well as hydrodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and astrophysics. Lipton authored two books, and edited five books, including, most recently, Risk Quant of the Year Award, Risk Books, London, 2014, and The Oxford Handbook of Credit Derivatives, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2011 (with Andrew Rennie). He published more than a hundred scientific papers on a variety of topics in applied mathematics and financial engineering. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Prof Jessica James 8212 FX Option Trading (Book) Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Monday, 29 February, 2016 Ginger Room, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Meetup Full title: FX Option Performance - An Analysis of the Value Delivered by FX Options Since the Start of the Market (The Wiley Finance Series) (Amazon book order here ) Get the little known yet crucial facts about FX options Daily turnover in FX options is an estimated U. S. 207 billion, but many fundamental facts about this huge and liquid market are generally unknown. FX Option Performance provides the information practitioners need to be more effective in the market, with detailed, specific guidance. This book is a unique and practical guide to option trading, with the courage to report how much these contracts have really made or lost. Breaking free from the typical focus on theories and generalities, this book gets specific travelling back in history to show exactly how options performed in different markets and thereby helping investors and hedgers alike make more informed decisions. Not overly technical, the rigorous approach remains accessible to anyone with an interest in the area, showing investors where to look for value and helping corporations hedge their FX exposures. FX Option Performance begins with a quick and practical introduction to the FX option market, then provides specific advice toward structures, performance, rate fluctuation, and trading strategies. Examine the historical payoffs to the most popular and liquidly traded options Learn which options are overvalued and which are undervalued Discover surprising, generally unpublished facts about emerging markets Examine systemic option trading strategies to find what works and what doesnt On average, do options result in profit, loss, or breaking even How can corporations more costeffectively hedge their exposure to emerging markets Are cheap outofthemoney options worth it Professor Jessica James is Senior Quantitative Researcher at Commerzbank in London. She joined Commerzbank from Citigroup where she held a number of FX roles, latterly as Global Head of the Quantitative Investor Solutions Group. Prior to this she was the Head of Risk Advisory and Currency Overlay for Bank One. Before her career in finance, James lectured in physics at Trinity College, Oxford. Her significant publications include the Handbook of Foreign Exchange (Wiley), Interest Rate Modelling (Wiley), and Currency Management (Risk books). Her new book FX Option Performance was published in May 2015. She has been closely associated with the development of currency as an asset class, being one of the first to create overlay and currency alpha products. Jessica is a Managing Editor for the Journal of Quantitative Finance, and is a Visiting Professor both at UCL and at Cass Business School. Apart from her financial appointments, she is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and has been a member of their governing body and of their Industry and Business Board. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Harry Mamaysky 8212 Does Unusual News Forecast Market Stress Meetup How to build a CTA - Creating a trend following fund (Saeed Amen) - In this talk we explain how to create trend following strategies which CTA-style funds typically follow. We shall also give a step by step demo of implementing an FX trend following strategy in PyThalesians - open source Python library for analysing markets - githubthalesianspythalesians Pair trading strategies (Delaney Granizo-Mackenzie) - Pairs trading is a form of mean reversion that has a distinct advantage in always being hedged against market movements. It is generally a high alpha strategy when backed up by some rigorous statistics. Delaney Granizo-Mackenzie will review some general principles for pairs trading, and then dive into the statistics behind the strategy during this talk. What is cointegration How to test for cointegration What is pairs trading How to find cointegrated pairs How to generate a tradeable signal This talk is part of The Quantopian Lecture Series. All lecture materials can be found at: quantopianlectures. Saeed Amen is a co-founder of the Thalesians. Over the past decade, Saeed Amen has developed systematic trading strategies at major investment banks including Lehman Brothers and Nomura. Independently, he is also a systematic FX trader, running a proprietary trading book trading liquid G10 FX, which has had a Sharpe ratio over 1.5 since 2013. He is also the author of Trading Thalesians: What the ancient world can teach us about trading today (Palgrave Macmillan). He is also the founder of Cuemacro. Delaney Granizo-Mackenzie is an engineer at Quantopian who focuses on how Quantopian can be used as a teaching tool. After studying computer science at Princeton, Delaney joined Quantopian in 2014. Since then he has led successful course integrations at MIT Sloan and Stanford, and is working with over 20 courses for this fall. Delaney is using his experience and feedback from professors to build a quantitative finance curriculum focusing on best statistical practices to be offered for free. Delaneys background includes 7 years of academic research at a bioinformatics lab, and a strong focus on statistics and machine learning. Thalesians Sance (Budapest) 8212 Robin Hanson amp Panel 8212 Economics when robots rule the Earth A very special thanks to Attila Agod for organising this talk Our goal is to create a social convergence point for the quantitative financial professionals in Hungary with quarterly events Date and Time 7:00 p. m. on Fri 29th January, 2016 7:00 p. m. - Welcome drinks, 8:00 p. m. - Robin Hanson presentation 9:00 p. m. - Discussion panel 12.00 a. m. - Next pub Palack Borbr, Szent Gellrt sqr 3, Budapest Meetup At the 8th Thalesians Sance, Robin Hanson will present us a thought experiment about the life and economics of our society after the singularity. Robin is the author of the Age of Em - Work, Love and Life when Robots Rule the Earth (ageofem ). Members of the panel: - Attila Agod - Mark Horvath (Causality) - Saeed Amen (The Thalesians) Robin Dale Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. He is known as an expert on idea futures and markets, and he was involved in the creation of the Foresight Exchange and DARPAs FutureMAP project. He invented market scoring rules like LMSR (Logarithmic Market Scoring Rule)used by prediction markets such as Consensus Point (where Hanson is Chief Scientist), and has conducted research on signaling. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Nick Firoozye 8212 Managing Uncertainty, Mitigating Risk (Book) Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday, 20 January, 2016 Ginger Room, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Meetup Financial risk management started in a period when academic finance was wedded to probability. Risk and its transferability was the focus and uncertainty was sidelined. After the recent financial crisis, uncertainty and its consequences have become a major concern for many prominent academics, yet practitioners are constrained by probability-based tools and regulatory mandates. Managing Uncertainty, Mitigating Risk offers a liberated perspective on uncertainty in banking and finance. The book stresses that uncertainty must be confronted by using a broader range of inputs, employing methods outside conventional probability. More often than not, systemic risks are not completely unforeseeable and a range of likely risk scenarios can be fleshed out, quantified and largely mitigated. We can accomplish this only if we widen our knowledgebase to include qualitative data and judgment. Probability and historical data alone cannot sufficiently model game-changing and catastrophic one-off situations such as Eurozone exit and breakup, US debt ceiling, and Brexit. This book presents a robust foundation and a novel and practical method for incorporating uncertainty into existing risk frameworks. It takes the reader beyond the realms of probability in modern finance, into imprecise probability the mathematics of uncertainty. We introduce uncertain value-at-risk (UVaR), a measure which takes the VaR engine and enhances it using credal nets, an imprecise extension of Bayesian nets. Unlike the unjustified precision of probability-based models, UVaR helps to assesses uncertainty by incorporating expert insight through priors, with more extensive datasets. By combining a solid quantitative method with an implementation framework and cases, this book allows the reader to not only understand the solution for managing uncertain one-offs, but also to see the end-product. This is a starting point for risk practitioners to go beyond regulatory-initiated tools in order to employ their own approaches towards recognizing and managing uncertainty. Nick Firoozye is a Managing Director at Nomura International and heads a global team in cross-product derivatives research. He has many years of experience in a variety of research and trading roles in both buy-side and sell-side firms including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Citadel, Sanford Bernstein and Lehman Brothers. Known for his work in Quantitative Strategy, Nicks area of expertise ranges from asset allocation models and macro-financial forecasting to systematic and RV trading. Previously, he was Head of European Rates Strategy, and covered the Eurozone crisis, rescue packages and possible break-up, working closely with the risk management and legal teams. Dr Firoozye was an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, and holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Courant Institute, New York University. He speaks and writes frequently on financial markets and economics issues. His team was recently awarded Global Capitals Derivatives Research House of 2015, and he was co-author of one of five papers shortlisted for the 2012 Wolfson Economics Prize on the breakup of the Eurozone. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Nick Costanzino 8212 Pricing and Hedging Recovery Risk with Structural and Reduced Form Models Tuesday, January 12, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration The fixed-income literature attempts to explain credit spreads though a decomposition into different risk premia. The most commonly analyzed risk premia are default and liquidity risk. Recovery risk has not received much attention most likely because of the pervasive practice of assuming constant recovery in most credit models. However, assuming a constant recovery has two major effects. The first is we have inconsistent pricing (if recovery is a known constant, what is the price of a recovery swap) and the second is over - or underpricing the default risk portion of the credit spread. In this talk I will present recent work on isolating the recovery risk premium in corporate bond and CDS spreads using both structural and hazard rate models. This allows us to isolate the recovery risk premium from the default risk premium, as well as provide a consistent pricing framework for all recovery linked products including bonds, CDS and recovery swaps. Finally, we discuss some trading opportunities that can be exploited using framework. Nick Costanzino received his PhD in Applied Mathematics in 2006 from Brown University in Providence R. I. His thesis combined tools from pseudodifferential operators and dynamical systems to prove multidimensional stability of certain nonlinear wave structures in fluids. He later moved to the Penn State University Math Department as a Chowla Assistant Professor where he was introduced to quantitative finance and helped developed their Mathematical Finance program. After a brief tenure at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada he then moved to the finance industry working in various credit roles including risk manager for the CDS and corporate bond trading desk at Scotiabank. He is interested in all areas of quantitative finance, but particularly those which lead to improvements in understanding the credit and equity markets. Nick is currently in the Investment Analytics group at AIG in New York and is a member of RiskLab at the University of Toronto. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. External (London) 8212 International Conference on Computational Finance (ICCF2015) University of Greenwich Date and Time Registration We present a liquidity factor IML, the return on illiquid-minus-liquid stock portfolios. The IML, adjusted for the common risk factors, measures the illiquidity premium whose annual alpha is about 4 over the period 1950-2012. I then test whether the systematic risk () of IML is priced in a multi-factor CAPM. The model allows for a conditional of IML that rises with observable funding illiquidity and adverse market conditions. The conditional IML is positively and significantly priced, and remains so after controlling for the beta of illiquidity shocks. Yakov Amihud is Ira Rennert Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at the Stern School of Business, New York University. He is the coauthor of Market Liquidity: Asset Pricing, Risk and Crises (Cambridge University Press, 2013). His research focuses on the effects of asset liquidity on value and expected return, and on the design and evaluation of securities markets trading methods. On these topics, Amihud has done consulting work for the NYSE, AMEX, CBOE, CBOT, and other securities markets. He has published more than seventy research articles in professional journals and in books, and edited and co-edited five books on topics such as LBOs, bank MampAs, international finance, and securities market design. His research also includes the evaluation of corporate financial policies, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, objectives of corporate managers, dividend policy, and law and finance. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians SeminarXmas Dinner (London) 8212 Matthew Dixon 8212 Machine Learning in Trading: Implementing Deep Neural Networks for Financial Market Prediction on the Intel Xeon Phi Date and Time 6.30p. m. on Monday, 14 December, 2015 La Tasca, West India Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14 4AE Meetup Talk amp Dinner We invite you to our 2015 Thalesians LDN Xmas seminar amp dinner by Matthew Dixon on Implementing Deep Neural Networks for Financial Market Prediction on the Intel Xeon Phi followed by dinner at La Tasca in Canary Wharf. The presentation begins at 6.30pm, followed by dinner at 7.30pm (menu below). On Arrival - A Glass of Sangra Tradicional To Start - Tabla Espanola (to share) - Traditional Spanish cured meats with mixed olives, Manchego cheese, bread and oil. Christmas Albndigas (Madrid) - Turkey amp pork meatballs, in a rich, sherry and cranberry sauce. Pulpo Gratin Y Queso GF (Galicia) - A medley of potatoes and octopus baked in a creamy lobster sauce and gratinated with Manchego cheese. Pollo Marbella GF (Malaga) - Chicken breast, cooked with chorizo in a white wine amp cream sauce. La Tasca House Green Salad GF V (Navarra) Patatas Bravas con Alioli (Espaa) - Fried potato, with spicy tomato sauce and roasted garlic mayonnaise. Paella de Carne GF (Valencia) - With chicken breast and chorizo. Paella Verduras GF V (Valencia) - With seasonal vegetables. To Finish - Churros - Doughnut twists, served with fresh strawberries and marshmallows, plus a rich chocolate sauce Deep neural networks (DNN) have demonstrated their power in areas such as vision (think Google image search) and speech recognition (think Siri). Some financial firms are beginning to apply these techniques to market data and other information important for trading and investing. But training DNNs (that is, setting them to work to develop models) is extremely compute intensive. In this talk, Matthew will describe a DNN model for predicting price movements from time series data, then explain techniques that enable this model to exploit the parallel computing capacity of the Intel Xeon Phi processor in conjunction with multi-core CPUs. Matthew Dixon is a Managing Director and Head of Americas at Thalesians Ltd. He is also an Assistant Professor of Finance in the Stuart Business School at the Illinois Institute of Technology. His research focuses on the application of advanced computational techniques to financial modeling and data analysis especially where high performance and scalability are critical for practical application. Matthews research is currently funded by Intel Corporation. He has contributed to the R package repository and published around twenty peer-reviewed technical articles. He has taught financial econometrics, derivatives, machine learning and text mining at the University of San Francisco and held visiting appointments in CSMath at Stanford University and UC Davis. Prior to joining academia, he has held industry appointments as a quant at banks such as Lehman Brothers, the Bank for International Settlements and fx Capital. He chairs the workshop on computational finance at the annual SuperComputing conference and serves on the program committee of HPC and on the editorial board of the Journal of Financial Innovation. Matthew holds a MEng in Civil Engineering from Imperial College London, a MSc in Parallel and Scientific Computation (with distinction) from the University of Reading, and a PhD in Applied Math from Imperial College London. He became a chartered financial risk manager in 2014. Thalesians Panel (London) 8212 CudmoreBurroughs amp more 8212 Global macro panel Registration The structural default model of Lipton and Sepp, 2009 is generalized for a set of banks with mutual interbank liabilities whose assets are driven by correlated Levy processes with idiosyncratic and common components. The multi-dimensional problem is made tractable via a novel computational method, which generalizes the one-dimensional fractional partial differential equation method of Itkin, 2014 to the two - and three-dimensional cases. This method is unconditionally stable and of the second order of approximation in space and time in addition, for many popular Levy models it has linear complexity in each dimension. Marginal and joint survival probabilities for two and three banks with mutual liabilities are computed. The effects of mutual liabilities are discussed, and numerical examples are given to illustrate these effects. Dr. Andrey Itkin is an Adjunct Professor at NYU, Department of Risk and Financial Engineering and Director, Senior Research Associate at Bank of America. He received his PhD in physics of liquids, gases and plasma, and degree of Doctor of Science in computational molecular physics. During his academic carrier he published few books and multiple papers on chemical and theoretical physics and astrophysics, and later on computational and mathematical finance. Andrey occupied various research and managerial positions in financial industry and also is a member of multiple professional associations in finance and physics. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Robert Carver 8212 Lessons from Systematic Trading Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday, 21 October, 2015 Ginger Room, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Meetup Its my belief that successful systematic trading is not about finding some deep hidden source of alpha, but about avoiding stupid mistakes. In this talk I share some of the mistakes Ive made, and seen others make, whilst designing and managing systematic trading systems for both a multi billion hedge fund and a retail trading account. This is a wide ranging talk which provocatively questions many commonly held beliefs about the business of managing money systematically. Robert Carver is an independent systematic trader, and writer. He trades his own capital with a fully automated system of 40 futures markets, using a proprietary system written in python. Robert is the author of Systematic Trading, a forthcoming book to be published by Harriman House in October 2015. He regularly blogs on the subject of trading, finance and investment. Robert, who has bachelors and masters degrees in Economics, began his city career trading exotic derivative products for fx Capital. He then worked as a portfolio manager for AHL. one of the worlds largest systematic hedge funds before, during and after the global financial meltdown of 2008. Robert was responsible for the creation of AHLs fundamental cross asset global macro strategy, and then managed the funds multi billion dollar fixed income portfolio. He retired from the industry in 2013. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Dan Pirjol 8212 Can one price Eurodollar futures in the Black-Derman-Toy model Wednesday, October 14, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration Interest rates models with log-normally distributed rates in continuous time are known to display singular behavior. For example, Eurodollar futures prices are infinite in the Dothan and Black-Karasinski models, as shown in 1998 by Hogan and Weintraub. These singularities are usually assumed to disappear when the models are simulated in discrete time. Using a precise simulation of the BDT model, we demonstrate that this is true only for sufficiently low volatilities. Eurodollar futures prices explode for volatilities above a critical value. The explosion is due to contributions from a region in state space which corresponds to very large interest rates and is truncated off in usual simulation methods such as trees and finite difference methods. In the limit of a very small simulation time step the explosion appears for any volatility, and reproduces the Hogan-Weintraub singularity of the continuous time model. Dan Pirjol works in the Model Risk Group at JP Morgan, covering valuation models in commodities. Previously he was with Markit and Merrill Lynch in various roles in modeling and model risk, after doing research in theoretical high energy physics. He is interested in applications of methods from mathematical physics and probability to problems in mathematical finance. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Sance (Budapest) 8212 Taylor Spears amp Panel 8212 The Sociology of CVA A very special thanks to Attila Agod for organising this talk Our goal is to create a social convergence point for the quantitative financial professionals in Hungary with quarterly events Date and Time 7:00 p. m. on Fri 9th October, 2015 7:00 p. m. - Welcome drinks, 8:00 p. m. - Taylor Spears presentation 9:00 p. m. - Discussion panel 12.00 a. m. - Next pub Palack Borbr, Szent Gellrt sqr 3, Budapest Meetup At the 7th Thalesians Sance Taylor Spears from the Sociology Department of The University Edinburgh will introduce the evolution of Credit Valuation Adjustment (CVA) from a sociologists point of view. After Taylors talk a panel of practitioners will challenge his ideas. Members of the panel: - Andras Bohak (MSCI, Counterparty credit researcher) - Daniel Homolya (Mol Group, Financial risk management team lead) - Balazs Palosi-Nemeth (ING, Architect) - Gabor Salamon (Morgan Stanley, CVA team lead) Dr Taylor Spears is a research fellow in the Sociology of Financial Modelling at the School of Social and Political Science in the University of Edinburgh. Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Creating trend following fund: How to build a CTA interactive Python PyThalesians demo Date and Time 6:00 p. m. on Thursday, 1 October, 2015 Shark Tank, Grind Broadway, 22nd Floor, 1412 Broadway, New York, NY Meetup In this talk, we shall be discussing CTAs and giving some background about the industry. We shall give a brief overview of the types of strategies CTAs use to trade markets, creating a generic proxy for a typical CTA fund. We shall also be discussing how CTA strategies can be used to improve the risk adjusted returns of long only equity and bond investors. Later, there will also be an interactive Python demo showing how to use the PyThalesians Python code library (partially open sourced on GitHub ). Amongst other things we shall investigate the properties of intraday FX volatility, where well be accessing live market data via Bloomberg and also creating customised plots using Matplotlib. Selected Bios Saeed Amen is a co-founder of the Thalesians. Over the past decade, Saeed Amen has developed systematic trading strategies at major investment banks including Lehman Brothers and Nomura. Independently, he is also a systematic FX trader, running a proprietary trading book trading liquid G10 FX, which has had a Sharpe ratio over 1.5 since 2013. He is also the author of Trading Thalesians: What the ancient world can teach us about trading today (Palgrave Macmillan). He is also the founder of Cuemacro. Thalesians Seminar (London) 8212 Stephen Pulman 8212 Multi-Dimensional Sentiment Analysis Date and Time 7:30 p. m. on Wednesday, 23 September, 2015 Ginger Room, Marriott Hotel, Canary Wharf, London, UK. Meetup All sentiment analysis systems can deliver positive negativeneutral classifications. But there are many other useful signals in text: emotion, intent, speculation, risk, etc. This talk will present a survey of the state of the art in recognising these other dimensions of sentiment in text and describe some practical applications in finance and elsewhere. Stephen Pulman is Professor of Computational Linguistics at the Department of Computer Science, Oxford University. He is a Professorial Fellow of Somerville College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the British Academy. He has also held visiting professorships at the Institut fr Maschinelle Sprachverarbeitung, University of Stuttgart and at Copenhagen Business School. He is a co-founder of TheySay Ltd. Previous positions include Professor of General Linguistics at Oxford University, Assistant Professor (Reader) at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, and Director of SRI Internationals Cambridge. IAQF-Thalesians Seminar (New York) 8212 Dr. Agostino Capponi 8212 Arbitrage-Free Pricing of XVA Monday, September 21, 2015: NYU Kimmel Center. Room 914, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, NY 10012, NY Registration The recent financial crisis has highlighted the importance to account for counterparty risk and funding costs in the valuation of over-the-counter portfolios of derivatives. When managing their portfolios, traders face costs for maintaining the hedge of the position, posting collateral resources, and servicing their collateral requests. Due to the interdependencies between these operations, such costs cannot be separated and attributed to different business units (CVA, DVA and FVA desks). In this talk, we introduce a unified framework for computing the total costs, referred to as XVA, of an European style derivative transaction traded between two risky counterparties. We use no-arbitrage arguments to derive the nonlinear backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs) associated with the portfolios which replicate long and short positions in the claim. This leads to defining buyers and sellers XVAs which in turn identify a no-arbitrage band. When borrowing and lending rates coincide, our framework recovers a generalized version of Piterbargs model. In this case, we provide a fully explicit expression for the uniquely determined price of XVA. When they differ, we derive the semi-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) associated with the non-linear BSDEs and show that they admit a unique classical solution. We use these solutions to conduct a numerical analysis showing high sensitivity of the no-arbitrage band and replicating strategies to funding spreads and collateral levels. Agostino Capponi is an assistant professor in the IEOR Department at Columbia University, where he is also a member of the Institute for Data Science and Engineering. Agostino received his Master and Ph. D. Degree in Computer Science and Applied and Computational Mathematics from the California Institute of Technology, respectively in 2006 and 2009. His main research interests are in the area of networks, with a special focus on systemic risk, contagion, and control. In the context of financial networks, the outcome of his research contributes to a better understanding of risk management practices, and to assess the impact of regulatory policies aimed at controlling financial markets. He has been awarded a grant from the Institute for New Economic Thinking for his research on dynamic contagion mechanisms. His work on systemic risk dynamics under central clearing done in collaboration with the Department of Treasury has obtained press coverage from major organizations such as Bloomberg and Reuters. His research has been published in top-tier journals of Financial Mathematics, Operations Research, and Engineering. His work has also been published in leading practitioner journals and invited book chapters. Agostino holds a world patent for a target tracking methodology in military networks. IAQF-Thalesians Seminars The IAQF-Thalesians Seminar Series is a joint effort on the part of the IAQF (formerly IAFE) and the Thalesians. The goal of the series is to provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and results related to the field of quantitative finance. This goal is accomplished by hosting seminars where leading practitioners and academics present new work, and following the seminars with a reception to facilitate further interaction and discussion. The seminar series is limited to IAQF and Thalesians members only. Thalesians Seminar (San Francisco) 8212 Steven Pav - Portfolio Inference and Portfolio Overfit Date and Time amp Schedule 6:00 p. m. on Thursday, 10 September, 2015 6pm: Reception in Julias Lounge 7pm: Talk in the Members Lounge 8pm: Networking