The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Gene helps blight fight
Agene found in a wild plant could hold the answer to breeding blightresistant potatoes – but GM rules may prevent it becoming a commercial reality for farmers.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory – a Norwich-based independent research institute that specialises in plant-microbe interactions – have found a late blightresistant gene in a wild plant related to the potato.
They found Solanum americanum – the ancestor of the widespread UK wild plant black nightshade – to be “an excellent source” of late blight-resistant genes.
The laboratory’s Professor Jonathan Jones, who led the study, said the gene – Rpi-amr1 – found in the plant had resistance against all of the 19 blight strains tested in the project.
He said: “It took a long time and there were many false leads and confusing data to make sense of, but this Rpi-amr1 gene now looks like one of the best resistance genes in our armoury against late blight.
“By combining Rpi-amr1 with two other resistance genes, I think it can make a durably blight-resistant potato.”
A spokeswoman for the laboratory said GM technology was being used to put the resistant genes into Maris Piper potatoes.
She said: “EU regulations render it prohibitively expensive to bring this solution to late blight to public use.
“This may change in the UK post-brexit and we will be explaining the merits of reform of GM regulation in our response to the government’s consultation on gene editing and other genetic methods for crop improvement.”
A farmer.focus on making more from grass has paid dividends for a Fife livestock
Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm, near Leven, has adapted the farm’s system to allow all cattle and sheep to be fed on a 100% forage-based diet.
The move has resulted in the farm gaining Pasture for Life status – a marque awarded by the Pasturefed Livestock Association to highlight a farm’s animals are 100% grass-fed.
The Pollock family originally ran a dairy business at Ardross, but transitioned into beef production 25 years ago by crossing the cows to a beef bull.
Claire then introduced Stabiliser cattle to the farm by putting a Stabiliser bull over existing cows and buying in heifers from the Stabiliser Cattle Company.
The herd now runs to 125 cows and any surplus heifers are fattened alongside bullocks on the farm. Claire sells some of the farm’s beef and lamb through Ardross Farm Shop, which she runs alongside her sister Nikki.
“We calve three times a year to maintain a steady supply of finished cattle for our farm shop,” said Claire.
“Our Pasture for Life certification means all cattle are finished in the same way, regardless of the time of year, and that is off grass, silage or forage crops.”
Claire said demand had rocketed in the farm shop since the start of the Covid19 crisis in March last year and the family plans to increase both its beef herd and sheep flock to keep up with demand.
She said a a simple feeding regime is run at Ardross comprising grass in the summertime and silage when the grass has stopped growing.
“We use a mix of strip and paddock grazing in a rotational system, however it is something we should do more of,” added Claire.
“Some of our fields are not the easiest to divide, but we have started using Kiwitech fencing and are upgrading our water system to allow this to be achieved.”
She said a plentiful amount of grass in the farm’s arable rotation not only benefits the cattle enterpise by providing silage but also improves the arable operation on heavier land.
“We utilise our sandy land and grow forage crops including kale, rape and turnips to allow us to keep around two thirds of the cattle outwintered,” added Claire.
The cattle and sheep at Ardross are quality-assured to produce Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb via Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
The assurance body’s cattle and sheep specialist, Beth Alexander, praised the Pollock family’s efforts to make the most from grass and said more than 70% of variable costs in a beef finishing system come from forage and feed.
She said there was no “one size fits all” approach to finishing cattle, however efficient feeding can have a positive influence on the productivty and profitability of a beef enterprise.
Ms Alexander added: “Producers operate under tight margins, so it’s important to identify cattle to suit your system based on infrastructure, nutrition, genetics and management, which will help meet market requirements and generate profit.”