– In 1968 it was announced that dairy farmers who lost their herds as a result of the foot-and-mouth epidemic could find themselves beginning to re-stock using calves donated to a 'Give-a-calf' campaign organised in Ireland.

A County Kildare farmer, James Canning, of West Town Naas, invited Irish farmers to donate one calf each to form a pool aimed at helping British farmers who had lost their stock. To add to the goodwill, David Brown Tractors offered to pay freight charges to Britain for the first 50 calves.

– There were concerns over the potato situation in 1968. The potato marketing board had spoken out over concerns that the season's surplus buying operations would probably leave the board with seriously depleted reserves.

– There were worries hybrid breeds were pushing out pedigree animals in 1969. Lord Rowallan, addressing the British Cattle Breeders' Club in his opening speech, said there would be a time in the not too distant future where farmers would lose the individuality of stock. He said research was needed into effects of concentration of blood lines.