Farmers Guardian
April 27th 2007

  • Grass is the cheapest feed – make the most of it

    April 27th 2007

    A CRUCIAL ingredient in any livestock enterprise is grassland management, with those focusing on high volumes of high quality, consistent feed being the most successful.

  • ‘Unfair’ tabular value system to be challenged

    27 April 2007

    DEFRA’S controversial tabular valuation system that some farmers say is denying them tens of thousands of pounds in compensation is to be challenged in the High Court.

  • £1,250 for Danbec-bred heifer

    April 27th 2007

    TRADE peaked at over £1,200 four times at Uttoxeter at Derby’s pedigree dairy sale.

  • £572,000 in RPA bonuses from 2004 to 2006

    April 27th 2007

    EMPLOYEES at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received £572,000 in performance-related bonuses between 2004 and 2006, it has emerged.

  • 3,000gns top price for Boxted Major 2 at Sussex Society sale

    April 27th 2007

    DEMAND was high at the Sussex Cattle Society’s Spring show and sale at Ashford market, Kent.

  • 4,200gns peak at Whitland

    April 27th 2007

    BIDDING peaked at 4,200gns when a small entry of pedigree Limousin cattle went under the hammer during the fortnightly store cattle sale at Whitland Livestock Market, Carmarthenshire.

  • 5,800gns for Welshpool champion Maerdy Amorist

    April 27th 2007

    Charolais breed society’s spring show and sale at Welshpool, sponsored by Farmers Guardian.

  • 5,800gns for Welshpool champion Maerdy Amorist

    April 27th 2007

    Charolais breed society’s spring show and sale at Welshpool, sponsored by Farmers Guardian - includes extra pictures.

  • A guide to responsible control

    April 27th 2007

    A NEW booklet – The Guide to Responsible External Parasite Control in Sheep – has been designed to offer farmers and their advisers ‘clear, concise direction’.

  • Agriculture provides Welsh battleground

    April 27th 2007

    WITH around 80 per cent of the overall land mass in Wales farmed in one way or another and the family farm widely regarded as the backbone of Welsh rural life, it is little wonder that all four main political parties have given agriculture top priority in their manifesto pledges.

  • Annanwater herd takes top honours at Border Belgian Blue Club calf show

    April 27th 2007

    THE Border Belgian Blue Club staged their eighth annual open calf show at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, when 24 males and 26 females, all UK-born pedigree registered calves born on or after January 1, 2006, were forward for judging.

  • Anti-GM protesters target wrong field then apologise

    April 27th 2007

    ANTI-GM campaigners have been forced to apologise after they targeted the wrong field in a demonstration against trials of GM potatoes.

  • Arckel sale has West Wales buyers out in force

    April 27th 2007

    BUYERS from West Wales dominated the bidding at the dispersal sale of the

  • Ayrshire Breeders BOCM Cup goes to Clwyd herd

    April 27th 2007

    THE BOCM Cup for production and inspection in the North West Ayrshire Breeders’ Club’s 2006 herds competition, was won by H.W. Oultram and Co., of Clwyd.

  • Bassenthwaite Lake now being protected

    April 27th 2007

    FARMERS around Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria’s Lake District are coming to the rescue of the troubled lake.

  • Better times on the way, says NFU

    April 27th 2007

    The future of upland sheep farmers has been a real concern for some time. But Will Cockbain, NFU spokesman on the issue, is convinced better times are on the horizon, as he told KATIE LOMAS.

  • Big live sheep export from NZ

    April 27th 2007

    A live export of 35,000 New Zealand crossbred two-tooth ewes is going to Mexico at the end of the month. The buyer is the State of Mexico, where the consignment will be split into hundreds of small flocks for families on smallholdings.

  • Bill Clark to join Rothamsted Research

    24 April 2007

    LEADING plant pathologist Bill Clark has been appointed as the new head of the BBSRC sugar beet research station Broom’s Barn.

  • Bill Clark to join Rothamsted Research

    24 April 2007

    LEADING plant pathologist Bill Clark has been appointed as the new head of the BBSRC sugar beet research station Broom’s Barn.

  • Bio-diverse pastures can boost meat eating quality and raise returns

    April 27th 2007

    FARMERS were urged to take advantage of the quality of meat produced by animals that grazed bio-diverse grassland such as salt marshes, heather and moorland.

  • Bio-diverse pastures can boost meat eating quality and raise returns

    April 27th 2007

    FARMERS were urged to take advantage of the quality of meat produced by animals that grazed bio-diverse grassland such as salt marshes, heather and moorland.

  • British Blonde cattle under the hammer at Bristol

    April 27th 2007

    Bristol Sales Centre was the venue for two Farmers Guardian sponsored show and sale events this week. Katie Lomas reports, includes extra pictures

  • British Blonde cattle under the hammer at Bristol

    April 27th 2007

    THE British Blonde Cattle Society’s spring show and sale enjoyed a spirited and keen following from a packed ringside of pedigree and commercial buyers.

  • Business continuing to thrive after a century of adapting

    April 27th 2007

    Diversification comes naturally when you live on the urban fringes, or so claim the Riley family. With two farm shops and a sizeable slaughterhouse, they are no ordinary beef and sheep farmers.

  • Call for action as TB on the rise again

    April 27th 2007

    DEFRA Secretary David Miliband has been told he can no longer ‘hide behind’ a supposed drop in TB incidence as an excuse for delaying a badger cull, after new figures confirmed it was very much back on the rise.

  • Carrs hit by wheat and energy costs

    April 27th 2007

    CARR’S has reported interim profits in line with expectations, although down year on year. The Cumbria-based agriculture, food and engineering group blames the reduced performance on higher wheat and energy costs. But its agricultural interests made a profit.

  • Catering for the more ‘exotic’ tastes in the meat market

    April 27th 2007

    If you have a taste for the exotic, Shropshire-based Alternative Meats can supply almost everything from alligator to zebra. But, despite courting attention from Britain’s top TV chefs, it is a farm-based business that nearly faltered before the first phone call. Simon Wragg reports.

  • Celicia impresses the judges once again

    April 27th 2007

    THE champion in the senior in-milk class at Holstein South Wales’ spring evening show at Carmarthen was Weeton Shark Celicia 55, now owned by Ian Harries, Cross Hands.

  • Check health before vaccination

    April 27th 2007

    MAKE sure ewes and lambs are healthy enough before any vaccines are administered – that is the advice from Intervet when looking forward to the first timing for pasteurella and clostridial vaccination.

  • Cheshire Show deadline nears

    April 27th 2007

    THE deadlines for the livestock classes for the Cheshire County Show, be staged at Tabley, near Knutsford, on June 19-20, are rapidly approaching.The closing dates for sheep, goats, pigs, rare breeds and shires is May 7, and cattle, May 14. This year’s show will also include an exclusive show for members of the North West Midlands and North Wales Limousin Breeders’ Club, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

  • CLA buildings awards deadline is extended

    April 27th 2007

    THE Country Land and Business Association has extended the application deadline for its Rural Buildings Awards until May 31.

  • Cleveland Bay Stallion Tregoyd Topper wins King George V

    30 April 2007

    TREGOYD Topper, the Welsh-bred, 16hh, six-year-old stallion, has won this year’s prestigious Cleveland Bay King George V Cup Stallion Competition.

  • Club root ‘increasing concern’

    April 27th 2007

    Club root is becoming an increasing concern in winter rape, mainly because of tighter rotations and milder, wetter weather.

  • Cockleshell Annie tops 4,100gns as sale brings in £1m

    April 27th 2007

    A TOTAL of 119 pedigree Limousin cattle were on offer at Newark Auction Mart’s Limousin day, making it the largest entry of pedigrees seen at the event.

  • Controlling disease amid changing blight populations

    April 27th 2007

    WHAT do we actually know about the dramatic rise of A2 blight genotypes and will current strategies need to be adapted?

  • Countdown to British Food Fortnight begins

    30 April 2007

    THE COUNTDOWN to this year’s fortnight-long celebration of British food has begun in earnest this week with a number of announcements from organisers of the annual event, now in its sixth year.

  • Cumbria farms to host open days

    2 May 2007

    Eight farms in Cumbria will be opening their gates as part of a national programme of events on Farm Sunday on June 10th.

  • Defra ‘considered new payment system’

    April 27th 2007

    DEFRA considered scrapping the whole payment system used by the Rural Payments Agency last year to try to resolve the worsening farm payments crisis.

  • DFB Whitby dairy to close late summer

    April 27th 2007

    THE Whitby dairy which Dairy Farmers of Britain bought as part of its Associated Co-operative Creameries (ACC) acquisition from the Co-operative Group in August 2004, is to close.

  • Discussion group’s 80th anniversary

    April 27th 2007

    MORE than 100 guests attended a dinner to celebrate Bolton Agricultural Discussion Society’s 80th anniversary.

  • Discussion group’s 80th anniversary

    April 27th 2007

    MORE than 100 guests attended a dinner to celebrate Bolton Agricultural Discussion Society’s 80th anniversary. Includes extra pictures.

  • Dispersal brings an end to 75 years of milk production from the Frankham herd

    April 27th 2007

    A TOP of 2,400gns was achieved when the Frankham herd, from E.C. Spence and Sons, was dispersed at Frankham Farm, Hexham, Northumberland.

  • Domestic lamb snub by retailers hits prices

    April 27th 2007

    THE sheep industry is up in arms at some major retailers’ decision to stock more imported lamb at the expense of domestic.

  • Domestic lamb snub by retailers hits prices

    25 April 2007

    THE sheep industry is up in arms at some major retailers’ decision to stock more imported lamb at the expense of domestic.

  • Domestic lamb snub by retailers hits prices

    25 April 2007

    THE sheep industry is up in arms at some major retailers’ decision to stock more imported lamb at the expense of domestic.

  • Double victory for Jim Cropper at Deerplay

    April 27th 2007

    JIM Cropper enjoyed a double victory on Sunday, winning both the morning and the afternoon trials at Deerplay, near Bacup, Lancashire.

  • Dry weather causes wheat prices to rocket

    1 May 2007

    WHEAT prices have rocketed by 10 to 15 per cent with the continued dry weather in April.

  • Dry weather causes wheat prices to rocket

    1 May 2007

    WHEAT prices have rocketed by 10 to 15 per cent with the continued dry weather in April.

  • Early Day motion banning TV ‘junk food’ adverts before the watershed receives support

    April 27th 2007

    MORE than 200 cross-party MPs have signed an Early Day Motion calling for television adverts of ‘junk food’, which includes cheese, to be banned before the 9pm watershed.

  • EC fines UK £36m on CAP

    April 27th 2007

    IN what looks to be an appetiser ahead of a substantial main course, the European Commission has announced the UK has been fined £36 million for failing to meet its CAP payment deadlines.

  • ELIZABETH sells for record price of £203,000

    30 April 2007

    LODGE Farm, Oakmere, Wright Manley on behalf of the Exors of B Jeffs deceased, a well known and respected yesteryear enthusiast, sold by auction a 1910 FODEN traction engine ‘ELIAZABETH’.

  • Emerging markets in the east set to overtake UK for Vaderstad’s exports

    April 27th 2007

    THE UK is still the number one export market Vaderstad – but only just. Hot on the heels of the UK are emerging markets such as the Ukraine and Russia, which are growing all the time.

  • Exceptional year has raised the threat from brown rust

    April 27th 2007

    WHEAT growers are being warned to monitor crops carefully for brown rust after an unexpected number of reports of the disease early in the season.

  • Export trend shows predominance of prime beef

    30 April 2007

    ON the first anniversary of the reopening of export markets for British beef, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), revealed that of the 4,000 tonnes of product exported so far, two thirds has been prime beef and a third cowbeef.

  • Export trend shows predominance of prime beef

    30 April 2007

    ON the first anniversary of the reopening of export markets for British beef, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), revealed that of the 4,000 tonnes of product exported so far, two thirds has been prime beef and a third cowbeef.

  • Exports hit record high

    April 27th 2007

    BRITISH food and drink exports reached an all time high in 2006, according to figures from Food from Britain (FFB).The total value of exports in 2006 was £10.5billion, a 5.8 per cent increase from 2005. The previous record year was £10.1 billion in 1996 prior to beef export ban.

  • Fair trade debate reaches new heights

    25 April 2007

    AN IMPASSIONED debate on the dairy sector attended by supermarket chief executives, politicians and farmers, saw strong calls for a more open and transparent supply chain.

  • Fair trade forms, posters and videos

    April 27th 2007

    WE need you to help our campaign by signing our petition and using our fact sheets, poster and watching our videos.

  • Farmers need fair, transparent supply chains, says Justin King

    27 April 2007

    PRODUCERS left out of dedicated supply chains will suffer even lower milk prices, according to Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King.

  • FG stockjudging winner

    April 27th 2007

    AN 18-year-old university student from Keighley, Yorkshire, has won £500 in the Farmers Guardian in-paper stockjudging competition, held as part of our involvement in the National Holstein Show.

  • Finalists announced for the FG/Waitrose Best Young Farmer Producer Award 2007

    April 27th 2007

    For 2007, it is the battle of the dairy producers – from milk to rum butter, there’s a wide spread of value added goods represented – and the challenge to cows comes from goats instead of sheep this year. FG takes a look at those awaiting the judges’ visit.

  • First Milk renew contract with ASDA

    2 May 2007

    FIRST Milk has reached agreement with ASDA to supply the retailer with regional cheese from its creameries in Cumbria, west Wales and the Scottish Highlands.

  • First Milk renew contract with ASDA

    2 May 2007

    FIRST Milk has reached agreement with ASDA to supply the retailer with regional cheese from its creameries in Cumbria, west Wales and the Scottish Highlands.

  • Focussing on Scots sheep

    April 27th 2007

    THE Scottish sheep industry is the focus of a major sheep event being held in Fife on Tuesday, June 26.The event is being organised by NFU Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and is hosted by John Cameron at Balbuthie near Kilconquhar, Fife. Attendance is free, but places are limited and so must be booked in advance by calling 0131 472 4000.

  • Forward planning and careful management can avoid potential pollution problems

    April 27th 2007

    While dairy farms are often seen as the biggest pollution risk, or even sheep farmers disposing of chemical dips, beef producers cannot ignore their responsibilities. Ahead of Beef Expo, the Environment Agency and Yara look at some key issues.

  • Free courses on efficiency

    April 27th 2007

    PLACES are available on a series of free courses being offered to sheep farmers to help improve efficiency. The events are part of a SEEDA-funded knowledge transfer project operated by the Food Animal Initiative in partnership with Eblex.

  • French farm vote supports Sarkozy

    April 27th 2007

    WITH a left/right presidential election looming in France it is clear farmers are not risking any change in the country’s pro-agriculture stance.

  • From the drawing board

    April 27th 2007

    Of the thousands of applications put through the patent departments each year, only a handful ever make it to the commercial stage. Farmers Guardian aims to lift the lid on some of the more interesting tractor and machine patent applications, and provide a hint of some of the new machines we can expect in the future.

  • Further milk price increases

    1 May 2007

    MILK Link producers are to receive another 0.75ppl from April 1 for milk – and they will also get a bigger return from the co-op’s processing operations.

  • Further milk price increases

    1 May 2007

    MILK Link producers are to receive another 0.75ppl from April 1 for milk – and they will also get a bigger return from the co-op’s processing operations.

  • Getting married – thinking about protecting your assets

    27 April 2007

    IF you are considering marrying later in life, or for example second time around, and are worried about protecting your assets then entering into a pre-nuptial agreement maybe for you, advises Lesley Wickers, Thursfields Solicitors.

  • Good prices at Welsh Black Cattle Society’s store sale

    April 27th 2007

    SUNSHINE and good prices combined to make the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s spring prize store sale at Llandovery, Dyfed, a great success.

  • Grassland management advice helps increase forage intake and efficiency

    April 27th 2007

    When Farmers Guardian went to visit Clive Gurney nine months ago, he was on a mission to be self-sufficient in terms of feed, getting as much milk as possible from grass. He is now much closer to that goal, despite increasing his herd by 100 cows, as JOANNE PUGH found out.

  • Grazing Monitor: Make sure you exploit the grazing value

    April 27th 2007

    VARIABLE grazing growth rates are still the major challenge for dairy farmers although the recent rain will help.

  • Guidance on N for bioethanol crops

    April 27th 2007

    NO specific fertiliser adjustments are merited for crops grown for the bioethanol market compared to the feed market, according to research commissioned by the HGCA.

  • Hartpury wins Equiversity Challenge

    30 April 2007

    HARTPURY College equine science students have proved they are among the brightest in the UK by winning Equiversity Challenge 2007.

  • Hedgehog charity celebrates silver anniversary

    30 April 2007

    THE British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) is celebrating their 25th Anniversary. The charity, which was founded by Major Adrian Coles of Knowbury, Shropshire in 1982, now has almost 11,000 members.

  • High Value Grassland conference

    April 27th 2007

    Providing biodiversity, a clean environment and premium products were the topics discussed at the High Value Grassland conference at Keele University, hosted by the British Grassland Society, British Ecological Society and British Society of Animal Science. KATIE LOMAS reports.

  • High Value Grassland conference

    April 27th 2007

    Providing biodiversity, a clean environment and premium products were the topics discussed at the High Value Grassland conference at Keele University, hosted by the British Grassland Society, British Ecological Society and British Society of Animal Science. KATIE LOMAS reports.

  • Higher prices for peas and beans

    April 27th 2007

    A REDUCTION in pea and bean plantings this season has now resulted in a shortage of the crop and higher prices for growers, according to the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) this week.

  • HorseWorld Summer Fair - Saturday June 9

    1 May 2007

    HORSEWORLD in Whitchurch, Bristol is to host a summer fair on Saturday June 9 at 2pm.

  • How to host a farm open day

    April 27th 2007

    THINKING of opening up your farm to the public but not sure what it entails? Watch Hertfordshire farmer Ian Pigott's video and download FG's first fact sheet.

  • How to host a farm open day

    April 27th 2007

    THINKING of opening up your farm to the public but not sure what it entails? Watch Hertfordshire farmer Ian Pigott's video.

  • Improved pig price draws heavier weights

    April 27th 2007

    THE GB deadweight average pigs price (DAPP) has risen most weeks since the end of February to stand at 106.14p/kg dw in mid-April, says MLC in its latest ‘Pig Market Trends’.

  • International event rider Ruth Edge makes dressage headlines

    25 April 2007

    ALTHOUGH better known as an international event rider, Ruth Edge is increasingly successful in the dressage arena, recently winning her first National Championship with her own five-year-old gelding Shadowfax.

  • It’s show time ... are you ready for the ring?

    April 27th 2007

    With summer just around the corner, the show season is about to go into top gear. FG spoke to Edward Young and other top show producers and experts for their tips on being ready for the ring.

  • Italian-style mushrooms

    April 27th 2007

    Sent in by Maria Fenley, of Durham.

  • John Thorley – still involved

    April 27th 2007

    WHEN John Thorley joined what was then the National Pedigree Sheep Association in the late 1960s he did not expect to be there four decades later.

  • Lack of dog control threat to ground nesting birds

    April 27th 2007

    A SOUTH Lakeland farmer has warned that the decline in ground nesting birds could see entire species wiped out unless dogs are kept under control.

  • Lambing percentage of 199 per cent

    April 27th 2007

    Having lambed 1,200 ewes this spring, Andrew Blenkiron has turned out 85 sets of triplets and only eight singles. JOANNE PUGH went to meet the farm manager who is boasting a lambing percentage of 199 per cent.

  • Land sells to £6,480 an acre

    April 27th 2007

    MIDLANDS auctioneers Bagshaws sold just over 39 acres of land at Barlow Lees, Dronfield, Derbyshire in three lots to total £253,000.In the same sale, a parcel of 28.19 acres at Utic Lane, Tideswell Moor sold for £160,000. Additionally 36.3 acres at Kniveton, Ashbourne realised £190,000.

  • Low domestic beef prices forcing exports

    30 April 2007

    LOW domestic beef prices are forcing stock to be exported to Europe, according to the National Beef Association (NBA).

  • Low domestic beef prices forcing exports

    30 April 2007

    LOW domestic beef prices are forcing stock to be exported to Europe, according to the National Beef Association (NBA).

  • Make shearing easier this year – look at the comb and equipment

    April 27th 2007

    SHEEP producers could make shearing a lot easier for themselves this season by ensuring they are using the correct comb for their particular breed of sheep.

  • Making the most of the Single Payment Scheme

    April 27th 2007

    Penny Lord, AgriBusiness partner for Clydesdale Bank

  • Mealy aphids putting OSR crops under early pressure

    April 27th 2007

    MEALY aphids, not normally seen until flowering is all but over, are being found in rape crops in the southern half of Britain.

  • Meeting markets’ needs half way?

    April 27th 2007

    Road test: Citroen Berlingo XTR+

  • Meeting provides insight into SPS crisis

    April 27th 2007

    MINUTES from the February meeting of the RPA’s Strategic Advisory Board provide interesting insights into the ongoing SPS crisis.

  • Merger will still go ahead despite ruling say packers

    April 27th 2007

    THE UK’s two biggest egg packers have vowed to forge ahead with their plans to merge, despite a ruling by the Competition Commission that the company they have formed will have to be broken up.

  • Miliband not a candidate

    April 27th 2007

    DAVID Miliband has confirmed he will not be standing against Gordon Brown for the leadership of the Labour Party, after Tony Blair quits this summer.Months of speculation that he might challenge Mr Brown, stirred by ex-Ministers seeking a Blairite alternative to the Chancellor, was finally quashed by the Defra Secretary in an article in The Observer on Sunday.

  • Monitoring of worm egg counts is vital

    April 27th 2007

    THE use of worm egg counts is vital in controlling internal parasites and preventing or delaying total resistance to all wormers.

  • More uncertainty facing egg industry and producers

    April 27th 2007

    THE egg industry has warned that the Competition Commission’s decision has generated yet more uncertainty for producers.

  • Moscow Jenson Amethyst gains 1,800gns top price

    April 27th 2007

    A SMALLER entry than usual was forward at the April Border and Lakeland Club sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, and demand was high, reflected in a £1,335 average for freshly-calved two-year-olds and a top price of 1,800gns.

  • MP launches Just Ask campaign

    24 April 2007

    SHADOW Agriculture Minister Jim Paice launched the CLA’s Just Ask campaign in the east of England this week at a special St George’s Day breakfast.

  • Neptune Collonges wins in Ireland

    27 April 2007

    TRAINER Paul Nicholls crowned a fantastic season when Neptune Collonges captured the feature Grade 1 Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup by three and a half lengths from long-time leader Kingscliff.

  • New bid to get battery chicken deal

    April 27th 2007

    THE EU’s German presidency is to try again to secure a deal on the welfare of battery chickens – but the chances of success are little better than when a deal narrowly failed to emerge last December.

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    April 27th 2007

    Semex support appointments

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    April 27th 2007

    Model assesses sclerotinia risk

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    April 27th 2007

    Turnover up

  • No news for growers on Springdale Group

    April 27th 2007

    GROWERS of non-food crops who have been supplying the Springdale Group of companies will have to wait a month for further news on monies owed, say administrators Grant Thornton.

  • Oldest equine twins

    30 April 2007

    THE Veteran Horse Society’s Bill and Ben were last month officially named as the oldest living equine twins.

  • On the gallops with racehorse trainer Joss Saville

    25 April 2007

    RACEHORSE trainer Joss Saville has his sights set on the top of the racing game with his excellent facilities and gallops at Gisburn Park, Lancashire.

  • On the gallops with racehorse trainer Joss Saville

    25 April 2007

    RACEHORSE trainer Joss Saville has his sights set on the top of the racing game with his excellent facilities and gallops at Gisburn Park, Lancashire.

  • Only an auction can determine land’s true value

    April 27th 2007

    DEMAND for accommodation land is at an all-time high from smallholders, people with amenity and conservation interests, as well as farmers.

  • Open Farm Sunday

    27 April 2007

    There’s still time to sign up to take part in the LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) Open Farm Sunday.

  • OSR at risk from N application delays due to dry spring

    April 27th 2007

    DELAYING application of nitrogen to oilseed rape could result in a yield penalty this year because of the dry spring weather, according to agronomy group TAG.

  • Out and about gallery

    1 May 2007

    PICTURES taken out and about at the YFC AGM 2007.

  • Park authority’s new chief executive

    April 27th 2007

    THE North West regional director of Natural England – Richard Leafe – has been chosen as the new chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority. A geography graduate from Sheffield University, and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he has held a variety of management positions at Natural England, and its predecessor English Nature, since 1990. Away from work he is a keen climber, walker and runner.

  • Peers launch investigation into CAP

    1 May 2007

    PEERS have launched an inquiry into the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

  • Phone boost for farmers

    2 May 2007

    FARMERS who have telephone wires running over their land will get additional payments backdated to 2004 after a deal secured by the NFU and the CLA.

  • Popular Ystradfellte

    April 27th 2007

    THE popularity of two session trials does seem now to be well established and it meant that at the Ystradfellte trials there were 40 runs in the first session and 51 in the second. They were again hosted by Mr and Mrs O. Davies and family at Heol Fawr Farm, Pontneathvaughan.

  • Popularity down to keeping true to show’s farming roots

    April 27th 2007

    The livestock classes at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show are set to be as competitive as ever, with stock coming from far and wide. Ahead of the event, ANGELA CALVERT takes a look at what exhibitors and visitors can expect.

  • Poultry sector gets environmental boost

    1 May 2007

    CONSUMER concerns about the environment are beginning to outweigh animal welfare and organic issues, according to grocery analysts.

  • Project see Turkish specialists visit SAC

    2 May 2007

    Twenty Turkish organic agriculture specialists have visited SAC at its Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen as part of a 15 month EuropeAid project programme that is being managed by SAC International.

  • Research funding ‘victim of cost cuts’

    April 27th 2007

    DEFRA claims that its funding for animal health and welfare research remain unchanged have met with a mixed response from the industry.

  • Restaurant celebrates top organic award

    April 27th 2007

    GARDEN Organic, Ryton, home of the UK’s leading organic growing and lifestyle charity near Coventry, is celebrating having been awarded ‘Best Organic Restaurant’ at the Organic Industry Awards, by the Soil Association.

  • Review summer sheep ectoparasite control plans now

    April 27th 2007

    IN the next few months blowfly, headfly and ticks are the main sheep ectoparasites of concern to sheep farmers.

  • Road test: VW Touareg 3.0 TDI

    April 27th 2007

    As 4x4s go, VW’s Touareg is up there with the pick of the bunch.

  • Romney ewes and Hampshire Down rams an easy care success story

    April 27th 2007

    A combination of Romney ewes and Hampshire Down rams has proved successful for Chris and Caroline Hodgkins, and an asset to their easy care system.

  • Row over cause of TB outbreak – were infected badgers to blame?

    April 27th 2007

    DEFRA TB advisor and Staffordshire dairy farmer Bill Madders rubbished claims this week that cattle movements were to blame for a recent TB outbreak on his farm.

  • RPA fears it may miss Single Payment target

    27 April 2007

    SENIOR Rural Payments Agency officials fear the agency will miss its June 30 Single Payment target and could land the Government with huge fines from Brussels, minutes from an internal meeting show.

  • SA nil residue claim

    April 27th 2007

    TESTS of fruit and vegetables given to children as part of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) have shown they do not contain dangerous pesticide residues.

  • Sainsbury’s cheese deal a positive step for Milk Link

    April 27th 2007

    MILK Link’s cheese manufacturing business The Cheese Company has won the contract to supply Sainsbury’s own-label high quality cheddars for England and Wales.

  • Saler cattle under the hammer at Bristol Sales Centre

    April 27th 2007

    Rigel Pistol makes 3,500gns in Salers Society inaugural show

  • Scene by the vet - Maintaining high biosecurity can help combat disease spread

    April 27th 2007

    BIOSECURITY is a great buzz word, but what does it really mean?

  • Sheep - a Farmers Guardian special supplement

    April 27th 2007

    PETER MORRIS: NSA leader speaks his mind.

  • Sheepdog Trial Results

    April 27th 2007

    English Results

  • Sheepdog Trials Diary

    April 27th 2007

    ENGLAND

  • Smith goes as Danes takeover at Arla UK

    April 27th 2007

    TIM Smith has been replaced by a Dane as chief executive of the UK arm of Arla.

  • Sorn Milk suppliers join AFMP full time and will continue to supply Asda

    April 27th 2007

    AN interesting development in Scotland this week will see more than 30 of Ayrshire-based independent company Sorn Milk’s producers join Arla Foods Milk Partnership.

  • Special sheep supplement

    April 27th 2007

    AN FG special including an exclusive interview with NSA’s Peter Morris, the secrets behind a lambing percentage of 199 and how one high-profile upland sheep farmer views the future.

  • Spring horse show & sale, Beeston

    April 27th 2007

    QUALITY animals and a plenty forward meant a busy day at the Farmers Guardian-sponsored spring horse show and sale at Beeston, Tarporley.There was £300 in prize money on offer for the four classes (mountain and moorland small/large, coloured and hunter type exceeding 15hh and a good standard of horses were forward.Eric Jones’s Welsh section C colt Llanidan Mabon took the championship.Auctioneers: Wright Manley

  • Submit your evidence ‘anonymously’

    April 27th 2007

    FARMERS and other supermarket suppliers can now give evidence to the Competition Commission completely anonymously thanks to a new system set up in association with the agricultural chaplain for the Diocese of Worcester.

  • Suzuki Grand Vitara

    April 27th 2007

    Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.

  • Tackling light land cultivation with Spirit

    April 27th 2007

    CONSISTENT seed placement at high speed, combining versatility in differing soil types, is the hallmark of Vaderstad's latest addition to its drill range, according to the Swedish manufacturer.

  • Taking the plunge into bottled water means 80ppl against 18ppl for milk

    April 27th 2007

    A DAIRY farmer and his family are launching Lancashire’s only spring water business this month to supplement returns from milk.

  • Terror convictions prompt reminders to farmers on fertiliser security

    30 April 2007

    FARMERS have been reminded of the importance securing their fertilisers, following the outcome of a terrorist trial at the Old Bailey.

  • Tesco praised

    April 27th 2007

    NFU Scotland has welcomed moves by supermarket group Tesco to address the problems caused by meat from different countries of origin being displayed under the Saltire flag.

  • The big issues, political and on-farm

    April 27th 2007

    PETER Morris outlines what he sees as the most important industry issues facing the industry at the political level and on-farm.

  • The challenges facing sheep farmers today

    April 27th 2007

    Peter Morris had a tough act to follow, taking over at the helm of the National Sheep Association from industry ‘legend’ John Thorley. Here he tells ALISTAIR DRIVER how he intends to take the organisation forward and what he believes are the key issues facing sheep farmers today.

  • The Landowners' Westminster voice

    April 27th 2007

    Diminished, but far from finished – the landowner lobby is still a significant presence, thanks in part to the efforts of the CLA.

  • Three bulls top 5,000gns in record Hereford spring sale

    April 27th 2007

    IMPROVED demand for Hereford bulls at the Hereford Cattle Society’s spring show and sale at Hereford Livestock Market led to three bulls topping 5,000gns and a record average of £2,705.50.

  • Turning waste plastic into a thriving farm business

    April 27th 2007

    One farmer’s waste can become another farmer’s living. BARRY ALSTON reports.

  • UFU takes legal action

    April 27th 2007

    THE Ulster Farmers’ Union has been given the green light to pursue legal action against the Government’s implementation of farm waste regulations.

  • UFU to persue legal action

    25 April 2007

    THE Ulster Farmers’ Union has been given the green light to pursue legal action against the Government’s implementation of farm waste regulations.

  • VIA machine could help cattle grading

    April 27th 2007

    THE introduction of Visual Imagery Analysis (VIA) machines at UK meat plants would improve transparency and trust and a move to one type of machine would greatly assist the process, said NFU livestock board chairman Thomas Binns this week.

  • VIllage shops that stock local produce

    April 27th 2007

    RESEARCH carried out by PLANED – the Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development – has found that 98 per cent of the village shops in the West Wales county stock local products in one form or other.

  • Waitrose back on top of milk price league table

    April 27th 2007

    WAITROSE is back on top of the milk price league table after announcing a 1.7ppl increase to around 23ppl for its dedicated producers who supply it via Dairy Crest.

  • Waitrose plans widespread adoption of LEAF Marque

    30 April 2007

    WAITROSE has announced plans to extend its use of the LEAF Marque to cover all of its imported conventional fresh, prepared and frozen fruit, vegetables and flowers by 2010.

  • Waste Act should be taken seriously, is the warning

    April 27th 2007

    FAILURE to register under the Agricultural Waste Exemptions Act will leave farmers in breach of the cross-compliance conditions and at risk of losing a proportion of their Single Payment.

  • Wensley and Sons take the overall Blackpool award

    April 27th 2007

    THE cup for the most successful competitor overall in this year’s Blackpool and District Dairy Farmers Association annual award were T.H. Wensley and Sons of Plumpton Hall Farm, Westby, Lancashire.

  • Wheat staying high into 2008

    April 27th 2007

    DESPITE a big increase in plantings, analysts are forecasting that wheat prices will remain high throughout 2007 and into 2008 across the EU.

  • With organic fruit and veg demand soaring why the reluctance to switch?

    April 27th 2007

    With demand far outstripping supply, there would appear to be no better time for conventional fruit and vegetable growers to convert to organic. However, many are reluctant. A South West symposium, organised by the Soil Association, attempted to highlight market opportunities and identify why growers were reluctant to seize them. DAVID BURROWS reports.

  • With organic fruit and veg demand soaring why the reluctance to switch?

    April 27th 2007

    With demand far outstripping supply, there would appear to be no better time for conventional fruit and vegetable growers to convert to organic. However, many are reluctant. A South West symposium, organised by the Soil Association, attempted to highlight market opportunities and identify why growers were reluctant to seize them. DAVID BURROWS reports.

  • Young Farmers AGM photo gallery

    1 May 2007

    FARMERS Guardian has all the photos from this year’s National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs annual convention held in Torquay.

  • Young Farmers AGM photo gallery

    4 May 2007

    FARMERS Guardian has all the photos from this year’s National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs annual convention held in Torquay.

  • Young Farmers celebrate 75th anniversary

    1 May 2007

    TEMPERATURES were soaring and spirits high at this year’s National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs annual convention held in Torquay.

  • Young handlers classes a breeding ground for next generation of showmen

    April 27th 2007

    This year, once again, Farmers Guardian will sponsor the sheep, dairy and pig young handler classes.

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