By unlocking the export potential China offers the pig industry, not to mention the red meat sector as a whole, we could gain entry into a marketplace which comprises a fifth of the world’s population.Farmers Guardian
August 12, 2011
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OFT fines dairy companies and supermarkets £50m
10 August 2011
FOUR supermarkets and five dairy processors have been fined almost £50m by the Office of Fair Trading.
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An innovative solar solution providing energy for grain store
15 August 2011
A lucky find abroad means Cambridgeshire farmer James Peck can make the most of solar energy. Angela Calvert reports.
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Application for new Isle of Man meat plant
11 August 2011
THE Isle of Man could get a new abattoir and processing facility if a farming family’s initiative gets the go-ahead from planners.
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Around the livestock marts – August 12
August 12, 2011
Round-up of auction action from across the country.
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Arran Show, Isle of Arran
August 12, 2011
A round-up of results from the Arran Show, Isle of Arran.
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Autumn calvers
11 August 2011
SEND in your farm pictures to share on our mobile website
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Bad weather dampens the Highlands' grouse season
10 August 2011
PERSISTENTLY bad weather and prolonged periods of rain earlier in the summer have weakened the outlook in the Highlands for this year’s grouse season, which starts on Friday (August 12).
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Badger Trust challenges BBC over illegal culling claim
9 August 2011
THE Badger Trust is demanding a criminal investigation into comments made by a farmer on BBC radio regarding the illegal culling of badgers.
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Badger Trust fails to 'grasp basic facts' - FUW
10 August 2011
THE Farmers Union of Wales has accused the Badger Trust of ‘failing to tell black from white’ when dealing with basic facts about badgers after it slammed the BBC for using the trust’s own badger population figures.
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Balancing traits to improve herd’s genetic profile
August 12, 2011
Cogent Breeding’s UK sales and genetics manager Hugh Pocock explains what to look out for in bull proofs and why they remain an essential tool for making breeding decisions.
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Banchory Show, Aberdeenshire results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Banchory Show, Aberdeenshire.
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Bassettwood Holsteins dispersal sells to 3,040gns
August 12, 2011
A ‘blistering trade’ was reported at last week’s dispersal sale of the Bassettwood herd of Holsteins, sold on behalf of Geoff and Janet Carrington at Tissington, Ashbourne.
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Beef and veal exports up
11 August 2011
EXPORTS of fresh/frozen beef and veal from the UK have soared by 31 per cent, according to new figures from Eblex.
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Beef inter-breed goes to the wire at Bakewell show
9 August 2011
IT was a close call for the beef inter-breed title at Bakewell Show, but judge Ken Atkin, Staffordshire, chose the Simmental cow, Chadston Tollie’s Delight ahead of the commercial supreme, the British Blue cross heifer, Makka Pakka.
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Blackford Eva takes inter-breed days after Nairn success
10 August 2011
BLACK Isle Show at Muir of Ord, Ross-shire, saw Anne Macpherson from Croy, Inverness, repeat her inter-breed beef cattle championship success at Nairn a few days earlier with her two-year-old Charolais heifer, Blackford Eva.
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Brussels CAP greening and capping plans revealed
10 August 2011
FARMERS will be required to devote ‘at least 5 per cent’ of their land to ecological purposes, under the latest leaked Brussels plans for Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.
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BSPB warns growers not to farm-save hybrid varieties
8 August 2011
THE British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) is reminding growers of the legal obligations and agronomic and economic risks of farm-saving seed of F1 hybrid varieties.
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Cardigan County Show, Mid-Wales, results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Cardigan County Show, Mid-Wales.
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Cartmel Show, Cumbria results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Cartmel Show, Cumbria.
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Cautious optimism is the message for beef sector
August 12, 2011
WITH finished cattle prices reaching an all-time high in excess of 300p/kg deadweight this summer - and the cull cow trade showing similarly unparalleled strength despite higher levels of supplies - cautious optimism is the tone of the latest Eblex half-year beef market outlook.
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Chairman appointed for new animal health board
8 August 2011
A LIVESTOCK and arable farmer has been appointed chairman of the new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE).
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Challenge to Oman bloodlines in Holstein top 20
August 12, 2011
THE challenge to Oman bloodlines, which have dominated the Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) ranking for as long as many Holstein breeders can remember, is just beginning to make itself felt, says DairyCo Breeding+.
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Champion Kerry Hill tup is ‘pure perfection’
11 August 2011
AT last month’s Royal Welsh Show, Neil Radnor and his mother, Jean, scored a remarkable victory by winning the much sought after champion of champions sheep title with a superb Hill Radnor ram.
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Check red diesel storage tanks for mould
August 12, 2011
After eight months of new red diesel rules, farmers and contractors are being advised to check what is in their storage tanks for fungal growth.
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Claas beefs up its mower, rake and baler ranges
10 August 2011
CLAAS’ latest product launch featured auto-swathing mowers, wider rakes and beefed up balers. James Rickard reports.
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Cockermouth Show, Cumbria
August 12, 2011
A round-up of results from the Cockermouth Show, Cumbria.
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Cow, 10, gives birth to five healthy calves
8 August 2011
A FARMER got the shock of his life when his 10-year-old suckler cow gave birth to FIVE healthy calves.
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Dairy cattle reach £2,420 at Gisburn
August 12, 2011
LAST week’s dairy sale at Gisburn auction mart saw prices rise to £2,420 for a newly-calved heifer from Andrew and Alison Holgate, Rathmell, Settle.
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Dairy entries hit by TB restrictions
10 August 2011
THE Welsh Government was urged today (Wednesday, August 10) to press ahead and tackle the scourge of TB without delay.
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Don’t overlook oat contracts on offer
August 12, 2011
SOME oat contracts on offer can match or even surpass those for wheats.
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Early wheat yields variable, but quality good
9 August 2011
DESPITE mixed weather causing interruptions, about 10 per cent of the winter wheat crop had been harvested in the UK by the start of this week, with predicted wide variability in yields, but quality is looking good.
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Eblex production visit to Lakes
August 12, 2011
Eblex has taken 17 German chefs and food writers to the Lake District to experience lamb production in the North West and taste various dishes.
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Elmwick Kitkat leads large sheep section at Burwarton
August 12, 2011
THE large sheep section at Burwarton Show in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was led by a Charollais shearling ewe from Jennifer Curtis of Evesham, Worcester.
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Farm fire causing £2m of damage treated as deliberate
10 August 2011
AROUND £2 million worth of damage is estimated to have been caused at a farm fire in South Yorkshire over the weekend, which police think was caused deliberately.
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Farmer takes charge of his own destiny with expansion plan
August 12, 2011
IT was a now or never decision for Philip Dunn to return to the family farm on the edge of the North York Moors and with a new milk contract and an active plan for expansion it is all systems go. Angela Calvert reports.
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Fifth Scottish National title for Bobby Dalziel
August 12, 2011
TORRENTIAL rain on the first two days of the Scottish National, when trialling came to a halt due to poor visibility, resulted in the three-day event extending to a fourth.
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Firm helping get farmers on renewables ladder
9 August 2011
A RENEWABLE energy company set up in Shropshire only a few months ago has just completed a major Solar PV project for a local farmer.
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Food and drink sector bucks manufacturing trend
10 August 2011
THE food and drink industry has bucked the general trend of declining manufacturing output with a small increase in June 2011.
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Food retailers must support family farmers
August 12, 2011
LARGE supermarkets, food retailers and food wholesalers should not have planning applications granted until they can demonstrate a track record of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards family farmers, according to Farmers For Action.
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Gower Show, South Wales, results
August 12, 2011
A round-up of results from the Gower Show, South Wales.
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HCC project looks at animal health problems
9 August 2011
THE implications underlying animal health problems can have on stock financial and physical performance is being assessed in a major health surveillance initative involving sheep and beef enterprises across Wales.
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Heler’s Halal accreditation opens exports door
11 August 2011
CHESHIRE based cheese-maker Joseph Heler has opened a door to a wider export market by gaining Halal accreditation.
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How does your dairy business measure up?
9 August 2011
JOIN us on July 17 for our live discussion with European Dairy Farmers (EDF) to find out how British dairy farmers compare to their colleagues in the rest of Europe.
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Identifying additional markets for Group 4 wheat
11 August 2011
DO not think of Group 4 wheats solely as feed. That is the message from independent grain and fertiliser broker Luke Paterson of Essex-based Paterson Ag.
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Inter-breed hat-trick for Hereford bull
August 12, 2011
Ben Briggs reports from Perth Show where the cattle and sheep lines saw strong competition for the top prizes.
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Irish Dairy Championship, Co Cork
August 12, 2011
A round-up of results from the Irish Dairy Championship, Co Cork.
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Jim Cropper takes title at Thornton le Dale open
August 12, 2011
WITH a clear 13-point advantage Jim Cropper won the mid-week Thornton le Dale Show open trial with Max.
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John Davies: Hectic Royal Welsh weekend plus best ever crop
9 August 2011
IT has been a hectic month. It started with our appointment to progress our Glastir application. We have decided to inject slurry to help achieve the points needed. Combined with some arable options, fencing and hedging, we should qualify.
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John Walton: Grain store is immaculate, but we still haven't harvested
11 August 2011
THE summer has arrived in its usual style - beautiful July and August days with a hint of November cold and wet.
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Kintyre Show, Argyll results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Kintyre Show, Argyll.
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Lorn Show, Oban, results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Lorn Show, Oban.
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Making on-farm technology simpler
August 12, 2011
THE range of ISOBUS compatible equipment is slowly expanding. Jane Carley speaks to users to find out if it really does offer simpler operation and reduced cab clutter.
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Managing a sustainable approach to water use
12 August 2011
New European and UK water legislation is being introduced. Teresa Rush visited a potato grower in West Sussex to find out what it means in practice.
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Montbeliarde crosses meet strong demand at Sedgemoor
August 12, 2011
Sedgemoor auction mart hosted the dispersal sale of 76 Holstein Friesians, Montbeliardes and MRI’s for Bob and Val Tilley, 32 Holstein Friesians for K.W. Blackmore, plus youngstock dispersals for Lulworth Castle Farms and F.G. Knapman and Co.
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More must be done to tackle rural theft in Northern Ireland, union warns
8 August 2011
THE Ulster Farmers’ Union is to meet senior police commanders later this week to discuss the urgent need for measures to tackle rural theft.
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Nantwich and South Cheshire Show results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Nantwich and South Cheshire Show.
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National Horned Hereford Show, Tenbury Wells results
August 12, 2011
A round-up of results from the National Horned Hereford Show, Tenbury Wells.
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National Parks on track despite funding cut
11 August 2011
THE National Park Authority says it remains in the ‘best position’ to deal with the future economic, local community and environmental issues facing the Lake District, according to its annual report.
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New animal health board will deliver - Seals
11 August 2011
MICHAEL Seals has insisted the new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE), which he will chair, will make a ‘real difference’ to policy making and delivery in this often controversial area.
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New electronic system will strengthen pig industry
3 August 2011
CHANGES to the electronic recording of pig movements will provide a more realistic herd register and enable better control in the event of a disease outbreak, experts have said.
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NFU and ADBA join forces
8 August 2011
THE vice president of the NFU has stepped on to the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) board.
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NIR protein analysis accuracy concerns
August 12, 2011
A STUDY in Wales has highlighted concerns about the accuracy of protein values from certain methods of silage analysis.
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Novel approach to volatility
August 12, 2011
THE Crown Estate is offering would-be tenants of two Lincolnshire farms two methods of tendering for a farm business tenancy in a bid to tackle increasing volatility.
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NSA appoints new chief executive
August 12, 2011
THE National Sheep Association (NSA) has appointed Philip Stocker as its new chief executive to succeed Peter Morris.
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OFT fine is less than half original estimate
10 August 2011
THE OFT has confirmed the £49.51m of fines imposed on the dairy companies and supermarkets today replaces the original £116m-plus figure announced in 2007.
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Peas performing well despite dry season
11 August 2011
COMBINING peas have done well this harvest considering the very dry season, says the PGRO.
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Performance recording builds on Beltex breed’s success
August 12, 2011
Following a successful pilot initiative, the Beltex Sheep Society (BSS), is now ready to roll out Signet performance recording to all its members. Angela Calvert reports.
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Police forces join up to tackle rural crime
2 August 2011
OFFICERS from Cumbria and Northumbria have joined forces to tackle rural crime on both sides of the county line.
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Popular OSR varieties delivering best yields
August 12, 2011
THE latest HGCA harvest results show oilseed rape yields from ‘east-west’ trials continue to remain at 10 per cent (0.5 tonne) above the five-year mean.
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Pottinger updates mower range
August 12, 2011
Pottinger has updated its range of Classic mowers with four new models.
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Premier Jacobs make 760gns twice at Worcester
August 12, 2011
THE premier Jacob sale for England and Wales at Worcester market saw females and rams topping at 760gns.
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Premier Zwartbles Sheep Association show records peak of 900gns
August 12, 2011
THE Zwartbles Sheep Association premier show and sale at Worcester recorded a top price of 900gns.
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Rams with data prove worth at Askham Bryan
August 12, 2011
BELTEX performance-recorded rams have already been used on the commercial flock at Askham Bryan College.
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Remember The Milk
11 August 2011
Mobile to-do list - never forget a job again!
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Researchers make breakthrough with bluetongue vaccine
2 August 2011
RESEARCHERS have taken a step towards producing better vaccines against bluetongue.
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Resistance data used in fight against onion basal rot
August 12, 2011
RESEARCH led by the Warwick Crop Centre at the University of Warwick has developed a unique collection of information about the disease resistance of 96 of the world’s onion varieties.
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Retailers doing a 'very good job' for Scottish food
10 August 2011
FOOD retailers in Scotland have received a pat on the back from NFU Scotland for the way they promote and brand Scottish produce on shop shelves.
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Rise in forward prime lambs at Gisburn sale
August 12, 2011
AN increased number of prime lambs were forward at Gisburn last Thursday and an average of 172p/kg was achieved for 1,858 forward.
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RPA clarifies cattle passport procedures
10 August 2011
THE Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has clarified the procedures for applying for cattle passports, following the introduction of the new single-page passport on August 1.
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RSPCA announces supermarket award shorlist
10 August 2011
THE RSPCA has announced the shortlist for its People’s Choice Supermarket Award, in which the public vote for the supermarket they think is top for animal welfare.
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Rural apprenticeship scheme to be rolled out in Lake District
8 August 2011
APPRENTICESHIP schemes to enable young people to learn rural land management skills could be rolled out next year.
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Rural crime wave costs industry over £49m
12 August 2011
CRIMINALS cost the agriculture industry more than £49 million last year as the rural crime wave swept through the UK.
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Scottish EID derogation brings hope for rest of UK
11 August 2011
UK FARMING chiefs are hopeful EU derogation on EID tagging rules granted to Scottish farmers will be rolled out in England and Wales - but warn the battle is not yet over.
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Scottish grain facility opens
August 12, 2011
Scotland’s first purpose-built farmer-owned portside grain facility has opened.
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Sheep rustled from Nottinghamshire field
1 August 2011
A RAM and eight lambs have been stolen from a field in Nottinghamshire.
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Sheep supplies to remain tight and UK exports to rise
August 12, 2011
ALTHOUGH little evidence of any imminent price collapse in lamb prices was evident in the latest Eblex sheep market outlook published last week, another 12p/kg has come off average lamb prices this week.
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Sheepdog trials diary w/b August 12
August 12, 2011
ENGLAND
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Shiplake herd dispersal to 2,320gns
August 12, 2011
PRICES peaked at 2,320gns when Messrs Doble dispersed their Shiplake herd of Holsteins,following their decision to cease milking at their farm at Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
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Skipton prize Limousin cross sells to 228p/kg
August 12, 2011
WINNER of the August prime cattle show and sale at Skipton this week was Jimmy Baines, who farms at Trawden and Clitheroe, Lancashire.
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Spray contamination risk for some seed potato growers
August 12, 2011
SEED potato growers with crops bordering cereals or oilseed rape should beware the ongoing risk of contamination resulting from spray drift from neighbouring crops, warns the Potato Council.
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Stick to guideline dose of metaldehyde this autumn
10 August 2011
Farmers across the country are being urged to adhere to the dosage guidelines recommended by the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG) during the August 1 to December 31 application period.
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Straw shedding and silage feeder machine
August 12, 2011
A new three-model range of straw shredding and silage feeder machines is now available from JF-Stoll.
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Stroudmead herd dispersal achieves high of 2,600gns
August 12, 2011
BIDDING rose to 2,600gns at Sedgemoor Auction Centre on Tuesday when the Stroudmead herd of Holsteins was dispersed for R.M. Winscom, Petersfield, Hampshire.
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Successful soil testing programme to be extended
9 August 2011
AN initiative offering farmers in Wales free soil tests is being extended after proving a roaring success in a trial area.
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System for accurate measuring of Beltex
August 12, 2011
SIGNET’S Alison Glasgow explained the three-year pilot initiative with the Scottish Agricultural College and Genesis Faraday, involving 12 flocks, was designed to tailor a Beltex-specific performance recording system in the UK, which would incorporate measurements of hind leg muscularity as well as more traditional measures relating to weight, muscle and back fat.
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Technology and comfort focus for new Pantera
August 12, 2011
AT last year’s Cereals event, Amazone announced it would be building its own self-propelled sprayer and it is now available to buy.
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Tenbury Show, Worcestershire results
August 12, 2011
A round-up of results from the Tenbury Show, Worcestershire.
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Tesco apologises over badger cull boycott mistake
12 August 2011
TESCO has been forced to apologise after a customer was informed that the UK’s biggest retailer has a policy of boycotting products from farmers engaged in badger culling.
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Tesco to contest OFT dairy fines ruling
10 August 2011
TESCO has reacted ‘with surprise and dismay’ at the OFT’s ruling that it colluded with suppliers and other retailers to fix cheese prices in 2002-03.
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Test: Mobile cropping dairy pic
9 August 2011
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Test: Mobile cropping Handley pic
9 August 2011
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Test: Mobile cropping Noction pic
9 August 2011
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Test: Mobile cropping pigs pic
9 August 2011
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Test: Mobile cropping wheat pic
9 August 2011
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Texel pen tops the Thame summer sheep fair at £232
11 August 2011
TOP price at this year’s Thame with Bicester summer sheep fair was £232, paid for the first lot through the ring.
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Top lawyer and soapstars join campaign against Foston pig farm
9 August 2011
ONE of the UK’s top lawyers and television soapstars have joined forces in the campaign against producers’ plans to build a pig farm capable of housing up to 25,000 animals in Derbyshire.
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Trace elements play key role
August 12, 2011
TRACE elements play a vital role in cows getting back in calf, says Simon Mellor of Animax.
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Trade reflects confidence in sheep sector at Wilton
August 12, 2011
NUMBERS forward were up by 15 per cent on the year at the August Wilton sheep fair held near Salisbury, Wiltshire last week with trade reflecting the current confidence in the sheep sector.
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Trade tops 30,000gns at Sarkley Limousin herd sale
August 12, 2011
TOP price was 30,000gns when E.H. Pennie and Sons, Montgomery, Powys, held a sale of heifers from their Sarkley Limousin herd at Borderway mart last week.
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UK milk price figures increase
11 August 2011
DEFRA figures show the average UK farmgate milk price stood at 26.61ppl in June.
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Varied quality means forage budget essential
August 12, 2011
THE variability of forage quality, coupled with high feed prices, will increase the challenge of producing milk cost effectively this winter, says Jimmy Goldie, senior dairy consultant with SAC Consulting.
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Vets call on FSA to prosecute animal abuse plant
9 August 2011
THE British Veterinary Association is calling on Defra and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to pursue a prosecution in light of evidence of animal welfare abuses at an Essex abattoir.
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Welsh sheepdog results - w/e August 12
August 12, 2011
Welsh results:
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Wigtown Show, Dumfries and Galloway, results
10 August 2011
A round-up of results from the Wigtown Show, Dumfries and Galloway.