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 18th 2006
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Ambrosia, Gladiator and Einstein set the pace in harvest results
August 18th 2006
A THIRD of the HGCA Recommended List winter wheat plots have now been harvested, with yields so far slightly down on average.
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Approval for short-term lettings of rights of common land to graziers
August 18th 2006
A MOVE to allow graziers to continue leasing common land rights has been welcomed by the NFU as a ‘common sense approach’.
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Ayrshires lead way with 1,550gns at Summer Sizzler
August 18th 2006
PEDIGREE Ayrshire cattle topped the trade when 150 Ayrshires, Jerseys, Guernseys and Shorthorns went under the hammer at the Farmers Guardian-sponsored, Summer Sizzler Show and Sale of coloured breeds at Beeston Castle, near Tarporley, Cheshire.
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Beef special: Business know-how applied to producing pedigree beef
August 18th 2006
The Brookes already produce top quality Aberdeen-Angus cattle as well as specialist fire fighting equipment but that is not enough for this ambitious family. ANGELA CALVERT found out why they are also looking to sell beef directly to the customer.
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Beef Special: Charolais crosses fit the bill for Callum
August 18th 2006
Case Study
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Beef special: High standards means greater profitability
August 18th 2006
The Caledonia Crown brand has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2004 and is offering a significant premium to beef farmers that meet the specifications.
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Beef Special: Rumen management: Better beef nutrition and rationing.
August 18th 2006
The full article by David Hendy Keenan Rumens Nutrition senior beef consultant.
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Beef special: Starch contributes to a higher price
August 18th 2006
Starch had been identified as a significant profit-driving factor in intensive beef finishing rations following a recent trial, carried out at Harper Adams University College on behalf of Wynnstay.
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BHS invites BEF chairmen to become vice presidents
21 August 2006
Patrick Print FBHS, chairman of the British Horse Society (BHS), has written to the Chairmen of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), British Dressage (BD), British Eventing (BE), British Show Jumping Association (BSJA), Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), inviting them to become BHS vice presidents.
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Bids hit 750gns for two Calla Bleu rams
August 18th 2006
AN entry of 208 pedigree Bleu du Maine and Millenium Bleu sheep saw two top bids of 750gns at Carlisle, on Friday.
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Bitter sugar package
August 18th 2006
Growers hit out at compensation deal
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Bovine BT crisis: Gamma test to help keep areas clean
August 18th 2006
DEFRA’S drive to ‘keep clean areas clean’ of bovine TB will be aided from October by the decision to use the gamma interferon (g-IFN) blood test much more widely.
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Bovine TB crisis: Cautious welcome to data
August 18th 2006
A cautious welcome to the Defra figures suggesting there has been a recent reduction in the number of new TB incidents in Great Britain between January 1 and June 30 this year compared with 2005 has been given by Welsh Assembly Countryside Minister Carwyn Jones.
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Bovine TB Crisis: Further analysis to clear up uncertainty over Dutch tuberculin
August 18th 2006
Animal Health Minister Ben Bradshaw has unveiled what should be a major improvement in the way cattle are tested for bovine TB. He announced that the gamma interferon blood test is to be used more extensively, but at the same time published two reports that cast major doubts on the effectiveness of the current testing regime. ALISTAIR DRIVER analyses the three-pronged announcement.
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Bovine TB crisis: Vets failing to follow proper procedures
August 18th 2006
PRIVATE and State vets are routinely failing to follow the proper procedures when they test cattle for bovine TB, an independent review has found.
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Bovine TB crisis:Cattle not a major factor in spread
August 18th 2006
The latest statistics covering the incidence of bovine TB have provoked some hard-hitting responses from within Wales. BARRY ALSTON reports.
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Caernarfon abattoir cash plea gets cautious welcome
August 18th 2006
ANGLESEY farmers leaders have given a cautious welcome to an appeal for financial support from the farming community to help former managers of the Caernarfon abattoir to reopen it.
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Challenges for the red meat sector
August 18th 2006
LOOKING specifically at the future marketing strategy for the red meat sector, the 2010 Committee says it is important that producers adhere to the requirements of the Fatstock Marketing Association in order that customers’ demands can be recognised and met.
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Climate change impacts on grouse populations
August 18th 2006
AS the red grouse shooting season progresses, scientists from The Game Conservancy Trust are trying to determine the extent to which climate change may have an impact on this game bird and its moorland habitat.
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Consumers misled by supermarkets
August 18th 2006
SUPERMARKETS and other retailers could face prosecution by Trading Standards or Environmental Health officials if beef from different countries of origin was not clearly separated in chill cabinets or other displays.
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Continental handlers take trialing holidays
August 18th 2006
HOW nice to see four handlers from Belgium and two from Germany going around the many trials in South Wales. Paul Wellemans was in the money more than once. With Zep he took third place in the Open National on the mountain course used for the Towy and Camddwr trials. Earlier in the week he achieved a fourth place with Mist in the Open National class at Newcastle Emlyn.
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DFF to become a standalone
August 18th 2006
THE herbicide diflufenican (DFF) will be available for the first time in the UK as a stand-alone product this autumn, opening up opportunities for pre-emergence applications and lower weed control costs, according to its supplier.
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European challenge tractor pull, great eccleston, august 26-27
August 18th 2006
Watching a tractor pull at Great Eccleston in 1989 was enough to give West Yorkshire contractor John Orwin the bug – but it would be 16 years before he returned to the show as a competitor. Farmers Guardian editor LIZ FALKINGHAM spoke to John about the lure of tractor pulling.
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Eversfield: Back for a future of evolution
August 18th 2006
Turning an intensively farmed estate into an extensive, organic unit with a Countryside Stewardship agreement is not something that can be done overnight. KATIE ROEBUCK met Colin Hill, the farm manager with quite a job on his hands.
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Extra skills required at planting stage
August 18th 2006
ARE your staff trained to ensure any additional applications of products are carried out effectively at potato planting?
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Financial incentive boost for shelf-life
August 18th 2006
MILK customers’ continual demands for better shelf-life have led Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) to increase the penalties on bactoscans and somatic cell counts over threshold levels from November 1.
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First ever Dartmoor Heritage Pony sale aims to help secure breed’s future
21 August 2006
The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is holding its first sale of quality Dartmoor Heritage ponies on September 23 and 24 at their centre, Brimpts Farm, Dartmeet, Devon, from 10am – 4pm both days.
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Fluke and worm injection
23 August 2006
A new fluke and worm injection has been developed that will treat both mature and immature flukes and break the fluke reproductive cycle.
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GB proves small is beautiful
August 18th 2006
THE Kennel Club International Agility Festival at the weekend lived up to its name with over 2,000 competitors representing 13 countries including Holland, Belgium, Spain and Japan as well as Great Britain.
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Homoeopathy for farm animals – and freedom
August 18th 2006
You may have heard the controversy within the veterinary profession about the use of homoeoapthic remedies, with some commentators suggesting it is a danger to animal welfare.
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Kenneth Clawson to train for the BHS
21 August 2006
Kenneth Clawson FBHS, the European and Olympic-level coach and renowned UK eventing and show jumping trainer, will deliver a series of BHS Teaching Techniques days across Scotland in mid-September.
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Learn about Laminitis
21 August 2006
Learn all about laminitis from the world-renowned expert, Robert Eustace FRCVS, at a BHS Scotland public lecture to be held in Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway on the evening of September 11.
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Make full use of new qualifications
21 August 2006
WITHY King solicitors are urging farmers to make full use of recently approved health and safety qualifications that aim to reduce the number of work-related accidents and deaths.
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Market Profile
9 June 2006
Chelford market profile.
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Meeting the demands of modern dairying
August 18th 2006
Ayrshires with size, scope and longevity – coupled with showring success
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Move paves way for beef succes
August 18th 2006
Bill and Ilona Thompson have developed a successful system for producing crossbred beef, albeit it 500 miles further north than where they originally started farming. NEIL RYDER reports.
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Much improved report puts ‘failed’ college in top three for land-based courses
August 18th 2006
ONLY three years ago there was a real possibility that land-based courses in Kent would be no more. After being marked down as a ‘failed institution', Hadlow College, near Tonbridge, Kent, had been earmarked for closure.
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NFU hits back over biofuels ‘morality’
17 August 2006
THE National Farmers’ Union has hit back at claims that biofuel production is ‘morally inappropriate’ as it could lead to food shortages and higher food prices.
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OTM cow first to test positive for BSE
17 August 2006
A NINE-YEAR-OLD Holstein Friesian cow from Pembrokeshire has become the first animal to test positive for BSE under the Over-Thirty-Months testing programme.
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Parched Europe set to suffer as yields disappoint
August 18th 2006
DROUGHT conditions across much of Europe this summer will hit yields, resulting in higher prices for grain, potatoes and some vegetables this autumn, says the European Commission.
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Price cuts premature?
August 18th 2006
FARMGATE milk price cuts have been rather premature as there are signs that the commodity markets might improve over the next six months, says a consultant.
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Purpose-built roost entices rare bats
August 18th 2006
A PROJECT undertaken by the National Trust at its historic Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire has successfully created a new summer bat roost for one of the rarest bats in Europe, the Lesser Horseshoe bat.
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Rapeseed meal solution to controlling common scab
17 August 2006
CONTROLLING common scab without the use of water by using products such as rapeseed meal is the focus of one field trial being run by SAC.
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Ray Edwards and Jim take English National title
August 18th 2006
RUNNING on the third and final day, Ray Edwards and Jim earned the title of English National Champions at Underley Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria.
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Rodent control
23 August 2006
A radical new bait technology has been launched to dramatically increase the speed and reliability of farm rat and mouse control.
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Royal Manx Show: Family dominates inter-breeds
August 18th 2006
THE show’s second reserve large livestock champion was the winning Texel from Alan and Andrew Rothwell, Foxdale, that also won the inter-breed shortwool championship.
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Royal manx show: Title hat-trick for overall champion Valerie Ann
August 18th 2006
BRIAN Leece, from Peel, had a cracking day at the Royal Manx Show on Saturday.
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Royal visit to Horse of the Year Show
23 August 2006
As part of this year’s 50th birthday celebrations of the Prince Philip Cup, the organisers of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), have officially confirmed that Prince Philip will be attending the show’s Gala performance on Sunday night, and presenting the prestigious trophy to the winners.
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Schoolchildren enjoy Sussex farm visit with MP
August 18th 2006
CULTURE Minister David Lammy MP teamed up with the Countryside Alliance (CA) to invite a group of 10-12 year olds from the Broadwater Farm Community Centre, Tottenham, for a day at a farm in the heart of Sussex.
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Seedbed and Contractor special: An alternative to min-till techniques
August 18th 2006
Farmers wanting to pursue min-till techniques have frequently required plenty of power to pull acre-eating tackle, but there is now an option for those on a more limited scale to achieve stale seedbeds and even establish rape in one pass.
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Seedbed and Contractor special: Easy to couple but limited movement in arm clamp
August 18th 2006
Danish manufacturer He-Va uses a combination of two machines – the Combi Lift and Disc Roller.
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Seedbed and Contractor Special: Good soil conditions ahead of the autumn cultivations
August 18th 2006
Although not included in the FG cultivator test, land alongside had seen one pass from Vaderstad’s Top Down cultivator. Host farmer David Jones uses this implement as a single pass primary cultivator across the whole farm following the combine.
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Seedbed and Contractor Special: Soil Protection Review reminder
August 18th 2006
A date for your diary: September 1, 2006. This is the date that growers must have completed their Soil Protection Review (SPR) – a key element of cross compliance.
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Seedbed and Contractor special: Tapered scrapers and large pin handles make Sumo light work
August 18th 2006
Now in its fourth season, the Sumo Trio is the most revered of the machines in this group.
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Seedbed and Contractor Special: TDC3
August 18th 2006
TDC3 requires a more skilled operator
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Seedbed and Contractor special: Ultra Tilth is simple to set up and use but has less options
August 18th 2006
The Ultra Tilth from Farm Force has the largest number of discs of the four machines in this comparison, with six legs mounted up front.
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Seedbed and Contractors special
August 18th 2006
Click on the stories below to read this weeks Seedbed and Contractor Special:
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Shearling ram fetches 5,500gns
August 18th 2006
PEDIGREE Beltex rams and females saw prices rise to 5,500gns at the Beltex Sheep Society’s premier show and sale at Carlisle last Friday.
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Special editions for diamond anniversary
August 18th 2006
McCormick is marking 60 years of production at its Doncaster plant with a limited number of its top selling tractors in a special colour scheme.
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Still more than 5,000 awaiting Single Payment
August 18th 2006
A TOTAL of 5,203 Single Payment claimants have still not received a any money from the Rural Payments Agency.
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Stop the drop campaign off to a flyer
22 August 2006
AN INDUSTRY-wide campaign to reduce pollution incidents from sheep dips has sent out its first advice this week.
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Sugar Beet - The Detail: Beet growers to take a gamble on quota profit
August 18th 2006
THE closure of British Sugar’s York and Allscott factories will bring some 1.2 million tonnes of beet quota onto the market within a two-month period, says a broker.
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Sugar Beet - The Detail: Options for Allscott and York
August 18th 2006
Allscott or York growers 50 miles or less from Newark will be offered a Newark contract.
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Sugar Beet - The Detail: Three-year agreement is an improvement on terms and pay
17 August 2006
THE NFU has revealed details of the new three-year inter-professional agreement that lays out sugar beet prices and has made improvements to payment terms and to the way contracts can be managed.
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Supply-demand milk debate
August 18th 2006
REDUCING the volume of UK milk production is not the answer to the producer price problem says a new report from the Milk Development Council.
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The forgotten hill farmers still stuck in the RPA log jam
August 18th 2006
SOME hill farmers were being to feel they had been forgotten by the RPA as they continued to wait for vital hill farm support to come through, the NFU has warned.
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Times are changing for IoM agriculture
August 18th 2006
THE Isle of Man’s ‘protected’ agriculture is facing upheaval – not least the loss in 2010 of its red meat derogation that has protected livestock producers against the extremes of ruling market conditions and maintained farmgate prices generally ahead of those in the UK.
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Trade with EU vital for future
August 18th 2006
THE majority of production from the Isle of Man is exported to Europe – 64 per cent in fact, so its ability to trade with the EU iscrucial to the shape of the industry.
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TREC European squad named
21 August 2006
TREC selectors have today named 12 riders who will compete for Britain at the 2006 European Championships, to be held on Exmoor on September 15-17.
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Trials to find new fungicide for controlling skin spot
17 August 2006
WITH the withdrawal of the most effective fungicide for controlling potato skin spot possibly imminent, what options are open to growers?
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Two electronic knapsacks
23 August 2006
Hardi has introduced two new electronic knapsacks, both with a 1.5 litre capacity and, when fully charged, the ability to continuously spray for four hours.
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UK Pesticide regulation world’s toughest, says Government
22 August 2006
DEFRA minister Ben Bradshaw has spoken out in support of UK farming’s use of pesticides this week and claimed we would soon be leading Europe on public protection.
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Unique model is causing a stir
August 18th 2006
A UNIQUE timber-built doll’s house is to be auctioned next month to raise money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
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United counties show: Belgian Blue in-calf heifer creates a stir to take top award
August 18th 2006
WITH negotiations for a 100-bedroomed hotel and restaurant complex on the 90-acre Nantyci showground poised for completion major changes are being planned for the two-day United Counties Show in west Wales. Two other major developments also being considered are moving the dates of the summer show from an early August mid-week staging to a weekend in mid June – and dropping the United Counties Show name in favour of The Carmarthenshire Show.BARRY ALSTON reports.
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United Counties Show: Dairy cattle judging just perfect for the Harries family
August 18th 2006
JUST perfect – was how the dairy cattle judging turned out to be for the Harries family from Crosshands, Llanelli.
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United Counties Show: Suffolk wins tight shortlist line-up
August 18th 2006
ANY one of the shortlisted six could so easily have taken the supreme individual sheep championship such was the quality of this year’s entry.
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Welsh breeding cattle exports resume
17 August 2006
THE first overseas order for Welsh breeding cattle since the 1980s has been placed – and a 40-strong sheep flock is being sold to a European shepherd group.