Farmers Guardian
December 30, 2011

  • £100,000 to reduce flooding

    29 December 2011

    FARMERS and rural communities across England are set to benefit from £100,000 to reduce the risk of flooding, maintain farmland and create new wildlife habitats.

  • Agriculture in the news – December 28

    28 December 2011

    Slurry checks ‘could be the death knell for some farms’

  • Agriculture in the news - December 29

    29 December 2011

    Armed gang raid farmers’ shop near Nuneaton

  • Agriculture in the news - December 30

    30 December 2011

    Processors fear for supplies of quality livestock

  • Bespoke goods for all at agricultural shows

    4 January 2012

    Clothing, crafts, cakes and much more besides are fundamental to any show. Thousands of customers enjoy browsing the bespoke goods and for stallholders, there is nothing quite like an agricultural show or fair to bring out the best for business, as Barbara Collins finds out.

  • Border and Lakeland Holsteins to 2,600gns

    December 30, 2011

    The final Border and Lakeland Holstein Club sale of 2011 at Carlisle enjoyed a complete clearance and an average of £2,123.

  • British Blue leads prime cattle at £2,185

    3 January 2012

    Borderway’s Christmas show and sale of prime cattle was well supported, with 76 cattle forward.

  • Cairngorms monitor farm

    December 30, 2011

    ?THE new Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Cairngorms Monitor Farm held its first meeting recently.

  • Case study: Huw Evans talks about showing online

    4 January 2012

    Huw Evans is a leading livestock auctioneer who farms with his wife, Jennifer, and daughters at Nantyci, Carmarthen, and shows pedigree Jerseys.

  • Challenging 2012 on cards for Welsh farmers

    30 December 2011

    A WARNING that while confidence is returning to the industry as a result of higher market returns NFU Cymru president, Ed Bailey, is warning that danger lurks in the form of higher input costs.

  • Champion steer makes 330p/kg on IoW

    December 30, 2011

    THE Isle of Wight’s Gilten Christmas market was well supported by both island and mainland buyers. Both the beef and sheep championships went to Mick Denness.

  • Changes to tourism scheme will help farmers diversify

    29 December 2011

    SIGNIFICANT changes to the Welsh Government’s Tourism Investment Support Scheme, which will now allow small and medium businesses to benefit from facilties upgrading support, has been welcomed by the Farmers Union of Wales.

  • Cheque to wildlife trusts

    29 December 2011

    THE Wildlife Trusts has received a donation of more than £130,000 from Lincolnshire-based Vine House Farm, with which it launched a partnership in 2007.

  • Coming year ‘full of potential’ for Cornwall

    30 December 2011

    THE past 12 months had been a year of reality, cuts and confusion, and there would be undoubted challenges for the year ahead, but there would also be new opportunities as well.

  • Crop management and community part of the strategy at Grove Farm

    29 December 2011

    For more than half a century, Suffolk Show organiser the Suffolk Agricultural Association has run a competition each year to demonstrate best practice and production efficiency among the county’s farming community.

  • Defra told: ‘visit Cumbria and learn’

    29 December 2011

    SOUTH Lakes Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron is encouraging Defra civil servants who are looking to learn to visit Cumbrian farms.

  • EU farm income estimates show rise of 6.7 per cent

    December 30, 2011

    First estimates from EU statistical office Eurostat show agricultural income per worker increased by 6.7 per cent across the EU in 2011.

  • Farm income falls across Wales

    27 December 2011

    FARM business income on cattle and sheep farms both in the lowlands and uplands across Wales fell on average by up to 19 per cent in the 2010-2011 financial year.

  • Farmer pleads guilty to ‘losing’ cattle

    30 November 2011

    A SUFFOLK farmer has admitted multiple charges of failing to provide records explaining the movement of cattle to and from his farm over the past 10 years. 

  • Farmers fined after tractor crushes worker

    30 December 2011

    A FARMING family has been ordered to pay £16,000 after one of their workers was run over by a tractor which had a faulty handbrake.

  • Farmers still unhappy with RPA performance

    2 January 2012

    THE Rural Payments Agency may have achieved its December Single Payment Scheme (SPS) targets, but more than 14,000 people are still waiting to be paid.

  • Feeding to hit target performance

    December 30, 2011

    ?The importance of correct ration formulation for prime beef cattle and attention to weight targets is the focus of the latest in our feed planning series.

  • First time trial wins for two novice handlers in Scotland

    December 30, 2011

    TWO relative novice handlers won trials for the first time. At Innerleithen, Robin Lawrie headed the list with Gyp, while Sandra Beggs was out in front at Auchleand with Mac.

  • Ford’s new Escape updates the Kuga

    2 January 2012

    FORD has taken the wraps off its small utility vehicle, the Escape – second generation Kuga in Europe – which gets an intelligent four-wheel drive system to improve traction on- and off-road.

  • FUW hits out at unregistered second homes

    2 January 2012

    THE Farmers Union of Wales has hit out at the increasing number of second homes across Wales being used as unregistered holiday accommodation.

  • GM crops banned in Peru

    28 December 2011

    PERU has banned GM production for 10 years.

  • Good etiquette lies at the heart of successful livestock show judging

    December 30, 2011

    While taking a title at an agricultural show is a great achievement, being asked to judge at one of these events is also a huge honour. Wendy Short talks to a cattle breeder and experienced show judge from Carmarthen, Wales, to get some tips on judging etiquette.

  • Government must end renewables 'uncertainty'

    27 December 2011

    THE CLA has called on the Government to end the uncertainty facing the renewable energy sector after a High Court decision ruled changes to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for solar power were “legally flawed”.

  • Government must 'get its house in order' over solar fiasco

    29 December 2011

    THE solar industry faces months of ‘paralysis’ unless the Government gets its act together quickly, according to a leading renewable energy company.

  • Great British Shows: Win a media partnership with FG

    4 January 2012

    WE are offering one agricultural show the opportunity to win extensive promotion of their event with Farmers Guardian in 2012.

  • Hedge layers battle it out

    30 December 2011

    MORE than 20 competitors battled it out for the top titles in the fourth Yorkshire Dales Annual Hedge Laying Competition, held at March Hall, Dentdale.

  • How the UK's agricultural shows are going from strength to strength

    4 January 2012

    THE role agricultural shows play in rural Britain has probably never been more important. That was the finding of a Farmers Guardian survey of readers into what makes a good agricultural show. David Boderke reports.

  • Increase in Welsh lambs

    December 30, 2011

    ?THERE has been a 10 per cent increase in the number of lambs in Wales this year - but the overall number of sheep is still well below record numbers recording in the 1990s.

  • Innovation award-winners at agricultural shows

    4 January 2012

    Awards schemes are part of the ceremony and promotion for agricultural shows and can highlight ground-breaking machinery innovations, whether from major manufacturers or dedicated individuals. Jane Carley tracks the progress of four recent winners.

  • Irish hens slaughtered

    30 December 2011

    TEN farms in the Republic of Ireland are having to slaughter their poultry to avoid breaching the new EU rules on battery cages, which come into force on Sunday.

  • John Davies: Enjoying the upbeat atmosphere at Welsh Winter Fair

    December 30, 2011

    THIS year’s Welsh Winter Fair was much less snowy and, once again, an excellent standard of stock was on display. The atmosphere was upbeat.

  • John Walton: Heifers housed in a rush as rain forces a change of direction

    December 30, 2011

    I must be getting old because Christmas comes round far too quickly, the ‘Bah humbug’ moments are now more frequent and it seems my days as Santa Claus are over. I now only get asked to step in to the old red suit as a last resort.

  • Keep on top of electronic movement details for pigs

    December 30, 2011

    ?PIG keepers taking pigs to auction markets must register their producer details on the electronic pig movement system (eAML2) before they go, if they have not done so already.

  • Land Rover working on replacement for the Defender

    30 December 2011

    LAND Rover continues to seek out the future design direction for the Defender’s replacement and two Land Rover concepts – the DC100 and DC100 Sport – now ride on 20in alloys with All-Terrain tyres, giving that chunky, Tonka-style appeal.

  • LFA support must be 'simplified' says NFUS

    29 December 2011

    THE future Less Favoured Area (LFA) support must be simplified and the existing historic component should be stripped out, NFU Scotland has claimed.

  • Limousin crosses breed success for father and son

    2 January 2012

    JIM Peters and his son, David, from Kirriemuir, took both the champion and reserve beef titles at Forfar’s Christmas primestock show, judged by Michael Alford, Devon.

  • Mitsubishi Outlander far more suited to being a five-seater

    29 December 2011

    WITH its ASX, new Outlander, Shogun and L200, Mitsubishi might appear to have the 4x4 bases well and truly covered.

  • Muck & Slurry: Defra grant enables business expansion

    5 January 2012

    Chesterfield-based contractor Martin Hays has been providing a slurry application service for 15 years and was recently awarded a Defra grant to fund a specialist injection system. James Rickard reports.

  • Muck & Slurry: Getting the best out of expensive kit

    4 January 2012

    Muckspreading is commonly contracted out, but more farmers are looking to take control of applications. Jane Carley reports.

  • Muck & Slurry: Maximising the value of farmyard manure

    6 January 2012

    Under NVZ regulations, farmyard manure is a less onerous commodity to manage than slurry or artificial fertiliser, but it still needs to be used effectively if maximum value is to be gained. Farmers Guardian reports.

  • Muck & Slurry: Slow down to avoid tanker roll overs

    5 January 2012

    THE advent of faster tractors has brought about an increase in slurry tanker roll overs, says NFU Mutual, adding that driver training and greater awareness of the problem may go some way towards containing the risks. Geoff Ashcroft reports.

  • NFUS intent on better deal for dairy farmers

    2 January 2012

    AS well as working with dairy farmer co-operatives and processors, NFU Scotland is to explore whether there is a role for an umbrella organisation, such as Scotland Food and Drink, in establishing a dairy strategy for Scotland.

  • O’Neill welcomes new strategy to reduce greenhouse gases

    2 January 2012

    DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill has welcomed the issue of the Agriculture and Forestry Greenhouse Gas Stakeholder Group’s Reduction Strategy and Action Plan.

  • Olympics will boost countryside

    28 December 2011

    THE eyes of the world will be on Britain in the summer of 2012, creating opportunities for the British countryside, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president Harry Cotterell said.

  • Problems continue for crop farmers

    28 December 2011

    IT may have been the driest year on record but the complications continue this winter for crop farmers.

  • Rats worth more than pigs

    29 December 2011

    RAT-CATCHERS in Thailand are paid around £1 more per kg for the rodents, which are sold by the roadside for barbecues, than UK pig farmers receive for their animals.

  • Registration reminder for septic tanks

    28 December 2011

    MORE than 70,000 letters and registration forms are being sent out by Environment Agency Wales - mainly to farms and rural dwellings - reminding people in Wales to register septic tanks or small package treatment plants as soon as possible.

  • Rural businesses need better broadband - CLA

    30 December 2011

    RURAL businesses and communities are putting a reliable broadband connection at the top of their New Year wish list, according to the CLA.

  • Scottish upland beef farmers question their future

    30 December 2011

    MANY farmers in the Scottish uplands are considering whether there is a future for them in beef farming in view of the CAP proposals.

  • Sheepdog trials diary - December 30

    December 30, 2011

    Sheepdog trials diary for December 30.

  • Showing livestock without insurance cover is a sizeable risk

    December 30, 2011

    Howard Walsh investigates the importance of insurance cover for livestock showing.

  • Showing the way to the future

    4 January 2012

    YOUNG handlers and breeders are one of the most popular competitions at any agricultural show and generate friendships, banter and healthy competition. From those just starting out to others who are striving for their next success, Danusia Osiowy speaks to a pick of the mix.

  • Soil Association slams Foston AD plans

    29 December 2011

    THE Soil Association has written to planning officers overseeing proposals for a 2,500 sow farm in Foston, Derbyshire, criticising plans for a large scale anaerobic digestion (AD) plant on site.

  • Streat Tennyson Lilac leads last Beeston dairy cattle sale of year at £2,850

    December 30, 2011

    The final dairy cattle sale of the year at Beeston attracted 323 entries and achieved the second highest average on record of just over £1,700 for every animal. Fifty cows and heifers sold for £2,000 or more, with a top of £2,850.

  • Supermarkets should 'make their position clear' over battery eggs

    28 December 2011

    A Conservative MEP has written to the major supermarket chains asking how they plan to respond to new regulations which will outlaw eggs from old-fashioned battery cages.

  • Swiss Army Tool Kit

    10 January 2012

    GET professional tools in one app at only half the price.

  • Texel crosses make record 500p/kg

    4 January 2012

    SHEEP took the limelight at Salisbury’s Christmas prize show and sale with Nicola Denness’s Texel cross lambs smashing the market record to sell for £200 per head (500p/kg) to John Wood on behalf of Will Newman, P.C. Turner, Farnborough.

  • The future is bright – Kendall

    30 December 2011

    NFU President Peter Kendall has insisted the future is bright for British farming in his New Year message.

  • Three family generations of show support

    December 30, 2011

    Members of an extended family based in West Yorkshire have been supporting their local show for three generations. Whether it is sheep, cattle, crafts or baking - everyone in the family has a role, as Wendy Short found out when she talked to the ladies of the household.

  • 'Tight' supplies worrying meat processors

    30 December 2011

    THE availability of prime cattle and sheep in the coming year, is a major concern for the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).

  • Tight supply may drive lamb procurement innovation

    December 30, 2011

    SUPPLY constraints on prime lamb could lead to new and alternative procurement incentives from the processing and retailing sectors, believe farm business consultants Andersons.

  • Tom Lawrenson and Dave take third title at Windermere

    December 30, 2011

    Tom Lawrenson’s Dave took his third title on Sunday at the Windermere nursery held at Lee End Farm, Quernmore.

  • Uncertain times need long-term thinking - TFA

    29 December 2011

    TENANT Farmers Association chairman, Jeremy Walker stressed the need for long-term thinking in the face of continuing financial, economic, market and policy uncertainties in the farming sector.

  • Vauxhall Combo now with a choice of wheelbase

    29 December 2011

    THE Vauxhall Combo panel van now comes in two wheelbases, two heights, two gross vehicle weights, two trim levels and four engine choices.

  • Vion helps young people enter industry

    28 December 2011

    YOUNG people are being given a leg-up into the food and farming sector thanks to a graduate training programme.

  • VW enters the half estate – half 4x4 market

    3 January 2012

    THE half estate car, half 4x4 concept has proved popular for Volvo’s XC70, Audi’s Allroad and Skoda’s Octavia Scout - now VW wants a slice of the action with its Passat Alltrack, due to arrive in showrooms next July.

  • Warin family - supporting roles

    December 30, 2011

    Grandmother

  • Warning over New Year sky lanterns

    29 December 2011

    STAFFORDSHIRE County Council has urged the public not to use sky lanterns for their New Year celebrations unless they are 100 per cent biodegradable and to check the description is accurate.

  • Welsh red meat ambassador's sporting triumph

    30 December 2011

    THE sporting ambassador for Welsh red meat has been named the Olympic Athlete of the Year for cycling.

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