We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Farmers Guardian
February 19, 2010
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‘New’ Vaderstad drill thrill . . . at fraction of price
23 February 2010
For the cost-conscious buyer, correctly refurbished kit represents an affordable way to get nearly-new machines at sensible prices. Geoff Ashcroft visited Cambridge Farm Machinery to see how the firm breathes new life into second-hand Vaderstad equipment.
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Ag-chem prices set to rise as China demand grows
16 February 2010
WEAK Sterling, product demand from China and increased UK wheat and rape plantings could drive agrochemical prices upwards this season.
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Agriculture in the national news - February 15
15 February 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Monday, February 15).
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Agriculture in the national news - February 16
16 February 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the nation (Tuesday, February 16).
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Agriculture in the national news - February 17
17 February 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the nation (Wednesday, February 17).
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Agriculture in the national news - February 18
18 February 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Thursday, February 18).
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Agriculture in the national news - February 19
19 February 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Friday, February 29).
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Agronomists’ to take memorial bike ride
February 19, 2010
SIX agronomists are planning to complete a 320-mile charity cycle ride in memory of a colleague who died in October 2009.
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AHDB names former NHS exec as new boss
15 February 2010
A SENIOR NHS executive has been named as the new chief executive of the AHDB.
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AHDB's green HQ gets the nod
18 February 2010
THE Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has been given the nod to build a futuristic, ultra-green and energy efficient office building in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
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All black-and-white breed codes reissued
February 19, 2010
Using official AI codes for bulls, rather than herd book numbers and short names, is the only safe and fully reliable means of ensuring sires are correctly identified on milk recording records, says independent breeding consultant, Kevin Lane.
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Arla joins carbon scheme
February 19, 2010
ARLA Foods has become the only dairy company among 12 founder members of the Freight Transport Association’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme.
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Bayer revises fungicide formulations
February 19, 2010
THE formulations of two Bayer prothioconazole fungicides have been revised for use in cereals.
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Beet growers must think beyond variety
February 19, 2010
SUGAR beet varieties are now so good across the board that it will be other factors which have a greater impact on yield, according to a sugar beet variety expert.
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Benn attacks Cameron on fox hunting
18 February 2010
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Hilary Benn has written to David Cameron, calling on the Conservatives to clarify their position on foxhunting and rule out a reppeal.
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Benn praises bakers' commitment to British farmers
16 February 2010
DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn has praised companies like Hovis for making it easier for the British public to support local farmers.
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Britain lacks influence in Europe
17 February 2010
BRITAIN is the second least influential nation in the European Commission behind Romania, it has been the revealed.
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British Grassland Society welcomes new Partners
February 19, 2010
Having completed their mentorship training, nine more livestock farmers have joined the growing team of British Grassland Society (BGS) Grazing Partners.
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Buffer zones could cost farmers £46.2 million a year
17 February 2010
THE Defra consultation on how to implement new EU rules on pesticides has caused an almighty stir within the farming industry.
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Business Link launches online guide to red tape
19 February 2010
BUSINESS Link has launched a new online resource which provides farmers with practical information and guidance on farming regulations.
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Calls for meat and bonemeal ban to be lifted
16 February 2010
Meat and bonemeal should be allowed back into poultry feed, suggested food safety expert Prof Patrick Wall, of University College, Dublin.
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Carlisle’s 72,000gns Limousin at record averages sale
February 19, 2010
AN all-breeds centre record average of £6,045 and a top of 72,000gns was realised at Carlisle on Saturday at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s sale.
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Case study: The hill farmer from Cappele, Denbighshire
February 19, 2010
FOR father and son Alwyn and Sion Williams, getting involved with Innovis was not a massive move from what they were already doing, but with the benefit of a guaranteed market.
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Case study: The lowland farmer from Maesmawr, Welshpool
February 19, 2010
THIS April, David Trant and shepherd Kevin Llewellyn will lamb Aberdale Beulah ewes for the third year running.
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Cesar scheme takes off as AEA engineers boost national coverage
February 19, 2010
The first four officially-trained technicians working on behalf of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) are now qualified to fit the Cesar security system, and will provide initial UK coverage for after-market fitment. According to Cesar, a further 20 will be qualified in the coming months.
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Cheggers begins search for Chip Tune 2010
16 February 2010
TV legend Keith Chegwin has called on the British public to provide inspiration for a song to celebrate National Chip Week 2010.
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Cockerington Urchin straws are sold online
February 19, 2010
The first ever online export consignment of British Charolais semen was made this week.
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Cumbria Farmer Network extended into Dales
February 19, 2010
The Cumbria Farmer Network (CFN) is set to extend its coverage after voting to open membership to include farmers from the Yorkshire Dales.
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Dairy Crest launches Milk & More contract early
February 19, 2010
STRONG response from milk producers has persuaded Dairy Crest to launch its new ‘milk&more’ purchasing contract early, the company claims.
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Dairy industry sets out priorities for MPs
16 February 2010
DAIRY UK has handed MPs a wish list of what it needs from the next Government in order to help secure the future of the industry.
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Dangers of rural roads highlighted
February 19, 2010
THE image of a quiet drive in the countryside is to be reflected in a newly-launched hard-hitting advertising campaign, which aims to cut the number of fatalities on Scotland’s country roads.
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Defra considers GM potato trial
17 February 2010
THE Government is considering an application from British scientists to plant GM potatoes in a field trial in Norwich.
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DeLaval upgrades its VMS milking machine
February 19, 2010
Dairy machinery manufacturer DeLaval has an updated version of its VMS (Voluntary Milking System), which the company says gives better control over milking but with lower input costs.
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Developing a career farming disadvantaged land
February 19, 2010
The challenges of farming disadvantaged land, combined with an unconventional route into the sector, made young farmer Jamie Halbert determined to deliver an effective livestock system which complemented his flexible approach to hill farming. Jennifer Mackenzie reports.
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Devolve animal health budget now, Defra told
19 February 2010
SCOTLAND must wrest control of the animal health budget from Defra within the next six to eight weeks to avoid it being slashed.
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Dow hits out at Bayer's Atlantis advice
February 19, 2010
DOW AgroSciences has expressed disappointment at Bayer CropScience’s decision to recommend use of its herbicide Atlantis as a stand-alone product this season.
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'Encouraging' outlook for liquid milk market
February 19, 2010
THE medium to long-term outlook for liquid milk remains ‘encouraging’ says a report by Global Industry Analysts.
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Environment must be intergral part of farming
16 February 2010
Environmental schemes should be an integral part of what they do, said Natural England chairman, Poul Christensen.
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EU takes action on horse cruelty
14 February 2010
Liz Lynne MEP has welcomed news that her campaign to end the cruelty suffered by horses being transported long distance for slaughter has been adopted by the European Parliament at Strasbourg.
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Experimenting with rations for better results
19 February 2010
To improve cow health and fertility, dairy farmer Rhodri Wynne overhauled his feeding system. Katie Lomas finds out what benefits he is seeing.
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Farm parks awarded Farm Attraction of the Year
February 19, 2010
THREE farm parks have been awarded the prestigious title of Farm Attraction of the Year 2009 in the National Farm Attractions Network’s annual awards.
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Farmer fined £92,000 for cross compliance breach
17 February 2010
A farmer in North Wales has been fined a staggering £92,000 for an alleged breach of cross-compliance conditions - one of around a dozen or so unfairly imposed penalties being challenged by the Farmers Union of Wales.
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Farmers still using banned pesticide
February 19, 2010
GROWERS have simply got to try harder when it comes to pesticide use and protection of the environment, said Dr David Ellerton, who said despite IPU being a banned product, it was clear it was still being used by farmers on their crops last autumn.
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Farmers urged to build on CFE's bright start
15 February 2010
ARABLE farmers in England have been urged to build on the ‘encouraging start’ to the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE).
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Farms invited to join Meat Promotion Wales network
February 19, 2010
Given the success of beef and sheep demonstration farms in investigating new methods and technologies and passing money-saving to other farmers, Meat Promotion Wales (Hybu Cig Cymru) is looking to expand in Anglesey, Carmarthenshire and South Powys.
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Farms must comply with new child safety laws or risk hefty fine
19 February 2010
Farm Attractions Network conference
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Fertiliser giants to merge
15 February 2010
TWO of the worlds leading fertiliser manufacturers, Yara International and Terra Industries, are to merge after Yarra took over its rival in a deal worth around £2.6 billion.
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Fitzpatrick denies bowing to welfare lobby on TB
18 February 2010
FARMING Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has denied claims that Defra’s refusal to sanction a badger cull is borne out of fear of the animal welfare lobby.
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Gelli Aur Agricultural College: 300 cattle lost to TB
2 March 2010
WITH more than 300 cattle now lost to bovine TB, the past three years have been devastating for Gelli Aur’s spring and autumn calving pioneering research and development dairy herds.
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Gelli Aur Agricultural College: Sheep flock continues to grow
19 February 2010
GELLI AUR’S ‘cheap and easy to run’ sheep flock continues to go great guns – serving as a useful grazing clean-up tool as well as producing valuable extra income.
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Gelli Aur Agricultural College: Spring calving herd to reach 250
19 February 2010
BARRING any major setbacks the centre’s spring calving herd should be up to 250 milkers by the end of March.
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Gelli Aur Agriculture College: New milking parlour up and running
17 February 2010
AFTER a few installation teething problems the farm’s brand new £220,000 milking parlour is said to be working well.
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Gene tests show Limousins' beef credetials
February 19, 2010
Testing of Limousin bulls has revealed that 98.5 per cent carry the F94L gene, which is associated with increased muscularity.
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Glastir scheme must be delayed, committee told
17 February 2010
WITH implementation of the Welsh Assembly’s all-embracing brand new Glastir land management scheme looking more and more of a shambles, the Farmers Union of Wales has told Assembly Rural Development Sub-Committee members it should be delayed by 12 months.
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Greencore sells malt business to Axéréal
February 19, 2010
The Greencore Group is to sell its malt businesses in the UK, Ireland and Belgium to French co-operative Axéréal.
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Growers must keep pace as beet yields to average 70t/ha
February 19, 2010
THE 2009/10 sugar beet crop will be the highest yielding on record and is poised to break the 70 tonnes per hectare (28t/acre) yield barrier for the first time, British Sugar has announced.
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HCC launches information audiobooks
15 February 2010
GAINING knowledge has never been easier thanks to a new service allowing farmers to listen to information instead of music in their tractors or cars.
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Herefordshire YFC county hedging match
February 19, 2010
THERE were 47 competitors in the 2010 Herefordshire Young Farmers county hedging match, staged at Vowchurch, when the Longtown club won three of the four classes.Results
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IBERS job losses could hit 100
15 February 2010
MORE than 100 jobs could be under threat at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - not the 70 announced by officials last week.
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Industry coalition condemns proposed building tax
15 February 2010
A COALITION of industry organisations have attacked Government plans to introduce a levy on new farm buildings.
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John Deere dealer celebrates 40 years of trading
18 February 2010
HERTFORDSHIRE and Bedfordshire-based John Deere dealers J.E.Buckle Engineers will reach its 40th birthday come April. The business relies on strong family ties to ensure it continues to grow, with no fewer than four Buckle family members running the company on a day-to-day basis.
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John Deere’s latest round baler models offer more variety
February 19, 2010
John Deere has been changing model numbers on most of its kit recently, and now round balers get the same treatment - with restyled panelling, too.
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John Palmer and Sly lift trial title at Bolton Abbey
February 19, 2010
JOHN Palmer took the Yorkshire Championship title with Sly on Saturday, while Jim Cropper and Ford were the preceding nursery trial winners.
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Lamb exports see gradual increase
February 19, 2010
UK exports of lamb and mutton will reach 90,000 tonnes in 2009.
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Large OSR canopies will need spring PGR treatment
February 19, 2010
LARGE oilseed rape crop canopies will almost certainly require PGR treatment this spring.
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Leicestershire becomes the latest show to close
19 February 2010
LEICESTERSHIRE County Show has been forced to cancel its 2010 event, adding to a growing list of agricultural shows that are struggling to survive.
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Lely Astronaut adds new features
18 February 2010
LELY’s Astronaut milking machine has received an update to its software, and can now measure fat and protein levels, detect watery milk, analyse the animal’s weight patterns and more efficiently detect mastitis.
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Lemken’s hybrid plough covers more acres with less horsepower
February 19, 2010
Lemken believes its hybrid Vari-Tansanit plough is ideal if you want to cover more acres with the plough, but do not have a high-horsepower tractor spare. Farmers Guardian put it to the test.
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Maize Watch
February 19, 2010
Sponsored series with KWS UK
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Massey Ferguson 5400 buyers get option of cab suspension
16 February 2010
Massey Ferguson has now brought cab suspension to the masses with the introduction of the system across its multi-purpose 5400 series tractors.
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McLaren: Don't blame farmers for climate change
19 February 2010
FARMERS should not take all the blame for climate change, NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren told the organisation’s AGM.
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Moving towards solvent-free products
19 February 2010
NEW solvent-free formulations of existing crop protection products could bring improved operator and environmental safety, without compromising performance, according to manufacturer Dow AgroSciences.
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MSPs call for urgent cold weather payments
18 February 2010
COLD weather payments for farmers should be introduced ‘as soon as possible’, Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has been urged.
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National All Breeds Show gets underway
16 February 2010
THE first ever National All Breeds Show kicked off this morning (Tuesday, February 16) with the youngstock classes.
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New Apache 4x4 400cc ATV offers cheap alternative
16 February 2010
Apache’s new RLX 400 4x4 ATV has now been launched, and while not expensive at £3,399 plus VAT, it does offer some interesting features as standard for the price, and given the fact it’s a 400cc-class machine.
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New fungicides have crucial role in protecting triazoles
February 19, 2010
TRIAZOLES will form the backbone of wheat fungicide treatments, but must be protected and used appropriately to reduce the risk of resistance. At the same time, newer chemistry could be crucial in protecting them.
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New SAC potato agronomist
February 19, 2010
SAC has strengthened its team providing specialist advice for UK potato growers. Australian agronomist Andrew Powell will be working from SAC’s new office in York, where he will support John Sarup.
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New strain fears after rhizomania outbreaks
February 19, 2010
THE new strain of rhizomania identified following an outbreak of the disease in resistant sugar beet varieties in 2007 has spread from Suffolk to Essex.
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New venue and date for Kenilworth Show
February 19, 2010
?THE Kenilworth Show is moving to a new site and will be held on a new date this year.
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NFU demands fair animal welfare rules
16 February 2010
SPARE our farmers strict new animal welfare rules at least until other EU members states have fully enforced the current regulations, the NFU has told Brussels’ policy makers.
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North Country Breed Society chooses new president
19 February 2010
The new president of the North Country Breed Society is David Pittendreigh.
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Perth Bull Sales: Goldies Charolais dominate bull sales to top 26,000gns
17 February 2010
GOLDIES bulls from Hamish Goldie, Ruthwell, Dumfries, dominated the Charolais bulls, realising the top of 26,000gns, with others selling at 14,000gns and 11,000gns.
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Perth bull sales: Simmental bulls peak at 20,000 gns
16 February 2010
BIDDING peaked at 20,000gns twice for Simmentals on Monday with 135 bulls selling from the 153 forward to average £4,751, which was up over £200 on the year.
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Perth bull sales: Simmental females reach 4,000gns
16 February 2010
A top price of 4,000gns was achieved for Simmental females and leading the trade was Corskie Vail from J. Green, Fochabers, Moray.
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Perth Bull Sales: Thrunton Belinda leads at 6,000gns
17 February 2010
CHAROLAIS females peaked at 6,000gns for Thrunton Belinda from Colin, Ian and John Campbell, Alnwick, Northumberland.
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Pig farmers look to the future after turbulent years
February 19, 2010
Consumer demand for local food and the success of the Honest Labelling campaign will be crucial to the future of the country’s pig farmers, according to producer Stephen Thompson.
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Planning workshops launched for Open Farm Sunday
February 19, 2010
Workshops for staging an event.
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Plea for leniency on EID penalties
22 February 2010
WELSH MEP, John Bufton, has urged the European Commission not to punish farmers falling foul of sheep electronic identification legislation.
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Poor uptake of NVZ derogation
February 19, 2010
Uptake of the NVZ derogation has been poor so far, says Defra, and farmers only have until March 31 to take advantage of it.
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Recipe of the week: Lamb chops in jackets
February 19, 2010
This recipe has come from Mrs Nancy M. Taggart, Conister, Hilberry Road, Onchan, Isle of Man.
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RPA job cuts could hit SPS delivery
18 February 2010
THE NFU has expressed fears that cuts to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) budget could affect the delivery of Single Payments in England.
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RSPB thanks farmers for return of rare bird
16 February 2010
FARMERS have been praised by the RSPB for helping one of Britain’s most threatened songbirds return to the countryside.
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Rural round-up
February 19, 2010
News in brief from across the country.
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Scientists sequence extinct cattle genome
19 February 2010
SCIENTISTS have sequenced the genome of an extinct ancient breed of cattle.
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Scottish farmers to receive £3m in snow aid
19 February 2010
SCOTLAND’S farmers are to receive £3m emergency funding to cover the cost of damage caused to sheds by the recent bad weather.
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Sentry Conference: UK Government is ‘very pro-GM’
16 February 2010
THE change in public attitude to genetic modification was ‘a very exciting shift’, Dr Julian Little, chairman of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, told the Sentry conference, at Linton, Cambridge.
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Sheep: Balancing both tups and tourists in succesful diversification
February 19, 2010
Brothers Endaf and Aled Jones have achieved what many strive for – simplicity and minimum labour requirements. But it is their successful diversification project which drove them to make changes.
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Sheep: Detailed lambing records are key to improving returns
February 19, 2010
Record-keeping is essential for any sheep farm and particularly during lambing, says Chris Lloyd, Eblex industry development manager.
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Sheep: Growing family farm through the generations
February 19, 2010
At 21, Sam Driver has achieved what many could only dream of in a lifetime. Angela Calvert finds out about him and the family that gave him his leg-up.
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Sheep: How small changes can make a big difference to your time
February 19, 2010
With a heavily stocked farm and young family, Michael Forster knows time is precious. Wendy Short meets a farmer whose steps to reduce labour have had positive side effects.
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Sheep: Identifying breeding flock replacements
February 19, 2010
If you are breeding your own replacements, accurate recording at lambing will indentify which animals should be kept for breeding purposes and resulting in an easy-to-mange flock with good performance traits, says Sam Boon, Eblex breeding services manager.
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Sheep: Specialist rams for the hills and ewes for lowland farmers
February 19, 2010
It is six months since Innovis officially launched its Aberdale breeding programme, and just over five years since it began the project. Joanne Pugh meets the man behind the scheme and two farmers involved from the early stages.
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Sheep: Understanding different EID rules in the UK
February 19, 2010
The Scottish Government’s announcement last month confirming the rules for sheep EID was the final piece in the puzzle as farmers across Britain get ready for the new rules.
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Sheepdog trials diary - February 19
February 19, 2010
A weelky round-up of forthcoming sheepdog trials around the country.
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Significant cost savings at Joint Venture Farming Group
February 19, 2010
LATEST cost figures from bench-marking initiative, the Joint Venture Farming Group, show a mixed performance in 2009.
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Single payments – to hedge or gamble?
February 19, 2010
WHEN judging whether to hedge their Single Payments, farmers’ prime consideration should be to weigh certainty against a gamble.
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Society of master saddlers annual national competitions
16 February 2010
Held in the hall of The Worshipful Company of Saddlers in the City of London, the SMS ‘Annual Nationals’ were hotly contended.
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Sugar beet variety switch as Fiorenza replaced
February 19, 2010
SUGAR beet growers are to have access to only one beet cyst nematode-tolerant variety through the industry seed account for the 2010 season.
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Switch to urea-based N has no detrimental effect
February 19, 2010
GROWERS who switched from ammonium nitrate to urea-based nitrogen fertiliser because of soaring prices last season, did so at no detriment to their crops.
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Tennant farmers' fears over Pack report
February 19, 2010
THE death knell for tenant farming in Scotland could be potentially sounded by proposed moves to an area based payments system, as contained in the interim report of the Pack Inquiry.
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Threat of virus yellows re-emerging
February 19, 2010
THE recent cold weather will have done a good job of killing off aphids, so virus yellows is not expected to be a problem in this year’s sugar beet crop, Broom’s Barn’s Dr Mark Stevens told the BBRO winter meeting at Lincoln.
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Tories call for 'rural revolution'
February 19, 2010
A ‘rural revolution’ is needed to repair the damage to residents’ morale in the countryside, according to Shadow Farm Minister Jim Paice.
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UK arable prospects 2010
17 February 2010
AS part of our Farming Prospects seminars, Lawrence Matthews, Sussex arable farmer, explains his prospects for 2010 and the major challenges facing his farm business.
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UK beef prospects 2010
17 February 2010
AS part of our Farming Prospects seminars, Lawrence Matthews, Sussex beef farmer, explains his prospects for 2010 and the major challenges facing his business.
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UK dairy prospects 2010
17 February 2010
As part of our series of online seminars, Farming Prospects 2010, NFU dairy board chairman as Sussex dairy farmer Gwyn Jones sets out the major challenges for the UK dairy industry and the biggest challenges facing his business.
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UK maltsters uveil intended purchases
February 19, 2010
UK maltsters’ intended purchases of malting barley have been analysed by the Maltsters Association of Great Britain.
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UK scientists unveil £13m disease research fund
15 February 2010
UK scientists have announced a £13 million plan to tackle livestock diseases in the developing world.
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Use email wisely as a good marketing tool
February 19, 2010
EMBRACE the power of email to drive your business, but choose your content wisely or you could risk losing your customers altogether.
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'We will listen to Europe on CAP' - Fitzpatrick
19 February 2010
FARMING Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has signalled that Defra is preparing to take a more pragmatic stance on CAP reform than has been evident in recent years.
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Welsh Commons Forum: Assembly recognisers commoners value
17 February 2010
WELSH Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she fully recognised the importance of common land which was highly valued for its agriculture, recreation, landscape, and nature conservation.
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Welsh Commons Forum: Graziers must have say on policy
17 February 2010
WITH new environmentally-based agreements in the offing for common land in England and Wales, a passionate plea went out from the Aberystwyth conference for politicians and policymakers to listen to the people who know best - the graziers who manage the commons.
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Welsh Commons Forum: Powell highlights key issues
17 February 2010
NEVILLE Powell, chairman of the Black Mountains Graziers Association, highlighted a series of key issues he wants Government to tackle to help graziers prosper in the coming years.
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Welsh farmers back EU dairy fund
17 February 2010
THE Farmers Union of Wales is giving its overwhelming support for an EU dairy fund distribution that favours smaller dairy producers.
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Working dogs results - February 19
February 19, 2010
A weekly round-up of results from sheepdog trials up and down the country.
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World news round-up - February 19
February 19, 2010
NEW ZEALAND
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Writer and jockey Dick Francis dies
15 February 2010
Best-selling crime writer and former National hunt jockey, Dick Francis, has died aged 89.
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Yards all abuzz with hopes and dreams of rising stars
16 February 2010
With a new show season just around the corner, Angela Calvert talks to top show producer, Julie Templeton about how she prepares her team.