Farmers Guardian
February 2nd 2007

  • ‘Crunch time’ for NRoSO members on 30 CPD points

    February 2nd 2007

    NATIONAL Register of Sprayer Operator members are urged to ensure they have achieved the required 30 continuing professional development points before their membership is up for renewal and to ensure they return renewal forms in good time.

  • ‘Move away from feeding waste milk to your calves’

    February 2nd 2007

    DAIRY farmers are putting the growth rates of heifer calves at risk and storing up potential future health problems if they continue to feed waste milk to calves instead of a milk replacer.

  • ‘We want to be treated fairly’

    February 2nd 2007

    NFU Scotland is asking supermarkets to address their own responsibilities and ensure those lower down the supply chain are being fairly treated.

  • £1,000 cheque’s first payment to co-op members

    February 2nd 2007

    CHEQUES to the average value of just over £1,000 will be winging their way to Milk Link members.

  • £4.5m Limousin sales marker

    February 2nd 2007

    ANIMALS sold at British Limousin Cattle Society official sales broke through the £4.5 million barrier in 2006. With 16 collective and 33 breeders’ sales held, the sum grossed reached £4,696,130.30 – an increase of r £461,000 on the year.

  • 1,650gns Silky Gibson daughter goes to Tregibby

    February 2nd 2007

    CATTLE sold to 1,650gns at the Western Holstein Club’s second sale of the month at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire.

  • 4,000gns Ricki tops Portledge herd dispersal

    February 2nd 2007

    135 break 1,000gns barrier

  • 50-year run for ‘vintage’ tyres

    February 2nd 2007

    Fifty years on and they have still got the original air, says John Sweet about the tyres on his Ferguson FE35.

  • 75pc of Tesco fleet to run on biofuels

    February 2nd 2007

    TESCO is to run three-quarters of its 2,000-strong distribution fleet on 50 per cent biodiesel blend [B50] from January 2007. This is claimed to the highest percentage blend of biodiesel to be used by a major UK distribution fleet. The supermarket is also the UK’s market leader in the sales of biofuels.

  • AAB ARABLE BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE

    February 2nd 2007

    Selective herbicides ‘enhance farmland’

  • Achieving cost savings by comparing figures

    February 2nd 2007

    The Red Meat Industry Forum’s farm business clubs are once again in the middle of their seasonal meetings. But exactly what progress have they made since their conception three years ago?

  • An hour in the February garden

    February 2nd 2007

    January is often warm but don’t be fooled by it because sooner or later a sharp frost will cut back all the early growth, writes PAUL PEACOCK.

  • Antibiotics in chicken feed ‘hurts margins’

    February 2nd 2007

    Contrary to conventional wisdom, the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in chicken feed is a financial loser for US poultry producers, according to an economic study published by Johns Hopkins University. 

  • Are buying habits shifting to higher ethical standards?

    February 2nd 2007

    Colette Burke asks if consumers really do care about traceability.

  • Attack on biofuels

    February 2nd 2007

    BIOFUELS are far from the environmentally-friendly product that some groups are claiming, policy director Peter Melchett told delegates.

  • Beet support system launched for new season

    February 2nd 2007

    THE British Beet Research Organisation has re-released its Post-Emergence Herbicide Decision Support System for the coming season.

  • BHS award to help access for riders in Dumfries and Galloway

    31 January 2007

    The British Horse Society Scotland has been awarded £5,930 to provide horse-riders with better access to a beautiful area of Dumfries and Galloway.

  • Big savings with different winter sheep management

    February 2nd 2007

    TAKING a different approach to the winter management of sheep has meant a saving of £1,500 on a North Wales farm.

  • Biomass: Cheaper glasshouse heating

    February 2nd 2007

    HEATING glasshouses with biomass fuel was the theme of a seminar organised by the Rural Energy Trust, in conjunction with the NFU, give local growers an opportunity to find out more about renewable energy and to meet local energy producers.

  • Bird Flu latest

    6 February 2007

    THE cull of 159,000 turkeys from a Bernard Matthews plant in Suffolk – the scene of the H5N1 outbreak – is now complete and workers are preparing for a major clean-up operation to thoroughly disinfect all 22 sheds on the site.

  • Breeders’ Association to hold World Congress

    February 2nd 2007

    THE Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association is to hold its first-ever World Congress from June 10-16 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its flock book society.

  • Breeding changes ‘critical’ to environmental impact

    February 2nd 2007

    Environmental sustainability provided little positive news for livestock farmers, especially ones with high numbers of dairy cows. One was the suggestion that changing the direction of breeding could go some way to solving the issues but, as a member of the audience pointed out, the exact direction needed to be known now so changes could be implemented and results be seen within the next 10 years.

  • British Cattle Breeders’ conference

    February 2nd 2007

    The focus at the British Cattle Breeders’ Conference was quality, price and delivery. JOANNE PUGH continues her report from the two-day event at Hawkstone Park, Shrewsbury.

  • Burdens take over Goodacres

    February 2nd 2007

    LINCOLNSHIRE machinery dealer Goodacres of Donington, who have the John Deere area franchise, has been taken over by the Burdens Group.

  • BUTTERSCOTCH AND APPLE SPONGE

    February 2nd 2007

    SENT in by Mrs Mary Brown, of Hanbury Park, Staffordshire

  • Caithness and Borders tops

    February 2nd 2007

    COMMERCIAL beef herds in Caithness and the Borders have claimed the top two places in the annual Bank of Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Suckler Herd of the Year awards.

  • Calf rearing meetings: Advice and discussion

    February 2nd 2007

    Farmers Guardian and Intervet have teamed up with Eblex to present another exciting programme of calf meetings. Tickets are available on 01858 435325

  • Carcase grading – and consistent eating quality

    February 2nd 2007

    MORE must be done to deliver beef with a consistently high eating quality, and carcase grading technology must be developed in order to facilitate this. Different variations of this message were delivered by four separate speakers, all with the future sustainability of the industry in mind.

  • Case of brown rot is reported in the Netherlands

    February 2nd 2007

    THE first case of brown rot this season has been reported in the Netherlands. According to the British Potato Council, the Dutch plant research service discovered a case of the disease in a seed batch of the variety Bintje in the east of the country.The origin of the seed has not been confirmed as yet.Checks on other batches from the same stock have been carried out but did not detect any further suspect cases.

  • Chairman Kate hands donation to RABI

    February 2nd 2007

    Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.YOUNG Farmers’ Club national chairman Kate Cross (centre) receives a donation from the Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ chairman Roger Abbott and passes it on to Fay Dewey, regional officer for farming’s national charity, the Royal ...

  • Chance of a lifetime in rural skills

    February 2nd 2007

    COUNTRYMEN and women from across Wales are eligible for nomination for this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Society £2,000 rural skills award in memory of Dr Emrys Evans, a former chairman of the society’s board of management.

  • Consumers want fresh meat country of origin – survey

    February 2nd 2007

    MORE than half of consumers want to see food retailers displaying fresh meat in separate, clearly marked shelf space by country of origin, according to an NOP survey for the English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex).

  • Continental pig slide reaches GB

    February 2nd 2007

    GB pig prices appear to have at last succumbed to the forces of weakening Continental values.

  • Controlling hormone levels with diet

    February 2nd 2007

    POOR fertility and prolonged calving intervals affected every aspect of herd productivity but farmers could address it with nutritional solutions rather than blame in on an inherent fertility problem in the Holstein breed.

  • Copper in cereals is important

    February 2nd 2007

    MICONUTRIENTS such as copper may be needed in quantities as small as a few grammes per hectare, but adequate supplies are essential if crop yield and quality are not to suffer.

  • Crofters urged to contact the Scottish Parliament

    February 2nd 2007

    THE formal approval of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill has been welcomed by NFU Scotland, which is urging crofters to send their views to the Scottish Parliament’s Committee of Inquiry on Crofting to ensure crofting communities are adequately represented.

  • Daffodils are blooming early

    February 2nd 2007

    DAFFODILS may well be traditionally associated with St David’s Day, but home-grown daffodils have already gone on sale in time for another Welsh saint, St Dwynwen – the patron saint of lovers.

  • Deere leads in tractor sales

    February 2nd 2007

    John Deere led the way again in tractor sales for 2005 with 27.5 per cent of the total market (14,006 units). Next up was Agco with 23.8 per cent (3,331 units) and of this, Massey had the biggest slice with 2,461 units. Valtra had 553 and Fendt was 317 units.

  • Dieselmax runs on B20 blend

    February 2nd 2007

    JCB has announced that its Dieselmax engines can now be used with a 20 per cent biodiesel blend, more commonly known as B20 Biodiesel.

  • Do not be caught in OCDS rush

    February 2nd 2007

    DAIRY and beef herds need to plan the disposal of their older animals increasingly carefully over the final two years of the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS), says the English Beef and Lamb Executive.

  • EC plans are aired for first time at agricultural council

    February 2nd 2007

    EUROPEAN Commission plans to reform the fruit and vegetable sector were aired for the first time this week at the agriculture council. 

  • Effective supplementation can reduce post-calving problems

    February 2nd 2007

    Calving – whether done in blocks or throughout the year – often causes problems, especially when members of staff already have high work loads. Here Farmers Guardian takes a look at two nutrition approaches that claim to help, implemented pre- and post-calving.

  • Effects of restrictions

    February 2nd 2007

    RESTRICTIONS on abstraction in order to protect Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are likely to affect more farmers and growers than restrictions relating to Habitats Directive sites.

  • Eliminating cross-contamination

    February 2nd 2007

    WITH mastitis still a major problem, farmers should pay closer attention to reducing cross-contamination in the milking parlour if they are serious about reducing infections and cell counts, according to Neil Howie, of the Nantwich Veterinary Group.

  • English Sheepdog Trials Results

    February 2nd 2007

    RYEDALE, Haygate Lane, Pickering, Nursery (31 ran): 1, J. Simpson (Hutton Rudby) Nell, 72 of 90; 2, I. Murdoch (Sheriff Hutton) Jill, 67; 3, R. Jewitt (Naburn) Nell, 64; 4, B. Liddle (Felliscliffe) Bess, 62; 5, D. Lumley (Pateley Bridge) Jan, 61; 6, R. Harland (Pickering) Shep, 56.

  • Environment’s a new category for the awards

    February 2nd 2007

    THE 2007 Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Awards will include a new category for companies who can demonstrate all-round achievement in reducing environmental impact in the manufacture and distribution of their products.

  • EU to inspect Brazilian soy

    February 2nd 2007

    The European Union is to send food inspectors to Brazil in the coming months to inspect genetically- modified soya bean farms.

  • Family business wins free range flock of year title

    February 2nd 2007

    ORGANIC egg producer Andrew Barton has won Deans Foods National Free Range Flock of the Year 2006.

  • Farmers demand inquiry into supermarket activities

    February 2nd 2007

    SOUTH WEST dairy farmers will deliver a petition to Downing Street on Tuesday, February 6 demanding a Government inquiry into the activities of supermarkets, which many farmers believe are operating a cartel and forcing them out of business.

  • Father and son win X factor

    February 2nd 2007

    FATHER and son team, George and Geordie Parker, Slaidburn, won the ‘X factor’ prime hogg competition at Gisburn Auction Mart, Lancashire.

  • Fifth title of the season for Jane Simpson and Nell at Rydale nursery

    February 2nd 2007

    JANE Simpson and Nell took their fifth title of the season on Saturday at the Ryedale nursery held at Haygate Lane, Pickering, North Yorkshire.

  • Fully funded scrapie testing ‘no longer appropriate’

    February 2nd 2007

    THE sheep industry has been given 12 months to decide what it wants to do about scrapie testing following a decision that full Government funding of a ram genotyping scheme (RGS) is no longer appropriate.

  • German farmers lead the way

    February 2nd 2007

    GERMAN farmers are by far the biggest investors in bioenergy amongst European countries, according to a major survey.

  • Get broadband help now

    February 2nd 2007

    CORNISH farmers are being urged to apply for specialist IT funding before it is too late.

  • Grain subsidy

    February 2nd 2007

    The Argentine Government has backed its grain subsidy program with a fixed reference price for subsidies on grain supplies at £60 per metric ton for wheat, £86 for sunflower, £48 for corn, and £76 for soybean, according to an official source. The country’s grain exchange most recently posted prices of wheat at £60 per ton, sunflower at £95, corn at £64 and soy at £100.

  • Handle oilseed crops with care to maximise the yield

    February 2nd 2007

    WITH oilseed rape crops exceptionally lush after a mild winter, growers are being advised to manage crop canopies with care to optimise yield.

  • Handling equipment

    February 2nd 2007

    Need some loading shovel grunt for the clamp, composting operation or just for materials handling? Geoff Ashcroft looks at some of the latest developments for the 2007 season.

  • Handling equipment contd.

    February 2nd 2007

    Doosan DL200Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.

  • HGCA/PGRO OILSEEDS AND PULSES CONFERENCE

    February 2nd 2007

    February is optimum time for spring beans

  • Immunity boost for calvers leads to all-round benefits

    February 2nd 2007

    DESPITE the financial impact of conditions such as milk fever, retained placenta, mastitis and lameness – all results of a weakened immune system at calving – not enough dairy farmers pay enough attention to their dry cows.

  • Import restrictions a boost to UK produce?

    February 2nd 2007

    AIR-FREIGHTED organic imports may be denied organic status in the UK under proposals put forward by the Soil Association.

  • Improved trade for barley straw

    February 2nd 2007

    AUCTIONEERS, Dreweatt Neate, report an improved trade for barley straw at their 56th annual Newbury hay and straw sale at Newbury Rugby Club earlier this week. Some 2,000 tonnes of hay and straw were on offer, lying on farms throughout central southern England.

  • Incomes up 10pc, but core farming in the red

    February 2nd 2007

    FARM incomes rose by 10 per cent in 2006 but the industry is still not in a position to break even without Government support, official figures published this week show.

  • Influence stretches to Fendt factory

    February 2nd 2007

    EVEN the renowned Fendt factory has seen some changes, based on working practices and tractor-building operations at Valtra’s Suolahti factory in Finland.

  • Innovation and market trends key to Welsh dairy industry action plan

    February 2nd 2007

    A Welsh Assembly draft strategic action plan for the dairy industry in Wales went out to public consultation this week.

  • Levy Board consultation complete

    2 February 2007

    Farmers and growers want the new levy board structure to help them take advantage of the current consumer thirst for healthy, nutritious food products.

  • Making big strides in biodiesel-powered engines

    February 2nd 2007

    SisuDiesel, the Agco-owned engine supplier to Valtra and one of the three companies providing engines for the whole of the parent corporation, is making big strides forward in bio-diesel compatibility.

  • Meat and dairy ‘bad for the environment’

    February 2nd 2007

    DEFRA was forced to backtrack this week after appearing to warn consumers off eating meat and dairy products.

  • Meters must be changed on applicators

    February 2nd 2007

    FOLLOWING revocation of the use of Temik (aldicarb) on potatoes, growers switching to Nemathorin (fosthiazate) to tackle potato cyst nematode and wireworm need to change the metering mechanisms on their nematicide applicators.

  • Milk price steady – for now . . .

    February 2nd 2007

    A SLIDE in bulk cream value is not helping what many were hoping would be a period of, at worst, stability in milk prices.

  • MLC Outlook Conference

    February 2nd 2007

    The severe challenges faced by the UK beef and sheep industries and future prospects for the various sectors were outlined at this week’s annual MLC Outlook conference. VIC ROBERTSON and TOM LEVITT report.

  • More power without big weight rise for small tractor

    February 2nd 2007

    Siromer Tractors is set to introduce a new 40hp model. The 404 will get its power from an Isuzu four-cylinder engine and will use the same chassis as the 30hp 304.Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.By using the same frame as the smaller tractor, there is no ...

  • National judges

    February 2nd 2007

    THE judges for the 2007 English National to be held on August 16-18 at Carlton in Cleveland, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, are Mike Northwood and Roz Edwards. The course director is Bob Bradley.

  • New energy crops growers held up by grants scheme

    February 2nd 2007

    FARMERS keen to start growing short rotation coppice and miscanthus to meet the increasing demand for biomass for energy are being thwarted by the delay in setting up a new Energy Crops Scheme to deliver the grants required to get the crops established.

  • New leg trip set-up for Trio cultivator

    February 2nd 2007

    SUMO has been busy fettling its Trio cultivator with a new leg trip set up. The low draft legs, which can work down to 430mm at the point, can now clear the ground when they break back.Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.As before, each leg can individually ...

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    February 2nd 2007

    Red light for health lab merger

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    February 2nd 2007

    PSD’s approval

  • NFU Cymru’s County Conferences

    February 2nd 2007

    BARRY ALSTON reports from some of NFU Cymru’s county conferences – with retailers and bureaucracy the hot topics.

  • NFU switches lobbying efforts to wildlife cull

    February 2nd 2007

    THE NFU is shifting all its lobbying efforts to a wildlife cull after accepting defeat of its attempt to stop the extension of compulsory pre-movement testing (PrMT) to cattle over six weeks old.

  • Normandy tour

    February 2nd 2007

    NORFOLK not-for-profit organisation Farmers Link is inviting farmers to sign up for a farm tour of Normandy.

  • NWF increase profits by 27 per cent on year

    February 2nd 2007

    NWF Group has seen a 27 per cent increase in profits on ordinary activities in the year to November 30, 2006.

  • Optimism for US farm bill

    February 2nd 2007

    Despite dramatic political change after last November’s US elections, the leader of America’s largest farm organisation is optimistic about a new Farm Bill for US farmers, which is set to be renewed or revamped by the end of this year.

  • Outwintered beef a hot topic at farm’s open day

    February 2nd 2007

    Lilburn Estate hosted a farm open day for SAC, where outwintered beef suckler cows was a widely discussed topic.

  • Pat takes the helm

    February 2nd 2007

    LEICESTERSHIRE Agricultural Society has appointed a woman chairperson, for the first time in its 164-year history.

  • Plea to Commission: ‘Focus on community’

    February 2nd 2007

    AS the Competition Commission begins the local level phase of its report into the UK grocery industry, the Countryside Alliance has called for it to focus on community life.

  • Policy makers need a big dose of common sense

    February 2nd 2007

    A month into the New Year we tend to look forward to what the coming seasons hold in store for us.

  • Pre-August 1996 cattle threat to beef export status

    February 2nd 2007

    THE UK's hard-earned beef export status could be threatened if cattle born before August 1996 continue to be presented at abattoirs, farmers were warned this week.

  • Raising awareness of a ‘last ditch’ attempt to stay in dairy industry

    February 2nd 2007

    A YOUNG North Wales dairy farmer took his plea for a better milk price to Westminster this week – amid fears he could soon be forced out of business.

  • Raising the profile of show jumping as a sport once again

    February 2nd 2007

    Tim Stockdale hit the headlines and television screens last summer as a trainer on Only Fools On Horses and bought a chaotic year to a successful end coming fourth in a World Cup Qualifier at Olympia in December. SARAH CRIPPS meets him at his yard to discuss the pros and cons of television work, the importance of a business brain in show jumping, and his own future in the sport.

  • Record breakers who find business ‘so frustrating’

    February 2nd 2007

    How do you produce a world record-breaking animal? Duncan Dawes knows, because he has just done it with an animal from his Jersey herd. He told ALISTAIR DRIVER the story behind it and spoke of his frustration at how even successful herds like his struggle in today’s climate.

  • Rhubarb crop affected by a mild winter

    February 2nd 2007

    A MILD winter, following last year’s hot summer, is affecting Yorkshire’s forced rhubarb crop.

  • Rough Fells to £400 at Kendal

    February 2nd 2007

    PRICES peaked at £400 at the Rough Fell Sheep Breeders’ Association annual show and sale of in-lamb ewes at Kendal, Cumbria.

  • Sales up 8.1pc in 2006 for Claas Group

    February 2nd 2007

    The Claas Group has announced an 8.1 percent increase in sales, bringing the total to €2.35 billion across its three business sectors for the 2006 fiscal year. Sales for Western Europe represented €1.505 billion, with a 1.6 per cent rise mainly due to the increase in harvesting machinery sales.Earnings before tax rose 51.2 per cent to €130.7 million, while research and development spend rose a further 26 per cent to €99.4 million.

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trials Results

    February 2nd 2007

    Drumflower, Dunragit (Judge, M. McIlwraith, Isle of Whithorn) Nursery, 11 ran, 1, A. Waugh, Glenluce, Craig, 91; 2, B. Welsh, Moniaive, Bill, 75; 3, I. McMillan, Newton Stewart, Jess, 71; 4, I. McMillan, Newton Stewart, Tess, 66; 5, C. Cagill, Gatehouse, Ed, 44; 6, J. McCornick, Whauphill, Ted.

  • Seizing the spring barley opportunity

    February 2nd 2007

    EXTRAORDINARY weather patterns across Europe have fuelled malting barley prices recently.

  • Sheep ‘smokies’ evaluation on-going, says FSA

    February 2nd 2007

    QUESTIONS are being asked as to when a trade potentially worth millions of pounds a year to UK sheep farmers is likely to be legalised. Despite a thriving black market among the ethnic communities of Britain’s mixed culture towns and cities, supplying ‘smokies’ – blow-torched sheep carcases – is an illegal activity.

  • SHEEPDOG TRIALS DIARY

    February 2nd 2007

    ENGLAND

  • Should we be releasing badgers into the wild?

    February 2nd 2007

    Science has been at the heart of the TB debate, but it appears the same cannot be said for the programme to release badgers back into the wild. David Burrows investigates whether the programme needs to be reviewed and whether we should be doing it at all.

  • Soil Association Annual Conference

    February 2nd 2007

    The Soil Association’s annual conference took place in Wales for the first time this year. TOM LEVITT reports from Cardiff.

  • Soil Association mulls over Holstein breed ban

    February 2nd 2007

    THE SOIL Association is looking at banning Holstein breeds from organic milk production.

  • Some species can be greatly helped by undrilled patches

    February 2nd 2007

    LEAVING small patches undrilled within fields can help boost numbers of some species, although for maximum effect other measures need to be taken alongside.

  • Still ‘wait and see’ on Tir Mynydd payment cutbacks

    February 2nd 2007

    IT was on the agenda at last week’s Welsh Assembly countryside committee meeting – but what discussion there was on the controversial cutbacks to Wales-based Tir Mynydd hill farming support payments was brief.

  • Summary of income figures

    February 2nd 2007

    Total Income From Farming (TIFF)

  • Sussex food and drink producers reap rewards

    February 2nd 2007

    THE high quality of Sussex produce was celebrated when the winners of the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2006/2007 received their trophies at a glamorous awards ceremony last week at the East Sussex Golf Resort and Spa.

  • Swapping pigs for P&L accounts

    February 2nd 2007

    In the last of our articles marking the launch of the Rural Business Administrator of the Year Award 2007, organised by the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA)as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, LIZ FALKINGHAM speaks to Jim Densley about book keeping and being a man in what has traditionally been seen as a woman’s world

  • Tackling high cell counts head on in the parlour

    February 2nd 2007

    Herd manager Phil Jackson was faced with a Catch-22 situation – he was told he could have a new parlour if he reduced SCC, but he could not do that with the old milking equipment he had. JOANNE PUGH found out how he solved the problem.

  • Taking milk price petition to the top

    February 2nd 2007

    A PETITION signed by more than 72,000 people supporting the National Federation of Women’s Institutes’ call for the Government to ensure a fairer deal for Britain’s dairy farmers, was handed over at the House of Commons this week.

  • The benefits of flatter lacations - BOCM PAULS

    February 2nd 2007

    Two different dairy nutrition companies have started talking in earnest about flatter lactations and the idea that avoiding peaks in early lactation would lead to better fertility and longevity. JOANNE PUGH examines the theory and the two different approaches suggested by BOCM PAULS and Keenan.

  • The benefits of flatter lacations - Keenan

    February 2nd 2007

    Two different dairy nutrition companies have started talking in earnest about flatter lactations and the idea that avoiding peaks in early lactation would lead to better fertility and longevity. JOANNE PUGH examines the theory and the two different approaches suggested by BOCM PAULS and Keenan.

  • THE Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and Shire Horse Society

    February 2nd 2007

    THE Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and Shire Horse Society are encouraging heavy horse owners to breed successfully from their mares by co-hosting an equine workshop entitled ‘Getting your Mare In-Foal’.

  • Tight straights supply drives higher feed price

    February 2nd 2007

    LIVESTOCK feed prices are unlikely to ease before the end of the winter and all indications are that some key ingredients will firm even more which will have a knock-on effect on compound prices.

  • Top producer in the money

    February 2nd 2007

    DLF Trifolium are hoping to track down oilseed rape growers who have produced a crop of Lioness, Barrel or Celebration with an oil content of 50 per cent or more.There’s a prize of £500 up for grabs.However, you must be able to provide evidence to: Mike Mann of DLF on 0797 9503148, or mmann@dlf.co.uk

  • Trans fat concerns lead to plant’s closure

    February 2nd 2007

    OILSEED crusher ADM is to close down its hydrogenation facility in March as a result of concerns over the effects of trans fatty acids on human health, and a consequent fall in demand for hydrogenated fats.

  • Trickle irrigation is slow to filter through

    February 2nd 2007

    TRICKLE irrigation will not be brought within the water abstraction licensing regulation until 2008 and only then following an industry consultation.

  • Urban and rural areas may be reconnected by Olympics

    February 2nd 2007

    THE London 2012 Olympics will offer opportunities for rural businesses and ‘the potential to reconnect urban and rural areas’.

  • Valtra’s new T series moves up a gear

    February 2nd 2007

    While AGCO has made some fairly hefty investments in its Finnish tractor manufacturer Valtra – and the company that builds the engines for Valtra and other makes of tractor – its existing production protocols have inspired AGCO’s production plants throughout the world. Howard Walsh reports on the latest developments.

  • Victoria on national TV with Stark Naked Foods

    February 2nd 2007

    A SUFFOLK farm-based business is to reach a nationwide audience when it is featured in a BBC television programme later this month.

  • Wales is the ‘cradle of organics’

    February 2nd 2007

    A WELSH Assembly commitment to the future development of organic farming in Wales has come from Countryside Minister, Carwyn Jones – with a hint of possible measures on the way to further develop its growth.

  • Welsh brothers aiming to buck the trend in dairy farming

    February 2nd 2007

    If long established dairy farmers are finding it tough, making a living from milk is even harder at the other end of the age scale. BARRY ALSTON reports.

  • Welsh Hill Speckle Face officials

    February 2nd 2007

    AT the Welsh Hill Speckle Face Sheep Society annual meeting Glyn Abernodwydd was elected chairman, Ronnie Griffiths, Nanty, secretary and Gail Lewis treasurer.

  • Wheat surplus ‘could be wiped out’ by delays

    February 2nd 2007

    THE UK’s 3 million-tonnes surplus wheat production now going for export will be wiped out by the demand from the six proposed bioethanol plants currently looking for finance to start construction in time to come on stream in 2008 and 2009.

  • Working towards beef profits post-SPS

    1 February 2007

    Farm manager Ray Field is determined to focus on reducing costs and is willing to consider every option from outwintering his spring calving beef suckler cows to reducing staffing levels. NEIL RYDER went to meet a man who has rapidly eliminated reliance on subsidies from his radar.

  • Worries at reform of fruit and veg rules

    February 2nd 2007

    PROPOSED reforms of the rules governing the fruit and vegetable sectors, including potatoes, have caused ‘real concern’ for NFU Scotland. The European Commission announced a number of proposals to come into effect from January 2008, if agreed by EU Farm Ministers. The most significant proposal is to integrate fruit and vegetable sectors into the Single Payment Scheme.

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