Agriculture in the national news - March 1

Opposition mounts to ‘factory farm’ plans that will house 8,100 cows

Planned complex will farm cows in ‘battery conditions’ and match the carbon emissions of 3,000 homes, rights group says.

Opposition is mounting over a plan to farm 8,100 cows in “battery conditions” at Britain’s largest dairy – a complex of indoor hangars that protesters say will match the carbon emissions of 3,000 homes.

Everything from pollution worries to possible damage to Roman remains is being thrown into the fight to stop the 22-acre development in Lincolnshire, which is set to revolutionise milk production methods.

The Guardian
http://tinyurl.com/ylqwyuu

Batteryfarm for cows: 8,000 animals to be housed in milk factory

A factory farm housing more than 8,000 ‘battery cows’ will be built in the English countryside.

Under the controversial plans, Britain’s largest ever dairy herd will be kept in industrial-scale sheds with little access to pasture or sunshine.

The cows will be milked around the clock to produce 430,000 pints each day  -  while their slurry will be recycled to generate power for the national grid.

Daily Mail
http://tinyurl.com/yhwsxwv

Climate scientist at centre of email row to face questions from MPs

Scientists Phil Jones and John Beddington and sceptics Nigel Lawson and Benny Peiser among those giving evidence

The climate scientist at the centre of a media storm over private emails released on to the internet will face his first public questions on the affair today when he appears before a parliamentary committee.

The science and technology select committee is expected to ask Phil Jones, head of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia, to explain emails that critics claim show he manipulated data and censored research.

The Guardian
http://tinyurl.com/yazw5et

Lib-Dems are the party for rural matters

THOUSANDS of low-paid workers in the Westcountry would be better off under a Liberal Democrat government, Vince Cable, the party’s economics spokesman, is to tell an audience in Cornwall today.

Mr Cable joined forces with party campaigners in the region this weekend ahead of the General Election, widely expected in May.

Western Morning News
http://tinyurl.com/yjzuewr

Young People ‘Needed To Save UK Farming’

It is feared the UK’s farming industry could suffer a critical shortage in skilled labour if younger people aren’t attracted into the profession.

The challenges of climate change and food security mean it’s vital that a new workforce gets the training so desperately needed.

“Driving tractors is one of my main skills”, says Paul Worrall, 24, from Penkridge, Staffordshire. “I hedge cut, plough, mow, milk, it’s quite intense really. They’re very important jobs as well.”

Sky News
http://tinyurl.com/y9y94c9


Farm worker delivered baby thanks to lambing experience

A farm worker has told how he delivered his partner’s baby 10 weeks early - thanks to his experience of delivering lambs.

John Bricknell, 24, leapt into action after Amy Ashton’s waters broke at their home in Morton, near Bourne, Lincs.

Incredibly Amy, 21, gave birth to 3lb 10oz Logun Bricknell in just 90 seconds before John rushed to wrap him in a towel.

The Mirror
http://tinyurl.com/y97rw4t

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