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.Agriculture in the national news - July 16
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Friday, July 16).
Sheep tag delay sparks concerns in Shetland
Concerns are being raised in Shetland that a delay in sourcing electronic ear tags for sheep could have an impact on this year’s livestock sales and agricultural shows.
Some manufacturers are telling crofters and farmers they could wait up to seven weeks to take delivery of the tags.
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-10652325
Police shot cow 12 times, firearm blunders figures reveal
Police shot a runaway cow 12 times in a bungled attempt to kill it – just one of dozens of firearms blunders revealed on Thursday.
A constable and an acting sergeant blasted the beast eight times with a rifle and four times with a shotgun in what police called a ‘humane destruction’ on a school playing field.
The Metro
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/835270-police-shot-cow-12-times-firearm-blunders-figures-reveal
Driving ban for farmer caught three times over the limit on 5mph mobility scooter
A disabled farmer who was more than three times over the drink-drive limit while driving his mobility scooter has been banned from driving.
Glendale Rice, 58, was spotted by police as he weaved across a narrow country lane on a five miles-per-hour trip to the shops.
Daily Mail
Sheep shearer shortage concerns raised
Concerns have been raised by farmers about the impact of a block on overseas sheep shearers coming to the UK.
Last year employers had to seek work permits and there are fears they could be affected by new immigration laws.
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10630275
Liz Hurley is the new Jordan
LIVING TV, the new home of glamour girl Jordan, is heading upmarket - by signing up posh star Liz Hurley.
Hugh Grant’s ex has agreed to be followed for a fly-on-the-wall series.
But the actress and model’s reality show won’t be all glitzy parties and A-list dinners - as it’s going to be set on a FARM.
The Sun
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3056724/LIVING-TV-the-new-home-of-glamour-girl-Jordan-is-heading-upmarket-by-signing-up-posh-star-Liz-Hurley.html#ixzz0tpVsqZfy
Gas explosion fear at Loudwell Farm in East Sussex
An exclusion zone was set up around a barn in East Sussex amid fears a fire could cause a gas cylinder to explode.
Fire crews were called to a blaze at Loudwell Farm in Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, at 0300 BST.
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10629246
Armed forces and turbines can co-exist
The MoD has said the military and wind farms could “co-exist” following news of a Norwegian firm’s search for an offshore test site.
State-owned Statoil said last week it had started a study of potential sites off the Scottish coast where it could run trials on offshore wind turbines.
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands+islands-10619794
Shocking conditions of Anglesey council farm
OWNERS of the second largest council farm estate in Wales say central government funding is urgently needed to prevent the farming ladder collapsing.
Anglesey County Council said its tenant farm system is desperately short of money and in danger of disintegrating.
Daily Post
Worry over Pembrokeshire farm ‘offender’ plan
More than 450 people attended a meeting to discuss plans to train ex-offenders at a farm in rural Pembrokeshire.
The Plas Dwbl Farm near Mynachlogddu could be developed as a centre to train vulnerable young people in agricultural and practical skills.
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10598414
‘Boost’ to tots from cow milk
Cow milk increases the resistance of babies to allergies later in life, claims a university study.
Many doctors have suggested that it should be avoided in the early months and others advocate “mother’s milk only”.
From sheep farming to farm chic
You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.
That’s certainly true for Hannah Wright.
The 22-year-old Swansea designer, whose fashion collection is to be shown at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, is proud of her farming roots.
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/southwestwales/hi/things_to_do/newsid_8825000/8825301.stm
Hotline chaplains hit Royal Welsh
Chaplains will be on hand to support show-goers for the first time at this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.
The new project involves a team of professional pastors who will provide care and support on and around the showground.
BBC News
Why working holidays on organic farms help you see the world anew
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is not just a cheap way to see the world - it’s a hands-on way to learn new skills of sustainable living.
Bending arm-deep in a permaculture-style flower, weed and vegetable bed in the glorious Norfolk sun, trying to work out which plants to pull up and which to leave, I ended up with nettle-rash in some interesting places. Though the stinging soon reduced itself to a tingle, the impression WWOOFing left will last much longer.
The Ecologist
Text alerts to warn farmers of crime
A text alert scheme to let farmers know of potential crime sprees is being offered to more than 100 people living in Conwy.
People signed up to North Wales Police’s Farmwatch get texts when suspicious incidents are reported.
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north+west+wales-10637616
LORD MANDELSON: I’M A GOOD GAY ROLE MODEL
LORD Mandelson yesterday declared he is proud to be gay and is quitting politics to be a farmer.
Labour’s Prince Of Darkness hailed himself a “good role model” for gays.
Described as “the most powerful gay man in the country”, he is promoting his memoirs The Third Man.
Daily Star
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/144583/Lord-Mandelson-I-m-a-good-gay-role-model/
Electric shock from 11,000 volt cable kills tractor driver
A man died after a trailer connected to the tractor he was driving made contact with an 11,000 volt electricity cable.
The man, whose age is unknown, was working in a field in Terrington St Clement, near King’s Lynn, when incident happened at around 10am yesterday morning.
Wisbech Standard
I can see ewe clearly now: Gwen the sheepdog back at work after £1,750 cataract operation
After years of faithful work, Gwen the sheepdog was forced into early retirement after developing cataracts in both eyes.
But she became so depressed when her fellow sheepdogs went out to work that her owner decided to take action.
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