There is a well known saying, 'no pain, no gain' and that will be ringing true in the minds of Milk Link’s 1,600 producers, who are on the brink of reaping just reward for 12 years of loyalty and investment.Farmers Guardian
December 19th 2008
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£133,000 training fund
December 19th 2008
Devon young farmers have received £133,000 from the Devon Proficiency Test Committee (DPTC) which it plans to use for supporting land-based training.
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A 'blueprint' for shared cost and responsibility
December 19th 2008
At its annual open day at Penicuik, Edinburgh, Moredun scientists gave an update on their current projects.
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Agricultural expertise aids wildlife work
December 19th 2008
DUE to Moredun’s expertise in orf, it has become heavily involved in a similar disease in squirrels.Dr Colin McInnes said work done by Moredun had increased understanding of how grey squirrels had exposed the native red squirrel to squirrelpox, which is similar in appearance to orf in sheep. He said the disease killed red squirrels very quickly, but the discovery of eight red squirrels with natural immunity (over a period of 10 years) gave some hope a vaccine could be developed.
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Agriculture in the national news
18 December 2008
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines in the national media (Thursday, December 18).
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Agriculture in the national news
15 December 2008
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines in the national media (Monday, December 15).
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Agriculture in the national news
16 December 2008
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines in the national media (Tuesday, December 16).
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Agriculture in the national news
17 December 2008
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines in the national media (Wednesday, December 17).
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An understandable reluctance
December 19th 2008
WHAT a difference a year makes! Last year Defra gave the farming industry an early Christmas present of 22.5 million doses of bluetongue vaccine and a vector-free period to go with it.
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Another drop in UDF milk auction
19 December 2008
SPOT milk averaged just 16.63ppl in Thursday’s (Dec 18) United Dairy Farmers monthly auction.
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Ashford Christmas champion to 460p/kg
December 19th 2008
IN the cattle ring at Ashford Market’s 150th Christmas show and sale a Limousin cross British Blue steer from David Fry of Angley School YFC took the championship.
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Banks accused of 'unacceptable' behaviour towards farmers
15 December 2008
A NUMBER of leading banks have been accused of placing increased pressure on farm businesses following a survey of Scottish farmers.
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Banks accused of 'unacceptable' behaviour towards farmers
15 December 2008
A NUMBER of leading banks have been accused of placing increased pressure on farm businesses following a survey of Scottish farmers.
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BCG vaccination of badgers might help
December 19th 2008
THE issue of BCG vaccinations similar to those given in the human population was raised, including the possibility of either vaccinating cattle or badgers.
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Benn pumps money into new flood centre
17 December 2008
DEFRA will pump £7.7 million into a flood forecasting centre, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced today (Wednesday 17).
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Bluetongue vaccination
December 19th 2008
COMPULSORY vaccination for bluetongue is likely to continue in Scotland for a ‘long time’, says Dr Kim Willoughby, but the Government will not fund it in the future.
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Bowland's winning run
December 19th 2008
BOWLAND YFC were victorious last week at the Lancashire YFC AGM when members from the club took three of the four county Member of the Year awards.
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Brecknock YFC field day
December 19th 2008
EIGHT different competitions were the order of the day in Brecknock YFC field day. ATV challenge, junior nature challenge, junior safety, club promotion, were all on the menu before culminating with the new Welsh public speaking competition. Overall winners were Erwood YFC for gaining first place with 290 points, with Troedrhiwdalar and Sennybridge in second and third respectively.
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British Blue takes Skipton's top beef Christmas honours
December 19th 2008
THE supreme beef championship at Skipton mart’s Christmas event went to a 14-month-old British Blue cross heifer from William Timms, Goole.
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British Blue wins Lancaster Christmas show
December 19th 2008
A British Blue heifer from Graeme Jackson, Low Bentham, Lancaster took the championship at Lancaster’s Christmas show and sold for 245p/kg to Bowland Foods on behalf of R. and J. Cardwell butchers, Hambleton.The prime lamb section peaked at £84 a head for the champion pen from T.R. Prickett, Hutton Roof Hall, which sold to Michael Lomax for Lancaster Meat.Auctioneers: North West Auctions.
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British poultry award winners
December 19th 2008
THE 2008 British Poultry Council Awards took place in front of a packed audience in a room at the Houses of Parliament last week.
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Buy now to safeguard your supply
December 19th 2008
WITH increasing demand for pressed sugar beet pulp, because of its ability to balance increased cereal use, Alistair Jackson of Trident is advising farmers to secure supplies now for the rest of the winter and well into next year.
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BVA hits out at Defra Responsibility and Cost Sharing plans
16 December 2008
THE British Veterinary Association (BVA) has hit out at Defra’s plans for Responsibility and Cost Sharing (RCS) in England.
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BVA hits out at Defra Responsibility and Cost Sharing plans
16 December 2008
THE British Veterinary Association (BVA) has hit out at Defra’s plans for Responsibility and Cost Sharing (RCS) in England.
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Campaign launched to force re-think on 4 x 4 road tax
16 December 2008
A MAJOR campaign is underway to permanently reverse plans for the huge hike in vehicle excise duty on all 4 x 4 vehicles because of fears it would damage the rural economy – and the environment.
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Campaign launched to force re-think on 4 x 4 road tax
16 December 2008
A MAJOR campaign is underway to permanently reverse plans for the huge hike in vehicle excise duty on all 4 x 4 vehicles because of fears it would damage the rural economy – and the environment.
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Can DFB deliver?
December 19th 2008
DAIRY Farmers of Britain has been left in “absolutely no doubt” that continuing commitment of members lies in the co-op’s ability to deliver tangible performance improvements within a strictly limited time-frame.
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Champion pen makes 641p
December 19th 2008
THE champion pen of lambs at Gisburn auction mart’s Christmas prime lamb show and sale were consigned by Robert Lambert, Wigglesworth, Skipton.The five Beltex lambs, sired by Longley Hardy, weighed in at 39kg and realised 641p/kg (£250) to George Cropper for his butcher’s stall on Accrington market.Overall lambs averaged 133p/kg.Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.
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Clitheroe lambs see 211p/kg
December 19th 2008
A pen of four Beltex cross lambs took the championship at Clitheroe’s Christmas show and sale of prime lambs.
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Clydesdale Bank upbeat for farming's prospects
18 December 2008
AGRICULTURE was better placed than many other industries to weather the recession, an agricultural banker said this week.
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Containing costs is the key to better margins
16 December 2008
THE top third performing suckler herds in the 2007/08 Eblex Business Pointers annual costings have markedly lower fixed and variable costs.
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Costs and draw of the city threaten rural life
December 19th 2008
RISING rural costs are forcing youngsters out of the countryside, according to a survey commissioned by NFU Mutual.
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Customised blends help to get cereals into winter ration
December 19th 2008
FOR farmers without a mixer wagon but still keen to take advantage of cheaper cereal prices this winter, Michael Marsden of KW recommends a high cereal customised blend to replace traditional compounds or as an extra midday feed.
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Dairy cows top £2,080
December 19th 2008
TOP at Skipton’s December dairy auction was £2,080 paid for the show champion from Raymond and Robert Johnson, Felliscliffe, Harrogate.
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Damp straw for bedding increases risk of mastitis
December 19th 2008
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Defra confirms no tender for 2009 bluetongue vaccines
16 December 2008
DEFRA has confirmed it will not be issuing a tender for bluetongue vaccines for 2009, but will instead open it up to the free market.
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Defra confirms no tender for 2009 bluetongue vaccines
16 December 2008
DEFRA has confirmed it will not be issuing a tender for bluetongue vaccines for 2009, but will instead open it up to the free market.
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Demand for rotary robots 'to boom' as herd sizes fill parlour
December 19th 2008
THE experts at DeLaval predict reliance on automatic systems will grow as herd size and demand for labour increases across the world.
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Empire hangover curbing production
December 19th 2008
BRITAIN has been told to ditch its ‘hangover of Empire’ that assumes somebody else will feed the nation.
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EU pesticide proposals could doom British carrot production
15 December 2008
THE loss of certain sprays deemed too hazardous for farmers to use could bring an end to carrot production in the UK, the Government’s leading advisor on pesticide use has warned.
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EU pesticide proposals could doom British carrot production
15 December 2008
THE loss of certain sprays deemed too hazardous for farmers to use could bring an end to carrot production in the UK, the Government’s leading advisor on pesticide use has warned.
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EU regulations could lead to disappearance of Welsh Mountain ponies
15 December 2008
BREEDERS of Welsh Mountain ponies are furious over EU regulations requiring the micro chipping of all foals born after July 2009.
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EU renewable target good news for farmers
17 December 2008
MANDATORY targets to increase the amount of renewable fuel used in energy and transport have been agreed by the European Parliament today (Wednesday 17).
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European negotiators reach agreement on pesticide rules
18 December 2008
THE final shape of new EU pesticides legislation moved a step closer last night (Wednesday, December 17) after Europe’s top environment negotiators agreed on a compromise paper.
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Fears over bluetongue vaccine supply as Defra confirms no order for 2009
17 December 2008
ENGLAND will not be guaranteed enough vaccine to protect livestock from an outbreak of bluetongue in 2009, after Defra confirmed it would not be issuing a tender for more supplies.
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From farm to Christmas dinner plate
19 December 2008
WITH Christmas just a few days away, the spotlight falls on one of the biggest family meals on the calendar. Farmers Guardian speaks to some of the producers working to ensure all the favourite ingredients make it on to the plate.
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FSA reassures consumers on Irish beef as dioxin scare takes new twist
19 December 2008
THE Food Standards Agency has moved to reassure consumers about eating Irish beef after cattle potentially exposed to dioxins were withdrawn from the Irish food chain.
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Getting to the root of the problem
December 19th 2008
With oilseed rape yields averaging only 3.3 tonnes per hectare last season, setting a farm target of 6t/ha could be seen as ambitious. Dominic Kilburn speaks to a Norfolk grower who is aiming for that.
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Giving the beef sector a strong voice
December 19th 2008
THE NBA was formed because of the frustration felt across the industry over BSE. Pedigree and commercial beef farmers were under siege as their industry wrestled with problems and they were annoyed the dairy sector was having more influence over how the crisis was being managed.
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Glenside Lion daughter heads up in-lamb Texels
December 19th 2008
A Glenside Lion King daughter sold at 1,200gns to top the Texel Society’s in-lamb show and sale at Carlisle.
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Goodwill SPIRIT parcels of joy sent to children
December 19th 2008
Bedfordshire Federation has once again taken part in its annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. The scheme sends shoeboxes full of gifts to underprivileged children in countries such as Romania. Members packed 111 shoeboxes with items including hats, gloves and scarves, basic toiletries, writing equipment, toys and sweets.
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HEXHAM and Northern Marts Christmas show and sale
December 19th 2008
HEXHAM and Northern Marts had forward 2,200 prime lambs at their Christmas prize show and sale.The championship went to T.W. Dinning and Son, Watch Currock, with a pen of Texel lambs weighing 45kg, which sold for £120 and were bought by John Horncastle for North Country Primestock.Auctioneers: Hexham and Northern Marts.
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Hold your ground on rent reviews
December 19th 2008
LANDLORDS are looking to make up for lost time on rents – and demands for increases of up to 70 per cent have alarmed some tenants.
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Holsteins reach 2,600gns at Lancaster sale
December 19th 2008
A smaller entry for the final Lancashire Holstein Club sale of 2008 saw a very similar trade to that of recent months, with a keen trade for the better cows and heifers on offer.
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Impossible to eliminate risk of contracting bTB
December 19th 2008
IT is completely out of the question for a herd to eliminate the risk of contracting TB but measures can be taken to reduce this risk to a minimum.
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Increasing consumer awareness of welfare
December 19th 2008
ANIMAL welfare labels should be introduced across all meat and dairy products to help improve standards on the farm, a Government advisory panel claimed this week.
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Informing the public might be damaging
December 19th 2008
OLIVER Letwin, MP for West Dorset and chairman of the Conservative research department warned it would be easy to whip up a scare if the public were made more aware of cattle being slaughtered as a result of TB, as well as farmers’ suffering.
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Kennedy pledges support to beleaguered pig industry
15 December 2008
FARMING Minister Jane Kennedy has pledged her support to the British pig industry following a meeting with pig producers last week.
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Kennedy pledges support to beleaguered pig industry
15 December 2008
FARMING Minister Jane Kennedy has pledged her support to the British pig industry following a meeting with pig producers last week.
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Kuhn acquires Kverneland baler business
19 December 2008
KUHN has paid £107.3m (€115m) for the Kverneland Group baler operations based at the Geldrop plant in Holland.
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Kuhn acquires Kverneland baler business
19 December 2008
KUHN has paid £107.3m (€115m) for the Kverneland Group baler operations based at the Geldrop plant in Holland.
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Lockerbie Mart Christmas event
December 19th 2008
A total of 34 pens of prime lambs were forward for the show section at Lockerbie mart’s Christmas event.
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Mid month sale sees 20 lots at more than £1,800
December 19th 2008
PRICES peaked at £2,320 and over 20 lots sold for more than £1,800 at the mid month sale of dairy cattle at Beeston Castle, Cheshire.
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Middle Mitzy tops Whitefords sale at 5,700gns
December 19th 2008
THE 5,000gns barrier was broken twice when Willie and John Whiteford of Ruleholme, Carlisle, held the fourth major production sale from their Whitefords blended red and white and Middle Ayrshire herds at Beeston Castle auction.
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Mincemeat squares
December 19th 2008
THIS recipe for mincemeat squares will use up that half jar of mincemeat after you have made your mince pies.
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Monitor Farms deliver 600 per cent return for Scottish farmers
17 December 2008
THE Scottish farming industry is reaping huge dividends from the groundbreaking Monitor Farm programme, says a new report from the Scottish Government.
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More cereals raises acidosis risk for all
December 19th 2008
WITH the recent warnings about acidosis, Steve Brown from Wynnstay Feeds says it is not just dairy cows that are at risk.
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Negotiations advancing for closed Caernarfon slaughterhouse
19 December 2008
A deal to buy the closed-down North Wales Cig Cibyn abattoir could be on the cards – possibly before Christmas.
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New campaign calls for Government action on factory farming
15 December 2008
INTENSIVE farming of meat and dairy is ‘obliterating rainforests’ and must be tackled by Government, said a new report from environment campaigners Friends of the Earth.
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New herbicide for winter wheat
15 December 2008
A NEW herbicide to combat wild oats, ryegrass and brome in winter wheat has been launched by agricultural company Dow AgroSciences.
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New investment fund could raise capital for expansion
15 December 2008
A MINIMUM sum of £25,000 can buy investors a stake in farming businesses – and potentially an inheritance tax shelter.
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New pesticide rules move a step closer
December 19th 2008
TALKS to agree strict new rules on pesticide use in Europe have moved a step closer, Farmers Guardian has learned.
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New Sportsmans add power steering
December 19th 2008
Claiming the number one slot in the European and North American ATV markets, Polaris is hoping to strengthen its position by introducing new models for 2009.
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Newark and Nottinghamshire's Christmas primestock show
December 19th 2008
TAKING top honours at Newark and Nottinghamshire’s Christmas primestock show was a Limousin steer from Michael and Jean Dickens, Milton Keynes. The steer weighed in at 586kg and realised 500p/kg (£2,930) selling to Andrew Mutch of Mutch Meat. Auctioneers: Newark Cattle Mart.
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NFUS blames ‘cut-throat’ retail tactics for turmoil at major processor
16 December 2008
SCOTTISH industry leaders have delivered a damning indictment of major retailers following the announcement of potential lay-offs at one of the UK’s biggest vegetable producers.
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NFUS blames ‘cut-throat’ retail tactics for turmoil at major processor
16 December 2008
SCOTTISH industry leaders have delivered a damning indictment of major retailers following the announcement of potential lay-offs at one of the UK’s biggest vegetable producers.
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Nigel and Jan beat weather to triumph
December 19th 2008
A NEW course had to be hastily assembled after the first fell victim to flooding at the All Wales Nursery Championship’s Penybont venue where two crowns were at stake – individual and team titles.
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Norfolk conference focuses on a vision for the future and new era
December 19th 2008
THE Norfolk Farming Con-ference, organised by Anglia Farmers and Shaping Norfolk’s Future, takes place at the John Innes Centre in Norwich on Wednesday February 25.
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Northern Ireland farmers ‘disappointed’ at ambiguous badger cull statement
16 December 2008
FARMERS in Northern Ireland have expressed disappointment at the lack of a firm commitment to badger culling in the province’s bovine TB strategy.
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NSA and RBCT to take over sheep semen archive
18 December 2008
THE National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) are to take over responsibility for the National Scrapie Plan (NSP) sheep semen archive from Defra in 2009.
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Opportunity to re-finance for sound businesses
December 19th 2008
THE opportunity to re-finance existing loans or take advantage of cheap credit in the current climate should not be overlooked by well-planned farm businesses, according to a consultant.
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Pigs in blankets
16 December 2008
CHIPOLATA sausages wrapped in bacon have long been considered an essential ingredient of the Christmas meal.
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Problems for NFSCo with new 48 month BSE testing
December 19th 2008
THE National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) has admitted it is ‘struggling' to put the new scheme for collecting fallen stock for BSE testing together in time for its January 12 start date.
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Research on E.coli
December 19th 2008
MOREDUN research on E.coli is important for both human health and livestock farmers, said Professor David Smith.
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RPA pays out £700m to farmers in England
17 December 2008
THE Rural Payments Agency has started issuing full Single Payments to thousands of farmers across England.
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RPA to publish further data on CAP payments today
December 19th 2008
THE Rural Payments Agency will release further unpublished information on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments received by farmers today.
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Skipton charity sheep sale raises £3,400
December 19th 2008
SKIPTON mart’s charity sheep show and sale raised over £3,400 to be donated to Manorlands, the Sue Ryder Care Hospice at Oxenhope.
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Solution to burgeoning feed cost embraces appliance of science
December 19th 2008
Automated feeding systems and robotic rotary parlours were hot topics at DeLaval’s Smart Farming Event held at its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden.
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Sprouts: love them or loathe them
16 December 2008
LOVE them or loathe them, sprouts will find their way on to your plate over the festive period.
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Steady trades lifts Beltex averages
December 19th 2008
THERE were no headline-busting prices at the Beltex Scotland collective sale of females at Lanark but a steady trade lifted averages for an increased number sold on the year.
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Strong turn out at Hereford calf show
December 19th 2008
AN entry of over 150 calves turned out at Shrewsbury livestock market for the national Hereford calf show.
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'Success in retail is in the detail' as family establish A1 business path
December 19th 2008
PIES are something of a speciality at Mellor's Farm Shop - they have won many prizes over the years and customers come from miles around to buy them. They are made in almost every imaginable variety, but probably the best known is Mellor's pork pie.
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Suffolks peak at 1,600gns
December 19th 2008
PRICES peaked at 1,600gns when the Cookstead flock of Suffolks was dispersed at Borderway Mart on behalf of H.H. Turnbull and Son, Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland.
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Tackling the spread of neospora
December 19th 2008
BETTER diagnostic tests and an effective vaccine are the ultimate aims for Moredun on neospora.
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Teaching fertiliser basics
December 19th 2008
STRATOSPHERIC fertiliser prices have forced beef farmers to re-examine their relationship with the land, and reports from grassland specialists indicate the presence of a knowledge gap, with those born after 1970 tending to be alarmingly uninformed about its management.
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Texel ewe lamb record
December 19th 2008
A Texel ewe lamb sold to 8,500gns – the best price at a British auction – when Hannah and James Draper, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, held a flock reduction sale at Shrewsbury auction centre.
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The Christmas season starts early for potato growers
16 December 2008
A MAINSTAY of the festive feast, the roast potato, will be found on plates up and down the country.
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The great smell of...meat
December 19th 2008
BURGER King has launched a meat-scented cologne for men.
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The Proof of the Pudding
16 December 2008
FOR farmer’s wife Susan Green and her team at The Proof of the Pudding, Christmas starts in August when they make the first batch of their Alnwick Rum Christmas Puddings.
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Top of 10,000gns at British Limousin Cattle Society’s Red Ladies Derby sale
16 December 2008
MILLINGTON Choice, a maiden heifer from Millington Grange Estate, East Riding, Yorkshire, made 10,000gns and topped the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Red Ladies Derby sale at Borderway Mart.
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Turkey farmer Rod Adlington
16 December 2008
TURKEY farmer Rod Adlington knows all about forward planning, having spent months preparing for Christmas since his chicks arrived in June.
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Use pain relief as well as treating the problem
December 19th 2008
WHEN tackling health problems this winter – particularly difficult calvings, mastitis and lameness – farmers should consider offering pain relief as well as treating the problem, according to Fiona MacGillivray, Merial Animal Health’s technical services manager.
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Weaned calves sell to top of 4,300gns
December 19th 2008
THE Limousin weaned calf show and sale held after the Red Ladies Derby saw a total clearance of the 63 lots and a top price of 4,300gns.
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Win a laptop with Eblex
December 19th 2008
YOU are what you eat is a well versed mantra when it comes to human diets, but the same applies to cattle. Feeding not only determines animal performance but also influences its target market. Improving animal performance reduces days to slaughter and cuts production costs.
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Yeo Valley to cut jobs
17 December 2008
Yeo Valley has announced plans to cut its workforce by 100 in response to rising raw materials prices and production costs throughout 2008.
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Yeo Valley to cut jobs
17 December 2008
Yeo Valley has announced plans to cut its workforce by 100 in response to rising raw materials prices and production costs throughout 2008.