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
November 20, 2009
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‘Satisfactory’ performance from Milk Link
17 November 2009
MILK Link published its half-year trading update today (Tuesday, November 17) reporting a ‘satisfactory’ performance over the past six months.
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Agricultural emissions targets are ‘pathetic’
17 November 2009
A GOVERNMENT target to reduce agricultural emissions by 11 per cent by 2020 has been branded ‘pathetic’ by a leading organic activist.
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Agriculture in the national news - November 16
16 November 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Monday, November 16).
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Agriculture in the national news - November 17
17 November 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Tuesday, November 17).
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Agriculture in the national news - November 18
18 November 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Wednesday, November 18).
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Agriculture in the national news - November 19
19 November 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Thursday, November 19).
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Agriculture must feature in Copenhagen
18 November 2009
SIXTY of the world’s most prominent agricultural thinkers have told policy makers agriculture must feature in global climate change talks to avoid widespread famine and food shortages.
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AIC continues to invest in research
20 November 2009
AGRICULTURAL Industries Confederation (AIC) members invest at least £15 million in research and development and £30 million in knowledge transfer per annum, said AIC chief executive, David Caffall at the organisation’s Agribusiness 2010 Conference.
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Apache offers something different
18 November 2009
If you want something away from the more usual ATV manufacturers then Apache Quads can offer just that. The company has just launched its new Apache RLX 400 two-wheel drive machine to the market, and it surprises in the specification stakes.
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Arla confirms plans for one billion litre UK processing plant
16 November 2009
ARLA is to build the world’s biggest milk processing plant on the outskirts of London capable of processing one billion litres of milk a year.
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Asda BeefLink confirms first demo farm
November 20, 2009
A YORKSHIRE farm has been chosen as Asda and ABP’s first ‘BeefLink education and demonstration farm’.
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Ayrshire takes the ArgiScot interbreed title
19 November 2009
JUST a fortnight after being bought from the Barr herd dispersal sale Barr Ranger Lottie, an Ayrshire fifth calver, took the ‘super cow’ title in a strong inter-breed line-up.
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Baldinnie Malta tops Herefords sale at 2,700gns
November 20, 2009
Prices rose to 2,700gns for bulls and 2,200gns for females at the Hereford Cattle Society’s autumn snow and sale at Carlisle last week.
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BBC accused of organic bias
16 November 2009
COUNTRYFILE, the BBC’s flagship rural programme, has been accused of a bias towards organic farming.
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BCPC 2009: New formulations may turn resistance clock back
November 20, 2009
NEW formulation technology could enhance existing crop protection products’ efficacy and possibly turn the resistance development clock back.
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BCPC 2009: Policy makers have little understanding of the issues
November 20, 2009
EUROPEAN pesticide regulators have got to ‘get real’ and stop pretending non-chemical weed control measures can replace herbicides, according to a leading UK grass-weed expert.
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BCPC 2009: Scientists need to talk to farmers
November 20, 2009
THERE were calls at the BCPC Congress for scientists to carefully consider the reason for their research and the way they communicate their findings to farmers and advisers.
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BEEF FOCUS: A post-slaughter clipping could provide tastier meat
November 20, 2009
Handling systems and post-slaughter clipping were discussed at an SAC-organised event earlier this month hosted by beef farmer Robert Neill. WENDY SHORT reports from Upper Nisbet Farm, Jedburgh.
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BEEF FOCUS: Beefers just as susceptible to fluctations in rumen pH
November 20, 2009
Beef producers should take a leaf out of the dairy farmer’s book and focus on rumen health if they want to maximise performance.
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BEEF FOCUS: Disease control drives on farm performance and stores price
November 20, 2009
Keen to encourage farmers to think more about transmissible diseases in cattle, Co. Durham-based vet Debby Brown has even taken her case to the local auction market. WENDY SHORT met her and one of her clients, beef farmer David Monkhouse.
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BEEF FOCUS: Make gains from minor changes to handling
November 20, 2009
INEXPENSIVE, minor alteration to cattle handling systems can significantly improve both operator safety and animal welfare and performance, said SAC adviser, Jimmy Hyslop.
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Beef focus: Making outwintering pay
November 20, 2009
READ our latest Beef Focus supplement online. Follow the links on the right to see more stories in this week’s edition.
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BEEF FOCUS: Store producers need an open mind
November 20, 2009
SUCCESSFUL store cattle production relies on correct feeding to produce a well-framed and grown animal that can be fed hard by finishers for quick growth, good fat cover and decent returns.
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BEEF FOCUS: Tailor your system to your target market
November 20, 2009
Management needs to be precise if farmers are to make the most of positive developments in the global beef market.
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Beltex cross lambs on top at at Bentham
November 20, 2009
The top 100 continental cross lambs averaged 190.5p/kg or £77.15 per head at Bentham last week.
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Brecon boosted by 12,000gns new all-breeds mark
November 20, 2009
An all-breeds centre record and record autumn average underpinned a very strong commercial trade for the British Limousin Cattle Society’s autumn show and sale held at Brecon Livestock Market.
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BVA launches antimicrobial plan
19 November 2009
THE British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched an eight-point plan for the ‘responsible use of antimicrobials’.
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Campaign for Farmed Environment training sessions begin
18 November 2009
THE first training sessions for agronomists and farm advisers are being rolled out to kick-start the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.
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Carlisle Simmentals sell to 5,500gns top
November 20, 2009
Top at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s autumn sale at Carlisle was 5,500gns for a Dirnanean Snowie son - Midhope Winston.
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Case study: John Goodman’s 70-cow organic suckler herd
November 20, 2009
Mr Goodman has been using his health plan to help boost profits for a number of years, and claims it is an important tool for farmers to make sure they are keeping on top of everything.
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Cereal Watch - November
20 November 2009
Not great– but nowhere near as bad as last year. That pretty much sums up the feelings of both our Eastern and Western Cereal Watch farmers at this stage in the season.
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Charolais Pedr at 8,300gns tops new centre sale
November 20, 2009
The first animals went through the ring at Welshpool’s new market last week at the Charolais Society’s show and sale.
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Clock ticking on mapping updates
19 November 2009
THE clock is ticking down for all farmers and growers to return their updated Rural Land Register maps to the Rural Payment Agency (RPA).
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Correct tagging is the key to EID
19 November 2009
WITH much of the onus of reading electronic tags taken away from farmers, the biggest challenge of EID will be putting in the right tag the right way, claimed National Sheep Association chief executive Peter Morris.
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Dairy peak of £2,300 at Leek
November 20, 2009
Dairy cattle peaked at £2,300 at Leek auction last week for a Bomaz Homestead daughter shown by Mick Bailey, Alkmonton, Ashbourne. The hammer fell to M. Hollingsworth, Swythamley, Staffordshire.
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Data and stats are just a performance tool
November 20, 2009
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Defra confirms cost-sharing timetable
18 November 2009
DEFRA has given official confirmation that it intends to publish a draft Animal Health Bill in January, as the Queen’s Speech set out the Government’s programme of legislation today (Wednesday, November 18).
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Defra launches online forum to engage with farmers
16 November 2009
FARMERS are being encouraged to put their views across to Ministers and policy makers in an online discussion being launched by Defra.
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Defra rejects bonus accusation
18 November 2009
MORE than 1,800 Defra staff received performance-related bonus payments in 2008, and the Department’s top civil servant pocketed more than £15,000 in rewards.
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Dowdeswell ploughs investment into production technique
18 November 2009
Dowdeswell Engineering, the only remaining volume plough maker in the UK, has invested in both its manufacturing capacity and component quality to give customers shorter delivery times and improve its strong reputation in the industry.
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Dunwoody recognised at Animal Health Trust awards
16 November 2009
More than 400 people from all walks of the equestrian world attended the Animal Health Trust’s 21st UK Equestrian Awards at the Lancaster London. Hosted by HRH The Princess Royal, the AHT’s President, the annual fundraising event raised more than £70,000.
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East of England Winter Stock Festival results
November 20, 2009
FULL results from the 2009 East of England Stock Festival
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EID surgery - your questions answered
20 November 2009
REGULATIONS on sheep EID come into force on January 1 2010 and with many farmers still confused over what they have to do to comply, we will be putting your questions to the experts to find out the answers.
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Expert group is needed to advance soil science
November 20, 2009
SOIL management is high on the agenda at present and Alan Stennett brings the key messages from a Farmers Club/RASE/Lincolnshire Agricultural Society conference.
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Fantasia makes hat-trick with commercial title win
November 20, 2009
Third title in a row for Charolais cross heifer.
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Farm income to fall 8 per cent in 2010
19 November 2009
FARM incomes could plummet by 8 per cent in 2010 despite soaring profits this year, Defra forecasts have revealed.
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Farmers must benefit from processor profits
17 November 2009
DAIRY processors enjoying a period of strong profitability should pass on those better prices to their suppliers to avoid frustration at farm level, NFU Scotland has warned
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Farmgate milk prices must follow market rise
20 November 2009
DAIRY farmers are demanding better prices for their milk following a big improvement in world and EU markets for butter, milk powder, cheese and cream over the past few months.
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Festival of the Horse for Stoneleigh
16 November 2009
Festival of the Horse will make its debut at Stoneleigh Park in July, 2010. The event will feature three individually themed days, showcasing the very best of British equine sports stars through a series of competitions and entertainment.
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First Milk sells £18m stake in Wiseman
20 November 2009
FIRST Milk has sold over a third of its shares in Robert Wiseman Dairies, raising over £18 million which will be pumped back into the business.
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Flexibility - it’s all in the wrist action
November 20, 2009
Digger operators can get more out of their machines by fitting a tiltrotator between the boom and the attachment, suggests Swedish manufacturer Steelwrist.
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Full results from AgriScot
19 November 2009
ALL the results from AgriScot 2009.
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Going self-propelled benefits three-row harvesting
November 20, 2009
Three-row potato harvesters can offer increased outputs of 50 per cent and give 10 per cent more productive land by reducing wheelings. Jane Carley visits a fenland grower who is reaping the rewards.
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Goverment report backs reduction in livestock numbers
26 November 2009
A GOVERNMENT-BACKED report calling for significant reductions in livestock numbers to tackle climate change and health problems has provoked anger within the farming sector.
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Government 'has no extra money for R&D'
16 November 2009
THERE is no extra money within Government for agricultural research and development, claimed Lord Taylor of Holbeach, shadow Minister for the environment, food and rural affairs.
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Government to investigate options for further tenancy reform
20 November 2009
THE Government has agreed to meet with tenant farmers to discuss options to safeguard the future of the sector and encourage more new entrants into farming.
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Haresfoot Century Bella sets Ayrshire maiden heifer breed record at 6,900gns
November 20, 2009
An Ayrshire breed record for a maiden heifer was set when bidding peaked at 6,900gns at Beeston market’s ‘autumn colours’ sale.
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Harvest survey results show improved quality
17 November 2009
THE quality of this autumn’s cereal harvest was better than last year’s, HGCA’s final Cereal Quality Survey results have confirmed.
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Importers warn of feed shortage
17 November 2009
EUROPE’S livestock farmers will face a shortage of high-protein animal feed this winter if the EU fails to approve a new variety of GM maize, feed importers have warned.
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Industry slams 'unacceptable' decline in retail support
17 November 2009
FARM leaders have launched an attack on retail giants Tesco and Asda after the latest survey on British beef and lamb showed a decline in home-produced meat on sale in stores.
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Judging gets underway at AgriScot
18 November 2009
CROWDS are building at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, Edinburgh, for this year’s Agri Scot event as the first championship of the day is awarded.
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Keith and Flash’s late run overcomes twitchy hoggs
November 20, 2009
GUS Dermody won both the nursery and the novice championships at the final Ringinglow trial held at Peak Forest in the wind and rain last Saturday.
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Kevin and Lefi enjoy victory at Ledbury
November 20, 2009
ANGIE Blackmore can be trusted to find a good course and good sheep and, she did both for this week’s Glos/Gwent Nursery Trials at Ledbury.
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Lancashire Holstein Club results
18 November 2009
PREMIER herd in Lancashire Holstein Club’s herd competition was J. Burrow and Son’s Stardale herd, which was also top large herd in the contest.
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Leaving the rest behind at Sheep Breeders Round Table conference
November 20, 2009
THE bi-annual Sheep Breeders Round Table conference was held this weekend at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. Joanne Pugh reports.
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Making a lasting impression as Shires make HOYS comeback
November 20, 2009
FOR Shire horse enthusiast John Wilkinson, this year’s Horse of the Year Show saw his dreams come true as his mare, Hainton Charlie Girl, took the supreme title. Emma Penny reports.
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Methane levels comparable to industry
17 November 2009
THE contribution of UK red meat farming to global warming is comparable to computers or the shipping industry, according to climate change expert, Dr Martin Hodson.
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Milking heifer heads Beston dairy sale at £2,600
November 20, 2009
Bidding peaked at £2,600 at Beston’s mid-month sale of pedigree and commercial cattle.
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Mouldboard ploughing still common
November 20, 2009
DESPITE the potential economic and environmental benefits of conservation and other forms of reduced tillage, mouldboard ploughing is still the most common tillage practice in the temperate regions of north west Europe, an RRA workshop in the West Midlands heard.
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National Park 'could be a threat' to businesses
20 November 2009
THE CLA is urging people who live and work in the area covered by the proposed extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park Boundaries, to be sure of how the changes could affect them before responding to the consultation being undertaken by Natural England.
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New initiative launched to fight machinery thefts
17 November 2009
INSURER NFU Mutual has joined forces with the police, machinery manufacturers and the CESAR plant registration scheme with the aim of reducing agricultural machinery theft.
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New malting barley offers significant advances
17 November 2009
The development of new spring varieties offering significant advances in both yield and quality offer hope to the malting barley market.
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New tracker unit launched
17 November 2009
SECOND-HAND tractors are becoming ever increasing targets for thieves, especially due to standardised ignition keys and the general remoteness of farms.
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November bonus for Dairy Crest suppliers
17 November 2009
DAIRY Crest has announced it will pay a liquid milk price bonus of 0.2ppl for milk supplied by its farmers in November and has committed to maintaining or even improving the bonus in December.
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Pateley Bridge pair fetch £888
November 20, 2009
An entry of 223 store cattle and cull cows and 305 store lambs went through the ring at Pateley Bridge market’s Christmas sale of store animals.
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Paul McCartney 'undermines' climate change talks
17 November 2009
SIR Paul McCartney has been accused of undermining climate change talks with his ‘meat-free Monday’ campaign.
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Pinnacle awards open for applications
18 November 2009
IF you think you have what it takes to grow a farm business and understand how you will reach the end goal, you might be interested in applying for the 2010 Pinnacle Award.
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Plenty of awards outside the judging rings
19 November 2009
OUTSIDE of the judging rings there were still plenty of awards up for grabs at AgriScot 2009.
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Poor body condition score a major mastitis cause?
November 20, 2009
Poor body condition score could be a major cause of mastitis, said PhD student Selene Huntley, as a thin ewe producing little milk, will have hungry lambs repeatedly sucking, causing teat lesions and leading to mastitis.
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Premium food back on menu
November 20, 2009
RECESSION, what recession?, asked leading market research analyst Ed Garner.
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Public sector support for Welsh milk falls
19 November 2009
SUPPLIES of Welsh milk sold to the public sector have dropped by 22 per cent, according to latest research figures described by Mansel Raymond, NFU Cymru’s milk board chairman, as ‘alarming’.
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Record 5,800gns bid at Carlisle
November 20, 2009
?An entry of 200 Holsteins and Montbeliardes were forward at Carlisle’s monthly pedigree dairy sale, and for the second week running, the centre record price for dairy cattle was broken.
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Research looking for new ways to make land pay
November 20, 2009
Research at Rothamsted is seeking to identify ways of making land more productive and profitable.
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Results round-up from England, Scotland and Wales
November 20, 2009
Our full round-up of results from sheepdog trials in England, Scotland and Wales.
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RPA services hit by unprecedented flooding in Cumbria
20 November 2009
HEAVY flooding has left the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) struggling to deliver services to farmers after some areas of North West England were left under up to 8ft of water following torrential rain.
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Sainsbury's launches crop sustainability plan
20 November 2009
SAINSBURY’S has launched a new initiative to improve the sustainability of its crop supply chain.
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Scientists unveil GM crops alternative
18 November 2009
NOVEL crops developed using a new technique of genetic modification could be available in Europe within the next few years and, according to the technique’s developers, they should not be classified as GMOs.
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Scotland South Holstein club results
18 November 2009
THE Scotland South Holstein Club’s annual herd competition was dominated byBrian and Valerie Davidson’s Errolstol herd.
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Sheep EID - what you need to know
19 November 2009
FOR sheep farmers across the UK, January 1, 2010, will signal the start of a new era as the EU’s rules on electronic identification (EID) come into force.
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Sheep sector must not be a victim of its own success
17 November 2009
WITH somewhat better farmgate returns, producers were warned by HCC chairman Rees Roberts not to be too complacent.
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Sheepdog trials diary
November 20, 2009
The latest round-up of forthcoming fixtures in England and Wales.
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Slug pelleting training courses open
November 20, 2009
SLUG pelleting operators are being urged to sign up for new training courses taking place across the country.
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Smarter techniques can lift sheep trade
November 20, 2009
Increasing the average number of lambs reared by just 1 per cent would result in an extra 8,000 tonnes of meat per year, said Eblex market analyst, Mark Topliff.
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Soil carbon could combat climate change
November 20, 2009
ADDING organic carbon to the soil in the form of biochar is being put forward as one means of countering the effects of climate change.
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Soil texture and energy usage are interlinked
November 20, 2009
Simple actions can help reduce soil erosion, cut water contamination and improve soil structure, according to a leading adviser.
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Stewardship to be suspended
25 November 2009
NATURAL England is set to suspended applications for Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) until late January 2010.
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Strengthening rural Britain’s voice at the heart of Westminster
16 November 2009
William Worsley is ready to implement change. Jack Davies meets the new man at the helm of the Country Land and Business Association.
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Strong export flavour sees Limousin prices rise to 6,000gns
November 20, 2009
Bulls sold to 6,000gns at the Limousin Society’s sale at Dungannon where females peaked at 4,800gns.
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Strong tenant farm sector vital
19 November 2009
THE vital importance of tenant farms to the future of British agriculture will be highlighted at a major conference today (Thursday, November 19).
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Sugar beet is sweet investment
19 November 2009
A RAPID uptake of sugar beet contracts and a buoyant market for leased tonnage among growers has proved beet to be a sweet investment for 2010/11.
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Super cow winner crowned at AgriScot
18 November 2009
It was double celebrations for Ann Laird of West Linton, Peebleshire, as she brought out the AgriScot ‘super cow’ supreme champion on the same day as celebrating her 23rd birthday.
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Tighter calving has a serious impact on profit
November 20, 2009
A TIGHTER calving period can make a huge difference to the bottom line, said Westpoint Veterinary Group’s, Hugh Thompson, at a meeting for beef farmers at the group’s Warnham branch in West Sussex.
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Top-selling and prize-winning ewe makes 1,800gns at Beeston
November 20, 2009
The show and sale of Suffolk sheep held at Beeston and sponsored by Farmers Guardian, saw prices rise to 1,800gns for the overall champion.
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TSE rules costing farmers £34m a year
18 November 2009
LAMB carcase splitting is costing farmers in Great Britain up to £34 million a year, according to new figures released this week.
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Warwick accused of 'scientific vandalism'
19 November 2009
THE University of Warwick was accused of ‘scientific vandalism’ after it unveiled proposals to close down the 192-hectare Wellesbourne site of Warwick HRI, formerly Horticulture Research International.
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Welsh Assembly to investigate abattoir welfare standards
20 November 2009
THE Welsh Assembly’s rural development sub-committee is carrying out an examination of animal welfare and meat hygiene standards at abattoirs and slaughterhouses in Wales.
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Welsh cattle numbers continue to fall
16 November 2009
SHEEP and lamb numbers on Welsh farms are not the only livestock to record a fall, according to the latest Welsh Assembly’s June survey results.
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Welsh lamb exports grow
17 November 2009
EXPORTS of Welsh lamb were the driver behind higher market prices, according to HCC’s marketing manager, Bill Joyce.
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Welsh producers ‘missing out on £1m in levy funding’
17 November 2009
THE unfairness in the distribution of the red meat statutory levy, reported in last week’s Farmers Guardian, is being taken up by Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones
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Welsh Winter Fair preview
November 20, 2009
The Royal Welsh Showground is becoming a major global attraction with more and more overseas visitors signing in at the International Pavilion.
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Welsh Winter Fair: Listen to what our industry’s experts say . . .
November 20, 2009
Farmers Guardian asked key Welsh livestock industry figures for views on the future of beef and sheep farming.
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Welsh winter fair: Online poll reveals Fair’s popularity
November 20, 2009
The Royal Welsh Winter Fair, already regarded by livestock farmers as one of the best events of its kind in Europe, is also highly rated by non-farming visitors.
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Welsh Winter Fair: Simon has supreme say-so
November 20, 2009
Judging the supreme cattle championship will be Simon David, a member of the well-known Somerset-based family of farmers, meat wholesalers and butchers.
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Welsh Winter Fair: Two tough decades but can we anticipate brighter future for farming communities?
November 20, 2009
In the 20 years since HSBC Agriculture first sponsored the Welsh Winter Fair, how much has really changed, and more importantly, what will change in the next 20 years?
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Welsh winter fair: Woman Farmer of Year
November 20, 2009
The Winter Fair will be the venue for the final of one of Wales’ most prestigious farming titles – the NFU Cymru-NatWest Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award.
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Welsh Winter Fair: Wool stalwart’s award
November 20, 2009
A wel-known figure involved with the wool industry for over 50 years is this year’s winner of the prestigious John Gittins Memorial Award for services to the sheep industry.
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Welsh winter fair: YFC hold winter event in high esteem
November 20, 2009
The Welsh Winter Fair is regarded as one of the main winter UK events by Wales YFC members and for many the lure is just as strong as that of the Royal Welsh Show.
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What should I ask my agronomist about control of charlock in oilseed rape
November 20, 2009
THE mild start to this autumn has encouraged growth of charlock in many oilseed rape crops, says TAG’s Richard Overthrow.
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Worm-resilience in sheep ‘preferable’ to resistance
November 20, 2009
SHEEP which were ‘resilient’ to worms should be favoured through selective breeding, perhaps even more so than sheep with ‘resistance’, said Steve Bishop, of the Roslin Institute, Scotland.
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Young Butcher proves Britain's got talent
November 20, 2009
Forget singing, skating or salsa, the latest BBC reality show has just found itself a new winner proving Britain really does have talent. Angela Calvert meets Jim Sutcliffe – Young Butcher of the Year.
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Young farmers to battle at English Winter Fair
12 November 2009
Around 170 Young Farmers Club members are set to battle it out for supremacy in stock-judging competitions at next week’s English Winter Fair (EWF), Stafford, on November 21 and 22.