Farmers Guardian
January 25th 2008

  • £4,400 top price at Bluefaced Leicester females show and sale

    January 25th 2008

    BIDDING peaked at £4,400 for the reserve champion at the show and sale of Bluefaced Leicester females at Hawes, North Yorkshire, for the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders’ Association.

  • £5,000 up for grabs for the Best Farm Entrepreneur

    14 April 2008

    YOU may remember that last year and in 2006, Farmers Guardian ran a Best Young Farmer Producer award in association with Waitrose, as part of the retailer’s Small Producer Awards.

  • A possible extension to crofting areas

    January 25th 2008

    THE public has until March 12 to respond to a consultation, launched by Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell, on proposals to extend crofting.

  • A red letter day for the Sclaters at Black Beauty Bonanza

    January 25th 2008

    FOUR out of five championships – and a reserve championship – gave Hamish and Margaret Sclater, Dunlugas, Turriff, a red letter day on Saturday at the Black Beauty Bonanza show of Aberdeen-Angus at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

  • Achieving balance across all sectors vital for future

    January 25th 2008

    VIEWPOINT: By Peter Kendall

  • April opening for Stoneleigh mart

    24 January 2008

    THE farmer-owned and run auction market being built at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh by Rugby Farmers’ Mart LLP, will need a weekly throughput of 100 cattle and 1,500 sheep to be viable.

  • Arla award

    January 25th 2008

    ARLA Foods UK has become the UK’s first dairy company to be awarded energy efficiency accreditation from The Carbon Trust.Over the past two years the company has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 13,000 tonnes in addition to reducing its packaging weight of its milk bottles by over 300 tonnes in the past year alone.

  • At the forefront of the Yorkshire rhubarb revival

    January 25th 2008

    Combining age-old tradition with modern technology is ensuring that the Oldroyd family stay at the forefront of rhubarb production. ANGELA CALVERT reports.

  • Automatic flushing cuts bacteria by 97pc

    January 25th 2008

    AUTOMATICALLY flushing and cleansing teat liners after each cow is milked to remove residual milk and contaminants can reduce bacteria levels by over 97 per cent and help reduce the spread of mastitis, according to trials carried out by vet Roger Blowey of the Wood Veterinary Group, Gloucester, on behalf of Vaccar.

  • Autumn lamb promotion raises sales 8.6pc

    January 25th 2008

    THE autumn lamb promotion campaign by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex) has helped increase retail lamb sales in England by an average of 8.6 per cent over the past three months.

  • Bailey extends fuel bowser range

    22 January 2008

    Bailey Trailers has extended its product range with two fuel bowsers due to meet customer requests.

  • Bank error throws National Foaling Bank into crisis

    22 January 2008

    THE National Foaling Bank, which has united thousands of orphan foals with foster mares that have lost their own foals, has been plunged into a financial crisis due to a bank error which has returned to the sender all direct debit payments for this year's membership subscriptions.

  • Beef - special supplement

    January 25th 2008

    Flexible approach

  • Beef special feature

    21 January 2008

    DON’T miss FG’s eight-page beef special feature including a look at how one farm’s decision to finish all youngstock instead of selling them as stores has meant some big changes.

  • Beware wireworm threat to big bale silage on grass

    January 25th 2008

    FARMERS storing big bale silage on grassland should be aware of the risk of wireworm attacks, which can reduce the quality and nutritional value of the feed inside.

  • Bird surveillance remains vigilant

    January 25th 2008

    SURVEILLANCE of wild birds is continuing in Dorset after Defra confirmed a fifth swan, collected on January 14, tested positive for the H5N1 virus.

  • BKt Agrimax 65 tyre

    22 January 2008

    RH Claydon has been importing the BKT tyre range for 10 years and had the new AgriMax 65 series profile tyre on show.

  • Blackbox Cruizer

    22 January 2008

    PATCHWORK has extended its range of guidance and data recording systems with the introduction of the BlackBox Cruizer.

  • Bluetongue threat to UK

    January 25th 2008

    Everything you need to know about bluetongue – including some you would not want to – was discussed at a highly informative conference arranged jointly by the NFU and the Institute of Animal Health. More than 80 farmers gathered at the IAH’s Compton laboratory heard why vaccination may be the saviour of their industry. ALISTAIR DRIVER reports.

  • Bluetongue update

    January 25th 2008

    Vaccinate livestock and save the industry, farmers told

  • BMW X6

    January 25th 2008

  • Border and Lakeland trade competitive, 2,600gns peak

    January 25th 2008

    THE Border and Lakeland Holstein Club’s monthly show and sale once again resulted in a very competitive trade.

  • British Blue cross sets a £2,000 record at Thainstone

    January 25th 2008

    A CENTRE record for commercial beef breeding cattle was set at a special sale at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, last week.The record breaker – a home-bred British Blue cross Limousin from G.P. Smart and Son, Sheil, Alford, sold for £2,000.The animal – served to calve her second calf in April to AI Limousin bull Killarton Travis – was purchased by John Smith, Brora, Sutherland.Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

  • British Cattle Conference

    January 25th 2008

    As always, the first day of the British Cattle Conference, organised by the British Cattle Breeders' Club and held in north Shropshire, kicked off with a day dedicated to beef breeding. But a strong focus on dairy-bred beef meant as many messages emerged for dairy farmers as did for beef ones. JOANNE PUGH reports.Click here for full report

  • Building on the Tickler brand

    22 January 2008

    A SPECIAL version of The Cheese Company’s premium quality mature cheddar Tickler, has been produced in advance of Valentine’s and Mothers’ Day.

  • Buildings award for couple

    January 25th 2008

    AN ESSEX farming couple, who opened a new village post office when hundreds of others were being closed down, have won the CLA rural buildings award for the building in which the enterprise is housed.

  • Business up by a fifth at Kivells markets

    January 25th 2008

    DEVONSHIRE auctioneers Kivells saw an increase in business of just over 20 per cent at their three livestock markets in Devon and Cornwall in 2007.

  • Call to use sexed semen to produce good quality dairy cross calves for beef market

    January 25th 2008

    DAIRY farmers needed to give beef farmers a ‘fighting chance’ and start using different genetics within their herds to produce dairy calves worth rearing for the beef market.

  • Campaign calls on consumers to support pig farmers

    22 January 2008

    BRITISH pig farmers have launched a £1.5m national advertising campaign in an attempt to save their industry by winning a fairer price for their pigs.

  • Campaign calls on consumers to support pig farmers

    22 January 2008

    BRITISH pig farmers have launched a £1.5m national advertising campaign in an attempt to save their industry by winning a fairer price for their pigs.

  • Case IH JXU

    23 January 2008

    CASE IH was showing the new JXU and JX tractors to the British public at LAMMA.

  • Champion goes for 3,600gns at Lancaster Holstein sale

    January 25th 2008

    BIDDING rose over the 3,000gns mark four times at the Lancashire Holstein Club’s first sale of the year at Lancaster Mart and every female on offer sold for a four-figure price.

  • Change to pedigree stock pays off, bringing show and sale success

    January 25th 2008

    WHEN it comes to breeding sheep, brothers Brian and Andy Ryder have decided that pedigree stock is what really holds their interest.

  • Changes to Bird Registration Scheme announced

    24 January 2008

    DEFRA have announced the decision to streamline the bird registration scheme in England, removing the burdens placed on many bird keepers.

  • Cloned foods are a step closer to reality

    January 25th 2008

    CHARITIES involved in animal welfare have slammed moves to allow meat and milk from cloned animals to be sold on supermarket shelves.

  • College flock also feeling the pinch

    January 25th 2008

    IN keeping with most sheep enterprises, last year proved very difficult for Gelli Aur’s ewe flock, producing margins that were ‘not profitable and not sustainable’.

  • Commission announce EU climate change roadmap

    January 25th 2008

    BINDING climate change targets would remain at the forefront of European Union policy, according to EU president Jose Manuel Barroso, who called on Europeans to ‘seize the chance’ to become the world’s leading low-carbon economy.

  • Conditions for drought in US corn belt

    January 25th 2008

    LA NINA weather conditions now pose a significant drought risk to US corn production in 2008, says Iowa State University meteorologist Elwynn Taylor.

  • Contracts ensure English food is on offer to showground visitors

    21 January 2008

    THE Royal Agricultural Society of England and its subsidiary, Stoneleigh Park, have signed deals with all their key food suppliers to ensure that English food is on offer to the million-plus visitors a year that attend events on the showground.

  • Cordex bale cord ultra grip

    22 January 2008

    TO meet the abilities of an increasing number of high density square balers twine manufacturer Cordex has developed the Bale Cord Ultra Grip.

  • Countryside Alliance beats Blair to ‘inspiring’ political award

    24 January 2008

    THE Countryside Alliance has beaten Tony Blair to the title of most ‘inspiring political personality’ of the last ten years in the Channel 4 News political awards.

  • Cumbria Farmer Network sees huge membership rise

    January 25th 2008

    CUMBRIA Farmer Network (Rural Futures) has seen a 42 per cent rise in membership and has created a financial reserve.

  • Dairy products can help reduce obesity

    23 January 2008

    DAIRY products have a key role to play in dieting and weight loss according to nutritional experts at an international obesity conference this week.

  • Dal-bo cultimax 800

    22 January 2008

    THE Danish-built Cultimax 800 from Dal-Bo - sold through Kongskilde in the UK - is one of three new trailed cultivators in a range that spans working widths from 6.5 to 9m.

  • Debate on pure versus cross breeding raises issues on beef profitability, efficiency and consumer choice

    January 25th 2008

    A DEBATE on pure breeding versus composites and cross breeding saw one pedigree beef farmer ask the room how anyone not breeding pure could have any enthusiasm for the job.

  • Deer breeders’ tensions rise

    January 25th 2008

    TENSION between traditional deer stud owners in New Zealand and Deer Improvement (DIL) has boiled over with several studs issuing trespass notices to the industry newcomer.

  • Defra staff stage industrial action over pay

    21 January 2008

    ANIMAL health specialists are due to begin industrial action today, as they refuse to work above and beyond their contracted terms.

  • Defra urged to step up bluetongue surveillance

    January 25th 2008

    DEFRA has been urged to increase the level of surveillance for bluetongue during the vector free period.

  • Details unveiled for Welsh new entrants initiative

    24 January 2008

    THE Welsh Assembly is exploring ways of ensuring new entrants have a future in farming.

  • Developing the required business skills

    January 25th 2008

    Young people in Norfolk who are passionate about farming and aspire to run their own businesses are well-supported by the Farmer and Business Forum. CLEMMIE GLEESON reports.

  • Development work goes on

    January 25th 2008

    SIX years since its creation, the Dairy Development Centre is continuing its work to develop the Welsh dairy industry and encourage the adoption of best practice and new technology.

  • Discovering the difficulties facing industry with ‘farm to fork’ visit

    January 25th 2008

    Many MPs love to talk about farming issues, some even go out and about to see the problems at first hand… as BARRY ALSTON reports from Wales.

  • Einbock Front Spike press

    22 January 2008

    TERRINGTON Machinery was showing the Einbock Front Spike press.

  • End for Llanddysul market

    January 25th 2008

    A WEST Wales livestock market has closed after 90 years to make way for a new by-pass.

  • English trials results

    January 25th 2008

    YORKSHIRE, Nursery (34 ran): 1, A. Kyme (Lumb) Moss, 84 of 90; 2, A. Baines (South Stainmore) Tanhill Sweep, 79; 3, K. Salisbury (Riddlesden) Mac, 78; 4, A. Baines, Tanhill Patsy, 77, OLF: 5, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Tom, 77; 6, B. Liddle (Felliscliffe) Fly, 76.

  • EU approves grant aid to rural business

    January 25th 2008

    A NEW funding programme for rural businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber, has been given the EU’s seal of approval.

  • EU Ministers agree to simplifying rules

    January 25th 2008

    CROSS-compliance rules are to be eased after EU Ministers unanimously backed simplification proposals from the European Commission.

  • Europe's regulations too stiff for Brazil's exporters

    24 January 2008

    THE issue of Brazilian beef is not going to be allowed to fade, despite new EU regulations on the farms that can export to Europe coming into force next week.

  • Expansion for Graham’s Dairy

    January 25th 2008

    GRAHAM’S Dairy – Scotland’s largest independent – is expanding at its Bridge of Allan headquarters. A 4,000 sq ft extension to Airthrey Kerse Farm’s loading bay will increase the dairy’s loading and distribution capabilities.The Graham’s Family Dairy produces 360,000 pints of milk daily and employs 270 staff.

  • Eyre all-in-one header

    23 January 2008

    BOB Eyre has spent nearly 10 years developing a header that not only cuts the crop but also threshes it.

  • Farmax rapide 300

    22 January 2008

    HOT on the heels of the Imants spading machine, comes another similar Dutch innovation, this time imported into the UK by Richard Larrington.

  • Fast aphid knockdown for new insecticide

    January 25th 2008

    A NEW insecticide available for use in potato crops this season will give essential fast knockdown of aphids – comparable to the pyrethroids currently used by growers, claims its manufacturer, Syngenta.

  • Feed prices to remain firm as global economy starts to slow

    January 25th 2008

    THE price of some key feed ingredients might have peaked or even eased for now, but the global fundamentals driving the market remain and will inevitably re-inject upward pressure.

  • Feed prices to remain firm as global economy starts to slow

    January 25th 2008

    THE price of some key feed ingredients might have peaked or even eased for now, but the global fundamentals driving the market remain and will inevitably re-inject upward pressure.

  • Firmer commitment needed on red meat

    January 25th 2008

    WHILE the future was at last looking a great deal more positive for arable and dairy farmers, better market returns were essential to ensure a guaranteed supply of home-produced red meat, warned the NFU’s national deputy president Meurig Raymond.

  • First title for Kyme’s Moss

    January 25th 2008

    WITH a steady and controlled trial Alf Kyme’s Moss took his first nursery title on Saturday.

  • Floods wreak havoc again

    22 January 2008

    HEAVY rain swept across northern and central England yesterday (Monday, January 21) causing severe flood damage to houses, transport links and farmland.

  • Freshly-calved heifer tops the Skipton dairy trade at £2,100

    January 25th 2008

    TOP at the Craven dairy auction at Skipton was £2,100 paid for a freshly calved heifer from Malcolm and Robert Swires, Haverah Park, Harrogate, knocked down to N. Coulthurst, Goosnargh, Preston.

  • Galloways suited to profitable farming at home and abroad

    January 25th 2008

    From Northumberland to the Baltic States, John Carr-Ellison is convinced Galloway cattle can play a role in driving profits. Jennifer MacKenzie reports.

  • Garford weed wiper

    21 January 2008

    AS well as its Robocrop 2 inter-row weeder, Garford Farm Machinery was showing a weed wiper for beds.

  • Gejs stoker biomass boiler

    22 January 2008

    IN the wake of constantly increasing oil prices, Louth Tractors reports renewed interest in biomass central heating systems and its latest Danish-built wood-fired boiler – the Gejs Stoker – is one that can be fuelled by wood pellets, wood chip, barley or oats.

  • Glanbia selling meat business

    January 25th 2008

    GLANBIA is in negotiations to sell its meat business. The international dairy foods and nutritional ingredients group said last week it had has entered into negotiations with a management buyout team led by Glanbia Meats chief executive Jim Hanley.

  • Grain distillers lead demand for barley

    January 25th 2008

    WHILE there are expected to be above average quality premiums for malting barley in the coming year, it also means that the market will pay less for crops failing to meet specifications, especially in regard to nitrogen content, said SAC cereal varieties specialist, Steve Hoad in Perth.

  • Ground-breaking agreement leads the way for UK veal market

    21 January 2008

    BRITAIN’S biggest supermarket chain has pledged to phase out foreign veal and instead stock meat produced from UK dairy calves.

  • Hopes raised for Welsh farming FMD aid package

    21 January 2008

    BACKING for Welsh farming’s case for a foot-and-mouth compensation recovery package has come in independent reports from two cross-party Welsh Assembly committees – lifting hopes that financial aid on a par with Scotland may yet be forthcoming.

  • Hotel showcase for produce

    January 25th 2008

    LOCAL food producers are being invited to showcase their home-grown produce at an individual event in York.

  • Hypro guardian air range

    21 January 2008

    FARMERS familiar with the Syngenta Amistar air induction nozzle should be pleased to know that its manufacturer Hypro EU has expanded the range, called Guardian Air.

  • IAH boss calls for greater funding commitment

    January 25th 2008

    THE head of the Institute for Animal Health has issued a plea to Defra to provide the full financial backing it needs to continue delivering ‘world leading’ research on livestock diseases.

  • Irrigation audits can help maintain water resources

    January 25th 2008

    ABSTRACTORS must adapt to climate change. That was the key message from a series of water-related seminars at ‘The Heat is On’, a conference organised by Natural England with partners including NFU East Anglia and the Environment Agency.

  • January's Flock Watch

    January 25th 2008

    THIS year Farmers Guardian has teamed up with Novartis Animal Health in a special project to track two sheep farmers over the coming 12 months. In this, the first of our monthly features, JOANNE PUGH visits the two farms – one in the Dumfriesshire hills and the other in Exmoor National Park.

  • JLG compact telehandler

    23 January 2008

    JLG is looking to strengthen its telehandler range with a new compact model.

  • John Deere remained best UK seller in 2006

    25 January 2008

    JOHN Deere held on to the top position in the UK tractor sales league for 2006.

  • Kendall tells inquiry Government FMD response was ‘disproportionate’

    23 January 2008

    NFU President Peter Kendall has told the Anderson Inquiry into the handling of last year’s foot-and-mouth outbreak that the Government’s response was ‘disproportionate’.

  • Kiwi dollar impacts on NZ lamb

    January 25th 2008

    CURRENCY news continues to challenge sheep farmers, with the New Zealand dollar climbing back against the UK pound.

  • Knight Rabe M-Press cultivator drill

    23 January 2008

    KNIGHT is using its M-Press cultivator to form the basis of a new drill using the Rabe Mega Seed hopper and sowing system.

  • KRM Quadro Spreader Callibration

    22 January 2008

    KRM says its Quadro system will make calibration of the M2 and M3 Bogballe broadcasters easier.

  • Kverneland Accord DG

    22 January 2008

    THE Kverneland Group’s move into high capacity, wide working drills sees the Accord DG make its official introduction at LAMMA.

  • Lamb marketing drive gets an added value reward with reception

    24 January 2008

    THE entrepreneurial vision of a group of nine Mid Wales farmers – the Cambrian Mountains lamb marketing drive – has been rewarded with a reception hosted by Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones.

  • Larrington trailer

    22 January 2008

    RICHARD Larrington has developed a mechanically driven, powered axle system for its trailers, which is said to almost eliminate the chances of getting stuck as well as drastically reducing in-field compaction and surface damage.

  • Learning lessons from poultry

    January 25th 2008

    WHILE not directly comparable, the beef breeding industry had a lot to learn from the poultry sector, said Dr Santiago Avendaña.

  • Lemken rear-mounted min-till unit

    21 January 2008

    Lemken UK has taken the Topas front-mounted tine cultivator and married it with the Heliodor shallow disc machine as a rear-mounted min-till unit.

  • Lessons learned as NSA Wales and Border sale revises format

    January 25th 2008

    THE largest ram sale in Europe has listened to its supporters and is adopting a bold new approach for 2008.

  • Lifeline for hill farmers

    January 25th 2008

    SCOTLAND’S Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced he will be issuing £61million in Less Favoured Area support to hill farmers over the next fortnight. This follows progression of Scotland’s Rural Development Programme in Brussels.

  • Lifting of shoot restriction good news for Dorset rural economy

    January 25th 2008

    RESTRICTIONS on shooting have been lifted in parts of the area affected by the Dorset avian flu outbreak, giving the local economy a much needed boost.

  • Log loc Haynetter

    21 January 2008

    FILLING hay nets can be an awkward job and one that Log Loc hopes to make easier with its Haynetter.

  • Looking to the future

    January 25th 2008

    The Stafford family has been around since 1086, so it is hardly surprising that a sense of history and, perhaps more importantly, duty to future generations sits constantly at the shoulder of the current Lord Stafford (pictured right). Farming is still very much at the centre of the estate, with much of the land farmed in-hand, but like many rural businesses, there has been a need to diversify and find new sources of income to maintain viability. LIZ FALKINGHAM spent a sunny morning ...

  • Low dose herbicides will reduce active ingredient applications

    22 January 2008

    A NEW generation of low dose herbicides will reduce active ingredient applications by up to two-thirds compared with existing products, says DuPont.

  • Maintain upward pressure on prices

    22 January 2008

    THE National Beef Association is maintaining upward price pressure on processors in the light of a strengthening market and says sellers should not necessarily take the first price offered. 

  • Maintain upward pressure on prices

    22 January 2008

    THE National Beef Association is maintaining upward price pressure on processors in the light of a strengthening market and says sellers should not necessarily take the first price offered. 

  • Minister’s Welsh fact-finding mission

    January 25th 2008

    DEFRA Minister, Lord Rooker, has been visiting West Wales – dropping in at the Aberystwyth-based Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research and the neighbouring Farmers Union of Wales headquarters.

  • Most cereals now at mid-tillering stage

    January 25th 2008

    DESPITE this month’s wet weather, most winter cereals around the country are looking generally well, although some oilseed rape crops are continuing to struggle and may have to be replaced this spring, says Susan Twining, senior consultant, ADAS Boxworth.

  • Moving away from the feed bag while breeding an ‘easier-care’ closed flock

    January 25th 2008

    THE Delbridge family has been keeping sheep at Blindwell Farm, North Molton, Devon, a 450-acre hill unit, ever since the land was enclosed from the moor in the 1860s.

  • MPs call for moratorium on biofuel targets

    21 January 2008

    BIOFUEL targets should be scrapped until a sustainable framework is put in place for their development, according to a new report from cross-party MPs.

  • MPs call for moratorium on biofuel targets

    21 January 2008

    BIOFUEL targets should be scrapped until a sustainable framework is put in place for their development, according to a new report from cross-party MPs.

  • MPs call on the Government to set example in its restaurants

    22 January 2008

    MPs have called on the Government to ensure that it sets an example to the public by stocking more free-range eggs and chicken in the House of Commons restaurants.

  • Mutton campaign is helping to increase older ewes’ value

    24 January 2008

    AS part of his support for the Mutton Renaissance Campaign to raise awareness of mutton and to develop a new market for producers, sheep farmers in North Yorkshire were visited by Prince Charles this week.

  • Nan is top dog

    January 25th 2008

    Top sheepdog breeder and handler John Bell (left) started the New Year as he ended the old by yet again achieving top price at Skipton Auction Mart’s opening seasonal sale of working sheepdogs.

  • New Holland T6080

    22 January 2008

    NEW Holland has completed the roll out of the T6000 range with three more models.

  • New initiative announced to develop a UK beef market from male dairy calves

    23 January 2008

    INDUSTRY leaders, politicians and animal welfare charities have given their backing to a scheme to develop a domestic beef market from black and white male dairy calves.

  • New initiative announced to develop a UK beef market from male dairy calves

    23 January 2008

    INDUSTRY leaders, politicians and animal welfare charities have given their backing to a scheme to develop a domestic beef market from black and white male dairy calves.

  • New leader body for Kellands multi drive

    21 January 2008

    Kellands has fitted the American-made New Leader broadcasting body to its Multi Drive unit.

  • New owners’ of Lloyd Maunder plan to expand the operation

    22 January 2008

    SOUTH West poultry firm Lloyd Maunder has been sold to the 2 Sisters Food Group. 

  • New top bulls in Jersey and Ayrshire breeds

    January 25th 2008

    WITHIN other dairy breeds the PLI rankings compiled by MDC breeding+ reveal a new number one in both the Jersey and Ayrshire tables.

  • News in brief

    January 25th 2008

    Footvax now available again

  • NFU Cymru annual meeting

    January 25th 2008

    BARRY ALSTON reports from NFU Cymru’s wide-ranging annual meeting at Builth Wells.

  • No sustainable strategy on bTB, despite £500m cost

    January 25th 2008

    BOVINE tuberculosis has cost taxpayers over £500million since 1997, according to Defra statistics.

  • Not getting local food message

    January 25th 2008

    THE UK public sector has simply not got the message that buying local food helps support local jobs, provides better value and better quality.

  • Old recipes give a new flavour to Scotland’s past

    January 25th 2008

    SOME long forgotten recipes from Scotland’s past have been unearthed, revealing a nation far more cosmopolitan than imagined, says Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

  • Opico Ferticast

    22 January 2008

    OPICO was showing the Ferticast fertiliser broadcaster for using as part of its soil loosening and oilseed rape drilling till-seeding approach.

  • Output boost with switch to finishing

    January 25th 2008

    Increased feed costs and the decision to take all youngstock through to slaughter have meant feed regimes have been closely monitored at Warter Priory Farms. KATIE LOMAS reports.

  • Outward appearance prompts change of herd’s winter feed

    January 25th 2008

    FOLLOWING last winter’s trial out-wintering cattle on kale, this year overgrown grass was experimented with instead.

  • Ownership wrangle may hit supplies

    January 25th 2008

    A decision on future ownership is likely to jeopardise supply to the South Island’s newest dairy factory – New Zealand Dairies (NZDL) in South Canterbury – its largest supplier warns.

  • Painting on a unique living canvas

    January 25th 2008

    Gillian Higgins has a unique way of teaching riders about the science and biomechanics of horses and her lecture-demo business, Horses Inside Out, is going from strength to strength. SARAH JONES meets her to talk about painting horses.

  • Panorama doors for JD Premium tractors

    21 January 2008

    JOHN Deere’s optional Panorama door for Mannheim-built 6000 Premium, 7430 and 7530 Premium tractors was revealed at LAMMA.

  • Partnership aims for sustainable biofuel solution

    January 25th 2008

    A UNITED Kingdom farmer-led renewable energy company has teamed up with Austrian biogas experts to provide a sustainable solution to biogas production.

  • Petrol-like performance from a diesel

    January 25th 2008

    BIG diesel engines have transformed the abilities of large 4x4s. Now, it is possible to have your cake and eat it, and while the cake’s ingredients are not the cheapest, you know it’s going to taste good.

  • Pneumonia research funding

    January 25th 2008

    FUNDING has been given to the Moredun Research Institute to lead a study of Pasteurella multocida, the bacterium responsible for an increasing number of cattle pneumonia cases.

  • Pottinger profi line

    22 January 2008

    POTTINGER’S latest Profi Line power harrow drill combination draws together its Aerosem 3000 drill with the Lion 3001.

  • Pressure group steps up campaign for ban

    24 January 2008

    THE Fairness for Farmers in Europe pressure group is stepping up its campaign to get the European Commission to do a U-turn over its persistent refusal to introduce a total ban on Brazilian beef imports.

  • Princess Royal to unveil Equestrian Hall of Fame wall of honour

    21 January 2008

    HRH The Princess Royal is to unveil a wall of plaques at a prestigious location in London as a permanent tribute to the Laureates of the British Horse Society's Equestrian Hall of Fame.

  • Research underway at Gelli Aur College

    January 25th 2008

    Following his report from the all-Wales Dairy Development Centre last week, BARRY ALSTON looks at some of the other research activities underway at Carmarthenshire's Gelli Aur College.Click here for articles on Gelli Aur College

  • Reviving the art of Leicester cheese making in the county

    January 25th 2008

    Leicester cheese was first made at Sparkenhoe Farm in 1745. ANGELA CALVERT went to see how David and Jo Clarke have revived this traditional art on their farm.

  • Routinely treat lame pigs with anti-inflammatories

    January 25th 2008

    IT should be routine for pig farmers to treat lameness with an anti-inflammatory, rather than just with antibiotics, according to Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company ACMC.

  • Savings needed before new investment

    January 25th 2008

    THE increased milk price may have improved the margins from Gelli Aur’s 420 dairy cows – but already the future profitability of the two herds (one autumn calving and one winter) is beginning to come into question.

  • Scottish policy aims to link every part of the food chain

    January 25th 2008

    THE first steps towards a national policy for food, designed to boost jobs and business, help make food healthier and minimise the environmental impact of food production, manufacture and retail, have been taken by the Scottish Government.

  • Scottish trials results

    January 25th 2008

    MEY (Judge, D. Sutherland, Watten) Nursery (15 ran) 1, E. MacKinnon (Lochcarron) Shep, 96; 2, H. MacLean (Culloden) Roy, 93; 3, H. MacLean (Culloden) Kim, 88; 4, I. MacDonald (Staffin) Don, 79; 5, E. MacKinnon (Lochcarron) Gyp, 77; 6, J. Cameron (Lairg) Nan, 72.

  • Scotts Trinity 22B flail topper

    21 January 2008

    LINCOLNSHIRE-based Scotts Potato Machinery had their Trinity 22B flail topper on display.

  • Several months of benefits from adjusting rations now

    January 25th 2008

    MID-WINTER is an ideal time to tweak rations and reassess options, giving several months to reap the benefits of any improvements before spring turnout, according to KW nutritionist Dave Collett.

  • Sheep industry vulnerable target warns BWMB

    21 January 2008

    THE UK’s national sheep flock was a vulnerable target on the Government’s anti-livestock agenda, warned British Wool Marketing Board chairman Frank Langrish.

  • Sheep industry vulnerable target warns BWMB

    21 January 2008

    THE UK’s national sheep flock was a vulnerable target on the Government’s anti-livestock agenda, warned British Wool Marketing Board chairman Frank Langrish.

  • Sheepdog trials diary

    January 25th 2008

    January 26. MELTHAM Nursery, change of venue to Peat Ponds Farm, Lindley Moor, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD3 3TD, 9am start, enter on field. PEAK FOREST Open and Novice, Perrydale Farm, Peak Forest, Buxton, Derbyshire, 8am start, enter on field, caterer. LAZONBY Open, Cragg Nook, Lazonby, Cumbria, first 45 entries to Mark Elliott tel: 01768 870203, 8am start, those with two dogs to run one before noon. HOLMROOK ...

  • Silverwoods Bygones sale

    21 January 2008

    AN excellent crowd turned out for the opening of Bygones sale of 2008 at Clitheroe auction mart.

  • Simba aqueel 2

    22 January 2008

    SIMBA has refined the Aqueel to come up with the new version – the aptly-named Aqueel 2.

  • Simple temperature check can spot early onset of disease post-calving

    January 25th 2008

    A DAILY temperature-check for cows in the first 10 to 14 days post-calving could help identify the early stages of sickness and enable prompt treatment before they become seriously ill, according to Pfizer Animal Health vet Ben Gaskell.

  • Small parcel £9,000 per acre

    January 25th 2008

    ALMOST £9,000 an acre was realised for 4.865 acres of pasture, including woodland, at Over Kellet, Carnforth, Lancashire when auctioned by Richard Turner and Son, Bentham. It sold for £43,000.

  • Solution to END virus found – trial

    January 25th 2008

    AN American trial conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Centres for Epidemiology and Animal Health have shown the efficacy of DuPont Virkon S in eradicating Exotic Newcastle Disease (END).

  • Soucy track units

    22 January 2008

    COLLINGS Brothers were giving many UK farmers the first glimpse of the Soucy track units.

  • South west cauliflower production under threat

    23 January 2008

    FALLING prices are threatening the long-term future of cauliflower production in the south west, growers in the region are warning.

  • South west cauliflower production under threat

    23 January 2008

    FALLING prices are threatening the long-term future of cauliflower production in the south west, growers in the region are warning.

  • Spreadwise disc-based slurry injector

    21 January 2008

    Spreadwise was among the increasing number of livestock manufacturers attending LAMMA.

  • Subsidy ‘main source of profit’ in farming industry

    23 January 2008

    MOST of farming’s profit comes from ‘subsidy’ and is still not at a level where earnings can be retained.

  • Subsidy ‘main source of profit’ in farming industry

    23 January 2008

    MOST of farming’s profit comes from ‘subsidy’ and is still not at a level where earnings can be retained.

  • Sugar beet growers advised over docking disorder

    23 January 2008

    THE mild winter could lead to high aphid activity again in 2008.

  • Sulky Broadcasters

    22 January 2008

    RECO was showing the Sulky X36 broadcaster which together with the X44 replace the Expert and Magnum range of spreaders.

  • Suton turbo clean

    22 January 2008

    ON the Gurney Reeve stand was the Suton Turbo Clean rotary brush which can be used to sweep the end of cubicles to help control mastitis.

  • Swaledale ewes sell to £2,600 at Hawes

    January 25th 2008

    EWES peaked at £2,600 at the Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association show and sale of registered females at Hawes, North Yorkshire.

  • Tackling illegal damage to habitats and species

    January 25th 2008

    WELSH Assembly backing is being given to the joint efforts by the Countryside Council for Wales and the four Welsh police forces to tackle illegal damage to some of the most precious habitats and species across Wales.

  • TB testing system to be challenged in High Court battle

    24 January 2008

    A SOMERSET organic farming partnership battling to save cattle that tested positive to the gIFN Bovine TB test this week won the right to a full High Court hearing of their case.

  • Thame mart is opening a new centre

    24 January 2008

    THAME Farmers Auction Mart is opening a new Monday auction centre at Home Farm, Foscote near Buckingham with the first sale on February 4.

  • The top team remains intact

    January 25th 2008

    NFU Cymru’s officeholder team remains intact with union president, Carmarthenshire dairy farmer, Dai Davies, and vice-president, Meirionnydd beef and sheep producer, Ed Bailey, both re-elected for a second two-year term.

  • The true cost of cloning?

    25 January 2008

    FG blogger Peter Garbutt reflects on what could be a contentious consumer choice.

  • Tim Stockdale steps down as BSJA marketing chairman

    22 January 2008

    TOP show jumper Tim Stockdale has resigned after considerable deliberation as chairman of the BSJA Marketing and Commercial Committee.

  • Too much red tape in Welsh farming

    22 January 2008

    RED tape farm inspections are costing the Welsh Assembly almost £3 million a year, according to figures obtained by Welsh Conservative AMs.

  • Top ‘Olympic’ job for Hartpury deputy principal

    24 January 2008

    DEPUTY Principal of Hartpury College and equestrian event director, Amanda Bond, is heading to Asia next month to take up the post of chief of Paralympic services, in readiness for this year's Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  • Toyota RAV 4 XT-R

    January 25th 2008

    Toyota has upgraded the specification of its Rav-4 with an XT-R version.

  • True Taste of Wales in Italy

    January 25th 2008

    A True Taste of Wales will be on offer this weekend at one of Italy’s premier culinary events, – the Identita Golose, being staged in Milan on January 27 to 30.Among a range of Welsh food products on display will be Welsh lamb and beef flagged up by red meat promotion body, Hybu Cig Cymru.

  • TURKEY AND BACON RISSOLES

    January 25th 2008

    This recipe was sent in by Marie Hirst of Ightfield, Shropshire.

  • Two-shear Bluefaced Leicester ewe sets new female £5,500 breed record price

    January 25th 2008

    TRADE peaked at 5,500gns at the annual sale of Bluefaced Leicester females at Carlisle, which included dispersals and reduction consignments from some noted flocks.

  • US corn costs to go much higher

    January 25th 2008

    COSTS for US corn production are expected to be 24-35 per cent higher in 2008 than last year depending on seed trait selection.

  • Vaderstad Carrier Drill 300

    22 January 2008

    VADERSTAD has further refined the Carrier Drill 300 with a kit to make it trailed to suit farmers who may have the power to pull but not necessarily lift this cultivator / drill.

  • Valtra t-series gets autoguide

    22 January 2008

    VALTRA has now introduced factory-fitted Autoguide for the T-Series range of 133hp to 211hp tractors.

  • Variety mixtures will reduce barley problems

    January 25th 2008

    THERE is increasing evidence that taller spring barley feed crops are less prone to disease than shorter feed varieties. The exact reasons for this are unclear, but particularly apply to splash borne diseases, SAC’s Dr Steve Hoad told the workshop.

  • Veterinary centre proving beneficial

    January 25th 2008

    RECENT months have seen Gelli Aur taking on the mantle as an offshoot of the Royal Veterinary College – a move proving beneficial to Welsh livestock farmers.

  • Victor Ludorum double for Morgan

    January 25th 2008

    IN the area covered by the South Wales Sheep Dog Trials Association there are awards made to the dogs that achieve the highest number of points in the season.

  • Vigilance needed despite lower wheat bulb fly risk

    22 January 2008

    THE risk of wheat bulb fly damage is lower this year than in recent years, but growers must nevertheless remain vigilant, according Dow AgroSciences.

  • Virus threats seen earlier in seed potatoes

    January 25th 2008

    SEED potato growers will need to start their insecticide applications earlier and put together more comprehensive programmes to tackle an increasing threat of virus transmission by aphids, according to leading Scottish advisor, Stuart Wale of SAC.

  • Watkins tri-till extra

    22 January 2008

    SOUTH Yorkshire manufacturer Philip Watkins has extended his range of mounted Tri-Till cultivators with the development of a trailed model, called the Tri-Till Extra.

  • Watkins twin-axle bulk lime spreader

    22 January 2008

    Demand for a cost-effective, basic specification trailed lime spreader led Philip Watkins to develop a twin-axle bulk spreader.

  • Weaving 400h cultivator

    22 January 2008

    WEAVING Machinery has introduced a trailed version of its Multidisc cultivator as it seeks wider working widths, without imposing excessive weight on a tractor’s three-point linkage.

  • Welsh badger culling proposal not useful - Badger Trust Cymru

    22 January 2008

    A PROPOSAL for a badger culling trial in Wales had no scientific validity and would serve no useful purpose, according to Badger Trust Cymru, which has ‘warmly welcomed’ a new report from the Welsh Assembly’s rural development sub-committee into tackling bovine TB.

  • Welsh trials results

    January 25th 2008

    Victor Ludorum – National style; 1, E.L. Morgan (Aberystwyth) Fred, 54; 2, K. Evans (Libanus) Spot, 50; 3, L.N. Watkins (Llangadog) Lad, 39.5. South Wales style: 1, E.L. Morgan, Sally, 16; 2, E. Evans (Llangammarch Wells) Meg, 15; 3= Roy Jones (Llanafan Fawr) Jim, and E.L. Morgan, Fred, 12.

  • When the time comes to say goodbye

    25 January 2008

    OWNING a horse, pony or donkey carries with it many responsibilities: one of the most important of these is being prepared to arrange the humane destruction of your animal should the situation arise. It is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly and every horse owner should give the matter their full consideration.

  • Win tickets to the British Open

    25 January 2008

    FARMERS Guardian has joined up with the British Open Show Jumping Championships to offer two pairs of tickets to the show at the NEC arena in Birmingham on Thursday April 3.

  • XC70 is better off-road than predecessor

    January 25th 2008

    PRACTICALITY and space is the name of the game when it comes to Volvo estate cars, and the V70 model is no exception. But add in a full-time four-wheel drive system, raised suspension and bold body mouldings, and the scene is set for a halfway house between estate and full sized 4x4.

  • Yields ‘consistent’ across establishment methods

    January 25th 2008

    GOOD seed-to-soil contact should be the primary aim when establishing oilseed rape. While there are various crop establishment methods available, in practice there is likely to be little between them in terms of yield as long as crops establish well. These are the conclusions drawn to date from CAT trials into oilseed rape establishment conducted over the last two seasons and continuing this season.

  • Zetor Proxima and Proxima Plus

    22 January 2008

    ZETOR was showing the new Proxima and Proxima Plus range of tractors including a cabless version which will be making its way to Cumbria.

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