Farmers Guardian
January 4th 2008

  • 60 per cent of English SPS claimants paid – but RPA still a long way from meeting targets

    9 January 2008

    MORE than 60 per cent of all claimants in England have now received their 2007 Single Payments in full.

  • A chip off the old block

    January 4th 2008

    STUDENTS at Writtle College have planted, harvested and served their own chips on the campus.

  • Bicton College head resigns

    January 4th 2008

    THE principal of Bicton College has announced his resignation after four years’ service to return to general further education. Appointed in 2003, Peter Sadler led the college through a difficult but successful period including its best-ever inspection results and highest academic success levels.

  • Bridging the gap between university and work

    January 4th 2008

    NINE trainees became the first to join a new postgraduate certificate for the fresh produce industry in a new initiative co-launched by Harper Adams University College.

  • Briggs Irrigation pumps

    January 4th 2008

    Briggs Irrigation has developed a new phone control system for its pumps. There are two versions of the system.

  • Carbon calculator will work out farmers’ green credentials

    4 January 2008

    A WEB based calculator to help farmers work out the balance of greenhouse gases emitted by their business against the carbon stored in their trees and soil will be available from March this year.

  • Claas Arion and Tucano

    January 4th 2008

    Claas dealers Marsh and Seward will be giving tractors from the Arion line-up their first public UK showing, along with the Tucano combines.

  • Collapse of pig firm hits contracted farmers

    9 January 2008

    THE British pig industry was rocked this week with the news that Yorkshire-based pig companies DRS Pigs and MCB Sow Company have gone into administration with debts said to be in excess of £3m.

  • Collapse of pig firm hits contracted farmers

    9 January 2008

    THE British pig industry was rocked this week with the news that Yorkshire-based pig companies DRS Pigs and MCB Sow Company have gone into administration with debts said to be in excess of £3m.

  • Collapse of pig firm hits contracted farmers

    9 January 2008

    THE British pig industry was rocked this week with the news that Yorkshire-based pig companies DRS Pigs and MCB Sow Company have gone into administration with debts said to be in excess of £3m.

  • Cultivation and sprayer business adapting to meet changing markets

    January 4th 2008

    Having spent the last eight years consolidating its business, Knight Farm Machinery reckons to have a level of factory infrastructure in place to cope with its evolving sprayer and cultivation business. Geoff Ashcroft reports.

  • Disease Management

    January 4th 2008

    BROWN rust will be on the agenda at the forthcoming HGCA Disease Management workshops but so to will be the latest information on control of septoria, yellow rust and mildew.

  • Dodson & Horrell shows environmental commitment

    3 January 2008

    DODSON & Horrell has been recognised for its successful implementation of an effective Environmental Management System throughout the company.

  • Drain away those container residues

    January 4th 2008

    Having won a certificate of merit in the 2007 LAMMA farm inventions competition, the Lydel Portable Drainage Module has gone into commercial production. Geoff Ashcroft looks at a genuine British designed and built gadget that is claimed to remove spray can residues.

  • English trials results

    January 4th 2008

    BRETHERTON Charity Trial, Nursery (30 ran): 1, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Spud, 81 of 90; 2, S. Duckworth (Haslingden) Spy, 80; 3, Richard Hutchinson (Littledale) Tot, 78; 4, V. Fox (Withgill) Jaff, 74; 5, S. Cropper (Deerplay) Black, 73.

  • Europe must ditch GM hang-up

    4 January 2008

    GENETICALLY modified crops must be encouraged into European agriculture if tough climate change, feed price and food security issues are to be mitigated.

  • Expect longer lead times as European demand increases

    January 4th 2008

    It could just be the machinery industry is moving into better times – cautious optimism, is what most are calling it. But such new found business appears to have caught manufacturers on the hop with production and delivery problems likely to be a feature of the coming year. Andy Collings reports.

  • Experts predict a rapid rise in bluetongue in 2008 but a cold winter will bring a brief reprieve

    January 4th 2008

    BLUETONGUE restrictions are continuing to make life hard for farmers in the south of England, but the situation could get much worse in 2008 with experts predicting a rapid rise in infections across the country.

  • Exports can balance retailer power

    4 January 2008

    IF it was not for the export markets for both cattle and lambs, supermarkets would 'would screw livestock producers through the floor'.

  • Extra caution needed for pregnant women during lambing season

    9 January 2008

    FARMERS have been reminded of their responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women during the lambing season.

  • Extra caution needed for pregnant women during lambing season

    9 January 2008

    FARMERS have been reminded of their responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women during the lambing season.

  • Farmers must 'seize the moment' - Benn

    3 January 2008

    DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn has told farmers it is up to them to ‘seize the moment’ and take the opportunities presented to them by the massive changes taking place across the globe.

  • Festive cheer for farmers as Single Payments continue to flow in England

    3 January 2008

    NEARLY 50,000 farmers in England had received full Single Payments worth £497 million by the end of 2007, the Rural Payments Agency has announced.

  • Glanbia going strong

    9 January 2008

    INTERNATIONAL dairy foods and nutritional ingredients group Glanbia reports a strong performance in 2007 with earnings per share expected to be at the upper end of market expectations.

  • Government has paid £63m in SPS fines - so far

    9 January 2008

    THE Government paid out £63 million to Brussels in 2006/7 in penalties for late payment of 2005 Single Payments, Junior Defra Minister Jonathan Shaw has revealed.

  • Government has paid £63m in SPS fines - so far

    9 January 2008

    THE Government paid out £63 million to Brussels in 2006/7 in penalties for late payment of 2005 Single Payments, Junior Defra Minister Jonathan Shaw has revealed.

  • Handful of dedicated growers key to Anya variety’s success

    January 4th 2008

    GROWING a potato that tastes good is the key focus for MBMG specialist procurement manager and agronomist, Peter Cocks, when he produces the speciality potato Anya with a few dedicated growers around the country.

  • Higher output and low costs ensures hill farm profitability

    January 4th 2008

    ONE of the biggest differences between the figures for top third LFA breeding flocks and bottom third is lamb output – and that is one area where Bill Elliot is doing very well.

  • Husbandry guide for Westminster

    3 January 2008

    PLANT breeders Nickerson have published a husbandry guide for Westminster, the high-yielding spring malting barley, which was given full approval for brewing in 2007.

  • Jamie cries ‘fowl’ over animal welfare

    4 January 2008

    JAMIE Oliver has called on the public to ‘buy British and buy better welfare’ when it comes to chicken as he begins his latest campaign to change how poultry is produced in the UK.

  • John Deere on tour

    January 4th 2008

    The LAMMA Show will be part of John Deere’s New Horizon tour in England. The machinery tour has already covered Scotland and Ireland, with over 5,000 people attending so far to see the firm’s latest tractors, self-propelled sprayer, self-propelled forage harvester and T-Series combine.

  • Kendall calls on Government to recognise key role of farmers

    3 January 2008

    NFU president Peter Kendall has called on the Government to recognise the key role farming will have to play over the years ahead in securing Britain’s food supply and fighting climate change.

  • Lamb market recovery to continue, but slowly

    January 4th 2008

    INDUSTRY analysts are expecting to see the lamb market continue its recovery in 2008, but the return to normality will not be quick or easy, they say.

  • LAMMA 2008 a record breaker

    January 4th 2008

    After the first LAMMA Show, which took place at the Lincolnshire Showground in 1981, it is fair to say that no-one involved in the organisation of that event would have thought that the show would grow, both in size and importance, to command such an important place in today’s agricultural show calendar.

  • LAMMA travel advice

    January 4th 2008

    Allow plenty of time if using the A1 to get to the Newark Showground as there are a number of roadworks in the area.

  • Landeg urges vigilance and improved biosecurity in 2008

    4 January 2008

    ACTING chief Government vet Fred Landeg has issued a plea to farmers to learn the lessons of 2007, as the new year begins with the threat of further disease incursions still hanging over the industry.

  • Less weight does no harm to output

    January 4th 2008

    Suffolk farmer Robert Watts took plunge with one of the first of Claas’s new Tucano combines in 2007.

  • LFA breeding flocks – optimise output and don’t forget fixed costs

    January 4th 2008

    We continue our in-depth exploration of the annual Business Pointers figures from the English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex) with a look at sheep breeding flocks in Less Favoured Areas.

  • M&S bird imports 'a one-off'

    3 January 2008

    MARKS and Spencer has said it is not looking to import turkeys next Christmas after it came in for criticism from farmers for stocking Brazilian birds in 2007.

  • Matching the output of harvest machinery

    January 4th 2008

    According to one exhibitor who will be attending the LAMMA Show in January, this event could be one of the most promising for many years.

  • McDonalds chief outlines new opportunities in food service sector

    4 January 2008

    THE chief executive of the UK’s biggest fast food chain has outlined how changing consumer habits have provided new opportunities for farmers in the food service sector.

  • McDonalds chief outlines new opportunities in food service sector

    4 January 2008

    THE chief executive of the UK’s biggest fast food chain has outlined how changing consumer habits have provided new opportunities for farmers in the food service sector.

  • Minimising the risk of avian flu to your flocks with good biosecurity

    January 4th 2008

    AVIAN flu will be an ever-present threat to UK poultry farms in 2008, but there are several things farmers can do to minimise the risks to their flocks.

  • Mitchell-Rowlands Trio Drainjetter bowser version

    January 4th 2008

    Mitchell Rowlands will be displaying the Trio Drainjetter at this year’s LAMMA. This trailed machine is said to meet the demands of customers requiring a bowser version of the professional drain-jetter.

  • More businesses in agriculture fail compared to other sectors

    January 4th 2008

    MORE agriculturally related businesses failed last year in contrast to a national trend which saw a near nine per cent fall in the failures rate for most sectors of industry.

  • Mynach herd tops Limousins

    January 4th 2008

    THE winner of the 2007 South Wales and Mid West Limousin Breeders’ Club herd competition was E.D. Griffiths with his Mynach herd. The judge was Jim Bloom.

  • New Holland T6000 series

    January 4th 2008

    New Holland will complete the T6000 range of tractors with three more models to replace the remaining TM models.

  • New miniature pig breed now world famous

    January 4th 2008

    Worldwide media interest has recently centred on a farm where Chris and Nicky Murray have developed a breeding programme to produce miniature pigs. KATIE ROEBUCK went to Pennywell Farm to discover what makes these little creatures so desirable.

  • NFU Mutal Bonus scheme benefits renewing customers

    9 January 2008

    DESPITE record flood claims totalling over £112m in last year’s floods and storms, the NFU Mutual will be returning up to 10 per cent of renewing customers’ premiums in 2008 through its Mutual Bonus scheme.The exact amount of benefit each policyholder will receive depends on the length of time they have insured with the company.

  • Offering that something extra

    January 4th 2008

    GIVEN today’s competitive market place being able to offer buyers that something extra can make a big difference to livestock returns.

  • Olympia – the London International Horse Show

    January 4th 2008

    IT was undisputedly Robert Whitaker’s Olympia, and a capacity home crowd were only too happy to cheer one of their heroes to victory again and again.

  • OMSCo invest in UK organic dairy future

    January 4th 2008

    THE Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo) has awarded a bursary to four, young organic dairy farmers.

  • Oxford Farming Conference to focus on climate change

    2 January 2008

    DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn is due to head the list of speakers at this year’s Oxford Farming Conference, taking place on Thursday and Friday (January 3 and 4).

  • Peak time labour problems? Putting growers and employees in touch with each other

    January 4th 2008

    As most farmers will know, finding experienced labour to help out at peak times is not now an easy task. Andy Collings takes a look at an internet-based operation which aims to put growers and prospective employees in touch with each other.

  • Poultry farming under the spotlight

    3 January 2008

    THE way poultry is farmed in the UK is set to become a hot topic in the coming weeks with celebrity chefs and animal welfare charities launching campaigns on the issue.

  • Profitable Farming Company

    January 4th 2008

    Devonshire-based Profitable Farming Company will be at LAMMA for the first time. They market the Baler’s Choice hay preservative application system for fitting to square and round balers.

  • Providing extra labour for machinery ring members

    January 4th 2008

    Andrew Whittam manages the Ridings Machinery Ring based at Shipton, North Yorkshire, and has used the services of 4Xtrahands to provide labour for several of the ring’s members.

  • Raising public awareness of spelt’s benefits

    4 January 2008

    As an ancient grain and a distant cousin to wheat, spelt is receiving renewed recognition as a healthy and versatile ‘super-crop’. KATIE ROEBUCK visits a South West farm working hard to market the niche product.

  • Raising public awareness of spelt’s benefits

    3 January 2008

    As an ancient grain and a distant cousin to wheat, spelt is receiving renewed recognition as a healthy and versatile ‘super-crop’. KATIE ROEBUCK visits a South West farm working hard to market the niche product.

  • Raising public awareness of spelt’s benefits

    3 January 2008

    As an ancient grain and a distant cousin to wheat, spelt is receiving renewed recognition as a healthy and versatile ‘super-crop’. KATIE ROEBUCK visits a South West farm working hard to market the niche product.

  • Record numbers on Dorset courses

    January 4th 2008

    DORSET College is celebrating the recruitment of a record number of agriculture students for 2007/08.

  • Reducing costs with a single pass

    January 4th 2008

    One Norfolk grower has halved his oilseed rape establishment costs by switching to a Kverneland CTC stubble cultivator equipped with Stocks Turbojet seeder. Geoff Ashcroft looks at his one-pass system.

  • Report examines trends in food production and consumption

    3 January 2008

    A NEW report into the challenges faced by the food sector identifies food security and climate change as two of the key issues for the Government to get to grips with.

  • Ritchie bale unroller

    January 4th 2008

    Ritchie has developed a round bale unroller.

  • Royal Lancashire Show plans meet with objections

    2 January 2008

    CONTROVERSIAL plans for the Royal Lancashire Show to move onto a 220-acre rural park on Duchy of Lancaster land at Myerscough, near Garstang, have met with more than 100 objections, including one from two other shows staged nearby.

  • Scottish bluetongue case

    3 January 2008

    SCOTTISH vets have detected the bluetongue virus in cattle imported from Germany, prompting fresh calls for a clampdown on live exports from infected areas of the EU.

  • Scottish trials results

    January 4th 2008

    CARCANT (Judge, J. Robinson, Springhill) Nursery (18 ran) 1, J. Hill (Heriot) Bob, 95/100; 2, J. Hill (Heriot) Kim, 93; 3, R.B. Henderson (Carcant) Lad, 89; 4, I. Fleming (Douglas) Lyn, 85; 5, A. Aitchison (West Linton) Coll, 84; 6, V. Parkes (Yarrow) Tweedhope Lad, 80. Novice, 1, I. Fleming (Douglas) Lyn, 85; 2, L Bateman (Saughtree) Dean, 75; 3, D. Wallace (Blythbank) Vic, 70; 4, M. Thompson (Rosewell) Jaff, 72.

  • Sheepdog trials results

    January 4th 2008

    ENGLAND - 5 January. YORKSHIRE, Nursery, Trawden Showfield, Trawden, Colne, Lancashire, 9am start, enter on field, caterer. MELTHAM Nursery, Scarr View Farm, Lindley Moor, Huddersfield, HD3 3SZ, 9am start, enter on field. RYEDALE, Nursery, Glebe Farm, Pickering, North Yorkshire, 10am start, enter on field. WINDERMERE, Nursery, Lee End Farm, Quernmore, Lancaster, LA2 9EE, 10am start, enter on field before ...

  • Should food innovation present an opportunity or a threat?

    4 January 2008

    THE value of food eaten by UK residents inside and outside the home has almost doubled in the past decade to well over £115 billion per year.

  • Simba SL trailed cultivators

    January 4th 2008

    The disc and tine layout of the SL trailed cultivators from Simba can be altered to suit differing conditions and requirements.

  • Special feature

    January 4th 2008

    THERE has never been a year like it. Like Biblical plagues, hugely damaging livestock diseases arrived one after the other in rapid succession in the second half of 2007.

  • Stockdale Partners head prize list

    January 4th 2008

    AFTER a close inspection of the annual figures the winners of the Yorkshire County Milk Recording Herd Competitions have been announced.

  • Syngenta launches new contact herbicide

    3 January 2008

    A NEW contact herbicide from Syngenta has been launched to give growers a direct replacement for the no longer available PDQ (diquat+paraquat), the former industry standard spring contact herbicide.

  • Tanco Autowrap bale wrapper

    January 4th 2008

    Bale wrapper manufacturer Tanco has developed an up-ending kit for its Autowrap 1300 series. This mounted wrapper can be used on a loader or a tractor’s rear linkage in conjunction with a hydraulic top-link.To release the round bale, the hydraulic-powered rotating rollers open in the usual manner and a bumper is pushed forward, placing the wrapped bale on its flat side, either at the stack or in the field.

  • Trials galore over the holiday period

    January 4th 2008

    Henry Mee hosted a nursery at Bretherton, Lancashire. Over a flat course the running was on mixed hoggs that were good to manage. Peter Fox of Clitheroe, judged the entry of 30.

  • Using both ends cuts fuel costs

    January 4th 2008

    An advocate of making use of both ends of the tractor, Charles Albutt is staying upfront on cultivations with a disc cultivator, and tines on the rear take out any compaction. Jane Carley reports

  • Utilise the knowledge we already have in farming

    January 4th 2008

    VIEWPOINT: By Mike Keeble

  • Viability of organic beef in the balance

    4 January 2008

    MANY organic beef producers are not being paid enough to cover their costs of production.

  • Viability of organic beef in the balance

    4 January 2008

    MANY organic beef producers are not being paid enough to cover their costs of production.

  • Welsh and Scots fear Bluetongue movements

    9 January 2008

    FOLLOWING three positive cases of Bluetongue in the UK in animals imported from restricted areas in Europe, the Welsh chief vet has joined a growing number experts calling for a stop to imports.

  • Welsh trials results

    January 4th 2008

    TYNWERN Open. Session 1: 1, M. Jones (Maesybont) Joe, 12; 2, C. Gordon (Gower) Jess, 13; 3, L.N. Watkins (Llangadog) Lad, 14; 4, G. Owen (Penybont) Taff, 16; 5, G. James (Crymmych) Holly 17olf; 6, D. Evans (Libanus) Floss, 17.

  • What impact will new Brazilian beef restrictions have on trade?

    2 January 2008

    WITH the decision taken before Christmas to restrict access to the European market for Brazilian beef, the key question, as life returns to normal in Brussels after the holiday break, is what impact the new restrictions will have on trade - and how long they will last.

  • What impact will new Brazilian beef restrictions have on trade?

    2 January 2008

    WITH the decision taken before Christmas to restrict access to the European market for Brazilian beef, the key question, as life returns to normal in Brussels after the holiday break, is what impact the new restrictions will have on trade - and how long they will last.

Most popular

Most commented