Farmers Guardian
July 1, 2011

  • Sexed Asterix

    July 1, 2011

    ?THE Holstein sire Askew Reece died last month, leaving behind a proof of 3,861 daughters in 791 herds. The Mtoto son leaves only limited stocks with Genus ABS.

  • 5,400gns NI top call at Beeston

    July 1, 2011

    A TOP price of 5,400gns was achieved at last week’s Western Holstein Club sale at Beeston market with the top seller going to a breeder from Northern Ireland.

  • A dangerous disease returns to Europe

    July 1, 2011

    THERE have been two recent outbreaks of the serious notifiable equine disease dourine in Catania, Sicily.

  • ADF awarded

    July 1, 2011

    ?A UK product has won New Zealand’s ‘equipment of the year’ award. ADF - the automatic dipping and flushing system for milking parlours - was praised for its innovative design and benefits to milking hygiene and productivity.In response to demand from Kiwi farmers, ADF has recently employed a technical sales manager for New Zealand.

  • Anniversary of Cheese and Dairy Show

    July 1, 2011

    ?The Great Yorkshire Show is fast approaching, Angela Calvert takes a look at what visitors can expect.

  • Around the marts - June 30

    July 1, 2011

    A news round-up from around the UK’s livestock auction marts.

  • Assessing beet varieties’ susceptibility to BCN

    July 1, 2011

    A BBRO-funded project is underway at Broom’s Barn this season to assess sugar beet varieties and their susceptibility to beet cyst nematode (BCN).

  • Auditors tell EU to limit payments to 'active farmers'

    30 June 2011

    THE European Court of Auditors (ECA) has recommended that Single Payments should in future be limited to ‘active farmers’ and capped to ensure fairer distribution.

  • Barley growers aim for most environmentally-friendly beer

    27 June 2011

    A LEADING malt supplier has embarked on a ground-breaking experiment which could slash the carbon footprint of a host of popular food and drink including beer, bread and biscuits.

  • Brisk trade as Hereford mart opens its doors

    July 1, 2011

    THE opening sale at the new Hereford livestock market was held last week with 5,420 sheep, 202 store cattle and 51 beef breeding cattle forward.

  • Calved heifer sells at Bristol for 3,000gns

    July 1, 2011

    PRICES rose to 3,000gns at the June collective Bristol dairy sale with the top price achieved for a calved heifer, Marcroft Bolton Pocahontas, consigned by W.J. and P. Puddy, Highbridge, Somerset.

  • Can indoor lamb match consumer preference for premier grass-fed?

    July 1, 2011

    A NEW feeding strategy for indoor lambs could benefit the whole supply chain by enhancing consumer demand.

  • CAP budget deal ‘as good as can be expected’

    1 July 2011

    THE funding deal for next Common Agricultural Policy is as good as can be expected in the economic circumstances, UK farming unions have said.  

  • Careful management is key to making most of clover

    July 1, 2011

    Grass and forage special feature

  • Change on the horizon for hydro-power schemes

    28 June 2011

    AN energy firm which has been lobbying the Government over its accreditation system for hyrdo-power schemes has welcomed ‘significant changes’ announced by the coalition.

  • Charollais’ successful run continues on at Lincoln

    July 1, 2011

    THE Charollais ewe, Dalby Jessica, made it three in a row when she took the inter-breed championship at the Lincolnshire Show following wins at Newark and Nottinghamshire and the East of England.

  • Commission proposes cuts to CAP budget

    29 June 2011

    THE annual Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget is set to be steadily reduced between 2014 and 2020, the European Commission has proposed.

  • Confidence in arable prompts expansion plans

    30 June 2011

    THE percentage of arable farmers with ambitions to expand is increasing ­ slightly.

  • Conservation and intensive growing can fit like a glove

    July 1, 2011

    The Piccaver family, winners of FWAG’s Silver Lapwing Award 2010, farm intentionally to encourage conversation alongside Jepco, their commercial farming business. Angela Calvert meets manager, Phillip Hubbart, to discover their winning methods

  • Cothi Bridge Show, Carmarthen

    July 1, 2011

    Results from the 2011 Cothi Bridge Show.

  • Cowmen Comment: It’s the sheer scale of things that really makes you think

    July 1, 2011

    Five miles out I smelt it. Two miles out I saw the haze - a mixture of dust and ammonia hanging ominously in the California sun, and then there it was. A 100,000 head of beef which is a lot by anyone’s standards!

  • Cowmen Comment: Why we ended up cutting grass in front of the cows

    July 1, 2011

    First cut silage was completed on April 25 in excellent weather and without major problems other than a flat battery on the raking tractor.

  • Cows fenced in over public safety fears

    29 June 2011

    COWS that have grazed next to the Thames for 200 years are to be enclosed behind an electric fence after fears over public safety.

  • Dairy Farmer July digital edition

    11 July 2011

    Don’t miss this month’s Dairy Farmer. Take a look at the digital edition today.

  • DairyCo commit to £5m R&D plans

    July 1, 2011

    ?AMBITIOUS research and development plans have been announced by DairyCo, with £5 million committed to two new research partnerships for the next five years.

  • Diet blends calculator

    July 1, 2011

    ?A BLENDS calculator has been launched by BOCM Pauls to help farmers formulate diets for ruminant livestock.

  • Doing nothing on badgers and TB ‘unacceptable’- Paice

    30 June 2011

    FARMING Minister Jim Paice has insisted, days ahead of an expected announcement on a badger cull in England, that maintaining the current policy is unacceptable.

  • Dominic Naylor: Farm tours bring useful exchange of views followed by welcome fall in futures

    30 June 2011

    I’ve conducted several farm tours this month, which are always enjoyable. While it makes for a long day, the exchange of views is useful and entertaining.

  • Easily incorporate omega-3

    July 1, 2011

    ?A FORMULATION change for Optivite’s Optomega-50 means the omega-3 fatty acid supplement now flows more freely, making it easier toincorporate into all feeds, concentrates and mineral supplements.Details on 01909 537 380 or www.optivite.co.uk.

  • Ecosyl new launches

    July 1, 2011

    ?THREE new products are now available through Rosebeck Services, a division of Ecosyl Products which sells Neolait products in the UK.

  • Equine section prize money boost

    July 1, 2011

    The Great Yorkshire Show is fast approaching, Angela Calvert takes a look at what visitors can expect.

  • EU confirms end of ‘zero tolerance’ GM feed policy

    27 June 2011

    THE European Commission has confirmed a change in the regulations that will end the EU’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy on GM contamination of feed imports.

  • Farmers given chance to air views on health and safety

    28 June 2011

    FARMERS will be given the chance to air their views surrounding health and safety as part of a new initiative to try and reduce the burden of red tape.

  • Farmers withdraw support in protest at Welsh cull delay

    29 June 2011

    FARMER fury has erupted in Wales over the Welsh Government’s decision to put the planned West Wales bovine TB eradication badger cull on hold.

  • Father and son from County Down win Holstein NI competition

    29 June 2011

    THE Drumbo herd of father and son team Desi and Gary Reid has been crowned the overall winner of Holstein Northern IrelandI’s herds inspection competition.

  • First shearing championship

    July 1, 2011

    The Great Yorkshire Show is fast approaching, Angela Calvert takes a look at what visitors can expect.

  • Focus on the future when setting farm targets

    July 1, 2011

    ?MORE consideration needs to be given to what information is recorded on dairy farms, how the data is used and how targets are set, said Steve Eicker of US company Valley Ag Software.Rear view

  • Former supermarket chief gets hands-on in new beef enterprise

    28 June 2011

    Angela Calvert talks to Yorkshire Agricultural Society retiring president Sir Ken Morrison, the founder of Morrisons supermarket, who has no thoughts of taking it easy.

  • Free tickets offered for AD trade show

    27 June 2011

    FARMERS will be able to uncover a wealth of information about anaerobic digestion (AD) including how it can reduce slurry and slash fertiliser costs at an event next week.  

  • Freshly calved heifer Dahlia tops Manor dispersal at 2,100gns

    July 1, 2011

    WHEN the 256-strong Manor Holstein herd was dispersed on farm for M.P. and E. Leigh-Firbank, Wiveliscombe, Somerset, the sale achieved a top price of 2,100gns.

  • Getting the diet right has given greater flexibility

    29 June 2011

    The British Grassland Society annual tour kicks off this weekend, lasting through to Wednesday (July 6) and this year, farmers are visiting Somerset and Devon. Jane Brown reports on one of the farms they will visit.

  • Good evans: Four extra cows created havoc in milking parlour

    July 1, 2011

    With a complete turnaround in approach, Roger Evans has managed to cut an hour off milking time but contrary to what you may think it wasn’t all down to squeezing 28 cows into 24 places!

  • Growers demand second E.coli compensation package

    29 June 2011

    THE European Commission has come under renewed pressure to provide a further compensation package for growers hit by the E.coli crisis.

  • Growers to receive 2012 beet contracts

    1 July 2011

    British Sugar and the NFU have announced the start of the sugar beet crop round of contracting for 2012 including the new price, and the availability of an extra 500,000 tonnes of industrial beet contract.

  • GYS: Enter the world of high fashion

    July 1, 2011

    The race is on to find the faces of the 2011 Great Yorkshire Show. The show’s Country Catwalk Stars competition was launched to find aspiring models, between 16 and 29, who live and work in the countryside.

  • Hamish and Roy master flighty clipped Cheviots

    July 1, 2011

    A WELL controlled run, with his dog, Roy, in the right place at all times, gave Hamish MacLean a comfortable lead over the field at Lairg.

  • Hemmings’ reduction to £1,650 twice

    July 1, 2011

    THERE was a ‘flying’ trade reported when E.R. Hemmings and Co, Stroud, Gloucestershire, held a reduction sale of their commercial beef herd at Cirencester market.

  • Henson's small-scale farmers range

    July 1, 2011

    ?TV presenter Adam Henson and feed company Zintec have joined together to launch Adam Henson Smallholder, marketing a range of molasses mineral licks and feed supplements for small-scale livestock farmers, poultry keepers, horse/pony, alpaca and llama owners.Details on 08005 873 025 or www.ahsmallholder.com

  • High milk yield and good fertility is possible

    July 1, 2011

    ?Numbers swelled yet again at this year’s Large Herd Seminar, where the focus was on data collection and monitoring performance within dairy herds. Joanne Pugh reports from Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

  • Important changes at Farmers Guardian online

    30 June 2011

    OVER the next couple of weeks you might notice some changes on www.farmersguardian.com as we look to improve the site and provide you with more relevant content for your business.

  • Infra-red testing makes for faster muck analysis

    July 1, 2011

    Research scientists have developed what is claimed to be the first fast and cost effective method to predict the nutrient content of manures, slurries and biosolids.

  • Ipswich seed company plays down e coli link

    27 June 2011

    A BRITISH seed mail order company linked to an outbreak of e coli in France has insisted it is ‘highly unlikely’ to be at fault.

  • John Carter’s dogs are on top form in Cornwall

    July 1, 2011

    AT the Cornwall Tremeer trial at Carruan on Sunday, John Carter won both the Maltese cross classes, while John Wheaton was the winner of the open driving.

  • John Deere's biggest ever product launch

    28 June 2011

    JOHN Deere’s biggest ever product launch included a brand new tractor and an evolution of an old favourite. James Rickard reports.

  • John Gordon: Growth slow, but shorter grass means less scald in lambs

    July 1, 2011

    By the time you read this, I hope to have returned from a successful Royal Highland Show and be well on the way to filling our silage pit – God willing.

  • Kendall urges MPs to give adjudicator more power

    30 June 2011

    NFU President Peter Kendall has urged the Government to allow the supermarket adjudicator to be more proactive than currently proposed. 

  • Lancaster dairy sale sees 100 per cent clearance

    July 1, 2011

    AN entry of 42 dairy achieved a 100 per cent clearance on Monday at Lancaster mart’s pedigree and commercial dairy sale, which included cattle from Lancashire Holstein Club members.

  • Learning to fine tune the design in future buildings

    July 1, 2011

    Making a mirror image of a successful building is a clear indication the building is working well. Ann Hardy visits a Shropshire farm to hear the lessons learned during a decade of building and to discover why the ‘final design’ was one worth repeating.

  • Lincolnshire Show results

    July 1, 2011

    ALL the results from the 2011 Lincolnshire Show

  • Link from infectious disease to metabolic disorders

    July 1, 2011

    ?DAIRY cows encountering metabolic disorders as well as infectious disease in early lactation was not a coincidence, said Barry Bradford of Kansas State University, USA.

  • Living antibiotic reduces salmonella

    July 1, 2011

    ?SCIENTISTS have reduced salmonella in the guts of live chickens by injecting them with a living ‘antibiotic’ bacterium.

  • Lowther dispersal attracts buyers from far afield

    July 1, 2011

    BUYERS from Aberdeen to Devon were present at Penrith mart on Monday when Lowther Park Farms, Lowther, Penrith, dispersed their herd of 220 beef breeding cows and calves.

  • MEPs back mandatory milk contracts

    28 June 2011

    A SCOTTISH MEP has hailed yesterday’s (Monday, June 27) vote on the Nicholson Report on contractual relations in the milk sector as a major boost for the country’s milk producers.

  • Milking sleeves

    July 1, 2011

    ?DRYTEX milking sleeves with rubber cuffs are available from Dairy Spares, claimed to be better at keeping arms dry than those with elasticated cuffs. Pairs cost £14.95 plus VAT.Details on 01948 667 676 or www.dairyspares.co.uk

  • MPs urge Defra to withhold RPA bonuses

    1 July 2011

    MPS have urged Defra Secretary Caroline Spelman to withhold bonuses to Rural Payments Agency (RPA) staff until the organisation has ‘significantly improved its performance’.

  • Muntons begin carbon initiative

    July 1, 2011

    MALT supplier Muntons is aiming to slash the carbon footprint of a host of popular food and drink items including beer, bread and biscuits.

  • Mustard as a fumigant ahead of beet

    July 1, 2011

    BY investing in a ‘novel’ mustard crop after cereal harvest and prior to sugar beet drilling in the spring, growers could reduce beet cyst nematode (BCN) levels as well as improve soil biomass and crop yields.

  • New code of practice for Tesco dairy farmers

    30 June 2011

    THE Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) is launching a new code of on-farm practice for its producers.

  • New dairy hygeine inspection regime begins

    1 July 2011

    THE number of dairy hygiene inspections on dairy farms will be significantly reduced under a new system that into force today. 

  • Newer formulations perform better in beet

    July 1, 2011

    Sugar beet research work at Broom’s Barn this season is focusing on herbicide performance and varietal susceptibility to beet cyst nematode (BCN). Dominic Kilburn reports.

  • NFU looks to change voting system

    1 July 2011

    THE NFU council has agreed to ask the Electoral Reform Society to advise it on how make the election of its senior officeholders more ‘equitable’.

  • Norfolk farmers learn more about renewable energy

    July 1, 2011

    FARMERS in Norfolk have been given the chance to learn more about cutting rising fuel and electricity costs, reducing carbon and potentially gaining an additional source of revenue at a renewable energy conference.

  • North Yorkshire Show, Northallerton

    July 1, 2011

    Results from the 2011 North Yorkshire Show.

  • Open Farm Sunday attracts 120,000 visitors

    28 June 2011

    THE rain did not deter visitors who turned out in mass for LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday.More than 120,000 people descended on the 362 farms which opened their doors for the day.

  • Options to find at-risk fresh cows

    July 1, 2011

    ?WORK at Cornell University, USA, suggests quick and easy blood tests before and after calving could identify cow and heifers at greatest risk of problems in early lactation, said Thomas Overton, associate professor.

  • Options to help mitigate grass seed shortages

    July 1, 2011

    ?THE shortage of clover and grass seed currently experienced by UK growers is only likely to get worse for the 2011 autumn, as climatic conditions affect supply, said Francis Dunne of Field Options.

  • Own brands from Mole Valley

    July 1, 2011

    ?AN ‘own brand’ range of products is now available from Mole Valley Farmers. The first product is from Molecare Animal Health is Molemec cattle wormer (ivermectin-based) and will be followed by other veterinary products in future.Details on 01769 573 821 or www.molevalleyfarmers.com

  • Pig producers to protest at Tesco AGM

    30 June 2011

    PIG producers are set to descend on Tesco’s AGM tomorrow (Friday, July 1) in protest at the low prices they claim are killing off the industry.

  • Plans unveiled for Hyde Park food and farming festival

    28 June 2011

    ESSEX farmer Guy Smith has announced plans for a major food, farming and countryside festival at London’s Hyde Park, which he hopes will take place in 2013.

  • Popular event will showcase the best of UK livestock once again

    July 1, 2011

    The Great Yorkshire Show is fast approaching, Angela Calvert takes a look at what visitors can expect.

  • Premium increased on Asda’s Scottish pigs

    29 June 2011

    ASDA is feeding more cash back to pig producers supplying it with quality pigs.

  • Probiotic feed additive

    July 1, 2011

    ?AN ‘upgrade’ from Cylactin ME10, Royal DSM has launched Cylactin ME20, a live probiotic feed additive for broilers, sows, piglets and feeding pigs, and for inclusion in milk replacers.The company says it is better able to cope with the long periods and high temperatures involved in the pelleting process, offering a better protected product which is still active when it reaches the intestine.Details on 01773 536 500 or www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com.

  • Project finds red meat health bonus

    July 1, 2011

    ?BEEF and lamb finished off on grass instead of cereals is better for human health, according to an Ulster University project funded by AgriSearch, Northern Ireland’s red meat levy body.

  • Promoting the native pig at home – and in America

    July 1, 2011

    Having shipped six native breed pigs across the Atlantic, John Sutcliffe is passionate about promoting local produce. Ben Briggs spoke to the Cumbrian breeder who gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘pigs might fly’.

  • Rehome a Horse Month gets royal approval

    July 1, 2011

    THE importance of rehoming horses received a royal stamp of approval when The Princess Royal launched Rehome a Horse Month at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

  • RHS 2011: NFUS battles on for milk pricing change

    23 June 2011

    NFU Scotland is continuing in its fight to get a better deal for dairy farmers and make significant changes to milk pricing and contracts.

  • RHS 2011: NFUS lobbies competition chiefs over fertiliser prices

    23 June 2011

    NFU Scotland has written to Europe’s competition authorities raising concerns over a lack of price transparency and competition in the fertiliser market.

  • RHS 2011: North of England Mules make history

    13 July 2011

    HISTORY was made this year with the first classes for North of England Mules at the Royal Highland Show. The judge was Alan Ross of Aberdeenshire.

  • Ride the Wolds with new Ride Yorkshire Foundation

    July 1, 2011

    The Ride Yorkshire Foundation is creating new facilities for horse tourism across the East Riding of Yorkshire. Janet Cochrane, an instigator of the project says: “The Wolds are perfect for riding, with beautiful long bridleways and quiet lanes crossing lovely undulating countryside.”

  • Rose beats the clock and her opposition

    July 1, 2011

    EARLY morning mist greeted handlers at Islwyn trial. It lifted but the weather remained cool all day.

  • RPA chief pledges major improvements

    28 June 2011

    THE Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) latest chief executive has delivered a damning assessment of his predecessors and pledged to drive through a vastly improved service.

  • Second positive TB case in Cumbria

    29 June 2011

    CATTLE on a farm neighbouring the site in Cumbria where 100 animals were slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB have also tested positive for the disease.

  • Sheepdog trials diary

    July 1, 2011

    Sheepdog trials for the week beginning July 1.

  • Solar electric fence on offer

    July 1, 2011

    ROUND the clock solar power for electric fences are available in the form of the Wolseley SX300 from Stockshop.

  • Solar energy firms 'flouting the rules'

    27 June 2011

    AN investigation into companies selling solar energy has revealed some solar PV installers have been flouting industry standards.

  • Sward cutting timings will be farm-specific

    July 1, 2011

    ?DO not let clover determine when to cut swards for silage or hay, as heading date for grasses is more important to maximise sugars that complement clover’s protein when fed to livestock, said Mr Measures.Protein

  • Synchronising device

    July 1, 2011

    A NEW intra-vaginal progesterone device for synchronising cows has been developed by Ceva Animal Health.

  • Tag tool awarded for technical innovation

    July 1, 2011

    RECOGNISING technical innovation, Roxan ID has been awarded silver by the Royal Highland Show for its TagFaster automatic applicator.

  • Talented British riders to take part in Equestrian Test Event

    July 1, 2011

    ?THERE are just 13 months until the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and preparations are under way for the Equestrian Test Event - the Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational CIC2 on July 4-6.

  • The switch to autumn block calving is beginning to pay off

    July 1, 2011

    EDF annual conference.

  • Thrapston market sale

    July 1, 2011

    THE 23 cows with calves at foot averaged £1,172 when the Mymms herd of Aberdeen-Angus was partly dispersed at Thrapston market on behalf of David Neath.

  • Todmorden Show, West Yorkshire

    July 1, 2011

    Results from the 2011 Todmorden Show.

  • Tye Trophy announcement

    July 1, 2011

    The Great Yorkshire Show is fast approaching, Angela Calvert takes a look at what visitors can expect.

  • VMD drops plans for new animal medicine category

    29 June 2011

    THE Vetinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has dropped plans for a new category of medicine after intense lobbying from vets.

  • Voluntary measures fit well on a fenland farm

    July 1, 2011

    It is 20 years since the Casey family started growing leeks. Back then it was just two and half hectares (six acres), but now it stretches to 65ha (160 acres) and makes up the major part of the farming business.

  • Welly drying

    July 1, 2011

    ?A GADGET to help dry out wet wellies is being imported from New Zealand and marketed in the UK by the newly formed company VTH. Wet wellies can be hung on ‘the Windry’ to allow circulating air to remove the moisture. A breeze is required, or it is quicker in front of a fan.Details on 07971 974 299 or www.windry.co.uk

  • Welsh Black Society in 'turmoil' after redundancies

    1 July 2011

    THE shock redundancy of Andrew James from his post as chief executive of the Welsh Black Cattle Society will be one of the key talking points at the forthcoming Royal Welsh Show (July 18-21).

  • Win £1,000 in IAE vouchers - Winners Announced

    July 1, 2011

    Win £1,000 IAE vouchers - Winners Announced

  • Win a place at a food security and innovation conference

    1 July 2011

    Would you like to attend a leading-edge meeting on Food Security and Innovation in the Food Chain in London on July 12?

  • Workshop Tips: Herd expansion cost eased by simple DIY

    July 1, 2011

    Herd expansion requires a considerable financial outlay but costs can be curtailed by a DIY approach, as Mike Donovan explains.

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