Farmers Guardian
July 27th 2007

  • ‘Catalogue of errors’ in sheep classes

    July 27th 2007

    EXHIBITORS in the registered Welsh sheep classes were far from a happy bunch following what they claimed was a catalogue of errors on the part of the Royal Welsh.

  • ‘Most wheat crops standing quite well’

    July 27th 2007

    ALTHOUGH some arable crops have been badly affected in the worst parts of the flood-stricken Midlands area, most are still standing, says Cirencester-based regional agronomist Richard Overthrow of TAG.

  • ‘Tremendous stature’ gives Charolais heifer the nod

    July 27th 2007

    THE inter-breed beef championship on the first day of judging went to a Charolais heifer, Maerdy Beauty, from Esmor Evans of Mold, Flintshire.

  • £1,500 heifer leads bidding in Devon

    July 27th 2007

    TRADE was led at £1,500 by the champion heifer when more than 100 dairy cattle were presented for a show and sale at Holsworthy Market, Devon.

  • 500,000th Jesi New Holland

    July 27th 2007

    New Holland is celebrating the 500,000th tractor to roll off the Jesi production line in Italy. Tractor assembly started in 1986 building Fiatagri machines but today produces 50hp to 100hp utility, specialist and crawler tractors. The 900-strong workforce can build 6,500 distinct specifications of 16 different ranges.

  • 71p/kg extra ‘needed’ by lamb producers

    July 27th 2007

    LAMB producers need at least another 71p/kg at the farm gate to reach long-term sustainability in the face of rising costs and falling prices, warned Hybu Cig Cymru chairman Rees Roberts.

  • A learning day out at the dairy farm

    July 27th 2007

    JUNIOR children from Ennerdale CE Primary School in the western Lake District visited Peter Watson’s dairy farm at Streetgate, Lamplugh, Workington, West Cumbria.

  • A share in tourism’s benefits

    July 27th 2007

    OLD farm buildings converted to holiday accommodation has enabled farmers to share in the benefits that visitors bring to the local economy.

  • Agency gain a real insight

    July 27th 2007

    A TEAM from Regional Development Agency One NorthEast gained a first-hand insight into the work carried out by a support service for farmers in Teesdale.

  • Agronomists ‘nervous’ about crops as wet weather continues

    July 27th 2007

    WINTER barley and oilseed rape harvesting has continued at a slow pace this week in between further spells of wet weather, with both quality and yields so far being very variable.

  • An easier life for tractor loader operators

    July 27th 2007

    Tractor loader operators could have an easier life with the Synchronised Control System on MX loaders from Chillton.

  • Anaerobic digestion to be a key focus of committee’s inquiry

    July 27th 2007

    THE Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will consider whether more should be done to promote anaerobic digestion in farming as part of a far-reaching inquiry into waste.

  • Another countryside care award for farm

    July 27th 2007

    ANOTHER prestigiouscountryside care award has been won by a Pembrokeshire farm.

  • Approval needed to amend Single Payment decision

    July 27th 2007

    FARMERS who graze livestock on common land are awaiting Ministerial approval of a change to the rules that will enable many to claim Single Payments currently denied to them.

  • Assembly minister pledge to end the log jam in agri-environment schemes

    July 27th 2007

    ACTION is being taken to sign new agreements and end the log jam of applications for the Wales-based Tir Gofal whole-farm and Tir Cynnal entry level agri-environment schemes, Elin Jones, the Welsh Assembly’s new Rural Affairs Minister, said at the Royal Welsh Show.

  • Battling it out for the South West region titles

    July 27th 2007

    YOUNG farmers in the South West took to the battlefields for the area’s Competition Day as all five counties in the region put forward their best teams and individuals to compete in the 14 competitions.

  • Beef Results

    July 27th 2007

    Inter-breed (Judge, N. Massie, Aberdeenshire) Supreme, D.E. Evans, Maerdy Beauty (Charolais); reserve, M.W. Jones and Son, Deiniolen Non 12 (Welsh Black).

  • Beet prices now out of line

    25 July 2007

    SUGAR beet growers should be trying to renegotiate price adjustments as an extraordinary measure in the light of potential margins from alternative arable crops.

  • Belgian Blue Society to change name

    July 27th 2007

    THE British Belgian Blue Cattle Society is intending to change its name to the ‘British Blue Cattle Society’ in a bid to create its own identity and promote its cattle in the future as British Blues.

  • Benn extends wet weather cross compliance suspension

    25 July 2007

    DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn has extended the suspension of the cross compliance standard GAEC 3 until the end of August in response to the flooding crisis.

  • Bluetongue virus warning

    26 July 2007

    LIVESTOCK farmers are being urged to be extra vigilant for any sign of the bluetongue virus after Belgian officials confirmed the virus had re-emerged in a flock of sheep near Antwerp.

  • Buoyant trade for Raywa’s Guernseys, 2,000gns top

    July 27th 2007

    A PACKED sale ring at Weston House Farm, near Portishead, Bristol, saw a buoyant trade for the dispersal of Ray Watson and Nick Phippen’s Raywa herd of Guernseys with a top price of 2,000gns and 12 animals making more than 900gns.

  • Cammen Roy and Whiterose Cap take Bradfield open titles

    July 27th 2007

    AT the Bradfield opens, at the weekend near Sheffield, John Elliot was Saturday’s victor with Cammen Roy, while on Sunday the title went to John Chamberlain and Whiterose Cap.

  • Cheshire crowns dairy queen at rally

    July 27th 2007

    THE Cheshire Federation of Young Farmers crowned Claire Heath as Cheshire Dairy Queen 2007 at their recent annual rally held at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire.

  • Chicory offers potential grazing sward value

    July 27th 2007

    THE latest briefing from Eblex suggests that perennial chicory could have a valuable role to play in improving the grazing performance of beef cattle and lamb.

  • Circuit board too far for the Shogun commercial?

    July 27th 2007

    ROAD TEST

  • CLA Game Fair cancelled – other events survive

    July 27th 2007

    THE adverse weather conditions are affecting shows up and down the country, though quite a few have confirmed they are still going ahead.

  • CLA game fair cancelled for first time in 49 year history

    23 July 2007

    THE weekend’s torrential rain has forced organisers of The CLA Game Fair to cancel the event for the first time in its 49-year history.

  • CLA game fair cancelled for first time in 49 year history

    23 July 2007

    THE weekend’s torrential rain has forced organisers of The CLA Game Fair to cancel the event for the first time in its 49-year history.

  • Conversion strategy determines yield

    July 27th 2007

    THE choice of conversion strategy to organic arable farming influences crop yield and can do so for many years afterwards, according to a recent survey carried out by Nottingham University.

  • Counting the cost of the worst floods for 60 years

    July 27th 2007

    FLOODS have devastated large swathes of rural England as costs spiral into millions of pounds, tens of thousands of acres of crops are submerged and the welfare of thousands of animals is under threat.

  • Crops standing quite well despite flooding

    25 July 2007

    ALTHOUGH some arable crops have been badly affected in the worst parts of the flood-stricken Midlands area, most are still standing according to Cirencester-based regional agronomist, Richard Overthrow, TAG.

  • Crops standing quite well despite flooding

    25 July 2007

    ALTHOUGH some arable crops have been badly affected in the worst parts of the flood-stricken Midlands area, most are still standing according to Cirencester-based regional agronomist, Richard Overthrow, TAG.

  • Cumberland Show

    July 27th 2007

    Inter-breed win for Glenrock Bianca on her second outing

  • Cumberland Show picture gallery

    July 27th 2007

  • Cumberland Show results

    July 27th 2007

    Dairy - Inter-breed (dairy judges) Supreme, J. Whiteford and Sons, Middle George MM (Ayrshire); reserve, S. and A. Oliver, Aldingham SM Ghost 3 (Holstein).

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Andrew Farrant

    1 August 2007

    A desire to work closely with his customer and utilise the available space are the main drivers behind Andrew Farrant’s strategy.

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Angus Dalton

    July 27th 2007

    WHEN Angus Dalton took on a 25-year farm business tenancy on the 316-acre Shawcroft Farm in October 2002, it represented the next stage in his journey to be a full-time dairy farmer.

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Oliver Neagle

    1 August 2007

    The 200-acre Uplands Farm is now home to the Hiltonbury herd of pedigree Jerseys, and Oliver Neagle hopes it will one day be the home of a Royal Show champion.

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Richard Abell

    July 27th 2007

    ORGANIC conversion has provided the catalyst for significant changes at the 185-acre White House, where Richard Abell is now milking a herd of 84 cows.

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Steve Gladwyn

    July 27th 2007

    STEVE Gladwyn farms 250 acres and sees performance improvement as the essential core of his farming philosophy.

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Stuart Rogers

    1 August 2007

    ACHIEVING high yields without compromising herd health is the goal for Stuart Rogers, herd manager at the 430-acre Model Farm, Oxford.

  • Dairy Farmer of the Future shortlist - Tom Rawson

    1 August 2007

    AS if a major herd expansion and a restructuring of herd management isn’t a big enough challenge, Tom Rawson also set out to launch his own branded bottled milk at Thornhill Hall Farm, near Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

  • Dairy farmers could see a 20-year high

    July 27th 2007

    OVER the next 12 to 14 months dairy farmers could enjoy the highest milk prices seen for 20 years according to Richard Clothier, managing director of Bruton, Somerset based Wyke Farms.

  • Dairy Results

    July 27th 2007

    Inter-breed dairy cow (Judge, T. Kelly, Co Louth, Ireland) Supreme, J.D. and J.A. Holgate, Aliann Champion Isis (Holstein); reserve, P. Manning, Windyridge Astronomers Radience (Jersey).

  • Dairy trade should continue firm

    July 27th 2007

    Demand for quality commercial heifers outstripping supply

  • Deadline for a quality bull

    July 27th 2007

    TIME is running out for Welsh beef farmers who want to register for the Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Project.

  • Defra considers request

    July 27th 2007

    DEFRA says its considering a request from the NFU for an on-farm slaughter and collection service during the final year of the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS).

  • Derby and District YFC celebrates 70th year in style

    July 27th 2007

    SOME 250 guests attended the Derby and District Young Farmer’s Club’s 70th Anniversary Ball, held at Laurel Farm in Burnaston.

  • Diseased badger cull ‘would cut TB cases’

    July 27th 2007

    TARGETING control measures only at cattle would not stop the advance of bovine TB – that was the view NFU Cymru put to the Welsh Assembly’s Rural Development Sub-Committee when it met at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday.

  • Donation to Clwyd farmers

    July 27th 2007

    NFU Cymru has donated £200 to the young farmers of Clwyd in support of their activities over the coming year.Clwyd YFC’s County Queen, Helen Davies, from Cilcain, accepted the donation from NFU county chairman, Ken Bellis (both pictured above), during the county YFC rally held at Groes Bach Farm, Denbigh.

  • Eglington Hunt qualify for Prince Philip Cup

    24 July 2007

    THE Scottish-based Eglington Hunt mounted games team have become the fourth Pony Club team to qualify for the Prince Philip Cup 2007, sponsored by Farmers Guardian.

  • End of the road for Shambo as the legal fight to save ‘sacred’ bullock is defeated

    July 27th 2007

    SHAMBO, the West Wales ‘sacred’ bullock was due to be slaughtered yesterday morning – almost three months after testing positive for bovine TB.

  • English Sheepdog Trials results

    26 July 2007

    BRADFIELD, Ughill, Sheffield, Saturday Open (38 ran): 1, J. Elliot (Fulwood Booth) Cammen Roy, 76 of 90; 2, P. Mellin (Oakworth) Tanhill Bracken, 75; 3, H. Loates (South Leverton) Jaff, 72; 4, J. Chamberlain (Barnsley) Bob, 71; 5, D. Wood (Derwent Valley) Sweep, 68; 6, H. Loates, Sweep, 64.

  • Environment Agency issue flood advice

    31 July 2007

    THE Environment Agency has issued guidance to help livestock farmers dealing with the aftermath of last week’s flooding incidents.

  • Eventing Grand Prix win at Hickstead for Emilie Chandler

    27 July 2007

    PUTTING eventers back at the top of the leader board, former young rider Emilie Chandler claimed top honours in Hickstead’s Eventing Grand Prix, winning £3000 and the use of a Ford Ranger for a year.

  • Exceptional milk payment

    July 27th 2007

    DAIRY Crest has agreed to pay 25 or so of its suppliers across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire for their milk, despite having been unable to collect it due to flooding.

  • Exeter ewes and lambs to £82

    July 27th 2007

    THE show and sale of breeding ewes and rams at Exeter Livestock Centre attracted an entry of 3,783, slightly down on last year. Trade was easier, however, the overall average of £65 only £6 down on the exceptional average of £71 last year.

  • Exploring ways to support the next generation of farmers in Scotland

    July 27th 2007

    THE leaders of Scotland’s young farmers have met with the NFU Scotland president to discuss how to support the future generation of farmers and to explore how the Union and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) can work closer together.

  • Farm centre work ahead of schedule

    July 27th 2007

    AN Essex farm that is receiving a £500,000 Government grant towards improving its farm centre is well ahead of schedule with the recent official opening of the third phase.

  • Farm gate price must increase

    23 July 2007

    Farm gate prices must reflect the rise in world commodity prices if the farming community is to shake off financial misery, according to NFU president Peter Kendall.

  • Farm walk is cancelled

    July 27th 2007

    THE North Midlands Charolais club’s farm walk, due to take place on Sunday, July 29, at the home of the Sportmans herd, Mellor, Stockport, Cheshire, has been cancelled due to wet ground conditions.

  • Farmers must wait for set-aside agreement

    July 27th 2007

    FARMERS are being advised not to pre-empt a decision that would allow them to cultivate set-aside until the EU formally ratifies the move.

  • Front linkage from HE-VA

    July 27th 2007

    He-Va has developed 2,500kg and 3,600kg capacity front linkages for the lower powered Stage IIIa Massey Ferguson 6400 and 7400 tractors. Front pto is also available along with electric control of the link arms when the tractor has the SMS electronic spool valves.

  • FUW ‘has failed to take advantage of merger opportunities’

    July 27th 2007

    THE Farmers Union of Wales has been taken to task for its failure to respond positively to peace overtures from its Welsh rival, NFU Cymru.

  • Game from moor to menu

    July 27th 2007

    TO celebrate game and to promote it to food industry buyers as year-round, versatile, delicious and healthy produce, a promotional event, hosted by the Moor to Menu group, was held at Ogle Hill Head, Belsay, Newcastle.

  • Going for gold at Staffordshire’s county show

    July 27th 2007

    Rain did not stop play for young farmers in Staffordshire as members participated in a variety of activities and competitions at the county show.

  • Grazing Monitor: What are the options in the continuing bad weather?

    July 27th 2007

    THE persisting bad weather continues to make grazing management challenging for many, and has consequences for late season feeding.

  • Growers ‘desperate’ to tackle high disease pressure in potato crop

    July 27th 2007

    POTATO growers desperate to spray their crops because of the high disease pressure have been “having a go” when conditions are just not suitable.

  • Hartpury Horse Trials cancelled

    30 July 2007

    The organisers of the Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials have announced that this year's event is cancelled due to flooding on the cross-country course.

  • Heifer Shakira heads the commercial line

    July 27th 2007

    IN a strong commercial section the coveted championship title went to Tudur Edwards, of Corwen, Denbighshire, with a heifer – Shakira.

  • Helping children learn where food comes from

    July 27th 2007

    POTATO growers have played a key supporting role in the British Potato Council’s (BPC) education project for primary school children, helping to ensure the success of the popular ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ initiative once again.

  • Highlighting farming’s contribution

    July 27th 2007

    A NEW booklet which underlines the importance of the farming industry in Wales was launched at the Royal Welsh by NFU Cymru.

  • Holstein, Limousin and Texel top Ashby-de-la-Zouch

    July 27th 2007

    The results from Ashby-de-la-Zouch Show, Derbyshire, are:

  • Holsteins sweep the board at the Royal Welsh

    25 July 2007

    HOLSTEINS swept the board in the dairy section taking the supreme title along with the heifer championship; team of five and pairs trophies with representatives from the Jerseys taking reserve honours in every section.

  • Host of topics to be tackled by new CLA team

    July 27th 2007

    AFFORDABLE housing for Hertfordshire people, safeguarding the county’s farmland, encouraging diners to ask where the food on their plates comes from, promoting the interest of rural businesses and tackling fly-tipping.

  • Identifying the most robust varieties

    July 27th 2007

    THE end user is of prime importance when it comes to choosing which varieties to grow, but there is still scope for farmers to select varieties with an eye on improved agronomics and potential for cost savings.

  • Isis leads Holstein clean sweep of the dairy lines

    July 27th 2007

    HOLSTEINS swept the board in the dairy section taking the supreme title along with the heifer championship; team of five and pairs trophies with representatives from the Jerseys taking reserve honours in every section.

  • John Deere 5430i

    July 27th 2007

    Although still being tested John Deere has released more information on the 5430i self-propelled sprayer, which is due to start production in June next year. For now there is a 4,000-litre tank but there is room on the platform for a 5,000-litre version with spray booms from 24m to 36m. The in-house spraying equipment can be demounted to make room for a dry spreading body but what form this takes has yet to be decided.

  • Know your market and be successful

    July 27th 2007

    Having worked with farmers for many years, rural consultants Julie White and Nick Platt realised that while many successfully sell their meat directly to the public, others lack the confidence and knowledge to do so. As a result they have started running Meat Retailing for Farmers courses. SARAH JONES reports.

  • Lamb producers need market price hike

    July 27th 2007

    LAMB producers need more than 70p/kg above current market prices in order to deliver the sustainable industry needed in the post-CAP, subsidy-free market of the future, according to latest findings produced by Welsh red meat development body Hybu Cig Cymru.

  • Laying down the gauntlet on countryside challenges

    July 27th 2007

    THE Welsh Assembly Government coalition was set three major challenges at the Royal Welsh Show by NFU Cymru president Dai Davies – delivering a tangible local food procurement initiative, safeguarding the rural economy and culling TB-infected badgers.

  • Liebherr expands dealer network

    July 27th 2007

    Liebherr has expanded its dealer network with a new depot near Cannock, Staffordshire. This brings the total of outlets in the UK to seven. The centre will provide spare parts and support to the service team already located in the area.

  • Lincolnshire bridleway saved

    1 August 2007

    A recent planning decision at Fosdyke Bridge, near Boston, Lincolnshire means riders are able to continue to use a local bridleway safely.

  • Mature Welsh sow overcomes youth

    July 27th 2007

    IT was mature over junior in the pig inter-breed final where a four-year-old Welsh sow beat a much younger Welsh boar.

  • Mazda CX-7

    July 27th 2007

    Mazda’s CX-7 differs from the rest of the 4x4 pack through its leaning towards being a sports car in its styling and driving dynamics, while retaining the commanding driving position, presence and stature of an off road vehicle.

  • Meat inspection to be transformed

    26 July 2007

    THE meat industry could face a higher cost burden following the Food Standards Agency’s decision to ‘transform’ meat inspection standards.

  • Middle George MM takes title

    July 27th 2007

    A SECOND lactation cow, Middle George MM, took the Ayrshire championship going on to take the overall dairy championship for John and William Whiteford of J. Whiteford and Sons, Ruleholme, Carlisle.

  • Milk increases continue as market strength remains ahead of farmgate

    July 27th 2007

    ANOTHER round of milk price increases, but the penny fractions are not enough or too slow claim dairy industry leaders given the spot trading prices of liquid milk and dairy commodity values.

  • Milk shortage hits First Milk deals

    31 July 2007

    THE tightening supply-demand balance in the dairy industry has hit home with the country’s largest dairy farmer co-operative First Milk unable to supply its contractual commitments in full.

  • Move away from Group 3 could compromise exports

    July 27th 2007

    With the Group 4 area predicted to rise as high as 40 per cent this autumn, a major grain marketing company is warning that the shift away from Group 3s could begin to compromise markets and drive down the domestic price of feed wheat.

  • NBA praises retailers for their support of British beef

    July 27th 2007

    SUPERMARKETS – at least some of them – have drawn praise from the National Beef Asssociation for their support of British Beef.

  • New approved Reglone rate

    25 July 2007

    POTATO growers can now use up to five litres of Reglone (diquat) to desiccate crops this season - a 25 per cent increase over the previously available rate.

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    July 27th 2007

    Visitors from far and wide

  • NFU warns against sell-off U-turn

    July 27th 2007

    GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council has been warned not to risk public humiliation by doing a U-turn on succumbing to the temptation of selling off parts of its farms estate.

  • NFU weather damage updates

    24 July 2007

    Flood waters are still swallowing up huge swathes of grassland and crops as the aftermath of torrential rain continues on its warpath across western, central and southern England.

  • Nissan X-Trail

    July 27th 2007

    Nissan’s third generation X-Trail has been overhauled and, using the same platform as the Qashqai, has grown in size. As a result, its wheelbase has increased by 5mm to 2,630mm, while overall length has risen by 175mm to 4,630mm. Much of this extra length can be found in the luggage area.

  • No mouth, no horse: The art of equine dentistry

    July 27th 2007

    While a good vet and farrier – and increasingly a back specialist and saddle fitter – are on every responsible horse owner’s must list, regular visits from a reputable equine dentist are still often overlooked.

  • Oakley Hunt (West) qualify for Prince Philip Cup

    30 July 2007

    OAKLEY Hunt (West) have become the fifth Pony Club mounted games team to Qualify for this year’s Prince Philip Cup, sponsored by Farmers Guardian.

  • Official opening for Charolais Pavilion

    July 27th 2007

    THE British Charolais Cattle Society’s new purpose-built facility overlooking the cattle judging rings on the Royal Welsh Showground was officially opened on Sunday by David Lewis, its immediate past president.

  • Paraquat herbicide to be withdrawn from use after European Court ruling

    July 27th 2007

    THE non-selective herbicide paraquat is set to be withdrawn from use in EU member states following a ruling by the European Court of First Instance.

  • Paraquat to be withdrawn

    25 July 2007

    THE non-selective herbicide paraquat is set to be withdrawn from use following a ruling by the European Court of First Instance.

  • Participants in a developing export business all have excellent pedigrees

    July 27th 2007

    A few cattle sent to Poland last September has quickly turned into a thriving export business for Phil Halhead and Gordon and Helen Wilson. JOANNE PUGH went to meet the people whose passion for British genetics has fuelled the export of 600 head of stock as well as sustaining two separate farming enterprises.

  • Payloads boost

    July 27th 2007

    Improved payloads are now possible with Joskin’s Trans-CAP and Trans-SPACE trailers thanks to lighter construction. By using high tensile steel in the body there is no need for lateral reinforcement, which reduces the weight of the trailer and also saves 50mm off the overall height.

  • Peugeot 4007

    July 27th 2007

    Peugeot is the latest car maker to venture into the 4x4 sector, with its 4007. Those with an eye for recognition might spot the Mitsubishi Outlander over-tones – indeed, the Japanese maker is sharing platform technology with Peugeot, and also Citroen, with its C-Crosser.

  • Pig inter-breed results from the Royal Welsh Show

    25 July 2007

    IT was mature over junior in the pig inter-breed final with a four-year-old Welsh sow beating a much younger Welsh boar.

  • Pig Results

    July 27th 2007

    Inter-breed (Judge, R. Warriner, Yorkshire) Supreme and female, P.M. Fowlie, Braemor Nina 4 (Welsh); reserve and male, Mr and Mrs T. Evans and Son, Goldfoot Leo II (Welsh); res. fem., W.G. Edwards, Pantysgawen Hwah (Saddleback); res. male, G.W. and F.M. Jones, Mabon Revival 3 (Middle White).

  • Pig unit revolutionised by computer-controlled feed

    July 27th 2007

    Although the number of pig farmers may be on the decline, one Yorkshire family is embracing the needs of its local community. From schools to surrounding towns, ANGELA CALVERT reports on a business that is branching out and refusing to be another bleak statistic.

  • Price and yield boost to feed barley

    July 27th 2007

    Better grain prices and leaps in yield from newer varieties could boost the appeal of winter feed barley, including hybrids, in rotations this autumn, experts are suggesting.

  • Prompt action needed to secure winter feed

    July 27th 2007

    DESPITE months of discussions, EU approval of the Herculex Root Worm (HXRW) GM-maize variety has yet to be passed, resulting in continuing restrictions on imports of US maize gluten.

  • Quality in demand at Border and Lakeland Holsteins

    July 27th 2007

    THE strong demand for quality young dairy cows and milking heifers was demonstrated at the monthly Border and Lakeland Holstein club show where a top of 2,300gns and an overall average of £1,346.19 was realised for 34 sold.

  • Rare achievement as Barbara collects long service medal

    July 27th 2007

    TEN men and a woman who between them have given 515 years’ service to agriculture received long service medals at the Royal Welsh Show.

  • RASE chairman resigns

    31 July 2007

    THOMAS Wheatley-Hubbard has resigned as chairman of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).

  • Results from Bury Show

    July 27th 2007

    CATTLE

  • Royal Showground decision ‘in two weeks’

    July 27th 2007

    AN announcement on the future of the Royal Showground is expected within the next fortnight.

  • Royal Welsh picture gallery

    July 27th 2007

  • Royal Welsh Show

    July 27th 2007

    IT seems nothing can dent the popularity of the Royal Welsh Show.

  • Royal Welsh Show

    July 27th 2007

    IT seems nothing can dent the popularity of the Royal Welsh Show.

  • Rural housing welcomed

    July 27th 2007

    THE Commission for Rural Communities has welcomed the Prime Minister’s ann-ouncement that he will put affordable housing at the heart of his parliamentary programme, and is determined to see this policy meeting rural needs as well as urban.

  • Rural Minister’s show meeting

    July 27th 2007

    WALES has its third Rural Affairs Minister in as many months following the setting up of the Welsh Assembly coalition Government bet-ween Labour and Plaid Cymru.

  • 'Sacred' bullock Shambo slaughtered

    27 July 2007

    SHAMBO the 'sacred' bullock at the centre of a controversial three-month legal fight has been slaughtered.

  • Safer flags for eventing

    26 July 2007

    IN a step to prevent a repetition of French event horse Icare d’Auzay’s tragic accident changes are to be made to on-course flags in the cross country phase of events.

  • Sardine Puffs

    July 27th 2007

    This recipe was sent in by Laura Evans of Drws-Nant, Llandrillo, Denbighshire.

  • Scene – by the vet

    July 27th 2007

    How they cope with mastitis and bluetongue in Holland

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trials results

    26 July 2007

    WATERNISH, Skye (Judge, P. Hetherington, Minishant) Open (64 ran) 1, S. Renwick (Inverbroom) Queen, 94; 2, S. Cropper (Deerplay) Bob, 93 Outbye; 3, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Dan, 93; 4, J. Gieir (USA) Brass, 92; 5, D. Kinloch (Kilsyth) Bob, 90; 6, S. Little (Lancashire) Tess, 89.

  • Scything Festival

    July 27th 2007

    LANCASHIRE’S first ever Scything Festival was held at Turn Village last Sunday.

  • Sector board appointments

    25 July 2007

    FARMERS and growers will be well represented on the six sector boards that will come into place under the new overarching levy board from next April.

  • Shambo officials turned away

    26 July 2007

    OFFICIALS from the Welsh Assembly have been turned away by monks after they tried to remove Shambo, the ‘sacred’ bullock, from a Hindu temple in Wales.

  • Shambo to be taken for slaughter on Thursday

    25 July 2007

    SHAMBO, the ‘sacred’ bullock at the centre of a bovine TB storm in Wales, is due to be taken for slaughter by Welsh assembly officials on Thursday (July 26) morning.

  • Sheep Results

    July 27th 2007

    Inter-breed (Judge, D. Raine, Cumbria) Supreme, T.L. Prichard (Charollais); reserve, R.F. and D.J. Price (Kerry Hill).

  • Sheepdog Trials Diary

    26 July 2007

    ENGLAND - 26-28 July. IRISH NATIONAL, Aclare, Charlestown, Co. Sligo.

  • Shortages hitting First Milk's retail contracts

    31 July 2007

    THE country’s largest dairy farmer co-operative, First Milk, has admitted it is unable to meet its contractual commitments in full due to milk production shortages.

  • Skipton organisers ‘optimistic’ for event

    July 27th 2007

    After a disasterous weather which has managed to ruin most events around the country and caused most of the British Eventing calendar to be written off, organisers of Skitpon Horse Trials are remaining optimistic that their August 4 and 5 event will be the most successful they have held to date.

  • Society changing name

    25 July 2007

    THE British Belgian Blue Cattle Society is intending to change its name to the ‘British Blue Cattle Society’ in a bid to create its own identity and promote its cattle in the future as British Blues.

  • Society changing name

    25 July 2007

    THE British Belgian Blue Cattle Society is intending to change its name to the ‘British Blue Cattle Society’ in a bid to create its own identity and promote its cattle in the future as British Blues.

  • Stress of farm inspections

    July 27th 2007

    FARM inspections and their conduct can contribute to stress levels for farmers – that is the conclusion of new research undertaken in Wales by the charity, Farm Crisis Network.

  • Suffolk Premier average up £444

    July 27th 2007

    AVERAGES at the Suffolk Premier Sale at Edinburgh were up nearly £500 on the previous year at £2,967 and trade peaked at 48,000gns.

  • Sugar beet prices are now out of line

    July 27th 2007

    SUGAR beet growers should be trying to renegotiate price adjustments as an extraordinary measure in the light of potential margins from alternative arable crops advises Brown & Co’s Andrew Fundell who says beet growers are in danger of becoming the poor relations.

  • Summer mastitis

    July 27th 2007

    YEARS of data collected by the National Animal Disease Information Service has consistently shown a dramatic rise in cattle with summer mastitis.

  • Support and advice for the flooding crisis

    27 July 2007

    REGIONAL NFU offices are posting regular reports onto the NFU website mapping the impact of the weather on farming and food supplies in their areas.

  • Survey highlights emphasis on wheat for yield alone

    July 27th 2007

    Regardless of the breakdown of current plantings by wheat type, over three quarters of the UK’s 2007 crop is being grown for yield alone, according to a major grower study by RAGT Seeds.

  • Switched on to electronics on fertiliser spreaders

    July 27th 2007

    Electronics are proving to be more popular on fertiliser spreaders as Kuhn introduces the Axis 20.1 model.

  • T series five cylinder layout

    July 27th 2007

    The T-Series use a five-cylinder layout. The first is the same 660mm diameter threshing cylinder and concave used on the walker combines and running at speeds of 450 to 990rpm.

  • TB confirmed in post-mortem findings on Shambo

    31 July 2007

    POST-MORTEM findings on Shambo, the ‘sacred’ bullock finally slaughtered after a controversial three-month legal fight, have identified lesions described as ‘typical of TB’.

  • TB crisis

    July 27th 2007

    A GROUP of vets has written to Hilary Benn advising him that the proposals put forward by Defra’s bovine TB advisers are ‘unsafe, totally inadequate and misguided’.

  • Technology for output

    July 27th 2007

    John Deere is pushing ahead with its technology for performance, with a new range of combines and foragers for 2008 which will see the ‘i’ for intelligent being more wide spread. MERVYN BAILEY reports on this and a new range of walker combines.

  • Texel gimmer makes it three in a row

    July 27th 2007

    MEMBERS of a farming family who split their farming operations between Cockermouth and Lochgilphead, Argyll, took the supreme inter-breed and Texel trophies.

  • The BPC urges growers to keep a close eye on potato crops

    30 July 2007

    THE British Potato Council (BPC) is urging ware growers to keep a close eye on potato crops for unusual wilting symptoms and to take hygiene measures on farm to protect against diseases such as dickeya dianthicola tuber rot.

  • Three keys will unlock the door to profitability

    July 27th 2007

    VIEWPOINT: By Mike Keeble

  • Tim Prichard takes the inter-breed and pairs titles for the second year running

    26 July 2007

    IT was deja-vu for Charollais breeder Tim Prichard when, for the second year running, he swept the board in the sheep inter-breed finals.

  • Tory MP tables bill to rein in supermarket power

    26 July 2007

    CONSERVATIVE MP Daniel Kawczynski has tabled a Bill that will seek to increase the powers of the competition authorities to protect producers as well as consumers.

  • Trailed Tonutti finger wheel rakes

    July 27th 2007

    Sunshine Agriculture, North- umberland, are now importing the Italian Tonutti range of trailed finger wheel rakes which have working widths of up to 11.7m and can be operated at forward speeds as fast as 23kph.

  • TV series highlights work of ILPH

    1 August 2007

    A TELEVISION series following the daily work of the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) has premiered on new channel Horse & Country TV (SKY channel 280).

  • UK-grown organic crops in short supply

    July 27th 2007

    The Soil Association has hosted two national organic arable events – at Burwash Manor Farm, Barton, Cambridgeshire and at Rushall Farm, Pewsey, Wiltshire – to encourage more growers to convert to organic. Demand is high for home grown grains and the two events aimed to promote business opportunities and marketing networks. The Soil Association believes converting to organic arable production presents a great business opportunity for farmers looking to both improve profitability and ...

  • Unsuitable spraying conditions lead to further problems

    25 July 2007

    POTATO growers desperate to spray their crops because of the high disease pressure have been “having a go” when conditions are just not suitable.

  • Up Front Disc Tiller does what it says

    July 27th 2007

    THE Up Front Disc Tiller from Cousins is exactly what it says on the tin – to be used in conjunction with a rear-mounted cultivator, such as their Patriot machine for min-till work or levelling ridges after potatoes.

  • Updated livestock results from the Great Eccleston Show

    July 27th 2007

    The remaining results from Great Eccleston Show are:

  • VW Tiguan

    July 27th 2007

    Details of VW’s compact 4x4, the Tiguan, reveals a resemblance to its Touareg big brother, but in a package only just larger than the German firm’s Touran compact people carrier.

  • Waitrose to abolish the use of all farrowing crates

    25 July 2007

    WAITROSE has announced that it is to phase out the use of farrowing crates from all its British and Danish pig farms supplying the group with bacon.

  • Weather doesn’t put a dampener on annual trials

    July 27th 2007

    IN spite of all the rain the field, provided by Colin Gordon for one of the South Wales Sheep Dog Trials Association’s annual trials, was so dry that the ground remained unmarked by wheels of competitors’ vehicles.

  • Well-pleased with first HOLL crop

    July 27th 2007

    The first crop of high oleic, low linolenic (HO,LL) oilseed rape to be harvested on a Vistive contract this season has underlined the potential of the crop by delivering around 1.5 tonne/acre (3.7 tonne/hectare) at an oil content of 45.1 per cent.

  • Welsh Black team are show’s ‘star exhibit’

    July 27th 2007

    TEAMS from all 16 breeds represented at the show entered the ring for this year’s team of five competition, which is one of the great spectacles of the show.

  • Welsh lamb for Belgian stores

    July 27th 2007

    A new agreement between Randall Parker Foods and leading Belgium supermarket, Delhaize – sealed at this week’s Royal Welsh Show – will see a range of Welsh lamb cuts displace New Zealand lamb for five months of the year.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trials results

    26 July 2007

    SWSDTA NOVICE AND BRACE TRIALS. Novice: 1, L. Bassett (Kilgetty) Meg, 20; 2, D.G. Williams (Cilycwm) Fly, 25; 3, L. Ris (Penperlleni) Jan, 30; 4, L. Jones (Treorchy) Mac, 32; 5, L. Jones, Zac, 38olf; 6, J. Walker (Cwmbelan) Cap, 38. 7, I. Jones (Maesybont) Joe, 42; 8, G.H. Jones (Blackwood) Jock, 44; 9, L. Bassett, Jo, 51; 10, G.H. Jones, 521/2. Youny Handler Class: 1, I. Jones, Joe, 15; 2, S. Walker (Cwmbelan) Cap, 43. Open Brace: 1, C. Gordon (Gower) Jess and Jess, ...

  • Wheat crops set for reasonable harvest

    25 July 2007

    DESPITE the wet summer weather, the majority of wheat crops across the UK are still set for a reasonable harvest.

  • Winner of the all-Wales silage competition

    July 27th 2007

    CEREDIGION farmer, David Davies, of Gwarffynon, Silian, Lampeter, is the 2007 winner of the jointly-run Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies All-Wales Silage competition.

  • Yorkshire show

    July 27th 2007

    YORKSHIRE Young Farmers’ fifth annual show saw over 5,500 members and visitors flocking through the gates at Nidderdale showground, in Pateley Bridge. Farnley Estate YFC were the overall winners of the rally. Winksley-cum-Grantley YFC and Cawthorne YFC took second and third place respectively. Aire Valley YFC won the trophy for the club who gained the most points with 25 members or less.

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