Farmers Guardian
June 15th 2007

  • ‘Base biofuel argument on science’

    June 15th 2007

    THE combinable crops industry needs to put across a pro-biofuel argument that is based on sound science, according to Richard Whitlock, industrial crops director for Frontier Agriculture.

  • ‘Buy from UK to cut fertiliser miles’

    June 15th 2007

    FERTILISER companies at the event set their stalls out to counter the argument that nitrogen use will have to fall to reduce the negative effects on the environment associated with the manufacturing process and leaching into the soil.

  • ‘Strong’ Scotch Blackface ram pips Poll Dorset

    June 15th 2007

    A SCOTCH Blackfaced yearling ram took the championship honours in the sheep inter-breed judging on the second day of the Royal Cornwall show.

  • ‘Vigilance’ after outbreak

    June 15th 2007

    POULTRY farmers are being urged to maintain high levels of biosecurity after the outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza on a smallholding near St Helens, Merseyside.

  • 1,900gns Aaron Zena tops Rockway Holstein Friesian sale

    June 15th 2007

    BIDDING peaked at 1,900gns and a total of 61 lots made over the £1,000 mark at the dispersal sale of the Rockway herd of Holstein Friesians at Rock, Worcestershire, for Tony Morris.

  • 2,700gns Welsh Black bull heads Dyffryn dispersal at Llandovery

    June 15th 2007

    BUYERS came from across Wales and beyond to purchase pedigree Welsh Black cattle at the Dyffryn herd dispersal sale at Llandovery market.

  • 80pc reduction in PCN with solanum

    June 15th 2007

    CONTROLLING potato cyst nematode with the help of a trap crop is now becoming a reality, according to Paul Coleman, technical director, Greenvale AP.

  • A day in the life of a farm conservation adviser

    June 15th 2007

    In the latest part of our series looking behind the scenes of various rural-based professions, CLEMMIE GLEESON spends a day with Norfolk Farming Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) adviser Richard MacMullen.

  • A simple solution to a complex issue means single ration to all

    June 15th 2007

    Allowing cows to feed to appetite sees one Denbighshire dairy unit offer just a single ration for cows in milk regardless of stage in lactation, providing a simple solution to what some see as a complex issue. 

  • A simple track control test

    June 15th 2007

    CARRYING out a tracking test of front tractor tyres is a relatively simple task that can be carried out at the farm.

  • A Swedish winner at the Clun trial

    June 15th 2007

    THE Clun trial, at Poplars Farm, Rockhill, has been organised into two sessions for a number of years and what a popular formula it proved yet again.

  • A torque converter telehandler awaited

    June 15th 2007

    Founded in the early 1960s as a family firm, Italian telehandler manufacturer Dieci is still a private company, now owned by the Correggi and Manghai families who have recently spent 25million euros on a new factory. They have serious plans to increase their share of the UK market. HOWARD WALSH reports.

  • Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show

    June 15th 2007

    BARRY ALSTON reports from a scorching Capel Bangor showground – which this year saw a record attendance and a 450-strong entry from across 25 cattle and sheep breeds.

  • Aberystwyth Show Results

    June 15th 2007

    CATTLE - Inter-breed (Judged by breed panel). Supreme male, A. Davies, Hirwaun Rooney (Simmental); reserve sup. male, L.M. Lloyd, Newstart Vindicator (Limousin). Sup. female, J.G.P. Lewis and Co., Ystwyth Gaddison Mary 2 (Holstein-Friesian); res. sup. fem., R.G. Davies, Fronfedw Megan (Blonde d’Aquitaine). Pair: J.G.P. Lewis and Co (Holstein Friesians); res., A. Davies (Simmentals).

  • An eNhance(d) tool from Terra gives instant field data

    June 15th 2007

    TERRA’S eNhance electronic online fertiliser recommendation tool gives growers, or advisors, the opportunity for instant, field-by-field data for fertiliser inputs across their farms.

  • Angular leaf spot threat to strawberrys

    June 15th 2007

    STRAWBERRY growers have ben reminded to remain vigilant against the bacterial disease angular leaf spot (Xanthomonas fragariae), following a further finding in the UK.  

  • Applications wanted from Welsh students for bursary

    June 15th 2007

    THE Farmers Union of Wales has a £1,000 bursary available for a Welsh student intending to embark on an agriculture-related course at university or further education college.

  • BCPC issue guide to using pesticides legally

    June 15th 2007

    BCPC has published a quick and easy-to-use guide to spraying within the law. ‘Using Pesticides’, produced by BCPC for farmers, growers and those operating in the horticultural, forestry and amenity sectors, provides all the information operators need to apply pesticides safely, accurately and within the law.

  • Bejon Longhorn sale pulls in the buyers

    June 15th 2007

    BUYERS travelled from across the country and Ireland to support the dispersal of the Bejon Longhorn herd held at Worcester Market on behalf of the late John Spalton, Sutton on the Hill, Derbyshire.

  • Big decline in Europe’s farmland birds

    June 15th 2007

    NEW research has shown that Europe’s farmland birds have declined by almost half in the past 25 years.

  • Biofuel plant operational in 2009

    June 15th 2007

    GROWERS in Humberside and Teeside can expect to supply Glencore’s new bioethanol plant from harvest ’08.

  • Black Sea export ban is good news for UK growers

    June 15th 2007

    A NEW threat of wheat export bans out of Black Sea countries is giving additional cause for optimism for UK growers.

  • Blue Jean Country Queen goes to Pleasley’s Hayley

    June 15th 2007

    HAYLEY Clarke of Pleasley YFC, Derbyshire, has been crowned Blue Jean Country Queen at the 20th anniversary of the festival, held in Athboy, Southern Ireland last week.

  • Bring farming and rural change without being PC

    June 15th 2007

    Political correctness does not feature in most farmers’ lives, whereas the urban population seems to have to beware of everything said and done.

  • Brown rust causes change of message

    June 15th 2007

    WITH brown rust not septoria tritici the disease threat of the season, Velcourt adjusted its message at Cereals accordingly.

  • Brown’s cost view a worry for Kendall

    June 15th 2007

    NATIONAL Farmers’ union president Peter Kendall has expressed concerns about dealing with Gordon Brown as the future British Prime Minister.

  • Brussels to offer EID trade-off

    June 15th 2007

    THE European Commission appears to be offering the carrot of a delayed introduction of compulsory Electronic Identification (EID) for the sheep industry if the UK concedes its double tagging derogation.

  • Buyers from far and wide attend dispersal sale at Hexham

    June 15th 2007

    On Saturday 2nd June 2007, George F White conducted a dispersal sale following complete farm restructure on behalf of E C Spence and Son at Frankham Farm, Fourstones, Hexham. The sale consisted of some exceptionally well presented modern arable and dairy equipment. All machinery had been carefully looked after and shown in tremendous form.

  • BVA launches young vet support network

    June 15th 2007

    THE British Veterinary Association has launched its Young Vet Network (YVN) to provide additional support and services for its members in their final year at university and first eight years after graduation.

  • CabCards simplifies field management

    June 15th 2007

    WITH stewardship margins, no-spray zones, public access, pylons and any number of other features to take into consideration, field operations are becoming a complicated business.

  • Caerwys Show

    June 15th 2007

    Results

  • Calls for Government investment of £750 million in flood defences

    20 June 2007

    THE Government needs to invest at least £750 million a year in flood defences, the Association of British Insurers has warned.

  • Campaign to boost Scottish produced food

    June 15th 2007

    NFU Scotland launched a high profile new Scottish food campaign this week aimed at highlighting all the positive things delivered by Scottish farming and farmers.

  • Cattle Results

    June 15th 2007

    BEEF - Inter-breed (J. Coultrip, Kent) Supreme, C. J. and J. M. Hutchings and Sons, Goldies Trophy (British Limousin); reserve, Boddington Estates Ltd, Sterling Rochester (British Simmental).

  • Champion Jersey is supreme yet again

    June 15th 2007

    THE supreme dairy cow has once again proved her championship status by winning the coveted title for the second year running.

  • Chasing the elusive Great Yorkshire title

    June 15th 2007

    Welsh section B ponies have been Robert Hensby’s passion for 40 years, and his Laithehill stud has its fair share of silverware. Only the championship title at the Great Yorkshire Show eludes him. LIZ FALKINGHAM met him.

  • CLA to develop a web-based carbon footprint calculator

    June 15th 2007

    ALMOST £50,000 has been awarded to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) to fund a project to enable farmers and land managers to calculate the carbon footprint of their businesses.

  • Clannon South Devons peak of £1,100

    June 15th 2007

    A BID of £1,100 for a pedigree cow and calf led trade at the reduction sale of South Devon cattle from the Clannon herd of A. Ridgway at Newton Abbot Mart, Devon. Clannon Feldspar 72, a 2002-born cow with bull calf at foot, went to Mells Park Trust, Somerset. Auctioneers: Rendells.

  • Close gap between consumers and producers, says report

    June 15th 2007

    THE latest report from Business in the Community, entitled the Plough To Plate Report, has highlighted the need to close the gap of misunderstanding between producers and consumers.

  • Compaction mapping to measure soil profile

    June 15th 2007

    PRECISION farming company Soyl launched four new services at Cereals.

  • Conference hears that eating red meat has health benefits

    June 15th 2007

    FRESH evidence as to how eating red meat can help keep you fit emerged at a major medical conference in Cardiff.

  • Conflicting messages on farm futures

    June 15th 2007

    INDEPENDENT lawyers and accountants working in the agricultural sector received mixed messages at the UK 200 Agricultural Group training conference.

  • Cornish buyer snaps up 1,600gns Vedw leader

    June 15th 2007

    CORNISH dairy farmer W.E. Hosken, Helston, paid 1,600gns for the top priced animal at the dispersal sale of the Vedw herd of Holstein Friesians, from D.J. Farr, Pontrilas, Hereford.

  • Dairy classes may return to Royal Lancs thanks to this trio’s dedication

    June 15th 2007

    Agricultural show societies – full of old people organising the same things year after year or a great place for young people to make their mark? JOANNE PUGH went to meet three individuals who are breathing new life into the Royal Lancashire Show and planning to resurrect one of its oldest competitions.

  • Dairy Industry Viewpoint

    June 15th 2007

    Ahead of the closing date for Farmers Guardian’s Dairy Farmer of the Future competition, each of the sponsors will take a look at the industry as they see it. This week Michael Day, managing director of Dairyforce, argues it is time to increase the investment in farm labour rather than trying to squeeze more from less.

  • Defra health plans rejected by tenants

    June 15th 2007

    THE Tenant Farmers Association has rejected Defra’s latest plans on animal health and welfare policy, calling for greater sharing of the responsibility and costs of animal health and welfare between the Government and farmers.

  • Dengie extends support for The Pony Cclub

    15 June 2007

    FEED manufacturer Dengie has extended its support of The Pony Club to include sponsorship of the inaugural Pony Club Winter Dressage League Championships.

  • Depressed sow market

    19 June 2007

    IN the first four months of 2007 nearly 70,000 sows were culled in Great Britain, 15 per cent more than in the same period of last year.

  • Depressed sow market

    19 June 2007

    IN the first four months of 2007 nearly 70,000 sows were culled in Great Britain, 15 per cent more than in the same period of last year.

  • Devon Lleyn winner

    June 15th 2007

    THE championship in the Lleyn sheep section at Devon County Show was won by G.N. and P.A. Martin .

  • DFB completes price rises

    June 15th 2007

    DAIRY Farmers of Britain’s long awaited announcement on producer milk price sees members receiving another 0.5ppl from June 1.

  • Doncaster, South Yorkshire

    June 15th 2007

    TONY Cooke welcomed around 125 visitors to his farm at Hootten Pagnell, Doncaster.

  • Drop in use of pesticides

    June 15th 2007

    THERE was a further reduction in pesticide usage on arable land during last year, according to the Crop Protection Association.

  • East is best

    June 15th 2007

    LINCOLNSHIRE and Yorkshire are the two best areas for starch production from wheat, according to a Velcourt study.

  • Electric fencing options

    June 15th 2007

    THE Electro Power – a high-power, versatile electric fencing system – is now available in the UK from Shropshire-based KiwiKit.

  • Encouraging sheep farmers to work closer with their vets

    June 15th 2007

    THE sheep part of the Farm Health Planning initiative – an industry-led project in partnership with Defra – was launched at the NSA North Sheep event.

  • English lamb sales up 6 per cent

    June 15th 2007

    ENGLISH consumers bought 6 per cent more lamb in the last 12 months than in the year before according to figures from Eblex. Beef sales remained stable at just under 250,000 tonnes but rose by 4 per cent in value to £1,277 million.

  • English Sheepdog Trials Results

    June 15th 2007

    TRAWDEN Summer Open, Twiston Moor, Clitheroe, (72 ran): 1, J. Palmer (Twiston) Shep, 93 of 100; 2, T. Huddleston (Caton) Udale Spring, 92; 3, C. Dewhirst (Bank Newton) Fleet, 90; 4, Tim Longton (Quernmore) Carrie, 88; 5, Michael Longton (Quernmore) Peg, 86; 6, I. Ibbotson (Oakworth) Zac, 85.

  • EPSO top is now available

    June 15th 2007

    A NEW foliar fertiliser, based on the established product EPSO Top (formerly Bittersalz) will be available in the UK for the first time this season.

  • EU legislation and chemical safety

    June 15th 2007

    NEW and important EU legislation that came into force on June 1 puts the onus on agricultural businesses and farmers to show that the chemicals they use are safe and not a risk to human health or the environment – see the latest legal article in farmersguardian.com/business.

  • Euxton, Lancashire

    June 15th 2007

    Joanne and Jonathan Jackson hosted an event at Silvesters Farm, Euxton, Lancashire, where they farm beef, dairy cows and sheep on 120 acres.

  • Exploit genetics data

    June 15th 2007

    PEDIGREE breeders do not exploit genetics enough because commercial farmers buying rams do not demand it – but commercial farmers do not demand it because pedigree breeders do not make genetic information accessible.

  • Extra EBLEX funding to help the lamb industry

    20 June 2007

    NEW and reallocated EBLEX funding will hopefully help the lamb industry’s immediate and longer-term prospects, delegates at the question forum were told.

  • Extra pictures from the South of Engand Show

    June 15th 2007

  • Farmers face £5m farm buildings tax bill, says Treasury

    June 15th 2007

    FARMERS face an annual tax bill of more than £5million after Gordon Brown scrapped the agricultural buildings allowances in this year’s budget, the Treasury has admitted.

  • Farmers to wait until 2009 for RB209

    18 June 2007

    A three-month cash freeze by DEFRA has scuppered any chance of the UK’s new benchmark fertiliser recommendations, RB209, appearing in time for spring 2008.

  • Farmers to wait until 2009 for RB209

    18 June 2007

    A three-month cash freeze by DEFRA has scuppered any chance of the UK’s new benchmark fertiliser recommendations, RB209, appearing in time for spring 2008.

  • Farming industry must take stewardship issue seriously

    June 15th 2007

    ROBUST stewardship of the graminicide Atlantis (iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron) is required if the product is to be retained for use into the future. That was one of Bayer CropScience’s key messages to growers at Cereals 2007.

  • Fears over food shortages ‘unfounded’

    June 15th 2007

    FEARS promoted in the media that food production could be threatened by the expansion of crops grown for biofuels are largely unfounded, the audience at an HSBC forum at Cereals was told.

  • Festival weaves its way on to summer calender

    June 15th 2007

    WEAVING its way on to the summer’s regional events calendar is the second Mid Wales Wool and Willow Festival at the Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, daily except Sundays, until June 30.

  • Field-to-plate partnership

    June 15th 2007

    THE top price and championship was claimed by a pen of lambs from David Hall, Coniton Cold, at the June prime lambs show and sale at Skipton Mart, North Yorkshire.

  • First Milk cheddar under Scottish Pride label

    June 15th 2007

    THE First Milk Cheese Company’s initial launch is to be a ‘family’ cheddar under the Scottish Pride brand.

  • Fruit and veg reforms signal end of FVPs

    June 15th 2007

    LAND covered by fruit and vegetables will be incorporated into the Single Payment Scheme in 2008, signalling the end of Fruit,Vegetable and Potato (FVP) authorisations in England.

  • Gisburn prime lambs

    June 15th 2007

    PRIME lambs were keenly sought at Gisburn Mart’s sale with Texel-cross lambs, weighing 43kg, from Tom Proctor, Blackburn, Lancashire, topping the sale at £57.50. The hammer fell to Paul Watson, Hellifield, Yorkshire.Averages: Prime lambs: 33-39kg 128p/kg; 40-45kg 124p/kg.Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.

  • GOOSEBERRY AND ELDERFLOWER CRUMBLE

    June 15th 2007

    IT has been submitted by Rhiannon Evans, Draws-Nant, Llandrillo, Corwen, Denbighshire, who says it can be served hot or cold with custard or cream.

  • Graham Martyn CAAV president

    June 15th 2007

    GRAHAM Martyn of the Cheshire Agricultural Valuers Association, and partner of Wright Manley, has been elected president of the CAAV.

  • Grazing Monitor : Maintaining quality grazing is key

    June 15th 2007

    NOW is the time to consider what action to take to make the most of grazing during July and early August.

  • Great interest in early maturing peas

    June 15th 2007

    EARLY maturing pea varieties are attracting attention amongst growers seeking to bring in their pea crops ahead of the winter wheat harvest.

  • Guide to preparing, storing and utilising big bale silage safely

    June 15th 2007

    A BEST practice guide to big bale silage storage has been published to help grassland managers meet the joint challenges of safeguarding silage quality, preventing pollution, handling waste, controlling pests and ensuring safety.

  • Guides assess crop prospects

    June 15th 2007

    NEW guides on cereals and bioenergy have been published by Lloyds TSB Agriculture to help farmers plot a course through these two rapidly evolving, volatile markets. 

  • Headphones for U DRAFT

    June 15th 2007

    THERE has been a new addition to Shearwell Data’s EID system for sheep – the U DRAFT headphones.

  • Hedgers’ funds improved

    June 15th 2007

    THE Guild of Cornish Hedgers is the inaugural winner of the Duke of Cornwall’s Award.

  • Heifer takes championship

    June 15th 2007

    THE North West Limousin Cattle Breeders’ Association held its inaugural calf show at Borderway Mart where the Ridley family, Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria, took the championship with Haltcliffe Berne.

  • High establishment of OSR is the key to achieving optimum crop and yield

    June 15th 2007

    A high level of establishment is the single most important factor in achieving the optimum crop and yield for oilseed rape, according to farmer co-operative, United Oilseeds.

  • Highest ever gross output oilseed rape for Recommended List consideration

    June 15th 2007

    CEREALS 2007 saw the launch of the highest ever gross output winter oilseed rape to be considered for addition to the HGCA Recommended List.

  • Honeysuckle cow family dominate Highlight Brown Swiss dispersal

    June 15th 2007

    THE Honeysuckle cow family dominated trade when the entire Highlight herd of Brown Swiss, from father and son team Mike and Chris Candy, Congleton Cheshire, was dispersed to achieve a top of 2,400gns at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire.

  • Hook Norton, Oxfordshire

    June 15th 2007

    AROUND 50 people attended the Irvine family’s Nill Farm, in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire.

  • Horse around at free open weekend

    18 June 2007

    REDWINGS Horse Sanctuary will be holding its summer open weekend on July 14 and 15 at Hapton near Norwich.

  • Hot competition on trade stands

    June 15th 2007

    WITH the best part of 200 trade stands, there was tough competition in the best exhibitor competition.

  • ILPH fundraiser headlined by international show jumper Ben Maher

    20 June 2007

    The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is set to benefit from a huge Equestrian Spectacular at its Norfolk headquarters on Saturday September 8 featuring international show jumper Ben Maher.

  • Ireland is a bigger threat to UK beef than Brazil – NBA

    June 15th 2007

    THE National Beef Association (NBA) has responded to the latest calls for a ban on Brazilian beef imports by warning that a far bigger threat to the UK beef industry comes from across the Irish Sea.

  • Isn’t it time that you built a biobed?

    June 15th 2007

    WHETHER you spray 10 hectares or 10,000 hectares the recent announcement that lined biobeds can be registered with the Environment Agency as an exemption under the Agricultural Waste Regulations is good news.

  • It’s a memorable day for Irena’s Texels

    June 15th 2007

    TEXELS – and one shearling ewe in particular – had a memorable time in the strongly contested sheep rings.

  • Junk food TV ad Act clears first hurdle

    June 15th 2007

    CHILDREN’s and health campaigners hailed the news that the Bill to introduce a 9pm watershed for junk food TV adverts has cleared its first major hurdle in the House of Lords.

  • Keeping tyres on track

    June 15th 2007

    Tractors spending a lot of time on the road often need new front tyres after only 2,000 hours. Not because the tyres are of poor quality, and also not because they being used at the incorrect pressure, but because of poor tracking. Correct tracking, it appears, saves you money.

  • Kendall dispels ‘untruths’ about renewable energy and biofuels

    June 15th 2007

    IT would be a tragedy if bio-energy development, which has so much to offer, were to be held back by myths and misconceptions. We have a great opportunity and we want to take it, but we must maintain our commitment to the environment and sustainability while, importantly, taking our customers with us.

  • Key source of ramularia in spring barley is seed borne – HGCA

    June 15th 2007

    THE key source of ramularia, which is now considered the most important disease affecting spring barley, is seed borne, an SAC/HGCA project has confirmed.

  • Large White supreme as gilts and sows dominate pig classes

    June 15th 2007

    THE pig classes were dominated by females, with gilts and sows taking nine of the 11 breed championships and the overall inter-breed title going to a Large White gilt from Steve Loveless, Bridport, Dorset.

  • Last year’s Dairy farmer of the Future winner expands his herd – to 1,200 milkers

    June 15th 2007

    With the hunt now on to find the 2007 Farmers Guardian Dairy Farmer of the Future, JOANNE PUGH decided to catch up with last year’s winner Rob Bowdler (left) and his newly-expanded herd of nearly 1,200 milking cows.

  • Latest figures show finished cattle prices remain sticky

    19 June 2007

    FINISHED cattle prices remain sticky and the latest figures from MLC’s EU Market Survey show deadweight values easing slightly while live figures hold steady.

  • Latest figures show finished cattle prices remain sticky

    19 June 2007

    FINISHED cattle prices remain sticky and the latest figures from MLC’s EU Market Survey show deadweight values easing slightly while live figures hold steady.

  • Les Culturales

    June 15th 2007

    On alternate years, some 15,000 visitors head for Les Culturales, the nearest the French get to our Cereals event. It is staged just south of Paris at the headquarters of Arvalis, which can be best described as a cross between ADAS pre-privatisation and the HGCA. Jim Bullock reports.

  • Lincoln Red president

    June 15th 2007

    NEW president of the Lincoln Red Cattle Society is Martin Clough, who farms with his parents, Ivan and Carol at Halton Holegate, Lincolnshire, where they run one of the biggest herds in the country.

  • Livestock farming in the Surrey stockbroker belt

    June 15th 2007

    WITH its lush green, rolling landscape, Surrey is prime land for lowland livestock farming.

  • Looking at 2013 CAP reform and beyond

    June 15th 2007

    NFU Cymru’s summer council meeting concentrated on post-2013 CAP reform.

  • Lower rate recommendation for Defy

    June 15th 2007

    THE graminicide prosulfocarb (Defy) has a new lower rate recommendation to cover use for control of annual meadow-grass and broad-leaved weeds in winter cereals.

  • Machinery Focus

    June 15th 2007

    With rigid chassis tractor getting ever more powerful is there still a case for using a smaller articulated tractor? Grower, Stuart Russell, believes so and puts his case to Mervyn Bailey.

  • Make sure you REACH for new chemicals legislation

    14 June 2007

    New and important EU legislation that came into force on the June 1, 2007, puts the onus on agricultural businesses and farmers to show that the chemicals they use are safe and not a risk to human health or the environment.

  • Miliband still open-minded on badger cull

    18 June 2007

    DAVID Miliband has indicated he has not ruled out a badger cull, after scientists advising him on bovine TB concluded that culling badgers could make ‘no meaningful contribution’ to controlling the disease.

  • Miliband's 'access all areas' plan for English coast

    19 June 2007

    ENVIRONEMNT Secretary Mr David Miliband has called for the whole of England’s coastline to be opened up to the public for the first time.

  • Milk is the ammunition in supermarket price war

    June 15th 2007

    ASDA has come under fire from farming organisations for its ‘two for one’ discounting of retail milk.

  • Milk Link to extend its cull marketing

    June 15th 2007

    MILK Link and farmer-owned co-operative Cornwall Quality Livestock Producers are embarking on a joint venture to market cull cows for Milk Link members.

  • Mini-bale haylage wrap

    June 15th 2007

    A NEW bale wrap, especially designed for mini-bale haylage sold to equine markets, has been launched by bpi.agri.

  • Modbury, Devon and St Ewe, Cornwall

    June 15th 2007

    SCORCHING summer weather ensured a high turnout all over the south west for this year’s Open Farm Sunday.

  • Monies to be paid with next milk cheque

    18 June 2007

    MILK Link producers need no longer cover their production with quota.

  • Monies to be paid with next milk cheque

    18 June 2007

    MILK Link producers need no longer cover their production with quota.

  • More at Winter Fair

    June 15th 2007

    Attendance at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair has increased by 40 per cent over the past four years, according to a visitor survey conducted at the 2006 event. Although livestock producers make up the core attendance, the survey has shown that 60 per cent of new attendees are female.

  • MP attacks RPA’s commons ‘nonsense’

    June 15th 2007

    MEMBERS of Parliament are being urged to express their concern over a decision by Defra and the Rural Payments Agency that could deny hundreds of farmers their commonland Single Payment entitlements.

  • New approach to collecting variety royalty based on area

    June 15th 2007

    PLANT breeder and crop development company Senova, is to pilot a new approach to collecting variety royalty payments based on area collection.

  • New co-formulation is the ‘first true PGR for OSR’

    June 15th 2007

    WITH interest and expertise in plant growth regulation in oilseed rape increasing, Syngenta is seeking approval for a new fungicide co-formulation.

  • New country TV channel

    June 15th 2007

    BRITAIN’S first 24-hour country channel, Horse & Country TV, is due to hit farmers’ screens. The launch date and time is noon on July 2, the second day of the Royal Show.

  • New graminicide going through the approvals process

    June 15th 2007

    NEW herbicide options for grass-weed control will be few and far between in the next seven to 10 years, agrochemical manufacturers are warning.

  • New measures for declaration of older farm-saved seeds

    June 15th 2007

    NEW arrangements for the declaration of older, previously zero-rated varieties as farm-saved seed (FSS) will take effect from this autumn, the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has announced.

  • New product will have key role within weed control programmes

    18 June 2007

    NEW grass weed chemistry for the control of bromes, wild oats, rye-grass and a range of broad-leaved weeds in winter cereals could be available within the next 12 months if it is approved by the Pesticides Safety Directorate.

  • New varieties with higher yield figures

    June 15th 2007

    OF the four new winter wheat varieties available from Syngenta Seeds this autumn, three currently have the highest figures for treated yield amongst Recommended List 2008/09 candidate varieties.

  • New Zealand ‘a friend, not foe’ concerning lamb

    June 15th 2007

    FRIEND, not foe – that was the message from NSA North Sheep as far as New Zealand lamb producers were concerned.

  • NFU/FWAG alliance on cards?

    June 15th 2007

    THE NFU is holding detailed discussions with FWAG concerning the possibility of setting up an alliance between the two organisations.The talks, in the early stages, are confidential at this time but Colin Beesley, NFU deputy director general, said: “We want to discuss what mutual benefits there would be from working together.He added: “We are not going to rule anything out at this stage. We don’t want to constrain ourselves.”

  • NSA North Sheep 2007

    June 15th 2007

    With more than 8,000 visitors, nearly 200 trade stands and over 100 overseas visitors, including official inward missions from Romania, Poland and Lithuania, there was plenty of business conducted at NSA North Sheep 2007. JOANNE PUGH reports.

  • Offa’s Dyke challenge

    June 15th 2007

    AN Offa’s Dyke fundraising challenge is being staged in the autumn by RABI, with walkers starting out from the opposite ends of the ancient boundary on September 8. Details on 01865 724931 or 01686 650937.

  • Oldest agricultural show could have a permanent home

    June 15th 2007

    A NEW 220-acre rural park situated on Duchy of Lancaster land is being planned within the county and the Royal Lancashire Show could have a new permanent home there.

  • On course to hit target

    June 15th 2007

    THE Rural Payments Agency finally appears to be on course to reach its June 30 EU Single Payment target.

  • Open Farm Sunday

    14 June 2007

    Almost 400 farms across the UK volunteered to open their gates to the public for the second Open Farm Sunday this week.

  • Open Farm Sunday

    June 15th 2007

    Almost 400 farms across the UK volunteered to open their gates to the public for the second Open Farm Sunday this week.

  • Open Farm Sunday Gallery

    14 June 2007

    Lots of extra pictures from Open Farm Sunday

  • Organic lamb under fire at NSA North Sheep 2007

    20 June 2007

    ORGANIC lamb came under fire at the event where one visitor said he would rather be associated with farm-assured than organic produce.

  • Pedometer

    June 15th 2007

    A PEDOMETER has been designed by WestfaliaSurge to complement its DairyPlan C21 heat detection system. The Rescounter II records activity over two-hour periods and has a new leg strap for ‘optimum cow comfort and fast, easy attachment’. The two products allow farmers to review and analyse historical and current activity, milk yield and conductivity curves – making it easier to predict optimum insemination times. Details on 01908 589600.

  • Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

    June 15th 2007

    In the east of England, the Morton family celebrated record numbers as 1,000 visitors flocked to Willow Brook Farm, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

  • Practical advice on Sheep Better Returns Programme

    June 15th 2007

    THE Sheep Better Returns Programme (BRP) had a large presence at North Sheep with a whole area dedicated to helping producers identify areas of their business where they could make improvements.

  • Producers missing export opportunities that eastern EU member states present

    June 15th 2007

    UNLESS sheep producers in the UK took a more proactive approach towards exports they would continue to miss out to countries with a lot less to offer.

  • Project with M & S will provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people

    19 June 2007

    NINE disadvantaged young people will be involved in a scheme supplying lamb to M & S stores across Wales under an initiative supported by the Prince of Wales Prince’s Trust and the retailer.

  • Raising the profile of Suffolk’s produce

    June 15th 2007

    PASSIONATE food campaigner Caroline Cranbrook has been confirmed as president of this year’s Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival in Suffolk.

  • Rare bloodlines come under the hammer

    18 June 2007

    BLOODLINES which have never before been sold at public auction came under the hammer at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, at the World Wide Sires Ex Factor sale.

  • Rates reduction for Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2012

    June 15th 2007

    NORTHERN Ireland Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has announced a reduction in voluntary modulation (VM) rates for 2007 to 2012.

  • Reducing CO2 emissions

    June 15th 2007

    A NEW carbon footprint service for agricultural businesses is set to help reduce energy and CO2 emissions while delivering cost saving benefits.

  • Reed beds system turns effluent into clear water

    June 15th 2007

    Costs savings and a positive impact on wildlife

  • Results

    June 15th 2007

    SHEEP - Inter-breed (M. Hackling, Somerset) Supreme, I.G. Mortimore and Son (Scotch Blackface); reserve, C. and T. Clarke (Poll Dorset).

  • Revised RB209 benchmark to be delayed until 2009

    June 15th 2007

    A three month cash freeze by Defra has scuppered any chance of the UK’s new benchmark fertiliser recommendations, RB209, appearing in time for spring 2008.

  • Royal Cornwall Show

    June 15th 2007

    This year’s Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge broke all records. Over three days 127,083 people visited the showground and entries in the cattle and sheep sections were also the highest ever. KATIE LOMAS and KATIE ROEBUCK report.

  • Royal Cornwall Show

    June 15th 2007

    This year’s Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge broke all records. Over three days 127,083 people visited the showground and entries in the cattle and sheep sections were also the highest ever.

  • Royal Cornwall Show picture gallery

    June 15th 2007

  • RPA mapping project raises fears of new SPS chaos

    June 15th 2007

    THE Rural Payments Agency is embarking on a major re-mapping exercise, sparking fears of further Single Payment chaos from 2008.

  • Rural draft

    June 15th 2007

    DEFRA has formally handed its draft Rural Development Programme for England 2007- 2013 to the European Commission.

  • Rust trap hosts wanted by NIAB

    June 15th 2007

    NIAB plant pathologist Rosemary Bayles is looking for volunteer wheat growers around the UK to host rust trap nursery sites to monitor disease in the wake of this year’s devastating outbreaks of yellow and brown rust.

  • Sale attracts a large crowd

    18 June 2007

    A LARGE crowd of local farmers and tractor enthusiasts turned out for Mr Edward Worthington's retirement farm sale in Clitheroe last Saturday which was conducted by local auctioneers, Richard Turner & Son.

  • Scholarships furthering agricultural knowledge

    June 15th 2007

    UP to £2,000 in scholarships is available to people employed in agriculture wanting to further their knowledge through a short study tour in the UK or overseas.

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trials Results

    June 15th 2007

    Monymusk (Judge, N. Campbell, Kinross) Open – ran – 1, J.J. Templeton, Ted, Fenwick, 92; 2, H. MacLean, Meg, Culloden, 91; 3, I. Wilkie, Maid, Keithhall, 89; 4, S. Alexander, Scott, Abernethy, 88; 5, I. Wilkie, Tillymaud Moss, Keithhall, 84; 6, J.A. MacLeod, Garry, Killin, 83.

  • Scrapie Plan has a viable future

    June 15th 2007

    THERE could be a viable future for scrapie testing, albeit very different to how it is currently undertaken.

  • Search on to find the Young Rural Entrepreneur of 2007

    June 15th 2007

    COUNTRYSIDE insurance broker Lycetts is offering budding rural businessmen a cash prize of £10,000 after launching a nationwide search to find the Young Rural Entrepreneur of 2007.

  • Seeing benefits first-hand

    June 15th 2007

    THROUGH the West Midlands pilot project for sheep health planning, farmers have been invited to on-farm events to track how individual businesses have implemented their own health strategies.

  • Severe drought hits North Island

    June 15th 2007

    THE one-in-150 year drought ravaging eastern parts of New Zealand’s North Island has put an entire way of farming under threat.

  • Sheep Manager for simplicity

    June 15th 2007

    A SOFTWARE tool called Sheep Manager has been launched by Farmplan to help simplify processes and identify ways to improve performance.

  • Sheepdog Trials Diary

    June 15th 2007

    ENGLAND

  • Slapton peak of 1,500gns at Beeston

    June 15th 2007

    A TOP of 1,500gns led trade when the milking portion of the Slapton herd of pedigree Holsteins, from R. and B. Smith, Slapton, Towcester, was sold at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire.

  • Slower development delivering just what the customer wants

    June 15th 2007

    Having won the rural business award, one of the four categories in the Royal Bath and West of England Society rural business development competition, KATIE ROEBUCK went to find out what was so special about the Ginger Piggery.

  • South of England Show

    June 15th 2007

    Mortimers Racey takes the beef inter-breed title

  • South of England Show results

    June 15th 2007

    Beef - Inter-breed sup., Mortimers Farm, Mortimers Racey (Charolais); res., A.J. Brown, Hawstead Lodge Pamela (Aberdeen Angus).

  • Study reveals best areas for starch production

    18 June 2007

    LINCOLNSHIRE and Yorkshire are the two best areas for starch production from wheat, according to a Velcourt study.

  • Study to combat the bruchid beetle

    June 15th 2007

    LIMITING damage to field beans as a result of bruchid beetle attack is the subject of a new research project to be undertaken by the Processors’ and Growers’ Research Organisation (PGRO).

  • Suckler cows to £1,160 at Newport

    June 15th 2007

    A DRAFT sale of Hereford and Limousin suckler cows with spring-born Limousin calves at foot, from W. Cutter, Usk, Gwent, peaked at £1,160 at Newport for a Belgian Blue cross cow and March-born Limousin cross heifer calf at foot. Hereford cross cows and calves topped at £910 for a 2003-born cow and April-born Limousin cross steer calf.

  • Suffolk ram top at Angus

    June 15th 2007

    The Angus Show, sheep Inter-breed champion was a Suffolk ram lamb from Leslie Learmonth, Wester Oathlaw, Forfar, Angus.

  • Supplement for ram breeders

    June 15th 2007

    A NEW supplement – LIFELINE RamCare – has been designed by Rumenco specifically for ram breeders wanting to produce ‘robust, fast-growing males’ from grazed grass or forage, without the need for daily concentrates.

  • Supply-demand equation acts on ingredients values

    June 15th 2007

    Meadow Foods, based in Chester, which processes milk principally for the ingredients market, has little doubt that strength in this sector will be maintained.

  • Switching mowers improves the feed value of silage on an organic Shropshire farm

    June 15th 2007

    Spiral roller conditioners may not be that popular in the UK but they are gathering a following with farmers growing delicate leaf crops for silage. MERVYN BAILEY speaks to one such user.

  • Switching to TMR and making optimum use of nutritional advice pays off for brothers

    June 15th 2007

    What is the point in having a herd of top cows with all the right genetics for high milk yield if you are not going to exploit it?

  • Syngenta seeks approval for new co-formulation

    18 June 2007

    WITH interest and expertise in plant growth regulation in oilseed rape increasing Syngenta is seeking approval for a new co-formulation that it describes as the first true PGR and fungicide designed specifically for the crop.

  • Tailored inputs produce a more marketable yield

    June 15th 2007

    BY implementing a more detailed soil test, The Glenside Group claims that growers using its data can more accurately tune inputs to individual crop and field requirements leading to improved management of resources and better soil productivity.

  • Ten-month rule to go and cross-compliance burden to be eased

    June 15th 2007

    EUROPEAN Union Farm Ministers have paved the way for new legislation that should ease the burden of cross-compliance on farmers.

  • The West Midlands Potato day

    June 15th 2007

    The West Midlands Potato day saw over 200 farmers gather at Richard Solari’s Heath House Farm, Beckbury, near Shifnal, Shropshire, to listen to formal presentations and field-based discussions on topics including erwinia soft rots, potato marketing and biological pest control. Organised by the British Potato Council, the event was sponsored by Greenvale AP, McCain Foods and the Environment Agency. JOANNA BAKER reports.

  • Title for Palmer and Shep with late run

    June 15th 2007

    WITH the penultimate trial John Palmer and Shep took the title at the Trawden Summer Open, on Saturday, on Twiston Moor, near Clitheroe, Lancashire.

  • Top up phosphate levels before it’s too late, farmers warned

    June 15th 2007

    FARMERS who have been taking ‘phosphate holidays’ over the last pew years were urged at Cereals to re-invest some of the recent gains from improved wheat and oilseed rape prices by topping up the soil reserves before they drop to dangerous levels.

  • Tory review at Royal Show

    June 15th 2007

    FORMER Agriculture Minister John Gummer will present initial recommendations from his major review of Conservative farm and rural policies at the Royal Show. The Conservative MP will also seek views from people attending the show to feed into his Quality of Life Report, before it is published later in the summer.

  • TV show reveals its findings on organic chicken

    June 15th 2007

    A TELEVISION investigation has revealed that organic chickens sold by the ‘big four’ supermarkets are more likely to contain food poisoning bug campylobacter than intensively reared poultry.

  • Waitrose paying more for its lamb

    June 15th 2007

    WAITROSE is paying its dedicated lamb supply groups around 10 per cent more than current depressed market rates for early lambs, saying it needs to ensure a continuing supply for the future.

  • Wales to have lowest levels of UK voluntary modulation

    June 15th 2007

    VOLUNTARY modulation in Wales will be lower than elsewhere within the UK – rising to 6.5 per cent by 2011 and well short of the maximum permitted 20 per cent, Jane Davidson, the Welsh Assembly’s new Sustainability and Rural Development Minister, announced on Tuesday.

  • Warm weather produces hot trade at Kirmington machinery auction

    June 15th 2007

    Only a couple of passing airplanes interrupted the strong bidding at Brown & Co machinery auction at Southfield Farm Kirmington, adjacent to Humberside Airport, earlier this week.

  • Weed Focus

    19 June 2007

    THIS year's Weed Focus, July 12, will be addressing many aspects of cereal weed control from the field to the future. Find out all you need to know.

  • Welsh and NZ sheep farmers to work more closely together to improve ‘dire’ farmgate prices

    June 15th 2007

    WELSH and New Zealand farming leaders have agreed to meet more often to prevent destroying their industries after suffering ‘dire’ farmgate prices for lamb on both sides of the globe.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trials Diary

    June 15th 2007

    CLUN. Session 1. Open National: 1, P. Williams (Mold) Dale, 5; 2, K. Evans (Libanus) Spot, 7olf; 3, A. Owen (Corwen) Roy, 7; 4, R.H. Jones (Llanfechain) Jack, 8; 5, L. Jones (Minsterley) Thomas, 11olf; 6, C. Humphreys (Pennal) Jill, 11.

  • Western Holsteins see 2,100gns Silky Gibson daughter head for Scotland

    June 15th 2007

    THE champion, Irthingvale Gibson Charity, sold for the top price of 2,100gns at the Western Holstein club’s monthly show and sale at Beeston Castle auction, Cheshire.

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