Farmers Guardian
June 8th 2007

  • It pays well to tackle BVD, say farmers themselves

    June 8th 2007

    BEEF suckler herds are £21 per cow per year better off as a result of using a BVD vaccine as part of a disease control plan – and, unusually, that figure has come from farmers themselves and not economists, vets or farm advisors.

  • ‘Absurd’ campaign to ban cheese adverts to children gathers pace

    June 8th 2007

    THE campaign to ban advertising of foods that are ‘high in fat, sugar and salt’ (HFSS) before 9pm, gathered pace this week with widespread political and celebrity support.

  • £5 million rise in annual tax bill

    12 June 2007

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

  • 2007 search for a star begins

    6 June 2007

    THE first qualifiers for the 2007 SEIB Search For A Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse Championships were held recently at Osbaldeston, Lancashire and attracted an unprecedented number of competitors.

  • 9,000gns Ridgefield Sara Page Red tops Beeston Castle sale

    June 8th 2007

    PRICES peaked at 9,000gns at the Summer Explosion Sale of pedigree Holsteins at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire, on a day where fine weather may have kept many potential buyers at home and over half of the catalogued entry went unsold.

  • A flexible outlook is needed for black-grass control

    June 8th 2007

    THE pressures facing farmers in terms of black-grass control will be the focus of a presentation from TAG agronomist David Parish.

  • A rare-breed farm shop makes the dream reality

    June 8th 2007

    Like the romans before them a Northumberland couple had their expansion ideas and branching out into selling their own rare breed meat through a farm shop has finally become a reality. Jennifer MacKenzie visited the farm close to Hadrian’s Wall to find out more.

  • Accord introduces the I-Drill Pro

    June 8th 2007

    To see how the new one pass performs we put a 3m unit to work. See the new I-Drill Pro in action here

  • And the awards go to ... the Joneses

    June 8th 2007

    IT was a case of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ as far as this year’s two annual FUW farming awards are concerned.

  • Annex 1 rejection for Telone II

    June 8th 2007

    THE EU’s Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health has voted against the inclusion of the fumigant 1,3-Dichloropropene in Annex 1 of Directive 91/414/EC.

  • Application makes crucial difference

    June 8th 2007

    OPTIMISING application techniques when it comes to applying products to crops will form a key part of a presentation from Agrovista technical manager, Dr Mark Palmer, at the conference.

  • Arable Focus

    June 8th 2007

    A Farmers Guardian special supplement, including expert advice on disease control, the Weed Focus Conference and machinery spotlights

  • Arable Focus

    June 8th 2007

    A Farmers Guardian special supplement, including expert advice on disease control, the Weed Focus Conference and machinery spotlights

  • Ausa Task M50D

    June 8th 2007

  • Barford Big-Trax 10

    June 8th 2007

    BARFORD revealed that it’s not just excavators and tractors that can be equipped with rubber tracks – the humble site dumper can also benefit from reduced ground pressure using rubber tracks.

  • Battalion forges ahead while Zebedee bounces back

    June 8th 2007

    With thoughts naturally turning to seed variety choice for next season, over the next three pages we ask NIAB and HGCA experts to weigh up the pros and cons of recently Recommended winter wheat and oilseed rape varieties, as well as taking a glimpse at the future of candidate varieties being grown in trials for the first time.

  • Berthoud boosts sprayer range with futuristic Tenor

    June 8th 2007

    Trailed sprayers appear to be a popular choice at the present time as those using tractor mounted units seek out higher capacity machines. Andy Collings reports on the launch of the latest Berthoud trailed sprayer range – the Tenor.

  • Black-grass battle: ‘Get serious about pre-ems’

    June 8th 2007

    WITH good establishment conditions and an early growing season, attempts last autumn to get on top of black-grass should have been as straightforward as in any season in recent years.

  • Bobcat 2250

    June 8th 2007

    BOBCAT has introduced a compact telehandler to its line-up, badged the 2250.

  • Bobcat 425

    June 8th 2007

    BOBCAT has added to its mini excavator portfolio with the 425, which increases the firm’s zero tail swing line-up, along with an enhanced version of its 323 model and an all-new version, the 321.

  • Breeding and Fertility

    June 8th 2007

    Once Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is present in a herd it has devastating effects on fertility, conception rates, abortion rates and calf health and mortality. With some farmers working towards BVD-free accreditation.

  • BVD: ‘We must work towards eradication or be left behind’

    June 8th 2007

    “NORWAY, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain …” – as Prof Joe Brownlie listed the European countries working towards eradicating BVD, it became clear why he was so concerned about the lack of direction in the UK.

  • Call for review of ban on use of animal remains in feed

    June 8th 2007

    A review on animal remains in farm feed is being called for by the European Union’s advisory Economic and Social Committee.

  • Careful planning required so as not to miss out on the approaching OCDS deadline

    June 8th 2007

    THINK twice before bulling pre-August ’96 suckler cows again, and plan the disposal of all your old cows carefully to ensure you can still catch the OCDS before it expires on December 31 next year.

  • Carlisle Limousins see 94pc clearance and 3,700gns peak

    June 8th 2007

    A BID of 3,700gns topped the sale of pedigree Limousins at Carlisle where a total of 176 cattle sold from six herds and a 94 per cent clearance rate was achieved.

  • Case 580 BHL

    June 8th 2007

    CASE used SED to help celebrate 50 years of backhoe loader development with this special edition version of its 580, complete with striking black livery and silver wheels. In 1957, the firm introduced its first backhoe loader.

  • Cattle catcher wins gold for technical innovation

    June 8th 2007

    THE Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland has made 12 awards under its scheme to recognise technical innovation in farming and rural industry, including a gold award to a previous silver winner.

  • Championship for Beltex shearling ewe

    June 8th 2007

    THE sheep inter-breed championship went to the Beltex breed with a Charollais ewe taking the reserve spot.

  • Charollais pips Suffolk for supreme award

    June 8th 2007

    TWO Norfolk breeders led the line-up in the sheep rings, with Jonathan and Carol Barber’s Charollais ram, Rockvilla Ferrari, winning the inter-breed section and a Suffolk ram lamb from Gordon and Elizabeth Beddie placed in reserve.

  • Cheese Crispies

    June 8th 2007

    “My Mum used to make these when I was a little one and now my own children love them,” says sender Nicola Goodings of Wymondham, Norfolk.

  • CO2 emissions can be reduced by 94 per cent

    June 8th 2007

    REPLACING conventional ultra low sulphur diesel with biodiesel can produce savings in carbon dioxide emissions of 94 per cent and reductions in energy use of up to 97 per cent.

  • Coastal approach project

    June 8th 2007

    A THREE-YEAR project to assess the many approaches to coastal management has been launched in Essex.

  • Collaboration will help sugar beet growers stay profitable

    June 8th 2007

    A COLLABORATION between NFU Sugar, two regional development agencies and English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) is promising to help sugar beet growers stay profitable.

  • Conference aims to empower growers

    June 8th 2007

    IMPROVING weed control through knowledge, innovation and best practice will be the key aim of the first ever ‘Weed Focus Conference' on the future of cereal weed control.

  • Control of ramularia in barley

    6 June 2007

    A NEW HGCA topic sheet gives the latest information on control of ramularia in barley, which has been increasing in incidence in recent years. The disease has reduced yields for some farmers, especially of crops grown for malting in northern Britain.

  • Could you be the FG Dairy Farmer of the Future 2007?

    June 8th 2007

    In 2003 it was Trevor Lloyd, in 2004 Roger Lewis, in 2005 it was Stuart Bacon and last year Rob Bowdler was the victor in a closely fought contest. Could you be the Farmers Guardian Dairy Farmer of the Future for 2007?

  • Dairy lobby going on the offensive against detractors

    June 8th 2007

    SOME of the world’s biggest dairy companies are taking a stance on recent damaging reports on the nutritional aspects of dairy products.

  • Dairy Shorthorns to 2,000gns

    June 8th 2007

    THE Tonelea herd of Dairy Shorthorns, from Roy and Arthur Whittle, Milverton, Somerset, sold to 2,000gns for yearling bull Tonelea Duke, out of Pansy 154. Buyer was Trevor Cligg (Pecketsford herd), Beaminster, Dorset. Females peaked at 1,650gns for heifer Tonelea Foggathorpe 26, purchased by K. Boyes, Co. Down.

  • Dairy Show heifer champion Finesse receives the judge’s nod

    June 8th 2007

    THE Holstein second calver Moorshard Outside Finesse 32 took the honours as the dairy inter-breed champion.

  • Dairy UK Environmental Conference

    June 8th 2007

    Dairy UK launched a new approach to the ‘greening’ of dairy farming by talking to farm consultants and advisers rather than directly to farmers at its conference at Stoneleigh, held on World Environment Day this week.

  • Deere adds self-propelled model

    June 8th 2007

    John Deere claims to be the number one global sprayer maker when it comes to revenues and says it has ambitious plans to further grow the business from its two sprayer manufacturing facilities. That is the message from marketing manager Jorgen Audenaert of John Deere’s European sprayer facility at Horst, Holland.

  • Defra voices concern over the SPS payment deadline

    June 8th 2007

    DEFRA was forced to admit this week the Rural Payments Agency still faces an uphill battle to make its June 30 Single Payment deadline, despite a recent upturn in its performance.

  • Devising an eradication strategy that works

    June 8th 2007

    FOR a glimpse of how BVD will be eradicated from the UK cattle population, cast your mind back to the ‘clunk-click, every trip’ public information campaigns of the 1970s, suggests Phil Sketchley.

  • Doosan DX35Z

    June 8th 2007

    KOREAN excavator maker Doosan has developed its first range of mini excavators with reduced rear swing radius, as it looks to grow its business by attempting to understand what markets want.

  • Double tagging is on the way

    June 8th 2007

    UNITED Kingdom sheep producers will almost certainly face a requirement to double tag lambs born in the next crop, after the European Commission made it clear it has no intention of extending the current derogation on the rule.

  • Duke presents show’s rural business awards

    June 8th 2007

    THE four winners of the Royal Bath and West of England Society’s Rural Business Development Awards were presented with their prizes at the show by the Duke of Kent.

  • EC urged to ban all beef imports from Brazil

    June 8th 2007

    THE European Commission has been urged to stop ‘turning a blind eye’ to almost non-existent standards of traceability from Brazilian beef and place a temporary ban on all imports.

  • Employing migrant workers within the law

    6 June 2007

    THE current Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) allows low-skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to come to the UK to do seasonal agricultural work for farmers and growers.

  • English Sheepdog Trial Results

    June 8th 2007

    DEERPLAY HILL TRIAL, Bacup, qualifying trial (70 ran): 1, R. Airey (Trawden) Bet, 80 of 90; 2, A. Gilchrist (Llangollen) Mac, 79; 3, S. Cropper (Deerplay) Beechwood Bob, 77; 4, P. Wood (Derwent Valley) Fern, 72; 5, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Zac, 71; 6, C. Mellin (Oakworth) Maisie, 70.

  • Enviornmental guide for potato production planned for Scotland

    14 June 2007

    FOLLOWING on from the successful launch of ‘Environmental Guidance for Potato Production in England’, FWAG and potato packers Branston are joining forces once more to produce a version of the guide for Scotland.

  • Exciting prospects in winter wheat trials

    June 8th 2007

    THERE is no shortage of winter wheat candidate variety contenders being grown in the HGCA’s Recommended List trials for the first time – five selected potentially as bread-making varieties, one as biscuit-making and three for feed.

  • Fact finding in the Peak District

    June 8th 2007

    MINISTER for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs, Barry Gardiner embarked on a fact-finding visit to Howden Moor in Derbshire’s Peak District.

  • Farmers reducing impact of pesticides

    June 8th 2007

    TWO reports published by the Pesticides Forum suggest farmers and growers are doing much to reduce the impacts of pesticide use on the environment.

  • Farmers Union of Wales annual meeting

    June 8th 2007

    Traditional farming families must have incomes to survive

  • Farming visitors can claim points at the Royal Norfolk

    June 8th 2007

    AGRICULTURAL visitors to the Royal Norfolk Show, Norwich, on June 27 and 28 will again be able to claim Basis and NRoSO points. For a second successive year the show will award Basis (British Agrochemical Standards Inspection Scheme) points to agricultural visitors. Registration points will be at the Anglia Farmers stand, Ben Burgess stand and RNAA main office. One or two individual stands have also applied for the right to award NRoSO (National Register of Spray Operators) points.

  • Fewer Red Tractor-assured insp

    June 8th 2007

    By Ash Dosanjh

  • Fielden and Jim take coveted double gather at Deerplay

    June 8th 2007

    ROBERT Fielden and Jim took the coveted double gather championship title at the Deerplay Hill Trial at the weekend.

  • First Charolais go to Poland

    June 8th 2007

    THE first consignment of British Charolais to Poland comprised 27, 12 month old heifers from the Morris family’s 230 cow pedigree Dorcas herd at Easington, Aylesbury.

  • First Milk pushes up returns again

    June 8th 2007

    JUNE milk cheques for an average First Milk producer will be boosted by around 0.85ppl as the co-op makes its third successive monthly increase in returns to members.

  • Fungicides armoury under attack

    June 8th 2007

    THE disease onslaught on wheat this season and the discovery of new races of brown rust on Robigus and Hyperion and possibly Oakley and Timber is set to trigger a major re-think of variety choice and fungicide policy for 2008, according to agronomists.

  • Grazing Monitor : Grazing conditions continue to be good

    June 8th 2007

    AFTER the driest April on record, then rain, grazing conditions have been very good across most of the country with many farmers in the happy situation of having a plentiful supply of good quality grazing, but the skill will be in maximising its value.

  • Group 3 wheat varieties suffer as growers put focus on yields

    June 8th 2007

    Group 4 varieties account for 38 per cent of crop

  • Gummer to unveil initial policy review plans at Royal

    13 June 2007

    FORMER Agriculture Minister John Gummer will present initial recommendations from his major review of Conservative farm and rural policies at the Royal Show.

  • Hanix H55DR

    June 8th 2007

    JAPANESE maker Hanix is dropping the boxy styling of its current mini excavator range in favour of smoother lines and sweeping curves.

  • Haute couture from the most unlikely location

    June 8th 2007

    In a project that involves more than a touch of glamour, farmer’s wife Sherry Richardson has developed her own unique farm-based business making hats and handbags for special occasions. ANGELA CALVERT visited her in South Yorkshire to learn how she transformed her personal skills into a successful business venture.

  • Herd and flock expansion figures don’t tell whole story, says Eblex

    June 8th 2007

    EXPANDED beef herds and sheep flocks in England do not mean there has been a turnaround in the sector’s fortunes.

  • HGCA has released new guidelines on mycotoxins

    11 June 2007

    HGCA has published new guidelines to minimise the risk of mycotoxins in cereals.

  • High output plough suits block cropping strategy

    June 8th 2007

    Ploughing continues to play an important part in the profitable running of a large arable farm in Cambridgeshire, where the policy is to alternate traditional cultivations with minimum tillage in a block cropping strategy. Key to the ploughing operation is having a machine with sufficient capacity to deal with the hectic autumn workload.

  • How BVD effects breeding

    June 8th 2007

    Depending on when an in-calf cow is exposed to BVD, the disease can cause embryo death or re-absorption (presented as infertility or repeat breeding), abortion or birth defects/deformities.

  • Images to show a year on working Cumbrian farms

    June 8th 2007

    A NEW digital photo project has been launched to create an archive of the farming community.

  • In the minority, but Jersey and British Friesian cows head the dairy lines

    June 8th 2007

    THE minority dairy breeds reigned supreme in the inter-breed line-up with Jersey and British Friesian cows winning champion and reserve respectively.

  • Irishman Alan proves a quick learner when making haggis

    June 8th 2007

    BUTCHER Alan Elliot of Dalbeattie Fine Foods in the South West of Scotland did not even know what haggis was until he took over Cavens butchers shop in the Dumfries and Galloway town three years ago on his 19th birthday.

  • Keenly contested but Holstein wins in dairy line

    June 8th 2007

    A HOLSTEIN cow which had given 72 tonnes of milk and is due to calve with her eighth calf in August was named champion in the keenly contested dairy inter-breed judging.

  • Kramer 4009

    June 8th 2007

    THE largest model in Kramer’s telehandler range is currently the 4009 – a machine that offers a 4- tonne lift capacity and 9m working height.

  • Kverneland I-Drill Pro - Fan Unit and Coulter

    June 8th 2007

    FAN UNIT - This unit had the optional hydraulically powered fan, which is placed horizontally behind the hopper helping save on space.

  • Kverneland I-Drill Pro - Filling, Calibrating and the Control Box

    June 8th 2007

    FILLING - Steps pull out so you can get to the platform behind the 1,200-litre capacity hopper, which can be increased to 1,800 litres. The slide for the steps does look a bit of an after thought and could do with being finished better.

  • Kverneland I-Drill Pro - Headstock & Coupling and Packer & Markers

    June 8th 2007

    HEADSTOCK AND COUPLING - By positioning the hopper as far forward as possible Accord has tried to keep weight as close to the tractor as possible. The knock on effect is that its now a tight fit when hitching up especially on our Case IH Maxxum 130 which has long mudguards, while the Deutz-Fahr Agrotron K120 gave us a bit more room to play with.

  • Kverneland I-Drill Pro Spec

    June 8th 2007

  • Lancashire FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    HAVING excelled in the stockjudging competitions, Samlesbury YFC went on to take the overall championship at the Lancashire FYFC rally.

  • Large White gilt tops pigs

    June 8th 2007

    A LARGE White gilt, from M.J Kiddy’s Withersfield herd based at Shuttleworth College, Bedfordshire, took pig inter-breed honours.Standing reserve was a young Gloucester Old Spot boar from Carol Knight’s Alsa herd. Sired by Walbrook Sambo 3, he was born in January. Top and reserve honours in the commercial section went to P.D and G.S Mortimer for two Maximus cross Large White cross Landrace animals.

  • Latest price spike has unsettled some German importers

    June 8th 2007

    RISES in the price of imported lamb in European markets like Germany are just as undesirable to importers as recent fluctuations in schedule payments are to farmers in New Zealand.

  • Leicestershire and Rutland FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    FOR the second year running, Market Bosworth YFC picked up the overall trophy at the Leicestershire and Rutland FYFC rally.After 75 competitions and events, they were placed ahead of Lutterworth YFC in second and Norton and Gaulby YFC in third. Norton and Gaulby also won the prize for the most improved club since the 2006 rally.

  • Limit the supermarkets power

    June 8th 2007

    WHILE recognising that the Welsh Assembly was not in a position to address all the dairy industry’s underlying problems, the FUW wants the new administration to take decisive action to limit the power of the major supermarkets.

  • Limousin club’s ‘silver’ exclusive at Cheshire Show

    June 8th 2007

    THE climax of the North West Midlands and North Wales Limousin Breeders Club’s 25th anniversary celebrations will be an exclusive show for members at this year’s Cheshire Show.

  • Lincolnshire FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    WITH a clear lead of 146 points, Horncastle YFC were the victors at the Lincolnshire FYFC rally.The club scored 531 points with Hamston YFC in second with 385; Market Rasen YFC were third.Horncastle also took home trophies for the highest marks in the senior rally classes; senior exhibition classes; designated fun classes; junior rally classes; and stockjudging classes.

  • LIVESTOCK IN BRIEF

    June 8th 2007

    • THIS week sees Sheep South West – the last of the NSA’s regional shows this summer. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 12, at Hornacott Barton, Boyton, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 9RL with over 140 trade stands. Details are at www.nationalsheep.org.uk.

  • Low carbon footprint eggs

    June 8th 2007

    A LINCOLNSHIRE egg supplier has secured a contract to supply a leading supermarket chain with ‘low carbon’ eggs.

  • Major Road Blaster

    June 8th 2007

    A NEW spin on the slurry tanker theme was exhibited by Major Equipment, in the guise of its Road Blaster.

  • Making history in the ring - and striving for beef prefection

    June 8th 2007

    The winner of last year’s Royal Highland Show beef inter-breed competition went on to make history by taking top honours at the Royal Welsh Show a month later.

  • Meat marketing boost

    June 8th 2007

    WELSH meat promotional body, Hybu Cig Cymru, is digging into its financial reserves to boost marketing activities in response to the current low lamb prices.

  • Miliband moving closer to badger culling decision?

    June 8th 2007

    DEFRA Secretary David Miliband is expected to announce the lifting ‘in principle’ of the moratorium on culling badgers to control bovine TB later this month.

  • Milk co-op forges organic partnerships

    June 8th 2007

    MILK Link is getting together with OMSCo and Yeo Valley in separate developments to grow the organic dairy sector.

  • Milking three times daily has compensated for falling milk prices

    June 8th 2007

    HAVING invested in a new dairy unit and faced with milk prices falling below budgets, a Dumfries farming family decided the only way forward was to maximise milk yield from their existing dairy herd.

  • Mineral balance the key to maximising use of grazed grass

    June 8th 2007

    FOR growing cattle and suckler cows which are predominantly fed on grazed grass during the summer months, the drive towards improving productivity and profitability is inextricably linked to making better use of grassland.

  • Mineral balance the key to maximising use of grazed grass

    June 8th 2007

    Following the launch at Beef Expo, Rumenco has been giving Farmers Guardian readers a chance to win a Rocker Feeder and blocks of TAB Cattle Plus. We take another look at the products alongside your last chance to enter the competition.

  • MP calls for badger cull

    June 8th 2007

    THE chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dairy Farming has added his voice to the calls for a badger cull.

  • Neuson 9503

    June 8th 2007

    COMPACT equipment maker Neuson has launched its largest - and fastest - wheeled excavator, capable of hitting a 40kph travel speed.

  • New campaign targets troublesome dogs

    12 June 2007

    DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets under control around livestock, as part of a new campaign launched this week.

  • New health grants initiative receives a mixed response

    June 8th 2007

    By Ash Dosanjh

  • New insecticide InSyst registered in time for aphid control this season

    7 June 2007

    A NEW potato insecticide has received registration just in time for what experts predict will be a high-pressure season for aphids.

  • New ministerial team announced for Welsh Assembly

    June 8th 2007

    TWO months since it last met, the Welsh Assembly now has a Ministerial team in place – with a new face looking after the previous environment, countryside and planning portfolio under the fresh title of Minister for Sustainability and Rural Development.

  • New names for cereal seed treatments Baytan and Baytan Secur

    7 June 2007

    CEREAL seed treatments Baytan and Baytan Secur are to be marketed under new brand names Tripod and Tripod Plus from this autumn onwards. Both are unchanged in formulation.

  • New Zealand is still attractive for migrants

    June 8th 2007

    THE number of migrating farmers and farm workers approved to obtain work in New Zealand increased by 40 per cent over the past two years.

  • New Zealand lamb is under discussion

    June 8th 2007

    THE whole issue of New Zealand lamb and its effect on our domestic market will be thrashed out next week when the NFU, Eblex and the NSA meet a delegation of top officials from Meat and Wool New Zealand who are coming to the UK especially for the talks.

  • NFU and FWAG to form alliance

    13 June 2007

    THE NFU are having detailed discussions with FWAG concerning the possibility of setting up an alliance between the two organisations.

  • NFU helps fight climate change

    June 8th 2007

    NFU played its part in this week’s World Environment Day by urging its members to adopt new farming techniques to enhance their status as custodians of the landscape.

  • NFU president opens his farm in support of Open Farm Sunday

    June 8th 2007

    FARMS all over the country will be opening their doors this weekend for Open Farm Sunday, highlighting to consumers why British farmers need and deserve fairer prices.

  • NFU Scotland welcomes new modulation rates

    June 8th 2007

    NFU Scotland has welcomed the Government’s improved rural development measures in Scotland, despite it meaning higher modulation rates.

  • NI modulation rates cut – but UFU condemns missed opportunity

    12 June 2007

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

  • Nick is following in his father’s footsteps

    June 8th 2007

    THE annual meeting was the first for Nicholas Fenwick in his new role as the union’s director of agricultural policy.

  • Northumberland’s ancient woods in need of help

    6 June 2007

    URGENT action is required to improve the ancient woodland areas of Northumberland, more than half of which are in a poor condition, a three-year study has revealed.

  • Obley Novice trial pulls in the entries

    June 8th 2007

    THE attraction of a trial limited to novice dogs and novice handlers was demonstrated by the fact that 42 dogs went to the post at the Obley Novice Trial, hosted by Lorna Owen at Higher Hagley Farm, Craven Arms.

  • One stop shop for equestrian

    June 8th 2007

    CHARTERED surveyors group Berrys has launched Berrys Equestrian to cater for people looking to sell and buy a country property that will accommodate their horse as well as themselves.They claim it is ‘one stop shop’ for the equine world, and includes a range of professional services including livery contracts, grazing agreements, planning and development projects etc.

  • Organic beef producers group for M&S

    June 8th 2007

    A MINIMUM deadweight price of 280p/kg, whatever happens to the general market price, is being guaranteed to the current 30 or so members of the newly formed Marks and Spencer Organic Beef Producers Club.

  • OSR candidates impress in trials

    June 8th 2007

    HGCA has flagged up 11 candidate oilseed rape varieties for possible recommendation this coming autumn and two, in particular, offer gross outputs that could challenge the existing Recommended List ‘big hitters’.

  • Overall honours go to Landrace boar

    June 8th 2007

    TOP pig was a home-bred Landrace boar, the September 2006-born Sunrise Hampster from Steve Loveless – one of 70 sows he keeps at Skilling, near Bridport, Dorset.

  • Plenty of choice for winter rape growers

    June 8th 2007

    WHEN it comes to Recommended winter oilseed rape varieties growers are faced with a bigger choice than ever, says NIAB’s Simon Kightley.

  • Potato growers should introduce protectant fungicides into blight programmes

    12 June 2007

    AS potato crops reach stable canopy stage and the blight pressure mounts across the country potato growers should be incorporating strong protectant fungicides with known zoospore and hence tuber blight activity into their blight programmes, says Dow AgroSciences.

  • Potato insecticide is registered

    June 8th 2007

    A NEW potato insecticide has received registration just in time for what is predicted will be a high-pressure season for aphids.

  • Poultry classes are cancelled

    June 8th 2007

    ALL poultry classes at the Royal Bath and West show were cancelled this year due to the outbreak of bird flu in North Wales. Defra regulations meant no birds or eggs were on show during the four-day event at Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

  • Presidential team get the thumbs up from delegates

    June 8th 2007

    DELEGATES at the meeting voted to keep the union’s presidential team intact, with Gareth Vaughan unanimously re-elected for the fourth successive time as president – this year wearing the union’s badge of office, presented by his own Montgomeryshire county branch.

  • Prices must rise, say meat producers as margin widens

    June 8th 2007

    THE price spread or margin between retail and farmgate prices for beef and lamb are significantly greater than a year ago – and the NFU wants to know why.

  • Pushing the boundaries and picking up the bill

    June 8th 2007

    They say that what you have never had you never miss.

  • Ram’s inter-breed championship raises Derrick’s spirits

    June 8th 2007

    THERE have not been many occasions over the past 25 years or so when a familiar face has been missing from the Shepton Mallet or most of the other major sheep judging rings up and down the country.

  • Recognising and rewarding young people carving out a career in dairy farming

    June 8th 2007

    BACK for a fifth year, the FG Dairy Farmer of the Future is the competition that sets out to recognise and reward young people who are carving out a successful career in dairy farming in spite of all the problems facing the industry.

  • Reducing emissions pollution

    June 8th 2007

    BRITISH agriculture was only responsible for 7 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, said Prof David Scholefield, of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.

  • Repairs have boosted local economy, says Dales report

    June 8th 2007

    THE repair of dry stone walls and historic farm buildings in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has boosted the local economy, created jobs and kept alive traditional skills.

  • Resistance research tackles the future

    June 8th 2007

    HIGHLIGHTING just how widespread herbicide resistance really is in the UK will be the focus for research scientist Dr Stephen Moss, Rothamsted Research, when he addresses delegates at the conference.

  • Round-up of the local shows

    June 8th 2007

    Rutland Show

  • Royal Bath and West Show

    June 8th 2007

    Exceptional quality as Mortimers Racey stands ahead in the beef line

  • Royal Bath and West Show results

    June 8th 2007

    BEEF - Inter-breed, (Judge, I. Campbell, Northumberland) Supreme, Mortimers Farm, Mortimers Racey (British Charolais); reserve, W.H. Sandford, Haughton S.A.S Joe Louis 1 (South Devon).

  • Royal Highland Show 2007 Preview

    June 8th 2007

    THIS year’s Royal Highland Show is gearing up for one of its finest displays to date, as organisers announce a record breaking 5,000 livestock entries.

  • Royal visit to Three Counties

    June 8th 2007

    PRINCE Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting next weekend’s three-day Three Counties Show – arriving at the Malvern showground mid-morning on Friday and staying until mid-afternoon. This year marks the 210th anniversary of the show society and the 50th show at its permanent home.

  • Ruthin Limousins 3,200gns top

    June 8th 2007

    TOP price at the North West and North Wales Limousin Club sale at Ruthin went to a bull from Glyn Vaughan, Dolcorsllwyn, Machynlleth. The hammer fell at 3,200gns to M.A. Jones, Glanrafon, Corwen. The champion bull from Dylan Hughes, Bryn Celynog, Cwm Prysor, sold for 2,700gns to Owain Llyr, Ruthin.

  • Scene - by the vet

    June 8th 2007

    ONE of our clients recently had a tank go down with a residue failure, which was a very costly event.

  • Scots butchery’s future in safe hands

    June 8th 2007

    TWO Scottish Butchers beat off stiff competition to scoop the Quality Meat Scotland Scottish Meat Skills Championship.

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trial Results

    June 8th 2007

    DRYNIE Double Lift (Judge, J. McIntyre, Moy) Open (46 ran) 1, H. Johnstone (Fyvie) Cap, 100/120; 2, E. Mackinnon (Lochcarron) Glen, 94; 3, J.A. MacLeod (Killin) Garry, 89; 4, S.L. Davidson (Sandbank) Shep, 88 Outbye; 5, I. McConnell (Garven) Dan, 88; 6, J. Sutherland (Durness) Maid, 84.

  • Seed treatments’ new names

    June 8th 2007

    CEREAL seed treatments Baytan and Baytan Secur are to be marketed under new brand names Tripod and Tripod Plus from this autumn onwards. Both are unchanged in formulation.

  • Sheep price summit is anticipated

    June 8th 2007

    ANSWERING concerns from delegates over ‘loss making’ lamb returns, Gareth Vaughan, said that during the coming months the union was scheduled to meet officials from New Zealand to discuss the dire prices affecting lamb prices in both hemispheres.

  • Sheepdog Trials Diary

    June 8th 2007

    ENGLAND

  • Shorthorn Society sale at Chelford Centre

    June 8th 2007

    2,800gns top, solid trade

  • Shows are the ‘shop window’ for this champion Blackface flock

    June 8th 2007

    THE Ramsay family from Dalry, Castle Douglas, are hoping for another successful outing in the sheep rings at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

  • Shropshire FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    PERSISTENT rain did not put off any of the Shropshire Clubs at their annual rally with members as enthusiastic about wheelbarrow-racing outdoors as they were about the Stars In Their Eyes competition indoors.

  • Site Equipment Demonstration (SED)

    June 8th 2007

    The recent Site Equipment Demonstration (SED), held at Rockingham, threw the spotlight on some unusual and interesting kit that can meet the needs of farmers and contractors alike. Geoff Ashcroft reports.

  • Somerset FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    WITH a ‘best of the west’ theme, all 26 clubs in Somerset were out to win at their annual rally – but Bridgewater YFC came out on top.

  • Spotlight Plus application restrictions revised

    12 June 2007

    LABEL recommendations for use of Spotlight Plus (carfentrazone-ethyl) on seed potatoes have changed, says Belchim. Previously restricted to one application per crop Spotlight Plus can now be used up to a maximum individual dose of 1.0l/ha and a maximum total dose of 1.6l/ha, which matches the ware crop approval. Where flail and spray is employed, this change allows a follow up spray to control any haulm regrowth should it be necessary.

  • SPS deadline reminder

    7 June 2007

    The final deadline for the submission of SPS 2007 application forms is midnight on Saturday, June 9. Drop-in-centres are open between 8.30am and 5.00pm until Saturday. Applications can be deposited at drop-in-centres between 5.00pm and midnight on Jone 9, using the post-boxes provided. Application forms deposited after midnight Saturday, June 9 will be rejected.

  • Staffordshire FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    TWO clubs had to settle on sharing the overall trophy for highest-scoring club after a fierce competition.

  • Staffordshire Show

    June 8th 2007

    Ballygrange Vinney gets the nod as Belgian Blue bull wins beef inter-breed

  • Staffordshire show results

    June 8th 2007

    BEEF - Inter-breed (Judge, D. Bell, Warwickshire) Supreme, A. and N. Wheelwright, Ballygrange Vinney, (Belgian Blue); reserve, D. Wain, Fiach 4 of Wainsmore, (Highland).

  • Stamp out BDV

    June 8th 2007

    THIS is the second time Farmers Guardian has taken an in-depth look at BVD and how to stamp it out.

  • Strawberry growers must remain vigilant against angular leaf spot

    13 June 2007

    DEFRA is reminding strawberry growers of the need to remain vigilant against the bacterial disease angular leaf spot (Xanthomonas fragariae), following a further finding in the UK.

  • Suffolk Holstein Young Breeders’ Calf Show

    June 8th 2007

    THE Suffolk Holstein Young Breeders’ Calf Show was held on the second day of the Suffolk Agricultural Show.

  • Suffolk Show

    June 8th 2007

    A CHAROLAIS cow shown with twin calves at foot took beef inter-breed honours at the Suffolk Show at Ipswich.

  • Suffolk Show Results

    June 8th 2007

    BEEF

  • Summer collective sale at Hexham & Northern Marts

    12 June 2007

    Hexham & Northern Marts held their Summer Collective auction sale on Saturday 9th June 2007 and offered a total of 2114 catalogued lots for sale.

  • Takeuchi TL120

    June 8th 2007

    The TL120 is Takeuchi’s smallest tracked skid steer loader in a range that now totals four models.

  • Television Advertising (Food) Bill through to the next stage

    11 June 2007

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

  • Telone II use permitted until March 2009

    6 June 2007

    THE EU’s Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health has voted against the inclusion of the fumigant 1,3-Dichloropropene in Annex 1 of Directive 91/414/EC.

  • The Badger Trust launches attack on state vets

    June 8th 2007

    THE Badger Trust has launched an extraordinary attack on state vets, accusing them of being ‘ill-informed and out-of-date’ in their views on how to deal with bovine TB.

  • The Farm

    5 June 2007

    THIS book was published last year, but only found its way onto my desk recently. I picked it up to glance at last Saturday morning and was instantly hooked.

  • The rule of supply and demand offers brighter future for arable prices

    June 8th 2007

    SIMPLE supply and demand economics would suggest a long term positive trend in arable prices says an agricultural banker.

  • Things can only get better – BWMB

    June 8th 2007

    WELL aware that sheep farmers are disillusioned with current wool prices, the British Wool Marketing Board is putting out information packs spelling out just what it is doing – and offering some hope that prices should improve.

  • Threat to top leaves means challenging times ahead for T3

    June 8th 2007

    A T3 spend will be obligatory this year as wheat crops continue to be threatened by septoria in the west and by rusts from the south coast to north east Scotland. FG asked the experts how to protect yields on this last lap to harvest.

  • Thriving box scheme means exciting expansion plans for this organic business

    June 8th 2007

    FOR Peter and Jo-Ann Richardson the setting up of River Swale Organics is an opportunity to expand their already thriving organic farming business.

  • Top of 9,000gns at Holstein Ex

    6 June 2007

    PRICES peaked at 9,000gns at the Summer Explosion Sale of pedigree Holstein cattle at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire, on a day where fine weather may have kept many potential buyers at home and over half of the catalogued entry went unsold.

  • Topic sheet aiming to tackle ramularia

    June 8th 2007

    A NEW HGCA topic sheet gives the latest information on control of ramularia in barley, which has been increasing in incidence in recent years.

  • Trial results confirm minerals benefits

    June 8th 2007

    FAILURE to supplement grazing cattle with minerals could be reducing growth rates by up to 30 per cent, according to research carried out in Denmark.

  • Trophy winner to be revealed at the Great Yorkshire Show

    June 8th 2007

    THE 2007 FWAG Tye Trophy winner is set to be unveiled on Wednesday June 11, the second day of this year's Great Yorkshire Show.

  • Two of the big four battling to be the best ‘local’ supplier

    June 8th 2007

    WHICH major supermarket is closest to its producers?

  • Two tag or no to tags

    June 8th 2007

    It may not be all over yet – the NFU, for one, has vowed to keep up the fight – but it now looks very unlikely that the double sheep tagging derogation will be retained beyond the end of this month.

  • UK pushing for 30 month beef-on-bone limit by end of year

    June 8th 2007

    THE UK Government and red meat industry are pushing the European Commission to lift the age limit for removing the vertebral column from cattle to 30 months by the end of this year.

  • Volvo F Series

    June 8th 2007

    F-SERIES is Volvo’s latest generation of loading shovels, which includes the L60F, L70F and L90F medium duty machines.

  • Volvo Plus BHL

    June 8th 2007

    VOLVO has added specification and output to its two backhoe loaders, the BL61 and BL71, which are now known as the Plus models.

  • Waitrose Best Young Farmer Producer finalist - Richard Mawson

    June 8th 2007

    In the last of the FG/Waitrose Best Young Farmer Producer finalist features, LIZ FALKINGHAM visits the west coast of Cumbria to see how Richard Mawson is making the most of the family farm’s isolated location

  • Weather is key to midge threat

    June 8th 2007

    Wheat orange blossom midge ‘years’ are sporadic but can have a devastating effect. Is 2007 turning out to be a midge year? Alison Lea looks at the risk around the country and reviews what we know about this pest and how to prevent it damaging crops.

  • Weed Focus Conference

    June 8th 2007

    Weed Focus is about optimising weed control through knowledge, innovation and best practice.

  • Weed Focus Conference

    June 8th 2007

    Weed Focus is about optimising weed control through knowledge, innovation and best practice.

  • Well-grown Saddleback catches the judge’s eye

    June 8th 2007

    THE inter-breed pig championship went to a British Saddleback gilt, Victoria Lottie 275, from John and Mary Wreakes, Stainforth, Doncaster.

  • Welsh avian flu outbreak is over

    June 8th 2007

    WITH the incubation period now well passed health officials in North Wales believe the outbreak of a mild form of bird flu which affected poultry on a smallholding near Corwen – and 17 people – is over.

  • Welsh modulation rates are lowest in UK

    13 June 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.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trial Results

    June 8th 2007

    CWMDU. Open National, Session 1: 1, G. Powell (Gladestry) Gwen, 9; 2, L.N. Watkins (Llangadog) Floss, 10; 3, D. Evans (Libanus) Floss, 12olf; 4, E.L. Morgan (Aberystwyth) Fred, 12; 5, M. Price (Builth Wells) Mac, 13; 6, R.B. Pugh (Nantmel) Jess, 14.

  • What the Agronomist says

    June 8th 2007

    Agronomist Nigel Walley of BCW Agriculture has been back to see the crop after six weeks as it was approaching growth stage 30. The crop looks to have the potential for high grain yields.

  • Where pampered beef cattle generate a niche profit

    June 8th 2007

    Niche markets for red meat do not come more specialised than that for Kobe beef, where cattle are fed a ration of cereal laced with beer and massaged three times weekly. But pampering is generating profit for beef farmer Craig Walsh, as Simon Wragg found out.

  • William Fox-Pitt Wins Fourth Bramham Title

    12 June 2007

    WITH less than one point separating the first four in the Bramham International Senior CCI*** competition going into the show jumping phase, it was always going to be a tight finish. William Fox-Pitt, in fourth position, put pressure on the three above him with an immaculate clear round, within the time, leaving him on a final score of 51.7 on his own and Mrs Jane Kerr’s, Macchiato.

  • Worcestershire FYFC Rally

    June 8th 2007

    WITH nearly 300 points more than any of the other eight clubs, Bromsgrove YFC were the clear winners at the Worcestershire Rally.

  • Youth’s migration ‘must be stemmed’

    June 8th 2007

    ONE issue the FUW is hoping the new Welsh Assembly will give priority to is the sustainability of agriculture.

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