There is a well known saying, 'no pain, no gain' and that will be ringing true in the minds of Milk Link’s 1,600 producers, who are on the brink of reaping just reward for 12 years of loyalty and investment.Farmers Guardian
May 26th 2006
-
‘A thorough approach can help prevent future problems’
May 26th 2006
At a recent seminar on equine law at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, law and taxation lecturer Carrie de Silva discussed a wide range of legal issues relevant to anyone involved in horses. SARAH CRIPPS highlights some of the topics covered.
-
‘Erratic’ growth rate means record yields are ‘unlikely’
May 26th 2006
Yorkshire
-
‘Ministers to blame for failure not the system’ claims company
May 26th 2006
THE Single Payment Scheme failed because Ministers introduced the wrong system, not as a result of IT failure, the company that delivered the scheme’s computer system claimed this week.
-
‘Pleasurable’ oats is growing market
May 26th 2006
HISTORICALLY oats have suffered in the shadow of wheat and barley as a crop totally exposed to the vagaries of a commodity market with no intervention.
-
‘Scottish Shepherd of the Year’ competition
May 26th 2006
A MAJOR new feature of Scotsheep 2006 will be a competition for young shepherds to find the 2006 Scottish Shepherd of the Year.
-
10pc-plus cut on wool clip returns
29 May 2006
WITH shearing getting underway, disappointing news is on the way for wool producers with a 10 per cent-plus cut on last year’s returns and an average price of 45p per kg on the cards.
-
21,000gns equals record as Belgian Blue intermediate bulls average hits £4,760
May 26th 2006
Overall average jumps £1,029 on the year
-
9,000gns Terrason Lyme 13 heads Sanigar sale and her Shottle calf makes 8,000gns
May 26th 2006
ONE of the largest one day sales of the year took place at Sanigar Farm, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, for A. and N. Pearce to sell their Sanigar Holstein herd.
-
A day in the life ... of a large a large animal vet
May 26th 2006
In the first part of a new series looking at what different professions really involve, SARAH CRIPPS spends a day in Cheshire with top farm animal vet John Dawson to learn what the job involves and how it is changing.
-
Accenture and RPA deny cover-up after ‘slip of the tongue’
May 26th 2006
ACCENTURE and the Rural Payments Agency moved quickly to quash speculation that problems with the
-
Aggressive supermarkets threatening the UK’s meat supplies – MLC chief
May 26th 2006
SHORT-TERM aggressive supermarket buying policies are threatening the future supply of meat in this country, the head of the Meat and Livestock Commission has warned.
-
Agony continues as EU Commissioner says Defra must wait for decision
May 26th 2006
EUROPEAN Union Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has failed to put Defra out of its misery over delayed Single Payments.
-
Aireburn milkers to 18,000gns for mother and daughter pairing
May 26th 2006
THE interest in top class pedigree Holsteins continued apace at Hesper Farm, Bell Busk, Gargrave, North Yorkshire, when Brian and Judith Moorhouse offered the entire milking portion of their Aireburn herd.
-
Balers get an upgrade
May 26th 2006
THE variable and fixed chamber Massey Ferguson balers have been upgraded for the coming season.
-
Beef Expo 2006
May 26th 2006
CLAIMED to be the largest demonstration of different breeds at any event in the UK, breed societies booking space at Beef Expo 2006 include:
-
Bosworth win ends 12-year run
May 26th 2006
MARKET Bosworth YFC ended the Melton Mowbray club’s record-breaking 12-year run of success by capturing the overall winner’s trophy at the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of Young Farmers Clubs’ diamond anniversary rally.
-
Building a reputation for closed stock pedigree herds
May 26th 2006
Organic methods, teamed with strict livestock performance recording, are proving a great success for livestock manager Tim White. ROSALIND PASMORE found out how he is making ancient Wiltshire downland work for him.
-
Burgie popular with competitors
29 May 2006
Entries are steadily coming in from riders across the Nation for the CCI** and CCI* at Scotland's most northerly international British Eventing fixture - Burgie International Horse Trials, Forres.
-
Call for action on OP dips
29 May 2006
SHEEP dip campaigner Brenda Sutcliffe, of Littleborough, Lancashire, has written to new Defra Secretary David Miliband claiming organophosphate dips are ‘unusable’ in farmyard conditions.
-
Champion tops Border and Lakeland Holsteins’ Carlisle fixture at 2,000gns
May 26th 2006
THE Border and Lakeland Holstein Club show and sale at Carlisle saw the champion realise the top price for Robert and Elaine Butterfield, Ingleview Holsteins.
-
Charity fun ride on August 12
29 May 2006
The Meningitis Trust is asking horse riders from across the southwest take part in its new Horses for Causes sponsored fun ride on Saturday August 12.
-
Cherry and Almond Biscuits
May 26th 2006
“THIS isn’t really a biscuit – it’s almost a cake!” says Hazel Rose of Fort William, Invernesshire.
-
Controlling costs is key to sound future
May 26th 2006
The National Sheep Association’s Scotsheep 2006 is being held on Wednesday, June 7, at the upland beef and sheep farm of John and Fiona Gordon. NEIL RYDER visited Wellheads, Aberdeenshire, to take a look at the venue and speak to the host.
-
Co-operating to ‘ring’ most from resources
May 26th 2006
EVERYONE knows there can be considerable benefits from pooling resources and working collectively – but as far as the UK is concerned farmer co-operation rarely appears to succeed.
-
Crops look great as disease pressure low
May 26th 2006
Cambridgeshire
-
Current CAP reforms are just the start
May 26th 2006
THE current reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was just the start of a process that would ultimately remove farming’s reliance on Government support, a senior Defra official told the conference.
-
Dairy Crest profits are in line with expectations
May 26th 2006
DAIRY CREST has reported a 41 per cent reduction in profit before tax for the year ended March 31.
-
Defra gives green light for flying calves to the continent, cutting journey times
May 26th 2006
MOVES to fly calves from the UK to continental Europe could begin immediately, after Defra gave the green light to exporting cattle by air.
-
Defra takes a tough stance on supermarkets buying power
29 May 2006
DEFRA Ministers have asked the Competition Commission to investigate alleged supermarket abuse of their buying powers.
-
Devon County Show
May 26th 2006
Simmental Corskie Radium is supreme the first time out
-
Devon County Show Cattle Results
May 26th 2006
BEEF
-
Devon County Show Postscript
May 26th 2006
Show attracts crowd of more than 90,000
-
EC warns UK over voluntary modulation
May 26th 2006
THE European Commission has attempted to put a shot across the bows of UK plans to impose additional voluntary modulation to boost funds for rural development.
-
Eccleshall win again…
May 26th 2006
CHALLENGES ranging from making a live Wizard of Oz scarecrow to tractor handling were tackled by Staffordshire Young Farmers during their county rally. For the second year in a row, Eccleshall YFC was overall rally winner, with Stone once again runner-up. Third place went to Cheadle.
-
Farm leaders appalled as hill payments are slashed
29 May 2006
APPALLED – that was the reaction from farming leaders in Wales at Wednesday’s decision by Welsh Assembly Countryside Minister Carwyn Jones to slash Tir Mynydd hill farming support payments from next year.
-
Farmers profit from US energy trend
May 26th 2006
AMERICA’S new Energy Law requires at least 7.5 billion gallons of the nation’s fuel to come from renewable sources by 2012. The country is quietly trying to kick its Middle East oil habit, and American farmers are profiting from the trend.
-
Fertiliser prices still rising
May 26th 2006
NEW season nitrogen prices have been launched by Terra Nitrogen.
-
Finishing is just a part of the overall picture
May 26th 2006
The other two farms on the tour are the Timperon family’s unit at Barrockside, Carleton, and Brian and Brendan Atkinson’s Scratchmere Scar at Plumpton, Penrith – two very different farms and plenty to see and discuss for those who go along.
-
Foot-and-mouth prompts move from dairy to beef
May 26th 2006
On Thursday, June 1, the day before Beef Expo 2006, there will be a farm tour, which is open to everyone, as long as they contact the organisers beforehand. NEIL RYDER visited all three of the Cumbrian units involved in the tour, the first of which is the Edmondson family’s Walloway Farm at Penruddock, Penrith.
-
Fury at Somerfield’s Welsh lamb comment
27 May 2006
ONE of Britain’s mainstream supermarket chains has been slammed by a Welsh farming leader for a comment stating that the consistent eating quality and availability of New Zealand lamb far outweighed anything British farmers could offer.
-
Government must allow the shackles off co-ops
May 26th 2006
THE UK government needs to take the shackles off our milk co-operatives if they are to emulate the success of co-ops in other countries suggests a new report.
-
Holstein fourth calver pips Jersey to the crown
May 26th 2006
Devon County Show
-
Improving the image of live exports
27 May 2006
Anglo European Farmers this week wrote to Defra Secretary of State David Miliband to challenge point-by-point statements being made by Compassion in World Farming on the live export trade. Here is an edited version of that letter.
-
Insecticidal seed treatment for use in wheat
May 26th 2006
A NEW generation of insecticidal seed treatments will provide control of autumn aphid vectors of BYDV, slugs and wireworm.
-
Integrated supply a growing option for pig producers
May 26th 2006
INTEGRATED supply chains like the Linc Pork arrangement with retailers Budgens offer definite benefits to pig producers, according to Mark Haighton, Pig Development Manager for Lincolnshire pork processors George Adams.
-
Investments in wool machinery
29 May 2006
-
John Hales receives FEI owner of the year award
29 May 2006
BSJA President, John Hales from Shifnal, Shropshire has been named FEI Owner of the Year.
-
JumpCross raises £500 for Weston Spirit
29 May 2006
This year’s Equissage Celebrity JumpCross Challenge raised £500 for the Crown Pin Foundation, which has The Weston Spirit as its chosen charity this year.
-
K series equivalents join the stable
May 26th 2006
THE Deutz-Fahr Agrotron K series is now joined by Same Iron and Lamborghini R6 equivalents. With power outputs between 100 and 120hp there will be two versions of these models – the standard models and the higher specification models with armrest mounted controls and greater use of electronics.
-
Limousin to 4,000gns for Hudscales Arkwright
May 26th 2006
PEDIGREE Limousin youngstock went under the hammer at Carlisle to a top of 4,000gns for an entry from the Hudscales herd of W. and A. Cowx, Hesket-new-Market, Cumbria.
-
Limousins to 3,700gns at Welshpool
May 26th 2006
PEDIGREE Limousin bulls sold to 3,700gns when the North West Midlands and North Wales Club held their show and sale at Welshpool.
-
Limousins under the hammer at Ashford Market
May 26th 2006
ASHFORD Market, Kent, sold 33 pedigree Limousins as part of a dispersal for Rick and Jackie Weight’s Invicta herd.
-
MF updates Sisu-powered 6400 and 7400 tractors
May 26th 2006
THE roll out of the latest emission regulation-meeting tractors continues with Massey Ferguson updating the Sisu-powered 6400 and 7400 tractors. They have also taken the opportunity to make further improvements.
-
Mildmay Flora heads the pigs
May 26th 2006
THE event’s pig section drew a sparkling entry of more than 70 from a range of breeds and 21 exhibitors – all backed up by a pageant depicting the history of the British pig, complete with handlers dressed in authentic costumes of the times.
-
Myerscough student joins Para Equestrian Ireland
1 June 2006
Leading para dressage rider and Myerscough College student Kathryn Wheelock has been selected to ride for the Irish team.
-
New call for total Brazilian beef ban
29 May 2006
THE whole of the EU’s foot-and-mouth susceptible livestock industries could be risk of another outbreak unless there is a total ban on Brazilian beef imports, it is claimed.
-
New facilities for Hickstead
29 May 2006
Hickstead is investing nearly £500,000 in a wide range of improvements to the multi-million pound Sussex show ground, including a new 100x50metre warm-up arena.
-
New front-end loaders improve the view to the front
May 26th 2006
MASSEY FERGUSON has also updated its front-end loader range, which is produced for them by Alo and last year AGCO took over 5,000 units.
-
NFU and TFA plan more cooperation
27 May 2006
BOTH the National Farmers’ Union and the Tenant Farmers’ Association have talked of a flexible working relationship after a meeting between senior figures from both organisations.
-
Otley Show
May 26th 2006
Viyella leads Cormack’s domination
-
Oxford and Sandy Black makes history
May 26th 2006
Devon County Show
-
Payments now stand at 78 per cent
May 26th 2006
SEVENTY-EIGHT per cent of Single Payment applicants have now received their money, with 88 per cent of the £1.5 billion fund having been paid out, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has claimed.
-
Premium products give ‘one plus side’
May 26th 2006
THE move to premium retailing is helping the red meat supply chain to get more from the marketplace.
-
Price is not deciding factor
May 26th 2006
PRICE is not everything when it comes to consumer demand for meat, despite what retailers appear to believe.
-
Promoting the Welsh Black
May 26th 2006
FOR the second time in three years the Welsh Black Cattle Society won the event’s top award for the best cattle breed promotion stand.
-
Quality, consistency and performance add up to a fast-growing business
May 26th 2006
In the fourth of our Farmers Guardian Waitrose Best Young Farmer Producer finalist series, LIZ FALKINGHAM visits a Norfolk-based butchery business which makes a virtue of traceability and consistency
-
Renewed optimism ahead of Expo
May 26th 2006
THERE is an atmosphere of optimism surrounding this year’s Beef Expo, which will be held just a month after the re-opening of the export market for British beef.
-
Rooker back in ministerial hot seat
27 May 2006
Lord Rooker told Defra staff he was ‘as happy as a pig in muck’ to be back after his appointment. The new Food and Farming Minister tells ALISTAIR DRIVER why.
-
Rotary flail mowers and tined weeders increase Spaldings’ range
May 26th 2006
SPALDINGS is increasing its implement line-up with rotary flail mowers and tined weeders.
-
Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival
May 26th 2006
There can be no doubt about it – the fledgling Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival is an event set to grow and grow.
-
Same Deutz-Fahr retain the same level of sales in a declining market
May 26th 2006
HAVING gained the number one slot in four European countries Same Deutz-Fahr believes it can get a 10 per cent share of the UK market.
-
School meal reforms ‘are a great opportunity for farmers’
May 26th 2006
NEW sales opportunities opened for the farm industry last week as the Government announced reforms to school meals that are likely to see children in England eating more farm produce.
-
Schools book available places
May 26th 2006
PRIMARY schools in North Aberdeenshire and Moray have booked every place available to take their pupils to Scotsheep 2006. Provision was made for up to 300 primary school pupils to attend the event as part of the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative’s on-going education programme with schools.
-
SCOTSHEEP 2006
May 26th 2006
ENTRANCE FEES
-
Scottish Executive want cypermethrin sheep dip to be re-introduced
27 May 2006
THE campaign to overturn the suspension of cypermethrin sheep dip has picked up pace after the Scottish Executive wrote to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) requesting that it re-introduced the product in Scotland.
-
SDF’s 185hp heavyweight fills the gap
May 26th 2006
FILLING a gap in the SDF line up is the new 185hp heavy weight that falls between the 165.7 and 200 model. Using the larger cab from the 200hp plus Agrotrons and 42 inch rear wheels Rob Edwards, product manager for SDF UK says it is aimed at farmers wanting a heavy tractor for draft work.
-
Sheep Championship Results
May 26th 2006
Inter-breed (Judge, M.E. Gittins, Meifod) Supreme and male, D.W. and S.L. Harries (North Country Cheviot); reserve sup. and res. male, S.J. Kendrick (Ryeland White).
-
Site Equipment Demonstration Show
May 26th 2006
A walk through the machinery lines at this year’s SED (Site Equipment Demonstration) show, at Rockingham, Leicestershire, revealed some interesting innovations.
-
Site Equipment Demonstration Show continued
May 26th 2006
Manitou MHT860L
-
Specialising in suckler and beef breeding
May 26th 2006
Large-scale suckler beef breeding and finishing is the specialist business at Scratchmere Scar, Plumpton, Penrith, run by the father and son team of Brian and Brendan Atkinson.
-
Stand firm on telecoms contracts
1 June 2006
FARMERS and landowners with telecom mast sites have been warned that telecoms companies are reviewing their portfolios and looking to decommission some rural sites that are proving to be non-profitable
-
Star-studded display of sheep and pigs
May 26th 2006
THE absence of competitive classes for cattle put the event’s main judging focus on sheep and pigs – exhibitors of both putting on a star-studded display so well in advance of the traditional show scene in Wales.
-
Strathallan Castle Horse Trials to support the Sandpiper Trust
29 May 2006
This year’s Strathallan Castle Horse Trials, which takes place from July 27-30, has the Sandpiper Trust as its official charity.
-
Strong support for ‘S’ day on return to Aberdeenshire
May 26th 2006
Strong support from both trade stands and breed societies has come for Scotsheep 2006 – the 14th biennial Scotsheep – when it returns to Aberdeenshire on Wednesday, June 7.
-
Suckler return boost with ‘little or no cost’
May 26th 2006
TAKING steps to improve fertility in suckler herds could boost suckled calf values by more than £20/head at little or no extra cost, suggests the English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex).
-
Tesco snubs Beefy and Lamby campaign
27 May 2006
ONE year on from the launch of its Quality Standard Mark for beef and lamb, EBLEX is still awaiting the support of the UK’s biggest supermarket.
-
The EX Factor
May 26th 2006
26,000gns genetics, the first British Holstein for Spain and a new UK Jersey record price
-
The hordes of inspectors just add to the stress
May 26th 2006
MY philosophy to cope with the ups and downs of farming is: ‘If it goes right, that’s a bonus’ and ‘don’t expect too much’.
-
Toll rides offer income source
May 26th 2006
The Toll Rides (Off-Road) Trust (TROT) held their very first ‘Brunch on the Hoof’ seminar last week, designed to inform farmers about the income opportunities presented to them by creating toll rides across their land as part of the scheme.
-
Welfare groups try to stop trade as our cattle travel ‘in the lap of luxury’
27 May 2006
AS livestock producers celebrated the imminent lifting of the export ban on British cattle earlier this month, animal welfare groups were already working hard to undermine confidence and stop the trade in its tracks.
-
Wheat mostly disease free as rain arrives at the right time
May 26th 2006
Kent to Cornwall
-
Work with us, Kendall asks processors
May 26th 2006
PETER Kendall set out to build bridges between farmers and processors in his first major speech as NFU president.
-
Yellow rust alert to Scottish wheat growers
May 26th 2006
SEVERAL cases of yellow rust have been identified in winter wheat crops in Fife so far this season with Scottish growers now being warned to be vigilant for the disease.
-
Zero tolerance approach to blight control is key
May 26th 2006
TAKING a zero tolerance approach to controlling blight in outgrade piles is key this season. That is the message from British Potato Council (BPC) agronomist, Mark Prentice, as the ‘Fight Against Blight 2006’ campaign gathers pace.