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 27, 2011
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£4 million bonus for Milk Link members
23 May 2011
MILK Link members will receive a bonus this week, after the processor confirmed a processing interest payment for the 2010/11 financial yearequating to a 9.25 per cent return on their qualifying loan balances.
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Around the marts – May 27
May 27, 2011
?LancasterLast Friday’s calf show and sale saw prices rise to £350. First at this money was the champion, a Limousin bull from P. Pye, Marl House. It was purchased by the show judge Margaret Noblett, Claughton on Brock. Another three sold at £350 and there were 11 lots at more than £300.
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Aspley herd high of 2,280gns
May 27, 2011
BIDDING peaked at 2,280gns and more than 20 lots surpassed 2,000gns when Alan Warrington, Eccleshall, Stafford, dispersed his Aspley herd of Holsteins.
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Audi launches Compact Q3
25 May 2011
AUDI continues to build on its Q-series SUV range, and the compact Q3 is the latest model in the line-up.
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Awareness soars after Scottish beef campaign
24 May 2011
QUALITY Meat Scotland’s £600,000 promotional campaign for Scotch Beef resulted in consumer awareness soaring.
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Ayr County Show
25 May 2011
Results from the 2011 Ayr County Show.
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Balancing the business with the environment
May 27, 2011
A balance between food production, rearing breeding stock for the lowlands and managing the landscape - that is the aim for Lewis and Helen Forster at West Nubbock Farm, Hexham.
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Beef Stockman of the future - A clear vision for reaching his goals
May 27, 2011
DAVID Thirwell, the 2011 winner of the Farmers Guardian Beef Stockman of the Year, talks to Katie Lomas about his management for JSR Farms at Givendale Farm in York.
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Beef Stockman of the future - Highly commended: Being very direct is paying off
May 27, 2011
BACK in 2005, following a period of depressed beef prices, Bridget Borlase decided it was time for action and the way forward was to bring more income into the farm by selling meat direct.
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Beef Stockman of the future - Runner up: Huge progress within a short space of time
May 27, 2011
DESPITE only being farm manager at Penhallow Farm for just four years, Stephen Edmond has made impressive progress in terms of animal health and his grazing policy.
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Boost for Welsh lamb exports
26 May 2011
A top-level Chinese delegation has been in Wales as part of the continuing drive to export Welsh lamb to the Far East.
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Bright Sparks wanted for Peak District programme
23 May 2011
INSPIRATIONAL people are needed to back rural enterprises in the Peak District.
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Bruchid threat as winter beans set first pods
May 27, 2011
BRUCHID beetle are present in spring and winter bean crops, and as winter beans start to set first pods they will be susceptible to egg-laying activity, says Becky Ward of PGRO.
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Business Minister unveils plans for supermarket adjudicator
24 May 2011
BUSINESS Minister Ed Davey has taken the first step to setting up a supermarket adjudicator after he confirmed publication of a draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill.
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Call for action to safeguard drinking water
23 May 2011
A WATER and sewerage company is calling for action to help the country adopt a new greener approach towards safeguarding drinking water supplies, following its success in working with farmers to stop pollutants entering water sources.
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Cogent secures rights to top selling Blue
May 27, 2011
?THE UK semen distribution rights for the Belgian Blue bull Imperial de l’Ecluse have been secured by Cogent Breeding.The company says the top selling Belgian Blue suits both pedigree and commercial breeders and complimenting the British Blue breed’s size and power.Details from Boomer Birch (07901 914 160) or Gareth Scott (07584 683 362).
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Commission tables measure to ensure fluidity of EU sugar market
27 May 2011
MEMBER states have voted on two measures aimed at ensuring the fluidity of the EU sugar market.
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Confusion remains over glucosinolate level rules
May 27, 2011
MISUNDERSTANDING of new European rules on glucosinolate levels could mean growers may miss out on the opportunity to farm-save their oilseed rape seed, say mobile seed processors.
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Cows producing 20 litres a day from grazed grass
26 May 2011
GRASS growth on our Dumfriesshire Profit From Grass farm reveals the strong regional variations in rainfall experienced across the UK. This north-westerly location is currently enjoying growth of 70-80kg DM per ha per day (28kg/acre/day).
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'Crazy' ideas key to food security challenge
24 May 2011
THE world faces a potential ‘catastrophe’ if policy makers don’t act now to address the issue of food security, claimed Tom Standage, business editor at the Economist.
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Daffyd goes one better in the Young Shepherd of the Year
May 27, 2011
TWO years ago he was the runner-up, but this time around, Dafydd Roberts, a 24-year-old self-employed farmworker from Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, is Welsh Young Shepherd of the Year.
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Dairy cows fly in from Canada
23 May 2011
THREE high health status pedigree Canadian Holsteins arrived at Heathrow on Friday – the first imports of their kind for 11 years.
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Dairy technician accreditation scheme launched
26 May 2011
Formally recognising different dairy technician skill levels.
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David Harrison and Ben take double at Wirswall
May 27, 2011
DAVID Harrison gained a double victory on Sunday at Wirswall, winning both the morning and the afternoon sessions with Ben.
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Devon bull Ferdinand retains the beef crown
24 May 2011
WITH more than 90,000 visitors flocking through the gates of Devon County Show over three days, local breeders went on to secure a number of victories in the inter-breed competitions. Ben Briggs reports.
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Devon County Show 2011 results
24 May 2011
All the results from Devon County Show.
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Devon embryos go to USA
May 27, 2011
FOR the first time, embryos from a Devon cow have been exported from the UK. Of the 12 embryos sent from Tilbrook Cashtiller earlier this year, nine cows in the USA have been confirmed in calf.
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Discounted investments from European bank initiative
May 27, 2011
Discounted loans for farmers.
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Does farming now need all the regulatory bodies?
26 May 2011
FARMING must never come second to conservation, said sheep farmer Sir Meuric Rees, when opening this year’s event.
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Drought forces growers to negotiate buy-backs
May 27, 2011
FEARS over drought-affected crop yields are forcing some growers to negotiate a partial buy-back of their contracts.
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English sheepdog trial results – May 27
May 27, 2011
Round-up of results from this week’s trials.
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Entrants will battle it out in Ready Steady Cook contest
26 May 2011
AUCTIONEERS and lamb buyers will step up to the challenge in a Ready Steady Cook-style competition.
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Farmers' fire risk upped by carelessness
25 May 2011
CARELESS campers’ barbecues, discarded cigarettes, broken glass and combustible fuels are all raising the risk of farm fires.
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Faughanvale Ernie leads Border Blues at 14,000gns
May 27, 2011
BREEDERS enjoyed a bumper day’s trading at the Border British Blue Club’s spring show and sale at Carlisle last Saturday.
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Fertiliser prices rocket
23 May 2011
PRILLED urea prices have surged ahead over the past week putting UK domestic AN at an expected £300/tone-plus delivered.
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Food industry 'taken the initiative' on labelling
27 May 2011
MOST meat and dairy products now feature information on where their ingredients came from or where they were produced, according to new survey results.
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FSA to allow cloned offspring into food chain
26 May 2011
THE Food Standards Agency (FSA) is changing its advice to Ministers on allowing meat and milk from the descendants of cloned cattle and pigs into the food chain.
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Furious NFU calls for halt to meat charging plans
26 May 2011
THE NFU has called on Ministers to halt the Food Standard Agency’s plans to pass the costs of meat inspection onto the industry, after the agency’s board approved the move yesterday (Wednesday, May 25).
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Futures Canada plans to offer contracts
May 27, 2011
End of wheat board monopoly to change trading.
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G8 leaders urged to put farming first
24 May 2011
AHEAD of the G8 summit this week (May 26-27 ) in France, a new online infographic has been launched that demonstrates how agriculture can help build a green economy through poverty reduction, improved food security and environmental sustainability.
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Genetic key to germination found
24 May 2011
SCIENTISTS have discovered the genetic ‘wiring’ which helps a seed to decide on the perfect time to germinate.
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Grocery adjudicator draft Bill expected today
24 May 2011
THE Government is set to unveil plans for an adjudicator to oversee the Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) today (Tuesday, May 24).
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Group 1 newcomer finds favour with UK millers
May 27, 2011
TOP yielding milling wheat Gallant is now in its second full commercial season and has become the preferred variety of the UK’s largest miller, Rank Hovis.
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Hadleigh Show, Suffolk
25 May 2011
Results from the 2011 Hadleigh Show.
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Hawke's bay lanscape to change dramatically
May 27, 2011
Farming on storm-ravaged land in Hawke’s Bay province will be very different than it was before the life-changing storm, which delivered up to 750mm of rain over two days, says Mike Barham, the man in charge of the clean-up.
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Home-bred Kerry Hill puts spring in the step of Sion Jones
25 May 2011
A YOUNGSTER from West Wales stamped his mark on the sheep show ring circuit by taking the top individual championship in a sparkling season-opening 600-strong multi-breed turnout at the 11th Royal Welsh Spring Festival at Builth Wells.
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Hundreds of pheasant chicks stolen
27 May 2011
POLICE in Hampshire have appealed for information after 800 three-week-old pheasant chicks were stolen from brooder units in Colemore during the night of May 25.
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Industry groups unite against meat charges
23 May 2011
THE Food Standards Agency (FSA) has come under renewed pressure to halt plans to pass the costs of meat inspection onto the industry, ahead of a crucial board meeting this week.
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Industry leaders fear adjudicator could ‘lack teeth’
25 May 2011
UK FARMING and manufacturing organisations have welcomed draft legislation for a grocery adjudicator but expressed concerns that it may ‘lack teeth’, as currently proposed.
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Investigation after foot-and-mouth incident at Pirbright
26 May 2011
THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has carried out an investigation and issued bosses at the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) at Pirbright with notices to improve their practices after a flask containing foot-and-mouth disease cracked.
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Irrigation will pay off as drought hits yield
May 27, 2011
YIELD losses in wheat as a result of this spring’s drought are likely to be around 20 per cent on light land in East Anglia, according to Rothamsted Research’s Sirius wheat simulation model.
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Japanese beef demand still high
May 27, 2011
Despite the March earthquake that spurred tsunamis and damaged power plants, beef is still in demand in Japan.
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Ladies in Beef looking for more members
25 May 2011
A GROUP which was started up to help promote and drive awareness of British beef is looking for more women members.
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Leek dairy sale tops £2,380
May 27, 2011
A SHED packed full of dairy cattle at Leek’s pedigree sale met a swift trade with prices peaking at £2,380.
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Light leaf spot continues to exert pressure south
May 27, 2011
?IDEAL conditions for disease development, enhanced by shorter rotation intervals, has meant light leaf spot pressure has this season been higher than for some time, with symptoms evident in oilseed rape crops some way south of the disease’s usual northern UK environment, say disease experts.
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Longhorn heifer sells for ceiling price
May 27, 2011
TRADE reached a ceiling of 2,000gns for females at the Longhorn Cattle Society’s Northern sale at Beeston last week.
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Luck of the Irish as Jess tops Skipton’s dog sale
May 27, 2011
IRISH eyes were smiling when County Down’s John Maginn headed the prices at 4,600gns at the late spring sale of working sheep dogs at Skipton Auction Mart, which was supported by Farmers Guardian.
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Maize Watch - May 2011
May 27, 2011
A huge difference has developed between the two Maize Watch farmers - due to wet and warm conditions in northern England and dry, cold and windy ones in the South West.
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McDonald's eggs go cage-free in USA
May 27, 2011
McDonald’s executives told shareholders the fast-food chain would begin purchasing one million cage-free eggs per month this summer after years of debating the issue with animal-rights advocates.
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MEP backs calls for 'bumblebee motorways'
May 27, 2011
A North West MEP has called for a national network of flower filled ‘rivers’ to be introduced across the UK in an effort to preserve vital insects for future generations.
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Morrisons native beef scheme will require 16,000 cattle
25 May 2011
PREMIUMS of up to 20p/kg are to be offered by Woodhead Brothers for native breed steers and heifers.
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NBA unhappy with current VIA calibration
26 May 2011
ALTHOUGH it has backtracked on accusations that Northern Ireland meat plants altered their carcase trimming after video imaging analysis classification had been installed in March, the National Beef Association remains adamant that machine calibration remains an issue.
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New entrant to farming is Welsh Black’s ambassador
25 May 2011
Last weekend was momentous, yet daunting, for a South Wales Valleys youngster as he made his first public appearance as the new Welsh Black Cattle Society’s Young Ambassador.
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New grass varieties fact files
May 27, 2011
?GRASS breeding company Barenbrug has published new ‘fact files’ to provide livestock farmers with technical data on its new varieties included on the latest NIAB recommended list.
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New NSAID launched to UK cattle and pig farmers
May 27, 2011
A NEW non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is now on the UK market.
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NFU urges farmers to sign up to food scheme
25 May 2011
THE NFU is urging farmers who have been affected by the low levels of rain this year to take advantage of its fodder bank scheme.
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NFUS in talks to untangle EID red tape knot
23 May 2011
NFU Scotland members have been working to untangle the red tape knot surrounding the new EU sheep EID regulations.
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Noremead youngstock to 5,000gns
May 27, 2011
Open day sale near Swindon, Wiltshire.
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North Sheep 2011 Host farm is a major draw
May 27, 2011
NORTH Sheep is organised by the NSA Northern Region and supported by Farmers Guardian.For 2011, the NSA Northern Region is taking it’s biennial event to Hexham, Northumberland.
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North Sheep 2011seminars tackle a range of production issues
26 May 2011
The seminar programme has been built around helping farmers make more informed decisions during a period of relative buoyancy in the market place, says organiser Julie Sedgewick.
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Numbers and prices down at Bristol monthly dairy sale
May 27, 2011
Best calved heifers and cows peak at 2,000gns
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On test: Nissan Navara 3.0 litre V6 diesel
23 May 2011
For those who like their double cabs to be self-shifters, Nissan has delivered a version that makes the Navara worthy of selling your grandparents for. It packs a 231hp, 3.0 litre V6 diesel coupled with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
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On test: VW Touareg Hybrid
24 May 2011
WHILE those clever Japanese bods at Lexus have been steering a path through the 4x4 hybrid maze for years with its RX model, VW engineers have been playing catch up.
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One-day Winscott herd dispersal sale
May 27, 2011
ONE of the largest one-day Holstein dispersal sales in the West Country for some time took place at Newton St Cyres, Exeter, recently when the Browne family dispersed their Winscott herd.
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Online SPS applications top 30,000
23 May 2011
MORE than 30,000 farmers in England applied for their 2011 Single Payments online, almost double the previous year’s figure.
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Orange and yellow wheat blossom midge present in wheat crops
May 27, 2011
ORANGE wheat blossom midge activity has been recorded across England, according to the Pestwatch service.
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Organic dairy sector at risk
27 May 2011
THE organic dairy sector could be setback five years unless farmgate milk prices move upwards says an organic feed manufacturer.
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Otley Show, West Yorkshire
25 May 2011
Results from the 2011 Otley Show.
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Paul O'Grady re-homes lamb dumped in bin
23 May 2011
A LAMB which was dumped in a wheeled bin and left for dead in Manchester has been given a new home and lease of life by TV presenter Paul O’Grady.
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Pennant Williams and Dick Montgomery win at Eastnor
May 27, 2011
The trial on the Eastnor Castle Estate was run on the same field as last year. It was a steep field rising away from the handler’s post.
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Performance recording key to better flock margins
May 27, 2011
On the completion of the first part of its ‘better breeding’ sheep project, Quality Meat Scotland invited farmers to Dumfries House, Ayrshire last week. Claire Powell reports.
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Peter Morris to leave NSA
23 May 2011
PETER Morris has resigned as chief executive of the National Sheep Association (NSA) after seven-and-a-half years in the post.
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Pointers for Profit - How to profit from efficient fertiliser use
May 27, 2011
Continuing our series of sponsored articles brought to you in association with industry partners, we take a look at why growers need to get the most from their inputs for the least cost, now restrictions on how much fertiliser can be spread are commonplace and prices are high.
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Police in web discussion on rural crime
26 April 2011
CUMBRIA police have hosted a web chat to discuss rural crime.
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Poll: Does farming need to improve its safety record?
24 May 2011
TO mark the launch of the industry’s first health and safety charter we want to know what you think.
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Preventative approaches to milk fever
May 27, 2011
HAVING manufactured the product for many years, Boehringer Ingelheim has now taken over the marketing of Bovikalc too.
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Quickly assess value of grazing bite by bite
May 27, 2011
?A READY-RECKONER - Dial-A-Yield - has been developed by Frank Wright Trouw Nutrition International to help dairy farmers quickly assess the value of grazing and adjust supplementary feed.
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Rabbit farm plans pulled by owner
27 May 2011
PLANS to build two intensive rabbit farms in Nottinghamshire have been shelved by the owner.
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Record entries for Royal Cornwall classes
May 27, 2011
ENTRIES in the equine and livestock competitions are now closed and are at a high level right across all sections, including an all-time record in the sheep section.
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Reducing costs on-farm
May 27, 2011
?A PACKAGE of services and evaluations designed to fuel on-farm sustainability and reduce bought-in fertiliser and feed has been launched by EnviroSystems.
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Renewable energy key to economic growth
25 May 2011
AGRICULTURE minister for Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill has said the local renewable energy sector is an ‘instrumental component’ to help grow the economy.
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Research into country of origin labelling announced
27 May 2011
MOST meat and dairy products now feature information on where they were produced according to farming minster Jim Paice.
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Rewards clear from QMS trial's third year
May 27, 2011
In the third year of the trial, when the first retained females lambed, the rewards became very clear, said Hugh Kyle, one of the participating farmers.
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Royal Welsh Spring Festival results
25 May 2011
Results from the Royal Welsh Spring Festival 2011.
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Sale from Ironstone herd of Limousins peaks at 6,100gns at Carlisle
May 27, 2011
TOP price was 6,100gns when Smiths of Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, held a sale from their Ironstone herd of Limousins at Carlisle last week.
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Scottish Government must support growers
27 May 2011
THE Scottish Government has been urged to support soft fruit growers whose operations were damaged the severe storms earlier this week.
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Scottish sheepdog trial results – May 27
May 27, 2011
Round-up of results from this week’s trials.
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Sheepdog trials diary – May 27
May 27, 2011
Forthcoming events on the trialling calendar.
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Shottle daughters dominate Frazernash trade at Beeston
May 27, 2011
Top three prices were Shottle daughters, all milking heifers due with their second this summer.
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Study claims organic food helps you live longer
24 May 2011
EATING organic food can help you live longer, stay healthier and lose weight, experts have said.
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Suffolk breed focus for phase two of QMS project
May 27, 2011
THE QMS project will now continue, with the second phase planned to take place over the next two years, focusing just on the Suffolk breed and comparing prime lamb production figures between the progeny of high index tups and ‘farm choice’ ones.
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Supermarkets slam adjudicator plans
24 May 2011
SUPERMARKETS have slated Government plans to introduce a grocery adjudicator to protect suppliers from abuses of power by the big retailers.
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Sweden wants tougher livestock transport laws
May 27, 2011
Finland, Denmark and Austria back plans.
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TFA warns Government not to delay wildlife control
25 May 2011
THE Government should not delay any further plans to implement a range of decisions affecting livestock farmers, the Tenant Farmers Association has warned.
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Time separates top two at Dougarie
May 27, 2011
Little to choose between Fraser Shennan and Stuart Davidson’s runs.
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Time to rethink attitudes to Group 2s?
May 27, 2011
?A new approach to growing nabim Group 2 winter wheat varieties is needed in order to better exploit the agronomic and marketing benefits they offer.
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Top prize fund for both stockjuding competitions
26 May 2011
THERE will be two stockjudging competitions at North Sheep, each with a generous prize fund.
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Trade high of 5,000gns achieved at Beeston
May 27, 2011
THE British Blonde Society’s show and sale at Beeston, sponsored by Farmers Guardian, saw trade reach a peak of 5,000gns.
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Two Cumbrian farmers die in field accidents
26 April 2011
TWO farmers have been killed in on-farm accidents in Cumbria.
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UK farmers show off green credentials
27 May 2011
THE high environmental standards set by UK farmers have been showcased to experts at a major environmental conference in Brussels this week.
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UK shortage met by French orf vaccine importation
May 27, 2011
?IN response to the shortage of orf vaccine in the UK, Merial Animal Health has satisfied the VMD’s criteria to import a vaccine used in France, which can be issued to vet practices under a ‘special import certificate’.Production issues
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UK venue announced for World Endurance Championships 2012
24 May 2011
Endurance GB has announced that the FEI World Endurance Championships 2012 will be held in the UK next year.
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Voting underway on National Trust's MyFarm
27 May 2011
VOTING on the first major decision of the National Trust’s MyFarm experiment is now underway.
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Wait for rivals on Fonterra's GlobalDairyTrade platform
May 27, 2011
California Dairies may offer SMP via the platform.
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Warning for horse owners
24 May 2011
HORSE owners are being warned they could still be held ‘strictly liable’ for some accidents involving horses and other animals.
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Watch the finish on lambs says Eblex
25 May 2011
THE improvement trend in lamb carcase quality was well-maintained in 2010.
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Well-known breeder to judge at Cornwall Show
May 27, 2011
DESPITE not exhibiting at the Royal Cornwall Show for a good number of years, well-known breeder and exhibitor of Greyface Dartmoor sheep, William Palmer Pearce Dawe, says he will relish the challenges of judging the breed classes at this year’s event.
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Welsh Agriculture Minister talks about his new role
May 27, 2011
HE may not have the controversial bovine TB badger cull to deal with – but the Welsh Government’s new Deputy Minister with responsibility for agriculture, food, fisheries and European programmes does have many other key issues within his brief.
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Welsh Sheep: Hard line attitude to EID is unworkable
26 May 2011
THE decision by the European Commission not to accept the need for tolerances when reading sheep EID tags was a hot topic at the event.
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Welsh Sheep: Think before asking for scab legislation
26 May 2011
AROUND 6,500 farmers turned out last week for NSA Welsh Sheep 2011. Barry Alston and Joanne Pugh report from Machynlleth, Powys.
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Welsh sheepdog trial results – May 27
May 27, 2011
Round-up of results from this week’s trials.
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Wheat yields revised amid drought fears
26 May 2011
WHEAT yields could be down by 12 per cent on average across the country as a result of the prolonged dry spell, according to current NFU estimates.
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William and Andrew Cowx: Wet, cold and windy but thoughts are turning towards silaging
24 May 2011
What a turn-around in the weather, the rain has been very welcome, but not the cold and wind. We turned the cattle out at the beginning of the month, except for some young heifers wanting a second BVD injection so they will be go out next week.
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Win a £50 M&S voucher - June caption competition
26 May 2011
TAKE part in our monthly online caption competition and give us your witty or interesting caption suggestions for this photograph.
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Woodhall Spa Country Show, Lincolnshire
25 May 2011
Results from the 2011 Woodhall Spa Show.
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Yield losses predicted in the East as drought hits
25 May 2011
SOME winter wheat and other crops in the eastern region could suffer anything from a 25-40 per cent loss in yield this harvest on account of the severe drought currently affecting the region.
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Young Shepherd of the Year will get more than award
May 27, 2011
AS at all the sheep events this year, the winner of the Young Shepherd of the Year competition will have more to look forward to than the prestigious award and prize pot.