We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Farmers Guardian
May 28, 2010
-
‘Wake-up call’ brings re-evaluation and unprecedented success
May 28, 2010
Finishing cattle at the right time, weight and grade needs a precision operation and high degree of skill. ANN HARDY visits a Somerset farm consistently achieving both high grades and prices.
-
A new dimension to trench digging
May 28, 2010
GPS steering and positioning has been around for some time, but use of this precision technology is set to revolutionise land drainage. James Lane digs up the facts on Trimble’s latest development, FieldLevel II.
-
Action needed now against carrot virus
May 28, 2010
Agronomists are hoping a new SOLA for use in carrots will tackle the rise in virus problems seen in the last three years.
-
Agriculture in the national news - May 24
24 May 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Monday, May 24).
-
Agriculture in the national news - May 26
26 May 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Wednesday, May 26).
-
Agriculture in the national news - May 28
28 May 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Friday, May 28).
-
Agriculture in the national news (May 25)
25 May 2010
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Tuesday, May 25).
-
Alex James hails ‘party time’ for British agriculture
26 May 2010
IT is ‘party time’ for British agriculture according to Alex James, the rock’n’roll Blur bassist turned cheese maker.
-
Anti-cull protestors clash with police
27 May 2010
ANTI-CULL protestors have released video footage of a demonstration in Pembrokeshire which saw some of the protestors arrested as they tried to prevent contractors going onto farms within the cull area.
-
Arable margins gap widens
May 28, 2010
THE difference in margins between the best and worst performing arable farms is growing, according to the Laurence Gould Partnership.
-
Around the marts – May 28
27 May 2010
A ROUND-UP of this week’s sales from marts up and down the country (Friday, May 28)
-
Avoid ‘age creep’ in stock, urges Eblex
May 28, 2010
With the number of UK cattle slaughtered between 30 and 36 months of age more than tripling since the Other Thirty Month rule changed in 2006, Eblex is urging beef producers to avoid ‘age creep’ in their stock.
-
Belted Galloway to 2,300gns at spring sale
May 28, 2010
THE Belted Galloway Cattle Society’s spring show and sale at Worcester resulted in a keen demand, culminating in a top price of 2,300gns.
-
Bleeding calf syndrome 'seriously under reported'
25 May 2010
The prevalence of bleeding calf syndrome (or blood sweats) could be ‘seriously under-reported’, says the NBA, as some deaths are caused by internal bleeding with no signs of blood at the mouth, nostrils, anus, eyes or other openings.
-
Blight warnings available again this year
May 28, 2010
THE BlightCAST disease forecasting system is up and running again for the 2010 season.
-
British farmers out-muscled in CAP debate
24 May 2010
BRITISH farmers are being out-muscled by their French and German counterparts in the debate on the future of the CAP.
-
Canadian combine gets ahead in the harvesting stakes
May 28, 2010
THE Canadian-built MacDon combine header was trialled by UK operators during last summer’s harvest, having been revealed at the Cereals Event by Shelbourne Reynolds. Geoff Ashcroft takes a look at the system.
-
Cautious recovery in Vion results
May 28, 2010
?VION Food Group, the Dutch based multi-national, saw net profit grow from €54m (£46m) to €62m (£53m) in 2009.
-
Celebrity chef to front Egg Week
28 May 2010
CELEBRITY TV chef Paul Merrett will be encouraging consumers to find ‘Time for Eggs’ as he heads up a major marketing programme for British Egg Week 2010.
-
Cereals 2010 news in brief
May 28, 2010
Round-up of other news in the run-up to Cereals 2010.
-
Challenger Rogator makes new tracks for future
May 28, 2010
Agco has taken technologies and components from some of its proven machines to help develop the latest Rogator sprayer and Terra-Gator applicator ranges. JANE CARLEY reports.
-
Champion Shorthorn tops trade at 3,700gns
May 28, 2010
Katie LOMAS reports on the Shorthorn breed at the Farmers Guardian-supported spring pedigree beef day at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
-
Compact loader from Merlo
May 28, 2010
RENOWNED for innovation and loader firsts, Italian-manufacturer Merlo’s P 25.6 falls into both brackets.
-
Coping with Sweet Itch
26 May 2010
The warm summer months can be less of a holiday and more of a chore for some horses and their owners. The symptoms of Sweet Itch, now widely referred to as ‘Summer Itch,’ are often aggravated by the changes in climate from April to October.
-
Cows and calves lead Borderway sale at £3,300
May 28, 2010
BORDERWAY Mart’s sale of breeding cattle attracted an entry of 744 cows and heifers with calves at foot and 901 bulling heifers.
-
Crowning glory into an under supplied market
May 28, 2010
THE UK asparagus season is now in full swing and the huge surge in demand is offering growers the opportunity move into a market that is currently screaming for supplies. Angela Calvert reports.
-
Dalry Show results
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 Dalry Show.
-
Defra cuts are 'tip of the iceberg'
27 May 2010
CUTS of £162 million to Defra’s budget announced this week could just be the tip of the iceberg, farmers have been warned.
-
Defra faces £162m budget cut
24 May 2010
DEFRA will have to find savings of £162 million from its 2010/11 budget, Chancellor George Osborne has announced.
-
Devon County Show results
May 28, 2010
Results from the Devon County Show.
-
Devon Yeomadon Ferdinand provides a popular local victory
May 28, 2010
DEVON bull Yeomadon Ferdinand, which will soon turn four, won the supreme beef title at Devon County Show.
-
Digestibility and yields key for first-cut silage
May 28, 2010
MANY farms across the UK are facing a shortage of grass, both for grazing and silage, says Dave Davies of Ibers and the Silage Advisory Centre (SilAC). He recommends farmers look out for two key things when cutting and harvesting this season’s first-cut silage.
-
Double check you are legal on the road
May 28, 2010
?FARMERS are being urged to check their driving licences and those of their staff to make sure all necessary details are included and correct.
-
Efficiency drive gives Mercedes green credentials
May 28, 2010
Geoff Ashcroft reports on a more efficient Mercedes E Class which is packed full of features designed to save on fuel.
-
Enhancer heads Hereford bull prices
May 28, 2010
KATIE LOMAS reports on the Hereford breeds at the Farmers Guardian-supported spring pedigree beef day at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
-
Equestrian Offers - Win a tub of LaminTec 5-HT worth £32
26 May 2010
Win a tub of LaminTec 5-HT from Equivet worth £32 with Farmers Guardian equestrian offers.
-
EU sells of dairy intervention stocks
May 28, 2010
THE EU Commission has decided to sell a large part of dairy intervention stocks.
-
Expert advice on sheep health and grassland
May 28, 2010
?TO launch Hollingwood Farm as one of the focus farms, Mr Bowen was joined by experts on sheep health, parasites and grassland.
-
Exploring fertiliser injection at establishment
May 28, 2010
Comparing low-cost rape seeding systems is popular at Cereals, but last year visitors were shown the option of applying liquid fertiliser at establishment. Jane Carley looks at development of the systems and initial verdicts.
-
Family farms central to CAP debate
25 May 2010
THE future of the family farm must be a major priority of a new Common Agricultural Policy, the Farmers Union of Wales has told a Welsh Assembly rural development sub-committee inquiry.
-
Farmers warned over rise in fake pesticides
May 28, 2010
BRITISH farmers are being duped into buying fake pesticides as the counterfeit industry booms across the world, a fraud expert has warned.
-
Farron to stand for Lib Dem deputy leadership
27 May 2010
LAKE DISTRICT MP Tim Farron, one of farming’s strongest supporters in Westminster, has announced he is to stand for the deputy leadership of the Liberal Democrat party.
-
Fife Show, Cupar results
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 Fife Show.
-
Former legal eagle has the buzz for business
May 28, 2010
er.
-
Gangmasters authority descends on dairy farms in criminal investigation
11 May 2010
UP to 70 dairy farmers have become caught up in a criminal investigation into the potential exploitation of workers and offences under Gangmaster legislation.
-
Getting finance for your enterprise
25 May 2010
ONE of the major hurdles to new entrants is raising the capital for your enterprise. Here an agricultural manager sets out how to go about creating a business plan the banks will view favourably.
-
God, the countryside and motorbikes
27 May 2010
RURAL Britain is a matter close to the Right Reverend John Oliver’s heart. William Surman meets the former Bishop of Hereford to talk cassocks, cathedrals and sitting with pigs.
-
Government shelves cost sharing plans
28 May 2010
PLANS for a new independent animal health body in England have been put on hold by the coalition Government and could eventually be dropped.
-
Grain drying venture targets export market
May 28, 2010
FIVE Hampshire cereal growers are working with Frontier Agriculture to form a grain drying business to help them access higher value markets in North Africa and the Middle East.
-
Hadleigh Show, Suffolk
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 Hadleigh Show.
-
Have-a-say invite to all levy payers
May 28, 2010
Levy payers will have the opportunity to have their say on the future of HGCA research and vote on its delivery on the HGCA stand at Cereals 2010.
-
Haymount Puma shows his spring pedigree at Carlisle
May 28, 2010
This year’s spring pedigree beef day at Borderway Mart, Carlisle saw five different breeds take to the show and sale ring. KATIE LOMAS reports on this Farmers Guardian supported event.
-
Heifers in strong demand at Sedgemoor sale
May 28, 2010
AN entry of 103 dairy cattle sold to a top price of 2,550gns at the May collective sale held at Sedgemoor auction centre, Somerset.
-
Hill farm support scheme failing to attract farmers
25 May 2010
NINETY per cent of English hill farmers who previously received Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) payments have not signed up to its successor scheme, according to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).
-
Hill farmers can cash in on hydro-power
24 May 2010
HILL farmers can save up to 10 per cent on their core costs by harnessing the power of water, a new study has revealed.
-
How can you become a tenant farmer?
25 May 2010
FARMER’S daughter Gemma Bumford is an agricultural policy adviser for the Tenant Farmers Association and lives in Wiltshire with her farming partner.
-
How to get to Cereals 2010
May 28, 2010
Details on how to get to Cereals 2010:
-
'Incredible' new data backs calls for badger cull
26 May 2010
FARMING organisations in England and Wales say the case for a badger cull has been significantly enhanced by ‘incredible’ new data suggesting the benefits are greater than originally thought.
-
Investment and pellet usage saves both cash and passes
May 28, 2010
Machinery manufacturers are looking at ways to make slug pellet application a more targeted and precise operation, minimising risks of contamination of watercourses and the threats to active ingredients. JANE CARLEY reports.
-
Joylan Specialist daughter tops 4,000gns at Lancaster
May 28, 2010
JOYLANS Farms, property of the Swale family from St Michaels, Preston, Lancashire, provided the backbone of the May Lancaster Dairy Sale with six quality fresh heifers and the entire crop of January to August 2009-born maiden heifers and a young bull on sale.
-
Keep risk from escaping silage effluent low
May 28, 2010
THE updated Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations came into force on April 6 (May 10 for Wales), so the Environment Agency requests farmers keep silage ‘as dry as possible’ to reduce the pollution risk from silage effluent. It recommends:
-
Kleber 65 gets a grip
May 28, 2010
KLEBER continues to be a name in agricultural tyres and its latest range, dubbed the ‘Gripker’, has been launched for the popular 80 to 180hp tractor sector.
-
Lamb price bubble burst warning
May 28, 2010
Lamb prices might be fairly buoyant at the moment, but don’t bank on them lasting.
-
Lantra joins forces with Scottish tennants
27 May 2010
LANTRA Sector Skills Council and the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage businesses and individuals to invest in skills.
-
Latest rhizobacteria strains look promising in UK trials
May 28, 2010
TRIALS in the UK evaluating the performance of root and yield enhancing bacteria (rhizobacteria) on winter wheat have shown yield improvements of more than 0.7 tonnes per hectare when added to a standard 150kg N/ha fertiliser application.
-
Les and good Bess enjoy a Stokesley trial victory
May 28, 2010
In the warm weather of the weekend, the Mule hoggs at the Stokesley Show opens were grateful they had been sheared, particularly as the temperature rose steadily in the afternoon.
-
Lib Dems will have influence at Defra - Farron
27 May 2010
THE Conservative Party has completed its stranglehold on agricultural positions in the coalition Government, adding the chairmanship of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee to its clean sweep of Defra ministerial seats.
-
Limousin youngstock to 4,500gns at Borderway mart
May 28, 2010
A youngstock sale at Borderway Mart last week on behalf of 20 Limousin breeders saw Hudscales Earl top the trade at 4,500gns.
-
Lively debate for all with Cereals conference
May 28, 2010
This year’s Cereals event will for the first time incorporate an arable conference. Earlier this year it was announced that the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) was to partner
-
Looking forward to Cereals 2010
May 28, 2010
READ our full preview of Cereals 2010, dues to take place at Chrishall Grange Farm, Cambridgeshire. Find out what you can expect to see at the event from new machinery on show to all the latest demonstrations as well as all the details on how to get there.
-
Low risk of sugar beet bolting this season
May 28, 2010
THE bolting risk to sugar beet this season is low, says the British Beet Research Organisation.
-
Making the tack shop dream work
May 28, 2010
Running your own tack shop might sound the ideal way to earn a living to many horse-lovers, but in a highly competitive market, it is far from easy.
-
Managing risk to control grain market volatility
May 28, 2010
Grain marketing often slips down the to-do list if there’s fieldwork to be done. But taking the time to devise a marketing strategy can be worth pounds per tonne. Chris Lyddon examines some of the tools available.
-
MEPs approve 3-year EID amnesty
24 May 2010
THE European Parliament has voted in favour of a three-year amnesty on cross-compliance penalties relating to EID.
-
Milk Link members' £2,000 bonus
24 May 2010
MILK Link is paying members an average of more than £2,000 this year in respect of their 2009/10 processing interest payment.
-
Moy Park and O'Kane poultry firms in deal
May 28, 2010
?MOY Park in Northern Ireland is planning to buy O’Kane Poultry.
-
Nematodirus worm risk ‘above average’
May 28, 2010
THE National Animal Disease Information Service (Nadis) says the nematodirus worm risk to lambs remains ‘well above average’.
-
New 7 series from Landini
24 May 2010
THE chassis of Landini’s new six-cylinder range, the 7 Series, is heavy duty cast iron and is aimed at coping with the rigours of mounting heavy implements both front and rear.
-
New group aims to encourage Yorkshire riders
26 May 2010
Ride Yorkshire is the brainchild of John Yeomans, Chairman of Visit York, and Janet Cochrane, of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University. Both keen riders, they’re combining personal and professional interests to encourage others to enjoy the superb Yorkshire landscapes from horseback.
-
New Holland Rustler 120 targets end users in expanding market
May 28, 2010
New Holland’s Rustler 120 side-by-side ATV is soon to be available from its dealer network, as JAMES LANE found out.
-
New kit to launch at Cereals 2010
May 28, 2010
The annual Cereals event is a chance to see what is new in machinery circles, including what sprayer manufacturers have up their sleeves. James Lane takes a look at what will be at the main arable event of the year in June.
-
New research highlights dangers of farm work
28 May 2010
FARMERS are more likely to die on the job than in a car accident, according to new research from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
-
New sugar deal removes risk to farmers
May 28, 2010
THE new four-year Inter-Professional Agreement (IPA) created by British Sugar and the NFU is being hailed as progressive, and one that could be the envy of other sectors of the industry.
-
New varieties on offer at demonstration plots
May 28, 2010
Cereals provides a one-stop shop for catching up on the latest variety developments via the HGCA variety demonstration and breeders’ own plots.
-
Nissan Murano now with diesel engine
May 28, 2010
It has taken five years for Nissan to put a diesel engine into its premium 4x4, the Murano.
-
No June increase from Wiseman and Dairy Crest
26 May 2010
ROBERT Wiseman and Dairy Crest are not about to match Arla with a producer milk price increase from June.
-
Non-agricultural grassland purchasers in Cumbria
May 28, 2010
Buyers from outside agriculture accounted for some 19 hectares (47 acres) of grassland north of Cartmel village in Cumbria, offered in six lots by Penrith Farmers’ & Kidd’s.
-
Opportunities still there in arable, says new HSBC chief
May 28, 2010
JUST a few weeks into his new role as head of agriculture with HSBC, Allan Wilkinson is already immersing himself in the challenges - and opportunities - facing the arable sector.
-
Organic and conventional farmers go head-to-head
24 May 2010
SOIL Association policy director Peter Melchett went head-to-head with Essex farmer and NFU council member Guy Smith on Friday (May 28) to debate which is the best way to feed a growing world population, conventional or organic farming.
-
Organic naysayers talk 'nonsense' says Prince Charles
25 May 2010
PEOPLE who say organic farming cannot feed the world are talking nonsense, according to Prince Charles.
-
Organic vs Conventional Farming - How Can We Feed The World
28 May 2010
SOIL Association policy director Peter Melchett went head-to-head with Essex farmer and NFU council member Guy Smith on Friday (May 28) to debate which is the best way to feed a growing world population, conventional or organic farming. Catch up on all the action here.
-
Otley Show, West Yorkshire results
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 Otley Show.
-
Pneumonia Survey 2010
27 May 2010
When beef margins are hard enough to achieve at the best of times, pneumonia continues to drain money unnecessarily from many farms.
-
Potash level threat to grass yields
May 28, 2010
LOW potash indices are threatening silage yields, according to Promar International consultant, Tim Harper.
-
RDAs face squeeze in Osbourne's budget cuts
24 May 2010
DEFRA funding for Rural Development Agencies (RDA) will be reduced as the Department slashes £162 million from its 2010/11 budget.
-
Record entries for Royal Welsh Show
25 May 2010
A RECORD entry of 1,158 cattle, up by 216 on last year, has been received for July’s Royal Welsh Show.
-
Red Tractor going from strength to strength
26 May 2010
THE Red Tractor farm assurance scheme is ‘a huge success’ and going ‘from strength-to-strength’ according to its deliver body.
-
Rethink grazing as weather challenges grass growth
May 28, 2010
An unusually cold spring, followed by unseasonal heat and low rainfall has challenged grass growth across the country.
-
Ryder Cup to showcase Welsh produce
27 May 2010
THE 2010 Ryder Cup remains on course to put Wales in the global spotlight and producers of Welsh food and drink products are also looking to cash in on the event’s massive exposure.
-
Sainsbury’s launches cow welfare code
26 May 2010
SAINSBURY’S has launched a new welfare code of practice to raise the standards of dairy production across its dedicated supply group.
-
Science focus to making variety choices
May 28, 2010
Applied science will be a key focus at the Cereals crop plots this year. Thirty companies will be presenting more than 90 sown crop plots at Robert Law’s farm near Royston, Cambridgeshire, on June 9 and 10.
-
Seeking new sources of septoria resistance
May 28, 2010
?LOOKING outside the usual variety groups for sources of resistance to septoria tritici is starting to pay dividends in one wheat breeding programme.
-
Sheepdog trials diary of fixtures - May 28
May 28, 2010
Our regular sheepdog trials diary update to help you plan the weeks ahead.
-
Show’s solitary Salers bull makes 4,600gns
May 28, 2010
KATIE LOMAS reports on the lone Salers entrant at the Farmers Guardian-supported spring pedigree beef day at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
-
South Suffolk Show results
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 South Suffolk Show.
-
St Clears Show results
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 St Clears Show, Carmarthen.
-
Stonehouse Show, Lanarkshire
May 28, 2010
Results from the 2010 Stonehouse Show.
-
Strike a balance with farming’s new blood
25 May 2010
THE difficult issue of succession was one of the topics at an industry-led conference held at Stoneleigh.
-
Stuart and Jim overcome lochside test
May 28, 2010
A clean start and finish gave Stuart Davidson’s Jim (S.L. Davidson’s Star, J. McVey’s Dot) the lead on a testing course at Harelaw.
-
Take part in the 2010 UK National Mastitis Survey
1 June 2010
20 super NZ Swanndri bushshirts (worth £140 each) to be won in our first National Mastitis Survey.
-
Tell the world about the professionalism in farming
25 May 2010
The chairman of the group that launched the AgriSkills Strategy offers his advice on how young farmers can raise the industry’s profile.
-
Terms of the deal brokered by British Sugar and the NFU
May 28, 2010
FIND out what the new deal brokered between British Sugar and the NFU is, and how it will impact on UK beet growers.
-
Too early to write off disease threat
May 28, 2010
GROWERS are being advised to evaluate disease risks as the T2 timing approaches.
-
Top call of 3,250gns at Bala dog sale
May 28, 2010
There was a top price of 3,250gns at the sale of working sheepdogs and young dogs at the Price family’s Rhiwlas Estate, Bala, on May 15, organised by the Bala Sheepdog Trials Committee.
-
Toyota RAV4 with new features
May 28, 2010
Toyota has revamped and re-equipped its RAV4 range, introducing a six-speed automatic to its flagship diesel, the 148hp D-4D in XT-R specification with four-wheel drive.
-
Two-year-old South Devon sets record
May 28, 2010
KATIE LOMAS reports on the South Devon breeds at the Farmers Guardian-supported spring pedigree beef day at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
-
Upgraded Terra-Gator now with CVT
May 28, 2010
Agco has taken technologies and components from some of its proven machines to help develop the latest Rogator sprayer and Terra-Gator applicator ranges. JANE CARLEY reports.
-
VW Transporter - the van with car-like comfort
May 28, 2010
Volkswagen has revamped its legendary Transporter, with new two-litre common-rail TDi diesel engines giving 84hp, 102hp, 140hp and 180hp.
-
Warning on welfare of pregnant animals
May 28, 2010
DUE to ‘regular reports’ of cattle and sheep being transported in the final stages of pregnancy, Defra’s Animal Health agency has issued a ‘reminder’ to farmers and hauliers not to transport heavily pregnant livestock or animals that have just given birth.
-
Welsh farmers take up TB biosecurity visits
26 May 2010
BIOSECURITY visits offered to farmers within the Welsh Assembly Government’s bovine TB Intensive Action Pilot Area in West Wales have had a 100 per cent take up.
-
Welsh fixtures results round-up
May 28, 2010
Our weekly results round-up from the fixtures in Wales.
-
Welsh producer crowned beef stockman of the future
28 May 2010
This year’s Beef Stockman of the Future Award has been won by Welsh producer Nick Davis, with Shropshire farmer James Evans runner-up and Scotsman John Scott being very highly commended.
-
West Midlands focus farms
May 28, 2010
?THE 10 focus farms - five sheep and five beef - have been set up by Adas with 80 per cent of the funding coming from Advantage West Midlands (RDPE funding).
-
West Midlands sheep farmer sets 'focus farm' targets
May 28, 2010
?As one of 10 new ‘focus farms’ in the West Midlands, sheep farmer Stephen Bowen has set himself three targets to both improve his business and help inspire local producers. Joanne Pugh was at his first open day.
-
What do farmers want from Cereals 2010
May 28, 2010
A new machine, looking at a new variety, or a day away from the farm? We asked some arable farmers what they are looking to get out of Cereals.
-
What the coalition Government has in store for farmers
27 May 2010
THE Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has outlined its ‘programme for government’. Alistair Driver looks at what lies in store for farmers.
-
Wildlife groups target badger cull contractors
21 May 2010
A CONTRACTOR in the South-East of England is being targeted by a wildlife preservation group which has published claims the firm is involved in the West Wales badger culling programme.
-
William and Andrew Cowx: Livestock prices a real issue
May 28, 2010
HOW nice it is to get up in the morning and know you do not have to be chambermaid and waiter to a host of animals. After six months of routine, they are looking after themselves.
-
Yield boost and nitrogen savings possible
May 28, 2010
?SMALL plot replicated trials with root and yield enhancing bacteria rhizobacteria have delivered yield increases of up to 8 per cent in winter wheat in Masstock trials.
-
Your chance to join the CFE campaign
May 28, 2010
THE Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) partnership has put together an informal stand at Cereals to enable farmers and land managers to access information and practical advice on how to participate in the campaign.