Farmers Guardian
May 2nd 2008

  • ‘Carry on wool marketing’

    May 2nd 2008

    THE British Wool Marketing Board continues to provide an ‘effective mechanism’ for marketing wool in the UK, a new review has found.

  • ‘Keep slaughterhouse meat inspection a Government responsibility’

    May 2nd 2008

    MORE than three-quarters of the public want meat inspection in slaughterhouses to remain a Government responsibility rather than the service be privatised.

  • ‘Lower yields and higher prices from pesticide cut would deepen food crisis’

    2 May 2008

    EU plans to dramatically slash the use of pesticides in farming could lead to lower crop yields and higher food prices, scientists have warned.

  • £3,500 high at Newton Abbot

    May 2nd 2008

    THE champion at the show and sale of South Devon cattle at Newton Abbot Market, Devon sold for a trade topping £3,500.

  • £832 top price for a steer at Welsh Black Society sale

    May 2nd 2008

    TRADE at the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s spring sale at Dolgellau was brisk and the highest priced pen of four or more steers were from I.I Hughes, Llanuwchlyn, Bala.

  • 1,600 OELS agreements checked for overpayment

    May 2nd 2008

    MORE than 1,500 payments made to farmers under Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) are being reviewed after Natural England found that some had been overpaid by up to £25,000.

  • 1,600 OELS agreements checked for overpayment

    2 May 2008

    MORE than 1,500 payments made to farmers under Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) are being reviewed after Natural England found that some had been overpaid by up to £25,000.

  • 10pc growth in free range eggs expected

    May 2nd 2008

    FREE range eggs supplier Noble Foods is looking for more producers and increased production in order to accommodate what it believes will be a 10 per cent sector growth this year.

  • 2,000gns peak at Holstein Friesian commercial herd dispersal sale

    May 2nd 2008

    PRICES peaked at 2,000gns at the dispersal sale of the commercial herd of Holstein Friesians for David and Frank Legge, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, Herefordshire.

  • 5,000gns Bigwig leads the Charolais clearance

    May 2nd 2008

    IN the Charolais section there was a total clearance and a top of 5,000gns for Brampton Bigwig.

  • 5,700gns for 'true' Royal Red 80 from Butlersarms Holsteins

    May 2nd 2008

    THE Butlersarms herd of red and black Holsteins from James and Martin Kippax produced a top bid of 5,700gns and nine lots over 4,000gns at Beeston Castle auction.

  • Advanced cattle handling

    May 2nd 2008

    FOR those beef producers interested in animal behaviour, US expert Prof Temple Grandin will be giving practical demonstrations of advanced livestock handling systems.

  • Agricultural red tape now ‘more demanding’

    May 2nd 2008

    FARMERS still have to deal with too much red tape, according to a survey carried out by the NFU.

  • Around the Marts

    May 2nd 2008

    Ludlow: Spring lambs at Ludlow achieved an overall average of 193.1p/kg and there was a strong level of demand throughout.

  • Assuming blight is in the crop from day one is good start point for control

    May 2nd 2008

    THE quality of the potatoes still coming out of storage that resulted from a blight-ridden crop 10 months before is testimony to a blight control strategy that delivers, according to a Masstock agronomist.

  • Bara Brith 'Pentrefelin'

    May 2nd 2008

    This recipe has been submitted by Mrs Gwyneth Evans, Pont-y-Gof, Botwnnog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, who says it was named because Botwnnog WI went to play darts against Pentrefelin WI nearly 30 years ago.

  • Be vigilant on potato blight

    May 2nd 2008

    POTATO growers should be extra vigilant for signs of blight early in the season.

  • Beet fungicide approved

    May 2nd 2008

    ESCOLTA, the new sugar beet fungicide from Bayer CropScience, has gained regulatory approval.

  • Biofuel industry in Europe could stagnate

    1 May 2008

    EUROPEAN biodiesel margins are poor and the sector could stagnate unless subsidised imports are halted.

  • Biofuel targets will 'probably' remain, says Transport Minister

    May 2nd 2008

    INVESTORS into the UK biofuel industry fear for the long-term prosperity of the industry.

  • Biofuels Conference

    2 May 2008

    THIS week high level experts from around the country gathered at London's Olympia Conference Centre to discuss the hot topic of biofuels - threats and opportunities.

  • Blight warning for potato growers

    1 May 2008

    POTATO growers have been warned to be extra vigilant for signs of blight early in the season.

  • Blue 13 blight strain is set to dominate

    May 2nd 2008

    PHENYLAMIDE resistance will be the main blight control challenge this season and to tackle it effectively programmes need to be constructed in two distinct phases.

  • Bluetongue vaccination set to begin

    1 May 2008

    FARMERS in the south of England can start protecting their stock against the spread of bluetongue disease after the first batch of vaccine was sent out to vets this week.THE first batch of bluetongue vaccine, ordered from Intervet last year, is being released to wholesalers and is ready for distribution to the Protection Zones in England.

  • Bluetongue vaccine gun warning

    2 May 2008

    FARMERS and vets are being warned not to use the vaccine guns produced to help deliver the bluetongue vaccine with the smaller 20ml vaccine bottles.

  • Bluetongue vaccine ready to go

    30 April 2008

    THE first batch of bluetongue vaccine, ordered from Intervet last year, is being released to wholesalers and is ready for distribution to the Protection Zones in England.

  • Brazilian beef under scrutiny

    May 2nd 2008

    A DELEGATION from the European Parliament’s agriculture committee has been in Brazil this week, as part of an investigation into standards in its beef industry. 

  • Breeding top quality beef is a way of life

    May 2nd 2008

    A symbiotic link between the Luing and Simmental breeds to produce top quality beef suckler breeding stock has been the profit base on which the McGowan farming family have built their business. Finlay McGowan tells NEIL RYDER this also holds true for the future of the family’s business. Pictures: Marcello Garbagnoli

  • Building a highest quality brand in all beef sectors

    May 2nd 2008

    The modern Ballathie Estate farm system is very much the product of the past 10 years. While the estate has growing ambitions in the pedigree sector, NEIL RYDER found that its farming remains very much commercially based. Pictures: Marcello Garbagnoli

  • Calf trade driven by exports and beef returns

    May 2nd 2008

    THE re-establishment of the live export trade since the start of 2008 following foot-and-mouth movement restrictions has boosted demand for black and white bull calves.

  • Call for Welsh Assembly to take action over confusion surrounding IACS forms

    May 2nd 2008

    THE Welsh Assembly is being urged to take urgent action to prevent farmers being penalised for making genuine errors on their IACS forms due to confusion regarding common land.

  • CAP health check to help farmers respond to global needs of their products

    May 2nd 2008

    BARRY ALSTON reports from the Women’s Food and Farming Union national conference – hosted this year by its branches in Wales, with two politicians as the keynote speakers.

  • CEDAR's three years' development is paying dividends

    May 2nd 2008

    THE new Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) at Reading University has been unveiled after three years of development.

  • Competition Commission to publish final recommendations in supermarket shake-up

    29 April 2008

    FAIR trade for British farmers could come a step closer to reality this week when the Competition Commission (CC) finally publishes its recommendations in the groceries market enquiry.

  • Concern over availability of vaccine outside the zones

    May 2nd 2008

    BRITISH farmers are being prevented from stopping the spread of bluetongue because of strict European Union rules outlawing vaccination outside of a Protection Zone.

  • Criticism of today’s biofuels could hold back tomorrow’s

    May 2nd 2008

    CRITICISM of the current crop of biofuels has become so vociferous that the Government is considering a dramatic U-turn on mandatory renewable fuel targets, threatening the development of a new generation of biofuels.

  • Crop marketing and guidance managers

    May 2nd 2008

    UNITED Oilseeds has appointed three new area managers to deliver crop marketing assistance as well as agronomic advice and seed selection guidance. 

  • Cross compliance breaches

    May 2nd 2008

    THREE-QUARTERS of cross compliance failures in England in 2007 were related to cattle and sheep identification.

  • Cross steers average £1,078 at Huntley

    May 2nd 2008

    A SINGLE consignment of 100 Charolais cross steers, from Duncan Urquhart, Buckie sold in Huntley on Thursday for a centre store ring record average of £1,078.The steers averaged 644.80kg and 167.39p/kg. The top lot made £1,250.“This was a very, very strong run of steers which are currently in short supply,” commented UA auctioneer, Donald Young.“They were sold in lots of up to five, to buyers from Aberdeenshire to Yorkshire.”

  • Dairy Road Map outlines target for greenhouse gas cut

    2 May 2008

    DAIRY farmers have been set a target of improving greenhouse gas balance 20 to 30 per cent by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.

  • Dairy Road Map outlines target for greenhouse gas cut

    2 May 2008

    DAIRY farmers have been set a target of improving greenhouse gas balance 20 to 30 per cent by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.

  • Deere B100 biodiesel approval

    May 2nd 2008

    JOHN DEERE has now approved the use of B100 biodiesel or fuel that meets the EN14214 standard for its PowerTech and PowerTech Plus Stage IIIa engines, as well as earlier designs.

  • Demand for better quality wheat drives higher prices

    May 2nd 2008

    THE availability of quality wheat has ensured that the UK’s exportable surplus has not traded at feed values this season.

  • Dual 2,000gns top price at Longhorn show and sale

    May 2nd 2008

    THERE was a total clearance and a top of 2,000gns realised on two occasions at the Longhorn Cattle Society’s spring show and sale at Worcester.

  • EBVs Made Easy demonstration

    May 2nd 2008

    Working demonstrations of breeding cattle adopting sustainable systems will be a key theme at this year’s Beef Expo.

  • English Sheepdog Trial Results

    May 2nd 2008

    LINDLEY MOOR, Peat Ponds Farm, Lindley Moor, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Morning Open (36 ran): 1, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Dan, 82 of 90; 2, S. Bolland (Bolton Abbey) Fly, 78; 3, J. Chamberlain (Barnsley) Whiterose Cap, 76; 4, P. Noble (Quernmore) Jack, 75; 5, D. Whitehead (Edgworth) Ted, 74, OLF; 6, S. Holt (Rawtenstall) Bill, 74.

  • Enhanced dairy unit and teaching facility opens at Wood Park Farm

    May 2nd 2008

    Liverpool University’s Leahurst veterinary field station has just completed a major rebuilding and upgrading of its Wood Park Farm dairy unit. NEIL RYDER joined vets, farmers, and consultants for the official opening.

  • Ensuring a viable future for UK beef production

    2 May 2008

    Beef Expo is returning to Scotland for the first time since 2004 and will be held at one of the region's major centres for pedigree sales.

  • EU rules on pesticides could lead to food inflation

    28 April 2008

    EU plans to dramatically slash the use of pesticides in farming could lead to lower crop yields and higher food prices, scientists have warned.

  • Export and beef returns driving improved calf trade

    28 April 2008

    THE re-establishment of the live export trade since the start of 2008 following foot and mouth movement restrictions has boosted demand for black and white bull calves.

  • Export and beef returns driving improved calf trade

    28 April 2008

    THE re-establishment of the live export trade since the start of 2008 following foot and mouth movement restrictions has boosted demand for black and white bull calves.

  • Farm tours

    May 2nd 2008

    THE day before Beef Expo 2008 there are visits to two leading beef units – Ballathie Estate, Kinclaven, Stanley, owned by John Milligan, and Incheoch, Alyth, home of Finlay and Judy McGowan.

  • Farmers warn food security at risk due to ‘outdated principles’ of CAP

    May 2nd 2008

    EUROPE’S Farm Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel, was given a stark warning by Welsh farmers this week that EU food security could be severely threatened by the outdated principles underpinning Common Agricultural Policy and World Trade Organisation talks.

  • Farmer's wife's first novel

    May 2nd 2008

    LOVE, loss and betrayal – all the ingredients are there for a highly enthralling first novel from a Mid Wales farmer's wife.

  • Farming techniques can enhance biodiversity

    1 May 2008

    FARMING techniques, promoted as part of the Voluntary Initiative (VI), can improve habitats and so enhance biodiversity, according to the final report from the VI Indicator Farms Project for the Crop Protection Association (CPA).

  • Feed imports run the risk of BSE

    28 April 2008

    RED-FACED government officials have admitted that animal feed containing meat and bone meal has been distributed across the country twelve years after it was banned due to its risk of BSE contamination.

  • Feed imports run the risk of BSE

    28 April 2008

    RED-FACED government officials have admitted that animal feed containing meat and bone meal has been distributed across the country twelve years after it was banned due to its risk of BSE contamination.

  • Fertiliser market to remain firm

    May 2nd 2008

    PHOSPHATE prices have now reached a level where they are promoting what traders say is ‘demand destruction.’

  • Field Walker

    May 2nd 2008

    Your weekly update on crop developments and pest and disease risk

  • Finding the perfect match for pig unit

    May 2nd 2008

    When looking to add another income stream to their pig and arable unit, the Sanderson family decided free-range egg production would be ideal. ANGELA CALVERT found out how it has fitted in.

  • First vaccinations against bluetongue

    1 May 2008

    THE fight against bluetongue began in earnest this morning with the very first farmers in the UK injecting their animals with the vaccine, which was only cleared for distribution yesterday.

  • Fly-tipping waste disposal

    May 2nd 2008

    FARMERS and landowners may soon find it easier to have fly-tipped waste accepted at their local tips, following a meeting between the Country Land and Business Association and Defra minister Joan Ruddock.

  • French farmgate milk prices

    May 2nd 2008

    French farmgate milk prices may rise by more than 26 per cent in the second quarter, according to just-food.com.

  • French farming minister: We all need the CAP

    29 April 2008

    THE CAP should not be dismantled and instead other economic blocks around the world should adopt its principles to solve the current food crisis.

  • Fuel shortages tighten as strike hits oil supplies

    28 April 2008

    STRIKE action at Scottish oil refinery is costing the economy £50 million a day and has led to a surge in fuel prices and shortages at some garages across the UK.

  • Fuel supplies expected to return to normal as Grangemouth strike workers return to refinery

    May 2nd 2008

    STRIKE action at Scottish oil refinery, which cost the economy £50million a day and led to a surge in fuel prices, came to an end this week, raising hopes that fuel supplies will return to normal in the coming days.

  • Fuel, not food, top of the agenda

    May 2nd 2008

    THE food versus fuel debate has been turned on its head with experts warning decision makers that fuel shortage, not food shortage, should be top of the political agenda.

  • Furey is new UFU president

    May 2nd 2008

    THE Ulster Farmers’ Union elected County Down farmer Graham Furey as its new president at the UFU Annual General Meeting, held this week at the Greenmount Campus, Antrim.

  • Gold Value Parts

    May 2nd 2008

    The Gold value parts range provided by New Holland seems to be ever increasing. By the end of 2008 there will be over 3,000 products available in the catalogue that can be obtained from franchised dealers or ordered from the New Holland website.

  • Grazing Monitor: Balance is the key to getting the most from grazing

    May 2nd 2008

    WHILE grazed grass may be the cheapest feed available for dairy cows, on its own it is not always the 'best' feed.

  • Hear what the experts have to say on bluetongue

    May 2nd 2008

    LISTEN to our podcasts as we put your questions on bluetongue to our panel of experts to find out just what you can expect this summer.

  • Higher incidence of displaced Abomasums

    May 2nd 2008

    VETS are currently reporting a higher than usual incidence of displaced abomasums and suggesting a link with rapidly dwindling stocks of conserved forage.

  • Higher meat price call as livestock supply dwindles

    May 2nd 2008

    WHOLESALE meat values must rise, enabling cost-squeezed abattoirs to pay higher prices to secure dwindling livestock supplies.

  • I'Anson Brothers celebrate Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category

    2 May 2008

    MASHAM feed manufacturer I’Anson Brothers is celebrating the most prestigious corporate accolade in its 108 year history, having won a 2008 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.

  • Improved practices help with farm biodiversity

    May 2nd 2008

    FARMING techniques, promoted as part of the Voluntary Initiative (VI), can improve habitats and so enhance biodiversity, according to the final report from the VI Indicator Farms Project for the Crop Protection Association (CPA).

  • Increased precision

    May 2nd 2008

    Amazone has increased the precision of the metering system on the D9 mounted seed drills and AD3 pack top drills. The Vario-Control uses a larger 80mm diameter metering wheel which is said to be more accurate due to its slower rotating speed and offer more accurate spacing between seeds.

  • International League for the Protection of Horse changes name

    2 May 2008

    The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) has changed its name to World Horse Welfare.

  • Is it time for the EU to end their GM isolation?

    May 2nd 2008

    VIEWPOINT: By Robert Forster

  • JCB sales rise by 30pc

    May 2nd 2008

    JCB told customers at its recent Power in Agriculture event that it had increased its turnover in 2007 to £2.25billion compared to £1.75billion the previous year. More than 72,000 machines were sold last year, an increase of 30 per cent.

  • Jim Cropper doubles up through Dan and Fleet at Lindley Moor trials

    May 2nd 2008

    TWICE the victor, Jim Cropper won both the morning and the afternoon open trials held on Sunday at Peat Ponds Farm, Lindley Moor, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

  • Label restriction lifted

    30 April 2008

    A LABEL restriction limiting the application timing of the spray adjuvant ZinZan up to tuber initiation only, for applications with blight spray Valbon (benthiavalicarb + mancozeb), has been lifted.

  • Lamb and hogg trade holding up – for now

    May 2nd 2008

    PRIME sheep prices are continuing relatively firm as new season lamb numbers increase and the gradual switchover away from hoggs begins by some retailers.

  • Lincoln Red also fetches 5,000gns

    May 2nd 2008

    TOP price in the Lincoln Red section was paid for Solebay John, the first bull sold by Rob and Sue Grace, Bodmin, Cornwall.

  • Loader weighing system

    May 2nd 2008

    David King electronics now have a telescopic handler weighing system available for automatically calculating the load that the machine is handling. The system uses a pressure sensor linked to the hydraulic circuit of the machine that is proportional to the weight of the load.

  • Loosebeare Batman tops 4,000gns at Holsworthy

    May 2nd 2008

    TOP at the South West Limousin Club’s show and sale at Holsworthy Market, Devon, was 4,000gns.

  • Loss of effective herbicides reduces options for pulses

    May 2nd 2008

    WITH the increased area for beans in the ground plus fewer pulse herbicides now available as a result of reregistration issues, there could well be more crops that will require a post-emergence herbicide this year, says BASF.

  • Maintain profitability with alternative feeds

    May 2nd 2008

    DAIRY farmers need to look at alternative feeds and use grazed grass if they are going to hold onto their milk cheques according to Chris Laycock from Kite Consulting.

  • Melton Mowbray pork pie 'protection'

    May 2nd 2008

    THE Melton Mowbray pork pie is to be registered as a protected product by receiving the protected geographical status (PGI) by the European Commission.

  • More aphids posing a disease threat

    May 2nd 2008

    BE on the lookout for a wider range of aphid species in order to avoid the spread of virus in seed crops this season, seed potato growers are being advised.

  • Moving food security up the political agenda

    May 2nd 2008

    A challenge to the Government to stop ‘pussy-footing’ around the food security issue and raise it to national priority status rang out at the conference opening session from WFU president, Ionwen Lewis.

  • Natural fungus could reduce use of chemicals on potatoes

    May 2nd 2008

    A TEAM of UK researchers say they have made a breakthrough in pest control in potatoes by proving a naturally-occurring fungus can be used to combat potato cyst nematode.

  • New appointments at United Oilseeds

    May 2nd 2008

    OILSEED rape marketing company United Oilseeds has announced the appointment of three new area managers to strengthen its local support team.

  • New chapter begins for Westbury Dairies

    30 April 2008

    THE future of Westbury Dairies in Wiltshire has been secured with two of the current three joint-venture co-op shareholders.

  • New chapter begins for Westbury Dairies

    May 2nd 2008

    THE future of Westbury Dairies in Wiltshire has been secured with two of the current three joint-venture co-op shareholders.

  • New chapter begins for Westbury Dairies

    30 April 2008

    THE future of Westbury Dairies in Wiltshire has been secured with two of the current three joint-venture co-op shareholders.

  • New group 3 varieties 'sold out' as seeds in short supply

    May 2nd 2008

    THE market share of group 3 wheat varieties is likely to slip back further, from 19 per cent in 2007/08 to 16 per cent for 2008/09, according to Grainfarmers.

  • New parlour has enabled meeting one business goal

    May 2nd 2008

    Professional staff management and alternative forage and feed were some of the issues addressed at a Kite Consulting farm walk held at David Christensen’s Kingston Hill Farm in Kingston Bagpuize, Oxfordshire. The theme was ‘holding on to your milk cheque’.

  • New role for Attenborough at the AHDB

    May 2nd 2008

    THE Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has appointed Guy Attenborough to the position of interim head of communications with immediate effect.

  • NFUS issues comment on Scottish food policy

    May 2nd 2008

    THE development of a national food policy for Scotland was one of the ‘most exciting and potentially beneficial’ Government initiatives to have emerged for a while, but its success would depend on securing the future of agricultural production, warned NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren.

  • Nick Skelton wins Belgium Grand Prix

    30 April 2008

    NICK Skelton from Alcester in Warwickshire rode to victory in the show jumping Grand Prix at CSI3* Grobbendonk in Belgium.

  • OFT raids supermarkets in new price-fixing probe

    28 April 2008

    BRITAIN'S biggest supermarkets are under further investigation for price-fixing after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) raided retailers' offices last week.

  • Pottinger launches new tedder range

    May 2nd 2008

    Pottinger has introduced a completely new range of mounted tedders. Seven models are available in the Eurohit 100 series, spanning 5.40m to 8.86m using four, six or eight rotors depending on the working width.

  • Price rise for DC Davidstow and Hartington suppliers

    May 2nd 2008

    DAIRY Crest has begun delivering on a statement made by its chief executive Mark Allen at the DIN conference last month, where he said UK milk prices had to rise.

  • Product News

    May 2nd 2008

    • A NEW liquid formulation of propamocarb+cymoxanil offers curative and preventative activity against potato blight. Proxanil from Sipcam combines 400g/litre propamocarb and 50g cymoxanil.

  • Rapid growth for Zuidberg

    May 2nd 2008

    Rising fuel and labour costs are behind a rapid growth in sales of front tractor linkage and PTOs. Steven Vale discovers that Dutch manufacturer Zuidberg plans to make a record 19,000 front linkages and 9,200 PTOs this year.

  • Rebuilding prize dairy herd after disease devastation

    May 2nd 2008

    TB Crisis - Case Study. BARRY ALSTON talks exclusively with a West Wales farming family at the heart of what could be Britain’s worst case of bovine TB.

  • Record average for ‘level trade’ at Western Holstein sale at Beeston

    May 2nd 2008

    ONCE again split over two centres, the Western Holstein Club’s monthly show and sale saw a top price of 2,500gns at both Beeston and Chelford, Cheshire, and a record average at Beeston.

  • Robert Ellis's Mirk comes of age with Open win

    May 2nd 2008

    IT is very rare that everyone comes away from a sheep dog trial so full of praise, but Saturday’s trials at Llangadog in Carmarthenshire was one such event.

  • Sandisfarne Inca Olive sells for 2,500gns

    May 2nd 2008

    A TOP of 2,500gns was realised when a consignment from the Sandisfarne herd of Holsteins went under the hammer at Beeston Castle auction.

  • Seminar sessions focus on sustainable systems

    May 2nd 2008

    For those beef producers interested in animal behaviour, US expert Prof Temple Grandin will be giving practical demonstrations of advanced livestock handling systems.

  • Seven new beet varieties make Recommended List

    May 2nd 2008

    THERE are seven new additions to the BBRO-funded Recommended List of sugar beet varieties for 2009, taking the total number to 23.

  • Sheepdog Trials Diary

    May 2nd 2008

    ENGLAND: 3 May. HOLMROOK Opens, Morning and afternoon trials, Holmrook, off A595, Cumbria, 9am start, enter on field before 2pm.

  • Simmentals reach 3,600gns twice at society spring sale

    May 2nd 2008

    BIDDING peaked at 3,600gns twice at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s spring show and sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

  • Skipton judge backs his his call and buys the winning gimmer pens

    May 2nd 2008

    THE championship pen of gimmer hoggs with lambs at foot sold for a trade topping £130 per outfit at Skipton Mart.

  • Squirrelpox found on estate

    May 2nd 2008

    TESTS on grey squirrels have revealed that the squirrelpox virus, the disease deadly to red squirrels but harmless to greys, has been found on the Queensberry Estate, north of Dumfries.

  • Stability remains vital but farmers urged to look at the bigger picture

    May 2nd 2008

    WHILE welcoming the EU Commissioner’s comments on historically-based SFP payments, Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones urged farmers to take a look at their role and even change their way of thinking.

  • Subsidised biofuel imports hit EU margins

    May 2nd 2008

    EUROPEAN biodiesel margins are poor and the sector could stagnate unless subsidised imports are halted.

  • Sugar beet fungicide Escolta gains approval

    30 April 2008

    ESCOLTA, the new sugar beet fungicide from Bayer CropScience has gained regulatory approval.

  • Supermarket shake-up a step closer to fair trade

    30 April 2008

    FARMERS can celebrate victory today, (Wednesday, April 30) as the Competition Commission (CC) published a raft of proposals in a major shake-up of Britain’s supermarkets.

  • Supermarket shake-up a step closer to fair trade

    30 April 2008

    FARMERS can celebrate victory today, (Wednesday, April 30) as the Competition Commission (CC) published a raft of proposals in a major shake-up of Britain’s supermarkets.

  • Suspected illegal badger cull

    May 2nd 2008

    THE RSPCA has called in the police to investigate whether some farmers have taken a proposed Welsh cull of badgers into their own hands after four of the animals were found dead in a West Wales field.

  • Switch to high fibre feed ration brings benefits in calving ease and health

    May 2nd 2008

    BARRY ALSTON reports from a farm demonstration day that focussed on offsetting rapidly rising feed costs by improving cow management.

  • Tesco extending its local strawberry net

    May 2nd 2008

    TESCO has announced plans to source more local strawberries this summer.

  • Tesco launches new carbon label on potatoes

    29 April 2008

    POTATOES sold in Tesco stores are to carry carbon labels as part of a ground-breaking trial by the country’s leading supermarket.

  • TFA action to retain county farms estate

    May 2nd 2008

    THE Tenant Farmers’ Association has written to every county councillor in Herefordshire urging them to reverse a policy, which could see some 20 per cent of its county farms sold over the next few years.

  • Think carefully about your vaccine, farmers urged

    30 April 2008

    LIVESTOCK keepers are being urged to give careful consideration to the size of bluetongue vaccine bottle they order, following the announcement that the vaccine is ready to go.

  • Think carefully about your vaccine, farmers urged

    30 April 2008

    LIVESTOCK keepers are being urged to give careful consideration to the size of bluetongue vaccine bottle they order, following the announcement that the vaccine is ready to go.

  • Three industry figures confirmed as speakers for Beef Expo 2008

    May 2nd 2008

    The technical director of the Livestock and Meat Commission, Dr Mike Tempest, will be one of the main speakers at the Beef Expo conference, which will take place at 4pm at Perth Agricultural Centre.

  • Time to replace black fuel with green fuel?

    30 April 2008

    THE signs are that oil production is reaching its peak - prices hit a record $120 a barrel this week and the president of Opec warned that oil could soon rocket to $200 a barrel.

  • Time to replace black fuel with green fuel?

    30 April 2008

    THE signs are that oil production is reaching its peak - prices hit a record $120 a barrel this week and the president of Opec warned that oil could soon rocket to $200 a barrel.

  • Time to vaccinate

    May 2nd 2008

    After an uneasy winter ceasefire, the imminent warmer weather has had the livestock industry holding its breath for the bluetongue vaccine.

  • Triumphing over adversity to build a thriving pig business

    28 April 2008

    Tracy Mackness was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug offences. A job looking after the prison farm’s rare breed pigs provided the catalyst to change her life around, overcome desperately hard times and set up a booming pig business enterprise. WILLIAM SURMAN meets the woman behind Giggly Pig.

  • Two bees or not two bees? Defra’s health strategy

    May 2nd 2008

    HONEY bee numbers are declining at such an alarming rate that honey production and pollination could fall dramatically, with serious economic and environmental consequences.

  • UKIA annual spring seminar

    May 2nd 2008

    THIS year's UKIA annual spring seminar takes the theme 'Thinking about an irrigation reservoir?'

  • Weeton Holsteins sell to a top of 38,000gns

    30 April 2008

    A TOP of 38,000gns, an overall average of £4,300 and 11 five-figure prices were the highlights at the second sale to disperse John and Doreen Loftus’ Weeton herd at Preese Hall Farm, Kirkham, Preston. Pictures: John Eveson

  • Weeton Holsteins sell to a top of 38,000gns

    30 April 2008

    A TOP of 38,000gns, an overall average of £4,300 and 11 five-figure prices were the highlights at the second sale to disperse John and Doreen Loftus’ Weeton herd at Preese Hall Farm, Kirkham, Preston. Pictures: John Eveson

  • Welsh farmers urged to register with vets

    May 2nd 2008

    FARMERS across Wales are being urged to register with their local vets now for the bluetongue vaccine.

  • Welsh lamb on Middle East menu

    May 2nd 2008

    WELSH lamb will soon be back on the menu in the Middle East following news that the United Arab Emirates has lifted its ban on all imports of sheep, lamb and goats from Wales.The ban had been imposed following last year’s foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.The UAE is a country with minimal tariff barriers, no quota restrictions, a growing population and a rapidly expanding tourist sector where lamb is the traditional meat of preference.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trial Results

    May 2nd 2008

    LLANGADOG AND DISTRICT, Open National: 1, R. Ellis (Nantymoel) Mirk, 6 points lost; 2, K. Evans (Libanus) Mirk, 8olf; 3, J. Watson (Postbridge) Rock, 8; 4, R.B. Pugh (Nantmel) Jess, 9olf; 5, P. Tomkins (Llandrindod Wells) Arnie, 9; 6, E.L. Morgan (Aberystwyth) Spot, 9. Novice National: 1, R. Ellis, Mirk, 6; 2, D.P. Jones (Tregaron) Len, 13; 3, Y. Abrey (Llanfilo) Zac, 14; 4, C. Short (Talog) Sweep, 18.

  • Wheat values hinged on global yield potential

    May 2nd 2008

    A potential record 2008 global wheat crop is slowly becoming more of a reality.

  • Win a share of £500

    12 May 2008

    AT Farmers Guardian we take a serious note of every bit of feedback from our younger readers.

  • Wonderwool out to stimulate the demand for wool

    May 2nd 2008

    WITH producer prices for wool at rock bottom and a new shearing season looming, any initiative that can stimulate increased market demand must be welcome. Wonderwool Wales, a two-day festival staged over the weekend at the Royal Welsh Showground, in Mid Wales, could not have been better timed.

  • Your bluetongue questions answered

    29 April 2008

    OVER the past two weeks, we have been talking to the key players preparing to begin the UK’s first vaccination programme against bluetongue disease. From the decision makers at Defra to the vaccine manufacturer Intervet, we have been putting your questions to the experts to find out just what you can expect. JACK DAVIES reports.

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