Farmers Guardian
November 17th 2006

  • Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales conference

    November 17th 2006

    Opportunities for Welsh lamb and beef was the main theme of this year’s Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales conference. BARRY ALSTON reports from Llandrindod Wells.

  • ‘Cautious optimism’ is SAC farming outlook

    November 17th 2006

    TWELVE months is a short period in farming terms, but the last year has seen a marked upturn in the fortunes of virtually every sector of the industry with the notable exception of the plight of dairy farmers.

  • ‘Dark Age’ meat industry urged to raise its game

    November 17th 2006

    A CALL for the red meat industry to ‘wake up and get out of the Dark Ages’ came from Trevor Hanger, managing director of Welsh Country Foods at Gaerwen.

  • ‘Resistant’ Defra sheep has atypical scrapie

    November 17th 2006

    AN investigation is underway into how atypical scrapie has come to appear in Defra’s own flock of sheep, which was considered to be resistant to this form of disease.

  • £35m beef aid package launch

    November 17th 2006

    THE Irish Government has launched a £35 million aid package to rationalise and modernise its beef processing industry.

  • 13pc leap in bovine TB since April

    November 17th 2006

    BOVINE TB incidence is back on the increase. Since April the number of cases has been rising again, following a sudden and dramatic decline in the first few months of this year.

  • A scientific role for NFU’s vice-president

    November 17th 2006

    NFU vice-president Paul Temple has been appointed to the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Panel of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

  • Academy to source local food

    November 17th 2006

    Cornish farming received a triple boost this week – a new academy has been launched by a major food processor to help source more local food; there is evidence of a new generation of dairy farmers and news that the county’s farmers are embracing broadband technology. DAVID BURROWS reports.

  • Aim is to prevent back pain

    November 17th 2006

    FARMS in the North West are being targeted by a Health and Safety Executive campaign aimed at helping to manage back pain.

  • Arla quality milk winner from Skipton

    November 17th 2006

    A SKIPTON, North Yorkshire, milk producer has won first place in the Arla Foods Milk Partnership annual National Milk Quality Awards.

  • Aussie drought may hit the Kiwis harder

    November 17th 2006

    KIWI dairy farmers in Australia may be more exposed to the ravages of the ‘one-in-a-,thousand-years’ drought than the locals. Especially if they relocated over the Tasman recently, paid higher prices for land and cows and are more heavily indebted.

  • Benchmarking benefit

    November 17th 2006

    THE finances of seed production were explored by Jay Wootton from Farm Business consultants Andersons.Growers need to be more disciplined in their approach to the market if they are to improve returns, he advised.Mr Wootton has been working closely with the BPC to develop new benchmarking software that is helping seed and ware growers identify cost and income streams with their business.

  • Brecon’s 4,700gns call

    November 17th 2006

    A TOP of 4,700gns was achieved at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s show and sale at Brecon.

  • Canadian trip is no fantasy

    November 17th 2006

    THREE South Yorkshire farmers have earned themselves a trip to Canada as a result of winning The Fantasy Farming League, sponsored by the New York Bagel Company.

  • Cash in on clover savings – and add to ‘bottom line’

    November 17th 2006

    Farmer-cum-seed-company owner Rex Humphrey believes high clover swards could spell the end of expensive fertiliser bills on all livestock farms. JOANNE PUGH travelled to Northern Ireland to meet the man who believes organic principles could save conventional farm businesses.

  • CCM pulls out of Masham

    November 17th 2006

    SKIPTON-based Craven Cattle Marts has pulled out of operating weekly sales at Masham Farmers Auction Mart.

  • Cereal pesticide residues awareness guides

    November 17th 2006

    CEREAL growers’ awareness of pesticide residues needs to be improved if the consumer preference for reducing residues further than the current safe levels is to be realised.

  • Chance to change perceptions on Channel 4’s hit ‘Wife Swap’

    November 17th 2006

    IF you think Channel 4’s hit series Wife Swap is all about rows and confrontations, the new series should be an eye-opener, according to researchers for the show.

  • Competition was hot to become the new Mr and Miss

    November 17th 2006

    RAYMOND Crerar, chairman of Crossroads YFC, and Kirstian Howie, past secretary of Kilmaurs YFC, are the new Mr and Miss for Scottish Young Farmers’ West Region. Andrew Jardine of Annandale and Lorna Hyslop of Biggar were runners-up for the title. Third places went to Biggar’s Graham Kerr and Linda Sloan of Thornhill.

  • Concern over new gas pipeline’s effects on the Brecon Beacons

    November 17th 2006

    THE Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has put together a 70-page report detailing its concerns over the plans for National Grid’s proposed 110-mile gas pipeline from Felindre, near Swansea, to Tirley, in Gloucestershire, 20 miles of which is set to run through the park.

  • Concerns over quality

    November 17th 2006

    A LACK of consistency is hampering British seed growers’ ability to improve on-farm returns, according to Branston field director David Nelson.

  • Conditions favourable for phoma in OSR

    November 17th 2006

    TWO sprays may be required for effective control of phoma in oilseed rape this autumn, growers are being advised.

  • Contracted tonnage to decide beet payment

    November 17th 2006

    SUGAR beet growers will shortly be receiving a letter from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) outlining the contracted tonnage for 2005/06 on which their additional sugar support payments will be based.

  • Cross-border merger

    November 17th 2006

    THE proposed merger of a UK grower-owned business’s marketing and crop breeding activities with a privately owned growers group in Spain represents a significant undertaking for this type of business.

  • Cross-compliance hinders simplest of farm activities

    November 17th 2006

    OVER-ZEALOUS implementation of cross compliance by the Government is hampering even the simplest of farm activities the NFU has warned.

  • Currency hits NZ incomes

    November 17th 2006

    FARMERS in New Zealand will have to wait until well into next year for a lower currency to help their earnings.

  • DC confirms Uniq deal

    November 17th 2006

    THE now confirmed £248 million acquisition of Uniq’s St Hubert French and Italian spreads by Dairy Crest will contribute positively to DC’s earnings in its first years, the processor has said.

  • Defra budget underspend

    November 17th 2006

    CHANGES to Treasury rules mean that 80 per cent of Defra’s £200 million budget cuts resulted from department underspending.

  • Egg award for Andrew Hignett

    November 17th 2006

    A lifetime of achievement in the egg industry has been recognised with the presentation of the prestigious ISABROWN Award to Andrew Hignett.

  • Egg scare

    November 17th 2006

    THE egg industry was reeling this morning from a wave of unwanted publicity about alleged fraud in the labelling of eggs and the presence of salmonella in imported eggs. A number of national papers ran front page stories on one or a combination of these stories.

  • English Sheepdog Trials Results

    November 17th 2006

    YORKSHIRE, Little Gate Farm, Bardon, Nursery (53 ran): 1, A. Bancroft (Settle) Scartop Fern, 83 of 90; 2, Richard Hutchinson (Littledale) Wenndale Roy, 81; 3, R. Handy (Settle) Spot, 80; 4, Michael Longton (Quernmore) Mac, 79; 5, J. Bell (Howden) Jill, 78; 6, A. Baines (South Stainmore) Tan Hill Maggie, 76. Young handler: C. Cropper (Water) Ron.

  • Enjoying a living heritage at Wimpole

    November 17th 2006

    Heavy horses are not often used in their traditional farming role any more, but learning to drive them is still incredibly rewarding, says SARAH CRIPPS, after spending a day long-reining and driving Shires at Wimpole Hall Farm.

  • Eurotier livestock show

    November 17th 2006

    New mixer wagon and telehandler developments dominated machinery news at this week’s Eurotier livestock show. STEVEN VALE joins the 100,000 visitors to look at the highlights at the Hanover Fairgrounds.

  • Eurotier livestock show contd.

    November 17th 2006

    Faresin Handlers Compact Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.If you are in the market for a compact 3 tonnes, 7m lift telehandler then you might like to know that Faresin Handlers launched just such a version.

  • Expansion to meet demand

    November 17th 2006

    THE Yorkshire based pig-breeding company; ACMC is setting up new production facilities to meet the growing demand for high-health stock, both at home and abroad.

  • Expansion to meet demand

    November 17th 2006

    THE Yorkshire based pig-breeding company; ACMC is setting up new production facilities to meet the growing demand for high-health stock, both at home and abroad.

  • Fall in number of migrant work

    22 November 2006

    THE number of central and eastern European migrant workers entering the UK has started to fall, which could spell bad news for some employers.

  • Farm equipment makers see US slowdown in 2007

    November 17th 2006

    Despite strong US grain prices, American farm equipment makers expect flat to lower sales ahead. Mike Wilson reports.

  • Farmers now to be known as FBOs – food business operators

    November 17th 2006

    FARMERS must come to terms with the fact that they are part of the food chain. This was appreciated by most progressive individuals who act accordingly, but the majority of industry participants will now be subject to a greater degree of scrutiny.

  • Farms feel cost of increase

    November 17th 2006

    THE Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to raise the official Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points to 5 per cent will add £15 million to farm costs.

  • Feed price rises set to bite

    November 17th 2006

    FEED prices are rising and pig producers coming off contracts could be facing on average an extra £12 a tonne to renew.That equates to as much as 4p per kg dwt, according to a feed cost report just published by the British Pig Executive. The report is available from Bpex website www.bpex.org.uk.

  • Ferrying slurry to ensure a constant flow on the field

    November 17th 2006

    As farmers increase their acreage, the distance from slurry store to field may increase beyond the limits of a high output umbilical system. This was the problem that Dumfries and Galloway-based contractor Russell Gaw faced.

  • Figures show a ‘brighter’ sales future for red meat

    November 17th 2006

    MORE than 30 research or trial projects were currently under way in Wales to help producers fine tune their production techniques, said Prys Morgan, HCC’s industry development manager.

  • From field to plate is a stone’s throw away

    November 17th 2006

    The Bunting family may have its fingers in a lot of pies, but none so wholesome as those served at its Suffolk pub. Tia Rund enjoyed the chance to sample the truly unique experience offered at The Anchor Inn, Nayland.

  • Genus Jayson heifer makes £1,340 at dispersal sale

    November 17th 2006

    TRADING peaked at £1,340 when the Longford herd of commercial dairy cows was dispersed for the Roworth Family, Longford, Derbyshire.

  • Georgian splendour in picturesque setting

    November 17th 2006

    Georgian Crystal in Staffordshire makes and sells handmade traditional lead crystal products. As part of our ‘Mastercraftsmen’ series, SARAH CRIPPS visits their factory to meet the highly skilled workers and learn about the crystal making process.

  • German poultry down

    November 17th 2006

    THE upward trend in German poultry production seen in recent years appears to have stalled with production falling in recent months.MLC reports that the country is still affected by avian ‘flu, which re-emerged in August after a three-month lull.Between January and October the producer price for chicken has remained on average six per cent below year earlier prices at 0.65 euro per kg.

  • Get a ‘competitive edge’ with Fresh Start

    November 17th 2006

    Now approaching its second anniversary, the Fresh Start initiative is still working hard to help new entrants into agriculture. KATIE LOMAS found out about the push to positively promote the industry and equip people with the correct skills to pursue a career in farming.

  • GOLDEN CASSEROLE

    November 17th 2006

    THIS casserole can be made using chicken thighs or pheasant breasts. The recipe is from Chrissie

  • Grooms Association dream becoming a reality

    17 November 2006

    Lucy Katan has been awarded £5,000 by UnLtd, a charity supporting social entrepreneurs, to turn her dream of an independent grooms association into a reality. Lucy has acted as the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) grooms representative on a voluntary basis for four years, and now she has the opportunity to take this a stage further on an independent basis.

  • Hall has ‘capability’ to change with times

    November 17th 2006

    Woodlands Hall and its farm have witnessed many developments over the years. Now home to the Hunter family, it is seeing more changes as the farm once again adapts to current needs. NEIL RYDER paid a visit.

  • Heckington YFC show their true value

    November 17th 2006

    HECKINGTON YFC enjoyed ‘lots’ of success at Lincolnshire Young Farmers’ mock auction.

  • Hidden costs of own labour works out at £11 an hour

    November 17th 2006

    BEEF and sheep farmers have a new cost to factor into their business – their own labour and it is worth £11.18 an hour.

  • High speed transport

    November 17th 2006

    In addition to a number of changes to the coulter mechanism on its slurry injectors, Dutch-firm Vredo is also looking to gauge contractor interest in a high-speed version of its Trac self-propelled drive unit. Steven Vale reports from the company’s three-day Open House.

  • Highly complex farming operation

    November 17th 2006

    THE pair of new swingover herringbone milking parlours – a 20-40 unit, which is already operational at Trenewydd Fawr where Meurig Raymond lives, and a 24-48 version currently being installed at Jordanston Hall where Mansel lives – marks another chapter in a remarkable and diverse farming development programme.

  • HLS ‘could be a funding casualty’

    November 17th 2006

    HIGHER Level Stewardship could be one of the main victims of the Rural Development funding crisis, sustainable food and farming advisor Sir Don Curry has warned.

  • Holiday pay changes reversed

    November 17th 2006

    THE Agricultural Wages Board has confirmed its decision to reverse the changes to holiday pay made earlier this year.

  • Holstein brings 1,100gns at Beeston

    November 17th 2006

    A JOINT sale of Holsteins from the Eye and Chessgrove herds sold to a top of 1,100gns at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire.

  • Hosking all the questions to grow a growing concern

    November 17th 2006

    With daffodils, green vegetables, sheep and cereals as well as 16 full-time members of staff and up to 60 migrant workers, there is never a dull moment for brothers James and Jeremy Hosking, as DAVID BURROWS found out.

  • Ignore myths – concentrate on sunshine

    November 17th 2006

    GRASSLAND management is even more important when growing high clover swards – but this is not difficult, especially if farmers do not get mislead by the myths surrounding clover.

  • Incident fails to affect confidence in UK beef

    November 17th 2006

    THE early signs are that consumer confidence in beef has not been unduly affected by the widely publicised OTM breach.

  • In-lamb Suffolks to 650gns at Carlisle

    November 17th 2006

    PRICES peaked at 650gns at the 16th annual collective show and sale of pedigree in-lamb Suffolk females at Carlisle, on Friday.

  • Investment crucial but hunger to improve is long-term winner

    November 17th 2006

    WITH a lot of money recently invested in Rectory Farm, the pressure is on for owner David Oughton and, subsequently, his herd manager Kevan Windridge.

  • Joe and Louise learn while they work

    November 17th 2006

    TWO apprentices at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire, have been singled out for special mention following 12 months of combining learning with full-time jobs.

  • Kington YFC the Hereford judging kings

    November 17th 2006

    FOURTEEN-year-old Fay Griffiths of Kington YFC took the individual title and helped her club to overall victory in Herefordshire Young Farmers’ annual Hereford cattle judging competition. Fay scored 191 points out of a possible 200.

  • Lamb producers are to get true weights

    November 17th 2006

    LAMB weights in deadweight centres will no longer be rounded down to the nearest 0.5kg – and the NFU Livestock Board is claiming the credit.

  • Lancashire CLA branch chairman

    November 17th 2006

    CHARTERED accountant Ken Sidebottom (above), from Warton, Fylde, is the new chairman of the Country Land and Business Association’s Lancashire branch. He brings a wealth of business acumen to the post, coupled with first hand knowledge of agriculture having been married for 40 years to Brenda, a farmer’s daughter. Their son Peter continues to farm.

  • Land and property changes hands

    November 17th 2006

    A PLOT of agricultural land in south Warwickshire has been sold for £6,450 (almost £16,000/ha) a possible record for the county. The 100 acres was part of Stapenhall Farm, Deppers Bridge, in Harbury, has sold for £645,000, the equivalent of almost £16,000 a hectare.

  • Leading squirrel charity welcomes action plan

    November 17th 2006

    THE Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan published this week by Scottish National Heritage, the Scottish Executive and the Forestry Commission, Scotland has been welcomed by one of the United Kingdom’s leading squirrel charities, the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI).

  • Less pork into Japan

    November 17th 2006

    JAPAN imported 545,000 tonnes of pork in the first nine months of this year – 20 per cent less than the same period in 2005.

  • Less than 10 days left to nominate the best of British Grooms

    17 November 2006

    The best grooms in the country will next month compete to win a luxury holiday in the prestigious 2006 Kuster BEF Groom Award competition.

  • Limousin suckler herd winners

    November 17th 2006

    FATHER and son team Jim and Mark Graham of Greenshields Farm, Biggar, Lanarkshire, have been named as the overall winners of the British Limousin Cattle Society’s National Suckler Herd Competition for 2006.

  • Mansel flock shearling ram at 1,100gns

    November 17th 2006

    A TOP bid of 1,100gns was realised when Brian Roden and his daughter Janet, dispersed their Mansel flock of pedigree Suffolk sheep at Mansel Lacy, Hereford, on Saturday.

  • Many reasons to be cheerful

    November 17th 2006

    DERBYSHIRE beef and sheep farmer, Simon Frost, told delegates that efficiency gains from adopting modern technology could replace changing support payments.Indeed, using a high beef value beef bull could increase calf returns by around £163 per head – a figure similar to the former suckler cow premium. He said that it was imperative to persuade dairy farmers to use a better class of bull in order to overcome Holstein influence concerns.

  • Margins boosted 168pc– thanks to improved milk price and overhaul of diets

    November 17th 2006

    Fine-tuning the feeding regime has paid dividends for a Cumbrian farming family as NEIL RYDER found out on a Keenan open day.

  • Mascol retains all-rounders lead

    November 17th 2006

    MASCOL may have dropped to second position in the November 2006 £PLI listings published by MDC breeding+, but he is still a clear leader in the CDI Bull Selector ‘All Round’ listings when ranked by PLI with £83.

  • McNeill unlikely to meet MPs

    November 17th 2006

    FORMER Rural Payments Agency chief executive Johnston McNeill is unlikely to ever appear before MPs to answer questions on the Single Payment fiasco after he pulled out of a second scheduled hearing this week.

  • MEP impressed by Argentine ag

    November 17th 2006

    CONSERVATIVE agriculture spokesman in the European Parliament, Neil Parish MEP, visited Argentina last week as part of a fact-finding mission.

  • Migrants can make a positive contribution

    November 17th 2006

    THE Government’s own ‘Rural Advocate’ has stated that one of the Key issues in the run up to next election will be migrant workers.

  • Milk imports loom unless industry acts

    November 17th 2006

    THE UK may have to import liquid milk in as little as five years time if nothing is done to slow the exodus of producers, a retail boss has warned.

  • Milk quotas to go by 2015 – Fischer Boel

    November 17th 2006

    EUROPEAN Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has confirmed that milk quotas will be gone by 2015 – and hinted this week that once the decision was taken she would favour a gradual phasing out, beginning well before that date.

  • Montgomeryshire names its nursery team

    November 17th 2006

    THE first county in South Wales to finish its Nursery Series is Montgomeryshire. Its Nursery team will be captained by Dai Price with Meg and its Novice led by Jack Burke with Maggie. These teams will compete for honours in the Powys Nursery final.

  • More all round bulls dominate PLI top 10

    November 17th 2006

    SIRES combining production, type and longevity traits and more suited to modern milk production, are now dominating the top 100 available Holstein sires published this week by the Milk Development Council’s breeding+ division.

  • More all round bulls dominate PLI top 10

    November 17th 2006

    SIRES combining production, type and longevity traits and more suited to modern milk production, are now dominating the top 100 available Holstein sires published this week by the Milk Development Council’s breeding+ division.

  • Morwick Sand Ranger Red still leads PLI

    November 17th 2006

    IN the Ayrshire breed, the Red Holstein sire Morwick Sand Ranger Red has lost £3 but continues to lead the PLI rankings, now with a PLI of £86 and a type merit of +3.7.

  • Mtoto sons are best of the mastitis guardians

    November 17th 2006

    MDC breeding+ has published a top 10 ranking of Holstein sires taken from the latest available bull list for their ability to reduce somatic cell counts (SCC) in daughters.

  • Muck and slurry equipment – special feature

    November 17th 2006

    There are some 150 Terra Gators currently at work in the UK, with the majority being used with spreader bodies for applying sewage sludge or industrial waste. Of the few that are fitted with tanker systems, only around two are used for agricultural slurry. Mervyn Bailey spoke to one contractor to see what advantages it offers.

  • National Hunt star Desert Orchid dies peacefully in his stable, aged 27

    November 17th 2006

    RACING legend Desert Orchid died on Monday morning at the age of 27 after a short illness, leaving the world of racing in mourning.

  • New initiative in West Midlands

    November 17th 2006

    THE West Midlands Food Partnership has launched a new funding initiative for small and medium food and drink businesses operating within the West Midlands region.

  • New markets search is ‘in danger of collapse’

    November 17th 2006

    INDEPENDENT butcher and abattoir owner, Will Lloyd Williams, from Machynlleth, warned Carwyn Jones that the Assembly’s encouragement for producers to find new markets for their products was in danger of collapse.

  • New markets search is ‘in danger of collapse’

    November 17th 2006

    INDEPENDENT butcher and abattoir owner, Will Lloyd Williams, from Machynlleth, warned Carwyn Jones that the Assembly’s encouragement for producers to find new markets for their products was in danger of collapse.

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    November 17th 2006

    • A CAREER showcase has been organised in Derbyshire for people aged between 15 and 30 considering starting a business, gaining a qualification or finding a job in the land-based sector.

  • Nitrogen leaching sparks a war of words

    November 17th 2006

    A WAR of words has erupted between fertiliser companies after New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Government expected fertiliser sales would drop 30-40 per cent during the next five years.

  • Now or never £500,000 parlour investment ‘at the double’ for twins

    November 17th 2006

    The Raymond twins travel the country on industry business – Meurig as NFU national deputy president and Mansel as NFU Cymru’s dairy board chairman, vice-chairman of the union’s England and Wales milk board and a First Milk director. BARRY ALSTON caught up with them on one of the rare days both were at home on their Pembrokeshire farms.

  • Opera star returns to her farm roots

    November 17th 2006

    ONE of the country’s leading opera stars will be telling the nation on Monday why she has turned her back on city living to return to her farming roots in the Welsh countryside.

  • Opportunity opens up for potato seed growers

    November 17th 2006

    THERE are bright prospects for Britain’s seed potato growers, but the industry will fall apart unless it can grasp a more focused, co-ordinated and disciplined approach to supplying the market.

  • Pointers to arrest the decline of dairying

    November 17th 2006

    THE development of longer term supply contracts that recognise the true cost of milk production is one of the main recommendations put forward by an industry consultant to avoid the scenario painted by Waitrose boss Sir Stuart Hampson.

  • Potato supply estimate shows downward trend

    November 17th 2006

    THE British Potato Council’s provisional estimate of GB potato supply for 2006 is 5.528 million tons, down 5 per cent from 2005.

  • Poultry man of the year

    November 17th 2006

    NFU Poultry Board Chairman Charles Bourns was presented with the ‘Man of the Year’ award during the 40th Egg and Poultry Industry Conference Banquet at the Blackpool Hilton.  Mr Bourns developed the company ‘British Chicken Marketing Ltd’ in 2003 to add value to Red Tractor chicken, and has also been instrumental in creating a more cohesive working relationship between the NFU, British Poultry Council and British Egg Industry Council.

  • Profits up for dairy companies

    November 17th 2006

    BOTH operating profit and profit before tax were up by more than 40 per cent for Robert Wiseman Dairies in its first half figures reported this week.

  • Red meat cancer link ‘not rele

    November 17th 2006

    RESEARCH claiming a link between red meat consumption and breast cancer in women is of ‘very little relevance’ to UK consumers, says the Meat and Livestock Commission.

  • Returning farmed wetland back to a wildlife habitat

    November 17th 2006

    It is hoped that an ambitious plan to re-create a wetlands environment on a Herefordshire farm will encourage the return of long-departed wildlife, such as lapwing, curlew, snipe, dragonflies, marsh marigold, frogs and toads. David Jones reports from a FWAG open day.

  • Romania given breathing space

    November 17th 2006

    CERTAIN meat, poultry meat, fish and dairy establishments in Romania will be allowed a transitional period to the end of 2009 in which to upgrade to EU standards.

  • Rotational focus at winter workshops

    16 November 2006

    THE HGCA has planned a series of half-day ‘Winter Workshops’ for December and January focusing on the importance of rotations as growers try to adapt to an ever-changing industry.

  • Row over who is to blame for first BSE test breach

    November 17th 2006

    THE process of BSE testing older cattle is under scrutiny in Northern Ireland after a simple error resulted in a costly product recall and a wave of negative publicity for the beef industry.

  • Scartop Fern keeps calm to take Yorkshire trial

    November 17th 2006

    DESPITE wet and windy conditions, Adrian Bancroft’s Scartop Fern kept her calm to have the winning run at the Yorkshire Society’s second nursery of the season on Saturday.

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trials Results

    November 17th 2006

    ROGART (Judge: G. Nicholson, Lairg ) Nursery (30 ran): 1, E MacKinnon (Lochcarron) Shep, 88; 2, H. MacLean (Culloden) Kim, 73; 3, K.C. McKinnon (Bernisdale) Shene, 70; 4, S. Grant (Strathcannaird) Jen, 67 outbye; 5, H. Munro (Leys Castle) Gael, 67; 6, N. MacKenzie (Durness) Kate, 66. Older dogs: 1, A. MacDonald (Fearn) Gael, 77 outbye; 2, D. Murray (Rogart) Bill, 77; 3, S. Grant (Strathcannaird) Vicky, 72. Local: 1, D. Murray, Bill, 77; 2, D. Ross (Achaillach) Nell, ...

  • Seed potato trade players merger is finally sealed

    November 17th 2006

    THE long planned merger of the major players in the GB seed potato trade has come to fruition with the National Association of Seed Potato Merchants and the Scottish Potato Trade Association uniting under the banner of the British Potato Trade Association (BPTA).

  • Senior Labour figure criticised for welfare jibe

    November 17th 2006

    A LEADING member of the Welsh Labour Party’s ruling executive has been severely criticised by farming leaders and Opposition politicians for her ‘outrageous’ remarks accusing farmers of mistreating their animals.

  • Simmental bidding peaks at 2,600gns

    November 17th 2006

    BIDDING rose to 2,600gns when the annual autumn show and sale of pedigree Simmental bulls and females took place at Carlisle on Friday.

  • Sparking new business ideas in Cheshire

    November 17th 2006

    A STUDY tour in the Loire Valley comparing British and French agriculture has sparked new business ideas for members of Cheshire Rural Business Women’s Club.

  • Staying on to see redesign to fruition

    November 17th 2006

    RETIRING HCC chairman, Rees Roberts, who was to stand down next month, will now be staying in the role for the time being. He will not now leave until talks are complete on the redesigned promotional organisation.

  • Strasbourg ‘no’ vote brings Defra plans to a standstill

    November 17th 2006

    THE European Parliament has rejected Tony Blair’s plans for voluntary modulation by a massive majority on the grounds that it is unfair and possibly even illegal.

  • Suffolk flock competitions

    November 17th 2006

    THE results of three major Suffolk sheep flock competitions have been announced. Taking the overall championship in the Western Area competitions were J.K. and I. Evans, from Plas Llewelyn, Dolwen, near Betws-y-Coed, North Wales, with V.E. and B.M. Samuel and Son, Upper Monkton, St Weonards, Herefordshire, reserve.

  • SUK to adopt a Lantra mantra

    November 17th 2006

    Before Stockmen UK (SUK) was created in September this year, a number of people were involved in deciding how best the organisation could serve all types of herdsmen. One person involved in that brainstorming was Kevan Windridge, a self-employed herd manager with strong views on how the dairy industry can attract and retain quality workers. JOANNE PUGH went to meet him.

  • Talk up rural areas says Plaid Cymru’s leader

    November 17th 2006

    POLITICIANS of all parties and the people who lived there needed to be more positive in their attitude towards rural areas, according to Plaid Cymru’s president, Dafydd Wigley.

  • Taskforce to help farmers

    November 17th 2006

    The South West Rural Affairs Forum has held one of its most popular conferences ever. Up for discussion was the role of migrant workers; a workforce that can often provide the flexible, hard-working, low-skilled labour that farmers need. DAVID BURROWS reports.

  • The big Mc gives more performance

    November 17th 2006

    McCORMICK’S ZTX flagship has received a new heart in the form of a Stage IIIa Cummins engine.

  • The Single Payment – your questions answered

    November 17th 2006

    David Miliband’s announcement last week on the 2006 Single Payment Scheme was condemned as ‘too little, too late’ by the industry. But it did at least set out a clear timetable. ALISTAIR DRIVER outlines what we now know about the 2006 scheme in England and the outstanding issues from 2005.

  • Third largest poultry producer to close

    November 17th 2006

    THE third-largest poultry producer in the UK is to close its processing and factory farm at the end of this year.

  • Tough CO2 targets could involve farming

    November 17th 2006

    TOUGH Government targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 will open the door to the agricultural sector, said farming groups this week.

  • Trike strikes right note

    November 17th 2006

    If size is an indication of output, the spreader now being operated by Peter Steward’s contracting business must be among the best. Based at Ringshall, Needham Market, Suffolk, Mr Steward took delivery of his 430hp Holland-built Vervaet Hydro Trike US last February.

  • Welsh Black female champion registers top price at 1,200gns

    November 17th 2006

    WELSH Black cattle sold to a top of 1,200gns at the society’s autumn show and sale on Friday at Carlisle, which was sponsored by Farmers Guardian.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trials Results

    November 17th 2006

    RADNORSHIRE NURSERY. Nursery class: 1, P. Tomkins (Llandrindod Wells) Arnie, 18; 2, G. Owen (Penybont) Taff, 19; 3, P. Tomkins, Cally, 29; 4, K. Powell (Kington) Sally, 30 OLF; 5, R.B. Pugh (Nantmel) Rock, 30; 6, P. Tomkins, Tass, 31. Novice: 1, A. Price (Doldowlod) Celt, 15; 2, B. Lewis (Dolau) Floss, 23; 3, G. Powell (Gladestry) Lad, 25; 4, J.L. Davies (Builth Wells) Jen, 32.

  • Welshpool Charolais hits top at 4,100gns

    November 17th 2006

    PEDIGREE Charolais bulls topped at 4,100gns in Welshpool on Thursday at the breed society’s official autumn show and sale.

  • Year of Food and Farming

    November 17th 2006

    THE Government is to launch a Year of Food and Farming in schools in London at the end of this month.

  • You’ll never have to leave the bike with new ATV gate

    November 17th 2006

    LIKE a lot of people, with a lot of gates, Cumbrian farmer James Middleton had got a little tired of hopping on and off the quad to open and close gates when looking at stock at busy times of year.