Farmers Guardian
November 3rd 2006

  • ‘Doubles’ at Ringinglow for Gerry and Dennis

    November 3rd 2006

    BOTH Gerry Clark and Dennis Hudson enjoyed double victories at the Ringinglow trial held at Peak Forest, Derbyshire, on Saturday.

  • ‘Good length’ pair take the supreme

    November 3rd 2006

    THE native breeds came out on top this year with judge Brenda Wear consistently placing Suffolk crosses over the continental breeds.

  • ‘Speed dating’ to find those perfect business partners

    November 3rd 2006

    SPEED dating with a difference is coming to Mid Wales later this month.

  • ‘Wish-list’ envy of others

    November 3rd 2006

    IT may be a single market in Europe and a Common Agricultural Policy, but the Irish farming lobby has squeezed a wish-list from their Government that farmers elsewhere can only envy. This will see a big boost in funding for young farmers entering the industry and for farmers retiring. 

  • A longer life for Cummins engines

    November 3rd 2006

    CUMMINS has introduced a more environmentally-friendly coolant that could extend engine life. PGXL is a Propylene Glycol (PG) based coolant which is less toxic than Ethylene Glycol (CG) – considered a hazardous product.

  • A slight dip, but a good year for tractor sales

    November 3rd 2006

    WHILE tractor sales for August and September are slightly down on 2005 figures, this has still been a good year so far for tractor manufactures, with more vehicles sold to date (11,344 units) than in the same peiod in 2005.

  • Abattoirs ‘should support initiatives’

    November 3rd 2006

    SMALL and medium-sized abattoirs should throw their weight behind local and regional initiatives promoted by the Rural Development Agencies, Andrew Slade, of the Government South West office, told the conference.

  • Act now on milk conversion

    November 3rd 2006

    IF you are thinking about converting from conventional to organic milk production, get on with it.

  • AgriScot

    November 3rd 2006

    BRANDED as the ‘farm business event of the year’, AgriScot is making its appearance at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston again this year.

  • AIMS Conference

    November 3rd 2006

    Though AIMS, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, is going from strength to strength, overheads, such as those created by the Meat Hygiene Service, are crippling association members and threaten to become more onerous as the Government heads towards increased cost recovery. Vic Robertson reports from the association’s sixth annual conference at the weekend.

  • All in clover: But first you must dispel myths about organics . . .

    November 3rd 2006

    Gone are the days when the decision to convert to organic farming was based solely on ethical grounds – now there is a multi-billion pound market to consider. DAVID BURROWS looks at the decision-making process.

  • An hour in the November garden

    November 3rd 2006

    Now that the clocks have gone back, the garden seems to spend an extra month in bed, but nothing could be further from the truth. The days might be short, but whatever sunlight is around is put to good use, writes Paul Peacock.

  • Bag lifter boom retrofit extends reach to 2.75m

    November 3rd 2006

    Kuhn is offering a retrofit boom extension for the Levsak 1000 fertiliser bag lifter that allows it to handle 600kg bags.

  • Battle over EU modulation halts Stewardship scheme

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Environmental Stewardship Scheme has ground to a halt because of the battle taking place in Brussels over voluntary modulation rates.

  • Bazadaise sale to 2,000gns

    1 November 2006

    A CONSIGNMENT of four Bazadaise females from B. Ross, Delney, Invergordon, sold to a top of 2,000gns.Top call was for Sandra Imp, who sold with a bull calf at foot to C. Macculloch and Exley, Hambleton, Lancashire.

  • BCPC Conference

    November 3rd 2006

    The BCPC Crop Science and Technology Conference took a wide-ranging theme – global aspects of crop production, crop protection and food supply – this year. John Parry reports from Glasgow.

  • Bidding for Charolais cow and June-born bull calf peaks at 6,000gns

    1 November 2006

    BIDDING peaked at 6,000gns for a cow and calf in the Charolais female ring.

  • Bids reach 48,000gns at Swaledale ram sale

    November 3rd 2006

    A TOP price of £48,000 was realised at the annual two-day show and sale of registered Swaledale shearling rams held on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association B District at Hawes.

  • Biofuels law

    November 3rd 2006

    HUNGARIAN philanthropist, George Soros, is to invest $162 million into a bioethanol plant in Argentina.

  • Blondes to a peak of 6,000gns

    November 3rd 2006

    A TOP of 6,000gns was realised at the Blonde Society annual autumn show and sale at Carlisle.

  • Bobcat’s telehandler bridges the gap

    November 3rd 2006

    BOBCAT has filled a gap in its telehandler range with the 10m T35100 telehandler.

  • Bovine TB blood test is hailed as a ‘useful step’

    November 3rd 2006

    THE decision to use the gamma-interferon blood test in Wales to increase the accuracy of the bovine TB testing regime is being seen as a ‘useful step forward’ in detecting infection in cattle, but attacking TB at source – in wildlife – remained the key to making lasting progress in controlling and eradicating the disease, says NFU Cymru.

  • Brands bolster United

    November 3rd 2006

    UNITED Dairy Farmers  says growth in added value sales – and good cost control – has helped it buck the trend of disappointing results in the dairy processing sector.

  • Bumper entry of Zwartbles at Worcester

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Zwartbles Sheep Association show and sale at Worcester attracted a bumper entry and a top of 880gns was achieved.

  • Challenges ahead, despite 2006 being a good year

    November 3rd 2006

    Ahead of AgricScot 2006 John Taylor, Bank of Scotland Corporate agricultural director, takes a look at the opportunities and challenges for UK agriculture

  • Champions of countryside must be rewarded: Kendall

    November 3rd 2006

    FARMERS have been championed as managers of countryside, and food retailers have been told they should be rewarding value, not cutting prices, to create a sustainable supply chain.

  • Charges increase is bad for customers

    November 3rd 2006

    CHANGING the charging structure for pesticide approvals could lead to the loss of a substantial number of minor horticultural crop sectors in the UK, the NFU warned this week.

  • Cheese couple have plenty to smile about

    November 3rd 2006

    With more awards than they know what to do with, dairy farmers Philip and Carol Stansfield are a true diversification success story. KATIE ROEBUCK went to find out why the Cornish Cheese Company just cannot stop growing.

  • Citroën C-crosser

    November 3rd 2006

    Citroën is to enter the 4x4 market next year with a sports utility vehicle, badged the

  • Coachgate herd takes inspection award

    November 3rd 2006

    EDWARD Griffiths, of Penistone, collected the award for the best herd on inspection in the Yorkshire Holstein Club’s annual competitions.

  • Coastal landowners receive a recompense ‘glimmer of hope’

    November 3rd 2006

    LANDOWNERS on the British coastline have been given a ‘glimmer of hope’ this week with the government’s commitment to consider compensation for those who lose land to coastal flood management.

  • Consistent trade and 1,850gns top twice at Lancaster sale

    November 3rd 2006

    TRADE was consistent at the Lancashire Holstein Club’s show and sale at Lancaster and a top price of 1,850gns was achieved twice.

  • Co-ops lift milk price

    November 3rd 2006

    TWO of the three major milk co-operatives have announced a producer price increase following increases by two of the big processors last week.

  • Councils quick to say ‘no’ to GM crops

    November 3rd 2006

    LOCAL authorities in the South West have once again said ‘no’ to the introduction of GM crops in the region.

  • Countryside Live

    November 3rd 2006

    With a record-breaking 9,300 attendance and capacity beef and sheep entries, this year’s Countyside Live was a huge success. JOANNE PUGH reports from the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

  • Cuddle collects golden prize

    November 3rd 2006

    Jersey heifer Grahmar Bomber Cuddle, from Graham Wallace, Goostrey, Cheshire, was supreme champion at the FG-sponsored ‘Autumn Gold’ coloured breeds show and sale at Beeston Castle auction mart. Pictured are show judge Ian Cox, Graham Wallace and FG's Stephanie Denny. Report and more pictures on www.farmersguardian.com.

  • Cutbacks hit potato ring rot review

    November 3rd 2006

    A POTATO industry consultation planned following the 2004 potato ring rot ‘Lessons Learned’ review has fallen victim to the Defra budget cuts announced last week.

  • Database to manage markets and agronomy requirements

    November 3rd 2006

    AN on-line farm management aid was launched at the event.

  • David’s ‘last minute decision’ pays off

    November 3rd 2006

    HAVING made a ‘last minute decision’ to enter the national festival of meat competition, David Ward walked away with the top prize for a saddle of lamb.

  • Deadline looms large for Tir Gofal scheme

    November 3rd 2006

    A NEW window for receiving applications for the Tir Gofal scheme opens later this month – but with demand likely to be high, it will only last for a limited period.

  • Defra canvasses views on birds

    November 3rd 2006

    DEFRA has launched a public consultation on proposals to change the list of bird species that need to be registered if kept in captivity.

  • Defra’s first cereal balance estimate suggests lower availability

    November 3rd 2006

    DEFRA’s first estimate of the 2006/07 UK cereal balance suggests lower wheat and barley availability and smaller exports/intervention stocks of wheat and barley for this season, according to HGCA’s market report this week.

  • Dexters and deer prove the perfect mix for upland SDA

    November 3rd 2006

    The combined effects of recovery after losing their stock to foot-and-mouth disease and changes in the deer market have been key influences in the development of a Cumbrian meat business based on red deer venison and Dexter beef. NEIL RYDER reports.

  • DFB bottling plant deal

    November 3rd 2006

    DAIRY Farmers of Britain has bought the Golden Vale Dairies milk bottling plant at Bridgend and has plans to expand its business in Wales.

  • Discovering the options for work under an organic ELS

    November 3rd 2006

    DALBY Hall Organic Farm, on the south-eastern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, was the venue for a recent farm walk organised by ADAS on behalf of Natural England.

  • Disease Research

    November 3rd 2006

    Europe is on the alert: Unexpected animal disease outbreaks have shocked scientists and vets alike. With the European Union’s expansion eastwards the same scientists fear we are unprepared for the biosecurity risks of opening up borders. TOM LEVITT visited one of Europe’s foremost Institutes for infectious animal diseases to uncover the uncertainties.

  • Drought order extension withdrawn

    November 3rd 2006

    SUTTON and East Surrey, the only water company to put a drought order into force this summer, has decided to withdraw its application to extend its drought order powers, which are due to end on November 15.

  • Eblex chief’s keen to paint positive picture

    November 3rd 2006

    RICHARD Ali, Eblex chief executive, tried to paint a positive picture for AIMS members. England’s small and medium sized abattoir sector accounted for 45 per cent of cattle slaughtered in England and close to a third of the national total.

  • Eco 180 extends Broadwood’s Tuchel range of sweepers

    November 3rd 2006

    Broadwood International has added to the Tuchel range of sweepers with the Eco 180. Aimed at smaller tractors in the 30hp or so category, it has a 1.8m working width.

  • Eight successes in a row

    November 3rd 2006

    BUILTH Wells YFC continued its winning run in Brecknock Young Farmers’ annual senior written pub quiz competition by taking first place for the eighth year in a row.

  • English Sheepdog Trials Results

    November 3rd 2006

    RINGINGLOW, Perrydale Farm, Peak Forest, (53 ran) Nursery Trial: 1, G. Clark (South Normanton) Floss, 84 of 90; 2, G. Dermody (Nantwich) Mott, 83; 3, Richard Hutchinson (Littledale) Wenndale Roy, 82; 4, A. Von Dinther (Whitchurch) Monty, 80. Nursery championship: 1, G. Clark Floss, 84 of 100; 2, J. Harvey (Leek) Jill, 59. Nursery aggregate: G. Dermody Mott, 160 of 180. Novice trial: 1, D. Hudson (Leek) Fly, 81 of 90; 2, G. Dermody Bill, 78; 3, G. Robinson (Scrivelsby) ...

  • Ethanol plant to use cobs, not corn

    November 3rd 2006

    A major ethanol plant construction firm has announced it will convert an Iowa facility from simply using corn to one that uses stalks, leaves and cobs to make the renewable fuel.

  • Exports vital for cheese

    November 3rd 2006

    SEVERAL companies were flying the flag for British cheese and seeking to expand on what are already very valuable worldwide exports.

  • Ex-presenter is WI guest speaker

    November 3rd 2006

    FORMER BBC ‘Ground Force’ presenter and ex horticultural student at Writtle Agricltural College, Chelmsford, Kirsty King, was the guest speaker when 400 Suffolk East WI members gathered at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, for the federation’s autumn council meeting.

  • Family ‘battles’ at Brecknock

    November 3rd 2006

    INTEREST is always high at the first Nursery trials in any county with dogs on their first outing in public, much speculation on their future prospects and, in certain cases some guessing as to the value of dogs that will be sold at the end of the year.

  • Family buys into Tasman Farms

    November 3rd 2006

    AN American family has joined some of the big names in New Zealand farm ownership as major shareholders of Tasmanian dairy and beef producer Tasman Farms.

  • Farm to remain in agricultural use

    November 3rd 2006

    A COUNCIL-OWNED farm near Guildford, the future of which has been in doubt since the last tenancy ended in 2005, is set to remain in agricultural use – at least for the foreseeable future.

  • Farmers confused as MEP warns of migrant ‘controls’

    November 3rd 2006

    RESTRICTIONS to the amount of migrant agricultural workers allowed into the UK each year are set to hit the South West’s farming industry hard.

  • Farming debate a big hit with visitors

    November 3rd 2006

    A NEW ‘farming debate’ proved very popular this year with visitors crowding into the cookery theatre to learn more about farmers’ role in the countryside.

  • Fears of ‘flight from hills’ if Defra adopts upland-only scheme

    November 3rd 2006

    THE NFU has warned of a potential ‘flight from the hills’ if Defra goes ahead with its reported intention to introduce an uplands-only environmental scheme in 2008.

  • Feedlot lambs for the US

    November 3rd 2006

    A FIFTH generation Central Canterbury farmer is using a feedlot system to succeed in the US heavyweight lamb market.

  • Fillies to the fore at the North West and Wales Shire foal show

    November 3rd 2006

    FILLY foals took champion and reserve at the North West and Wales Shire Foal Society’s 27th annual show and sale at South View Equestrian Centre, Wettenhall, Cheshire.

  • Fine-tuned for comfort

    November 3rd 2006

    Audi Allroad

  • Flock would fill Christmas wish

    November 3rd 2006

    A FLOCK of chickens may not be everyone’s idea of a Christmas gift, but it is just one of more than 24 gifts featured on the Save the Children Wish List, aimed at helping families beat poverty.

  • Foot-and-mouth false alarm at Essex abattoir

    November 3rd 2006

    FARMERS across the country breathed a sigh of relief last week as a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease in Essex was found to be a false alarm.

  • Funding research into diseases that blight the lives of horses

    November 3rd 2006

    Last month The Home of Rest for Horses officially changed its name to The Horse Trust, in order to better reflect the wide extent of the charity’s remit. SARAH CRIPPS visits their headquarters to learn more about what The Horse Trust is all about.

  • Galloways to 3,100gns at Castle Douglas

    November 3rd 2006

    PRICES for Belted Galloway and White Galloway cattle peaked at 3,100gns at Castle Douglas.

  • Geese award winners open their doors to producers

    November 3rd 2006

    MEMBERS of the Goose Producers’ Association visited Claire and Robert Symington’s Seldom Seen Farm at Billesdon, Leicestershire for their 24th farm walk and annual meeting.

  • Genetics and grass spearhead Argentine campaign

    November 3rd 2006

    MOST other countries’ beef promotion efforts at SIAL were dwarfed by the massive Argentinean presence – and they are coming to the UK on a mission.

  • Going the extra mile for ‘trust and integrity’

    November 3rd 2006

     THE move towards resumption of beef from animals over 30 months old entering the food chain was a test of the industry which it had passed with flying colours, said Prof. Patrick Wall, chairman of the European Food Safety Authority.

  • Good prospects for UK grass-fed lamb

    November 3rd 2006

    ONE in five lambs slaughtered in the UK is consumed in France and the market can take more, according to MLC France director Remi Fourrier.

  • Government steps up surveillance for signs of avian flu

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Government is stepping up its surveillance of nature reserves, parks and reservoirs for signs of avian influenza.

  • Growing demand for Scotch beef and lamb in Tesco

    November 3rd 2006

    ABERDEENSHIRE meat processor McIntosh Donald is looking for increased supplies of prime cattle and sheep.

  • Have your say on how levy money is spent – Kendall

    November 3rd 2006

    FARMERS and growers have been urged by NFU president Peter Kendall not to miss the chance of having a say on how their levy money is spent.

  • He-Va linkages for latest Masseys

    November 3rd 2006

  • Holstein heifer to 2,250gns

    November 3rd 2006

    TOP price at the Western Holstein Club’s show and sale at Beeston was 2,250gns for a freshly calved heifer from Riverdane Holsteins, Middlewich, Cheshire.

  • Honda CR-V

    November 3rd 2006

  • Ian’s expedition raises £6,000

    November 3rd 2006

    A LANARKSHIRE man who had to give up his farming job after a serious accident has raised more than £6,000 for RSABI (formerly the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution) by completing a 34-day expedition in a Kubota RTV900.

  • Irish exports up 12pc

    November 3rd 2006

    IRISH food and drink exports to France totalled 534m euro in 2005 and already this half year, the figures have been increasing by 12 per cent.

  • IZZIE’S CARROT SALAD

    November 3rd 2006

    THIS recipe is from Isabella Broatch, of Riggheads Farm, Lochmaben, Dumfries and Galloway. “It is best made the day before it is needed to bring out the flavour. It can be made well in advance of being used as it will keep for up to a week in the fridge. I make it when I’m preparing a mix of salads to go with cold meat,” she says.

  • JCB broadens horizons with compact line-up

    November 3rd 2006

    JCB has introduced five compact tractors with power outputs of 23hp to 54hp that will be manufactured in the Far East before being shipped to Staffordshire for final assembly.

  • Keith clinch it at double

    November 3rd 2006

    KEITH YFC members claimed double success in Scottish Young Farmers’ North Region beef cattle dressing challenge. Gavin Petrie and Martin Irvine from Keith won the senior trophy with 77 points. Fellow club members Darren Irvine and Craig Hendry took the junior title with 76.

  • Kuhn creates two new straw blowers

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Primor 2060H is the latest machine to come from Kuhn. There are two versions of the hydraulically driven straw blower – the semi-mounted can be fitted to tractors of 50hp while the fully mounted variant requires 70hp.

  • Largest entry yet and 1,500gns top at Beeston Suffolk sale

    November 3rd 2006

    THE fifth annual show and sale of in-lamb Suffolk females and ewe lambs, sponsored by Farmers Guardian and held at Beeston Castle auction, attracted its largest entry yet when 16 individual breeders entered almost 180 sheep.

  • Light ’n EasyCut

    November 3rd 2006

    KRONE has used its anti-collision technology on its latest triple mower combination the EasyCut 9140. This is said to be the lightest triple mower on the market and will replace the EasyCut 9000.

  • Marketing brings in money

    November 3rd 2006

    FARMERS could be proud of what they produced – but it was how the produce was marketed that brought in the money, the Future Farmers of Wales’ conference was told.

  • McNeill must answer MPs’ questions on Single Payment fiasco or face censure

    November 3rd 2006

    THE former chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency could face censure if he fails to turn up for questioning by MPs on November 20.

  • NBA takes Irish beef battle to FSA

    November 3rd 2006

    THE National Beef Association has written to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) demanding action over claims that consumers are being misled by Irish beef farm assurance cover, writes TOM LEVITT.

  • New Zealand offers new look on farming in a similar climate

    November 3rd 2006

    When Calum Main decided he wanted to see more of the world he did not feel he could organise an overseas trip himself. NEIL RYDER went to find out how he used AgriVenture to solve the problem.

  • NEWS IN BRIEF

    November 3rd 2006

    NFU director

  • NFU boss retains his upbeat approach

    November 3rd 2006

    NFU president Peter Kendall continued to promote his upbeat forecast for the food and farming industry, with the possible exception of the dairy sector.

  • Northern Expo

    November 3rd 2006

    Holmland Storm Flo takes overall champion hat-trick

  • Nothing unlucky in Howcommon Madge 13 victory

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Cousar family, of Howcommon Craigie, regular exhibitors on the show circuit, lifted the Holstein section’s champion and reserve awards for the first time in the West of Scotland Dairy Show.

  • Part payment decision is expected in two weeks

    November 3rd 2006

    Farmers can expect an announcement on partial payments in the next fortnight, according to Defra.

  • Perth Pedigree Beef Week - reports from the final two days of trading

    1 November 2006

    Overall averages were up when the Simmental and Charolais bulls took to the centre stage at Perth. KATIE LOMAS reports on the final two days of trading at the pedigree beef week.

  • Pesticides campaigner launches High Court challenge to government’s stance

    November 3rd 2006

    GEORGINA Downs has launched a High Court legal challenge against what she describes as the Government’s ‘fundamental failure to protect people from pesticides’.

  • Pictures from Countryside Live

    November 3rd 2006

    Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445Brenda Wear from Blagdon, Bristol judging the single butchers' lamb class.

  • Potato harvester upgrade provides new sorting table

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Enterprise potato harvester has undergone more upgrades since making the move from the Richard Pearson site to Standen’s Ely-based factory.

  • Question mark over tenancies

    November 3rd 2006

    THE future of tenant farmers on council estates across the country has been thrown into doubt this week.

  • Region’s visitor initiative

    November 3rd 2006

    A GROUP of accommodation providers across Radnorshire, in Mid Wales, is to undertake an increased marketing drive to attract new visitors to the region. Radnor Farm and Country Holidays has received support from Tourism Partnership Mid Wales to assist with its growing marketing campaign.

  • Rooker to hold SPS surgeries

    November 3rd 2006

    FOOD and Farming Minister Lord Rooker will face MPs in weekly Single Payment surgeries from January.

  • Rotting potato tubers found after a sudden change in storage conditions

    3 November 2006

    ROTTING tubers are already being found in some ambient potato stores, despite earlier suggestions that rots were not likely to be a problem this season, growers are being warned.

  • Scene by the Vet - November

    November 3rd 2006

    A FEW years ago one of our clients had a problem with some cows not performing and going off colour.

  • Scottish Ploughing Championships

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Mitchell family from Forfar have been celebrating a Scottish ploughing first this week.

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trials Results

    November 3rd 2006

    LOCH ACHRAY (Judge: A. Emerson, Auch) Open (45 ran): 1, R Simpson (Duchlage) Molly, 97; 2, J.A. MacLeod (Killin) Garry, 85; 3, M. Davidson (Gorebridge) Nip, 84; 4, A. McKenzie (Yarrow) Tib, 80 outbye; 5, J. Hastie (Saline) Mirk, 80; 6, I. McConnell (Garven) Dan, 79 outbye.

  • Shedding the plough for non-inversion tillage

    November 3rd 2006

    “WE’RE locked into non-inversion tillage now, I can’t see us ever going back to the plough.”

  • Short farm journeys exempt from new transport rules

    November 3rd 2006

    TRANSPORTERS can, from today, apply for authorisation to carry animals under new tougher rules, which become law in January 2007.

  • Simmental clearance hits recent high

    1 November 2006

    THE 10,000gns mark was achieved twice when 93 Simmental bulls were sold on the third day of the Perth bull sales, at which trade was level throughout.

  • Society may be forced to sell Bath and West Showground

    November 3rd 2006

    THE Royal Bath and West of England Society could be forced to sell its showground at Shepton Mallet, Somerset in order to survive.

  • South Devons producing a leaner carcase from efficient use of grass

    November 3rd 2006

    Getting the most out of grass was vital when Lawrence Glanville was managing the small dairy farm at Bicton Agricultural College, Devon. Now he is using that experience to get the most out of a pedigree herd of South Devon beef cattle. DAVID BURROWS reports.

  • Storage fears as temperatures hold

    3 November 2006

    THE long, hot summer and warmest autumn on record are creating some difficulties with storage conditions for potatoes, as temperatures in-store remain several degrees higher than the norm for the time of year.

  • Strengthening Welsh brands

    November 3rd 2006

    THE drive to establish Welsh lamb and beef as strong brands in Italy is continuing.

  • Support up but fox and hare numbers are down in wake of hunting ban, says survey

    November 3rd 2006

    A NEW survey of hunts, carried out at the start of the 2006/07 season, has revealed that support and participation continue to grow, and that more land is available for hunting than before the Hunting Act.

  • Survey to raise sector profile

    November 3rd 2006

    HORTICULTURALISTS are being invited to take part in an NFU survey to raise the industry’s profile and isolate what problems it faces. NFU horticulture board chairman Richard Hirst said the survey would help build a fuller picture of the industry. The information gathered will help the NFU to influence policy and decisions made in Government on behalf of its grower members.

  • Taking care in rebuilding the export relationships

    November 3rd 2006

    IN the export business you have to be whiter than white from day one according to RWM Food Group sales manager Matthew Barratt.

  • Think positive on climate

    November 3rd 2006

    FARMING groups are optimistic there will be greater incentives for bio-energy production, following the publication of a major review on climate change this week.

  • Threefold benefit to farm in its mission to enhance, diversify and create

    November 3rd 2006

    WITH a fresh application period due to open this month under new Welsh Assembly administration, the pioneering Tir Gofal agri-environmental scheme has just notched up a significant landmark achievement. BARRY ALSTON reports.

  • Tim takes top job

    November 3rd 2006

    TIM John, a 28-year-old farmer from Lambston, Haverfordwest, is the new chairman of the Pembrokeshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs. He is the first member of Brawdy YFC to hold the office since Brian Harries was county chairman in 1974.

  • Time to reverse decline in self sufficiency – EFFP

    November 3rd 2006

    FARMER-controlled businesses could help to reverse the UK’s declining self sufficiency in food, said English Food and Farming Partnerships (EFFP) this week.

  • Too many farmers failing to register management plans

    November 3rd 2006

    WITH the completion of a Crop Protection Management Plan formally recognised within Entry Level Stewardship, reaching this year’s Voluntary Initiative target should be straightforward enough.

  • Trade firm with seasonal increase in cow numbers

    November 3rd 2006

    CULL cow values appear to have eased slightly in some auction marts as numbers have increased through the autumn.

  • Trailed sprayers to cut chemical overlap

    November 3rd 2006

    Reducing chemical over-lap is just one feature of the John Deere 800i trailed sprayers. There are two models, the 832i and 840i, which have tank capacities of 3,200 and 4,000 litres and boom widths spanning 18m to 39m.

  • Trials suggest a positive future for purebred Charolais cows

    November 3rd 2006

    Purebred commercial Charolais heifers are demonstrating they can calve down at an average two years with minimal assistance and, thereby, make savings of more than £180 a head over their counterparts calving at three years.

  • Trophies and certificates aplenty for young Hannah

    November 3rd 2006

    BY the end of Countryside Live, 12-year-old Hannah Brown was struggling to carry all the trophies and certificates she had collected over the two days.

  • Trophy to mark special East Lothian grey partridge effort

    November 3rd 2006

    A NEW trophy is to be awarded to recognise those who have made particular efforts to help restore the grey partridge to East Lothian.

  • Trust’s work is just tree-mendous

    November 3rd 2006

    THE work of the Woodland Trust and the history of trees and ancient woodland were highlighted by Stephen Hartford, speaking to 500 delegates from 90 WIs attending the Warwickshire Federation of Women’s Institutes autumn council meeting. Federation chairman Marie Coleman also welcomed Bunny Campione to the meeting in Leamington Spa to talk about her career and the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

  • Union accused of ‘terror campaign’ against grower

    November 3rd 2006

    PICKETS of supermarkets stocking produce from the UK’s largest strawberry grower S&A Produce were carried out by the T&GWU on Tuesday as the producer accused the union of a ‘campaign of terror’.

  • Urgent plea for fuel storage space

    November 3rd 2006

    THE South Yorkshire Forest Partnership has made an urgent plea for farmers who have potential wood fuel/ woodchip storage space.

  • V6 diesel boosts power and torque for next generation

    November 3rd 2006

    Mercedes ML280 Cdi

  • Value the ‘human factor’

    November 3rd 2006

    THE human factor was often forgotten and neglected, but was a very important part of a veterinary surgeon’s daily work, the president of the British Veterinary Association, David Catlow, said in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trials Results

    November 3rd 2006

    GLOUCESTER/GWENT NURSERY. Nursery class: 1, W. Reed (Monmouth) Fly, 15; 2, R.C. Montgomery (Bristol) Ollie, 17; 3, J.A. Watkins (Bedwellty) Sue, 31; 4, A. Blackmore (Ledbury) Fanny, 33; 5, A. Blackmore, Bob, 41; 6, D. Baker (Malpas) Cap, 51; Novice: 1, A.BLackmore, Bet, 22 OLF; 2, D. Baker, Cap, 22; 3, J.A. Watkins, Sue, 37; 4, M. Nicholls (Pontypool) Lyn, 46; 5, G. Martin (Lydney) , Blue, 47; 6, J. Reed (Monmouth) Chas, 47.

  • Winners of first John Adlard sponsorship

    November 3rd 2006

    AT the annual meeting following the farm walk presentations were made to the winners of the first John Adlard Memorial Sponsorship Scheme.

  • Winter Fair entries on high

    November 3rd 2006

    THIS month’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair entries are nudging last year’s record levels, while prize money from the RWAS and breed societies has reached new heights.

  • Worcestershire the best at stockjudging

    November 3rd 2006

    A NEW location for the Young Farmers national stockjudging competition did nothing to dent entries or enthusiasm – and a team of four from Worcestershire took the top prize.

  • Work starts on 70-acre showcase site

    November 3rd 2006

    WORK has begun on the 70-acre site in Somerset which is set to showcase farming to the British public and promote the real value of milk.

  • Young not always a-maized by rural existence

    November 3rd 2006

    THE experiences of young people from farming and rural-based families have been incorporated in a play seen by 2,500 people and now set to spark discussion among decision-makers.