Farmers Guardian
October 12th 2007

  • ‘Disastrous’ consequences of relying on EU for seasonal agriculture workers

    October 12th 2007

    NEW Government regulation could bring an end to seasonal agricultural workers coming to the UK from the Ukraine, Russia and Moldova, prompting experts to predict ‘disastrous’ labour shortages in 2008.

  • ‘Fact-finding’ Benn, but questions over depth of understanding of problems

    October 12th 2007

    Defra Secretary Hilary Benn visited Skipton auction mart in Yorkshire last week as part of the fact-finding mission that led to the aid recovery package this week.

  • £1,780 peak at Gisburn

    October 12th 2007

    AT the first dairy sale at Gisburn, Lancashire, movement restrictions were relaxed again an entry of 70 dairy cattle met a tremendous trade. Although some cattle had been calved for over one month purchasers were keen to secure quality animals.Top price was for a heifer from T. Watson, Ripon, at £1,780. Seven heifers made over £1,700 and the heifer average was £1,360.

  • £1.5 million subsidy to SMPs reignites debate

    9 October 2007

    FIVE Scottish members of parliament received farm subsidies totalling £1.5 million over 5 years, it has emerged, sparking renewed criticism over the level of taxpayers’ money awarded to so-called ‘rich’ farmers.

  • £100 million of misspent CAP monies to be reclaimed by EU

    October 12th 2007

    EU member states have misspent CAP money to the tune of £100 million, all of which will now return to the community budget.

  • £520 top at Bakewell’s ram fair

    October 12th 2007

    Saturday’s ram fair at Bakewell, Derbyshire, saw a total entry of 670. The quality on offer was mixed but with best sorts attracting brisk bidding. Top price – £520 – was through the MV accredited ring for a Charollais shearling ram shown by Mark and Margie Rushbrooke, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

  • 1,050 farmers sign up for South West badger cull

    12 October 2007

    MORE than 1,000 farmers in the South West have committed themselves to participating in a badger cull – if a licensing scheme is sanctioned.

  • A new vision for Farming Connect business scheme

    October 12th 2007

    The Welsh Assembly is showing a new determination to help farmers in Wales overcome the industry’s run of setbacks. BARRY ALSTON reports.

  • Act quickly to guard against permanent lung damage

    October 12th 2007

    CALF rearers are being urged to talk to their vets about the latest advances in lung protection therapy (LPT), especially as the peak pneumonia season approaches.

  • African swine fever: The next threat?

    8 October 2007

    AFRICAN swine fever could become endemic in Eastern Europe and spread rapidly to the west unless more vigorous controls are put in place, according to the UN chief veterinary officer Joseph Domenech.

  • Appeal to invest in rural roads

    October 12th 2007

    THE Countryside Alliance has called on the Government to invest in rural roads to help reduce the accident rate.

  • Atherstone Hunt win Prince Philip Cup

    October 12th 2007

    SARAH JONES reports from HOYS

  • Atherstone win Prince Philip Cup

    8 October 2007

    EXPERIENCE paid off as the green ribbons of the Atherstone Hunt decorated the Farmers Guardian Prince Philip Cup last night after a week of fast, thrilling competition at the Horse of the Year Show.

  • Atherstone win Prince Philip Cup

    8 October 2007

    EXPERIENCE paid off as the green ribbons of the Atherstone Hunt decorated the Farmers Guardian Prince Philip Cup last night after a week of fast, thrilling competition at the Horse of the Year Show.

  • Awards presented at BVA annual congress

    10 October 2007

    A NUMBER of awards were presented at the BVA annual congress, reported on in last week’s Farmers Guardian.

  • Baked glazed goat’s cheese with fig salad

    October 12th 2007

    “This makes a nice light lunch or supper, or a dinner party starter,” says Diedre Denville of Petersfield, Hampshire, who sent in this recipe.

  • Beef on the bone now back to 30 months

    8 October 2007

    THE costs of putting two to two-and-a-half year old cattle on supermarket shelves will be reduced early next year when it should no longer be necessary to remove the vertebral columns of this age class.

  • Beef-on-the-bone now back to 30 months

    8 October 2007

    THE costs of putting two to two-and-a-half year old cattle on supermarket shelves will be reduced early next year when it should no longer be necessary to remove the vertebral columns of this age class.

  • Beef-on-the-bone now back to 30 months

    8 October 2007

    THE costs of putting two to two-and-a-half year old cattle on supermarket shelves will be reduced early next year when it should no longer be necessary to remove the vertebral columns of this age class.

  • Benn under fire over Scots and Welsh compensation ‘u-turn’

    11 October 2007

    SCOTTISH First Minister Alex Salmond has claimed that the UK Government dropped £14.6 million allocated to Scotland and Wales from its foot-and-mouth compensation package.

  • Beware EU contract rules, says NFU

    11 October 2007

    THE NFU has warned members to be wary of EU contract rules after Welsh potato growers John and Andrew Morgan lost over £1million as a result of diseased seed potatoes.

  • Bluetongue zones extended as three new cases emerge in Essex

    11 October 2007

    THE Bluetongue Control and Protection Zones have been expanded following the discovery of the disease on three farms in Essex.

  • Bobcat’s european production

    October 12th 2007

    Bobcat has opened a new production facility in the Czech Republic which will make machines for the European, African and Middle East Markets (EAME). The site at Dobris, just southwest of Prague, also has its own design and engineering facilities.

  • BOCM upgrades Presteigne plant

    October 12th 2007

    BOCM-PAULS has completed a major investment programme at its Presteigne site in Mid Wales – transforming it from a relatively inefficient feed mill to a state-of-the-art blending plant.

  • British Holstein takes prize in Spain

    9 October 2007

    A BRITISH-BRED Holstein has won a major prize at a Spanish agricultural show, one of the biggest events in Europe for black and white dairy cows.

  • Buoyant trade for Carlisle’s suckled calves

    October 12th 2007

    AN entry of 1,896 was forward at Carlisle for Borderway Mart’s autumn show and sale of suckled calves, sponsored by Farmers Guardian.

  • Buy smarter to cope with rising feed costs

    October 12th 2007

    Farmers Guardian has teamed up with Eblex’s Beef Better Returns Programme to take an in-depth look at feeding, following the difficult summer and rising prices. In the first of three fortnightly columns, Dr Mary Vickers, beef and sheep scientist for the Meat and Livestock Commission, talks about ‘buying smarter’.

  • BVD vaccination pays but rates are low

    October 12th 2007

    Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) has a very negative effect on fertility, conception rates, number of abortions, calf health and mortalities. Therefore it is of no surprise that results from a recent survey – revealed exclusively to Farmers Guardian – show farmers that are tackling the disease are reaping the financial rewards.

  • Calls for ELS to include set-aside land

    12 October 2007

    THE NFU is calling for farmers to be allowed to alter their Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) agreements to help ensure the move to zero set-aide does not damage the environment.

  • Cantley sugar beet factory closed for deliveries

    8 October 2007

    CANTLEY sugar beet factory in Norfolk has been closed to deliveries since Friday following a technical problem.

  • Cantley sugar beet factory closed for deliveries

    8 October 2007

    CANTLEY sugar beet factory in Norfolk has been closed to deliveries since Friday following a technical problem.

  • CAP: Further radical reform is called for

    11 October 2007

    FURTHER radical reform of the CAP is needed – including 20 per cent compulsory modulation from 2009 – if the EU is to support sustainable agriculture and rural communities and meets its environmental goals.

  • Challenger and Besson set cultivating world record

    October 12th 2007

    Challenger and Gregoire Besson have set a new world record by cultivating 644 hectares (1,591 acres) in just 24 hours. The 570hp Challenger MT875B was tugging a 14m wide set of Gregoire Besson XXL discs, working at a depth of 10cm on medium to heavy clay loam soil near Timisoara in Romania. Besson’s Benoit Verdin was at the helm for the entire 24 hour period and cultivated an area 6.4km long and 1km wide, which is equivalent to a 155mm wide strip around the equator or a football pitch ...

  • Cheese consumption is rising due to western diet influence

    October 12th 2007

    DAIRY farmers in Japan receive the equivalent of 42p per litre for their milk – around 57 per cent of the retail price.

  • Close run result in two styles at Bethania

    October 12th 2007

    THE Bethania Trials, in spite of being held midweek, attracted enough handlers and dogs to make for a full day of competition.

  • College’s high welfare unit attracts big interest from the pig industry

    October 12th 2007

    With a £25million investment well underway across the campus, Bishop Burton College, East Yorkshire, has dedicated some of its funds into developing an innovative new pig unit and improvements within the dairy herd. ANGELA CALVERT meets the farm managers helping to equip the students with increased learning opportunities.

  • Cost and responsibility-sharing talks suspended

    October 12th 2007

    TALKS on cost and responsibility sharing have been postponed but the issue has ‘definitely not gone away’, NFU head of food and farming Kevin Pearce told the NFU council this week.

  • Cost of the Bluetongue trap

    October 12th 2007

    WITH thousands of slaughter cattle ‘trapped’ east of the Bluetonque demarcation line, supplies to supermarkets could be affected and store cattle sales could be hit by the absence of some of the biggest buyers in the country.

  • Dairy champion makes £1,660 top price

    October 12th 2007

    A freshly-calved Holstein Friesian cow from Robin Jennings, South Stainley, Harrogate, was champion and made £1,660 at Skipton dairy auction. The home-bred second calver, giving 36 litres, joined the 230-head commercial Holstein herd of Andrew Bradley, Pickering. At £1,560 was a fresh heifer from Raymond and Robert Johnson, Felliscliffe, selling to G. Parker, Emley. A 32-strong dispersal from John Hopkinson, Cowling, Keighley. saw prices go to £1,480 for a freshly calved cow. Averages: ...

  • Defra cost sharing budget could cost farmers millions over next three years

    12 October 2007

    THE Government hopes to save £121 million a year over three years by passing costs and responsibility for animal health and welfare onto the industry.

  • Defra expected to announce relaxation of movement restrictions

    October 12th 2007

    DEFRA is expected to make a number of announcements today (Friday, October 12) that will ease the burden of foot-and-mouth and Bluetongue restrictions in England.

  • Defra relax FMD and bluetongue movement restrictions

    12 October 2007

    As of midnight on Sunday 14 October livestock markets within the bluetongue control and protection zones will resume, Defra have announced today.

  • Defra's budget to rise to £4 billion

    10 October 2007

    DEFRA has been granted extra funds under the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, that promises budget growth from £3.5 to £4 billion by 2010.

  • Defra's budget to rise to £4 billion

    10 October 2007

    DEFRA has been granted extra funds under the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, that promises budget growth from £3.5 to £4 billion by 2010.

  • Defy option for winter beans

    October 12th 2007

    A SOLA (Specific Off-Label Approval) for Defy (prosulfocarb) in winter beans gives growers a new option for pre-emergence weed control this autumn.

  • Dolgellau Welsh Blacks are back

    October 12th 2007

    THE native cattle breed of Wales got back into the ring at Dolgellau, on Friday, as the Welsh Black Cattle Society resumed its sales after an absence of more than two months.

  • Doulton crowns fantastic show for Robert Walker

    October 12th 2007

    With the hack, riding horse and coloured horse championships all going to the Walker team, it was a great show for the Cheshire-based producer. ANGELA CALVERT, SARAH JONES and LIZ FALKINGHAM report from the horse showing classes at HOYS. Pictures by JOHN EVESON

  • Drive to save doorstep deliveries

    9 October 2007

    A GROUP of Lancashire milkmen is launching a campaign to preserve Britain's long-standing tradition of the daily doorstep delivery.

  • Drive to save doorstep deliveries

    9 October 2007

    A GROUP of Lancashire milkmen is launching a campaign to preserve Britain's long-standing tradition of the daily doorstep delivery.

  • Earlier maize varieties look set to provide best silage after difficult year

    October 12th 2007

    AFTER a hot dry season last year, when most maize varieties did well, 2007 has been more typical – and it is the earlier varieties that look set to provide the best silage.

  • Earlier than expected revocation

    October 12th 2007

    AUTHORISED use of chlorothalonil on raspberries and blackberries has been revoked with immediate effect following the earlier than expected publication of an EU Directive lowering the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) permitted for the fungicide in these crops.

  • Eblex launch new autumn lamb campaign

    9 October 2007

    AS part of its autumn lamb promotion campaign, Eblex is distributing three million copies of a brand new Quality Standard recipe booklet to consumers.

  • English trials results

    11 October 2007

    PEAK FOREST, Perrydale Farm, Derbyshire, (49 ran) Open: 1, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Fleet, 86 of 90; 2, J. Cropper, Ben, 84; 3, D. Wood (Derwent) Moe, 83, OLF; 4, S. Cropper (Deerplay) Ben, 83; 5, S. Cropper, Lily, 82; 6, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Spot, 81.

  • Ensure grain and feed are well insured

    8 October 2007

    WITH grain and animal feed significantly increased in value, NFU Mutual is urging farmers to check their insurance cover.

  • Farmers available for school adoption

    October 12th 2007

    WEST Midlands NFU have come up with a novel way to educate young people about farming and the countryside by encouraging primary schools to adopt a farmer.

  • Farmers voice anger at NVZ rules change proposal

    October 12th 2007

    FARMERS in the eastern region have reacted angrily to the proposed changes to Nitrate Vulnerable Zone rules and regulations.

  • Farming is being hit by repeated shark attacks

    October 12th 2007

    VIEWPOINT: By Robin Dean

  • Fast-track flock improvements

    October 12th 2007

    THE breed of sheep is certainly different and so is the way the flock is managed on a 73-acre grassland holding 1,150 feet up in Welsh Border country overlooking Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

  • Feeding calves whole milk can be costly

    October 12th 2007

    FEEDING whole milk from the dairy herd to calves simply does not make financial sense, not only because of the increasing value of milk but because it could expose youngstock to harmful, disease-causing bacteria.

  • FMD aid package falls 'far short' - NFU

    9 October 2007

    A £12.5 MILLION foot-and-mouth aid package announced by the Government falls ‘far short’ of what is needed by farmers to recoup their losses, according to the NFU.

  • Focus on granular material handling for Operator Roadshow

    October 12th 2007

    GRANULAR materials handling forms the basis of the Operator Roadshow training for farmers and sprayer operators this winter.

  • Foot-and-mouth restrictions to be lifted in Scotland

    9 October 2007

    FOOT-AND-MOUTH restrictions will be lifted early in Scotland, allowing farmers a return to relative normality from October 17.

  • Free help available from FWAG advisers

    October 12th 2007

    MORE than 3,900 farmers in Yorkshire and the Humber now have an agreement under the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme and are receiving up to £30 per hectare every year.

  • Free test to assess colostrum quality

    October 12th 2007

    DAIRY farmers now have an opportunity to develop a better practical understanding of their cows’ colostrum quality and its ability to improve calf health.

  • French rider captures Leading Show Jumper of the Year title at HOYS

    10 October 2007

    HE was the only Frenchman competing at HOYS, and it was his first visit, but Patrice Delaveau put in a stunning jump off round on the gala final evening at the NEC to snatch the Leading Show Jumper of the Year title.

  • French rider captures Leading Show Jumper of the Year title at HOYS

    10 October 2007

    HE was the only Frenchman competing at HOYS, and it was his first visit, but Patrice Delaveau put in a stunning jump off round on the gala final evening at the NEC to snatch the Leading Show Jumper of the Year title.

  • Going vertical for CDA sprayer to control weeds

    October 12th 2007

    PRECISION application specialist Micron Sprayers is aiming to adapt two items in its application equipment armoury to help growers overcome the weed control problems posed by the withdrawal of metoxuron.

  • Government cherry pick Tory ideas

    10 October 2007

    CHANCELLOR Alistair Darling has been accused of cherry picking Conservative ideas on taxation after his pre-budget announcement this week bore more than a passing resemblance to the Shadow Chancellor’s own budget speech last week.

  • Green market trading resumes at Skipton Auction Mart

    8 October 2007

    GREEN market trading resumed at Skipton Auction Mart last Thursday with a notable coup for father-and-son farmers Alex and Nathan Wade, Bradley, whose 50-strong pen of mule wethers landed the seasonal store lambs show championship for the third year in succession and the fifth time in total.

  • Have your say on the future of Crop Protection Management Plans

    10 October 2007

    FARMERS and agronomists are being urged to have their say on the future of Crop Protection Management Plans (CPMPs) by taking part in an NFU survey.

  • Healthy cattle can carry coccidiosis and infect others

    8 October 2007

    HEALTHY cattle, immune to coccidiosis may not be affected by the disease themselves but they can still carry it and infect other stock – particularly young calves with no immunity.

  • Herbicide decisions should not be based on rainfall levels

    October 12th 2007

    GROWERS are being advised that seedbed conditions and drilling depth and not levels of rainfall should be driving pre-emergence herbicide decisions.

  • Hidden diseases: Getting the message across to farmers at the markets

    9 October 2007

    SHEEP farmers are being reminded of the threat of hidden diseases through a leaflet designed by the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group, which will be handed to farmers when buying stock at market.

  • Hopes Defra will announce foot-and-mouth relaxations

    8 October 2007

    THERE were hopes this week that Defra would relax foot-and-mouth restrictions and remove a number of counties from the high risk zone.

  • Horse of the Year Show

    8 October 2007

    DON'T miss this Friday's Farmers Guardian for news, results and photos from the spectacular Horse of the Year Show.

  • Horse of the Year Show

    October 12th 2007

    COMPETITORS, owners and visitors from all over the UK came together at the NEC for five days of top class equestrian action at the Horse of the Year Show.

  • Housing and youngstock

    October 12th 2007

    ARE you happy with the way cattle – and particularly youngstock – are performing in your farm buildings?

  • HOYS 2007 picture gallery

    October 12th 2007

    COMPETITORS, owners and visitors from all over the UK came together at the NEC for five days of top class equestrian action at the Horse of the Year Show 2007.

  • HOYS show jumping October 5

    5 October 2007

    FRESH from his third the previous day, on Friday William Funnell hit the jackpot with Cortaflex Amber du Montois in the Dick Turpin Stakes.

  • HOYS show jumping October 5

    5 October 2007

    FRESH from his third the previous day, on Friday William Funnell hit the jackpot with Cortaflex Amber du Montois in the Dick Turpin Stakes.

  • HOYS show jumping October 6

    6 October 2007

    FOURTEEN-year-old Olivia Wells made the most of her last year in juniors by winning the HOYS 138cm Championship with the uber-talented More Than Milton ahead of Jessica Crosby and Fountain Ranger.

  • HOYS show jumping October 6

    6 October 2007

    FOURTEEN-year-old Olivia Wells made the most of her last year in juniors by winning the HOYS 138cm Championship with the uber-talented More Than Milton ahead of Jessica Crosby and Fountain Ranger.

  • HOYS show jumping October 7

    7 October 2007

    ONLY two riders – George Whitaker and Junior Newcomers Champion Jessica Drea - went clear in the first round and through to the jump off in Sunday’s prestigious junior class the Leading Junior Show Jumper of the Year.

  • HOYS show jumping October 7

    7 October 2007

    ONLY two riders – George Whitaker and Junior Newcomers Champion Jessica Drea - went clear in the first round and through to the jump off in Sunday’s prestigious junior class the Leading Junior Show Jumper of the Year.

  • HSBC’s ‘forward planning 2008’ sees late revision

    October 12th 2007

    FORECAST profits for representative arable and dairy units in HSBC’s newly published farm business handbook ‘Forward Planning 2008’ were increased by more than 50 per cent at the 11th hour to take account of recent market moves.

  • Industry reaction to lifting of restrictions

    12 October 2007

    NFU president Peter Kendall has welcomed news that foot-and-mouth and bluetongue movement restrictions will be eased next week.

  • Irish farmers ‘to blame’ for TB spread

    October 12th 2007

    SNARING badgers fails to control bovine TB, according to the Badger Trust in its assessment of the Republic of Ireland’s policy to control the disease.

  • Is crofting to expand?

    October 12th 2007

    SCOTTISH Minister Michael Russell plans to explore the possible expansion of crofting outside the traditional crofting counties.

  • Lambs destined for slaughter will not be subject to movement restrictions

    10 October 2007

    SHEEP farmers who buy a ram at Sunday’s re-arranged NSA Wales and Border Ram Sale are being assured that they can still sell lambs for slaughter the following day.

  • Large soil volumes in stores

    October 12th 2007

    STORED potato crop quality has been jeopardised by the dry harvesting conditions seen in the first half of this year’s potato harvest, with large volumes of soil having been brought into potato stores, according to Adrian Cunnington, operations manager of the BPC’s Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit.

  • Lawyers to launch damages action within six weeks

    12 October 2007

    LAWYERS acting on behalf of the NFU are set to launch their legal action for damages resulting from the foot-and-mouth outbreak within the next six weeks.

  • Less wheat bulb fly eggs this year

    October 12th 2007

    RESULTS from this year’s HGCA survey looking at the incidence of wheat bulb fly suggest that numbers are low.

  • Lleyn chairman also tops Ruthin

    10 October 2007

    THE Lleyn Sheep Society’s sale at Ruthin produced a top price of £150 for ewe lambs.

  • Lleyns steady at Carlisle

    10 October 2007

    LLEYN sheep buyers were in cautious mood at Carlisle last weekend for the Society’s opening sale.

  • Lol adds 60 and 90hp Stockmans

    October 12th 2007

    Lol Tractors has increased the fold of its Stockman range with 60hp and 90hp models. Both the 604 and 904 use Perkins four-cylinder engines coupled to a 16 forward, eight reverse speed transmission with a dry clutch.

  • Low prices remain a concern

    October 12th 2007

    When their planned farm-based event at Poldean, Moffat, had to be cancelled because of foot-and-mouth precautions, SAC moved the speaker programme to a conference format at Dumfries. NEIL RYDER reports.

  • Maize monitor: countdown to harvest 2007

    October 12th 2007

    FORAGE maize harvesting is now in full swing in the southern counties and activity is building – in some cases prematurely – as far north as Cheshire.

  • Major changes in the dairy unit too

    October 12th 2007

    THE pig unit is not the only part of the college farm to be experiencing changes. Since his arrival just six months ago, farm manager Dominic Naylor has already made his mark on the dairy unit.

  • Maleic hydrazide change

    October 12th 2007

    THE Pesticides Safety Directorate has issued a new Specific Off Label Approval (SOLA) for the use of maleic hydrazide (Fazor) in outdoor carrots and parsnips.

  • Manufacturers’ trio upbeat as machine sales hit a record

    October 12th 2007

    The farm machinery sector is in buoyant mood, writes Steven Vale. Improved potato and grain prices means that investment in new machines is at a high level, and medium-sized family-owned machine manufacturers, such as Amazone, Grimme and Krone are all performing well.

  • Mccormick launches CT series

    October 12th 2007

    McCormick has introduced the new CT series to complement the more powerful 35hp to 54hp GM tractors. Power comes from Mitsubishi four-cylinder engines with a three-range hydrostatic.

  • Milk fever: Calcium boluses effective

    October 12th 2007

    NEW study data supports calcium boluses as an effective way to reduce the risk of milk fever.

  • More Welsh beef for Wales’ children

    October 12th 2007

    THE second Welsh National Beef Day brought the welcome news that more schools than ever before in Wales are now sourcing locally-produced red meat for use in their daily meal menus.

  • New cultivating world record

    8 October 2007

    CHALLENGER and Gregoire Besson have set a new world record by cultivating 644ha or 1,591 acres in old money in just 24 hours.

  • Newark auctioneer calls for one UK Bluetongue Protection Zone

    8 October 2007

    ONE livestock auctioneer operating within the current Bluetongue Protection Zone is calling for the whole of the UK to be classified as one zone.

  • Newark’s new show manager

    October 12th 2007

    NEWARK and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society has appointed Sally Devereux as its new show manager.

  • NFU calls for an extension to pesticide deadline

    10 October 2007

    IMPORTANT pesticides could be denied to farmers throughout Europe if a political deadline remains in place, the NFU has warned this week.

  • NFU calls for an extension to pesticide deadline

    10 October 2007

    FARMERS could lose important pesticides from their crop protection armoury if a political deadline remains in place, the NFU has warned this week.

  • Northern Expo Show set to go ahead

    8 October 2007

    THIS year marks the silver jubilee of the Northern Expo Holstein Show, at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on October 26. The Farmers Guardian-sponsored show is one of the main events in the dairy calendar and this year will be judged by Hank Van Excel from the USA.

  • Nuffield open day

    8 October 2007

    THE Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is holding an open day in North Wales on October 18.

  • Nuffield open day

    8 October 2007

    THE Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is holding an open day in North Wales on October 18.

  • Our carrot industry is under threat

    October 12th 2007

    RISING land rent expectations, together with supermarket price pressure, are threatening the future of the British carrot industry, according to the British Carrot Growers Association.

  • Phoma epidemic is imminent

    11 October 2007

    OILSEED rape growers are advised that a phoma epidemic is imminent.

  • Phoma epidemic predicted

    October 12th 2007

    OILSEED rape growers are being advised about the imminent threat of a phoma epidemic.

  • Plumgarth five years on

    October 12th 2007

    LOCALLY sourced foodstuffs had a steadily increasing role to play in major retail chains such as Asda, but part of their success also depended on achieving critical volumes, the supermarket group’s operations director, Sally Hopson said in Kendal.

  • Positive response to proposed merger

    October 12th 2007

    THE proposed merger between co-ops First Milk and Milk Link has been warmly welcomed by farmers’ representatives.

  • Potato growers need to be aware of EU contract rules

    11 October 2007

    THE NFU has warned members to be wary of EU contract rules after Welsh potato growers John and Andrew Morgan lost over £1 million as a result of diseased seed potatoes.

  • Pressure in Bluetongue Protection Zone begins to tell

    8 October 2007

    THE first crack in the Bluetongue Protection Zone boundary came today as livestock were allowed to move to two abattoirs outside the surveillance area.

  • Producing traditional beef big business in the land of the Rising Sun

    October 12th 2007

    Farmers Guardian eastern region reporter CLEMMIE GLEESON continues her report from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ World Congress in Japan. Clemmie was one of four young agricultural journalists from Europe and North America awarded a place at the congress, with visits to a Waygu beef producer and dairy farm.

  • Rainfall aids lifting but wastage is high

    October 12th 2007

    BETTER soil conditions after more much-needed rain came this week has aided potato lifting progress around the country, but greening, growth cracks and slug damage are all leading to high wastage levels, according to the British Potato Council.

  • Real-time crop information

    October 12th 2007

    INFORMATION from the 4cast agronomy database will be even more beneficial to advisers and customers, following investment in new technology that links all the ProCam agronomists, says the company.

  • Records tumble at Taunton dairy sale

    October 12th 2007

    THE power of the hammer was clearly evident at Taunton Livestock Centre, Somerset, on Saturday where the first weekly sale of dairy cattle since the second foot-and-mouth scare got under way in front of a big gathering of prospective buyers.

  • Reducing the chances of bluetongue infection

    10 October 2007

    WHILE the difficulty of keeping bluetongue midges away has been well publicised, Schering-Plough veterinary adviser Paul Williams has reiterated the fact that there are some steps farmers can take to reduce the chances of animals becoming infected.

  • Retail price wars hit carrot growers

    October 12th 2007

    COMPETITION on prices at the retail level is threatening a home-grown carrot industry that is already struggling with the disastrous effects of a wet growing season.

  • Revised benchmarking tool

    October 12th 2007

    AN updated version of the British Potato Council’s potato enterprise costing and benchmarking CD, compatible with Windows Vista and XP, will be posted this month to registered growers who have attended a BPC workshop. 

  • Rise in disorders but controls available

    October 12th 2007

    Referring to recent figures from the National Animal Disease Information Service, Agrimin said the incidence of milk fever had remained high this year, with a peak in July.

  • Robin Watson and David Gill

    October 12th 2007

    ROBIN Watson, who came into sheepdog trialling late on and went on to organise his own hill trial at Drynie, near Dingwall, has died after a long illness. He became well known in the farming and crofting communities of the Highlands, Islands, North of Scotland and beyond.David Gill of Emley, West Yorkshire, who bred and trained dogs for work and competition, keeping the same bloodline for 40 years, has died, aged 76, after a short illness.

  • Rural housing probe welcomed

    October 12th 2007

    THE launch of a major commission charged with looking at rural housing in Wales is being seen as an important step in safeguarding farming’s future.

  • Scotland gets welfare scheme

    9 October 2007

    SCOTLAND has got a £15/head welfare scheme to dispose of light lambs and Welsh farmers were this week expecting to be granted similar.

  • Scottish growers gain from later harvest but yields still below average

    October 12th 2007

    SCOTTISH growers took advantage of their traditionally later harvest timings this year by combining much of the cereal crop in the early autumn sunshine.

  • Scottish trials results

    11 October 2007

    BROADGAIRHILL (Judge, G. Bell, Selkirk) Open (31 ran) 1, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Spot, 100; 2, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Meg, 94; 3, K. Broad (Thornhill) Blade, 92; 4, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Roy, 91; 5, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Joe, 89; 6, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Roy, 88.

  • September outbreak came from Pirbright

    11 October 2007

    THE Government’s Pirbright animal health site is believed to be directly responsible for the September foot-and-mouth outbreak, says a Government report.

  • Serious concerns about British carrot industry

    10 October 2007

    RISING land rent expectations together with supermarket price pressure are threatening the future of the British carrot industry, the chairman of the British Carrot Growers Association has warned.

  • SHEEPDOG TRIALS DIARY

    11 October 2007

    ENGLAND

  • So you think you can run a business

    8 October 2007

    IF you fancy being in with the chance of winning £900, Wales Federation of young farmers clubs are calling all budding young tycoons to enter the NatWest Cymru Enterprise Scheme.

  • SOLA sought for aclonifen use in the UK

    October 12th 2007

    APPROVAL is being sought for use of the herbicide active ingredient aclonifen in the UK with the aim of providing carrot growers with an alternative to metoxuron, which will be withdrawn from use on December 31 this year.

  • Somerset family celebrate 100 years of cheesemaking

    October 12th 2007

    A SOMERSET farming family has clocked up a combined total of 100 years of cheesemaking.

  • South West’s livestock sector needs help from consumers

    October 12th 2007

    FARMING and food organisations in the South West held an emergency meeting in Exeter to help find solutions for livestock producers in the region.

  • Standen powavator rotary tiller

    October 12th 2007

    Standen Pearson has been busy improving the Powavator rotary tiller since it bought the design and intellectual rights from Dowdeswell six years ago.

  • Strong entries at calf show

    11 October 2007

    STRONG entries at the Derbyshire Ayrshire Breeders Club calf show saw Willowfields Conceit, shown by Howard Batty, win overall.

  • Survey showed 10 per cent of calves needed antibiotic

    October 12th 2007

    Average losses from the incidence of pneumonia cost £700 last winter

  • Technology for weed detection could help control volunteers

    October 12th 2007

    TARGETED spot application of non-selective herbicides using computer analysed video images could provide a way of controlling volunteer potatoes in field vegetable crops, following the removal of the herbicide metoxuron in particular.

  • The 20-day standstill could be relaxed next week

    12 October 2007

    THE 20-day standstill could be relaxed across most of Great Britain next week, providing there are no further foot-and-mouth outbreaks.

  • The best of both worlds gained by returning home

    October 12th 2007

    Combining commercial management with environmental protection and wildlife conversation is proving to be a successful business strategy for one North Yorkshire farm. ANGELA CALVERT went to meet Peter Hutchinson.

  • The event where food takes priority

    10 October 2007

    As Countryside Live 2007 fast approaches, SARAH JONES looks at what not to miss at this year’s event, which celebrates the diversity of Yorkshire’s produce.

  • The growing threat of disease in Europe

    October 12th 2007

    EU officials are continuing to face disease threats to European agriculture on a number of fronts.

  • The Princess Royal opens state-of-the-art centre

    10 October 2007

    OVER one hundred guests, staff and students celebrated the official opening of the Harris Centre at Walford and North Shropshire college.

  • Three out of three for Fleet

    October 12th 2007

    Winning the Peak Forest Open, on Saturday, Jim Cropper and Fleet have now enjoyed three victories in three consecutive weeks. He also went on to take the championship title with Dan.

  • Top quality local food impresses the judges

    October 12th 2007

    A GLOUCESTERSHIRE breeder of rare pigs and cattle is the winner of the Savour the Wye Producer of the Year Award organised by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and sponsored by Waitrose Monmouth.

  • Tractor market growth

    October 12th 2007

  • Trioliet to go direct

    8 October 2007

    TRIOLIET is to sell its diet feeders direct to the British market from January having previously been handled here by Redorck Engineering.

  • Trioliet to sell direct to british market

    October 12th 2007

    Trioliet is to sell its diet feeders direct to the British market from January having previously been handled here by Redrock Engineering. The Dutch firm produces a range of single, twin and triple vertical auger machines with capacities spanning five to 46cu.m.

  • Trumpet and District ploughing match

    October 12th 2007

    Credit: © FARMERS GUARDIAN please contact 01772 799445.

  • UK milk market: A frank assessment by the new head of agriculture at Barclays

    October 12th 2007

    BARCLAYS recently-appointed new head of agriculture Patrick Tomlinson has been involved in agricultural finance for some time and is well aware of the need for primary producers of food to have sustainable prices and the confidence for the future if they are to invest in their businesses.

  • Under the hammer at Gisburn Mart

    October 12th 2007

    MORE than 1,800 sheep went under the hammer on Saturday in Gisburn Mart’s Farmers Guardian-sponsored breeding and store sheep sale.

  • Viligance urged in fight to keep bird flu away from UK

    October 12th 2007

    THE UK has been declared officially free of bird flu after three months has elapsed since the last confirmed case.

  • Vital exports may be held up by red tape

    October 12th 2007

    MAJOR retailers initiatives have gone some way to helping prevent finished lamb prices from sliding further – but nothing can make up for the loss of exports.

  • Waitrose announces unprecedented pricing structure

    9 October 2007

    SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose has outlined its commitment to the British livestock industry by announcing an unprecedented pricing structure which hopes to secure the industry’s long-term future.

  • Waitrose announces unprecedented pricing structure

    9 October 2007

    SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose has outlined its commitment to the British livestock industry by announcing an unprecedented pricing structure which hopes to secure the industry’s long-term future.

  • Wales to seek lamb welfare scheme approval

    10 October 2007

    THE Welsh Assembly Government has asked the European Commission to approve a disposal scheme for light lambs to ease the pressure on Welsh farmers.

  • Warm ad lib milk replacer regime boosts weight gain and improves yields

    October 12th 2007

    Calves reared on a warm ad-lib milk replacer regime achieved up to 1.04kg daily liveweight gain during their first six weeks and went on to yield an average two litres more per day in their first lactation compared to those fed restricted milk.

  • Welsh Assembly defer animal transport certificates

    10 October 2007

    THE Welsh Assembly has decided to defer the need for animal transport certificates of competence from January 2008 to April 2008 – far short of industry demands to dump the requirement altogether.

  • Welsh trails results

    11 October 2007

    BETHANIA. Open National: 1, G. Lewis (Gwynfe) Spot lost 6 points: 2, R. Davies (Lampeter) Tweed, 71¼2; 3, L. Evans (Swyddffynnon) Sam, 9; 4, I.G. Jones (Llangadog) Chip, 11; 5, J.D. Jarman (Tywyn) Nell, 12; 6, G. Thomas (Llanelli) Moss, 121¼2.

  • What shall I ask my agronomist?

    12 October 2007

    IN the first of a new series of articles with independent agronomy advisors The Arable Group (TAG) we take a look at phoma control in oilseed rape.

  • Yields are ‘very high’ in replicated variety trials

    October 12th 2007

    Varieties and weed control came under the spotlight at the British Carrot Growers Association’s demonstration day at Everton, near Bawtry, Nottinghamshire, hosted by H W Smith and Sons and Sherwood Produce. Teresa Rush reports.

  • Young butchers show off finest cut

    8 October 2007

    THE best young butchers in Wales will have a chance to prove they are a cut above the rest when they demonstrate their skills at this year's Royal Welsh Winter Fair.