Farmers Guardian
October 13th 2006

  • ‘Health and Safety and migrant workers in England and Wales’ study

    18 October 2006

    MIGRANT workers were more likely to be involved in workplace accidents because they usually worked longer hours, worked shifts and had limited understanding of health and safety.

  • ‘It’s not the easiest farm to manage’

    October 13th 2006

    Soil management is an integral part of successful farming and protecting the environment. It is all the more important when there are a wide range of soil types as found on one Cumbrian farm. NEIL RYDER reports.

  • ‘More questions than answers on Minister’s Tir Mynydd budget’

    October 13th 2006

    WELSH Assembly Countryside Minister, Carwyn Jones, has come under yet more pressure from Opposition parties over his proposed budget cuts for the Wales-based Tir Mynydd hill farming scheme – forcing him to make a Ministerial Cabinet statement.

  • £15,000 Blackface at Newton Stewart

    October 13th 2006

    THE sale of Blackface shearlings and lambs at Newton Stewart auction saw a top price of £15,000.Topping the trade was a shearling from W. Ramsey and Sons, Dalry, Castle Douglas. Topping the lamb trade was a £9,000 bid for an entry from A. McGregor, Allanfauld, Glasgow.Averages: 422 shearlings, £700.62; 111 lambs, £1,261.98.Auctioneers: Craig Wilson.

  • £580 Beltex at Gisburn

    October 13th 2006

    LEADING the sale of Beltex sheep at Gisburn, Lancashire, was a March-born shearling ram from Thomas Whiteford, Brampton, Cumbria, which sold to Paul Simpson, Bolton by Bowland, for £580.Averages: Shearling rams £255.Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son.

  • €40,000 Irish Limousin heads for Oxfordshire

    October 13th 2006

    BIDDING peaked at €40,000 when the Ardlea and Elite Limousin herds, from Dan Tynan, went under the hammer at the on-farm production sale at Mountrath, County Laois, Republic of Ireland.

  • Agronomy changes ‘not needed’ for hybrid barley

    October 13th 2006

    RESEARCH into the effects of crop husbandry on the yields of hybrid winter barley has concluded that specific changes are not required to agronomy for hybrid barley compared with conventional varieties. The work also concluded that second wheat crops may still be more profitable than hybrid winter barley crops, depending on yield.

  • All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show

    October 13th 2006

    The All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show took place at the weekend at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh. JOANNE PUGH and KATIE LOMAS were there to watch the young handlers on Saturday and the calf classes on Sunday.

  • All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show

    October 13th 2006

    The All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show took place at the weekend at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh

  • Ammonia nitrate ‘still best option’

    October 13th 2006

    AMMONIUM nitrate remains the best nitrogen fertiliser option for UK farmers, according to research published by Defra.

  • Angus breed export boom

    October 13th 2006

    THE export boom in Aberdeen-Angus cattle following the lifting of export restrictions earlier this year is continuing with the shipment this week of 21 heifers and two bulls from five Scottish herds to Switzerland.

  • Applicants say Defra has moved the HLS goalposts

    October 13th 2006

    DEFRA has been criticised for ‘moving the goalposts’ for farmers wanting to apply to the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Scheme.

  • Banwell triumph in closely-fought Prince Philip Cup at Horse of the Year Show

    October 13th 2006

    On a highly competitive final night at Horse of the Year Show, watched by huge crowds and in the presence of Prince Philip, the Banwell Pony Club Mounted Games team fought off challenges from their rivals to win the 50th Prince Philip Cup. SARAH CRIPPS reports.

  • Bath and West - Squaw shows ‘how’ to win calf championship

    October 13th 2006

    A VITAL part of the Shepton Mallet judging competitions are the classes for junior exhibitors designed to test showmanship and calf handling skills.

  • Bath and West Dairy show - Finesse on form for overall heifer award

    October 13th 2006

    ALL six breeds contested the show’s overall heifer championship judged by David Vincent, from Newton Abbott, Devon – with the black and whites coming out top again.

  • Bath and West Dairy Show - Perfection takes dairy title

    October 13th 2006

    BARRY ALSTON reports from the Bath and West Dairy Show judging rings – which drew a record-breaking six-breed cattle entry of 353.

  • Bath and West Daity Show - Jerseys help couple win prestigious crown

    October 13th 2006

    THE Holsteins may have come out top in the ring, but it was a herd of pedigree Jersey cows that helped Cornish farmers Eric and Mary Murley win the prestigious South West Dairy Farmer of the Year Award.

  • Belgian Blue sired calf

    October 13th 2006

    UP to £420 was paid during the British Belgian Blue

  • BFL ram lamb to 6,000gns at Carlisle sale

    October 13th 2006

    A TOTAL of 745 sheep changed hands at the Bluefaced Leicester show and sale at Carlisle, 17 lots broke the 3,000gns mark and a top price of 6,000gns was achieved for a ram lamb from J.T. and J. James’s Todhills flock, Carlisle.

  • Blair to ‘look into’ the role of sugar beet as a feedstock and for biofuels

    12 October 2006

    TONY Blair has said he would ‘really look into’ NFU proposals to counteract the devastation that will be left behind when British Sugar closes its factories at York and Allscott next year.

  • Bustabeck sells for £712,000

    October 13th 2006

    BUSTABECK at Sebergham, Cumbria – a modern dairy complex of 76.41 acres – made £690,000 for the house, buildings and 68.59 acres to a Preston buyer, and £22,000 for 3.75 acres to a local buyer. The sale was conducted by Donald Scott, Wigton.

  • Busy Raymond is on the write path now

    October 13th 2006

    RETIRED dairy farmer Raymond Rush travels the country giving around 140 talks a year; he makes scores of corn dollies (as previously featured in FG) and he conducts church services.

  • Calf Results from the All-Breed All-Britain Calf Show

    October 13th 2006

    Inter-breed Supreme, S. McCormick, Hilltara Astronomical Edwina (Holstein); reserve, Mr and Mrs B.A. Daw, Bluegrass Jetsons Blondie (Jersey); honourable mention, D. Hunter, Haresfoot Simply Red Pamela (Ayrshire).

  • Can milk contracts be changed?

    October 13th 2006

    CONTRACTS and rationalisation within the milk industry were key issues to be addressed if producers were to see their returns improve to a sustainable level.

  • Cardiff venue for Rural Youth Europe

    October 13th 2006

    YOUNG people from rural organisations throughout Europe will gather in Cardiff next week for the Rural Youth Europe autumn seminar. The event, which runs from October 15-22 is being hosted by the Wales Federation of YFCs.

  • CLA labelling push for its centenary

    12 October 2006

    THE CLA is planning a major food labelling campaign in 2007 as it celebrates its centenary year.

  • Confusion over deadweight beef price as NFU warns ‘do your homework’

    October 13th 2006

    THERE was confusion in the South West this week over a 12p/kg drop in the deadweight beef prices being offered by two of the region’s leading processors.

  • Countryside Live Events Diary

    October 13th 2006

    Boasting a wide range of different attractions all under the same roof, Countryside Live provides something for everyone. From hotly contested livestock championships and Young Farmers stockjudging to Christmas shopping and ideas for rural living, it encompasses everything to do with the countryside.

  • Crops for fuel could impact on traditional food and feed markets

    October 13th 2006

    THE effects of developing bioenergy markets on the price and availability of grain for traditional food and feed use emerged as key debating points among delegates at the HGCA Market Outlook conference in London this week.

  • Dairy firms set for EC inspection after ‘food safety fears’

    October 13th 2006

    THE European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office is to inspect UK dairy companies from November 21 following what it claims is the Food Standards Agency’s failure to address alleged shortcomings in food safety at a specialist Lancashire dairy.

  • Dairy survey provides evidence on costs

    October 13th 2006

    DAIRY farmers are 0.78ppl worse off this summer as a result of dearer energy, supplementary feeding and drought-reduced milk yields.

  • Delivering a positive message

    October 13th 2006

    Farmers will be given an opportunity to deliver a positive message to Countryside Live visitors when the food theatre stage is opened up to them on the first morning of the event.

  • Depressed ‘D’ values require attention

    October 13th 2006

    WITH grass silages the driest on record and some dry samples of wholecrop, feeding regimes and clamp face management will require special attention this winter say specialists.

  • Diquat optimism for potato growers

    October 13th 2006

    POTATO growers can achieve faster stem desiccation and skin set with diquat following flail operations, compared to the slower acting carfentrazone-ethyl Spotlight Plus, especially in dull weather conditions with later season applications.

  • English Results

    October 13th 2006

    COCKERMOUTH, Wythop, Open (52 ran), 1, J. Relph (Borrowdale) Liz, 93 of 100; 2, A. Temple (Holmrook) Lassie, 92; 3, P. Noble (Quernmore) Bob, 90; 4, J. Relph Eve, 89, OLF; 5, M. Elliott (Lazonby) Chip, 89; 6, L. Cowper (Threlkeld) Gael, 87.

  • Farm income measures ‘ineffective’, says Defra

    October 13th 2006

    DEFRA has admitted the current system of measuring farm incomes is ineffective. It says that under the current income measure, £135million is excluded from calculations.

  • Farm survey reveals all

    October 13th 2006

    A NEW survey from NatWest Agriculture has found that farmers in Wales believe the top three factors to have a major impact on their profitability over the coming three years are commodity prices at 49 per cent, Government regulations at 63 per cent and the buying power of large supermarket chains at 56 per cent.

  • Farmers facing two more years of SPS chaos

    October 13th 2006

    FARMERS in England face another two years of Single Payments chaos, the head of the Rural Payments Agency has admitted. RPA chief executive Tony Cooper told a stunned NFU council on Tuesday it would take ‘another 18-24 months’ to sort out the agency’s problems.

  • Farming in politics: On the front line or on the fringes of party agendas?

    October 13th 2006

    The environment was top of the agenda at the three main party conferences. But where did farming fit in? ALISTAIR DRIVER and TOM LEVITT assess how farming was treated by each of the parties.

  • Floral art prowess

    October 13th 2006

    THE Carmarthenshire Federation of YFCs showed its floral art prowess at the National Competitions Day by taking first place in every section.

  • Four Limousin herds under the hammer, 2,400gns top

    October 13th 2006

    A TOP of 2,400gns and a level trade throughout was achieved at the collective sale from the Chatsworth, Millington, Barrons, Haber and Angiean Limousin herds at Carlisle.

  • Get ready for judgement day

    October 13th 2006

    YOUNG Farmers in Cumbria are in training for the national YFC live and carcase judging competitions at the end of the month. With no Smithfield Show to attend, the judging will be at Countryside Live, Harrogate (October 27-29). Members gathered at Cranstons Abattoir, Penrith, where carcase judging was overseen by master judge Willie Bendle.

  • Girls top the league in young handlers’ classes at All-Breeds All-Britiain Calf Show

    October 13th 2006

    THE girls swept the board in the young handlers’ classes at the All-Breed All-Britain Calf Show at the weekend, taking all of the top awards.

  • Good demand at Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ show

    October 13th 2006

    THERE was good demand for sheep of all categories at the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ Association show and sale at Skipton and a top price of 480gns was achieved.

  • Greater capacity for new harvester

    October 13th 2006

    French firm Simon has replaced its T2R two-row top lifting harvester with the new R2B5. Importer Standen Reflex says that over the past 20 years over 50 of these harvesters have been sold, making it the most popular machine of its type used in the UK.

  • Growers are warned of BWYV infection

    October 13th 2006

    OILSEED rape growers need to be aware of the threat to crops posed by aphids carrying beet western yellows virus, according to Syngenta technical manager Iain Hamilton.

  • Heat stress is a growing herd problem

    October 13th 2006

    HEAT stress in cows could start to have a serious impact on milk production if British summers continue to get warmer and the spring and autumns more humid, according to the Milk Development Council (MDC).

  • Hereford Society peak of 5,400gns for Cheerbrook

    October 13th 2006

    BIDDING peaked at 5,400gns at the Hereford Cattle Society show and sale at Hereford livestock market.

  • Horse of the Year Show, NEC

    October 13th 2006

    THIS year was the 50th anniversary of the Prince Philip Cup Pony Club mounted games at Horse of the Year Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC.

  • Howey’s trio serve up a winning menu

    October 13th 2006

    THE cookery hall was a hive of activity with teams of three putting together a menu based around a film theme and comprising four dishes. Howey YFC in the Radnorshire Federation was first with a Phantom of the Opera themed meal. The members were 22-year-old Callie Long, Lucy Stonebridge, 18 and Alice Hammond, 16.

  • John Deere baler and mower upgrades

    October 13th 2006

    Upgrades have been made to the John Deere baler and mower range.

  • Judge looking for good cover and plenty of flesh

    October 13th 2006

    There will be no uncertainty with Brian Glaves when he judges at Countryside Live this year – he knows exactly what he wants to see and what will put a lamb top of its class.

  • Latest CQS results continue to show good quality

    October 13th 2006

    LATEST HGCA cereal quality survey results suggest that Group 3 wheats suffered most in terms of quality as a result of the wet weather in August.

  • Launch of country’s largest pig R&D and data transfer facility

    October 13th 2006

    THE National Pig Development Centre, which will create the largest facility for pig research, development and knowledge transfer in the country, was officially launched by Shadow Agriculture Minister Jim Paice at the University of Leeds.

  • Letterston and District poughing match - Competitors are undaunted

    October 13th 2006

    A HEAVY shower and claps of thunder failed to deter the enthusiasm of the competitors who entered the nine classes at the Letterston and District ploughing match on a steadily sloping barley stubble site at Pantycoch Farm, Castlemorris, North Pembrokeshire.

  • Llanfihangel annual trials

    October 13th 2006

    THE annual sheepdog trials at Llanfihangel, Welshpool, Powys, on Saturday, were won by E.P. Roberts and Bet, gaining first place in the open competition.

  • Lonks ready for take-off

    October 13th 2006

    A LANCASHIRE Pennines sheep breed is beginning to take off in Northern Ireland after Lonk sheep society chairman, John Pickard, recently sold 28 ewes and one ram to Dennis Devine, County Antrim, who owns the only flock in Northern Ireland.

  • Lothian and Peeblesshire’s inaugural win

    October 13th 2006

    SCOTTISH Young Farmers’ activities committee responded to demand and turned regional rugby fervour into a national event. KW Alternative Feeds sponsored the new national rugby sevens event held at Livingston Rugby Football Club. Lothian and Peeblesshire District’s team claimed the victor’s trophy with Ross, Nairn and Inverness (NI) District in second place and Biggar YFC third.

  • Maize monitor: countdown to harvest 2006

    October 13th 2006

    ULTRA early varieties are now being reported as fit for harvest as far north as Cumbria, but later maturing varieties – particularly in marginal areas – may still require time in the field.

  • Malting barley chemicals listed

    October 13th 2006

    THE British Beer and Pub Association, in conjunction with Brewing Research International, have released the latest version of the list of agrochemicals approved for use on malting barley. • Go to www.ukmalt.com to view the list.

  • McCormick extends its utility tractor range

    October 13th 2006

    McCormick has extended the C-Max range of utility tractors to four models with the introduction of the C95 Max. Powered by a four cylinder Perkins producing 92hp, this tractor sits in between the smaller F series and full blown agricultural CX XtraShift.

  • Minimise store lamb risks

    October 13th 2006

    STORE lamb finishers paying £33 for lambs they plan to feed for four months, could require 119p/kg through the ring or 254p/kg deadweight just to break even.

  • More opt for the SP in euros

    October 13th 2006

    MANY more farmers appear to have opted to receive their second Single Payment in euros than was the case for last year’s first payment, according to the Clydesdale Bank. 

  • National Trust office wins sustainable architecture award

    October 13th 2006

    HEELIS, the central office for the National Trust in Swindon, has won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Sustainability Award, given to the building which best demonstrates the principles of sustainable architecture in an elegant and durable manner.

  • New Holland takes farmers on a trip down memory lane for its centenary

    October 13th 2006

    New Holland has celebrated one hundred years of manufacturing at Zedelgem in Belgium with a series of factory tours and product presentations for customers, dealers and employees.

  • New YAS president makes first appearance at show

    October 13th 2006

    This year’s Countryside Live will be the first event for Michael Abrahams as the new president of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

  • NFU challenges AWB’s holiday pay regulations

    12 October 2006

    THE NFU has launched a legal challenge to review the Agricultural Wages Board’s new holiday pay regulations, which could see employers’ wage costs rising by almost 3 per cent.

  • NFU Cymru group calls for Assembly support

    October 13th 2006

    NFU Cymru has set up its first combinable crops working group – with its first action being to call for more positive Welsh Assembly support.

  • No more talks over disease levy

    October 13th 2006

    THE NFU agreed this week to have no more discussions with the Government over a proposed compulsory disease levy.

  • No tough action on Brazilian standards

    October 13th 2006

    HOPES that the European Commission would take tough action against standards in the Brazilian meat industry have been dashed. 

  • Northern Ireland Vintage Tractor Ploughing Championship - Jackie’s vintage performance

    October 13th 2006

    THE Northern Ireland Vintage Tractor Ploughing championships at Limavady, Co Londonderry, was won by Jackie Moore, of Bangor, Co Down, who was also placed first in the senior class.

  • Peak of £3,200 at Aberdeen ram sale

    October 13th 2006

    PRICES peaked at £3,200 at the annual ram show and sale at Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

  • Pedal power nets a £5,000 charity prize

    October 13th 2006

    TWENTY determined cyclists plus support drivers from Volac International, the Orwell, Hertfordshire-based feed and food nutrition company have raised more than £5,000 for Cancer Research UK on a 250-mile pedal-powered journey – The Great Volac Milk Ride 2006.

  • Poultry farmers call for annual substance fee ‘waiver’

    October 13th 2006

    POULTRY farmers have demanded a three-year suspension of costs for the new Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulations.

  • Prize pen hits £745 per head

    October 13th 2006

    A TOP price of £790 and a £554 average was achieved when 560 bullocks passed through the ring at the Farmers Guardian sponsored annual show and sale of bullocks at Lancaster Auction.Championship prize was awarded to John Huddlestone, Wray, Lancaster, for a pen of six Belgian Blue bullocks. They sold for £745 per head.Auctioneers: North West Auctions

  • Putting power into ‘veg’ production

    October 13th 2006

    Although new brassica planters and cabbage harvesters were in evidence at Holland’s Bejo Zaden’s annual open days there were also a couple of other notable developments, writes STEVEN VALE. Held at the seed breeder’s Dutch headquarters, one of the more unusual items included a new type of soil sterilisation machine.

  • QMS tries to recoup legal costs from Walker

    October 13th 2006

    QUALITY Meat Scotland (QMS) is expected to try to recoup £54,000 in legal costs from former chairman Jim Walker after he lost his case for unfair dismissal last week.

  • QUICK TOMATO SOUP

    October 13th 2006

    THIS recipe comes from Jackie Dusi, of Dockhills Farm, Arksey, Doncaster. “It is a recipe in which I can use up my bumper crop of tomatoes,” she says. “It freezes well.”

  • Record numbers of new rhizomania cases are reported

    October 13th 2006

    A RECORD number of suspected new outbreaks of rhizomania are now showing up in sugar beet crops across East Anglia.

  • Relph and Liz take Cockermouth open

    October 13th 2006

    JOSEPH Relph and Liz took the open title at the Cockermouth Trial held on Saturday at Wythop, Cumbria, while Ralph Swainson won the novice class with Gail.

  • Rural showcase of farming and country

    October 13th 2006

    Held on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, this is the fourth year of Countryside Live – the two-day primestock show with added extras, media partnered by FG.

  • Scottish Results

    October 13th 2006

    D’MAINHOLM FARM I (Judge, K. Anderson, Ancrum), Open, 37 ran, 1, R MacPherson (Kirklinton) Roy, 97; 2, J. Allan (Yarrow) Tweedhope Trim, 92; 3, A. Tait (Rothbury) Dale, 88; 4, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Woodsmoke Ralph, 84; 5, A. Common (Lockerbie) Glen, 82.

  • Sharing the costs of disease control

    October 13th 2006

    SHARING costs and responsibilities of disease control with Defra could be a huge opportunity for farmers, Kevin Pearce, NFU’s newly appointed head of food and farming, told the NFU council.

  • Sheepdog TRIALS DIARY

    October 13th 2006

    ENGLAND

  • Show attracts over 100 entries

    October 13th 2006

    MORE than 100 entries from throughout the Republic of Ireland contested the first ever national show of Aberdeen Angus calves at Carrick-on-Shannon.

  • Shropshire take title again

    October 13th 2006

    THE top team award for the Holstein Young Breeders club accumulating the most points in the showmanship and calf classes over the two-day event went to Shropshire for the second year running.

  • Skipton Lleyn makes £924

    October 13th 2006

    BIDDING reached at £924 at the show and sale of pedigree Lleyn sheep at Skipton, North Yorkshire, for a shearling ram from Jim Goldie, Mouswald, Dumfries, bought by John Mares and Son, Darwen, Lancashire.

  • Slug control: ‘Worms are a farmer’s friend’

    October 13th 2006

    ARABLE farmers should ensure their autumn slug control programme, as well as their cultivations strategy, takes good care of earthworm populations, according to Alastair Leake from the Game Conservancy Trust.

  • Slurry and pollution control - Get ready for NVZ changes

    October 13th 2006

    WE all know the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) rules – known as the Action Programme measures – are being revised and are likely to become more stringent.

  • Slurry and pollution control- Manures and slurries – pain or profit?

    October 13th 2006

    DO you see manures and slurries as waste products that are becoming increasingly difficult to get rid of as the rules get tighter or nutrient rich resources than can reduce fertiliser requirements?

  • Slurry and pollution sontrol - Key steps to phosphorus management

    October 13th 2006

    ALTHOUGH the level of phosphorus in UK waterways is a serious concern, the necessity of the nutrient in maintaining arable and grassland yields cannot be overlooked, according to experts from Yara.

  • South West Dairy Show - Battle hots up for a sustainable supply chain

    October 13th 2006

    THE South West appears ready to lead the rest of the country’s dairy farmers into battle against the ‘disabling’ contracts being offered by milk processors.

  • SPS shambles could have tragic results

    18 October 2006

    THE Rural Payment Agency’s admission that its ‘shambolic handling’ of the Single Payment Scheme would continue for up to another 18 months would have ‘far reaching and tragic consequences’, Robert Paul, partner in Strutt and Parker’s Land Management Department, has warned.

  • Stores reject ‘forcing down’ organic standards charge

    October 13th 2006

    MAJOR supermarkets have rejected accusations this week that they were forcing down organic standards.

  • Success in the showring with Simmentals keeps the home fires burning

    October 13th 2006

    BARRY ALSTON reports from an award-winning West Wales family farm – home to two very diverse businesses.

  • Suffolks’ open register

    October 13th 2006

    NEW genetic traits and non-registered Suffolks will be eligible for inclusion in the Suffolk Sheep Society’s register it has been announced this week.

  • Surrey County Ploughing Match

    October 13th 2006

    THE soil was perfect for Surrey County Ploughing Match at Loseley Park, Guildford, with an early thunderstorm giving way to autumn sunshine.

  • Swaledales at £78 a head

    October 13th 2006

    TOP price at the Skipton gimmer lambs show and sale was £78 achieved by a pen of 10 Swaledale hoggs from Kevin Huck, Knowle Bank, Bordley.They sold at £78 per head to Mark Throup, Malham Moor.Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

  • T7000 set for launch in January

    October 13th 2006

    New Holland has announced that the T7000 will be launched in January. The replacement for the larger TM range of tractors will consist of four models and has already been shown to dealers in Turin.

  • The naughty but niche way to a sweet taste of success

    October 13th 2006

    Farm diversification is a tricky business where there is no room for complacency, according to dairy farmer Will Hawking. KATIE ROEBUCK found out how he has spent nearly 20 years developing an ice-cream brand to be proud of.

  • The UK’s first canine blood donor register

    October 13th 2006

    AN owner whose dog’s life was saved recently by a series of blood transfusions has joined forces with the vet who carried out the treatment to set up an on-line blood donor register for animals.

  • There’s no shortage of straw

    October 13th 2006

    THERE was no shortage of straw to be found at the National Competitions Day when junior members started creating walking, talking Wizard of Oz scarecrows. The overall winners with three members from Saltmarshe, Herefordshire. Christopher Watts and Ellen Garlick dressed up fellow member Antony Morris. They were placed ahead of teams from Caldbeck, Cumbria, placed second and Rhayader, Radnor, third.

  • They have a way with words...

    October 13th 2006

    COMMUNICATION barriers were broken down in the junior public speaking competition when 16-year-old Lizzy Nay convinced the judges about the importance of learning to speak foreign languages.

  • Tough competition for top prize

    October 13th 2006

    The supreme beef championship at this year’s Countryside Live will be even more special with Farmers Guardian sponsoring the top award.

  • Tractor loaders from Claas

    October 13th 2006

    Claas has entered the UK tractor loader market. The branded loaders are manufactured by Mailleux MX for the Celtis and Ares tractors.

  • Training focuses on much safer usage of pesticides

    October 13th 2006

    NATIONAL agronomy and crop protection specialist Agrovista UK Limited, has announced that it will, for the fourth year in a row, be running winter training courses in support of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) and the Voluntary Initiative.

  • Twins dominant in county cup clash

    October 13th 2006

    MATT Farwell narrowly beat his twin brother Martin to claim the Dorset Young Farmers County ploughing cup at Blandford Young Farmers Club’s annual ploughing match.

  • Two workshop schemes to help farm business

    October 13th 2006

    ENGLISH Farming and Food Partnerships is arranging is a series of free practical workshops throughout the country to demonstrate how collaboration can help dairy farming margins.

  • Under the hammer

    October 13th 2006

    Over 600 lots of machinery went under the hammer at Ladbroke Hill Farm, Southam, Warwickshire, on the instruction of Mr and Mrs R.T. Peel after the sale of two farms. A good day’s trade saw a John Deere 2266 Hillmaster combine harvester fetch the day’s top price of £42,400.

  • Wanted: One UK food strategy . . . and quickly

    October 13th 2006

    One of the main underlying problems for British agriculture at present is that it is an industry without a goal. No Five Year Plan helps define our way forward. No long-term strategy exists to guide current farming policy.

  • Water focus at regional conference

    October 13th 2006

    WATER is the key topic on the agenda at FWAG's Eastern region Conference taking place on Wednesday, November 8, near Thetford.

  • Welsh bTB decision in January

    October 13th 2006

    JANUARY is being seen as bovine TB decision time in Wales – with farming industry leaders and the chairman of the Welsh Assembly’s countryside committee saying that an end to the political side-stepping was fast approaching.

  • Welsh Results

    October 13th 2006

    NEW ROW SDT, Open National, 1, W. Goligher (Llandyssul) Moss, 14; 2, E.L. Morgan (Aberystwyth) Scott, 15; 3, E.L. Morgan, Sally, 17; 4, J. Rees (St Dogmaels) Floss, 19; 5, J. Evans (Swyddffynnon) Glen, 20; 6, W.P. Lloyd Jones (Tregaron) Davey, 22. Open South Wales: 1, E.L. Morgan, Fred, 8; 2, J. Evans, Glen, 15; 3, Rhys Jones (Llanfan Far) Mac, 17; 4, J. Davies (Lampeter) Harry, 18; 5, H. Lewis (Aberystwyth) Jan, 19; 6, J. Davies (Talgarreg) Fly, 21.

  • Welsh sheep and lambs are down

    October 13th 2006

    THE number of sheep and lambs on Welsh farms fell by 2 per cent between June 2005 and June 2006, while there was a 5 per cent increase in cattle and calves over the same period.

  • What price free trade quota?

    October 13th 2006

    MILK quota values could bounce back up to 20ppl if cross-border trading within the EU is allowed.

  • Wheat markets hit a two-year high point

    October 13th 2006

    WHEAT future positions hit the highest values seen for more than two years last week.

  • WI show’s autumn theme

    October 13th 2006

    MORE than 1,700 exhibits plus a crafts and farmers market featured in the Lancashire Federation of Women’s Institutes’ annual county show. The theme was ‘autumn tints’, the best in show award going to Janet Wilkinson, of Scorton, for an autumnal display of foliage and fruit. Judges skills were also tested with well-supported classes including one class (for scarves) attracting 93 entries. They also had to weigh up the merits of 90 date and walnut cakes. The event was at Garstang Country ...

  • Windyhill Aberdeen Angus to 3,800gns

    October 13th 2006

    A TOP price of 3,800gns was achieved when 120 Aberdeen-Angus cattle went under the hammer at Carlisle at the breed society’s show and sale.

  • Windyhill Aberdeen Angus to 3,800gns

    October 13th 2006

    A TOP price of 3,800gns was achieved when 120 Aberdeen-Angus cattle went under the hammer at Carlisle at the breed society’s show and sale.

  • YFC members head to Countryside Live for stockjudging competition in new home

    October 13th 2006

    Having lost its traditional home at the bi-annual Smithfield Event at Earls Court, London, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs has moved its prestigious stockjudging competition to Countryside Live.

  • YFC National Competitions Day

    October 13th 2006

    From ethical debates to fancy dress, cookery to machinery handling, there was a massive range of activities at the YFC National Competitions Day at Stoneleigh.

  • YFC National Competitions Day

    October 13th 2006

    From ethical debates to fancy dress, cookery to machinery handling, there was a massive range of activities at the YFC National Competitions Day at Stoneleigh, on Saturday. JOANNE PUGH and KATIE LOMAS were there to meet the winners.

  • YFC National Competitions Day results and pictures

    October 13th 2006

    Junior member of the year 1, Toby Lawton (Eccleshall YFC, Staffordshire); 2, Hayley Parrott (Aylesbury Junior YFC, Buckinghamshire); 3, Charlotte Middlebrook (Selby YFC, Yorkshire).