There is a well known saying, 'no pain, no gain' and that will be ringing true in the minds of Milk Link’s 1,600 producers, who are on the brink of reaping just reward for 12 years of loyalty and investment.Farmers Guardian
October 16, 2009
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The Dairy Show: Don’t overlook importance of herd submission rates
15 October 2009
RATHER than getting too preoccupied with conception rates, Michael Head, from Shepton Mallet Vet Group, argued farmers should instead focus on submission rates.
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‘Worrying’ findings on vaccination procedures
October 16, 2009
Following product usage instructions correctly could see many sheep farmers significantly improve their control of preventable diseases and better capitalise on the vaccines they buy.
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£12,500 Hexham Blackface
October 16, 2009
THE champion Blackface at Hexham and Northern Mart’s show and sale of rams sold for the top price of £12,500.
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£2,620 tops at Bentham's dairy sale
October 16, 2009
TRADE at Bentham’s dairy sale topped at £2,620 for a second calver, Ingleview Jordan Betty, a Roylane Jordan daughter from Robert and Elaine Butterfield, High Bentham, near Lancaster.
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£75 million food production research project unveiled
13 October 2009
A MAJOR new £75 million investment programme to increase ‘sustainable food productivity’ has been unveiled.
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2,800gns for in-calf cow
October 16, 2009
AVERAGES were up at the Highland cattle sale earlier this week at Oban where a top price of 2,800gns was realised.
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ABP continues its southern spread
14 October 2009
ANGLO Beef Processors has bought an abattoir and boning hall in Guildford, Surrey, adding to the company’s existing seven plants in England, one in Scotland and two in Northern Ireland.
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Advice on control of septoria tritici in 2010 remains unchanged
October 16, 2009
ADVICE for control of septoria tritici remains unchanged for 2010 despite ongoing concerns over potential loss of activity of azole fungicides and recent reports about the emergence of new, more resistant strains of the disease.
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Agri Expo preview 2009: Details and programme highlights
15 October 2009
Borderway Agri Expo takes place on Friday, October 30 at Borderway Mart, Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2RS, starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm.
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Agri Expo preview 2009: Livestock remains at heart of event
15 October 2009
WITH livestock entries expected to top 600 and more than 120 trade stands, Farmers Guardian takes a look at what’s in store for visitors at this year’s Agri Expo (Friday, October 30).
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Agri Expo Preview 2009: New flock built on experience after break from the industry
15 October 2009
After starting afresh in sheep farming, Ron and Fran Wilson are preparing to exhibit at Agri Expo for the first time.
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Agri Expo preview 2009: Winter fairs ‘a great stock shop window’
15 October 2009
More than 200 cattle will compete for the coveted overall championship title. Katie Lomas met last year’s winners - the Harryman family from Keswick.
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Agriculture in the national news
14 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Wednesday, 14 October).
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Agriculture in the national news
13 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Tuesday, October 13).
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Agriculture in the national news
12 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Monday, October 12).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 15
15 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Thursday, October 15).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 16
16 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Friday, October 16)
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Agriculture in the national news - October 19
19 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Monday, October 19).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 20
20 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Tuesday, October 20).
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All Breeds All Britain: Champion calves reign supreme in breed championships
12 October 2009
AFTER narrowly missing out to Jo Stubbs for the champion Jersey young handler title on the Saturday (October 10), 14-year-old Clare Daw triumphed in the breed’s calf classes on the Sunday (October 11).
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All Britain All Breeds Calf Show 2009: The results
12 October 2009
ALL the results from this year’s All Britain All Breeds Calf Show, held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
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Anger over proposals to switch agri-environment scheme funds
14 October 2009
NFU Cymru has written to Welsh Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, objecting to proposals to switch funds under the Welsh Rural Development Programme from the measure that funds agri-environment schemes to other parts of the RDP budget.
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Angie takes five of six top places in Glos/Gwent Nursery
October 16, 2009
ANGIE Blackmore had a record-breaking day at the Glos/Gwent Nursery at Penderi Farm, Blackwood, hosted by Gwyn Jones, with five of the top six places in the Nursery Class.
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Averages up at Oban's Highland cattle sale
October 16, 2009
AVERAGES were up at the Highland cattle sale earlier this week at Oban where a top price of 2,800gns was realised.
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Balance PGR activity with need for control
October 16, 2009
OILSEED rape crops in the West are likely to be showing the first signs of phoma in the next few days and growers are advised to be alert to the disease particularly with such a variation in crop size this season.
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Be on your guard about ‘blood sweating’
15 October 2009
Cattle farmers were urged to be wary of a relatively new condition known as ‘blood sweating’ in calves.
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Beet cyst nematode on the move
October 16, 2009
SUGAR beet pest beet cyst nematode is extending its range north and west, from traditional fenland hotspots, testing has revealed.
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Bioenergy event is ‘huge success’
12 October 2009
FARMERS journeyed from all four corners of the UK to Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, to find out how they could develop their business using green energy last week.
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Bluefaced Leicester ram sees £3,000
October 16, 2009
TOP at the show and sale of Bluefaced Leicester sheep at Penrith was £3,000 paid for a shearling from Messrs Lord’s Hewgill, North Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen.
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BPA sale averages at Ross Market are up on 2008
October 16, 2009
TOP price at the British Pig Association’s show and sale at Ross Market last week was 580gns with averages surpassing the record set last year.
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Breeding and Calves: Heifer performance decided in the first six months of life
15 October 2009
THE focus of heifer rearing must be the first six months of life, because that period determines the lifetime performance of the animal, according to South African farmer Nigel Lok.
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British National Ploughing Championships 2009 picture gallery
14 October 2009
FARMERS Guardian has a round-up of pictures from this year’s British National Ploughing Championships, held at Soham, near Ely, Cambridgshire.
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Brothers fight for top title at British National Ploughing Championships
14 October 2009
TWO brothers, both former world champions, fought for the title of British National Conventional Champion at the 59th British National Ploughing Championships, held at Soham, near Ely, Cambridgshire.
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Call for joint action to save EU sheep sector
13 October 2009
GREATER innovation, co-operation and promotion are needed to save the EU’s sheep flock from further decline a major international sheepmeat forum concluded.
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Carlisle Aberdeen-Angus bids peak at 2,800gns
October 16, 2009
BIDDING peaked at 2,800gns for two bulls when a small entry of Aberdeen-Angus bulls and females were sold at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
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Cereal Watch - October
October 16, 2009
THE autumn drought made achieving good seedbed conditions hard work, but both Cereal Watch growers have gone ahead with planned pre-emergence herbicide applications.
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Charismatic grey wows HOYS
October 16, 2009
THE Philanderer taking the supreme Horse of the Year title was a fitting climax to what has been an incredible week for owner, Carol Bardo and rider, Jane Webber.
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Charolais to 5,500gns at Carlisle
October 16, 2009
CHAROLAIS bulls sold to 5,500gns twice in Carlisle last Friday at the breed society’s autumn show and sale, which also featured the annual consignment of Cracker females.
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Cheaper milk replacers are a false economy
15 October 2009
THE rising price of milk powder should not tempt farmers to economise by buying cheaper products, says NWF Agriculture calf specialist James Slater.
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Chloe Cropper and Gilly victorious at Trawden
October 16, 2009
THE Pennine inter-club series of nursery trials started last weekend with Chloe Cropper and Gilly winning at Trawden, while Andrew Throup and Kit were the victors at Yorkshire.
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Claas cuts knife count on chopping cylinder
October 16, 2009
WHILE the Jaguar forage harvester range remains largely unchanged for 2010, the V-Max chopping cylinder has been updated and now has 20 blades rather than 36.
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Consumer expectations of organic ‘too high’
22 October 2009
CONSUMERS expectations of organic food go ‘significantly beyond’ the standards set for producers, a report from the University of Exeter found.
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Courts hand down 10 year livestock ban to Welsh farmer
12 October 2009
A RADNORSHIRE farming couple has been banned from keeping sheep and cattle for ten years by Brecon Law Courts in a case brought by Powys County Council.
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Cross breeding not suited to all
15 October 2009
DAIRY farmers considering cross-breeding should plan carefully to achieve the best success with the change, according to Hugh Ratcliffe, Genus ABS European business development manager in dairy genetics.
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Dairy producer numbers fall
October 16, 2009
DAIRY producer numbers continue to fall, with 0.5 per cent fewer between August and September.
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Dairy Works preview: We’re all in this together
15 October 2009
For the second year running, Cogent is running its Dairy Works Young Adult Seminar series. This time the theme is lameness, and so, Dr Liam Sinclair is focusing on what is a very multi-factorial problem.
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Damning report casts future of RPA into doubt
15 October 2009
THE future of the Rural Payments Agency has been thrown into doubt, after a damning report revealed huge errors in judgement had been made in its delivery of the Single Payment Scheme in England.
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Defra backs fund for new crop protection products
15 October 2009
DEFRA has backed plans for a £13 million research and development fund to develop new crop protection products following confirmation of the EU’s ban on a range of vital pesticides.
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Early payments begin for Welsh farmers hit by DFB collapse
16 October 2009
WELSH dairy farmers affected by the collapse of the Dairy Farmers of Britain co-operative have today (Friday, October 16) received their Single Payments some six weeks early.
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Eat local food to tackle climate change - Archbishop
14 October 2009
THE Archbishop of Canterbury has urged the public to eat more local and seasonal food in a bid to tackle climate change.
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EID trial highlights major issues over technology
14 October 2009
INDUSTRY leaders in Scotland raised concerns over the implementation of EID after the results of a pilot scheme into the regulations highlighted a series of flaws in the technology.
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English sheepdog trial results - October 16
October 16, 2009
Latest trial results round-up
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Equity farm values have fallen, agency data shows
October 16, 2009
THE value of bare agricultural land in England increased by 2 per cent to an average of £4,900 per acre between July and September 2009.
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EU agrees to €10 million bovine TB package for UK farmers
16 October 2009
THE UK’s bovine TB eradication plan has been given the green light by the EU’s animal health committee, which agreed a €10 million funding package to help implement the plan.
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Europe proposes €280m fund to boost dairy industry
19 October 2009
AGRICULTURE Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has confirmed plans to set up an €280 million fund to help support Europe’s ailing dairy sector.
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Exchange rate to boost SPS payments by 15pc
15 October 2009
DEFRA has confirmed the exchange rate for the 2009 Single Payment Scheme (SPS), giving farmers the opportunity to boost their payments by 15 per cent.
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Experts call for 70pc increase in food production
13 October 2009
FARMERS will need to increase their productivity by 70 per cent if they are to produce enough food by 2050, experts have warned.
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Farmer climbs London's 'fourth plinth' to get his message across
13 October 2009
A NOTTINHAMSHIRE farmer took to London’s Trafalgar Square this morning (Tuesday, October 13) in a bid to highlight the importance of farming.
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Farmer representatives ‘letting industry down’
October 16, 2009
NFU dairy board chairman Gwyn Jones has launched a scathing attack on farmer directors and representatives of dairy companies.
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Farmer-director pair on First Milk board
October 16, 2009
BEDFORDSHIRE milk producer Richard Davis, and Hugh Parker, from Stranraer, are to serve as farmer-directors on the First Milk board.
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Fickle hand of fate makes transition to Lleyns much smoother
October 16, 2009
FALLING demand for Suffolk-cross lambs out of their Scotch Halfbred flock, left a Borders farming family with little choice but to look at other breed options, as Neil Ryder found out.
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Finding money to diversify into renewables
12 October 2009
COUNTLESS farmers are desperate to diversify their business but have no money to invest.
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First Milk and Arla raise milk price for ex-DFB producers
12 October 2009
HUNDREDS of ex-DFB producers are to receive improved milk prices from First Milk and Arla.
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First Milk announces new chairman
14 October 2009
FIRST Milk has announced Bill Mustoe as its new chairman.
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Forget horsepower, cows are all you need to win rally races
12 October 2009
COW-POWER may be about to overtake horsepower in the cutting-edge world of motor racing.
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Former Defra Minister to chair science and technology group
22 October 2009
FORMER Defra Minister Jane Kennedy has been confirmed as the new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science in Technology in Agriculture.
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French subsidy could impact on UK bean exports dealings
October 16, 2009
ALTHOUGH the French government is offering a national subsidy for planting legumes, a move which will impact the export of UK human consumption beans, the weaker pound is helping our trading position.
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Getting the best health and margins from UK livestock
October 16, 2009
ISSUES facing beef, sheep and dairy farmers were all addressed at the Anglia Farmers’ second annual livestock conference last week.
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Giving calves fresh water will raise liveweight gains
15 October 2009
ALMOST 10 per cent of farmers using computerised calf feeding systems are not providing ad lib water until calves are an average 25 days of age, with some not introducing water until weaning.
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H&H Group profits up as throughput rises
12 October 2009
HIGHER livestock values pushed the H&H Group’s auction market throughput to almost £100 million and helped boost the overall bottom line by 40 per cent to just short of £1million.
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Infection ‘not as bad as was first feared’
October 16, 2009
FOR those who have already harvested their maize, Simon Pope, of Wynnstay, is recommending they bury stubble soon to reduce eyespot infections in next year’s maize crop.
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JCB Miniscopic able to work in tight spaces
October 16, 2009
Among the new telehandlers JCB promises at Agritechnica is the Miniscopic 515-40 (1.5 tonne lift capacity to 4m) and there will also be a prototype 7m machine that can lift more than 4t.
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Joining forces for producers
October 16, 2009
LIVESTOCK farmers are set to benefit from an initiative encouraging vets, pharmacists and suitably qualified persons (SQPs) to improve communication between the three groups.
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Kendall calls on retailers to drop ombudsman opposition
13 October 2009
NFU president Peter Kendall has called on supermarkets to back an independent ombudsman ‘before it’s too late’.
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Little change in phoma predictions but LLS risk higher
October 16, 2009
THE first signs of phoma infections are appearing in oilseed rape crops slightly later than usual this autumn across the country as a whole.
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Maize Monitor: Not everyone has clamped yet
October 16, 2009
WHILE those in the south of the country have their maize safely in the clamp, there is plenty of crop still in the field.
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Mammoths return to the UK to take national 'wheat art' prize
19 October 2009
A LINCOLNSHIRE farmer scooped a £5,000 prize after he created a family of mammoths on his farm using wheat bales.
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Mapping a path to improved margins
October 16, 2009
YIELD maps are sometimes derided as nothing more than pretty pictures or a simple snap-shot of a single harvest.
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Meat labelling probe launched at Surrey abattoir
21 October 2009
POLICE in Surrey have launched an investigation following allegations an abattoir in Guilford had sold bogus ‘British’ and ‘organic’ meat to two leading supermarkets.
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MEP calls for urgent financial support to help with EID
15 October 2009
LIBERAL Democrat MEP George Lyon has called on the Scottish Government to provide financial support to farmers in a bid to help them comply with the EU’s controversial rules on EID in sheep.
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Minister dismisses retailers' argument over ombudsman plans
15 October 2009
A GOVERNMENT Minister has dismissed the argument put forward by leading retailers that a grocery market ombudsman would result in increased food prices for consumers.
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New contact for ear tag makers
October 16, 2009
THE industry body representing ear tag manufacturers has appointed an administrator as the central point of contact.
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New voice for farmers’ markets
October 16, 2009
Markets and farmers’ markets will have a forum and a voice across Government for the first time.
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Newton Stewart sees £26,000 lamb peak
October 16, 2009
AN entry of 498 Blackface rams sold at the annual breed tup sale at Newton Stewart and prices peaked at £26,000 in the lamb section.
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Nuffield Scholarship has helped develop a dairy industry standard
October 16, 2009
THE opportunity to pursue a Nuffield Farming Scholarship provided Diana Allen with the confidence and inspiration to launch a new troubleshooting system to help dairy farmers achieve optimum cow performance.
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October 2009 winner
October 16, 2009
THE winner of the October caption competition who receives a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher is Mr A. Matear, Seaton, Cumbria, with:
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Off label approval for flumioxazin
October 16, 2009
THE residual and contact-acting herbicide, flumioxazin, available as Guillotine, has a new off label approval for use in winter oats.
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One last push on OP issue by NFU director general
16 October 2009
DEPARTING NFU director general, Richard Macdonald, has vowed to put pressure on the Government to speed up research on organophosphate (OP) poisoning during his last days in the post.
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Organic farmers do support non-organic produce – Melchett
14 October 2009
THE organic movement happily promotes the purchase of non-organic food produced by British farmers, leading environmentalist and organic protagonist Peter Melchett claimed this week.
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Picture gallery: All Breeds All Britain Calf show 2009
12 October 2009
CELEBRATING 25 years of Young Holstein Breeders Clubs, the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show, was held at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
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Potato quality concerns as east/west divide opens up
13 October 2009
AN east/west divide on quality issues is opening up as the potato harvest progresses, according to experts at Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit (SBEU).
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Potential tax trap on traditional farm buildings
14 October 2009
LEAVING traditional farm buildings unused and in disrepair could lose you valuable tax allowances.
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Reforming rural communities
October 16, 2009
AN unprecedented coalition is calling for a new vision for rural communities in England.
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Report calls for major change in animal welfare rules
12 October 2009
A NEW report from the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) has called for a major re-think on animal welfare from Government, farmers and retailers.
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Return of old recipes in new Eblex book
October 16, 2009
A NEW Eblex recipe booklet aims to bring back long-forgotten traditional beef and lamb dishes.
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Royal plea for improved rural access to broadband infrastructure
October 16, 2009
PRINCE Charles has made an impassioned plea for better broadband coverage across rural areas.
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RPA chief seeks to assure farmers over mapping process
13 October 2009
THE head of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has sought to assure farmers that problems with the re-mapping process will not delay 2010 Single Payments.
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Rural estates income will rise, says survey
October 16, 2009
THE income levels of rural estates will continue to rise, forecasts Savills.
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Scotland South takes top team award at the All Breeds All Britain
12 October 2009
ONE of the highest accolades in the club competitions went to Scotland South YHB, which were awarded the Top Team award for having achieved the most points in the showmanship and calf classes.
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Scots to safeguard imports with winter bluetongue code
15 October 2009
SCOTLAND’S livestock bodies have agreed a winter import code for producers who feel they must source livestock from bluetongue-infected areas of continental Europe, when the lower risk period begins next month.
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Scots urged to vaccinate before expiry date
16 October 2009
FARMERS in Scotland are being urged to make the most of government-funded bluetongue vaccines before they expire next month.
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Scottish independence better for farmers - Lochhead
21 October 2009
THE Scottish Government made a renewed call for independence this week, claiming farmers would be benefit if ties to Westminster were cut.
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Scottish malting barley gets boost
October 16, 2009
CONSUMER goods business Diageo has reaffirmed its commitment to using Scottish malting barley, according to NFU Scotland leaders.
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Scottish sheepdog trial results - October 16
October 16, 2009
Scottish sheepdog trials round-up.
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Semen exports to Brazil open
October 16, 2009
WITH Brazil’s doors now open for semen exports from the UK, UK Sire Services has sold eight bulls into the country.
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Sensor technology boosts efficiency of forage wagons
October 16, 2009
A fully-hydraulic auto knife sharpening system and intelligent loading are two features Pottinger will be showing on its forage wagon at Agritechnica.
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Shearling takes top Romney title and realises £950 at Ashford
October 16, 2009
RAMS averaged £285 at the Romney Sheep Breeders’ ram show and sale at Ashford market in Kent, last week where 44 out of the 77 found new homes.
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Sheep society president announced
October 16, 2009
THE Sheep Veterinary Society has announced its new president is Dick Thompson.
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Sheepdog trials diary - October 16
October 16, 2009
ENGLAND
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Southam dispersal hits a 4,050gns high
October 16, 2009
PRICES peaked at 4,050gns at the dispersal of the 350-strong Southam flock of Charollais being sold for Lionel Organ on farm at Rhos, Llandysul.
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TB measures will make little difference without badger cull
14 October 2009
MEASURES recommended by the Government’s bovine TB advisers will have little impact in the absence of a badger cull, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has warned.
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The Dairy Show results
15 October 2009
Results from The Dairy Show 2009.
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The Dairy Show: All Jersey bulls to be genotyped following society deal
15 October 2009
ALL young Jersey bulls in the UK are to be genotyped using the Igenity profile following an agreement between Merial and the Jersey Cattle Society UK officially signed at the show.
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The Dairy Show: Harpoon herd wins Dairy farm business of the year
15 October 2009
THE South West Dairy Farm Business of the Year award went to Bill and Jan Blake, who farm with their son, Chris, and trade as Paschoe Farms at Crediton, Devon.
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The Dairy Show: Jerseys win first Dairy Show inter-breed title
15 October 2009
The Dairy Show 2009 at the Bath and West Showground drew an entry of around 300 cattle. Barry Alston and Katie Lomas report.
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The Dairy Show: New moist feed to beat brewers’ grain shortage
15 October 2009
NEW products were rolled out by Mole Valley Farmers at The Dairy Show to coincide with winter management decisions.
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The Dairy Show: Promotional trophy win for Wilsons
15 October 2009
Top cattle presentation trophy win.
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The Philander triumphs at Horse of the Year Show
12 October 2009
THE Philander, taking the Supreme Horse of the Year title was a fitting climax to what has been an incredible week for owner, Carol Bardo and rider, Jane Webber.
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Total clearance of 117 pedigree Suffolk rams at Welshpool
October 16, 2009
THE annual show and sale of pedigree Suffolks at Welshpool drew an entry of 117 rams and a total clearance helped in particular by the quality of the yearlings.
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Twenty-year TB eradication warning
October 16, 2009
The TB Eradication Group’s first report has laid out a new testing regime for England - but says the badger issue cannot be ignored. Alistair Driver reports.
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Virus threat to oilseed rape crops
October 16, 2009
OILSEED rape growers are being advised to expect higher levels of turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in untreated crops.
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Welsh lambs’ global glow
October 16, 2009
HIGH production standards coupled with a weak pound are boosting demand for Welsh lamb and beef overseas says Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.
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Welsh sheepdog trial results - October 16
October 16, 2009
Welsh sheepdog trial results round-up.
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What should I ask my agronomist about disease control in oilseed rape?
October 16, 2009
THE prolonged dry spell checked development of phoma but recent rainfall may have kick-started the life cycle.
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William and Andrew Cowx: A cast cow injures my leg at market
October 16, 2009
WE had our first real frost last week. The weather has got a wintry feel, but the land is still reasonably dry and most of the cattle are still outside.
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World class showmanship on display at All Breeds All Britain 2009
12 October 2009
THIS year 25 of the 26 Young Holstein Breeders (YHB) clubs supported the event and the showmanship was of a ‘global quality’, according to judge David Crack jnr., who flew in from Quebec, Canada, especially to judge the Holstein classes.