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 23, 2009
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BHS on the move
19 October 2009
Exactly 11 years since HRH The Princess Royal opened The British Horse Society’s headquarters at Stoneleigh, the countdown to its new building has begun.
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A growing opportunity for energy crop maize
October 23, 2009
Norfolk farmer and contractor Oliver Arnold is working with Surrey-based Cosigas to build a one megawatt biogas plant.
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Agriculture in the national news - October 21
21 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Wednesday, October 21).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 22
22 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Thursday, October 22).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 23
23 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Friday, October 23).
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Autumn Perth Bulls Sales: Picture gallery
21 October 2009
SEE all the latest pictures from the autumn Perth Bull Sales at Stirling in our online image gallery.
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Ayrshires top 2,400gns at Carlisle
October 23, 2009
THE first Northern National Ayrshire sale took place last week at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, with prices topping at 2,400gns.
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Be prepared for HFA replacement
October 23, 2009
Forward planning is essential to avoid cash flow problems when, from 2010, a new strand of Environmental Stewardship replaces the Hill Farm Allowance (HFA), says a north east rural land and estate agent.
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Benn backs British fruit and veg
21 October 2009
ENGLISH farmers will be encouraged to grow more of fruit and vegetables under ambitious new plans drawn up by Defra today (Wednesday, October 21).
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Blood sweating disease questions and answers
October 23, 2009
Symptoms and details of the blood sweating disease.
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Brazil keen to get back into lucrative UK beef market
October 23, 2009
DESPITE massive growth in beef sales to Russia, Hong Kong, Egypt and other comparatively ‘new’ markets, Brazil remains anxious to revive its formerly lucrative trade with the UK.
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British Sugar's contract service available online
21 October 2009
BRITISH Sugar’s online beet contract has attracted almost half the number of target growers within two weeks of its launch.
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Celebrity chefs urge restaurant goers to ask about origin of food
19 October 2009
SOME of Britain’s best known chefs are backing an RSPCA campaign to encourage restaurant goers to ask where their food came from.
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Champion tops £1,210 at Hexham suckled calf sale
October 23, 2009
HEXHAM and Northern Marts had 1,389 suckled calves forward at their prize show and sale of Limousin cross suckled calves, sponsored by Farmers Guardian.
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Collection costs could rise for over-48-month cattle
21 October 2009
FARMERS’ charges for the collection of over-48-month cattle that have died on-farm could rise warn collectors.
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Confidence returning to thoroughbred market
October 23, 2009
RESULTS of Tattersalls’ flagship thoroughbred yearling sale will have restored some confidence to the industry following last year’s sales, which started before, and finished after, the collapse of Lehmann Brothers.
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Consider persistence when selecting beet seed treatment
October 23, 2009
FULL sugar beet contract packs recently sent out by British Sugar include three options for insecticidal seed treatments on 2010 seed orders.
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Costs continue to temper livestock margins
22 October 2009
BEEF and sheep producers’ net margins are still negative, despite considerable improvement in some sectors.
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Dairy Works preview: Getting lameness under control in a large herd
October 23, 2009
Lameness is an Achilles heel affecting cow health, fertility, milk yield and, ultimately, longevity. Simon Wragg reports on one business’s routine that step-by-step is putting cow health on a much firmer footing.
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Decline biggest threat to UK beef
October 23, 2009
The biggest threat to the UK beef sector is the declining number of cattle, a large processor has admitted.
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Devon Brigadier 6 sells to £3,150 at Sedgemoor
October 23, 2009
THE reserve champion at the Devon Cattle Breeders’ Society show and sale at Sedgemoor Auction, Somerset, topped trade at £3,150.
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Divided views as millers are accused of 'letting down wheat supply chain'
October 23, 2009
THE NFU has this week accused millers of ‘letting down the whole wheat supply chain’ as a result of their intention to continue with both risk assessment within farm assurance and on-farm and random at-mill mycotoxin testing in 2009-10.
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Dominic Naylor: A team of 42 students lend a hand
October 23, 2009
I SAID last month the proof of the maize would be in the feeding, and indeed it is. After 48 hours in the ration, yields increased by 2.5 litres/head.
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Don’t take short cuts when growing and mixing rations
October 23, 2009
FARMERS feeding a total mixed ration should focus on growing a total mixed ration, says Simon Broddle, forage manager for Nickerson Direct.
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Energy management funding up for grabs
October 23, 2009
UP to £10,000 of grant aid per business is now available to help south west farmers ‘manage resources more efficiently’.
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Environmental schemes damaging upland farming - TFA
19 October 2009
THE Tenant Farmers Association has hit out at Natural England’s ‘misguided’ policy of ‘drastically reducing’ uplands stocking densities through Environmental Stewardship Schemes.
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EU extends intervention period to February 2010
October 23, 2009
Public intervention buying of butter and skimmed milk powder (smp) has been further extended to February 2010.
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EU match-funded support could boost UK organics
21 October 2009
Barry Alston reports from the annual Welsh Organic Producers Conference, this year held in Aberystwyth with an ‘Adapt and Survive’ theme.
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Experts will recommend British farmers to grow GM
19 October 2009
A MAJOR new policy report will recommend UK farmers grow genetically modified crops to avert a food crisis, it has been claimed.
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Farmers urged to complete Crop Protection Management Plans
20 October 2009
FARMERS are being urged to show their support for the use of voluntary measures to tackle crop protection challenges facing the industry by completing one of the newly revised Crop Protection Management Plans.
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Forward-selling strengthens position of grain farmers
21 October 2009
FARMING businesses which have sold forward up to a fifth of their wheat crop for 2010 are placing themselves in the strongest possible position in uncertain times, according to a consultant.
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Foulrice ewes peak at 4,000gns at Skipton
October 23, 2009
EWES from Charles and Valerie Marwood’s Foulrice flock, Whenby, York, topped the British Charollais Sheep Society sale at Skipton.
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GM crops essential – Royal Society
21 October 2009
UK farmers will have to grow improved crop varieties, including genetically modified plants, if they are to meet growing demand for food, according to some of the UK’s leading scientists.
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Government cautions against increased self-sufficiency in food
20 October 2009
THE Government has cautioned against increasing the country’s self-sufficiency in indigenous food because of the threat of crop failure and disease outbreaks.
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Help solve mystery of ‘blood sweating’ in young calves
October 23, 2009
CATTLE farmers should be on the look-out for a ‘mystifying’ disease after a rise in young calve fatalities.
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Holbeck heifers lead at Beeston mid-month sale
October 23, 2009
THE top prices at Beeston’s October mid-month sale went to entries consigned by heifer rearer Mark Bowden, Malpas, Cheshire.
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Holstein Friesian Oakle herd sells to 2,400gns
October 23, 2009
A TOP price of 2,400gns was achieved when Martin Barber, Churcham, Gloucester, sold his Oakle herd of Holsteins Friesians.
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Hungarian land up for grabs
October 23, 2009
A 2,000-ha (4,942-acre) prime arable farm and dairy enterprise in Hungary has come on to the market, following its purchase 10 years ago by a number of ‘pioneering’ British farmers and investors.
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In-form Neil sets a hot pace
October 23, 2009
WINNING two Nurseries to date and third in another, together with wins in all three Puppy Classes is the record established by Nigel Watkins in recent trials in Carmarthenshire.
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John Gordon: I’ve a bull suffering a libido problem, and another 10-year-old who works part-time
October 23, 2009
CALF sales have gone well with 90 sold to average £860 – up £140 on last year.
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Know your payload to stay on the right side of the law
October 23, 2009
KNOWING how heavy your horsebox is when you drive out of the yard could save you a fine, a few points - and your life.
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Looking to the past to build a future for a small dairy herd
October 23, 2009
Barry Alston reports from a West Wales farm proving there is still a place for small-scale dairy herds.
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Machinery in Motion - October 2009
23 October 2009
READ Farmers Guardian’s Machinery in Motion – our second online fully interactive magazine.
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Many alpaca owners are not treating bTB seriously
October 23, 2009
THE British Alpaca Society (BAS) has warned its members ignoring bovine TB (bTB) could have dire consequences for the species.
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Mastitis conference: Farm-specific data needed
October 23, 2009
INFORMATION about mastitis had to be farm-specific, said Martin Green of Nottingham University, as average costs and generic advice were of limited use.
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Mastitis conference: Getting facts from robotic milkers
October 23, 2009
ROBOTIC milkers had the potential to be far better at mastitis detection than humans, said John Baines, technical director of Fullwood, but that did not mean the technology should be utilised.
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Mastitis conference: Parlour hygiene key to profit and improving milk quality
October 23, 2009
Vets and scientists met at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, last week for the annual British Mastitis Conference. Joanne Pugh reports.
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Mastitis conference: Research links mastitis with longevity
October 23, 2009
The winning research project, voted for by conference delegates, was from Andy Biggs and James Hanks, who looked at NMR data from nearly 60,000 cows to establish the link between mastitis and cow longevity.
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Mastitis conference: Teat sealant can cut disease in heifers
October 23, 2009
SOME New Zealand dairy farmers are using teat sealant in heifers because of the high risk of mastitis early on in the first lactation, said Kiwi vet Katrina Roberts.
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Maximise returns from beef
October 23, 2009
SELLING forward stores as finished stock could lead to lower returns and target penalties for producers, warns Eblex.
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Millers ‘letting supply chain down’ with mycotoxin approach
20 October 2009
THE NFU has accused millers of ‘letting down the whole wheat supply chain’ in adopting a ‘belt and braces’ approach to mycotoxin risk.
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NBA continues ROI beef retailers attack
22 October 2009
The volume of Republic of Ireland (ROI) beef being sold through Asda and Sainsbury’s is increasing, says the National Beef Association.
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Online venture helps people in rural areas find new friends
October 23, 2009
A contemplative chat over a pint with friends at his local about the lack of dating opportunities in his village, prompted young farmer and entrepreneur, James Vestbirk, to boost the odds. Angela Calvert investigates.
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Penrikka Dyl Marina just perfect at Welsh Dairy Show
October 23, 2009
AFTER a lengthy absence, Geoff and Jean Williams, made a successful return to the Welsh Dairy Show.
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Perth Bull Sales: Autumn sales record falls in a final day trading flurry
October 23, 2009
CHAROLAIS bulls sold to 26,000gns on the last day of trading, with 12 lots making five-figure prices and averages at £5,687 for 123 sold, which was a record for the autumn bull sales.
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Perth Bull Sales: Cracking start as Angus sells to 15,000gns peak
October 23, 2009
THE autumn Perth Bull Sales took place at its new venue - Stirling Agricultural Centre. Katie Lomas reports.
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Perth Bull Sales: Females 5,000gns peak
October 23, 2009
TRADE for Aberdeen-Angus females peaked at 5,000gns for one from J. Robert Galloway’s draft from his Cardona herd, Doune.
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Perth Bull Sales: Fingask Angus is Shorthorn champion
October 23, 2009
THE overall Shorthorn champion bull, Fingask Angus, from W. McGowan, Cupar, Fife, sold for the top price of 7,200gns.
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Perth Bull Sales: Hockenhull Simmental tops 16,000gns
October 23, 2009
SELLING the last of the bulls from his Hockenhull herd, Hugo Arnold topped the Simmental trade at 16,000gns.
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Perth Bull Sales: Limousin Goldies Black Denver tops Limousin trade at 12,000gns
October 23, 2009
With bidding carrying on into the evening, the top price in the Limousin bull section was 12,000gns paid for Goldies Black Denver, a black Limousin from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, Dumfries.
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Perth Bull Sales: Reserve female champ sells for 5,500gns
October 23, 2009
THE reserve champion Charolais female, Forfar Catriona, from N. and J. Murray, Scone, Perth, sold for 5,500gns. This heifer, in-calf to Mowbraypark Torpedo, sold to Andrew Stevenson, Anstruther.
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Perth Bull Sales: Salers average £3,378
October 23, 2009
SALERS bulls topped at 7,500gns for Whitebog Convener, a Lascar son, from Alister MacKenzie, Fortrose, Ross-shire. The hammer fell to Terry Coghill, Orkney.
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Profits up at United Oilseeds
October 23, 2009
UNITED Oilseeds has reported a bumper year, with pre-tax profit of £1.03 million and a 44 per cent increase in farm members for the financial year to 30 June 2009.
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Question value of moist feeds
October 23, 2009
DAIRY farmers should challenge the current trend of using moist feeds because ‘there are no calories in water’, says Steve Brown, ruminant feeds product manager for Wynnstay.
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Record crowds for annual Sennybridge working sheepdog sales
October 23, 2009
THERE were record prices and a record attendance at the 34th annual autumn sale of working sheepdogs at Sennybridge.
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Red and Gordon’s quality showing at final trial
October 23, 2009
THE Northumberland League concluded this season’s series of opens on Sunday with the 27th and final trial taking place at Kirkwhelpington.
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RPA announces flat rate 2009 SPS values
20 October 2009
THE Rural Payments Agency has confirmed a big rise in flat rate values for the 2009 Single Payment Scheme in England.
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Scottish Ploughing Championships postponed due to bad weather
22 October 2009
THE Scottish Ploughing Championships have been postponed for a week following very wet weather in the Brechin area this week.
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Severe shortage of skilled farm workers is threat to food security
22 October 2009
FARMERS’ ability to increase food production is being severely hampered by a shortage of skilled workers.
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Sheepdog trials diary - October 23
October 23, 2009
ENGLAND
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Simmentals to 3,300gns at Bristol
October 23, 2009
THE Simmental Society’s autumn sale at Bristol topped at 3,300gns for Starline Wizard, a February 2008-born bull by Starline Prankster, from Henry Widdecombe, Totnes, Devon. He also had the champion, Starline Westminster, which sold at 2,000gns.
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Sir Ben Gill defends his position on SPS fiasco
23 October 2009
FORMER NFU president Sir Ben Gill has defended his role in the Single Payment fiasco after he was accused of being complicit in agreeing the complex payment system at the root of the crisis.
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Store record broken at Rugby annual fair
October 23, 2009
THE highest ever autumn store cattle averages for Rugby Farmers Mart were set last Friday in the annual October Fair.
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Supporting the sector in transition to Glastir
21 October 2009
WELSH Assembly Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, said she aimed to continue to provide support to those wanting to enter organic farming or wishing to add new land to an existing farm.
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Sussex bulls to 4,400gns at Ashford
October 23, 2009
BULLS sold to 4,400gns at the Sussex Cattle Society’s show and sale at Ashford, Sussex, this week.
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The complete guide to the UK's EID rules
23 October 2009
WITH just months before the EU’s EID regulations come into force, Jack Davies takes an exclusive first look at the new rules and what farmers will need to do to comply.
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Think big to make savings on slug pellets
October 23, 2009
A BULK bag for slug pellets has been launched by agricultural merchant CropCo, saving time and effort when using fertiliser spreaders to apply pellets.
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TMR diet feeders: Salute a humble workhorse
October 23, 2009
Despite the best efforts of manufacturers, self-propelled diet feeders remain a rarity among UK dairy farmers. Andy Collings considers whether the industry has now advanced sufficiently to make such machines a viability.
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Tough action against IPU law breakers
October 23, 2009
FARMERS or agronomists who still have products in farm stores containing the herbicide isoproturon (IPU) should arrange for prompt and proper disposal and not be tempted to use or recommend it under any circumstances, warns the Voluntary Initiative.
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Tractor test: 180hp tractors go head-to-head
October 23, 2009
ARE you wondering about buying a 180hp CVT tractor, and considering just what to buy?
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Tractor test: Deutz-Fahr TTV 630
October 23, 2009
WE had a brief drive of the Agrotron TTV 630 in May and had high hopes for a week with this flagship TTV.
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Tractor test: Dynomometer test
October 23, 2009
Three newcomers to the 180hp-plus CVT tractor market are put to the test against proven models.
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Tractor test: Fendt 718
October 23, 2009
OUR benchmark here is Fendt’s 718 - arguably the most established CVT tractor in our group.
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Tractor test: John Deere 7530E Premium
October 23, 2009
We tried out the John Deere 7530E Premium in our latest series of tractor tests.
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Tractor test: New Holland T7040
October 23, 2009
NEW Holland has taken its well-received T7000 series tractors and added its own CVT and has developed a control system which is easy to use. We tried the T7040 model.
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Tractor test: Valtra T202
October 23, 2009
WE put the Valtra T202 through its paces in our latest series of tractor tests.
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UK rejects EU’s emergency dairy fund
20 October 2009
FARMING Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the UK would not support the EU’s €280 million package to boost the dairy sector.
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Wansdyke dispersal reaches 5,100gns
October 23, 2009
THE two-day dispersal of the 650-strong Wansdyke herd of Holsteins, the property of P.A.C. Farms, Hungerford, Wiltshire, saw 61 head make over 2,000gns and two cows sell for 5,000gns or more.
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Welsh Dairy Show briefs
October 23, 2009
ADDRESSING an eve of Welsh Dairy Show reception recently retired Harper Adams principal, Prof Wynne Jones, said one of the greatest challenges facing the dairy industry was attracting the ‘best people’ with practical, technical and business skills.
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Welsh Dairy Show results
October 23, 2009
WE have a full round-up of all the results from this year’s Welsh Dairy Show.
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Welsh farmers 'let down' by public procurement policies
19 October 2009
FARMERS in Mid Wales are feeling ‘let down’ by national and local government public procurement policies and their failure to source home produced food.
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Welsh TB badger cull suffers a set-back
21 October 2009
WELSH Assembly steps towards legalising a bovine TB badger cull have suffered a set-back.
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What should I ask my agronomist about aphid and BYDV control in cereals
October 23, 2009
APHID numbers are reported to be above average in most areas.
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Wheat bulb fly survey reveals high egg count
October 23, 2009
RESULTS from HGCA’s annual autumn wheat bulb fly survey have revealed the presence of high egg numbers.
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Wheat yields anxiety
22 October 2009
WORLD wheat yields have not and are not increasing sufficiently to meet the projected demand for food in 2030.
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Wilodge Dallaglio reaches 30,000gns as all-breeds centre record average smashed
October 23, 2009
THE British Limousin Cattle Society’s autumn show and sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, saw 143 bulls sell to an all-breeds centre record average of £5,735, surpassing the mark set at the Limousin Sale in February.
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Working dogs results round-up - October 23
October 23, 2009
Our weekly working dogs results round-up from England, Wales and Scotland.
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Zwartbles near clearance at Worcester
October 23, 2009
ALL but two of the 128 sheep forward found new homes at the Zwartbles Sheep Association’s sale at Worcester.