Farmers Guardian
October 26th 2007

  • ‘Buy more Scottish produce’

    October 26th 2007

    FOOD processors and retailers have been called on to buy more Scottish produce by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead.

  • ‘Economic success’ of GM technology in US agriculture

    October 26th 2007

    WITH 10 years experience of GM cropping to draw upon, scientists from the United States and Canada were able to offer a practical insight into the effects of GM technology on their agriculture.

  • ‘Economic success’ of GM technology in US agriculture

    22 October 2007

    WITH 10 years experience of GM cropping to draw upon, scientists from the United States and Canada were able to offer a practical insight into the effects of GM technology on their agriculture.

  • £41,000 for pig projects

    October 26th 2007

    SEVEN pig industry projects are being funded to the tune of £41,000 by the British Pig Executive demonstration grant programme.

  • £50,000 grant to test feasibility of landscape discovery centre idea

    October 26th 2007

    THE Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded Northumberland National Park Authority a £50,000 grant to test the feasibility of its idea for a major visitor and educational centre based near Hadrian’s Wall.

  • 1,500gns top at Hexham’s Limousin suckled calves

    October 26th 2007

    THE Farmers Guardian sponsored prize show and sale of Limousin suckled calves at Hexham and Northern Marts saw an entry of 1,170.

  • 1,610gns Dairy Shorthorn

    October 26th 2007

    THE dispersal sale of the Spode Green herd of Dairy Shorthorns for Derek Edgell, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, at Chelford Agricultural Centre, Cheshire, saw prices peak at 1,610gns and average £1,247. Top price was for an unregistered red-and-white Shorthorn paid by J.G. Williams on behalf of a client.

  • 1,780gns top price at Wigland herd dispersal

    October 26th 2007

    BIDDING reached 1,780gns when the entire Wigland herd of Holsteins, from Mark and Anne Bowden, Malpas, Cheshire, was dispersed at Beeston Castle, Cheshire.

  • 1,800gns ram lamb tops Solway and Tyne Texels

    October 26th 2007

    SOLWAY and Tyne Texel Breeders Club members saw prices peak at 1,800gns at their club show and sale at Carlisle.

  • 2,200gns Tcet Lyster daughter is Border and Lakeland leader

    October 26th 2007

    A 2,200gns top price, 100 per cent clearance and an overall average of £1,430 for cows and heifers was realised at the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club’s show and sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

  • 2007/08 SAC Farm Management Handbook

    October 26th 2007

    THE 2007/08 SAC Farm Management Handbook (the 28th edition) has been published with a retail price of £28, or £20 to educational establishments. Free postage within the UK.Call Janis Forrest on 01315 353440.

  • 2012 Olympics could create a lasting equestrian legacy

    October 26th 2007

    EQUESTRIAN sport was expected to play a significant part in the success of the London 2012 Olympic Games, said Tim Hadaway, facilities consultant with the British Equestrian Federation.

  • 5,000gns Cymro sets Welsh Black record price at Llandovery

    October 26th 2007

    A RECORD price was set at the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s pedigree sale at Llandovery when a home-bred bull sold for 5,000gns.

  • 520gns top at Northern Area Texel show and sale

    October 26th 2007

    A TOP price of 520gns was achieved at the Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders’ Association show and sale at Skipton, North Yorkshire.

  • 70 years in Gloucestershire

    October 26th 2007

    OLD meets new as members gathered to celebrate Gloucestershire Federation of Young Farmers 70th anniversary, attended by 340 members and marked by a dinner at Cheltenham Racecourse.

  • 720gns Zwartbles

    October 26th 2007

    TWO 720gns bids put a ceiling on trade in a sale of Zwartbles sheep at Carlisle, on Saturday. The top priced lots went to Llanerchymedd, Anglesey, with O. Hughes-Owen and to West Lothian with joint buyers A.H. Tucker and G. MacDonald. Co. Down buyer D. Cromie paid 550gns for one while several higher priced lots went to Lancashire buyers.

  • A new platform for ideas and inspiration

    26 October 2007

    AGRI-EXPO is the brand new industry event for beef and lamb producers that takes place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday, November 2. Ahead of the event, Farmers Guardian takes a look at what’s in store.

  • A welcome addition to the calendar for family’s Limousin show team

    October 26th 2007

    Three generations of the Priestley family will be attending Borderway Agri-Expo. As they complete the final preparations on their pedigree cattle ahead of the event, ANGELA CALVERT meets the Yorkshire team.

  • Accessibility to products is ‘paramount’, not more choice

    October 26th 2007

    CONSUMERS could be confused by too much choice, warned Phil Anderson, who had researched shopping trends and behaviours.

  • Action plan on mastitis to reduce impact of cell counts

    October 26th 2007

    A MASTITIS management action plan (MAP) should be part of the herd health plan on all dairy farms, according to Dr Pocknee, who has many years experience tackling the disease.

  • Active long-term planning can result in significant performance gains in herds

    October 26th 2007

    Is your farm health plan even worth the paper it is written on? How do you progress from just going through the motions to putting together a meaningful document than can actually quantify improvements on your farm?

  • Agriculture support falls

    October 26th 2007

    PUBLIC support for agriculture fell around the world in 2006, but the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which compiles the figures, says this was down to higher commodity prices rather to any change of policy.

  • Agriculture support falls

    October 26th 2007

    PUBLIC support for agriculture fell around the world in 2006, but the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which compiles the figures, says this was down to higher commodity prices rather to any change of policy.

  • Aid package for Scottish farmers

    25 October 2007

    A £25 million aid package from the Scottish Government to help its farmers and crofters recover from the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak includes £19 million for sheep producers.

  • Alternative Semen Company

    October 26th 2007

    THE Alternative Semen Company – specialising in bulls for cross breeding – has been set up with an initial offering of 10 high ranking bulls from dairy breeds, including Scandinavian Red, Brown Swiss, Jersey, British Friesian and Montbeliarde, and beef bulls from native and continental breeds.See www.alternative-semen.co.uk.

  • An amazing achievement

    October 26th 2007

    It was an amazing achievement to have collected 52,000 signatures on our Fair Trade for British Farmers petition that we presented to Lord Rooker this week.

  • An evening with William Fox-Pitt, Oct 27

    23 October 2007

    WILLIAM Fox-Pitt and his team will present a lecture/demonstration at Pencoed College, Mid Glamorgan, on Saturday, October 27.

  • An impressive line-up of cattle is planned

    October 26th 2007

    DESPITE recent concerns that the Borderway Agri-Expo event would not go ahead in the wake of the foot-and-mouth restrictions, Harrison and Hetherington – the company behind the event – have confirmed the event will be going ahead as planned.

  • Animal health special

    26 October 2007

    PREVENTION is better than cure – it may not be a new idea, but it is the basis of Defra’a Farm Health Planning initiative.

  • Arable auction

    October 26th 2007

    A price well above the £4,000 an acre guide was paid by tender for 166 acres of arable land at Patton Grange, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, reports Shrewsbury-based agents Halls. It comprised three blocks, with 148 acres within a ring fence.

  • Attractive ‘shop window’ for national producers

    October 26th 2007

    Following the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2005 and the subsequent implementation of pillar two, British agriculture once more finds itself at a major crossroads.

  • Badger cull call by NFU Cymru to cut bTB in Wales

    October 26th 2007

    BLUETONGUE and foot-and-mouth may have been the centre of attention in recent months, but bovine TB and other industry issues topped the agenda at a meeting between NFU Cymru leaders and Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones.

  • Badger culling decision ‘not imminent’- Defra

    23 October 2007

    DEFRA has dampened down the prospects of an immediate decision on a badger cull in the wake of Sir David King’s report that appears to pave the way for a decision.

  • Ballineen Glen Abbess collects £2000 Challenge

    22 October 2007

    ENID Lord’s prolific home-bred mare Ballineen Glen Abbess added the 2007 Blue Chip and Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) £2000 Challenge to her enviable record of success.

  • BBC animal rights policy ‘warped’ say campaigners

    October 26th 2007

    THE BBC’s animal rights policy has been branded ‘warped’ by campaigners after its decision not to broadcast scenes of grey squirrels being killed for food.

  • Beating BVD brings considerable savings

    October 26th 2007

    One of the costing models put together as part of the Farm Health Planning initiative was for eradication of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) from a herd. With that in mind JOANNE PUGH went to meet one beef farmer who, despite finding complete eradication impractical, has stopped the disease having the devastating effect it once had on his stock.

  • Benn faces a grilling from MPs after summer of crisis

    25 October 2007

    THIS week the Defra Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, faced down questions from Parliament’s Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee on a wide range of issues.

  • Big increase in Scottish farm values – but still cheapest

    24 October 2007

    FARMLAND prices in Scotland increased by 47 per cent in three years from 2003 to average £2,737 per acre.

  • Big increase in Scottish farm values – but still cheapest

    24 October 2007

    FARMLAND prices in Scotland increased by 47 per cent in three years from 2003 to average £2,737 per acre.

  • Big money deals

    October 26th 2007

    Some big money has been changing hands in Cheshire and North Shropshire for small parcels of land.

  • Blenheim director announced

    22 October 2007

    BRITISH Eventing and the Blenheim Horse Trials Committee have announced that Mandy Hervieu has been appointed as director of Blenheim International Horse Trials.

  • Blue Chip diversify into canine

    23 October 2007

    BEST known for their equine feed balancers and supplements, Blue Chip have now launched “Pooch & Mutt”, a range of treats and feed supplements for dogs.

  • Bluefaced Leicester ram lamb tops trade at £9,000

    October 26th 2007

    A RAM lamb topped the trade at Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders’ Association’s sale at Hawes, North Yorkshire, when the hammer fell at £9,000.

  • Bluefaced Leicesters to £9,000 at Hawes

    24 October 2007

    A RAM lamb sold for £9,000 to top the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association’s sale at Hawes.

  • Bluetongue debate

    22 October 2007

    THE dramatic extension of the Bluetongue Protection zone, following confirmation of the disease in Peterborough last week, has profound implications for livestock farmers. It has sparked a very real debate about whether the whole of England should be turned into a single control zone. We have spoken to people in different parts of the country to gauge their views.

  • Borderway Agri-Expo 2007 Show Preview

    October 26th 2007

    Agri-Expo is the brand new industry event for beef and lamb producers that takes place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday, November 2. A week ahead of the event, Farmers Guardian takes a look at what’s in store.

  • Britain’s biggest ever wild bird survey launches next month

    23 October 2007

    THURSDAY November 1 will see the start of the biggest ever bird survey to hit the UK.

  • British Equestrian Trade Association Conference

    October 26th 2007

    Passion for horses and sport was an overriding theme at this year’s British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) conference, which took place at Cheltenham Racecourse, when discussions incorporating topical, legal and commercial subjects were aimed to help retailers get the most from their businesses. KATIE ROEBUCK reports.

  • Brown urged to guarantee bluetongue vaccine is available

    24 October 2007

    The Prime Minister is being urged to take immediate action to ensure a vaccine is available to help prevent the spread of bluetongue disease.

  • Buildings are biggest contributor

    October 26th 2007

    BUILDINGS are the biggest contributor to global warming, not transport, so focus should be on producing biomass for energy and not fuels, according to Professor Roland Clift of the University of Surrey.

  • Campaigner of the year

    October 26th 2007

    CLAIR Powell is the winner of the FG Campaigner of the Year competition for the immense amount of work she has done to further the aims of the campaign.

  • Carbon emissions from food transport continue to soar

    26 October 2007

    DESPITE a greater awareness of the environmental impact of food miles, carbon emissions from food transport continue to soar, according to a report out this week.

  • Climate change research into insect pest behaviour

    October 26th 2007

    THE extent to which the trend toward milder, wetter winters and drier summers is affecting the behaviour and life cycles of pest insects is the subject of a long-term research project at HRI Wellesbourne.

  • Consultation aims to make entering agriculture easier

    October 26th 2007

    THE Scottish Tenant Farming Forum has launched a consultation on developing options that will help new entrants get started in agriculture.

  • Controlled burning

    October 26th 2007

    CONTROLLED burning of moorland was the only way to safeguard the future of Britain’s iconic moorland landscapes, Prof David Bellamy warned as the environmental campaigner prepares to launch a course for those who use fire as a land management tool.

  • Cool enough for Kerb?

    26 October 2007

    TAG is advising growers to delay applications of the herbicides, Kerb (propyzamide) or Crawler (carbetamex) to their winter oilseed rape crops until soil temperatures have dropped sufficiently.

  • Cost-driven retail prices could upset organic poultry potential

    22 October 2007

    ORGANIC egg and poultry meat production offer real potential for farmers seeking new enterprises offering a relatively high return on capital invested.

  • Crackdown on crime in the countryside

    October 26th 2007

    POSTERS are appearing across the Lake District as Cumbria Police crack down on crimes against the countryside and its wildlife.

  • Creating a sustainable strategy to give farmers ‘one of the best’ UK milk prices

    October 26th 2007

    ALTHOUGH the current milk price being paid by the Lancashire-based Fylde Dairies is a competitive 25p, a more important concern for the company is that this, and any improvement on top, can be sustained.

  • Crop protection comes under the spotlight

    October 26th 2007

    Crop protection has come under the spotlight at conferences and meetings recently.

  • Curative control essential this autumn

    23 October 2007

    OILSEED rape growers must look at the curative strength of phoma fungicides to tackle infection quickly this autumn.

  • Dairy demand remains high as heifers top £2,000 mark

    25 October 2007

    WITH top notch newly-calved commercial dairy heifers now topping the £2,000 mark, auctioneers say demand shows no sign of abating.

  • Dairy demand remains high as heifers top £2,000 mark

    25 October 2007

    WITH top notch newly-calved commercial dairy heifers now topping the £2,000 mark, auctioneers say demand shows no sign of abating.

  • Dalesbred rams sell to £2,800 twice at Bentham

    October 26th 2007

    DALESBRED rams sold to £2,800 twice in last Friday’s sale at Bentham.

  • Derbyshire Texels to 430gns

    October 26th 2007

    Derbyshire Texel Club’s delayed sale at Bakewell produced a top price of 430gns for shearling ram, Meinspride Mojo, from A. Nairey, Blackburn. A shearling ram from J. and J. Spillane, Fairfield, sold at 420gns. Ram lambs peaked at 340gns for Sportsmans Norris from Charlie Boden, Stockport.

  • Detect illness with new blood testing kit

    October 26th 2007

    A BLOOD testing kit, claimed to detect illness even before the first symptoms appear, has been developed at the University of Glasgow vet school.Reactivlab, a commercial company owned by the vet school, will use a sub-contractor to develop the testing kits, distributed initially to diagnostic laboratories.A further version will be targeted at veterinary practices around the UK, then Europe and the United States.

  • Disease risk heightened by strong biofuel demand

    October 26th 2007

    DISEASE problems are set to increase in oilseed rape and cereals as demand for biofuels leads to shorter rotations, scientists speaking at the conference warned.

  • DIY freeze branding kit launched

    October 26th 2007

    A DIY freeze branding kit – BrandaBull – has been launched by Fearing.Designed to eliminate the risk of accidental spillage or splashes, linked to the use of cryogenic liquid mixtures, it works with dry ice. A complete kit, with three or four inch digits, costs £295.Call 08456 009070.

  • Eggs and poultry offer a high return on investment

    October 26th 2007

    ORGANIC egg and poultry meat production offers real potential for farmers seeking new enterprises a relatively high return on capital invested.

  • English Sheepdog Trial results

    October 26th 2007

    NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUE, Devenport Trial held at Kirkwhelpington, Open (38 ran): 1, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Jamie, 90 of 100; 2, L. Hansson (Sweden) Ulli, 88; 3, A. Tait (Thropton) Dale, 86; 4, D. Baxter (Harbottle) Laddie, 77; 5, B. Bell (Barnard Castle) Moss, 75; 6, L. Hansson Oscar, 74.

  • Entries open for Britain’s best equestrian retailer

    23 October 2007

    THE British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) is on a quest to find the best of Britain’s equestrian shops, catalogues and retail websites to be crowned SEIB Retailer of the Year in February.

  • Equestrian clinics in West Lancs

    23 October 2007

    RIDERS in West Lancashire can now benefit from a series of equestrian clinics being held at Red Cat Livery in Burscough.

  • European Parliament to make a decision on pesticides

    23 October 2007

    THE European Parliament is this week debating and voting on three reports on plans to modernise EU law on pesticides.

  • European Parliament to make a decision on pesticides

    23 October 2007

    THE European Parliament is this week debating and voting on three reports on plans to modernise EU law on pesticides.

  • Exhibitors expelled for infringement of patent laws

    24 October 2007

    THE crop protection industry’s tough stance on illegal pesticide imports and patent infringements was in evidence at the BCPC International Plant Protection Congress in Glasgow, when two exhibitors were expelled for infringement of patent laws.

  • Explosion in nematode numbers as soil-applied pesticide options are lost

    October 26th 2007

    POPULATIONS of soil-dwelling migratory nematodes have grown to such an extent over the past decade that it is now estimated that one hectare of good quality arable land contains between 250 million and 2.5 billion nematodes, with 30 per cent likely to be plant feeders.

  • Export hopes could be snatched from our grasp

    26 October 2007

    THE Horsemen of the Apocalypse – famine, war, pestilence and death – rode as foursome and so have 2007’s curses on the livestock sector – flood, record cereal prices and a double dose of disease.

  • Fair trade timeline

    October 26th 2007

    February 2007 – Farmers Guardian teams up with Country Living magazine to launch the Fair Trade for British Farmers campaign.

  • Farm sale

    October 26th 2007

    W.A. Wright and Co., Wigton and Harrison Coward, Ulverston, offered Croft House, Wolsty, Silloth, in six lots. The farmhouse, buildings and 130 acres realised £964,000 and a further 21 grazing rights on Skinburness and Calvo marsh raised £40,500. Grassland was up to £7,322/acre.

  • Farmer’s conservation award

    October 26th 2007

    THE Friends of the AONB Enterprising Farming Award at the Nidderdale Show, North Yorkshire, went to Grewelthorpe farmer Mark Exelby.

  • Farmers meet to explore ways to prevent industry meltdown

    24 October 2007

    AROUND 1,000 farmers from across Wales and the border counties turned out for a mass protest meeting yesterday evening (Tuesday, October 23) to ‘explore ways’ of preventing an industry meltdown in the wake of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

  • Farmers must get full benefit of prices

    October 26th 2007

    WHILE there are signs that commodity prices may be close to a peak, farmgate prices have further to rise to restore the normal market balance and farmers must ensure they get the full benefit of rising market values.

  • Farmland wild bird populations record low

    October 26th 2007

    WILD bird populations breeding on farmland has dropped to its lowest point since records began, according to a new Defra report.

  • Feed prices remain a concern

    October 26th 2007

    A BLUNT warning that if organic feed grain prices rose to the level where the main customers, organic pig and poultry producers, were unable to make profits there would be a period of boom and bust for all concerned.

  • Feedstock of the future may be algae

    October 26th 2007

    ALGAE could be the feedstock of the future as it can contain as much as 70 per cent oil – up to 25 times more than oilseed rape.

  • FMD zones further reduced

    22 October 2007

    THE 200km foot-and-mouth Risk Area has been scrapped after no further cases of the disease have been confirmed since September 30.

  • Focus must change to retain profitability

    24 October 2007

    WITH rising feed costs, pig producers must concentrate even more on feed conversion efficiency (FCE), according to Dr Grant Walling of JSR Genetics.

  • FUW calls for Defra to set up inner bluetongue zone in England

    24 October 2007

    THE Farmers Union of Wales wants Defra to consider setting up an inner bluetongue zone in England to reduce the threat of the disease spreading.

  • FWAG eastern conference

    October 26th 2007

    THE 2007 eastern region FWAG/Framlingham Farmers conference will be debating life after set-aside and CAP reform.

  • FWAG eastern conference

    October 26th 2007

    THE 2007 eastern region FWAG/Framlingham Farmers conference will be debating life after set-aside and CAP reform.

  • Gold Cup comes to Lancashire

    26 October 2007

    THE UK’s most prestigious dairy award – the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup – has been won by Ian and Sally Macalpine from Clitheroe, Lancashire.

  • Government chief scientist comes under fire over TB report

    24 October 2007

    GOVERNMENT chief scientist Sir David King told MPs his proposals would require 70 to 80 per cent of badgers to be removed in TB hotspot areas.

  • Government chief scientist paves way for badger cull

    23 October 2007

    THE Government’s chief scientist has concluded that a badger culling policy could make a ‘significant contribution’ to the control of bovine TB.

  • Government’s chief scientist paves way for a badger cull

    October 26th 2007

    THE Government’s chief scientist has paved the way for a badger cull – although Defra was quick to end speculation that an announcement could be imminent.

  • Green farming award

    October 26th 2007

    HUW Rowlands, from Chester, winner of the North West regional farming award from Natural England for his environmentally-friendly farming methods.

  • Holstein and Friesian bulls average £2,700, 6,000gns peak

    October 26th 2007

    AT the rescheduled sale of pedigree Holstein and Friesian bulls at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, last Wednesday there was an overall average of £2,700 and a top of 6,000gns.

  • How King trumped Bourne

    October 26th 2007

    Why Sir David King was looking at the issue

  • ILPH launches bursary scheme for vet students

    24 October 2007

    THE International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is launching an Equine Veterinary Undergraduate Bursary scheme to encourage the advancement of veterinary education and equine welfare, and also to familiarise final year vet students with the work of the ILPH.

  • Important role of farm health planning

    October 26th 2007

    Suitably Qualified People (SQPs) in rural retailers could prove a valuable resource in the farm health planning movement, according to Dr Roger Dawson, secretary of the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA).

  • Increased risk of yellow dwarf virus

    October 26th 2007

    APHIDS most responsible for spreading barley yellow dwarf virus ae increasing this season with mild conditions and the high proportion of early sown crops increasing the risk of disease spreading.

  • Industry bluetongue views vary hugely

    October 26th 2007

    SHOULD the whole of England be turned into a single bluetongue zone? That was the question dividing the livestock industry following last week’s confirmation of the disease in Peterborough which led to a dramatic extension of the Bluetongue Protection zone. ALISTAIR DRIVER and JACK DAVIES canvassed industry views.

  • JCB 25th Great Auction Sale

    22 October 2007

    THE 25th JCB excavators sale took place on Tuesday October 16.

  • John Deere adds more to Premium

    26 October 2007

    WITH the introduction of the 6030 series tractors come a number of upgrades to the Premium models.

  • Keeping mud off the roads with new initiative

    October 26th 2007

    A spate of accidents on rural roads has led to Operation Pasture, a joint initiative between police and farmers to reduce the amount of mud left on roads during the maize harvest.

  • Lamb slips through the net

    24 October 2007

    ANGLESEY based Welsh Country Foods has recalled certain batches of lamb meat and offal due to the possible presence of veterinary medicine residues.

  • Landini Powerfarm HC

    October 26th 2007

    LANDINI has added a powershuttle high, low option to its high clearance Powerfarm105 HC tractor. Understood to be the most popular high clearance tractor sold in the UK it has an underbelly height of 745mm – 220mm more than the standard tractor.

  • Lantra link boosts training

    October 26th 2007

    THE National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs has joined forces with Lantra to help boost the futures of its members across England and Wales.

  • Lord Rooker pledges his support to help British farmers get a fair deal

    October 26th 2007

    FARMERS Guardian’s Fair Trade for British Farmers campaign has ended with a staggering 52,000 signatures of support – and a ringing endorsement from Food and Farming Minister Jeff Rooker.

  • Lord Rooker pledges his support to help British farmers get a fair deal

    October 26th 2007

    FARMERS Guardian’s Fair Trade for British Farmers campaign has ended with a staggering 52,000 signatures of support – and a ringing endorsement from Food and Farming Minister Jeff Rooker.

  • Loss of actives leads to gaps in minor crop plant protection

    October 26th 2007

    THE cost of finding alternative pesticides to those lost during the EU review of active ingredients will be considerable, independent consultant Cathy Knott told the congress.

  • M&S offers timely boost to sheep producers

    22 October 2007

    MARKS & Spencer has announced a series of measures to increase its support for UK lamb farmers.

  • Macmillan Cancer Support was the real winner

    25 October 2007

    EIGHTY ploughmen from across Dorset and beyond set about raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Support by completing the annual joint Wareham and Purbeck YFC and Purbeck Vintage Ploughing committee ploughing match.

  • Maize monitor: countdown to harvest 2007

    October 26th 2007

    FORAGE maize harvesting is now virtually complete in the southern counties, but from the south Midlands northwards a lot of crops are still not at optimum maturity.

  • Making dreams come true

    25 October 2007

    BOLTON-by-Bowland Young Farmers Club has raised £1,000 for Make A Wish Foundation charity after holding a number of social events.

  • Massive exodus from pigs a possibility

    24 October 2007

    MORE than 90 per cent of pig producers will seriously consider quitting the industry if the imbalance between feed costs and sales persists – and one quarter already are thinking about it.

  • McHale Fusion II

    October 26th 2007

    THE wraps have come off the latest baler, the Fusion II from Irish manufacturer McHale. For McHale the Fusion integrated wrapper first appeared in 2002, and in the five years since has enjoyed success in the UK and Irish markets alike.

  • MDC booklet to help quantify water usage

    October 26th 2007

    THE MDC has published a booklet to help farmers quantify current water usage, identify potential savings and consider alternative sources, such as boreholes and rainwater collection.Call 01285 646510 for a free copy.

  • MEPs vote for tighter rules on pesticides

    24 October 2007

    UK farmers and growers look set to face tighter rules on pesticides use following a European Parliament vote on pesticide legislation.

  • MEPs vote for tighter rules on pesticides

    24 October 2007

    UK farmers and growers look set to face tighter rules on pesticides use following a European Parliament vote on pesticide legislation.

  • Migrant workers ‘vital’ to land-based industry

    October 26th 2007

    MIGRANT workers are the key to meeting the UK’s demand for quality, locally sourced food, according to figures published this week.

  • Milk can expand into new market

    October 26th 2007

    THE food service and public sectors are prime untapped markets for organic milk, but remain very price sensitive, said Stuart Martin, marketing director for Scottish Organic Milk Producers.

  • Mini Clubman

    October 26th 2007

    THE Mini’s popularity has finally seen the estate version – or Clubman – resurface. With three engine variants: Cooper D, Cooper and Cooper S, the Clubman offers flexible use of space through innovative door concepts – twin-opening split rear doors and a suicide-style door on the right-hand side, that allows access to the rear seats.

  • Miscanthus ticks the right growing boxes

    October 26th 2007

    MISCANTHUS offers farmers a financially viable crop that can improve the soil and has less environmental impact that other energy crops, believes David Croxton, farmer and CEO of Bical.

  • Miscanthus ticks the right growing boxes

    October 26th 2007

    MISCANTHUS offers farmers a financially viable crop that can improve the soil and has less environmental impact that other energy crops, believes David Croxton, farmer and CEO of Bical.

  • Molasses-based liquids ‘improve palatability’

    24 October 2007

    MOLASSES-BASED liquids – which have been mentioned many times this autumn as a cheaper alternative to wheat and other feeds – are very good for cattle nutrition, regardless of their price, according to David Thornton, of Rumenco.

  • More cash for DC cheese milk

    26 October 2007

    DAIRY Crest has increased the milk price for suppliers on its Davidstow and Hartington manufacturing contracts.

  • Myerscough student wins new Farm Health Award

    October 26th 2007

    THE inaugural Farm Health Planning Award for agricultural students has been won by Richard Pye, a student at Myerscough College.

  • National authorities need to step up counterfeit enforcement activities

    25 October 2007

    THE fight against the illegal trade in plant protection products across Europe is intensifying according to Rocky Rowe, the European Crop Protection Association's (ECPA) adviser for trade affairs.

  • New breed of broiler - Cobb 700 - developed

    October 26th 2007

    A NEW breed of broiler – Cobb 700 – has been developed by Cobb to meet the demand for breast meat for premium value-added products.The broiler will grow to heavier weights and achieve a high meat yield with the preferred breast muscle profile, while maintaining high feed conversion efficiency.

  • New farm health planning service for dairy farmers

    October 26th 2007

    HOLSTEIN UK, the Cattle Information Service and the Centre for Dairy Information have joined together to launch a new farm health planning service to dairy farmers.

  • Newby Disney Angela leads at 2,100gns

    October 26th 2007

    THE entire dispersal of Messrs Birchall and Campbell’s Newby Holsteins on-farm at Tattenhall, Chester, produced a top bid of 2,100gns. The sale was the day after bluetongue zones were extended but the farm was outside the zone.

  • News in brief: BCPC congress

    25 October 2007

    MIXING potassium chloride fertiliser in solution with fungicides may help to suppress foliar disease in cereals, according to study results presented at the BCPC international congress in Glasgow.

  • NFUS outlines next steps in FMD compensation

    26 October 2007

    THE NFU in Scotland has outlined the next steps in the fight for full foot-and-mouth compensation.

  • North Wales World Trial qualifier

    October 26th 2007

    IN the past, qualification for the World Trial has been through placings at the National trials, but this time Wales opted for a different method; two double fetch trials, one in the South and one in the North.

  • Northern buyers’ bids reach 380gns at Berrichon sale

    October 26th 2007

    CUMBRIAN and Scottish buyers accounted for most of the higher priced lots in the sale of Berrichon du Cher rams and females at Carlisle at the weekend.

  • Nutritional supplement to help reduce pig herd stress

    October 26th 2007

    A NUTRITIONAL supplement has been developed by Frank Wright to help reduce stress in pig herds.

  • Oversupply in the pig sector remains the biggest producer worry

    October 26th 2007

    OVERSUPPLY threatening the high premiums needed by organic pig producers was one of the main worries of the sector, Neil Wright, of Elgin-based Matheson’s, told the conference.

  • Perth Lleyn shearling gimmers average £84

    October 26th 2007

    ENTRIES in all sections of the Lleyn Society’s sale at Perth were well down but shearling gimmers averaged almost £84 and ewe lambs just over £43. Demand for rams was very selective with prices reaching 630gns.

  • Police horse wins Veteran Horse Society award

    23 October 2007

    A POLICE horse has been chosen to receive the 2007 Veteran Horse Society (VHS) achievement award, presented annually to an outstanding equine.

  • Popularity of energy crops leads to cut in aided area

    23 October 2007

    THE area on which individuals will receive special aid for energy crops is being reduced to about 70 per cent of the claimed area. This is because the total eligible area of 2 million hectares in the EU has been exceeded.

  • Popularity of energy crops leads to cut in aided area

    23 October 2007

    THE area on which individuals will receive special aid for energy crops is being reduced to about 70 per cent of the claimed area. This is because the total eligible area of 2 million hectares in the EU has been exceeded.

  • Popularity of energy crops leads to cut in aided area

    23 October 2007

    THE area on which individuals will receive special aid for energy crops is being reduced to about 70 per cent of the claimed area. This is because the total eligible area of 2 million hectares in the EU has been exceeded.

  • Potato growers warned over high levels of black dot

    24 October 2007

    POTATO growers have been advised to be on the look out for the skin disease black dot as stores are filled.

  • Poultry farmers warned to stay alert and look for signs of bird flu

    25 October 2007

    BIRD flu will be unlikely to spread from farm to farm if it hits the UK again this autumn but poultry farmers are being warned to stay alert this autumn and look out for signs of the disease.

  • Prices to £3,000 twice, but Penrith BFL trade selective

    October 26th 2007

    DESPITE some good prices at the Bluefaced Leicester sale at Penrith, Cumbria, trade was again selective.

  • Prices to 2,600gns at Lancashire Holstein Club sale

    October 26th 2007

    A GOOD show of young cows and heifers met a ready trade at Lancashire Holstein Club’s October sale at Lancaster, with a top of 2,600gns and 11 making over 1,700gns.

  • Product has the potential to replace conventional bulky protein sources

    October 26th 2007

    AN alternative protein source – Optigen – has been launched by Alltech to UK dairy farmers after the product performed well in trials and was widely adopted in America.

  • Product has the potential to replace conventional bulky protein sources

    October 26th 2007

    AN alternative protein source – Optigen – has been launched by Alltech to UK dairy farmers after the product performed well in trials and was widely adopted in America.

  • Promoting Welsh lamb amid difficult times

    October 26th 2007

    BUTCHERS across Wales are being urged to pledge their support for Welsh farmers as part of a nationwide marketing campaign being mounted by Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales to boost lamb sales.

  • PSD asks agrochemical manufacturers to make label changes

    26 October 2007

    THE Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) is asking agrochemical manufacturers to change product labels to include a recommendation on the range of water volumes in which products can be safely applied.

  • PSD asks agrochemical manufacturers to make label changes

    26 October 2007

    THE Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) is asking agrochemical manufacturers to change product labels to include a recommendation on the range of water volumes in which products can be safely applied.

  • RASE secures future at Stoneleigh

    26 October 2007

    THE Royal Agricultural Society of England has secured its future at Stoneleigh Park following lengthy but successful negotiations with the Leigh Family Trustees, who sold the freehold of the park to the society in 1988.

  • Renault Grand Modus

    October 26th 2007

    THE originator of the people carrier Renault is to boost its range early next year with the Grand Modus. With an overall length of 4,034mm, a wheelbase of 2,575mm, the new model is 242mm longer than the standard Modus.

  • Report pre-harvest wheat sprouting

    October 26th 2007

    REPORTS of pre-harvest sprouting in the ears of winter wheat crops this summer has led the HGCA Recommended List team to call for some variety feedback from growers on the issue.

  • Road test - Audi Q7 4.2 tdi

    October 26th 2007

    Audi's Q7 is big, bold, commanding and powerful

  • Road test Land Rover Freelander 2

    October 26th 2007

    When the first images of Land Rover’s Freelander 2 broke cover, I was struck by its sporty looks and similarity to the much-admired Range Rover Sport.

  • Rodent-control company Tomcat redesigns products

    October 26th 2007

    RODENT-CONTROL company Tomcat has redesigned its products for use on smaller farms and smallholdings.The new, smaller pack sizes are available for pelleted and block bait, adhesive tapes, mechanical traps and tamper-resistant bait stations.Call 01787 379295.

  • RSPCA accused of a cynical attack on UK farming

    24 October 2007

    ANIMAL welfare groups calling for action to limit the transport of live animals to Europe have been accused of a cynical and badly timed attack on livestock farmers.

  • Rumenco's Flexibulk liquid feed range 'revamped'

    October 26th 2007

    THE Flexibulk range of liquid feeds from Rumenco has been ‘revamped’ to include two new products.

  • Safety heroes recognised at BHS Sefton Awards

    23 October 2007

    HEROES in the field of equestrian safety were yesterday (Monday, October 22) honoured at The British Horse Society’s Sefton Awards, held at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Barracks, Knightsbridge, London.

  • Sainsbury’s to pay more for its British pig products

    October 26th 2007

    AN extra £5million for the British pig industry is the estimated value of Sainsbury’s decision to pay more for British pork, ham, bacon and sausages.

  • Scene - by the vet

    October 26th 2007

    Invest in herd health and reap the full benefits of the increased milk prices

  • Scottish producers ‘using high risk seed sourcing strategy’

    October 26th 2007

    A British Potato Council survey of potato growers in Scotland has identified a number of potentially risky practices in terms of the introduction and spread of ring rot that are occurring within the industry.

  • Scottish Sheepdog Trial results

    October 26th 2007

    NETHERHILL Double Lift (Judge, R. Wood, Greenlaw) Open (26 ran) 1, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Joe, 137/140; 2, R. Dalziel, Jamie, 136; 3, R. Dalziel, Spot, 134; 4, R. MacPherson (Kirklinton) Roy, 133; 5, R. MacPherson, Don, 128; 6, C.G. Cuthbertson (Thornhill) Molly, 127.

  • Sheepdog Trials Diary

    October 26th 2007

    27 October.

  • Shift in attitude as campaign progressed

    October 26th 2007

    SINCE the Fair Trade for British Farmers campaign was launched in February, there has been a noticeable shift in attitude among supermarkets towards their UK suppliers.

  • Simple-spec line-up gets a power boost

    24 October 2007

    JOHN Deere has trimmed off the electronic wizadery of its 6030 Premium tractors to give us the 6030 standard range.

  • Sir David questioned by Environment Committee

    October 26th 2007

    GOVERNMENT chief scientist Sir David King told MPs that his proposals would require 70 to 80 per cent of badgers to be removed in TB hotspot areas, insisting that this level of badger removal was consistent with the Bern Convention on wildlife conservation.

  • Small fields, big money

    22 October 2007

    SOME big money has been changing hands in Cheshire and North Shropshire for small parcels of land.

  • Soil Association in clash over organic food air freight

    25 October 2007

    THE Soil Association has clashed with the Government after accusing it of being ‘irresponsible’ to support a trade and development strategy that is heavily dependent on fossil fuels to import organic food.

  • South Devons to £2,000

    October 26th 2007

    THE autumn sale of South Devon Cattle at Newton Abbot saw an ‘exceptionally good trade’ according to auctioneers Rendells.

  • Store lambs peak at £39 at re-opened auction mart

    October 26th 2007

    A West Wales auction mart closed since the spring has re-opened.

  • Suffolks to 540gns at Welshpool

    October 26th 2007

    YEARLING rams at 540gns and 450gns from the Horton flock of Mr and Mrs J. Pryce led the bids at the Welshpool Suffolk Club’s show and sale.

  • Support from MPs

    October 26th 2007

    TWO high profile Welsh politicians were among those who backed the Farmers Guardian Fair Trade for British Farmers campaign.

  • Swaledale shearlings to £92/head

    October 26th 2007

    A PEN of 10 Swaledale shearlings from John Stephenson, Bordley, took the championship and sold for the top price of £92 per head at the sale of almost 3,500 Swaledale shearlings and ewes at Skipton, North Yorkshire.The prize winning pen sold to J. Milman, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Settle.

  • SWRI members collect 4,662 signatures

    October 26th 2007

    MORE than 4,662 signatures for the Farmers Guardian / Country Living Fair Trade for British Farmers campaign were collected by the Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes.

  • Tackling diseases ‘on-farm’

    October 26th 2007

    THE Farm Health Planning initiative has two objectives – to ensure every UK livestock farmer has a written plan and that the £1.6million of Defra money dedicated to the cause is spent in a way that sets the initiative up long-term, allowing it survive after the funding has gone. JOANNE PUGH looks at how each industry sector is rising to the challenge.

  • Taking a look at Lakeland farm life through a lens

    October 26th 2007

    When Cumbria Farmer Network decided to produce a series of films showing Lakeland farming through the seasons, it fell to Paul Harper and his team to find two contrasting farms. NEIL RYDER met the two families chosen to be followed on screen. Pictures by John Eveson

  • Target feed at stock with the greatest earning potential

    October 26th 2007

    In a series of fortnightly articles exclusive to Farmers Guardian, Eblex’s Beef Better Returns Programme has been taking an in-depth look at feeding. Here, Dr Mary Vickers, MLC beef and sheep scientist, considers effectiveness and efficiency.

  • Taunton record

    October 26th 2007

    A larger entry of 60 cows, heifers and calves saw a fast trade at Taunton’s dairy auction. Five made over £2,000 and the top of £2,230, a new market record for a pedigree heifer, was achieved for an entry from T.A. and A.J. Reed, Honiton.Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt.

  • Technology and safety features lead the way as Fendt line-up advances

    24 October 2007

    HAVING launched 21 new models last year, this year sees Fendt add extra brains to the metal muscle.

  • TGB Blade 425

    October 26th 2007

    A NEW Taiwanese ATV is on the market – this one a 403cc water cooled bike with switchable four wheel drive and a cvt transmission.

  • The organic option

    October 26th 2007

    Growing demand for organic foods and products means the sector is an attractive option.

  • The right variety choice makes effort worthwhile

    24 October 2007

    GROWING grain maize had to be a precision operation in terms of both timing and handling, according to Simon Draper, agronomist with the Maize Growers Association (MGA).

  • Three trials start nursery season

    October 26th 2007

    OF the counties that have started their nursery season Carmarthen have scheduled seven, while Ceredigion and Shropshire/Hereford have six each, writes Aza Pinney.

  • Too many lambs are not to the right specification

    October 26th 2007

    ORGANIC beef and lamb sales are growing strongly, but far too many organic cattle, and especially lambs, are failing to meet supermarket specifications.

  • Tractor firm to invest €31.3m in R&D as 12,157 units roll off production line

    25 October 2007

    WHILE sales figures in the UK have stayed around 420 units, things are on the increase in the rest of Europe, with the Marktoberdorf factory set to pump out 13,400, which is not far off the 15,000 limit that the plant has achieved by fine tuning the assembly line.

  • Tuna cheese and rice

    October 26th 2007

    THIS week’s recipe was sent in by Jenny Hogg, of Chippenham, Wiltshire.

  • Turnbull and Mirk win league

    October 26th 2007

    THE Northumberland League held its last open trial on Sunday, at Kirkwhelpington, where Bobby Dalziel and Jamie took the title, while Paul Turnbull and Mirk were the clear league winners, writed Elaine Hill.

  • Turning 1,800 acres of land into saltmarsh and mudflats

    October 26th 2007

    A £12million scheme, which will turn 1,800 acres of farmland on Wallasea Island into saltmarsh, creeks and mudflats, is hoping to lure several species of bird back to the Essex coast.

  • Turnip sawfly returns to UK

    October 26th 2007

    A previously well-established and damaging pest has suddenly reappeared, with occasionally devastating effect.

  • Two-year ban for Miniature Shetland owner

    24 October 2007

    THE owner of a pony that was rescued with terribly overgrown feet has been banned from keeping equines for two years.

  • UK’s first vaccine for PCV2

    October 26th 2007

    THE UK’s first vaccine for PCV2 – the virus involved in post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) – has been launched.

  • Wa-Del Convincer daughter tops Benlaw dispersal trade

    October 26th 2007

    BIDDING topped at 3,300gns when the Benlaw herd of Holsteins, from R. and W. Dinning, Horsley, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, was dispersed.

  • Wagyu cattle herd will provide steaks for hotels

    October 26th 2007

    CUMBRIAN hotelier and farmer Jonathan Denby plans to run his own herd of pure-bred Japanese Wagyu cattle to provide luxury, high value steaks for visitors to his three Lake District hotels.

  • Walking the dairy industry food chain

    October 26th 2007

    MEMBERS of Wales YFC Rural Affair sub-Committee recently ‘walked the dairy food chain’ to learn first hand of the different stages involved in getting milk from the farm to the supermarket shelves.

  • Welsh Sheepdog Trial results

    October 26th 2007

    CARMARTHENSHIRE. Nursery. Puppy class, 1, M.C. Jones (Ammanford) Jill, 16; 2, L.N. Watkins (Llangadog) Peg, 211/2; 3, G. Lewis (Gwynfe) Pip 281/2; 4, M. Jones (Maesybont) Nell, 35; 5, P. Dobbs (Llangadog) Sian, 63.

  • Wexham bulls ‘in absentia’

    October 26th 2007

    ALTHOUGH the bluetongue demarcation line continues to play havoc with the catalogued entries in many of Cheshire auctioneers’ Wright Manley’s advertised sales, the annual Wexham Cup Holstein bull sale will have a ‘full’ entry.Auctioneer Clive Norbury said the November 1 fixture at Beeston would still offer the 50 per cent or more of the catalogued bulls not eligible to be moved to the centre, for sale in their absence.

  • What do you think of the Farm Health Planning initiative?

    25 October 2007

    Is Defra spending the money well or could it have been put to better use? Are you involved in any of the projects launched so far? Let us know your thoughts.

  • YFC members join in the fun at Taunton carnival

    23 October 2007

    WIVELISCOMBE young farmers joined in the fun at Taunton carnival at the weekend on their Worzels float.

  • YFC News in brief

    October 26th 2007

    • SIX teams from around Staffordshire county came together to compete in a variety of field sports.

  • Yorkshire Organic Centre to hold arable meetings

    24 October 2007

    THE Yorkshire Organic Centre will be holding two arable meetings on October 31 2007 to discuss the issues surrounding the shortage of organic arable crops in the region and the impact of rising feed costs on livestock production.

  • Young Farmers will take to the Agri-Expo ring

    October 26th 2007

    YOUNG Farmers will be helping to breathe enthusiasm and professionalism into the event, as they take to the ring to showcase stockjudging and showman skills. The Cumbria Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs will be taking charge of the stockjudging and staging the Stockman of the Year competition.

  • Young Welsh butchers to show they’re a cut above

    October 26th 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.