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 30, 2009
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‘Attention to detail’ key to early drilling of winter wheat
29 October 2009
EARLY drilling of winter wheat is a high risk strategy but one in which growers are showing more of an interest.
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‘Supercarb’ teases young to fall in love with spuds
29 October 2009
THE Potato Council is launching a ‘Love Potatoes’ campaign with the aim of regaining market share from rival carbohydrates such as rice and pasta.
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£50 million coastal access bill a waste of money - CLA
26 October 2009
GOVERNMENT proposals to open hundreds of miles of coastal farmland to walkers will cost the taxpayer £50 million for almost no benefit, according to Country Land and Business Association.
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£750,000 investment will secure grain store and dryer
October 30, 2009
FARMER-owned North East Grains Storage has secured nearly £750,000-worth of funding to invest in a new 20,000-tonne grain store and 60-tonne per hour dryer.
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Achieving a balance between farming and a wildlife haven
October 30, 2009
BORDERED by sea and river, with bustling Kings Lynn in between, the location of Gavin Lane’s Norfolk farm is unique. Farming below sea level and on the urban fringe brings challenges and opportunities, as Clemmie Gleeson finds out.
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Agriculture in the national news - October 26
26 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Monday, October 26).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 27
27 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Tuesday, October 27).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 28
28 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Wednesday, October 28).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 29
29 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country (Thursday, October 29).
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Agriculture in the national news - October 30
30 October 2009
A DAILY look at how agriculture has caught the headlines across the country (Friday, October 30).
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An idea with bottle starts oil fields boom in north-east Scotland
29 October 2009
For Scottish young farmer Gregor Mackintosh, his degree dissertation provided the starting point for a successful new on-farm business. Emma Penny reports.
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Animal health: Colostrum management could cut scour problems
October 30, 2009
A CALF scour study by Somerset-based Shepton Veterinary Group suggests fewer than one in three calves are gaining acceptable levels of passive immunity from drinking colostrum in the first few hours of life.
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Animal Health: Disease-free status is good for business
October 30, 2009
Andrew Proctor believes a high health status is a great way to add value to the bulls he sells, so is working hard to attain accreditation for several key diseases, as Wendy Short found out.
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Animal Health: Efficiency assessment is vital
October 30, 2009
CURE rates for clinical mastitis when treated with antibiotics, vary from 10 per cent to as much as 70 per cent, according to vet and mastitis specialist Andrew Bradley.
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Animal Health: Final push to keep bluetongue under control
October 30, 2009
WITH another year free from bluetongue, Jack Davies asks if the threat has now passed.
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Animal Health: Identify source before taking evasive action
October 30, 2009
DAIRY farmers should be aware of jumping on the latest trend in order to cure high cell counts and mastitis, as they may be overlooking the main sources of their problem.
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Animal Health: Plan is worth its weight in gold
October 30, 2009
ANDY Jackman pays his vet like he pays for his mobile phone - a set fee each month. This has forged a better relationship between the pair, and the benefits are already evident. Joanne Pugh reports.
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Animal Health: Preventative early diagnosis
October 30, 2009
CATCHING it early is by far the best approach to mastitis control and can prevent cows with elevated cell counts becoming serious mastitis cases, said vet Andy Biggs.
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Animal Health: Winter is a good time to start disease programmes
October 30, 2009
HELPING Mr Proctor achieve his goals is John MacFarlane, a senior partner at Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group, based in Alnwick, Northumberland.
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Ayrshires to 2,100gns
29 October 2009
The Meikle Laught herd of Holsteins and Ayrshires from David Carson went under the hammer at Borderway Mart.
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Baby veg retain consumer appeal
October 30, 2009
SALES in baby vegetables may have taken a temporary dip in the current recession, but there are still opportunities for growers, believes regional sales manager Chris Bettinson.
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Berryholme Shottle Flo keeps victory in the family at Northern Dairy Expo
October 30, 2009
Friday night saw the Northern Dairy Expo held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. Katie Lomas reports from the Farmers Guardian-supported event.
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Better application accuracy with air
October 30, 2009
NEW granular fertiliser and nematicide applicators from Horstine for use in the potato crop have been designed with application accuracy in mind.
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BMW launches compact X1
October 30, 2009
BMW’s compact sports activity model, the X1, went on sale last week with an all-diesel line-up and the choice of two- or four-wheel drive transmission systems.
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British farmers can deliver green transport targets
26 October 2009
A EUROPEAN obligation to ensure 10 per cent of all transport fuel is from a renewable source by 2020 can be met almost entirely through domestic production.
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Brussels’ plans to slash CAP budget revealed
29 October 2009
EU SPENDING on agriculture is set to be ‘significantly’ reduced after 2013, according to a draft European Commission document circulating in Brussels.
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Campaign for clearer food labelling
30 October 2009
A NEW campaign to encourage clearer food labelling has been launched by the Sunday Telegraph.
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Clayden reduction sale draws in buyers
October 30, 2009
PEDIGREE and commercial buyers were out in force at the major reduction sale for Dennis and Rachel Hughes’ Clayden herd of Holsteins at Haslington, Cheshire.
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Compact Scorpion from Claas meets traditional farm requirements
October 30, 2009
WHILE higher capacity telehandlers now command a bigger share of the market, Claas says more compact models are also important for farming enterprises with traditional buildings and yards.
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Countryside Live results
27 October 2009
Results from the 2009 Countryside Live event.
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Countryside Live: A successful return for Phil Sellers
27 October 2009
FOR the second year running the supreme beef championship at Countryside Live, staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, went to Phil and Sharon Sellers from Derbyshire.
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Dairy industry 'must do more' to improve welfare
26 October 2009
THE UK dairy industry must do more to improve the welfare of the dairy cow, according to a new report from the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC).
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Dairy Works preview: Researching and investing in the future of dairying
October 30, 2009
AHEAD of Barony College hosting one of this year’s Dairy Works seminars, Joanne Pugh finds out how the herd has adapted in the three years since cow numbers were increased and its dairy farm was upgraded with two new parlours.
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DairyCo clarify report ‘misconceptions’
30 October 2009
DAIRYCO’s company strategy and performance report, which will aim to help dairy farmers in their milk sale decisions, should be out in the new year.
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Defra accused of 'skewed priorities'
26 October 2009
THE Countryside Alliance has accused Defra of ‘skewed priorities’ after the Department spent £180,000 redesigning its official website.
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Defra and RPA accused of cover up over data loss
30 October 2009
DEFRA and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) are facing accusations of a cover up, after it emerged that the agency has lost tapes potentially containing farmers’ personal data.
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Demand for Welsh Mules at breeders association sale
October 30, 2009
THE season’s final Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders’ Association sales saw exceptional demand for yearlings and ewe lambs.
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Eligibility checks cause delays to mapping update
30 October 2009
THE Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has run into further problems with its mapping update programme.
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End of the road for the Royal Lancashire Show
26 October 2009
THE Royal Lancashire Show, thought to be one of the oldest shows in the country, has reached the end of the road.
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Equestrian Offers - Equestrian Vision, Hall of Fame series
28 October 2009
Win Equestrian Vision - Hall of Fame series on DVD with Farmers Guardian equestrian offers.
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Extending sprouting broccoli season
October 30, 2009
THE quest for an increasing season of sprouting broccoli is making progress since the introduction of Santee.
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Farming industry must deliver on its promises
29 October 2009
ARABLE farmers in England have been told they hold their future in their own hands in terms of how they are regulated, ahead of next week’s launch of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.
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Fears for the future of agricultural science
28 October 2009
A LEADING research scientist has called on the Government to increase support for agricultural science, warning there are not enough students taking up careers in agricultural research.
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Females lead at 4,300gns at Dungannon
October 30, 2009
DEMAND for Aberdeen-Angus females was stronger than males at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart, which saw a top price of 4,300gns for a cow and calf.
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Final push on ombudsman as EU plans retail shake-up
28 October 2009
INDUSTRY leaders from across the food supply chain met in London today (Wednesday, October 28), for a final push to convince Ministers to set up a supermarket ombudsman.
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First Milk stun producers with milk price cut
28 October 2009
FIRST Milk has ‘stunned’ producers with a price cut of 0.65ppl.
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First Milk to change payment method for milk
30 October 2009
FIRST Milk is to change the way it pays its producer members for milk.
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Flying Lancaster trade as Holsteins sell to 3,000gns
October 30, 2009
The October sale of pedigree Holsteins at Lancaster saw a flying trade and an average of over £2,000, with a complete clearance of the female entries.
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GB pig prices on slide but still stay ahead of last year
30 October 2009
WHILE GB consumer demand for pigmeat has not fallen, the percentage being supplied by imported product has increased.
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Give up meat to save the planet says expert
27 October 2009
ONE of Britain’s leading experts on climate change has urged the public to consider giving up meat to save the planet.
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Guide highlights best practice pest control
29 October 2009
A BEST practice guide to legal and effective control of pests has been published by CAIP, the campaign against accidental or illegal poisoning.
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Hazelhead Tipsy sells for 6,200gns
29 October 2009
There was a strong trade at Carlisle as Limousins from the Hazelhead and Ednaston herds were dispersed.
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Heifer Blossom at 2,800gns breaks Lincoln Red record
29 October 2009
A new breed record price of 2,800gns was set at the Lincoln Red Cattle Society’s autumn show and sale in Newark.
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Hereford dispersal sale tops £2,030
October 30, 2009
UK buyers flocked to the dispersal of the Stapelford herd of Herefords at Hatherleigh, Devon.
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Hertforshire specials go on horseback to tackle rural crime
28 October 2009
RURAL communities in Hertfordshire are set to benefit from increased police patrol after its constabulary became one of the first forces in the UK to introduce a team of dedicated rural Special Constables to the county.
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Holsteins to 3,400gns at Carlisle
October 30, 2009
THE dispersal of Mike and Diane Shirvington’s Shirvindale Holstein herd at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, produced a top price of 3,400gns.
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Human viruses being 'passed on to farm animals'
29 October 2009
HUMAN viruses are now passing across to farm animals, a new study by researchers at Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute had found.
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Industry hits back over call to eat less meat to save planet
29 October 2009
FURIOUS livestock farmers have hit back at one of Britain’s leading authorities on climate change after he called on the public to eat less meat to save the planet.
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Investors’ bonus joy from ACT
October 30, 2009
FARMER-owned agricultural input supply company Agricultural Central Trading (ACT) has reported another record operating profit.
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Jobs go at Bath and West
29 October 2009
THE Royal Bath and West Society has been forced to cut six jobs after it was left facing a potential budget deficit in 2010.
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John Deere European technical centre set to open
29 October 2009
JOHN Deere has laid the foundation stone for a €11 million (£10m) European Technology and Innovation Centre in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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Lindley Pate has ceased trading
28 October 2009
THE old established agricultural and equine supplies business, Lindley Pate, on the Lancashire/ Yorkshire border, ceased trading last week.
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Livestock farmers urged to check passports during postal strike
26 October 2009
LIVESTOCK farmers are being urged to make sure that any notifications of cattle movements, births or deaths have actually reached the British Cattle Movement Service - especially during the current delays in the postal service.
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Lynx Engineering to offer wider range of Alpego kit
29 October 2009
Daventry-based Lynx Engineering is to import and distribute a broader range of cultivation and drilling equipment from Italian maker Alpego, following the success it has achieved with the company’s flail mowers.
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Mainstream winter wheat varieties put to test
29 October 2009
ONE of the largest early drilling trials ever to be staged in the UK is underway at a trials site in Yorkshire where 16 mainstream winter wheat varieties have been drilled early this season to be taken through to yield.
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Maize Monitor: Early drilling of maize advised for many growers next season
October 30, 2009
THERE are still a few maize crops dotted around the country - a legacy to the lack of sunshine seen in August.
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Mixture strategy best for weed control in brassicas
October 30, 2009
USING a combination of herbicides is key to optimum weed control in brassica crops, a UAP trial in cabbage and Brussels sprouts has confirmed.
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Monitor farms in England up their game
October 30, 2009
Scotland has long had more monitor farms than the rest of the UK but a livestock programme in North West England aims to change that.
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MPs slam Defra and RPA over single payment ‘debacle’
28 October 2009
A COMMITTEE of MPs has hit out at the failures of the RPA and Defra in administering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) to England’s farmers.
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Natural England urge hill farmers to join Uplands ELS
28 October 2009
MORE than 13,500 hill farmers will be rewarded if they join the new Uplands Entry Level Stewardship scheme, Natural England said this week.
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New code introduced to reduce risk of NOPS in equine feed
28 October 2009
THE British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has introduced a new voluntary code of practice for feed manufacturers to reduce the risk of naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) in equine feeds.
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New M&M championship for Hickstead’s 2010 Royal International Show
28 October 2009
A NEW Mountain and Moorland championship at the 2010 Longines Royal International Horse Show is designed to ease young riders into the world of adult showing.
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New Mondeo – big, safe and comfortable
October 30, 2009
ANYONE wanting a generously proportioned estate car have, until recently, had little option but to choose from Volvo’s V70 or Mercedes’ E-Class. There’s a third option now that is more than good enough to rub shoulders with the other two.
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New parsnip variety produces weight down the root
October 30, 2009
Showcasing trial work and new varieties was the aim of the open day at Elsoms Seeds’ trials site at Spalding, Lincolnshire. Clemmie Gleeson reports.
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NFU hits out at 'alarmist' climate change report
29 October 2009
THE NFU has hit out at a report from Friends of the Earth (FoE) which claims climate change will send food prices soaring with a pint of beer costing £18 in 2030.
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NFU to appoint Kevin Roberts as new director general
26 October 2009
THE NFU has confirmed the appointment of Kevin Roberts as the Union’s new director general.
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NI machinery firm in administration
30 October 2009
NORTHERN Irish firm Redrock Engineering has been placed into administration, suspending production and putting up to 80 jobs at risk.
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Northern Dairy Expo results
October 30, 2009
Results from the Northern Dairy Expo.
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Philip Exelby and Lisa enjoy successful outings
October 30, 2009
PHILIP Exelby gained two wins last weekend with Perrydale Lisa - the first in the Ryedale nursery and the second in the Fulwood Booth trial, near Sheffield.
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RASE finances ‘safe’ as it pays out on Royal Show prizes
27 October 2009
THE Royal Agricultural Society for England (RASE) has confirmed Royal Show prize winners will receive their prize money this week, more than three months after the event.
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Record entry of cattle for Royal Welsh Agricultural Winter Fair
29 October 2009
THE popularity of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Winter Fair as a showcase for the country’s leading stockmen has been confirmed by a record entry of cattle for this year’s event.
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Renault joins the crossover 4x4 market with Koleos
October 30, 2009
KOLEOS, Renault’s first attempt at a 4x4 crossover vehicle, is the result of the French maker’s alliance with Nissan, which gives it access to a platform already developed for Nissan’s X-Trail.
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Rodney Down: Harvesting maize turned out to be a shocking experience
October 30, 2009
BABY Harrison arrived on Rent day. Fourth cut silage was in full swing when the phone rang with 8 hectares (20 acres) remaining. Claire wanted to know how long I would be!
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RPA lost farmers’ personal data, Benn admits
29 October 2009
THE Rural Payments Agency has lost CDs and tapes containing farmers’ personal data, including bank details, Defra Secretary Hilary Benn has admitted.
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Sheepdog trials diary
October 30, 2009
ENGLAND
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Sheepdog trials results - October 30
October 30, 2009
A round-up of all the sheepdog trials results.
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Soaring venison sales leave us relying on imported animals
29 October 2009
THE market for venison has increased at a rate of 25-30 per cent per year over the last four years – and is still growing.
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Steve Heard: I’ve found a sprayer to fulfil all requirements
October 30, 2009
DRILLING is now all complete for another year. Oilseed rape continues to grow away and some crops have already received metconazole as a growth regulator.
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Subaru Outback enters fourth generation
October 30, 2009
It is 13 years since Subaru launched its Outback in Europe and the fourth generation has just arrived with a longer wheelbase, larger cabin and the choice of horizontally-opposed 2.0-litre diesel and 2.5 or 3.6-litre petrol engines with manual or automatic transmissions.
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Swaledale ram sales reach £47,000 high
October 30, 2009
BIDDING peaked at £47,000 at the Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association ‘C’ district ram sales at Kirkby Stephen last week.
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Three farmers top Northern Ireland AAQB suckler herd competition
October 30, 2009
THREE farmers from County Tyrone topped the Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Quality Beef (AAQB) suckler herd competition by achieving the top grades and best bonuses with finished stock supplied via the Foyle Food Group.
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Tough conditions were little problem for Jeff Hudd’s dogs
October 30, 2009
The Gloucestershire/Gwent competitors returned to Gywn Jones’ Penderi Farm, Blackwood, in difficult conditions with rain and strong gusting winds.
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United’s milk auction sees 4.39ppl increase on month
October 30, 2009
AN increase of more than 4ppl on the month saw spot milk at 28.29ppl in last week’s United Dairy Farmers auction.
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Westwoood Advancer is the 2009 Hereford Bull of the Year
October 30, 2009
THE 2009 Hereford Bull of the Year is Westwoood Advancer, bred by Clive Davies of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, and jointly owned by him and Messrs Spooner of Leek, Staffordshire.
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What should I ask my agronomist about post-emergence weed control in oilseed rape
October 30, 2009
THE dry autumn compromised performance of many pre-emergence herbicides in rape.
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Wheat price could contribute to land shortage
27 October 2009
LOW wheat prices is one of three reasons why the supply of farmland could halve next year.