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
September 2, 2011
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£100m for UK farmers to invest in renewables
30 August 2011
BANKING giant Barclays has launched a £100 million fund for UK farmers investing in renewable energy.
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£1m project to help farming families in Cornwall
31 August 2011
A £1 million-plus project to provide affordable housing and workspace for farming families in Cornwall is being planned by farming charity The Addington Fund.
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3,200gns tops trade at Western Holstein Club
September 2, 2011
THE entry of 114 calved cows, heifers and bulls at last month’s Western Holstein Club show and sale saw a complete clearance for females, with just two of the nine bulls failing to find new homes.
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Agriculture in the national news - September 6
6 September 2011
A DAILY look at how agriculture has hit the headlines across the country today (Tuesday, September 6).
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Animal health product of the year
September 2, 2011
THE wound and skin care spray, Vetericyn, from Innovacyn was voted ‘product of the year’ at the Animal Health International annual awards.
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Arla sees significant revenue growth
1 September 2011
ARLA’S Scandinavian and German producers saw a 14 per cent increase in their overall returns in the first half of 2011.
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Around the livestock marts - September 2
September 2, 2011
A round-up on news from around the marts.
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Autumn Lleyn sales averages up on 2010
September 2, 2011
THE 2011 Autumn Lleyn sale season kicked off at Exeter Livestock Centre last week, where averages for shearling ewes and ewe lambs were well ahead of last year’s figures.
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Avoid VAT charges when selling wool to Ireland
30 August 2011
NFU Cymru is advising sheep farmers to check for tax implications when selling wool to Irish merchants.
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Bales
30 August 2011
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Beltex shearling ewes peak at 1,600gns at Chelford
September 2, 2011
TRADE was described as ‘lively throughout’ at the Beltex Society sale at Chelford.
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Black and white calves
6 September 2011
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Blue Texels lead Carlisle sheep trade at 2,600gns
September 2, 2011
BLUE Texels sold to 2,600gns in Carlisle last Friday when more than half a dozen sheep breeds went under the hammer.
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Breeder takes supreme and reserve inter-breed sheep titles
September 2, 2011
WITH around 40 champions representing the male and female leaders of the competing breeds to choose from, seeing both the supreme and reserve inter-breed titles going to the same breed and the same exhibitor is pretty rare.
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Buffer feeding may give grass chance to recover
September 2, 2011
“HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing,” says Hugo Comyn, our Profit from Grass farmer at Rycote Park Farm, Oxfordshire. “Had I had it, I would have started the season with a drought action plan.”
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Busy Bob and Shep land two titles on the same day
September 2, 2011
BOB Harland and Shep (J. Dowson Highfield Fleck, R. Harland Jed) took two open titles last Saturday.
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CAP’s ‘left field’ plans are slammed
1 September 2011
PLANS to slash the 2012 CAP budget by €500 million (£442m) have been axed, but proposals to spend millions on ‘left field’ ideas have been blasted by critics.
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Chillington farm
5 September 2011
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Closer feeding management can improve margins
1 September 2011
CORRECT diet feeder operation, which can reduce the impact of feed costs on margins whether you produce milk or beef, will be particularly important this winter with the prospects of higher feed costs, reports Mark Voss, senior system specialist with Keenan.
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Countrywide posts fourth successive record profit
September 2, 2011
RURAL supplier Countrywide has made a record operating profit for the fourth consecutive year, with its agriculture business showing the biggest revenue increase.
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Crippling debt or acquiring skills is students’ conundrum
September 2, 2011
With the rocketing cost of higher education in the UK, young farmers may be forced to abandon their plans to study at university. But does this mean the UK could potentially face a skills shortage in the future?
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CropWorld Global 2011: Changing our global approach to farming
1 September 2011
IN the first of our features to mark the forthcoming CropWorld Global 2011 event, Alistair Driver heard from one of the speakers, Hans Herren, about why he believes the world’s bankrupt food system needs an overhaul.
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CropWorld Global 2011: Essential information
1 September 2011
ALL you need to know about CropWorld Global 2011 - the leading conference and exhibition for the global crop production supply chain.
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Cyclists raise £33k for BCDI
30 August 2011
A TEAM of cyclists were welcomed to Edinburgh with the best of Scotch - beef and whisky - after completing an epic ride covering the whole of the UK and raising more than £33,500 for charity.
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Dairy challenges intensify
1 September 2011
CHALLENGES to the dairy industry have intensified over the past five years, according to George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).
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Dairy Event 2011: ‘Unimaginable’ potential in bovine genomics
6 September 2011
GENOMICS, the ability to determine an animal’s genetic excellence at a very early age, was moving forward an incredible pace and its potential, together with that of related technology, offered ‘practically unimaginable potential’ according to technologist David Alvis.
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Dairy Event 2011: Call for market-based TB clearance
6 September 2011
THE Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has called for the Government to introduce a market-based solution to TB reactor clearance.
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Dairy Event 2011: Dairy Crest announces 1.85ppl price increase
6 September 2011
DAIRY Crest’s milk procurement director Mark Taylor said the company’s 1.85ppl increase on liquid contracts from October 1 was a truly attainable figure by all producers.
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Dairy Event 2011: James Willcocks takes the DFF 2011 winner's trophy
6 September 2011
THE final results of the Dairy Farmer of the Future competition have been announced with James Willcocks of Bodmin, Cornwall, taking the winner’s trophy.
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Dairy Event 2011: Milk campaign looks to dairy farmers for funding
6 September 2011
DAIRY farmers are being looked to for continuing funding for the successful Make Mine Milk campaign.
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Dairy Event 2011: New NIAB Descriptive List unveiled
6 September 2011
THE 2012 NIAB Descriptive List has been unveiled with a number of key changes and 17 new maize varieties.
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Dairy Event 2011: Plea to maintain progress in tackling Johnes
6 September 2011
WITH Jones disease now clearly a threat to efficient dairy production, the implementation of a defined and comprehensive control strategy willavoid politics becoming mixed up with animal health – and avoid significant losses for producers.
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Dairy Event 2011: RABDF hits out at 'shameful' milk prices
6 September 2011
ROYAL Association of British Dairy Farmers chairman David Cotton has hit out at the ‘shameful’ milk prices currently being endured by UK farmers.
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Drilling for carrots
1 September 2011
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English sheepdog trial results
September 2, 2011
Results for sheepdog trials in England for the week beginning August 26, 2011.
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Environment Agency reveals the 'most improved' rivers
30 August 2011
RIVERS across England and Wales have been highlighted for their improvements in environmental standards.
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Essential dental care for the horse’s highly efficient mouth
September 2, 2011
Equine dentistry has made advances in recent years. Veterinery surgeon Karl Holliman looks at what is now available.
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Extra 1ppl from Milk Link
1 September 2011
MILK Link has increased its member milk price by 1ppl from today (Thursday, September 1).
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Farmers' costs rise faster than the RPI
1 September 2011
FARMERS’ and growers’ input costs are up by almost 13 per cent in the 12 months to the end of August and have continued to increase faster than the UK Retail Price Index.
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Fears for UK egg market as EU fails to enforce rules
2 September 2011
AROUND one-third of EU egg production will not be compliant with new rules banning conventional laying cages creating a potential disaster for UK producers, MPs have warned.
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Feed block to aid lamb finishing
September 2, 2011
RUMENCO has unveiled a new feed block designed to enable sheep producers to finish lambs as quickly as possible off available grass or fodder crops.
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Fertiliser market update - August 30
30 August 2011
The current outlook for urea prices is firm.Granular Egyptian around $540 – $550 fob which would equate to around £410/tonne bagged delivered farm UK. Black Sea drilled urea is around $490 fob.The UK nitrogen market is fairly quiet with UK AN currently in the region of £350 – £360 delivered farm for September, and no indication as yet of where prices will be from thereon.For more analysis go to www.fertidata.com
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FG’s new livestock line-up
1 September 2011
FARMERS Guardian has strengthened its livestock team with two major appointments.
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Fighting spirit helps Britain to bronze at eventing championships
31 August 2011
THE British held their metal during a testing championships to salvage team bronze from the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2011.
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Five top 2,000gns at Bristol
September 2, 2011
FIVE heifers made more than 2,000gns at the August Bristol dairy sale. The 2,300gns top price was realised, for the second sale running, by Geoff and Jean Williams’ Penrikka herd, Hay-on-Wye.
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Foyle View Superstar leads Scottish National Texels at 46,000gns
30 August 2011
A strong lamb entry met with demand from pedigree and commercial flocks at last week’s Scottish National Texel sale at Lanark, as prices topped 46,000gns.
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Gimmers average £147.23 at Dumfries
September 2, 2011
THE principle sale of breeding sheep at Dumfries last Friday attracted an entry of 7,214.
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Grain market update - August 30
30 August 2011
Wheat futures continued to move upwards today (Tuesday, August 30).November wheat on the London exchange had increased £1.75 midday to £173.50; May 2012 was up £2 at £180 and November 2012 unchanged at £160 per tonne.
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H&H Bowe buys MacInnes
September 2, 2011
CARLISLE-based chartered surveyors and planners H&H Bowe has bought Miles MacInnes.
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Harper Adams shortlisted for national awards
1 September 2011
HARPER Adams is in the running for three national awards.
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High black-grass dormancy predicted for growers
31 August 2011
GROWERS can expect a protracted black-grass control campaign this autumn, according to the latest research from ADAS, which indicates dormancy levels in black-grass seeds are likely to be high.
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High of 3,500gns reached at Worcester Texel sale
September 2, 2011
RAM trade at Tuesday’s English National Texel sale at Worcester, was underpinned by a strong local commercial demand, with a number of breeders creaming off the best of the rams for pedigree use.
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Initiative sparks positive future for new entrants
1 September 2011
CABINET Secretary Richard Lochhead has welcomed a new initiative aimed at making rental opportunities more accessible for new entrants.
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Jacob shearling realises £120 at Thainstone
September 2, 2011
A RARE breed sale at Thainstone last week included show and sales for Jacob and Ryeland sheep.
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Land Rover confirms plans to launch new Defender
31 August 2011
LAND Rover has confirmed its intention to launch and produce a new Defender in 2015.
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Learning to prioritise risks
1 September 2011
RISK management is an important function in organisations today.
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Llyr Evans’ Zac wins Llangwyryfon open
September 2, 2011
THE Llangwyryfon trial was as usual well supported, and the 15-acre field produced a 380-yard outrun and 400-yard drives.
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Making the most of your pasture
September 2, 2011
GRASSLAND can produce 10-11 tonnes of dry matter per hectare for grazing and even more when cut for silage, but achieving this level of output requires careful management of the many factors which contribute to grass growth, says Liz Genever of Eblex.
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Massey Ferguson extends combine line-up
6 September 2011
MASSEY Ferguson has added four new models to its combine line-up, aimed at medium to large-scale farmers and contractors, and has introduced some new features to its Centora and Delta machines for next season.
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Meat processors make case for private inspection
31 August 2011
THE meat processing industry has outlined its proposals for the use of private sector inspectors in ‘consistently competent’ meat processing plants.
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Miscanthus contracts offering £64/tonne
30 August 2011
FARMERS growing miscanthus could soon take advantage of five to nine year contracts offering an average price of £64/tonne.
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Missing a trick when it comes to feeding
6 September 2011
Forward planning for forage requirements mean lower costs and better cattle feeding, says Simon Broddle, forage manager for Nickerson Direct.
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More than 1,000 lambs sold at Castle Douglas
September 2, 2011
CENTRE records tumbled once again at Castle Douglas on Monday, when Wallets Marts staged their annual premier show and sale of Scotch Mule ewe lambs.
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Morrisons' beef scheme gets producer support
31 August 2011
IN little more than two months since it was first announced, Morrisons’ native breeds beef scheme has generated a supply commitment from more than 120 beef producers.
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New option for control of black-grass
September 2, 2011
Product news
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New plans to revive the Royal Show
2 September 2011
THE Royal Show could be revived in 2013 under plans being drawn up by the company in charge of events at Stoneleigh Park.
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New video helps farmers reduce TB risks
30 August 2011
A NEW video launched today (Tuesday, August 30), aims to give farmers advice on reducing the risks of cattle contracting TB from wildlife.
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Online beef and lamb costings tool for direct retailers
30 August 2011
A BEEF and lamb costings tool which calculates margins and overall yield for producers selling directly to the public has been developed by Eblex.
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PhD success at Harper Adams
31 August 2011
HARPER Adams has announced the completion of the first two Douglas Bomford Trust sponsored PhDs at the University College in Shropshire.
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Pig genetics export deal with China
September 2, 2011
THE UK-based international pig breeding company, GSR Genetics, has signed a £1m contract with a Chinese state owned import/export company.
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Portable printer for EID readers
September 2, 2011
A PORTABLE printer has been launched by TGM Software in response to demand for convenient movement recording on sheep holdings.
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Potato Week aims to educate and inspire consumers
31 August 2011
THE first ever Potato Week, organised by the Potato Council, is to take place from October 1-7.
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Project seeks best timing for grass-weed control
September 2, 2011
A PROJECT monitoring grass weed emergence patterns is set to continue this year following on from a pilot scheme started in 2010.
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Protesters gather at Defra over slaughterhouse cruelty
31 August 2011
DOZENS of animal rights campaigners united at the doors of Defra (Tuesday August 30), to protest against an Essex-based slaughterhouse allegedly exposed for animal cruelty.
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Rain fails to dampen the spectacle for ringsiders at the Merioneth Show
6 September 2011
THE forecast was for rain and it certainly was wet at this year’s Merioneth County Show at Bala, but it also produced a rare spectacle for those ringsiders braving the elements.
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Record price of £195 for six-tooth ewes set at Exeter
September 2, 2011
AN entry of 156 registered Whiteface Dartmoor ewes forward at Exeter Livestock Centre last week set a centre record top price of £195 for six-tooth ewes, consigned by P. Coaker, Postbridge, with other pens from the same home making £192 and £190 a head.
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Residual herbicides will have to work longer this season
September 2, 2011
RESIDUAL chemistry applied to crops for black-grass control this season is going to have to work for longer periods if seed dormancy predictions for this autumn are proved correct.
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Retailers pledge to boycott low welfare egg imports
2 September 2011
THE UK’s biggest retailers have pledged that they will not stock eggs or products made from eggs that do not meet new hen welfare standards due to come in next year.
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Revamp for dairy campaign
1 September 2011
DAIRY UK and DairyCo are combining efforts to develop the ‘Proud of Dairy’ campaign launched by Dairy UK two years ago.
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Richardson dispersal reaches a £2,040 top
September 2, 2011
PRICES peaked at £2,040 when Wallace and Duncan Richardson, Halmer End, Staffordshire, dispersed their commercial herd of dairy cattle at an on-farm sale.
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Robbie Welsh and Maid show how they earned their Scottish team place
September 2, 2011
A STEEP, rough 600-yard outrun and 250-yard drive proved no problem to Robbie Welsh and Maid at Knockgerran, finishing well ahead of the competition after demonstrating the stylish work which won them third place in the Scottish team.
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Rodney Down: Steady progress made to harvest
6 September 2011
THE weather forecaster was right about one thing - August was going to be neither wet nor dry.
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Scientific breakthrough could improve efficiency of OSR
30 August 2011
SCIENTISTS have announced a breakthrough they claim will improve the efficiency of oilseed rape breeding and a host of other important food and oil crops.
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SEPA chief executive steps down
31 August 2011
THE chief executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for the past eight years Campbell Gemmell is to step down later this year to take on a new role in Australia.
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Sheep and cattle farm vaccine pack
September 2, 2011
THE broad-spectrum clostri-dial disease vaccine for sheep and cattle, Bravoxin 10, is now available in a new 6 x 100ml farm vaccination pack.
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Sheepdog trials diary
September 2, 2011
Sheepdog trials in England and Wales for the week beginning September 2, 2011.
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Skipton dairy sale to £2,140
September 2, 2011
TAKING their 18th championship success at the Skipton dairy sale last week, Malcolm and Robert Swires, Harrogate, achieved the top price of £2,140 with their home-bred second-calver by Myersdale Sportsman. Sold giving 40 litres, it was knocked down to Wick Williams, Nantwich, Cheshire.
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Steve Heard: Yields are well above recent average, but seasonal weight loss is less striking
September 2, 2011
WHEAT harvest finished on August 22, just an hour before the rain set in.
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Suckler herd calves
2 September 2011
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Suffolk ram is sale topper at Lancaster
September 2, 2011
RAMS sold to £700 twice at Lancaster mart’s show and sale of breeding ewes and rams.
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Supermarket shelves
31 August 2011
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Support needed as venison demand skyrockets
1 September 2011
THE Scottish Venison Partnership (SVP) has announced this week more than 500 extra deer farms will be needed to support growing demand for the meat.
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Ten years of Voluntary Initiative
1 September 2011
ON the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Initiative (VI) scheme, Environment Minister Lord Henley visited a Cheshire farm and chemical store to hear of its benefits.
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The incredible journey of wool
6 September 2011
Thanks to the imagination and timing of three YFC members, new images will be used to promote Wool Week, which runs from September 5. Danusia Osiowy reports on the partnership.
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Tories blast plans to spend €2m on animal homeopathy
31 August 2011
TORY MEPs have branded a proposal to spend €2 million on research into homeopathic medicines for farm animals as ‘sheer madness’.
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Two enterprises work together to create one optimistic future
6 September 2011
THE pig and arable enterprise in West Yorkshire serve to complement each other with Peter Batty being ready for the challenges they bring and believing it is the best way for his business to run. Angela Calvert reports.
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UK must invest in cattle EID database
1 September 2011
THE farming industry has cautiously welcomed the European Commissions’ (EC) proposal to introduce cattle EID, but has said the Government must be prepared to invest in a real-time UK-wide database in order to see the benefits.
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UN issues H5N1 bird flu warning
30 August 2011
THE UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is urging ‘heightened readiness and surveillance’ against a possible major resurgence of the deadly H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza.
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Vibrant tenanted sector is key
2 September 2011
A VIBRANT tenanted sector in Scotland was key if the farming industry was to attract new lifeblood into the sector, said NFU Scotland president, Nigel Miller.
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Welsh sheepdog trial results
September 2, 2011
Results for the week ending September 1, 2011.
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What effect will increased tuition fees have?
September 2, 2011
Will the surge in fees mean the UK misses out on new talent? FG asked principals at two of the country’s top agricultural specialists for their views.
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Wheat on heavy land site yields 13.4t/ha
September 2, 2011
LATEST harvest trials results published by the HGCA indicate 2011 winter wheat yields are currently just under one tonne per hectare below the five-year mean, an improvement onearlier harvested trials figures released in the middle of August.
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Wormer for smallholders
September 2, 2011
A SMALLER pack of a sheep wormer, which also combines cobalt and selenium has been introduced by Novartis for smallholders.