Farmers Guardian
September 22nd 2006

  • ‘Atlantis+Hawk could offer advantages in some situations’

    September 22nd 2006

    There are a number of situations were an Atlantis+Hawk mix will offer advantages over existing options, according to Bedfordshire-based TAG agronomist David Parish.

  • ‘Brands key in fight for a strong business’

    September 22nd 2006

    BRANDS were a principal offensive weapon in the fight to run a strong dairy business, offering tremendous insulation from market pressures, said Arla’s chief executive Tim Smith, who believed the future should be faced with optimism and energy.

  • ‘High level discussions’ hint at redress over SPS

    September 22nd 2006

    THE parliamentary watchdog has indicated that farmers who complained to it over the maladministration of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) may be in line for some form of redress.

  • ‘No stopping us now’ attitude for Murleys

    September 22nd 2006

    As one of the four finalists in the South West Dairy Farmer of the Year competition, Eric and Mary Murley are holding their breath until the results are announced at the Dairy Show. KATIE ROEBUCK went to find out why they made the final shortlist.

  • ‘Rare’ pit rot found in salad potato crop

    September 22nd 2006

    A POTATO grower has suffered an outbreak of the rare disease pit rot in one of his crops. The condition is usually associated with crops stored in straw and earth-covered clamps or pies, rather than in the field itself.

  • ‘Some seed treatments could delay crop emergence’

    September 22nd 2006

    Watch out for delayed crop emergence with certain combinations of seed treatment and pre-emergence herbicide, cereal growers are being advised.

  • £12,000 Bluefaced Leicester ram leads Bentham sale

    September 22nd 2006

    A TOP bid of £12,000 was paid for a Bluefaced Leicester ram at the annual multi-breed sale of rams and females at Bentham, on Saturday.

  • £590 leads native breeds show and sale

    September 22nd 2006

    BIDDING reached £590 at the native breeds show and sale at Skipton, North Yorkshire. Geoff Lawn, Skipton, took the top price. His Aberdeen-Angus cow and calf was bought by R.A and M. Earnshaw, Flasby. In the Highland section a top price of £560 was paid for a heifer from Robert and Wendy Philip, Hellifield, sold to H. Carr and Sons, Malham. Auctioneers: Craven Cattle Marts.

  • 1,280 Craven champion

    September 22nd 2006

    BIDDING rose to £1,280 for the champion dairy animal at the Craven dairy show and sale at Skipton, North Yorkshire.

  • 3,000gns Angus at Perth

    September 22nd 2006

    A TOP price of 3,000gns was realised at the sale of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus females and Highland cattle at United Auctions, Perth. Leading was Veister Lady Rhonda from the final draft of the Veister herd from I. Henderson, Shetland. This three-year old Aberdeen-Angus, by Rawburn Transformer, sold with her bull calf at foot to R. and C. Rettie, Alloa. for 3,000gns

  • 3,100gns peak at Skipton Texels

    September 22nd 2006

    BIDDING peaked at 3,100gns at the Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders’ show and sale at Skipton auction, North Yorkshire.

  • A day in the life of an NFU Mutual agent

    September 22nd 2006

    NFU Mutual agents are heavily involved in the farming community in which they work and build strong relationships with clients, as SARAH CRIPPS discovered when she spent a day with Michael Chicken in Rugby.

  • Absence makes the heat grow stronger for sows and boars

    September 22nd 2006

    A CHANGE in service-house design to limit the contact sows have with boars immediately after weaning may help improve breeding herd productivity, according to new research by Behan and Watson.

  • All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show Preview

    September 22nd 2006

    Continuing its support of young breeders and young handlers, Farmers Guardian is playing an important role at the All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. A fortnight ahead of the event, we take a look at what it is all about.

  • All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show Timetable

    September 22nd 2006

  • Athol’s Lakeland victory with Spot

    September 22nd 2006

    ATHOL Clark’s Spot took his first open title on Sunday at the Borrowdale Show open trial, Cumbria, writes ELAINE HILL.

  • Autumn spraying decisions

    September 22nd 2006

    Black-grass control is a numbers game according to Bob Mills of Frontier, and a grower’s philosophy should be to hit difficult situations with the best options available and an end goal of minimising head counts.

  • Beef farmers ‘should focus on factors that have effect on prices’

    September 22nd 2006

    JUST reducing costs was not sufficient to improve the profitability of beef production, said Dr Jimmy Hyslop of the Scottish Agricultural College, who was speaking at Askham Bryan College at one of a series of beef workshops.

  • Beeston Castle dairy sale

    September 22nd 2006

    A TOTAL of 14 animals made it through the £1,050 barrier and a top price of 1,250gns was realised at the September mid-month dairy sale at Beeston Castle Auction, Cheshire.

  • Bentham Show

    September 22nd 2006

    Swaledale ewe is top

  • BETA researches value of sponsorship to horse industry

    27 September 2006

    Expenditure on equestrian sponsorship is to be examined by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA).

  • Biofuel plan could cut availability of straw

    September 22nd 2006

    STRAW availability is forecast to fall by up to 24 per cent within the next four years as a consequence of the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, with dairy farmers being urged to examine their bedding systems.

  • Bird flu surveillance revamped

    September 22nd 2006

    THE surveillance strategy for avian influenza has been revamped by Defra in time for the autumn migration.

  • Biscaya approval ‘for more robust resistance strategies’

    September 22nd 2006

    The aphicide Biscaya (thiacloprid) has been granted a Specific Off-Label Approval (SOLA) for control of aphids in a range of brassica crops, following an application by the Horticulture Development Council (HDC).

  • Black-grass must be the priority

    September 22nd 2006

    BLACK-GRASS control must continue to be a priority for cereal growers and should, in many situations, take precedence over disease control, according to Agrovista’s Craig Morgan.

  • Bobby dazzler Dalziel rewrites the record books with young Joe

    September 22nd 2006

    SCOTLAND confirmed its reputation as the cradle of sheepdog trialling at the weekend, when it hosted the International Sheepdog Society’s centenary trial, near the society’s birthplace, at Charterhall Estate, Duns in the Scottish Borders.

  • Botulism Outbreak Suspected in South West

    21 September 2006

    OUTBREAKS of botulism, a serious disease that can affect livestock and humans, are suspected on three farms in Devon. It is understood that up to 40 cattle have died on farms near Hemyock, Devon as a result of the disease.

  • Breast cancer survivor urges people to ‘think pink’ for fundraiser

    September 22nd 2006

    FARMER and breast cancer survivor Menna Richards is encouraging others to ‘think pink’ by backing a major fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK.

  • Breeding performance rise nets Kingsplay an award

    September 22nd 2006

    THE Genus/ABS Reproductive Management Systems Farmer of the Year award was presented to Nick Tyler, the managing director of Kingsplay Farming Company, Wiltshire, at the Dairy Event.

  • British Horse Society continues fight to combat ragwort

    22 September 2006

    The British Horse Society’s Welfare Department is launching the second part of its Ragwort Awareness Campaign 2006 and urges all concerned parties to get pulling – to prevent the spread of ragwort.

  • British Horse Society Scotland takes on fight against Strangles

    27 September 2006

    Scotland has experienced an alarming increase in the number of strangles outbreaks this year and The British Horse Society (BHS) is urging horse owners and yard managers to take strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of this distressing and highly contagious disease.

  • Calls for milk regulator a fantasy, says Dairy UK’s chairman

    21 September 2006

    GREATER transparency – in the form of an ‘Ofmilk’ milk regulator – in the dairy food chain was called for at this week’s Dairy Farming Event. RABDF chairman Tim Brigstocke surprised Dairy UK when he also called for the creation of a ‘National Dairy Body’ to bring this about.

  • Canadian experience gives winning young breeder inspiration for the future

    September 22nd 2006

    BEING a member of the Holstein Young Breeders movement usually brings a wide variety of experiences, but for Lee Graham it has taken him all around the world.

  • Case IH offers largest harvesting selection for years in UK

    September 22nd 2006

    NEXT season Case IH will celebrate 30 years of its Axial Flow rotary combines and will offer its largest harvesting selection for many years in the UK. Joining the flagship class VIII 8010 combine will be the class VII 7010 and the latest version of the 2388.

  • Cheese Company supreme at Frome

    September 22nd 2006

    THE Cheese Company, part of Milk Link, won 32 awards at the Frome Cheese Show, including 14 First prizes – a record for The Cheese Company. The company’s Taw Valley Creamery, in North Tawton, won both the Supreme Champion and the Reserve Champion titles.  

  • CLA emphasis is on home-grown menu

    September 22nd 2006

    THE CLA’s president David Fursdon, CLA Cheshire president Anthony Barbour, Sir Nicholas and Anne Winterton and the High Sherriff of Cheshire, David Briggs,were among the 80 guests who attended the annual meeting of the Cheshire county branch at Combermere Abbey, when the emphasis was very much on food and drink produced in the county.   

  • Company finds way to prove worm burdens

    September 22nd 2006

    AN animal health company claims to have provided the definitive answer to whether dairy cows are affected by worm burdens.

  • Competitive showing spur

    September 22nd 2006

    IN order to encourage younger members to take up competitive showing, a key feature of this year’s Welsh Belgian Blue Club annual meeting farm walk featured a clipping demonstration by Dai Thomas and a heifer judging competition under the guidance of Gill Evans. Hosting the visit were the Cardiganshire coast-based herds of Andrew and Ingrid Phillips, Elfed and Sheena Thomas and Rhys and Gill Bellis.

  • Conference news in brief

    September 22nd 2006

    Polytunnels debate

  • Consistency pays in wheat recipe

    September 22nd 2006

    BISCUIT wheats have progressively given way to out-and-out feed varieties at Manor Farm, Wood Enderby, on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, as grower Jim Scholey has sought to improve margins while minimising hassle with the greatest possible reliability.

  • Control black-grass in autumn, rather than waiting until spring

    September 22nd 2006

    Aim to control black-grass this autumn, rather than leaving it until next spring.

  • Counting down to the Prince Philip Cup

    September 22nd 2006

    As the countdown to Horse of the Year Show continues, SARAH CRIPPS talks to Scotland’s Eglinton Hunt as they aim to defend their title, and meets the Leicestershire-based Atherstone Hunt as they work on fitness training and accuracy.

  • Craiglea Holsteins to 2,300gns

    September 22nd 2006

    A TOP price of 2,300gns was achieved when Colin Taylor and Son, Newton Mearns, Glasgow, dispersed the first section of the Craiglea herd of pedigree Holsteins at Carlisle.

  • Dairy Crest : We’ll meet challenges

    September 22nd 2006

    The Dairy Show is sponsored by Dairy Crest. Here, the company takes a look at the dairy industry as they see it.

  • Dairy Event 2006

    27 September 2006

    Dairy Event visitors – and possibly fewer of them this year – were in relatively sombre mood and much of the discussion centred on the current low level of milk prices. But it did not prevent plenty of interest in the increased number of trade stands and the competitive classes for dairy breeds were well supported.

  • Danes’ rapid response to resistance

    September 22nd 2006

    THE development of fungicide resistance has had a major impact in Denmark on fungicide recommendations in cereal crops, Dr Lise Jorgensen of the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences told the meeting.

  • Debuting a new Mounted ride at Birmingham

    September 22nd 2006

    FEW of the people who stray just a few hundred yards from Harrods in the middle of Knightsbridge and find themselves walking past Hyde Park Barracks would ever guess that behind those walls are stabled up to 240 horses, writes Sarah Cripps.

  • Defra ‘could limit disease payments to 75pc of market value’

    September 22nd 2006

    DEFRA has indicated it would go further in cutting compensation than required by the EU, if controversial new rules governing state aid come in next year.

  • Dominator shearling gimmer takes the lowland sheep title at Westmorland Show

    September 22nd 2006

    SOUTH Wales Charollais breeder, Tim Prichard of Llantrisant, Glamorgan, took home the lowland sheep championship.

  • ENGLISH SHEEPDOG TRIALS RESULTS

    September 22nd 2006

    BORROWDALE SHOW Open, Rosthwaite, Cumbria (42 ran): 1, A. Clark (Middleton) Spot, 91 of 100; 2, L. Cowper (Threlkeld) Gael, 90; 3, A. Temple (Holmrook) Lassie, 88; 4, C. Todd (Loweswater) Bill, 87; 5, P. Noble (Quernmore) Bob, 86; 6, J. Relph (Borrowdale) Eve, 84.

  • Equine Welfare Conference

    26 September 2006

    The British Horse Society (BHS) in partnership with The Home of Rest for Horses held its second Equine Welfare Conference last weekend at Bailbrook House, Bath.

  • Experts line up at Speakers’ Corner

    September 22nd 2006

    THE ever-popular ‘Speakers Corner’ will be making an appearance at the Dairy Show thanks to FG and Dairy Farmer.

  • Exploit global market to play a part in the dairy industry of the future

    September 22nd 2006

    THINK international if you want to stand a chance of success in the dairy industry – a message no-one could have failed to miss at the cross-industry sponsored conference organised by Dairy UK on the eve of the Dairy Event at Stoneleigh.

  • Farm Attractions of the Year 2006 winners announced

    September 22nd 2006

    TWO farm parks and a wildlife and farm centre have been awarded the prestigious title of Farm Attraction of the Year 2006 in the National Farm Attractions Network’s annual awards.

  • Farm payment fiasco should not hit Defra budget – Huhne

    September 22nd 2006

    THE shambolic handling of this year’s farm payment scheme should be treated as a one-off, said Shadow Defra Secretary Chris Huhne.

  • Farming delivers social goods – NFU

    September 22nd 2006

    FARMING is producing more and more of the social goods demanded by the general public, delegates at an NFU fringe meeting on Monday were told.

  • First Milk in cheese talks with DC

    September 22nd 2006

    MILK co-op First Milk’s promised move into further processing might be about to happen.

  • Food safety assurance

    September 22nd 2006

    CONSUMERS should be reassured that the food they eat continues to be safe, the chairman of the Pesticide Residues Committee’s (PRC) has said.

  • Free organic manure

    September 22nd 2006

    UTILITY company South West Water is offering free organic manure to farmers in Devon and Cornwall.

  • Future ‘uncertain’ for pioneering fully organic dairy farm

    September 22nd 2006

    With IGER’s 1,050-acre Trawsgoed Research Centre facing closure because of funding cutbacks, BARRY ALSTON reports from what could be the final open day of the unit’s pioneering organic dairy farming operation.

  • Gibb brothers named Milkminder winners

    September 22nd 2006

    BROTHERS Richard and Dennis Gibb were named the Milkminder Managers of the year at the Dairy Event. The winner’s farm was Red House Farm, Eachwick, Ponteland and Richard Gibb was at the presentation to receive the award.

  • GM maize decision could impact on raw material prices

    September 22nd 2006

    RAW materials are set to become more expensive towards the end of the year if the EU drags its feet on deciding whether to approve a new GM maize.

  • Grazing Monitor 2006

    September 22nd 2006

    THE recent warm, wet weather has brought a welcome surge in grass growth, but the skill, according to Promar regional consultant David Burns, will be making best use of this grass.

  • Greenshields’ Stabiliser move based on dad’s sound advice

    September 22nd 2006

    For Douglas and Lorna Greenshields the key to modern suckler beef production is in selecting the best suckler cow for their situation. They outlined their system when they hosted a Stabiliser Cattle Society open day. NEIL RYDER met them on their Dumfries farm.

  • Heading for HOYS

    September 22nd 2006

    In the third part of our Heading for HOYS series, SARAH CRIPPS talks to Surrey-based scurry driver Jemma Millman as she prepares for the show with ponies Pooh Bear and Piglet.

  • Healthy meat – no kidding

    September 22nd 2006

    A GROUP of West Wales farmers from Carmarthenshire’s Cothi Valley are not kidding when they say they mean business.

  • Heavy price discounting on NZ milk

    September 22nd 2006

    SELLING milk in New Zealand supermarkets has become a “whole new ball game” since the Australians arrived, the chief executive of a local independent producer says.

  • Home-bred Rough Fell gimmer takes hill breed honours at Westmorland Show

    September 22nd 2006

    A ROUGH Fell gimmer shearling that was breed reserve female champion at the Great Yorkshire Show took the hill breed inter-breed championship.

  • Husker Harvest Days

    September 22nd 2006

    The Husker Harvest days at Grand Island, Nebraska, allows North American farmers to see the latest combines at work in maize – at least when there is not too much rain. But there are also plenty of static displays for growers to get their teeth into. Mervyn Bailey reports.

  • Investigation underway after Botulism outbreak

    27 September 2006

    Seven South West farms are believed to be under investigation after fears illegal spreading of chicken carcases may have contributed to a recent outbreak of botulism.

  • Irish Co-op Lakeland Dairies announces rationalisation plan

    September 22nd 2006

    THE second largest Irish co-op, Lakeland Dairies, has announced a dramatic rationalisation plan which will see the closure of one of its four milk processing plants, one of its three feed mills, and the sale of its entire branch trading network.

  • Irish study shows increased sensitivity

    September 22nd 2006

    THE sensitivity of epoxiconazole (Opus) against septoria has increased but that of some older triazoles has decreased, according to survey data from the Republic of Ireland.

  • LENTIL AND TOMATO SAVOURY SAUCE

    September 22nd 2006

    This recipe is from Jane Armstrong of Duns, Berwickshire. It makes a thick sauce that can be served with pasta, then sprinkled with grated cheese, or it can be warming ‘comfort eating’ with mashed potato and cheese, she says.

  • Lleyn ewe lambs to £130

    September 22nd 2006

    A PEN of five ewe lambs from the organically run flock of Farmstock Genetics, Selkirk, headed the Lleyn Sheep Society show and sale at Perth making £130 apiece. They collected the overall female championship and were bought by David Alexander, Galston, Ayrshire.

  • Low doses dont increase risk

    September 22nd 2006

    LOW doses of fungicide do not increase the risk of resistance developing, scientists at SAC have concluded.

  • Maize Monitor : Countdown to Harvest 2006

    September 22nd 2006

    FORAGE maize remains seven to 14 days ahead of last year in most areas, with harvesting now well under way in the southern half of the country and progressing well in the northern half.

  • Majority of producers still have no piglet disease strategy

    September 22nd 2006

    DESPITE the potentially devastating impact of Streptococcus suis disease on early piglet health, many producers have no strategy to tackle the infection, according to the results of a survey by Pfizer Animal Health.

  • Make feeding trough hygiene high priority

    September 22nd 2006

    SHEEP farmers across the UK are being urged to place a high priority on hygiene and safety when using feeding troughs for their flocks.

  • Mascot race raises £2,405

    September 22nd 2006

    WINKSLEY Cum Grantley YFC, Yorkshire, has presented a cheque for £2,405 to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

  • MEP joins fight against voluntary modulation

    September 22nd 2006

    A CONSERVATIVE MEP has vowed to fight UK Government efforts to impose voluntary modulation rates of up to 20 per cent, on top of EU rates of 5 per cent.

  • Microdiesel is advance for biofuels

    September 22nd 2006

    A BREAKTHROUGH in the production of biofuels has been developed by scientists in Germany according to research published in the September 2006 issue of Microbiology, which describes how specially engineered bacteria could be used to make fuel completely from food crops.

  • Minimise numbers on fallen stock scheme

    September 22nd 2006

    A typical 100-cow dairy herd with a 25 per cent replacement rate could be losing £1,500 compared with when OTMs still existed because they are not taking steps to minimise the number of animals having to go on the Defra TSE fallen stock scheme.

  • Moving location has added to the dairy experience

    September 22nd 2006

    RACHAEL PORTER meets a Suffolk farming family that has seen more than its fair share of upping sticks but has, along the way, gained a unique overview of three of the UK’s most important dairy breeds.

  • MP urges support for All-Party group action

    September 22nd 2006

    BIG things could come from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dairy Farmers.

  • MPs told to listen to rural problems

    September 22nd 2006

    POLITICIANS were told to pay more attention to the specific problems afflicting the rural population at a fringe meeting organised by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) on Tuesday.

  • National Aberdeen Angus show at the Westmorland show

    September 22nd 2006

    THE 340-mile journey to Westmorland County Show proved well worthwhile for Hamish Sclater of Turriff, Aberdeenshire, when he won four classes and took the £1,000 prize for the champion, at the National Aberdeen-Angus Show, with his home-bred, 17-month-old bull, Deveron Kancara.

  • Natural England – friend or foe?

    September 22nd 2006

    With unexpected budget constraints and an early swipe at UK farming practices, has the Government’s new advisory body on conservation and the environment set itself up for a fall? TOM LEVITT investigates.

  • Natwest : Take a positive approach to future

    September 22nd 2006

    The Dairy Show is sponsored NatWest. Here, the company takes a look at the dairy industry as they see it.

  • New Welsh trial looks at woodchip as bedding

    September 22nd 2006

    TEN farms across Wales have been signed up to demonstrate the potential of using woodchip as indoor bedding during next winter under a long-term cost-cutting project being carried out by Hybu Cig Cymru, the Wales-based red meat development body.

  • NSA Wales and border multi-breed Builth wells ram sale

    September 22nd 2006

    BARRY ALSTON reports from Europe’s biggest one-day multi-breed ram sale – jointly sponsored by Farmers Guardian.

  • NSA Wales and Border Multi-breed Builth Wells Ram Sale - BREED AVERAGES

    September 22nd 2006

    FULL details of the Builth Wells breed averages and top prices, with the 2005 sale figures in brackets:

  • OFT ‘will not stand in way of consolidation’

    September 22nd 2006

    WHILE anxious to dispel the myth that the Office of Fair Trading would automatically stand in the way of consolidation in the dairy industry, its chief executive John Fingleton said it was the job of the retailers to ‘shop around’ on behalf of their customers.

  • Organic farmers ‘are happier’ claim, but Soil Association research ridiculed

    September 22nd 2006

    ORGANIC farmers are younger, happier and more energetic than their old and weary conventional counterparts. They are also better businessmen and they employ more people.

  • Penistone Show

    September 22nd 2006

    Successful day for Varley

  • Ploughmen with such excellent track records

    September 22nd 2006

    Held on the Lleyn peninsula at the weekend, the Welsh Ploughing Association had one of its most successful events since it was first begun almost 50 years ago. MEYRICK BROWN reports.

  • Ploughs at the ready as hundreds line up for competition

    September 22nd 2006

    A RECORD number of hedgelayers will taking part when Ches-hire Ploughing and Hedging Society holds this year’s competitions at Smallwood, near Sandbach on September 27.

  • Pony Club Championships find new home

    25 September 2006

    The Pony Club has announced that the new home of The Pony Club Championships from 2007 will be Shelford Manor, Nottinghamshire.

  • Poultry lighting made easier

    26 September 2006

    MANAGING specific lighting programmes for broilers, pullet rearing and layers is now made easier thanks to a new programmable controller from ELM.

  • Price cut opens up mix choices

    September 22nd 2006

    Cheaper Hawk (clodinafop+trifluralin) this autumn opens up the possibility of an Atlantis+Hawk tank mix for black-grass control.

  • Prices ease back at Welsh Mule breeding ewe sales

    September 22nd 2006

    PRICES eased back at the first round of the annual Welsh Mule breeding ewe sales due to insufficient demand for the increased number of sheep on offer. Bidding for yearling ewes and ewe lambs dropped back at Welshpool with an average of £81 paid for 8,764 yearlings – down £4 on last year – while the 6,403 ewe lambs sold were £6 lower at £55.

  • Prices reflect great land demand

    September 22nd 2006

    LAND was in great demand at a Halls property auction in Kidderminster last week. A 6.3-acre pasture field at Warbage Lane, Dodford, near Bromsgrove, was sold for £41,000 (£6,500 an acre), a 4.71-acre parcel of amenity woodland at Drakelow Lane, Wolverley, near Kidderminster, made £26,000 (£4,814 an acre), while a 29.22-acre arable field with a small pool at Elfords Farm, Heightington, Bewdley, achieved £125,000 (£4,277 an acre).

  • Pricing for profits

    September 22nd 2006

    Colette Burke tackles the problem of just where to pitch your price

  • Promote ‘real’ farmhouse fare to expand our market

    September 22nd 2006

    When you take that rare trip to the supermarket, do you go and gaze at the butchery department?

  • Protecting environment and cutting red tape

    September 22nd 2006

    PROTECTING the rural environment and cutting red tape is the aim of new legislation launched this week by Biodiversity Minister Barry Gardiner.

  • Protest letter to PM over milk producers’ plight

    September 22nd 2006

    AN OPEN letter sent to Tony Blair this week has outlined the dire plight of UK milk producers.

  • Purebred Texels top the trade at £126 a head at Skipton mart

    September 22nd 2006

    A TOP price of £126 a head was realised at the show and sale of over 4,000 sheep at Skipton Auction.

  • Putting a premium on good calf health

    September 22nd 2006

    With four guest speakers appearing at the two Intervet meetings, media partner Farmers Guardian takes a look at their areas of expertise and experience in calf health.

  • Ready to retire?

    September 22nd 2006

    TEN workshops are being run for those looking to retire from farming, organised by the Royal Bath and West of England Society, the educational charity Life Academy, and Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester. Details from Charlotte Phelps at the society’s offices on 01749 822227 or via e-mail: charlotte.phelps@ bathandwest.co.uk or visit www.bathandwest.com.

  • Record levels of OSR disease in last year’s crop

    September 22nd 2006

    Last year saw some of the highest levels of diseased oilseed rape crops on record due to a combination of over-focusing on crop canopy manipulation and a heavy carryover of disease from the previous year’s crop.

  • Rent review

    September 22nd 2006

    THE NFU has warned that tenant farmers should act now if they want to trigger a rent review before the Michaelmas deadline. The traditional cut-off date for landlords or tenants to serve rent review notices is September 29.

  • Results and pictures from the International Sheepdog Trail 2006, Duns

    September 22nd 2006

    Singles (Judges: K. Anderson, H. Jones, A. Kyme, D. Birchall) 150 ran: 1, R. Dalziel (Ettrick) Joe, 559 of 680; 2, J. Hill (Heriot) Tess, 468; 3, J.R. Griffith (Caernarfon) Fan, 464; 4, E.I. Jones (Builth Wells) Sooty, 453; 5, A.L. Jones (Selatyn) Bill, 408; 6, J.J. Templeton (Fenwick) Ted, 389; 7, R.D. Roper (Gloucester) Tom, 356; 8, N. Campbell (Kinross) Moss, 344; 9, J.R. Welsh (Girvan) Fly, 336; 10, C. Davidson (Sandbank) Tweed, 308; 11, J.P. McFadden (Ballymena) ...

  • Royal Berkshire Show

    September 22nd 2006

    Another ‘trophy’ win for Limousin

  • Rural development snags

    September 22nd 2006

    THE European Commission’s problems over rural development are growing as it struggles to secure a deal on spending plans from 2007 to 2013.

  • Rural talent on display at craft exhibition

    September 22nd 2006

    HUNDREDS of items illustrating the broad talents of ‘Rural’ members were featured in the conference exhibition of craft, baking, photography and art.

  • Rural women

    September 22nd 2006

    RURAL women across Wales are being urged to enter the NFU Cymru-NatWest Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2006-07 competition. In its 10th year, the winner will receive £500 and two runners-up £100. Closing date is October 27. Entries or nominations contact NFU Cymru on 01982 554200, or e-mail sarah.jones @nfu.org.uk or write to NFU Cymru, Agriculture House, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3TU.

  • Shetlands put their best hoof forward and all in the name of conservation

    September 22nd 2006

    SHETLAND ponies and their young foals grazing on the heathlands of Anglesey paint a tranquil and heart warming scene – but they’re also lending a helping hoof to Welsh conservation .

  • Show’s got so much to offer

    September 22nd 2006

    DO not miss the 26th Dairy Show, taking place at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, on Wednesday, October 4.

  • Simple system that shows a dairying profit

    September 22nd 2006

    WHEN asked why he thinks he was shortlisted for this year’s South West Dairy Farm of the Year award, Geoffrey Ash said he ‘hadn’t got a clue’.

  • Single Payment swallowed up on dairy farms

    September 22nd 2006

    MOST dairy farmers were having to use their single payment in order to make ‘a bottom line’ according to business consultants Andersons.

  • Steady, but don’t go with crowd

    September 22nd 2006

    DETERMINATION to succeed was the key factor helping Neville and Sue Loder to make the challenging climb from the bottom of the farming ladder.

  • Stone YFC take second victory

    September 22nd 2006

    FOR the second year in a row, Stone YFC has won Staffordshire Young Farmers’ annual county ploughing marathon. Teams ploughed a total of 96 acres in under 24 hours, at Tithebarn Farm, Great Haywood, courtesy of Tony Parrott.

  • Supplier says ‘no’ to Tesco

    September 22nd 2006

    IN spite of Tesco’s new commitment to regional produce (see facing page), one specialist supplier refuses to have his stock carried by the retail giant.

  • Tesco regional buying offices will put local lines on shelves

    September 22nd 2006

    RETAIL leader Tesco is going for local and has announced the intention to open six new regional buying offices.

  • The who’s who of competitors in this year’s show

    September 22nd 2006

    WITH the majority of the club calf shows having already taken place, Farmers Guardian takes a look at some of the young handlers and calves that have qualified for the All-Breeds All-Britain Calf Show.

  • Three share 1,200gns top at Abergavenny Welsh Blacks

    September 22nd 2006

    THREE animals shared the top price of 1,200gns at the annual show and sale of Welsh Black Cattle at Abergavenny market.

  • Three-quarters say SPS will have little impact

    September 22nd 2006

    THREE-QUARTERS of farmers do not expect the Single Payment Scheme to have a big impact on their business over the next 12 months, according to a new survey from NatWest agriculture.

  • Tight world supply market adds volatility to grain prices

    September 22nd 2006

    THE UK grain market remained volatile this week, with prices rising slightly over recent drops. On the whole, feed wheat prices continue to be ‘pretty firm’ with the market moving up again on Tuesday, according to David Sheppard, managing director, Gleadell.

  • Time running out for sugar beet growers

    27 September 2006

    AROUND 80 per cent of the sugar beet quota from Allscott and York growers has now been traded.

  • Trade up 10pc at Border and Lakeland

    September 22nd 2006

    TRADE was up by almost 10 per cent at the Border and Lakeland Holstein show and sale at Carlisle and a top price of 1,750gns was realised for Snow Dusky 9 from G. and M. Wilson, Appleby, Cumbria. This Outside heifer went to the Burtholme herd of Messrs Sanderson, Lanercost, one of the main buyers.

  • Treatment will protect beet seed from aphids

    September 22nd 2006

    ACCORDING to the latest results of trials at Broom’s Barn, a new seed treatment combination for sugar beet has achieved almost total control of virus spread from beet plants inoculated with virus infected aphids. The trials have demonstrated that CruiserForce (thiamethoxam+tefluthrin) performs equally well at both early and late virus inoculation timing, six and 10 weeks after drilling.

  • UK is failing to cash in on bioenergy opportunities

    September 22nd 2006

    A GOLDEN opportunity for UK farmers to become key players in the fight against climate change is being lost due to failing Government policies on bioenergy, an influential committee of MPs has concluded.

  • Union to examine ‘yellowses’ causes after loss of lambs

    September 22nd 2006

    SOME Scottish farmers have lost up to 100 lambs from photosensitisation or ‘yellowses’.

  • U-turn on rapid FMD test – on-the-spot 1 hour result

    September 22nd 2006

    A RAPID test for foot-and-mouth disease rejected by MAFF at the height of the 2001 outbreak could be used for future outbreaks in the UK, Government scientists indicated this week.

  • Veteran Horse Welfare challenge ride

    27 September 2006

    Have you ever watched those cowboy films that feature gorgeous horses galloping across open plains while the sun is setting? Veteran Horse Welfare are giving riders the opportunity to do this, for real, in aid of charity.

  • Vote against changing SWRI committee name

    September 22nd 2006

    WHAT’S in a name? Quite a lot it seemed when members of the Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes considered whether to change the name of one of its committees from ‘Housewives committee’ to ‘Homecrafts’.

  • Wales YFC chairman

    September 22nd 2006

    NEW chairman of Wales YFC is Rhodri Evans, a past member of Llanddewi Brefi YFC, Ceredigion.

  • WELSH SHEEPDOG TRIALS RESULTS

    September 22nd 2006

    LLANGEITHO Open National: 1, E. Lloyd (Llanrhystud-Ben, 8; 2, I.B. Jones (Capel Bangor) Gael, 8 1/2; 3, I.B. Jones, Jock, 9; 4, D. Jones (Garth) Toby, 11; 5, S.R. Davies-Russell (Plwmp) Breck, 12; 6, M. Morgan (Tregaron) Shep, 14. Open South Wales: 1, D. Jones, Toby, 4; equal 2, I.B. Jones, Gael and E. Evans (Llangammarch Wells) Jill, 4 1/2; 4, M. Morgan, Shep, 5; 5, E. Evans, Meg, 6. Cardigan Novice South Wales: 1, I.B. Jones, Jock, 4 1/2; 2, W.P. Lloyd Jones (Tregaron) ...

  • Westmorland Show

    September 22nd 2006

    A show all too often hit by wet weather, the 2006 Westmorland Show at Crooklands, Kendal, must go down as one of the wettest on record – complete with thunder and lightning. The show included the Farmers Guardian – sponsored Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s national show.

  • Wool market hit by poor sales

    September 22nd 2006

    OVERALL results for the British Wool Marketing Board show a deficiency for the year to April 30 2006 of £1,208,000 and its reserves cut to £156,000.

  • Working together on HLS

    September 22nd 2006

    The successful setting up of a new HLS agreement on common land in Northumberland has brought together a range of interests and has been very much a team effort, as NEIL RYDER found out. Pictures: Adrian Legge.

  • Workshops aimed at improving pig health

    September 22nd 2006

    A SERIES of autumn workshops has been organised by the British Pig Executive to help promote pig health as the key to sustainability and profitability.

  • YFC study tour takes in horse milking farm

    September 22nd 2006

    A HORSE milking farm where Haflingers were milked three times a day to produce milk for cosmetics and human consumption was visited by 20 Wales YFC rural affairs committee members during a study tour to Holland.

  • Young breeders compete in combined show

    September 22nd 2006

    WHILE most Holstein Young Breeders’ Clubs hold their calf shows independently, three clubs came together at the beginning of the month to hold a massive, combined show.

  • Young competitors relish the Challenge

    September 22nd 2006

    THE first ever Evolution Challenge was part of this year’s Dairy Event with a Yorkshire-Lancashire combination coming out on top.

  • Young Rob named Farmer of the Future

    September 22nd 2006

    ROB Bowdler, the youngest person to ever reach the final stages of the Dairy Farmer of the Future competition, was named as the overall winner at the Dairy Event on Wednesday.

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