News

Alex Black talks to beef farmer Mat Roberts while Emily Ashworth takes a look at the importance of the Women’s Institute to rural communities

Industry leaders have warned new legislation allowing the use of non-penetrative captive bolt devices (NPCBD) to kill neonate piglets, lambs and kids could prolong animal suffering and cause farmers stress.

Details about Defra’s long-awaited plans to support English farmers who want to retire have been set out by the department today (February 8).

Hereford bulls met a 6,200gns high to average 4,347, with a clearance rate of 71 per cent.

Limousins peaked at 14,000gns at Stirling bull sales to average 5,749, down 162 on 2021, although clearance rates were up at 90 per cent.

Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots, has vowed to seek an exemption for agriculture from the country’s planned net zero by 2050 target.

Applications for this year’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme have been opened by the Rural Payments Agency.

A top bid of 38,000gns led the Aberdeen-Angus bidding at the first round of February bull sales at Stirling, with ten bulls in total making six figure sums to average 6,533 and a clearance rate of 74

Beef shorthorn bulls sold to a high of 25,000gns to average 5,743 which was less 384 on last year, with a 71 per cent clearance rate. Heifers averaged 2,879, less 150 on last year.

Expanding the global land area for conservation, a key approach to protecting biodiversity, could have an adverse impact on human health and food security in some parts of the world, according to new research.