Farmers Guardian articles from March 2004

Farmers Guardian archives from March 2004

Pressure to change SFP `inequality'.
March 5, 2004... DEFRA Ministers are coming under intense pressure to rethink the decision on the Single Farm Payment in England amid fears that the move to area payments would cause massive disruption to the livestock industry. There is particular concern...

It's a dirty job - but someone's got to do it.
March 5, 2004... Stobbes Walton takes advantage of a spare moment to go muck spreading at Rise Gead Farm, Alston, Cumbria. The farm runs a herd of Hereford cross Friesian sucklers which are put to the Charolais bull, the resulting store calves sold at Hexham...

Retailers and processors reject milk price claims.
March 5, 2004... RETAILERS and processors have firmly rejected suggestions of unfairly using their power to hold down milk prices to farmers. They have told the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee that market forces ranging from oversupply...

New GM crop trials needed, says report.
March 5, 2004... NEW genetically modified crop trials should be commissioned and the biotech industry should be liable for environmental damage caused by GMs, according to a leaked report. The findings from the Environmental Audit Committee, due to be published...

Older cattle unlikely to be allowed back in food chain until 2005.
March 5, 2004... OLDER cattle are unlikely to be allowed back into the food chain until the beginning of 2005, one year after the Food Standards Agency originally recommended. The Department of Health has still not come to a decision on recommendations to...

Wiseman's low fat product.
March 5, 2004... A major television advertising campaign is being launched by Robert Wiseman Dairies to publicise `the One' - the first 1 per cent fat content milk product to be sold in the UK. The launch represents the largest single investment in product...

Massive relief - after years of prevarication.
March 5, 2004... THE Government's acceptance after years of prevarication, that it needs to license gangmasters, comes as a huge relief to the growing body of organisations calling for new legislation to tackle the problem. The need for a statutory...

Government closes in on gangmasters.
March 5, 2004... THE Government has paved the way for new laws that would make it an offence for farmers, growers and food processors and packers to use labour from gangmasters who are not licensed. Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael has accepted in...

Enforcing body needed.
March 5, 2004... THE Citizens Advice Bureau has called for the creation of a single enforcement body to police the new gangmaster licensing scheme. It has welcomed the Government's support for Jim Sheridan's Private Members Bill but in a report on the...

The gangmasters' offences.
March 5, 2004... THERE are an estimated 3,000 gangmasters operating in the UK, supplying between 60,000 and 100,000 workers, of which 30 per cent were migrant workers, according to Jim Sheridan. About a fifth of gangmasters are committing a `wide range of...

Arla contract concerns.
March 5, 2004... A NUMBER of Northern dairy farmers have voiced their concerns surrounding a new milk supply contract from Arla Foods UK. Arla milk suppliers are being asked to make a decision about whether or not to sign the new contract, which requires...

Discord over tougher rules on transport.
March 5, 2004... European Farm Ministers remain deadlocked over plans for tougher rules on animal transport. These revolve around maximum journey times, and would affect the movement of stock from the Scottish islands. They would also hit Ireland, which is...

`Brainstorm' to solve fallen stock problem.
March 5, 2004... THE board of the national fallen stock scheme plans to meet up soon for a `brainstorming session' to try and find ways to ensure the scheme can proceed in the autumn. The start of the scheme has been postponed from the beginning of this...

New dairy board chief.
March 5, 2004... SUSSEX dairy farmer Gwyn Jones has been elected as chairman of the NFU's new dairy board, created following last year's review of the union structure. His vice-chairman is Mansel Raymond, from Pembrokeshire, whose twin brother Meurig was...

Inquiry called for over threat from illegal bushmeat.
March 5, 2004... CALLS for the Government to instigate an urgent inquiry to determine the threat to human health by illegal imports of bushmeat and other meat were made this week. Concerned that next to nothing is being done to stamp out `at risk' imports...

Create your own brand, keep the profit.
March 5, 2004... Positive thinking may seem to tough call in the immediate aftermath of the Government's SFP decision, particular for those in the dairy industry. But there was a strong `call to arms' message from one speaker. LIZFALKINGHAM reports on the first...

UK's dairy `advantage' could be lost.
March 5, 2004... BASIC economics suggested that British dairying should be successful and have a role to play in world dairying, but the natural advantages were in danger of being frittered away, warned Shadow Agriculture Secretary, John Whittingdale. In...

Industry in denial - Allen.
March 5, 2004... ACCORDING to an IGD survey for the Curry Commission, 64 per cent of dairy farmers think there will be no impact of their business of the CAP reforms - so is the industry in denial? That was the question posed by Kite Consulting's John...

Questions `stunt' accepted in batches.
March 5, 2004... SHADOW Agriculture Minister Owen Paterson's 328 parliamentary questions on bovine TB have finally been accepted. His attempt to break a parliamentary record by tabling the questions in one day was thwarted when they were blocked by the...

Wildlife failure puts NBA at odds with TB control strategy.
March 5, 2004... THE National Beef Association is refusing to support the Government's TB control strategy because of the lack of commitment to tackling the problem in wildlife. It says the short-term measures put forward in Defra's strategy are...

Union urges eradication.
March 5, 2004... THE Farmers Union of Wales told Wednesday's Welsh Assembly environment, planning and countryside committee's inquiry into bovine TB that the Assembly must address the `wildlife link' in the context of its investigations. It said it was...

HILLMAN'S VIEW: Make the farm work your way with your own review.
March 5, 2004... During half-term I took my nine-year-old twin boys, Charles and Torin, to the Science Museum in London. We saw a model of a farming scene with women working the fields, almost doubled-over, and my back started to ache just looking at them. The...

OPINION: Let's bite back.
March 5, 2004... There's a lot of doom and gloom about at the moment. Had you noticed? It's hard to stay positive when all around there are worrying headlines forecasting low prices and hundreds, if not thousands, leaving the industry. Many farmers are...

Women launch online network forum.
March 5, 2004... A new online forum has been launched for women working in all aspects of agriculture. The Women's Agriculture Network has been designed by farm women for farm women to provide information, share knowledge and create that vital link between...

Cashing in on `tourism pound'.
March 5, 2004... A growing number of Cumbrian farmers are banking on tourism to earn a living in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth crisis, according to a report. The evaluation by the North West Farm Tourism Initiative found that 49 per cent of farmers...

Quality Milk Award 2004.
March 5, 2004... NINE semi-finalists from as far afield as Scotland and the South West, are battling it out for the top trophy in the Quality Milk Award 2004, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. They are: C. and L. Best, Poole Farm, Tetbury; J.F. Cobb and...

Stock skills on display at Thainstone.
March 5, 2004... THERE was a good turnout of young farmers looking to improve their stock showing skills at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie. The event included a cattle dressing demonstration by well-known stockman Willie MacGillivray, of Fleenas-na-Gael,...

People and the environment.
March 5, 2004... THE Countryside Council for Wales has one clear aim in mind - bringing the people of Wales closer to their environment, no matter where they live and work. Launching its 10-year vision this week, the Government's statutory advisory body...

Equipment burnt.
March 5, 2004... POLICE have been investigating a fire at a farm at Willerby Wold Farm, Staxton, near Scarborough, when a tractor worth #50,000 and other equipment were destroyed. It took firefighters several hours to fight the blaze which also burnt a...

Content with 60 cows - pedigree status adds spice to life.
March 5, 2004... Not every dairy farmer is into the numbers game. BARRY ALSTON reports. HE milks 60 cows and Colin Jones is content to stay at that size - but he does have the advantage of pedigree status and an award-winning herd into the bargain. ...

Competition attracts dry stone wallers.
March 5, 2004... A revival in the craft of dry stone walling is expected to attract a record entry this year for Yorkshire's premier competition for wallers. Held every two years, the Millennium Wall Competition is organised by the Country Land and...

FARMERS' MARKETS: Ripon.
March 5, 2004... RIPON Farmers' Market was established as part of local diversification and re-generation projects, particularly promotion of local food, by Harrogate Borough Council. The farmers' markets are successful and well established, and interested...

Fennshall herd takes overall title.
March 5, 2004... The overall champions in the Shropshire Holstein Club's 2003 herds competition were W.A. Jones and Son's Fennshall herd. The judge was Paul Harrison. RESULTS Large herds, 1, R. Mayall and Daughter (Shotton Farm), Pimhill; 2, R.J. and...

Welsh organic growers still have openings.
March 5, 2004... THE retail market for organic fruit and vegetables in Wales was worth in the region of #20m in the 2002-2003 financial year - with plenty of scope for growth, according to the first detailed study into Welsh organic horticulture production. ...

Awards `double' at Blackpool.
March 5, 2004... THE trophies for the best dairy herd and best managed farm in the Blackpool and District Dairy Farmers Association's competition's small farms category have been awarded to George Sanderson, of Blackleach House Farm, Catforth, Lancashire. ...

Six of best in silage contest.
March 5, 2004... THERE were 17 entries in this year's Westmorland County Agricultural Society's 2004 silage competition. Six farms were selected from the analytical samples taken and the judge, Andrew Williamson, from Penrith, spent a full day inspecting all of...

North West Limousin herd winners.
March 5, 2004... THE North West Limousin Cattle Breeders Association's 2003 herd competition was judged by Ian Callion, Stirling. RESULTS Extra small herd, 1, J.J. Harrison, Hazelhead; 2, G. Wilson, Bankdale; 3, J. Vickers, Lakeside. Small, 1, G....

`Energy' training.
March 5, 2004... Renewable energy in practice will be the theme of a free training day for rural businesses staged by Lancashire Rural Futures and held at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust's new offices in Bamber Bridge, Preston, on March 15. Copyright: CMP...

Hunday Holsteins head production.
March 5, 2004... THE top herd on production in the Northumbria Holstein Breeders Club's 2003 herd competition, was the Hunday herd from E. Moffitt and Son. The most improved herd was A.W. Dixon's Alon herd, while the top for inspection was the Cheviotview...

Farmers urged to back shows despite movement rules.
March 5, 2004... FARMERS have been urged to not let the animal movement restrictions put them off competing in shows this year and to look on entering such events as `hard business sense'. The National Beef Association chief executive Robert Forster said...

Moredun update for the Princess.
March 5, 2004... THE Princess Royal, patron of the Moredun Foundation, visited its headquarters at Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, near Edinburgh, to be given an update of its work and that of the Moredun Research Institute. Prof Quintin McKellar,...

Knight goes to 220hp.
March 5, 2004... TWO new self-propelled sprayers replace what was Knight Farm Machinery's first self-propelled machine launched a year ago. A 180hp engine is now being fitted in place of the 157hp unit of the original machine, but there is also now a 220hp...

Dual nozzle system from Lechler.
March 5, 2004... THE Twin Spray Cap is a new dual nozzle system from Sheffield-based sprayer technology company Lechler. The new fitment can be used for blight control, T3 applications and ear wash treatments. It is said to combine the advantages of...

Search is on for vintage machinery.
March 5, 2004... Auctioneers George F White are looking for vintage machinery for their first ever sale of vintage and classic tractors, machinery, implements and farm collectables. It will be a joint venture between George F White and Hawes Auction Mart...

Volac film deal.
March 5, 2004... Volac International has announced a seven-year agreement with Swedish based Trioplast AB, the leading supplier of agri-stretch film in Europe. Trioplast will manufacture and supply a full range of stretch film to Volac International's...

`Time is right' as slurry goes underground.
March 5, 2004... THE company that fuelled the revolution in slurry spreading more than a decade ago with its long distance, umbilically-fed surface spreading systems says there is now increasing demand for injection. Although the UK is not yet under the...

Tractor gets a telescopic arm.
March 5, 2004... THE telehandler has become an valuable tool on many arable farms and with contractors. However, for many smaller farms and contractors, the hefty investment means many are forced to replace their tractor loader with a newer version. There...

Seko twin-auger diet feeder.
March 5, 2004... THE 2004 model of the Seko Sam 5, 20cu.m vertical mixer wagon has just been launched by UK distributors Kelvin Cave. The latest twin-auger machines range in capacity from 12 to 30cu.m. The VMF200 has two augers augers fitted with blades and...

Grass seeder for harrow.
March 5, 2004... A PNEUMATIC grass seeder that allows seed rates from 18 to 55kg/ha has been introduced by Twose, of Tiverton, Devon, for use on its 5 and 6m spring tine harrows. The seeder is a co-operative development between Twose and Horstine Farmery...

Increased productivity with new Thomas.
March 5, 2004... A two-speed transmission has been adopted in the latest skid-steer machine from Thomas Equipment. The model 255 also has a redesigned engine compartment that is part of a restyling exercise that has produced a lower centre of gravity and...

Pesticide use and illegal labour are among board's priorities.
March 5, 2004... The NFU launched a manifesto for growers at its Horticulture in Focus 2004 conference. The supermarket code of practice and the implications of CAP reform also featured strongly. ALISTAIR DRIVER reports. ENSURING responsible pesticide use...

Move on from bitter debate.
March 5, 2004... NFU president Tim Bennett told the conference it was time to move on after the bitter internal dispute over the Single Farm Payment. In his first public speech as NFU president Mr Bennett said the debate about whether to opt for area or...

Effective code is `fundamental issue'.
March 5, 2004... THE current retail code of practice is tarnished and its reputation shot. But do not expect the Government to intervene and replace it with a stringent statutory code, warned Sir Don Curry. He told the conference it was up to farmers and...

Scientists warn of virus disease interaction.
March 5, 2004... As sugar beet growers prepare to start drilling the 2004 crop, Teresa Rush brings the latest news from Broom's Barn research station in Suffolk. SCIENTISTS at Broom's Barn believe they have identified an interaction between beet mild...

Time to be spot on with nitrogen timing and rate.
March 5, 2004... AIM to apply nitrogen fertiliser for sugar beet crops on time and in the right quantities this season. That is the advice from Broom's Barn as growers prepare to drill the 2004 beet crop. High yields and the appearance of yellowing symptoms...

Season's beet field loss less than in 2002.
March 5, 2004... THE British Beet Research Organisation has completed its sugar beet harvester health checks for the 2003/2004 season. A total of 204 checks were carried out, with an average total field loss of 2.41t/ha, compared to 2.75t/ha in 2002. ...

Time not right for big beet acreage cuts.
March 5, 2004... SUGAR beet growers are being urged to plan their 2004 beet acreage carefully and avoid making big area reductions based on last season's good results. "Plan carefully. Think about what yields are likely to be, assess risks and don't...

Herbicide applications - plan for delay.
March 5, 2004... THE time is right for a rethink on herbicide strategies. The number of spray days available to beet growers is diminishing and the consequences include less timely herbicide applications and compromised weed control. That is the view, at...

Fischler to publish firm proposals for sugar beet.
March 5, 2004... EUROPEAN Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler has confirmed he will publish firm proposals for the reform of the sugar regime before the Commission's summer break in August. This is expected to be based on price cuts and the introduction...

Aggressive wheat crop could cut weed costs.
March 5, 2004... AGGRESSIVE wheat crops could be the key to cutting weed control costs without using more herbicide. The Scottish Agricultural College is taking part in a Europe-wide project to identify the nature of wheat varieties that can suppress weed...

Scientist highlights public confusion over pesticides.
March 5, 2004... A LEADING scientist has warned that supermarket calls for lower or zero pesticide residues in food could drive farmers to spray earlier than necessary and switch to products that can not be detected. Professor Garth Foster, of the Scottish...

Concerns over potato research.
March 5, 2004... CONCERNS that much of the money spent on potato research is aimed at targets that don't obviously benefit growers were voiced at the conference. David Piccaver, former chairman of the British Potato Council's research and development...

Meeting its targets and involving more farmers.
March 5, 2004... THE Voluntary Initiative (VI) is meeting its first set of targets for involving farmers in safe spraying strategies and improving operator training. In addition, growers in the Assured Produce Scheme (APS) will this year, for the first...

Precision farming to cut costs and reduce global warming.
March 5, 2004... TWO ways in which precision farming techniques can be used to cut costs were outlined at the conference. Angus farmer Robert Ramsay explained how he is aiming to reduce energy use and his farm's contribution to global warming, while crop...

Adopting a tough stance on disease.
March 5, 2004... POTATO growers could jeopardise the whole industry by ignoring the threat of quarantine potato diseases. That is the stark message being given by the British Potato Council (BPC), which urges everyone to make a careful assessment of their...

Consultations over farm waste disposal.
March 5, 2004... CURRENT farm waste disposal practices, such as dumps and open land burning, are unlikely to meet the requirements of the Waste Framework Directive, which comes into force later this year, farmers have been warned. Action will be needed but...

Tackling spring weeds.
March 5, 2004... WINTER oilseed rape growers have a new product with which to tackle difficult weeds, with the launch of the new post-emergence herbicide, Galera, from Dow Agrosciences. Offering control of mayweeds, sow thistle and creeping thistle, the...

Good practice code for abstractors.
March 5, 2004... THE UK Irrigation Association (IA) has called for a `Code of Good Practice' to be drawn up to guide agricultural and turf water abstractors. Speaking at the conference, Melvyn Kay, executive secretary of the UK IA said: "Irrigators need a...

Sustainable and efficient use of water.
March 5, 2004... New legislation and the need for a Code of Good Practice were among the key topics under discussion at the UK Irrigation Association (IA) annual conference in Peterborough. ALISON LEA continues her report. AS new legislation comes into...

Quality fuels demand for traditional Highland beef.
March 5, 2004... Marketing Highland beef into premium markets, largely through farmers' markets and mail order, has been the basis of a growing and environmentally-friendly farming enterprise for Scottish farmers, Bernard and Hilary Barker. Neil Ryder visited...

RURAL LIFE: It's all about hats and good business.
March 5, 2004... In 1995 farmer's wife Sarah Rhodes spotted a feature in Farmers Guardian about Beryl Otley, a farmer's wife who was expanding her successful hat hire business by setting up a franchise style co- operative. Within four months of reading the...

Concerted effort by rural community leads to re-opening of Post Offices.
March 5, 2004... WHILE many rural communities are losing their Post Offices, two in the Cotswolds have re-opened. A concerted effort by villagers, parish council and local MP combined with the use of grants by chartered surveyors Berrys, support from local...

Cabaret talent.
March 5, 2004... An audience of 450 saw Kinross JAC judged top act in Scottish Young Farmers' East Region annual cabaret talent competition at Lochgelly Centre Theatre. The club from Fife and Kinross district presented songs on a `world in union' theme....

All set for a bumper YFC country show.
March 5, 2004... LAST year around 16,000 people attended Essex Young Farmers' country show. This year an even larger turnout is anticipated. "We've already received more applications from exhibitors than ever before at this stage," said county organiser,...

Leek first.
March 5, 2004... A Big Brother house-style presentation saw Leek YFC voted first in Staffordshire Young Farmers' club promotion competition. Eccleshall's `I'm a Celebrity' approach got them the runner-up slot. Teams. 1, Leek (Duncan Hughes, Sue Lovatt, Liz...

Farm Stay UK members raise #1,435.
March 5, 2004... A cheque for #1,435 has been presented to Yorkshire Air Ambulance by Yorkshire members of Farm Stay UK. The money was raised at a charity `Farmhouse Big Breakfast' hosted by John and Catherine Howard at Newton Grange, Bank Newton, near Skipton,...

Top member.
March 5, 2004... Andrew Todd, of Horncastle YFC, a sales representative for RMC Aggregates based in Lincoln, won Lincolnshire YFC's senior member of the year title. Ashley Boyles, Market Rasen, was runner-up and March Poucher, Wragby, third. Junior member...

Lynne and Nicola win awards.
March 5, 2004... TWO Montgomeryshire Young Farmers have won awards in recognition of county and club achievements during the past year. Lynne Pritchard, a member of Berriew YFC for five yars, has been named junior member of the year. Nicola Walker, from...

Welcome for MP's school sugar Bill.
March 5, 2004... THE National Federation of Women's Institutes-Wales has welcomed a 10- minute rule Bill introduced by John Owen Jones MP to ban sugary drinks and high calorie foods from school vending machines. One of the NFWI's current campaigns relates...

Tasty cash.
March 5, 2004... The initiative of Hope Valley YFC, Derbyshire, juniors raised #300 for club funds. With county and national levy in mind, junior members organised a breakfast celebration following the Plough Sunday service and made #300 for the club. ...

Brainstrust.
March 5, 2004... SUBJECTS ranging from rugby to terrorism and wind farms to hunting, were debated during Cumbria Young Farmers' intermediate brainstrust. Crook YFCs' Kieren Armer, Sarah Jopson, Rebecca Redmayne and Peter Swindlehurst talked their way into first...

Quiz test.
March 5, 2004... Farming, food safety and general knowledge were tested in an open quiz organised by Devon Young Farmers. Devon NFU won the non-members' section, North Molton was top YFC entry. Quizmaster was Devon chairman, Laura Hutchings. Copyright: CMP...

Brackenholme Frank is victor at Windermere.
March 5, 2004... WHILE Timothy Longton's Elian Fizz won the Windermere trial on Saturday at Thorpisty, Cartmel Fell, Cumbria, Stuart Walton's Brackenholme Frank was the victor of the concluding championship. In bright, sunny weather, Doug Reynolds of...

WELSH TRIALS: Snow cuts short St Davids trials.
March 5, 2004... IT seems that nowhere in Wales escaped the snow and it was sufficiently deep to cause the cancellation of the first of the two days of trialling competition the Hope family had planned at Trefelli Farm, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. It was...