Farmers Guardian articles from November 2007

Farmers Guardian archives from November 2007

Fair trade for British farmers on the way?
November 2, 2007... THE Competition Commission has opened the door for the introduction of a `supermarket ombudsman' to ensure fair play between retailers and their suppliers. In a report on the provisional findings of its supermarket inquiry, the commission...

Government under pressure to commit to a bluetongue vaccine policy.
November 2, 2007... THE Government is coming under intense pressure from vaccine manufacturers and the livestock industry to commit itself to a policy of bluetongue vaccination next year. There is mounting concern that its continuing failure to place an order...

Incidence on infected farms `very low - so far' claims Defra report.
November 2, 2007... BLUETONGUE restrictions may be causing huge problems for farmers across the country, but the disease itself has caused relatively little damage so far, a Defra report has revealed. The department has published the first epidemiology report...

Control Zones are merged after new case discovered in Ely.
November 2, 2007... THE two Bluetongue Control Zones in place at the start of this week were merged into one on Tuesday, after the discovery of the virus near Ely in Cambridgeshire. The new outbreak resulted in the zone near Peterborough being linked up with...

Agriculture on the front line in climate change challenge.
November 2, 2007... THE Government's ambitious draft Climate Change Bill has been championed by Defra Secretary Hilary Benn. He says it will tackle the `greatest challenge facing our generation'. The Government is leading from the front with the world's first...

Carbon emissions from food transport continue to soar.
November 2, 2007... DESPITE a greater awareness of the environmental impact of food miles, carbon emissions from food transport continue to soar according to figures published last week. Food transport accounted for over 18.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide...

Natural England urged to defend green belt.
November 2, 2007... NATURAL England celebrated its one-year anniversary this week satisfied it was shaping a greener future for the country. But experts warned the agency against sitting on its laurels, urging it to strengthen its defence of the green belt and...

NFUS council open to all.
November 2, 2007... FOR the first time, NFU Scotland is opening its annual council meeting to all members. The meeting has historically only been open to council members. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, will address the meeting along...

EU countries discuss GM while cultivations in Europe soar by 77pc.
November 2, 2007... CULTIVATION of GM crops in Europe has rocketed in the last year, according to figures out this week. GM crops now cover a total of 110,007 hectares of arable land on the continent - a rise of more than 77 per cent on last year. The...

`Cancer link' to red and processed meats.
November 2, 2007... EATING red and processed meats increases the risk of developing bowel cancer, a report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has claimed this week. There is `convincing' evidence that processed meats increase the risk of colorectal...

Organic food `equivalent to having extra portion of fruit and veg day'.
November 2, 2007... ORGANIC food is more nutritious and can even help fight cancer, according to new research out this week. Scientists leading the #12million project have called on the Government to accept the evidence and encourage consumers to eat organic...

RPA delivers bulk of FMD Hill Farm Allowance payments.
November 2, 2007... THE Rural Payments Agency has paid the bulk of the #8.5m of payments to English hill farmers as part of the foot-and-mouth disease package of measures announced by the Secretary of State in early October. Payments are being made to all...

No progress on WTO talks.
November 2, 2007... THE World Trade Organisation negotiations are running into further problems. Officials at the WTO's headquarters in Geneva have conceded that two months of intensive negotiations have produced no progress. As a result they say it is...

Light lamb scheme payment just a starting point, say unions.
November 2, 2007... LAST weekend's start-up of a #6.75million voluntary light lamb welfare disposal scheme in Wales has been welcomed by NFU Cymru and the Farmers Union of Wales - but both are adamant it is only the tip of a very large financial iceberg the...

Scottish Government sends a #25m FMD bill to Westminster.
November 2, 2007... UK has a moral and financial responsibility to compensate Scotland, says Lochhead THE Scottish Government has sent a #25million bill to the British Government to reimburse it and its livestock sector for losses arising from foot-and-mouth...

Conservatives attack Benn over `insensitive' cost-sharing plans.
November 2, 2007... THE Conservatives have attacked Defra Secretary Hilary Benn over the Government's controversial plans to shift more of the cost of disease control on to farmers. Mr Benn confirmed in the House of Commons last Thursday that the Government...

Kent is hit hardest by restrictions.
November 2, 2007... LIVESTOCK farmers in Kent whose proximity to the foot-and-mouth and bluetongue outbreaks has burdened them with the most onerous movement restrictions of all farmers are calling for Government help. First caught up in the foot-and-mouth...

Gibson to retire - but not his voice for farming.
November 2, 2007... THE NFU's director of communications Anthony Gibson is to leave the post next year after 36 years with the union. Mr Gibson, one of farming's most high profile figures, shot to national prominence in 2001 when he became a leading spokesmen...

College tackles shortage of disease experts in the UK.
November 2, 2007... OUTBREAKS of bird flu, foot-and-mouth and bluetongue in the UK have exposed a shortage of disease experts, according to the Royal Veterinary College. In response, the college is offering bursaries on its infectious disease course and...

CSL's central role providing scientific advice.
November 2, 2007... THE Central Science Laboratory has successfully steered Government policy and opinion on central issues such as disease prevention, contaminated food and environmental concerns, according to a new report. The CSL, a Defra agency, this week...

Cows `the ultimate carbon off-setters', says report.
November 2, 2007... COWS have received a lot of negative press recently, accused of being significant contributors to global warming - but a new report suggests that cows are actually `the ultimate' carbon off-setters. Responding to headlines that suggested...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Milk quota increase move.
November 2, 2007... EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel is moving towards a significant increase in milk quotas from next April. A majority of member countries say this would help farmers prepare for the end of milk quotas in 2015 and at the same time...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Crofting plan.
November 2, 2007... The Scottish Crofting Foundation has welcomed the Scottish Executive's decision to consult on the possible extension of the crofting counties. The proposed consultation, announced by Crofting Minister Michael Russell, will invite views on...

Agreement is reached over Stoneleigh site.
November 2, 2007... THE Royal Agricultural Society of England has secured its future at Stoneleigh Park following lengthy, but successful, negotiations with the Leigh Family Trustees, who sold the freehold of the park to the society in 1988. The agreement...

My new best friend is out there somewhere.
November 2, 2007... We had the dog put down today. He was old and ill, but I am amazed at how upset I am. When I think back to the nervous, brainless puppy he once was I would never have believed he would become such a calm and sensible adult. By the...

OPINION: Now have your say.
November 2, 2007... Finally, 17 months into their investigation, the Competition Commission has delivered the news the industry has been waiting for. The supermarkets are in need of more regulation; while their customers are getting a good deal, some suppliers...

LETTER: How are we going to feed ourselves in future?(Letter to the editor)
November 2, 2007... We, as practical country people, have known for many years that the supermarkets and others were underpaying their suppliers in order to swell their own profits. Not only were they destroying the farming industry when we saw three dairy...

LETTER: Hill farm light lamb wastage.(Letter to the editor)
November 2, 2007... I AM incensed, as many others are when they realise what is going on by the wastage of incinerating light lambs from hill farms. Is it not a ludicrous system that imports New Zealand lamb at huge environmental cost and burns our own? ...

LETTER: Eblex expects highest standards from staff.(Letter to the editor)
November 2, 2007... I WAS extremely disappointed to hear about Mary Alford's experiences on the Eblex stand at Anuga (FG, October 26). It goes without saying Eblex expects the highest standards from all staff working on our behalf and I have written to her to...

LETTER: 54 confirmed premises affected by bluetongue.(Letter to the editor)
November 2, 2007... AS of today, October 26, the Defra website reports that there are 54 `confirmed premises affected by bluetongue'. Clearly the number of such premises is increasing virtually daily. There is no indication of the number of animals affected....

LETTER: Collective action to improve animal welfare.(Letter to the editor)
November 2, 2007... I NOTE that Defra has launched its Animal Health and Welfare Delivery Strategy for England. It says that central Government and its agencies should use their `unique position and expertise to put forward collective action to improve animal...

LETTER: Keen to dispel bad press.(Letter to the editor)
November 2, 2007... `WORLD'S largest exporter (Brazil) is keen to dispel the `bad press' about its chicken industry', reported FG on October 19). Then why was Katie Lomas not allowed to visit the breeding stock farms, hatcheries and broiler farms `due to fear...

Bourne bites back in battle of the badger culling reports.
November 2, 2007... Two scientists - two reports on badger culling - two very different conclusions. So when Independent Scientific Group chairman Prof John Bourne and Government chief scientist Sir David King both appeared before a committee of MPs, the results...

`Mud-slinging' claim follows dismissal of King report.
November 2, 2007... PROFESSOR John Bourne received the backing of the scientist who audited the Randomised Badger Culling Trials in his fight back against Sir David King. Denis Mollison, independent statistical auditor to the RBCT, submitted a short response...

Improved Organic Farming Scheme all set to be re-open.
November 2, 2007... THE Organic Farming Scheme is to re-open in Wales next month - with some significant improvements developed in consultation with the industry. It includes: * A new payment of #1,000 on the first hectare of land entered into the scheme...

Steady rise in Welsh organic land area.
November 2, 2007... This year's Wales Organic Conference brought some good news for would- be converters. BARRY ALSTON reports from the Royal Welsh Showground. WALES is leading the way in the increasing levels of organic land area in the UK - with the latest...

A significant role to play in climate change issues.
November 2, 2007... CLIMATE change and sustainability were rising rapidly up the political agenda and organic farming had a significant role to play in meeting those aims, according to Organic Centre Wales director, Dr Nic Lampkin. "The twin challenges of...

Father and son team retain their titles.
November 2, 2007... THE 45th Scottish Ploughing Championships were held at Pusk Farm, near Balmullo, at the weekend. With more than 170 entries it was one of the biggest championship events for many years. As the event got underway all eyes were on the...

Delivering farming's message.
November 2, 2007... Twelve farmers from Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire were taking part in a two-day communications training programme this week on a farm near Garstang, Lancashire, learning how to welcome schools and adult groups onto their farms to learn about...

Employee of the Year is dedicated to his farm job.
November 2, 2007... HE will be 65 on November 21 - but Ernest Griffiths has no intention of retiring. His employer likes having him around, too. In fact, as far as Walter Simon is concerned, the winner of this year's NFU Cymru-NatWest Welsh Farm Employee of...

Honoured for his outstanding service to agriculture in Wales.
November 2, 2007... A farmer turned lecturer turned politician is being honoured for his outstanding service to agriculture. This year's Farmers Union of Wales-Barclays Bank Award will be presented to Lord Livsey of Talgarth at a special dinner on November 30....

Regional food success story.
November 2, 2007... THE launch of a unique delivery service by regional food group, Heart of England fine foods (HEFF) is being hailed a huge success by participating producers. The HEFF Delivery Service is a partnership between HEFF and Heart Distribution, a...

Returning to roots to diversify family farm business for community.
November 2, 2007... Robert and Oliver Paul set up the Suffolk Food Hall to offer locally- produced food with the convenience of a major retailer. CLEMMIE GLEESON reports. WHEN cousins Robert and Oliver Paul opened the Suffolk Food Hall in May this year it...

MACHINERY: Claas aims to retain forage harvester lead.
November 2, 2007... With four new Jaguar models, Claas is fighting back to keep the number one spot in the self-propelled forage harvester market in the UK that it has held for 15 years. As well as a new cutting drum, better weight distribution and features...

MACHINERY: Flex-wing 18000 topper.
November 2, 2007... Major Equipment has developed the linkage-mounted 5.5m-wide Flex-Wing 18000 topper. For transport, the outer wings fold hydraulically to give an overall width of 2.3m. There is also -15 to +25 degrees of movement in the wings, allowing them to...

MACHINERY: Suzuki's 450X KingQuad `clean machine' combines power.
November 2, 2007... WHAT do you least like about automatic ATVs - is it the seemingly high engine speed of many of them, for any given forward speed? That has always been my biggest dislike - and probably the increased fuel consumption that must go with it....

MACHINERY: Tracks could cut compaction and raise traction `by 300pc'.
November 2, 2007... While track units may not be new to the UK, the idea of fitting one on all four corners of a rigid frame tractor is something different. Case IH dealer Collings Brothers of Abbotsley, Cambridgeshire, is now marketing Soucy track units and...

MACHINERY: Michelin AxioBib for 200-500hp tractors.
November 2, 2007... Building on its success with Ultraflex sidewall technology in the XeoBib tyre for 80-200hp tractors, Michelin has rolled out improved radials for the 200-500hp sector. Called AxioBib, the new tyre is said to withstand higher torque...

ARABLE: Don't panic buy on autumn Atlantis.
November 2, 2007... THERE will be enough Atlantis to go round this autumn - as long as there is no panic buying, says Bayer CropScience. The company was responding to speculation that demand for the herbicide could outstrip supply following this autumn's...

ARABLE: Demand outstrips supply for fertilisers.
November 2, 2007... FERTILISER costs climbed further this week in an exceedingly tight market with rising demand, according to trader, Calum Findlay, Gleadell. "The fertiliser market is incredibly firm, but there has to be a limit as to where it can go," said...

ARABLE: Refill to save on waste.
November 2, 2007... POTATO growers who fail to return their Nemathorin Surefill containers could be in breach of new waste regulations and be threatening the viability of the returnable packaging initiative. They will also incur the unnecessary costs of safe...

ARABLE: Bromuconazole approved.
November 2, 2007... TRIAZOLE fungicide bromuconazole has been approved for use on wheat and barley in the UK and Ireland. Marketed by Interfarm as Tote, the new fungicide is approved for the control of a range of foliar, stem and ear diseases. It can be used...

ARABLE: Changing the way in which EU approves agrochemicals for crops.
November 2, 2007... Last week the European Parliament voted on two key pieces of pesticide legislation that are set to have a big impact on the way that agrochemicals are approved, marketed and used by EU states. Teresa Rush takes a look at some of the detail of...

ARABLE: Identifying agriculture's way forward.
November 2, 2007... AGRICULTURAL irrrigation accounts for just 1 per cent of total water use, said Dr Jerry Knox, of Cranfield University. Around 4 per cent of the total crop area is irrigated, accounting for 20 per cent of crop value. Farming in the...

ARABLE: Expert warns that ignoring CAMS is a huge financial risk.
November 2, 2007... Water's future availability and use is an area of uncertainty for farmers so a conference organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association and Royal Agricultural Society of England explored the threats and opportunities. CLEMMIE GLEESON...

CONFERENCE BRIEF: Most useful directive.(Conference news)
November 2, 2007... THE Water Framework Directive is `the most useful directive' according to John Gummer MP, the conference chairman. In his introduction to the Water and Agriculture Conference in Suffolk, he said. "The Water Framework Directive has given us...

CONFERENCE BRIEF: Agriculture taking majority of world's water.(Conference news)
November 2, 2007... THE typical Westerner uses 100 times their own bodyweight in water every day when you take into account the amounts used to produce meat and milk. Environment consultant and author Fred Pearce said that vegetarians use around half of that....

CONFERENCE BRIEF: Potatoes have biggest impact.(Conference news)
November 2, 2007... THE UK potato crop consumes 50 per cent of all irrigation water as 70 per cent of crops are irrigated, according to Prof Philip White of the Scottish Crops Research Institute. Research efforts to create water efficient varieties should...

ARABLE: The use of water is morally and commercially justifiable.
November 2, 2007... THE creation of three reservoirs which hold a total of 101 million gallons of water has brought the Benacre Estate in Suffolk increased flexibility and will help it move forward in the long term. Peter Bennett, of Savills, explained how...

ARABLE: Tighter restrictions should cause a rethink of fogging regimes.
November 2, 2007... A POTATO store's entire fogging regime, and not just the final treatment, is vital to consider in abiding with the new CIPC residue restriction MRL of 10ppm, enforced for the first time this season. That was what fogging contractors and...

ARABLE: Safe and cost-effective grain storage information from HGCA.
November 2, 2007... A NEW area on the HGCA's website has been designed to provide farmers with easy access to the latest information on cost-effective and safe grain storage. "Each key stage following harvest has its own section containing relevant topic...

ARABLE: Switching to spring barley may be better.
November 2, 2007... GROWERS confident of achieving a full malting specification may be better off switching from late drilled winter wheat to a leading spring malting barley, given grain prices quoted for harvest 2008. That is the view of Graham Redman,...

ARABLE: Cold store could get a biogas generator?
November 2, 2007... SOMERSET could be ahead of the field in renewable energy production if proposals to install a biogas energy-producing generator are approved by planners next month. Cannington Cold Stores, near Bridgwater, is run by the Roe family who,...

FARM FEATURE: Breeder and showman aiming for the perfect Large Black.
November 2, 2007... A summer of success for breeder and showman Martin Snell has evoked an ongoing determination to produce the perfect Large Black pig. KATIE ROEBUCK meets the Somerset farmer causing a stir in the showring. PICTURES: Marcello Garbagnoli ...

Oxfordshire's Dan is voted in as new national chairman.
November 2, 2007... YOUNG Farmers' Club members have elected their new national office holders and steering group chairmen at their council meeting at Stoneleigh Park. Twenty eight-year-old Dan Halliday from Abingdon YFC, Oxfordshire, was elected chairman of...

YFC IN-BRIEF: Tug of war competition.
November 2, 2007... MEMBERS from across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria proved who had the tightest grip on the rope at fourth Annual Burton-in-Lonsdale YFC tug of war competition. Burton-in-Lonsdale retained their title in the men's competition, with...

YFC IN-BRIEF: YFC Jail Break.
November 2, 2007... YFC Members from Lincolnshire county competed against the clock to get as far away as possible in a Jail Break from Horncastle police station. Members from Brigg, Horncastle, Grantham, Spilsby and Coningsby walked, flagged lifts, got free...

Pioneering rural entrepreneurs.
November 2, 2007... BEN and Charlotte Hollins have been voted the UK's Young Rural Entrepreneurs 2007, scooping the top prize of #10,000. The siblings impressed a panel of judges after raising #1.4million to save their family home via a unique community...

Fresh Start receives a #40,000 Mutual boost.
November 2, 2007... NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has donated #40,000 to the Fresh Start initiative, helping to secure its future for the next two years. The new burst of finance - two instalments of #20,000 - will help the Fresh Start academies continue to...

Keen competition from Cumbria's Young Farmers.
November 2, 2007... THE Cumbria YFC County Sports Competitions Day at the University of Central Lancashire's Newton Rigg campus saw 300 members taking part. Results: Over 18 Football: 1, Raughton Head YFC; 2, Sedbergh YFC; 3, Grayrigg YFC. Junior...

Ingham and Kyle take their first nursey title at Trawden.
November 2, 2007... MARILYN Ingham and Lynmar Kyle took their first nursery title on Saturday at the Trawden trial at Downham, near Clitheroe, Lancashire. On a mainly flat, square field - a nice size for an early season trial - the fit Mule ewes were wilful...

Rona and Pete take top spot.
November 2, 2007... COMPETITION was impossible because of cloud cover over high ground for the Ceredigion handlers at Blaeglowon, on Saturday, so host John Davies agreed to hold the trials on Sunday. The trials at Bethania, scheduled for Monday, went ahead as...

COUNTRY VIEW: Look out for hibernating hedgehogs in bonfires.
November 2, 2007... IN order to reduce the number of hedgehog and other wildlife casualties this weekend, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) is urging that bonfires should not be built until the day they are due to be lit. "Piles of bonfire...

COUNTRY VIEW: Dairy farm wins holiday award for diversification.
November 2, 2007... A TRADITIONAL family-run dairy farm on the edge of the Peak District National Park, which recently diversified into offering self-catering holiday accommodation for riders and their horses, has received a prestigious award. Hoe Grange...

COUNTRY VIEW: Finding out what makes the country tick.
November 2, 2007... TWO sisters have set off on a two-month road trip in their country- cottage-themed motor home to raise the profile of their online community for country-minded people, Muddy Matches. Emma and Lucy Reeves intend to visit nine regions across...

COUNTRY VIEW: Saddle-making exhibition.
November 2, 2007... A NEW exhibition, `Saddled Up - Technology and Saddle-Making in the 21st Century', has opened at the Leather Museum in Walsall. The exhibition, run in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton's centre of engineering excellence,...

COUNTRY VIEW: Agreement on bird protection amid climate change.
November 2, 2007... A FRAMEWORK has been created for an international agreement to tackle the threats faced by migratory birds of prey across Europe, Africa and Asia. Ospreys, golden eagles, saker falcons and snowy owls are among over 70 species that will...

COUNTRY VIEW: Rural life and kicking.
November 2, 2007... THE weekend's two-day celebration of rural life, Countryside Live, welcomed nearly 7,500 visitors through its gates at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. Last month's decision to cancel the livestock classes because of movement...

MUCK & SLURRY: Plan now to ease pain of new NVZ regulations.
November 2, 2007... ALTHOUGH the proposed changes to the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations are still at the consultation stage, Promar consultant Paul Henman has urged dairy farmers to start thinking now about how their business might be affected - as the cost...

MUCK & SLURRY: Benefits from annual sulphur on grassland.
November 2, 2007... THE use of sulphur-containing fertilisers should be an annually accepted practice, which would benefit the environment, livestock and farmers, said Kemira GrowHow agronomist Allison Grundy. In a 2007 survey 75 per cent of samples analysed...

MUCK & SLURRY: Techniques to reduce loss of phosphate.
November 2, 2007... ALTHOUGH agriculture was not the only culprit in allowing phosphate to enter water courses it was a contributing factor, said Becky Floate, a farm conservation adviser with FWAG. She said manures and livestock feeds both played a role and...

MUCK & SLURRY: Third of dairy farmers could have too much manure.
November 2, 2007... While the demands on livestock farmers handling muck and slurry increase, there is also a changing role for farm advisers. DAVID BODERKE attended a conference to find out what advisers, and therefore farmers, were being told to look out for in...

MUCK & SLURRY: 40pc of cropped land at risk from water erosion.
November 2, 2007... MORE than 40 per cent of cropped land in England and Wales was at risk from water erosion, with around 2.3 million tonnes of soil lost annually, claimed Kemira GrowHow field adviser Dave Towse. "No wonder soil management has risen up the...

MUCK & SLURRY: Slurry injection - exploiting the full nutrient.
November 2, 2007... Where there are cows there is likely to be slurry which needs to be spread on the land. The question is, how should slurry be spread so that maximum gain is achieved? Andy Collings takes a look at slurry injection. IT has to be said that,...