Dairy Farmer articles from July 2002

Dairy Farmer archives from July 2002

COMMENT: Another train or?(Brief Article)(Editorial)
July 19, 2002... The collapse of WorldCom and the incidental "mislaying" of a couple billion quid has rocked the markets compounding US woes and further strengthening the euro. This week it clocked the dizzy heights of 65p against sterling adding another...

Sssh...do we hear the first signs.(milk prices)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Evidence is growing that the drivers needed to boost milk prices are now in place. Industry sources say they expect this to happen over the coming months as a lengthy period of over supply that has created a buyer's market begins to swing...

Sainsbury's move causes concern.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... One of the big five retailers, Sainsbury's, has announced that for July it intends dropping the price of 100 organic products in line with conventional counterparts. This, they say, is to give consumers a chance to try the organic lines...

Public support.(farm support policies)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... A European Commission survey across all 15 EU member states has shown that 60 per cent of people are concerned about the quality of their food - but over 90 per cent are willing to support agriculture, provided farming can be shown to deliver...

Production gene discovery speeds testing.(milk yield)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... A major breakthrough in cattle genetics promises to increase accuracy of young bull selection and remove much of the wastage associated with progeny testing. Researchers at the University of Liege, Belgium, working on a joint project for...

Milk race revival - do you want it?(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... As the noted Tour de France takes across the channel, efforts are continuing here to assess the merits of re-instating the once internationally famous Milk Race to the UK's sporting calendar. The 1000 mile, 10-day cycle race was a front line...

Jayson to Germany.(Genus PLC)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Genus announce that they have just exported their first shipment of Holstein semen to Germany with a consignment of Genus Jayson straws. This UK-tested bull has been one of the best sellers in the UK over the last six months but according to...

Canada rapped over cheese exports.(World Trade Organization)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... The World Trade Organisation has ruled against Canada in a dispute over milk subsidies. At issue are mechanisms used by Canada to differentiate between milk for the domestic market and export, which the WTO has ruled represent a form of cross...

You can measure it with your welly!(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Even as we speak grass is bursting out all over at Tim Gibson's N Yorkshire farm where he has now got the `automatic' cows jumping through all the hoops... however he is finding himself a bit short of headroom where it matters. Last time I...

So it's goodbye to the old girls!(cows)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Life at the Leaneys' Taunton farm has been turned totally upside down in the last few weeks as the locals will already know. But let Sally herself break the news to the rest of you. It is 7.00pm on a damp June evening and the yard is quiet...

One reactor gone and another inconclusive.(tuberculosis in cattle)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... In the rush of all the other jobs, Paul Higgins is now getting increasingly worried over his second inconclusive reactor and is waiting on tenterhooks to know whether the first was a genuine positive or not. The silage went into the clamp...

Lozan tops at 10,000 gns.(dairy heifer prices)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... A top price of 10,000gns was paid for a yearling heifer by Canadian sire Duncan Progress at the first home sale staged by Ridgefield Holsteins in Leicestershire. The poor milk price did little to dampen the interest of bidders who paid an...

Canadian type sire.(dairy cattle breeding)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... A new high type sire from Canada, Calbrett IHH Champion, has joined the Supersires stud this month (daughter below) and although his production proof is not yet available, he is already being used in Europe and N America as a sire of sons. ...

Udder improver.(Semex UK)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Semex UK has added an American proven Formation son, Stouder Morty, to its stud line up. Progeny tested as part of Semex's US Premier programme, Morty currently ranks number two on the American TPI rankings. On his UK figures Morty...

Saunders leads sires for easy care systems.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 19, 2002... Earlier this year we ran a feature on Holstein sires for low cost systems. Following the publication of the latest sire proofs in May we have re-run the original screen on the available bulls for producers looking for easy care, high component...

Ked Juror dies in US.(cattle sire)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
July 19, 2002... One of the most heavily used sires of sons in recent years, Ked Juror, has died in the US at almost 15 years of age. Juror is recognised as one of Blackstar's best type transmitting sons and he produced just short of 1 million doses of semen...

Stormatic's younger brother steps in.(Semen World imports semen from popular bull's younger brother)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Farmers who like the look of the new Canadian star, Comestar Stormatic, but are put off by the high price tag, can cash in on the same genetics for a more modest price, according to Semen World. The company is now importing semen from...

Bargain bull offer.(World-Wide Sires offers promotion on cattle semen)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... World-Wide Sires have launched their new Summer Direct brochure offering 20% free semen on orders of 30 doses for selected bulls. Included are Mr Jed Approval who is in the Top 5 Sires in the world at + 3.15 UK Type for as little as #12.50 and...

Cogent sets up in Holland.(cattle breeding company launches new marketing arm)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Potential demand for British-bred bloodlines has led Cheshire-based cattle breeding company Cogent to set up its first major foothold abroad with a European bridgehead office in Holland. The new marketing arm, known as Cogent Europe, will...

Marconi son from MOET.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 19, 2002... MOET Lapley is the latest sire from the Genus breeding programme, and boasts over two points on udders and feet & legs with plus solid percents. The Marconi son is out of MOET Slocum Martha B VG86 and the UK proven sire shows 357kg milk,...

Milk supply out of kilter.(abnormal milk production pattern in European Union creates supply and demand imbalance)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 19, 2002... Milk delivery figures from across the EU suggest 2002 could produce the most abnormal production pattern for some time. This has created a big imbalance between supply and demand, with production rising in the face of a fall in demand, weak...

EC declares on quotas.(European Commission against changes to dairy regime)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... The European Commission has come out against major changes to the dairy regime and has even hinted that it would like to see milk quotas continue after the Agenda 2000 reforms for the dairy sector end in 2008. This will effectively close...

Question over budget reserves.(for dairy)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Farm lobby groups have accused the European Commission of being over cautious, after figures revealed that the CAP budget is again underspent. Spending to date this year is over 1.5 billion euro less that forecast, mainly because of reduced...

Banks hold steady... for the moment!(agriculture industry and bank loans)
July 19, 2002... With the industry going through one of its most punishing times in recent history, Peter Hollinshead talks to HSBC head of agriculture Steve Ellwood about how he sees prospects for the industry and for how much longer the banks with their...

Driving home with a cow in the front!(Castle Covers)(Company Profile)
July 19, 2002... Never would it be thought that a small diversification enterprise would have been sparked off from last year's food depot picketing, yet a busy Cheshire couple seized the opportunity and hope to launch their very own spin-off product. Peter...

From cows to cots in one easy move.(dairy farmers open nursery equipment store)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... The end of a farm lane is not the most likely place to find a franchise store selling upmarket nursery equipment. But Somerset dairy producers Chris and Grace Read have found that cows and cots are an ideal combination. Angela Rhodes reports....

About the company.(Nippers UK Franchising Ltd markets toddler toy store and nursery franchise outlets to farmer's wives)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Nippers UK Franchising Ltd is the brainchild of Julia Cassell who opened her first nursery equipment and toddler toy store 20 years ago. There are now nine franchise stores in southern and central England and all but one are owned and run by...

Tapping into new markets.(dairy farmer expands into plumbing franchise)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... A Shropshire dairy farmer has taken the plunge into new waters by signing up as a franchisee for a plumbing and drainage business... something which has given him a unique insight and appreciation of the skills of farmstaff. Peter Hollinshead...

Are you getting the best deal?(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Producers are so disgusted with the milk price that many would rather not think about it or risk rocking the buyers boat. But now they have a chance to compare prices across the board for their particular milk and no-one need even know - until,...

To stay in or get out?(family successfully reorganizes dairy farm)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Faced with the prospect of a major road upheaval a few years ago, Derbyshire farmer Peter Thompson and his family had the mindbending decision of re-affirming their commitment to dairying or exploring alternative enterprises. Angela Rhodes...

Stability under CAP review.(European Commission dairy farming reforms)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... With the Commission about to formally pronounce on its mid-term deliberations, Euro watcher Richard Wright analyses what this will mean for the long term future of dairying. Ask any farmer what they want from their business and the instant...

Target cows in the dry period.(Dr. Andrew Bradley's dry cow treatment indicates health and financial benefits)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... New research has shown that using individual cow somatic cell counts (SCC) as a guide to dry cow treatment can aid cow health and cut costs. Rachael Porter reports. Selective dry cow therapy does not mean selecting cows that should or...

Milk 46p... margin 11p - where is this paradise?(dairy farming in Japan)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... In the mistaken belief that the Rams were playing, Ian Potter rushed hell for leather to the Far East... but instead found a refreshingly different attitude of the Japanese Government towards its dairy farmers, and despite other minor...

Letter: Dairy Council puts its case.(Letter to the Editor)
July 19, 2002... From: Michele Stephens, Communications Manager, The Dairy Council, 5-7 Princes St, London W1G OJN. I was surprised to read in your comment piece (Dairy Farmer 6 June) the implication that The Dairy Council could do more to promote emerging...

Letter: My future in your hands!(Letter to the Editor)
July 19, 2002... From: Hilda Stafford, 6 Kingsway, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9QW. With the news of bovine tuberculosis now spreading through dairy herds, we must be forgiven when we suspect a Government strategy to annihilate this country's agricultural...

Letter: Truth is nearer 30p.(Letter to the Editor)
July 19, 2002... From: Colin Hawes, 14 Bowden Hill, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2PW Mr Powell (June issue) is to be supported in his observation that `the greatest danger of all is for others in the industry to think we can produce milk for...

Letter: Natural approach.(Letter to the Editor)
July 19, 2002... From: Geoff Derges, Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy. Following Sally Leaney's articles over the past couple of months, we have received numerous enquiries with regard to the increasing incidences of clinical mastitis and rising cell count...

Calcium at calving.(Letter to the Editor)
July 19, 2002... From: Dr Duncan Pickard, Straiton Farm, Balmullo, Fife KY16 0BN. It was interesting to read John Shaw's account of the function of acid- base balance in milk fever (DF May 2002), but I would like to point out that the amount of calcium,...

Raise your glass to sulphur cure!(sulphur essential to health of dairy cattle)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Microbes in a cow's rumen can synthesise all the amino-acids needed provided there is an adequate source of sulphur in the diet, but overdo it and you are in trouble. Vet John Shaw fills us in on the vital role this element plays. Sulphur...

Tesco slashes 6p pint off organic milk.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Late June saw Tesco cut the price of organic milk on the shelf. Having moved to one supplier of organic milk in England and Wales - Arla - and by dropping Dairy Crest and Express, Tesco has streamlined operations and saved 6p a pint - a saving...

Smile - and say cheese!(cheese board marketing campaign a success)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Smiles all round at the success of the MDC/British Cheese Board's `Say Cheese' campaign. Running in the first three months of the year, it homed in on the merits of including cheese as part of a healthy diet. So impressed were the MDC at...

Ploughman back for lunch.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Country pubs were just as pleased as farmers to see the back of the FMD epidemic of last year. Sales of cheese to catering outlets were diabolical as the tourist industry `shut down'. Meals in country pubs including the ever popular ploughman's...

Hitting heifer targets.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... To ensure an average LWG approaching 0.8kg/day for every day over the period up to two-year calving, replacement heifers need to be motoring along in the first 12 weeks of life at well over that rate. Peter Hollinshead reports. Replacement...

Tougher lucerne.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... New lucerne varieties bred specifically for the cooler northern climates could soon enable more farmers to take advantage of the crop, believes Ulster plant breeder David Johnston. Mr Johnston of the Northern Ireland Horticulture and Plant...

Hybrids set to impress.(plant breeding)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Researchers shortly hope to announce more persistent ryegrass varieties, lucerne specifically bred to stand the cooler northern climes and also more accurate testing of grass nutrients. Neil Ryder joined a party of journalists attending a...

Finding true value of fresh grass.(Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland study)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... Techniques to assess key chemical and biological characteristics of fresh grass are being developed at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough. Acting director Sinclair Mayne said that one of the major problems...

Dreaming of the perfect woman!(farming anecdotes)(Brief Article)
July 19, 2002... For once Roger Evans finds himself speechless at a fellow farmer's relevation that his wife will actually put the tyres on the clamp... and then goes on to hurt his back pumping water troughs. Bent double with the sound off... whatever next?...