Written by Michael Geary
Last week’s sheep kill here at home (week ending May 9) showed that over 80,000 less hoggets have been processed to date this year, in comparison to the same period in 2020.
In the UK, a similar trend is being seen, with the UK sheep production for the month of April falling by 8%, with old season lamb (hoggets) in particular being touted as the main reason behind this fall, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
UK sheepmeat...
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Written by Brian McDonnell
As silage season approaches, now is the time to consider the environmental risk of silage effluent, to avoid a pollution incident which could cause serious harm to waterways.
Heather Gregg, an agri-environment adviser with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), said: “Silage effluent is probably one of the biggest risk factors during silage season, as its potency as a pollutant can have serious damaging effects if it reaches a waterway...
The EU’s position in global agri-food trade
Written by Alan Matthews
We have become used to the mantra that the EU is both the world’s largest agri-food exporter but also its largest agri-food importer. But this was before Brexit and the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU. The UK is a large net importer, so its departure implies (a) that the EU27 now becomes a larger exporter because exports to the UK are added to the extra-EU exports of the EU28, and (b) a smaller importer...
Written by William Kellett
Following an exceptionally dry spring in 2020, many were hoping for a more ‘normal’ spell of spring weather in 2021.
However, the weather over the past month has been predominantly dry for most, along with being exceptionally cold, with the Met Office provisionally reporting that it has been the frostiest April for 60 years.
According to Donald Paterson, agronomist with Scottish Agronomy, all of this has brought pros and cons to the arable sector.
The dry...
Written by John Swire
Nearly three quarters of people in Scotland support widening ownership of both urban and rural land, a public survey has found.
The survey of 1,500 people also found climate change, building on greenspace and inequality in land ownership are considered three of the biggest issues for the future of Scotland’s land.
The Scottish Government survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), looked at the public’s attitudes to land...
Written by William Kellett
With their Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), international premium brands, Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef, are among the most sought-after meats by consumers and top chefs.
Sold at retail stores and in foodservice across the map, they are now two of the most traceable meats in the world.
In 2018, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) formed a pioneering partnership with food technology specialists Oritain in the protection of Welsh Lamb, to authenticate...
Written by William Kellett
As cattle are turned out to grass, farmers are being reminded of the crucial importance of an effective parasite control strategy.
Matt Colston, Elanco ruminant technical consultant, explains that there are four key parasites beef and dairy producers should be considering at this time of year.
Roundworms
“If the grass is growing then worms will be active, and a risk for cattle in their first and second grazing seasons, as it takes up to two full grazing...
The chips are down: Belgium counts the cost of betting all on the potato
Written by Daniel Boffeyin Frameries, Belgium
A row over a huge processing plant has exposed flaws in the country’s reliance on a single crop. In Frameries, campaigners call for farmers to diversify
A humble frite with a dollop of mayonnaise is a revered thing in Belgium but, thanks to campaigners against a new mega-processing plant, the environmental and social costs of its mass production are being newly questioned...
Written by Rachel Martin
Members of the Democratic Unionst Party (DUP) have elected Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as their new leader.
Voting took place today at the DUP headquarters on Dundela Avenue between 10:00am and 4:00pm, with the new leader announced shortly before 5:00pm.
It was a two-horse race between MP Sir. Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots, who both represent the Lagan Valley constituency.
Incumbent leader Arlene Foster announced her...
Despite rainfall in early May across the UK, farmers are faced with limited grass growth for this time of year.
Wynnstay grass and roots manager, Colin Jones, says although welcomed, this wet weather is still a little too late to offset the lack of grass many are currently faced with.
“With the driest April since 1981, and the Met Office recording the greatest number of air frosts of any April since 19601, we haven’t seen the usual spring flush of grass,” says Colin.
“Ewes and lambs were...
Written by William Kellett
Trials officer and trainee agronomist at Procam, Jodie Littleford, has been awarded the esteemed Barrie Orme Shield for excelling in the BASIS certificate in Crop Protection.
Although a new entrant to the agricultural industry, Littleford secured a placement at Eurofins Agroscience as part of her biology degree at Cardiff University, and subsequently spent three years working in the crop trials department before taking on her current role at Procam, two years...
Written by Rachel Martin
Four calling male corncrakes have been recorded on Rathlin Island for first time since the late ‘70s / early ‘80s, thanks to regenerative farming techniques.
A Northern Ireland (NI) Environment Agency corncrake grant scheme is in place on the island, and is administered by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) NI. The scheme works with farmers to ensure their lands remain safe for these protected birds. One example of farming techniques supported...
Written by William Kellett
With limited UK data available on the impact of heat stress in indoor and outdoor herds, Lallemand Animal Nutrition and Dr. Tom Chamberlain, founder of Chalcombe Ltd, are launching the first ever UK based, real-time trial to support farmers this summer.
“The biggest issue facing UK farmers when it comes to heat stress is that our cows aren’t adapted for higher temperatures,” explained Mark McFarland, feed additive product manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition...
Australia’s mouse plague: six months ago it was war, now whole towns have accepted their presence
Written by Matilda Boseley
Farmers and residents in NSW and Queensland are still battling surging rodent numbers but they fear the ordeal will stretch on for months
Warning: graphic images may disturb some readers
When the mouse plague began in regional New South Wales and Queensland, residents spoke like generals in a war. It was all about strategy, setting the cleverest traps, fortifying...
Written by Rachel Martin
Thousands of letters from farmers across Northern Ireland warning the proposed Climate Change Bill could decimate the region’s agricultural industry appear to have fallen on deaf ears as politicians voted the bill through its second stage.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union lobbied politicians and urged members to write to their local MLAs to warn of the bill’s potential impact. It’s understood a template letter drafted by the union was downloaded more than 4,500 times...
Written by Rachel Martin
Members of the Democratic Unionst Party (DUP) have elected Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as their new leader.
Voting took place today at DUP headquarters Dundela House today between 10:00am and 4:00pm with the new leader announced shortly before 5:00pm.
It was a two-horse race between MP Sir. Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots, who both represent the Lagan Valley constituency.
Incumbent leader Arlene Foster announced her resignation...
Written by Rachel Martin
Members of the Democratic Unionst Party (DUP) have elected Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as their new leader.
Voting took place today at DUP headquarters Dundela House today between 10:00am and 4:00pm with the new leader announced shortly before 5:00pm.
It was a two-horse race between MP Sir. Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots, who both represent the Lagan Valley constituency.
Incumbent leader Arlene Foster announced her resignation...
Written by Rachel Martin
Members of the Democratic Unionst Party (DUP) have elected Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as their new leader.
Voting took place today at DUP headquarters Dundela House today between 10:00am and 4:00pm with the new leader announced shortly before 5:00pm.
It was a two-horse race between MP Sir. Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots, who both represent the Lagan Valley constituency.
Incumbent leader Arlene Foster announced her resignation...
Written by Rachel Martin
Members of the Democratic Unionst Party (DUP) have elected Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as their new leader.
Voting took place today at DUP headquarters Dundela House today between 10:00am and 4:00pm with the new leader announced shortly before 5:00pm.
It was a two-horse race between MP Sir. Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots, who both represent the Lagan Valley constituency.
Incumbent leader Arlene Foster announced her resignation...
Written by Rachel Martin
Members of the Democratic Unionst Party (DUP) have elected Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as their new leader.
Voting took place today at DUP headquarters Dundela House today between 10:00am and 4:00pm with the new leader announced shortly before 5:00pm.
It was a two-horse race between MP Sir. Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots, who both represent the Lagan Valley constituency.
Incumbent leader Arlene Foster announced her resignation...
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Tractor Chat #01
Feb
20
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Tractor Chat #01 - with Direct Driller Magazine Farmer Focus writer Phil Rowbottom
Discussing direct drilling wheat, Oil seed rape growing in the UK, Fendt 724 tractor and his Sky Easy Drill.
Discussing direct drilling wheat, Oil seed rape growing in the UK, Fendt 724 tractor and his Sky Easy Drill.