News

We would like to bring to your attention advice from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group regarding the use of the two newer wormer groups (4-AD orange (Zolvix™) and 5-SI purple Startect).

Use of these two newer groups has more than doubled in the last three years since their reclassification to POM-VPS. Fears that they would be used too widely when the classification changed have proved to be unfounded, but sheep farmers could still harness their potential more.

Use of these two newer groups has more than doubled in the last three years since their reclassification to POM-VPS. Fears that they would be used too widely when the classification changed have proved to be unfounded, but sheep farmers could...

A new countdown starts for UK Dairy Day; instead of being just over 2 months away sadly we now have to wait another 14 months for the dedicated dairy industry event to return to Telford.

Unfortunately Government guidelines have not provided us with the assurance that UK Dairy Day can go ahead with the large numbers we anticipate attending.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that the 2020 event cannot take place on Wednesday 16th September at the International Centre, Telford”, said Sue Cope, UK Dairy Day Event Director and CEO of Holstein UK. “Since UK Dairy Day started in 2014, it has provided dairy farmers and the industry with a fantastic opportunity to network, do business and view a superb show of dairy...

Written by John Swire

Cattle handling equipment safety and efficiency is essential for beef and dairy producers looking to optimise herd performance.

“Whether it be mitigating injury of livestock and handlers, improving health programme protocols and daily liveweight gains or reducing production losses associated to stress, cattle handling equipment is going to have a long-term economic impact on beef and dairy herds,” says Edward Wise of Wise Agriculture, leading UK supplier of Arrowquip.

Upping the standard of its world-renowned cattle handling equipment, Arrowquip is releasing four new squeeze crushes, including two manual and two hydraulic models. According to Steve Langrell, cattle...

6. 30 pm Live Stream Arable Conversations: Alternative markets and new product opportunities



Economists and food experts will discuss opportunities for the arable sector and the challenges in current markets. With the UK wheat crop already forecast to be significantly lower in 2020 should we assume that UK wheat prices are going to come under pressure and will this lead to larger imports.

Topics under discussion include the latest grain market commentary, the longer-term direction for wheat and barley prices, forecasts for global stocks, Scottish and international grain markets. Former AHDB Monitor Farmer Alison Milne, will discuss how her brand, Crafty Maltsters, has added value to a commodity product by exploring flavour...

Arable Scotland ‘Arable Conversation’ webinar – 2nd July – ‘New People, New Pathways – Routes into Arable Production and Alternative Crops’

Watch the Webinar on Catch up:


This webinar aims to share lessons from those who have established innovative and alternative arable enterprises with aspiring new entrants to arable production in Scotland, and beyond.


It is hosted by the EU-funded project ‘NEFERTITI’ (‘Networking European Farms to Enhance Cross Fertilisation and Innovation Uptake Through Demonstration’). NEFERTITI aims to support on-farm demonstration activities and farmer-to-farmer peer learning. The Scottish NEFERTITI...

Written by John Swire

Land and property specialists Strutt & Parker has some top tips for farmers considering making an application for the mid-tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

“Farmers still have enough time to make an application for mid-tier Countryside Stewardship for an agreement with a 1 January 2021 start date,” says Strutt & Parker farm consultant Helen Gosling.


Helen Gosling

“Requests for an online application pack must be made by 30...

Written by John Swire

The opportunities for red meat exports to the North Americas will be explored in the second of AHDB’s export webinars next week.

Dana Dickerson, North America head of Food and Drink at the Department for International Trade, will provide a high-level overview of both the US and Canada – two key markets for the UK’s red meat export ambitions.

She will talk about the current market conditions, trading opportunities and how exporters in the UK can export red meat successfully.

Also, in the webinar – ‘View from North America’ – which takes place on July 2, AHDB’s International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley will highlight the ongoing work of AHDB to...

New ‘bounce back’ plan for agriculture, food and drink industry announced

Written by Defra Press Office


A package of new ‘bounce back’ trade measures for the agri-food and drink sector has been announced today, supporting businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

There has been coverage this morning (22 June) in the Daily Telegraph, as well as in...

John Deere and dealer Netherton Tractors Ltd have announced plans to establish a new agricultural and homeowner equipment dealership outlet in the Perth and Kinross area of Scotland.

Established in 1987, Netherton Tractors has two existing outlets at Forfar in Angus and Glenrothes in Fife. The new premises at Units M-P, Arran Road just north of Perth are situated close to the A9 and offer modern, purpose-built office, storage and workshop facilities.

“I am very pleased to announce this expansion by one of our key Scottish dealerships,” says John Deere Limited division sales manager Chris Meacock. “The business has established a reputation for excellent customer service and support, and this latest investment will enable Netherton Tractors to...

Correct application is important for all animal medicines, especially blowfly control. Taking a little time to plan and think about the whole task in hand before you do anything will save you time and ensure you make the most out of your products. When applying insect growth regulators like the CLiK™ range of products we recommend a 4 stroke technique to maximise fleece coverage (see diagram below).



Here at Elanco, our team have been applying blowfly products for years, here are their tips based on their personal experiences:

• Group the sheep into weight bands. It might take a bit more time but this will make sure the animals get the correct dose. Too little will not give the full protection. Too much...

Written by John Swire

The COVID-19 lockdown has brought a new loss to the farming community. It has been business as usual for many farmers in recent weeks, with the lack of rain perhaps becoming a major focus as they get on with the job of producing crops and looking after their livestock. Now the cancellation of most agricultural shows and farming events in the UK is set to affect farmers and rural communities across the length and breadth of the UK. Although not bringing the same economic or tragic consequences, a lack of shows will mean a [significant]financial loss for many businesses

These include events like the Royal Highland Show and the Great Yorkshire Show, which would see...

British farmers need all the help science can offer. Time to allow gene editing | Sir David Baulcombe

Written by Sir David Baulcombe

Plant scientist Sir David Baulcombe argues we must adapt the way we produce food to meet future agricultural challenges

The agriculture bill, now going through parliament, could influence whether we use gene editing on our farms. At present, this country is out of line with the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Australia and Japan in that our regulatory framework prevents gene editing in crops and farm animals. A proposed amendment to...

Written by Rachel Martin

Thousands of members of the public got to see behind the scenes of several UK farms from the comfort of their own homes as LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday event went digital for the first time in its 15-year history.

13 farmers from across the country took to social media for the event on Sunday (June 7), to take viewers on virtual tours of their farms.

It was a very different day from what had been planned, with hundreds of farms originally lined up to open their gates on June 7. The physical event has been postponed until Sunday, September 20.

Against a backdrop of the stunning British countryside, virtual visitors were invited to join farmers from Cornwall to the...

Pesticide regulations in new trade deals

Written by Defra Press Office



There has been coverage on pesticides standards and new trade deals in The Telegraph, Independent and BBC Farming Today. This follows a report by the Pesticide Action Network UK and charity Sustain which claims that post-Brexit trade deals could be “catastrophic” for farmers if they allow imports with higher pesticide use.

A government spokesperson said:

“We have been clear we will not compromise on our high food and environmental standards and we will only permit the use of...

Written by Rachel Martin

The sunniest UK spring on record has led to a bumper crop of extra sweet British strawberries with many growers reporting yields up by around 20%.

It’s also been a good year for other soft fruits. Love Fresh Cherries, Britain’s largest representative trade body for British and imported cherries in the UK, said consumers will be able to buy home-grown cherries a whole week earlier than in 2019 as crops have been coming on slightly faster through this year’s warm spring.

As a result of the extra availability, Tesco has announced it will snap up an extra 300t of British-grown strawberries to prevent the crop from going to waste on farms.

The retailer has also...

Angus based precision farming solutions pioneers SoilEssentials have announced that they are going to be arranging catch up calls and chats to anyone who would have been planning to visit them at this year’s Highland Show in order to say hello, and raise money for charity at the same time.

With so many agricultural shows cancelled in 2020, the team at SoilEssentials have come up with an alternative, which means existing and potential customers can receive a call from them instead.

Starting on Monday 15th June through to Friday 19th June, the SoilEssentials team will be keeping their diaries clear to make lots of calls… and the more calls the better, as they will be donating £1.00 for every call made to RSABI as part of their #KeepTalking campaign.

Callers can get expert opinion on...

Final chance to maximise grain fill with sugar optimiser

Following a tough season, cereal growers have a final chance to increase grain fill and boost yield by using a unique product that relocates sugars found in plants.

3 ALO t6p contains a precursor and unique signalling compound of the sugar regulating Trehalose pathway, which manages plant processes such as balancing carbohydrates, including sucrose. As the main fuel generated by photosynthesis, sucrose is key to the development of cereal grains.

John Haywood, Director of Unium Bioscience, said: “By relocating...

In time for harvest 2020, ADAS has launched a new YEN initiative called YEN Nutrition – to support those seeking to improve the nutrition of arable crops. YEN Nutrition provides comprehensive grain analysis on all 12 essential crop nutrients and allows participants to benchmark their crops’ nutritional performance against other growers.

When used in conjunction with soil and leaf analysis, YEN Nutrition will reveal the final status of the crop, and empower growers to make the right nutritional choices to enhance their future crop yields, field by field.

Membership is open to anyone from the UK or abroad for any grain crop - cereals...

Cereals LIVE, the digital edition of Cereals launched due to social distancing, offers something for everyone.

• Hear from experts in thought-provoking webinars
• Watch online demonstrations with the latest technology on display
• See the newest crop varieties
• Collect up to a maximum of 6 BASIS & NRoSO points per day
• Network in live chats
• Interact with exhibitors

GOOD NEWS IN DIFFICULT TIMES


I am very pleased to bring you some positive news in these uneasy times. I firmly believe that there will be more such news.

FIGHT WITH COVID-19 AND KEEPING THE PRODUCTION PLAN

We were one of the first companies to introduce safety rules to protect our employees and regulations for the movement of visitors inside our premises and buildings at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a decrease in the production, or human capacities, due to the internal as well as...