The Farming Forum

Written by Jamie Day

Experienced dairy industry executive Neil Kennedy will succeed Nicholas Saphir as executive chairman of OMSCO from early May. Mr Saphir has been appointed as chairman of the AHDB levy board, after 18 years in executive roles at OMSCo. Mr Kennedy has over three decades dairy sector experience. He was chief executive of Milk Link from […]

The post Neil Kennedy to lead OMSCo appeared first on AgriTrade News.

Continue reading more content from AgriTrade...

Farm machinery and equipment is advancing at an incredible rate – and visitors to the Cereals Event will be able to see the latest technology in action, with many UK debuts.

Among those making their first entrance onto the UK stage will be Lemken’s new trailed sprayer, the Orion. “Field sprayers with tank volumes between 4,000 and 6,000 litres are very much in demand among farmers and contractors,” says general manager Paul Creasy. “What they want most are ease of operation, excellent flushing performance and a boom control that consistently maintains the optimal distance to the crop.”

The Orion comes with an aluminium boom with working widths from 24m to 39m and numerous...

Just seen a great video with grassman, what a Set up, big operation.

Eurofins is an industry leader in conducting Field trials. We conduct a wide variety of trials on all Plant protection products across a range of crops. An opportunity has arisen for a full time paid position this year starting July 2020. This placement will be a minimum of 3 months with a possibility to extend for the right candidate and presents as a great opportunity for someone wanting to gain experience in the Crop Protection Sector.

We are seeking someone with a farming background looking for summer work and to gain experience. Must be comfortable with the basics of handling machinery, although on-site training will be provided. Would be ideal someone at College/University.

Placement is based in Derbyshire, although travel will be required. Driving Licence essential.

Eurofins is an industry leader in conducting Field trials. We conduct a wide variety of trials on all Plant protection products across a range of crops. An opportunity has arisen for a full time paid placement position this year starting April 2020. This placement will be a minimum of 3 months with a possibility to extend into summer and presents as a great opportunity for someone wanting to gain experience in the Crop Protection Sector.

We are seeking someone with a genuine interest in Agronomy and Arable cropping who wishes to gain experience in this sector. The position will be at our Field station in Stowmarket.

For any information please contact me at [email protected]

Hi all, we wanted to draw your attention to a Parliamentary debate next week on farm animal welfare. We're offering you the chance to contribute your insights and experiences to the MP.

A petition to Parliament signed by 107,187 people calls for cages to be banned for all farm animals. On Monday 16 March, Kerry McCarthy MP will be leading a debate on this petition, and would like to hear your views as farmers:

• What impact would such a ban have on your business?
• Are existing laws and guidance on the welfare of farm animals appropriate for modern farming methods?
• Are existing laws and guidance sufficiently robust and easy to follow? Are they sufficiently enforced...

Written by Alistair Driver

Relief was the main emotion among the farming community in the initial response to the Budget, after Rishi Sunak announced he would not be scrapping the red diesel duty relief for agriculture.

While the red diesel exemption will be scrapped for some sectors in two year’s time, it will remain for agriculture, Mr Sunak announced, citing lobbying from the NFU as key to his decision.

The budget saw a big increase in Government spending for infrastructure, including for rural roads, plus a £30 million package to help businesses survive the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak, including:

• Statutory sick pay for ‘all those who are advised to...

Written by Charlotte Cunningham

More than 15,000 people have signed the NFU’s petition, urging the Government to commit in law that food that would be illegal for British farmers to produce here will not be imported as part of future trade deals. Charlotte Cunningham reports. The public have galvanised behind Britain’s farmers by signing the NFU’s petition, which was launched at its annual conference. The petition will continue to run over the coming weeks, as the UK kicks off trade negotiations with the EU and United States. NFU President Minette Batters said: “This is yet another clear signal that the public do not want to see food on their plates that has been produced far below the high...

Written by Alistair Driver

Nicholas Saphir, who has played a major role in building the organic dairy co-operative OMSCo, has been appointed as the new chair of AHDB.

Mr Saphir will begin a three-year term on April 1, succeeding Sir Peter Kendall who completes his second term in office at the end of March.

The appointment was made by Defra Secretary George Eustice and approved by Ministers in the Scottish Government and Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Mr Saphir has a wide background in agriculture and horticulture, having built a public company farming, processing and trading fruit and vegetables in the UK, Europe, Southern Africa and South America.

His has spent the...

WEBINAR: Guardians of the Grasslands Combat Conflict & Climate Change

128: Lambing in the North

Written by AHDB

In this episode Samantha Charlton, AHDB Beef & Lamb regional manager, speaks to Challenge Sheep farmer, James Drummond, who farms at Lemmington Hill Head in Northumberland about his lambing system and how he collects his data.

For more information:

Lambing ewe lambs
https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/lambing-ewe-lambs

Challenge Sheep project
http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/returns/project-farms/challenge-sheep/

Continue reading more on the ADHB Website...

Written by Jamie Day

Norwich-based AF Group – the largest farmer-controlled agricultural buying group in the UK, has appointed David Horton-Fawkes as its new chief executive from later this year. He will succeed Jon Duffy, who announced his intention to step down from the role this summer after three years last November. Mr Horton-Fawkes is currently the chief executive […]

The post New CEO for the AF Group appeared first on AgriTrade News.

Continue reading more content from AgriTrade...

Its a bit long this one but please be patient

Careers in agriculture are incredibly varied, from farm workers to engineers, scientists to agronomists, meaning the industry has broad appeal to those with or without a farming background.

Cereals 2020 is celebrating this variety with a Young Farmers’ session on different agricultural professions, offering an insight into the options available, alongside a live careers board.

With International Women’s Day approaching, we profile some of the female speakers lined up to present in the careers seminar.

Research scientist



Having a direct impact on farming which is mutually beneficial for the farmer, food security and the environment is what drives Kelly...

25 - Self Employed farm labourer/ tractor driver based in Fife, Scotland
Looking for work from may onwards. From Shropshire so willing to take summer work outside of Scotland.
Range of experience
4 years in the USA on harvest, Head truck driver for 2 seasons leading convoys, planning routes, overseeing and servicing equipment. Hauled over 40,000 tonnes of grain, oversize loads and more.
Tractor work inc. Mowing, Raking, Forage box, Slurry tanking, ploughing, cultivations, drilling, fert spreading, muck and compost spreading, potato planting, Combining, ditch drainage,
About 3500 hours of loader work mostly on straw, grain and potatoes.
Grain and potato storage experience, Potato handling experience including filling bulk and box stores. handled 10,000+ boxes.
Workshop...

Thirty-something chap seeks tractor/machine operator position for 6-18 months. Somerset or surrounding areas preferred but would commute or live away for the right position. Experience of silage/grain cart, tankering, cultivations and livestock work, etc. Would suit large arable/contractor or AD operation.

Utterly reliable, conscientious, keen and quick to learn whilst willing to work long hours. Sense of humour will liven any workplace. Some knowledge of agronomy. Full CV and references available. Immediate start possible by negotiation. May be able to work seasonally for the next 4-5 years if academic commitments allow.

Email or PM in first instance to discuss: [email protected]

Thanks

Ollie

127: Gaining more milk from forage

Written by AHDB

In this episode Knowledge Exchange Manager Emily talks to dairy farmer Keith Davis about how he adapted his grazing and silage practices and the impact this had on his yield from forage. With feed prices on the rise, increasing the yield from home-grown forage becomes ever more important.

For the latest research and advice on grass, forage and soil management to help improve grassland productivity on livestock farms, visit our Grass webpage.

Get the latest grass growth measurements straight from farms to your inbox by signing up to our...

Written by Charlotte Cunningham

Alltech has launched a competition to recognise individuals who are proactively showcasing the benefits of UK agriculture to the general public. Charlotte Cunningham reports. With a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, taking place in Kentucky this May, people working within the agricultural sector are being encouraged to submit their entries online before April 5, 2020. At a time when the farming sector is facing increasing scrutiny from the media, Alltech UK wants to ‘Connect, Elevate and Inspire’ the industry to better educate consumers on where their food comes from and the merits of agriculture from an environmental...