optima

We often get asked by people when we say that our cows are happy ; "How do you know that your cows are happy?" "That's easy", we reply, "they have happy lines on them" :) Maybe it's not the scientific answer they were expecting but its a great bit of PR. For some reason today, the happy lines...

Written by John Swire A new project has been launched to boost production efficiency within the UK’s dairy-beef sector. Well-Calf will develop precision technologies for optimising the production efficiency through improvements in health and management throughout an animal’s life...

Farmers produce methane to make a big profit; they are obviously responsible for oversupply and should change their poor management. And manage cattle so less methane is produced. As well as the massive grants they all get properly rather than buying Range Rovers

Written by Agriland Team Rabe, the German-based machinery manufacturer, has applied for “bankruptcy in self-administration”. That’s according to a report in German publication Top Agrar. This is not the first time that Rabe (best known for its ploughs and cultivation equipment) has encountered...

Written by cpm Tyres can make a critical difference to in-field performance as well as soil health, but not all tyres are the same. So CPM has checked out some of the top tyres available to meet the differing needs of the grower. The Traxion Optimall is a very high flexion (VF) tractor tyre...

Written by Rachel Martin British dairy co-operative First Milk has increased its group turnover by 7.8%, according to its latest set of accounts. The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending March 31, 2019, showed First Milk’s turnover reached £272.3 million last year. Operating profit...

Written by John Swire With over 650 samples now analysed, Trouw Nutrition GB say the picture for first cuts has been influenced by cutting date, suggesting some specific challenges and opportunities. Commenting on the results of crops analysed so far this year, Dr Liz Homer, Ruminant Technical...

Written by Agriland Team Even moderate levels of soil compaction can reduce grassland output levels by 20%, according to Alex Higgins, from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). “Tackling the problem can be problematic though,” he explained. “Works should be undertaken when the...

Whats not to like? Harvest, light cultivation whilst planting cover crop, spray off in December/ January, direct drill as soon as conditions are right in the spring. Massive reduction in fixed costs, cash flow is as easy as it gets, no pressure on the sprayer, seasonal labour requirements are...

Has anyone got a biochar plant up and running in the UK? These do seem like the next big thing in terms of energy generation and a by-product that is very good for soils. There seems to only be a very small supply of biochar at the moment, certainly not enough for even farmscale trials.

Doing this will solve everything won't it? Trees take CO2 out of the atmosphere and lock up and store carbon. They stabilise climates and soils and create habitats and amenity. And taking land out of agricultural production will help commodity prices. Let's face it, a lot of arable land is...

Written by Richard Halleron Even moderate levels of soil compaction can reduce grassland output levels by 20%, according to Alex Higgins, from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). “Tacking the problem can be problematic though,” he explained. Works should be undertaken when the...

I read NFU had asked for help for the beef industry and told No. We want the truth ,not excuses. Beef has not dropped in my local shops,infact a pub told a beef farmer his supplier had told him beef was getting dearer. Lets face it someone is making money at this, Whether it’s brexit,vegan,or...

Just decided to make a start here on some of our poorest WB two weeks today (dry grain, not crimping). Contracts to fill - need the cash. (y)(y)