Farming news - reports on national issues and farming in the North East

Beef up work on your young stock, producers urged

DESPITE the recent relaxation of BSE abattoir controls, beef producers are being encouraged to continue to finish their stock in the shortest possible time at the youngest possible age. Read

The natural benefits of modern agriculture

ECO-friendly plant and animal life thrive in intensively managed cereal farms alongside increasing crop yields, according to the first study of its kind. Read

Festival chiefs hope all will be safely gathered in

ORGANISERS of a new West Cumbria festival this summer which celebrates the “fell to plate” concept are calling for support from all sectors of the local economy to ensure its success. Read

CHAROLAIS led Perth’s spring multi-breed show and sale with a top call of 5,000gns for Thrunton Bluechip, a 21-month-old from the Campbell family – Ian, John and their father Colin – of Thrunton, Alnwick. Read

Texel flock kept as hobby now a valuable enterprise

PEDIGREE Texel sheep flocks founded almost 20 years ago as a hobby have proved a valuable enterprise alongside a pedigree dairy herd for a Scottish farming family. Read

Haltcliffe herd proves to be highlight at bull sale

THE prolific Haltcliffe herd of Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe, of Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria, provided the outstanding highlight of a buoyant 25th Annual British Limousin Cattle Society Sale at Carlisle. Read

Call for flood protection funding

FARMERS’ leaders want ring-fenced funding to protect rural areas from a repeat of last summer’s disastrous floods. Read

Plea on older cattle

FARMERS with pre-1996 cattle are being urged to take advantage of the weaker pound and not leave it until the last minute to register animals for the older cattle disposal scheme (OCDS). Read

MEP slams ‘arrogance’ on Brazil beef standards

A TORY Euro-MP has hit out at Brazilian politicians after becoming angered by their attitude to meat health and safety standards. Read

NFU urges farmers to keep a close eye on costs

FARMERS have been particularly badly affected by the rise in fuel prices and the NFU is urging its members to keep a close eye on costs. Read

New manual to help ewe breeding profits

A NEW manual has been launched to help farmers get more profit from ewe breeding. The English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex) has released the manual, called Improving Ewe Breeding for Better Returns. Read

£1m to help rural ventures

NORTH EAST farmers and rural businesses could be in line for extra money to help them grow. Read

Shoppers try dairy work

FARMERS will be at Tesco in Consett today to talk to shoppers about local milk and its benefits in sustaining small dairy farms in the region. Read

Keen demand for beef and lamb predicted

AT LAST there could be some good news for beleaguered beef and sheep farmers, say meat industry experts. Read

Hold-up in government payments stun farmers

NORTH EAST farmers awaiting single farm payments are again reporting delays in receiving their cheques. Read

NFU welcomes environmental Roadmap for the dairy sector

THE National Farmers’ Union has welcomed Defra’s Milk Roadmap which is aimed at raising environmental standards and improving performance. Read

First animals receive bluetongue vaccine

CATTLE AT Bixley Farms in Norfolk yesterday became the first animals in the country to be vaccinated against the bluetongue virus. Read

Defra minister to look at problem of fly-tipped waste

A DEFRA minister is to consider how farmers can have fly-tipped waste accepted at their local tip. Read

First bluetongue vaccine batch ready for farms

THE first vaccines for blue- tongue are ready for distribution to farmers in the disease protection zone, environment secretary Hilary Benn announced yesterday. Read

Virus labs will now get HSE checks

THE HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken over the role of regulating laboratories which handle animal viruses in the wake of last summer’s foot-and-mouth outbreak, environment secretary Hilary Benn said yesterday. Read