HomeFarmingFarming News

New farm building is a winner

THE family of John Birkett has farmed in the Lake District for generations and now he and his wife Maureen farm two holdings under numerous constraints at Little Langdale in the Langdale Valley near Ambleside. Read

New bluetongue case

THE bluetongue protection zone was extended yesterday after a new case of the animal disease was confirmed in Hampshire, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said. Read

As shooting season ends, warning on firearms law

A SENIOR lawyer is warning farmers and shooting enthusiasts to be on their guard against falling foul of firearm legislation. Read

‘No option’ but to accept badger cull – NBA chief

A NORTHUMBERLAND farmers’ leader says the Govern- ment has “no other op- tion” but to accept plans for a badger cull to tackle TB among cattle. Read

Not enough done to prevent new diseases

THE National Beef Association (NBA) have responded to Defra’s disease cost sharing proposals for the industry by claiming not enough is being done to prevent new diseases entering the UK. Read

Pig crisis tour visit

THREE little pigs will visit Newcastle on March 31 to help raise awareness of the crisis currently facing British pig farming. Read

‘Alarming fall’ in breeding cows

ACROSS-UK average of 250p deadweight for R3-R4L steers has already pushed retailers, processors and farmers into uncharted territory, says the National Beef Association. Read

MP hits at export body axe

LIBERAL Democrat MP and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming Tim Farron is angry at the closure of Food from Britain. Read

Now farmers can gain from free organic advice

DEFRA yesterday launched a free national information and advice service for farmers thinking of converting to organic production methods. Read

Grass still cheapest cow feed

UTILISING grazed grass as efficiently as possible in dairy herds is particularly relevant this year, according to SCA NuTec’s ruminat specialist Norman Downey. Read

Mixed views on milk quota rise

A EUROPEAN decision to increase the milk quota has met with a mixed reaction from dairy industry leaders. EU agriculture ministers have agreed a 2% milk quota increase which will kick in from next month. Read

Benefits of grass silage additive

DAIRY producers will be able to make higher quality forage and subsequently improve yields by up to 4.4% by applying a carefully chosen additive to their grass silage this coming season, according to findings from a trial carried out at Wye College. Read

Keeping suckler cows in calf

A NEW manual on feeding suckler cows and calves has been published by beef industry leaders. Read

Abattoirs at risk as FSA cuts cash for inspections

SMALL abattoirs in the North East could be under threat after the Food Standards Agency said that it would no longer subsidise inspections of slaughterhouses. Read

Defra extends its bluetongue exclusion zone into Yorkshire

NORTH Yorkshire is covered by a bluetongue restriction zone after it was extended following two new confirmed cases, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said yesterday. Read

Executive reduces levy to help industry

A 10p cut in the pig levy has been announced as part of a strategy agreed by the board of the British Pig Executive to help the industry. Read

Auction farm has a £1.75m guide price

A FARM being auctioned next week has a guide price which could make it the most expensive lot ever to go under the hammer in the North East. Read

NFU elects two board chairmen

WILLIAM Martin has been elected as the new chairman of the NFU’s Sugar Board. Mr Martin, a farmer from Littleport, Cambridgeshire, succeeds John Hoyles. Read

Bluetongue fight heats up

WITH the looming threat of more bluetongue, cases, organisations from across the livestock sector have come together to launch a campaign to combat the disease. Read

Farmers take to streets to fight for their future

BEEF AND sheep farmers from across the North East are taking to the streets of the region this week to fight for the future of the industry. Read