Recently in Diversification Category

Rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd wants to establish the Vale of Clwyd as a cheese making area like those of Brie and Camembert in France .

The Vale’s top quality pastures are perfect for producing fine cheese, it says, and delicatessen owners want to see specialist homemade local cheeses on their shelves.

Cadwyn Clwyd is sponsoring courses at the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni and is also keen to hear from those interested in other areas of dairy diversification such as butter and ice-cream making.

Andreas Brunzel-Roberts, left, of Leonardo’s Delicatessen, in Ruthin, and Cadwyn Clwyd's Robert Price are both supporting the call for more local dairy products. Call 01824 705802 or email robert.price@cadwynclwyd.co.uk to enrol on courses.

Producers of goat’s milk supplying Delamere Dairy have received a 1p/litre price increase, effective from January.

The increase applied to nine farms supplying around 7m litres of milk a year and took the price to 53.5p/litre for those with a level production profile and who met the required milk hygiene standards.

“With the number of commercial goat herds in the UK still numbering less than 50, encouraging sustainable and well invested milk herds remains a priority for the company,” Delamere Dairy managing director Ed Salt said.

Looking to set up a farm park? Or pull more visitors into an existing attraction? Then a visit to the 2012 National Farm Attractions Network conference and trade exhibition will help you keep abreast of the latest developments and pick up some top tips to help your project flourish.

For the first time the conference will be over two days including visits to well established farm attractions - White Post Farm Centre, Nottingham, and Sacrewell Farm and Countryside Centre, Peterborough.

Debate the state of the industry and look at new ways to improve catering, customer service and season ticket sales on the second day. The conference takes place at Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire on 7 and 8 February. To book a place call 01536 513397 or email info@farmattractions.net.

If you want to discover how to make the most of farm diversification, then don’t miss the National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association event in Edinburgh later this month.

The three-day "Farm & More" event beginning on 30 January features visits to successful farm retail businesses, a conference discussing current and future trends and a trade show with over 100 exhibitors focused on the diversified farm sector.

Speakers at the conference will include Scottish rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead, Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers, plus TV presenter and eco-engineer Dick Strawbridge.

Tickets are required for the conference and farm tours, but the trade show on the final day is free if you pre-register. Go to www.farmandmore.org.uk for further information, ticket prices and online booking.

Got a planning issue, interest or challenge? Then head off the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants' rural planning conference on 13 October at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire.

The day promises information and advice on the latest developments, with more than 100 professionals there to answer questions on the complete range of rural planning issues.

Topics for debate include whether the Government’s new localism agenda will stifle sustainable development in the countryside, changing the use of farm buildings to residential, top tips on controlling planning costs, new rules on enforcement.

For further information and booking contact BIAC on 01275 375559 or email info@biac.co.uk

Companies, colleges and organisations looking to offer woodland management training in the eastern region can now claim up to 65% funding towards delivering courses for eligible participants.

Woodfuel East has announced the scheme as part of its programme to boost innovation and enterprise in the east of England’s woodland economy.

“At a time when growing numbers of woodland owners and managers in the region are looking to make the most of an anticipated boom in demand for wood fuel, it is one of our top priorities to ensure there is easy access to high quality, well-targeted training,” Edwin Van Ek, Manager, Woodfuel East, said. “I would urge training providers to get in touch with us to discuss their future training programmes and find out more about the support we can provide.”

Innovation, enthusiasm and business management skills are all amply demonstrated in this year’s line up of winners in the Suffolk Agricultural Association’s Farm Business Competition.

Online recruitment and dating, golf course aggregates from root vegetable peelings and inspired irrigation and conservation all featured in the winning entries.

Top honours in the large farms class (400ha and larger) were taken by John Brown & Sons, Hawstead, Bury St Edmunds. Special awards in this class also went to A W Mortier (Farms) Ltd, Alderton, Woodbridge for best arable crop, to R H Forrest & Co, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket for best livestock enterprise and E J Barker & Sons, Westhorpe, Stowmarket for conservation.

First prize among farms from 200-399ha was claimed by L W Rolph & Son, Grove Farm, Ufford while H K Merriam & Son, Starhouse Farm, Thornham Magna carried off the F W Barker Perpetual Challenge Cup and Tankard and first prize for farms of up to 200ha.

 

There’s good news for dairy producers thinking of diversifying - high quality farm based and regional produce is in big demand, especially ice cream.

Trade body The Ice Cream Alliance says business is booming and wants to see more farmers taking a share of this £1.3bn market, which includes supermarkets looking for regional produce.

Find out at the industry's trade fair, The Ice Cream Expo, which will be held in November at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate.