Know How latest BREEDING AND FERTILITYHow a South West dairy became the UK's best bred herdIan and Max Davies say they have never bred a cow for the show ring, yet they have a string of championships to their credit from top UK events. We … TRACTORSOn test: 123-143hp M6002 joins Kubota rangeShort of a tractor range to bridge the gap between its flagship M7003 and utilitarian MGX ranges, Japanese maker Kubota decided it was high time it introduced one. The M6002… POULTRYExpert tips to reduce poultry vet and medicine costsHealth challenges are inevitable on every free-range farm, but veterinary intervention can be expensive. The key to keeping margins in the black is to maximise the birds’ genetic potential by… FEED AND NUTRITION5 ways to reduce methane in dairy cows through nutritionMethane output from cows has been in focus of late, largely because of its high global warming potential. However, Liam Sinclair, professor of animal science at Harper Adams University, says… DIVERSIFICATIONVideo: How farm shops are filling the supermarket supply gapFarm shops have always played a crucial role within rural communities, offering fresher, better-quality produce to support local farmers while reducing food miles. Since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March… BUSINESSTiming crucial on investments as AIA changes loomThe annual investment allowance (AIA) is a form of tax relief that allows farmers to deduct the full value of an eligible item of machinery or plant equipment, subject to… DAIRYHow farmers and advisers are failing transition cowsPre-calving cows don’t have adequate room in cubicle housing and one in five is lame (score two or above). These were just two of the concerning findings from a recent… STAFF MANAGEMENTHow farmers can bust 4 common myths about working in agThe post-Brexit era and the impact of Covid-19 have had many people across the country questioning careers and work-life balance. Some have chosen to continue to work from home, turning… SOILSThe Soil Health Scorecard: What it is and how to use itA new way to quantify soil health allows farmers to measure any improvements over time, as well as identify potential problems that could be holding yields back. Until now there… CROPS MARKETS AND PRICESSoaring wheat prices and uncertainty ahead in grain marketsWheat prices are expected to remain high in the short term as markets stay bullish. The London November 2021 feed wheat futures contract climbed to £208.50/t on Tuesday 11 October,… TAXHow to benefit from additional inheritance tax relief bandThe rise in value of farmland and rural property means that many people need to review their potential inheritance tax (IHT) liability and ensure they qualify for a recently introduced… FEED AND NUTRITIONAdvice on clamping maize as harvest nears endMaize is being harvested in all areas of the UK, with good yields reported from the field. The heavy rain last week halted work for a few days, but the… WORKSHOP SKILLSWiltshire contractor builds one-of-a-kind bale chaserA majority of the machinery knocked together in a farm workshop has a certain rustic charm that comes from putting it in the field before applying the finishing touches. Not… SHEEPDorset outdoor lamber lifts scan 20% with BelclareTaking a gamble on an Irish sheep breed has paid off for one Dorset breeder, who has increased flock output 20% and developed an additional income stream selling rams. Mike… LIVESTOCKABP beef farm trial unlocks key to lowering carbon emissionsUsing superior bulls can lower carbon emissions by 11% and is worth £250 a head, trials carried out by ABP Food Group at its demonstration farm in Shropshire have found.… FEED AND NUTRITION9 benefits of switching to a zero-grazing systemHousing cows and delivering fresh grass to them daily on a zero-grazing system has helped Colin Murdoch make the most of every corner of the farm, boost milk from forage… OILSEED RAPEAutocasting gets oilseed rape in early to resist flea beetleA Northamptonshire farm is sowing oilseed rape when combining the previous cereal crop, cutting costs and getting the rapeseed off to a good early start on its light land. The… PEST MANAGEMENTAdvice on using metaldehyde up safely before banArable farmers are being urged to follow Metaldehyde Stewardship Group (MSG) guidelines closely to avoid polluting water in the product’s last season of use. There is uncertainty about exactly how… PIGSGlassers disease in pigs: Signs, treatment and preventionGlassers disease is widespread in UK pig herds, and worldwide. It can cause blood poisoning and death, and is often associated with cases of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).… TENANCIES AND RENTSWhat landlords need to know about energy efficiency rulesMeeting energy efficiency rules is already a challenge for many farmers and landowners with let property, given that many homes in rural areas are of an older build, listed or… GRASSLAND AND MAIZE EQUIPMENTHome-built overseeder improves grass in hard-to-reach fieldsKeen to improve grass quality for his pedigree Dexter suckler herd, Cornish farmer and contractor John Phizacklea built a single-pass overseeding outfit that is manoeuvrable enough to work in his… POULTRYHow poultry farmer minimised floor eggs to 0.5% at peak layOne Worcestershire free-range egg business has reduced the incidence of floor eggs at peak production to just 0.5%. The Watts family run three 16,000-bird houses near Worcester, and have a… BROILERSQ&A: Guidance on avian flu with England's chief vetAs winter approaches migratory birds fly in, bringing the risk of avian flu in the UK. We ask the UK’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, about the disease and how… ARABLEIntegrating beef unit on arable land - do the costs add up?Peter Lord, farm manager at Norwood Farm, near Bath teamed up with the AHDB and Adas to convert the 290ha long-term arable farm into an integrated mixed farming enterprise. He… CRIMELivestock rustling takes its toll on targeted farmersRustling is now such a threat to livestock farms that some victims are changing their farming practices to avoid further thefts. PC Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team,… LAND MARKETSThe rise of the environmental land buyer explainedOver the past two years land agents have seen an increase in the amount of farmland being sold for rewilding, tree planting, and carbon offsetting. There are more buyers active… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTVideo: Highland farm grazes cattle unfenced with GPS collarsVirtual fencing is gathering pace and there are now more than 30,000 collars in use around the globe. The Girvans of Corrimony Farm, near Drumnadrochit, Inverness, could not graze cattle… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONNet-zero demo farm's three-pronged approach to cutting carbonA Cambridgeshire net zero demonstration farmer has a three-pronged approach to cut his carbon footprint and replace income lost through the phasing out of BPS payments. David Felce, who farms… COMBINESUltimate guide to buying a combine 2022After something of a stop-start harvest that for numerous growers involved cutting crops new to their rotation, manufacturers and dealers are looking to sign up customers for combines delivering additional… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESAligned milk contracts: The pros and cons for dairy farmersCosts of production continue to rise for the dairy industry, with feed, labour, and fuel costs all high and farm businesses feeling the pressure. Aligned milk contracts have been playing… DAIRYMilk quality issues: Causes and how to reduce the riskThere has been a steady stream of farmers with milk quality issues, especially those with block-calving herds in late pregnancy and early lactation, and herds at grass, according to Andrew… LAND PREPARATIONWhy energy crops could fill the BPS income gapBioenergy crops have the potential to fill the income gap resulting from the phasing out of Basic Payment Scheme funding payments in the coming years, and they also bring other… BUSINESSBusiness Clinic: How can I get the correct holiday pay?Whether you have a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here, Natalie Ward, senior associate at Thrings, advises on the employer's obligation to… SUGAR BEETVideo: Good early sugar beet yield as harvesting speeds upSugar beet harvesting is kicking off with promising yields for one Suffolk farmer amid more optimism among growers due to low disease levels and a price rise in the pipeline.… BALERS AND WRAPPERSUltimate guide to buying a round baler 2022A mammoth choice of round balers keeps growers and stock farmers supplied with equipment to package hay, silage and straw, either "naked" or wrapped in film to protect the contents… DISEASE MANAGEMENTWhy OSR growers shouldn't rely on azoles for light leaf spotOilseed rape growers have been given an early warning about the future effectiveness of light leaf spot sprays, after researchers found that the fungus responsible for the disease is becoming…
