All from last 7 days LIVESTOCK MARKETINGWhat farmers need to know about livestock sales this yearCovid-19 has shaken up the way livestock sales can take place, with social-distancing rules making it difficult to operate as normal in livestock markets. Although the sale of breeding stock… MAIZE DRILLSHorsch Maestro drill gets new precision metering systemHorsch has added a new Airspeed overpressure metering system to its latest Maestro precision drill models. This gives buyers a choice of singulation setups across the range, with the company… NEWSOpinion: Public access should be embraced - and paid forThe farm I grew up on had a deserted village, where the good land runs out into rough grazing and moorland – well, if you call a few ruined walls… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Hair and grass both NOT growing well“Hair and grass both still growing well” was the headline of a recent livestock Farmer Focus piece. Well, if I’m honest, both are a bit patchy here. The grass regularly… LIVESTOCK DISEASESMore funding available in Wales to assist BVD eradicationAdditional funding is now available for vets and farmers in Wales to help eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) from all cattle herds in the country. Funding for youngstock screening has… ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMESFarmers offered flexibility on mid-tier CSS deadlineFarmers in England struggling to complete a Countryside Stewardship mid-tier application on time because of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic can request an extension until midnight 31 August. The… TAKING STOCKWales and Border Ram Sale launched onlineAn online map of sheep breeders has been launched to replace the usual auction ring bidding at one of the country’s leading ram sales due to Covid-19. The National Sheep… NEWSForage Aid founder demands action on fly-tipping epidemicLincolnshire farmer Andrew Ward is demanding tougher action from the government to punish fly-tippers after industrial-scale waste was dumped at his farm. Forage Aid founder Mr Ward was left sickened… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT7 things to consider when you take on new farmlandWhether bought or rented, land must match its intended purpose in the existing farming system and maximise its value from the capital outlay or rental agreement. Assessing how the land… TRACTORSLow-spec 4700M models join Massey Ferguson’s sub-100hp rangeMassey Ferguson has unveiled a trio of low-spec M-badged tractors that replace its existing 4700 range, which now runs from 82hp to 100hp. These will slot in below the Agritechnica-launched… DIVERSIFICATIONSo you want to… get paid for having dogs on your land?Dog walkers and farmers haven’t always been natural allies, but that could be about to change after some landowners have begun to profit by renting out safe countryside spaces by… YOUNG FARMERSAmy Eggleston: I'm more optimistic about second half of 2020We can all agree that the first half of 2020 has been a crazy rollercoaster. Here in Leicestershire, we started the new year with our busiest but shortest calving season… SOILSFermenting organic matter better for soil than compostingFermenting organic matter in a similar way to ensiling grass, rather than composting waste, can lead to greater improvements in soil health while at the same time helping farmers to… SOILSScientists discover how manure improves soilsScientists have solved the mystery of why adding organic material like manure to soils improves flood and drought resilience, climate control and crop yields. Founded on more than 50 years’… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Grass worries and pica ended by June rainHow things can change so quickly. A little over two weeks ago we were getting close to a desperate situation with grass growth due to the lack of rainfall since… FARM POLICYNew trade commission for agriculture must have teeth, PM warnedPrime minister Boris Johnson is coming under mounting pressure from his own party to protect British farmers in any post-Brexit free-trade deals that would undercut their businesses. Farming and environmental… NEWSExmoor sheep farmers strengthen local supply chainsSheep farmers in Exmoor are set to benefit from a new initiative encouraging people to buy local produce direct from their farms. Four organisations promoting the area and the grass-fed… COMPLIANCERed Tractor to return to on-farm assessmentsOn-farm inspections to ensure farmers are meeting the standards set by Red Tractor assurance are set to resume on Monday (6 July), following two months of “virtual-only” assessments. The assurance… MARKETS AND TRENDSTractor sales moving towards recovery after Covid-19 impactUK tractor sales in June were down 15% on the same time in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). A total of 932 tractors… LAYERSA guide on how to improve water quality on poultry unitsIssues with water quality that are left unaddressed can have long-term negative effects on a flock, both in terms of bird welfare and the economic impact of disease and poor… 101-200HPAutopowr gearbox added to JD's 6M optionsJohn Deere’s popular four-cylinder 6M models are now available with an Autopowr stepless gearbox. However, the company says it won’t be offering the cheaper Directdrive transmission on these models as… FARMLIFEYoung farmers challenged to find net zero solutionsYoung farmers are being challenged to come up with ideas on how the UK agricultural industry can reach its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The National… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Second heat wave of the year hitsWell, the 75mm of rain in June was certainly appreciated. It saved the day for winter wheats and helped the spring-sown sugar beet and maize – at one stage in… PIGSMedical breakthrough could help farmers breed healthier pigsThe most accurate map of the genetic code of pigs yet produced may pave the way for farmers to breed healthier and more productive animals. For the first time, scientists… NEWSOpinion: Family matters, especially during troublesome timesIn the midst of the worst global pandemic in more than a century, with all its associated human tragedies and dire economic consequences, it can be hard to stay positive.… More articles
