Archive Article: 2000/04/28
uSHEEP farmers thinking of selling straight to the public can get advice from a free booklet published by the Meat and Livestock Commission. Selling lamb direct to the Customer tackles areas like hygiene, storage, packaging and customer information. As the number of farm shops and farmers markets climbs, more producers want to know how to sell direct, says trade marketing manager, Maurice McCartney. "We are planning to extend this service and produce booklets for pig and beef farmers as well."
uCHURCH Commissioners report a 10% reduction in rents where reviews were undertaken last year to help offset continued pressure on tenants incomes. But the Church of England achieved a 12.4% return on its agricultural portfolio during the year, helped by sale of development land and four substantial farms which made £27m. Its agricultural and mineral holdings are worth just under £229m, a fall of 3.5% on the year, according to the Church Commissioners annual report. *