Feed the world at Shropshire conference

The question of how farmers will feed the world’s booming population will be addressed at a conference being held at Harper Adams University in February.

NFU conference debates challenges ahead

The ICC in Birmingham will become the focal point for UK farming next week when the NFU 2013 conference gets underway.

Free HS2 seminars in Cheshire and Staffordshire

Landowners and farmers likely to be affected by the proposed High Speed Rail line are being invited to attend HS2 Seminars in Cheshire and South Staffordshire to find out more details and access free impartial advice from specialists.

Schmallenberg virus in most flocks and herds

Most cattle herds and sheep flocks in this region would give a positive blood test reading to the Schmallenberg virus according to the Staffordshire veterinary practice EC Straiton and Partners, and the Shropshire practice Lambert, Leonard and May.

NSA Central Winter fair will kick start the sheep industry

The NSA Central Region Winter Fair – held at Bakewell Market on Thursday, January 24 – has the potential to ‘kick-start the 2013 farming year’ according to NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker.

Paterson says badger cull pilots will go ahead this summer

Bovine TB is the most pressing animal health problem in the UK and the badger cull pilots will go ahead this summeraccording to the Defra secretary of state, Owen Paterson.

Invest in farm machinery after the new year to benefit from tax break

Farmers thinking of buying new machinery should wait until January 2013 and save themselves thousands of pounds in tax.

Hamper venture for local cheesemakers

A family run Shropshire dairy farm which produces hand-made cheese is now offering its products in hampers hoping to give sales a further boost this Christmas.

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat

British Goose Producers was formed in 1982 as a sector group of the British Poultry Council when the industry was struggling to survive at a time when turkey totally dominated the Christmas market.

Warning over water-logged grassland

Water-logging could be causing significant damage to grass leading to decreased yields and lower nutrient value for grazing animals, EBLEX has warned.

Milk shortage warning this winter

With milk deliveries six per cent down on last year and some pasture grazers reporting milk production down 30 per cent there could well be a shortage of milk this winter.

Farm minister opens livestock event before returning to backbenches

Livestock 2012 was officially opened by farm minister Jim Paice in what in what turned out to be his final day in the job.

Rebranded livestock event prepares for bumper two days

Livestock Incorporating Dairy Event will provide a comprehensive learning and business opportunities for all producers whether farming dairy, beef, sheep, pigs or poultry, on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 September, at The NEC, Birmingham.

Fresh Start Dairy Academy launched

Fresh Start Dairy Academy stakeholder representatives with Reaseheath College principal Meredydd David, from left Dairy Co’s Kate Cross, Fresh Start’s Denis Chamberlain and Alison Rickett, RABDF’s Tim Brigstocke, Reaseheath College’s Martyn East and Dairy UK’s Jim Begg

A pilot initiative supported by the Prince’s Countryside Fund for new entrants to dairy farming has been launched at Reaseheath College, Cheshire.

Moulin Rouge theme for YFC ball

Shropshire Young Farmers’ Club members are now gearing up for the highlight of the year’s social calendar with preparation underway for the Annual Chairman’s Ball on Saturday, August 25. This year the theme is ‘A Night at the Moulin Rouge Chairman’s Ball’.

Mid Wales pylon route announced

After months of delay and uncertainty, National Grid has announced the route for the controversial 30-mile high voltage power line linking windfarms in Mid Wales with the national power network in England.

Milk producers prepare to take direct action against dairies

Dairy farmer in the region are gearing themselves up to take direct action against milk price cuts and the NFU has promised to support them.

Farming unions call for reversal of milk price cuts

An unprecedented meeting of farming unions has called for the immediate reversal of milk price cuts imposed on farmers since April 1.

Shropshire’s young farmers rally a success

Will Dale and Ralph Madeley from Rushbury during the beef judging

Shropshire’s young farmers federation has declared this year’s annual rally its best yet after 1,000 visitors flocked to watch the 75 different competitions.

Extreme weather has columnist Tim on and off the sprayer

Arable farmer Tim Cooke is a columnist for The Farmer

Extreme - that’s the only way to describe it. The informed decision-making I wrote about in my April column goes out of the window when you have to play Russian roulette with our extreme climate.