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.

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.

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.

Trade stand sell out for top farming show

Still on cloud nine after being voted ‘The Best one-day Agricultural Show in the UK" the organisers of Burwarton Show in Shropshire are not going to rest on their laurels.

Water utilisation is subject of open day being hosted by leading salad grower

Practical down to earth answers to future challenges on improving the sustainability of water utilisation will be delivered at an open day being held in Shropshire on July 10.

New 5,300gns Dairy Shorthorn record at Rodway dispersal

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Dairy Shorthorns established a new 5,300gns breed record in Shropshire on Tuesday, May 22 when Graham and Shirley Madeley dispersed their Rodway herd at Kynnersley, Telford. Sale leader was Rodway Sonnschein 15 classified VG 89, a red April calved cow in her fourth lactation by Kingsdale Libby’s Rebel.

Dairy merger will create largest player in UK dairy market

Arla Foods amba, one of the largest and most successful European dairy co-operatives, and Milk Link, the UK’s leading dairy farmer co-operative with a creamery in Malpas, Cheshire, and operations in Oswestry, Shropshire, have announced a proposed merger.

Welsh farm minister says yes to YESS grant for young entrant

Grants awards totalling £1.705 million will be available to young farmers (under 40) setting-up as head of a holding in Wales under the Welsh Assembly Government’s Young Entrants Support scheme (YESS).

New options for Entry Level Stewardship

Natural England has just announced that subject to EU Commission approval there will be changes made to Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) from January 1, 2013.

Milk producers are 'blindfolded and shackled' in milk price debacle

The price cutting actions of milk processors have been described as 'totally unacceptable' by farming leaders in Wales.

Packed agenda at West Midlands Potato Day in Shropshire

This year’s packed agenda at the West Midlands Potato Day will include practical in-the-field discussions on topics such as soil compaction, fertiliser application and the opportunity to see the one-pass George Moat Tillerstar on the land.

Milling wheats may need late foliar nitrogen this season

High yield potential crops coupled with significant spring nitrogen losses from the wettest April on record mean late foliar nitrogen may be particularly important for many milling wheats to make the required protein specification this season.