Farming & Agriculture news

• Are protesters who perform last rites for farm animals doing more harm than good?

  15-02-2019 18:55 via Agriculture | The Guardian
  As a vocal vegan, I might be expected to support the abattoir protests by the Save movement. But I’m not convinced they benefit the animalsOf all the people you would expect to be waiting outside a slaughterhouse, animal lovers might seem the least likely candidates. Yet outside abattoirs around the world, vegan activists from the Save Movement are doing just that.Save is a global network that holds vigils outside abattoirs to show love and compassion to the animals as they arrive for slau
  
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• Norfolk Farming Conference: Innovation that will define the future

  15-02-2019 10:01 via Farming UK News RSS
  Hundreds of UK farmers attended this year’s Norfolk Farming Conference in Norwich to hear industry leaders and experts debate some of the lucrative opportunities available despite the current anxieties and challenges facing British agriculture.Co...
  
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• John Deere tractors to go under hammer following group's administration

  15-02-2019 10:01 via Farming UK News RSS
  A large consignment of 2016-2018 John Deere tractors will be auctioned off following Hawk Plant Ltd's move into administration.Euro Auctions has been appointed to dispose of assets owned by Hawk Plant, following the company's administration which...
  
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• Farmers invited to bid in UK's first auction to help tackle floods

  15-02-2019 10:01 via Farming UK News RSS
  Farmers across Somerset are being invited to bid in the UK’s first countywide auction for works to help stop flooding.The auction will be run online from February 26 – March 12 using a new Environment Agency web app, where farmers will select for...
  
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• Farmers flock to agri event seeking diversification advice

  15-02-2019 10:01 via Farming UK News RSS
  Thousands of farmers flocked to Energy and Rural Business Show this month to explore diversification options to keep their businesses viable, and ‘future-proof’ against rising uncertainty.The new event comes from the creators of ‘Energy Now Expo’...
  
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• 45 countries still use animal growth promoters, report says

  15-02-2019 10:01 via Farming UK News RSS
  New figures show the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion has declined from 60 to 45 countries since the last round of data collection.The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) figures show global progress on the regulation and monitor...
  
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• Bavaria campaigners abuzz as bees petition forces farming changes

  15-02-2019 07:27 via Farming UK World News RSS
  A petition in Bavaria on preserving species diversity, popularly known as the “save the bees” campaign, has garnered sufficient support to enforce significant changes to the state’s farming practices.The organisers reached their target of securing the signatures of 10% of eligible voters in the southern German state well before the Wednesday evening deadline.Environmental groups behind the push to radically change farming methods, including turning more grassland into meadow an
  
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• Police search wanted man who may be working on dairy farm

  15-02-2019 07:22 via Farming UK News RSS
  Police are appealing to the public for help in finding a wanted man who they believe is working at a dairy farm.Kieran Smith, 27, failed to attend Guildford Crown Court on 16 November 2018 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.Smith, w...
  
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• NI farmers 'frustrated' at cattle imports despite local abundance

  15-02-2019 07:22 via Farming UK News RSS
  Northern Irish farmers have highlighted their frustration that some meat plants have increased imports of cattle for slaughter despite the abundance of local livestock.Figures for January show that almost 1400 prime cattle were imported from the ...
  
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• Australian farmer fires shotgun after vegan activists refuse to leave farm

  15-02-2019 07:22 via Farming UK News RSS
  A video posted online shows a dramatic clash between vegan activists trespassing on a farm and a farmer who fired two blasts from his shotgun.The footage, captured in Western Australia on Wednesday (13 January) and supplied by Seven News, shows t...
  
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• A quarter of all UK meat exported is slaughtered without stunning, stats show

  15-02-2019 07:22 via Farming UK News RSS
  Nearly a quarter of all meat shipped from the UK was not stunned before slaughter despite increasing concerns mounting over animal welfare and lack of transparency.The Food Standards Agency (FSA) 2018 slaughterhouse survey been released following...
  
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• 79-year-old man dies after falling down silo on Suffolk farm

  15-02-2019 07:22 via Farming UK News RSS
  Emergency services were called to a farm in Suffolk after a 79-year-old man died in a silo incident.The man fell down into a silo on a farm at Rishangles Lodge in Thorndon, near Eye. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Emergency services were...
  
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• Weedkiller 'raises risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%'

  14-02-2019 16:13 via Agriculture | The Guardian
  Study says evidence ‘supports link’ between exposure to glyphosate and increased riskA broad new scientific analysis of the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate herbicides, the most widely used weedkilling products in the world, has found that people with high exposures to the popular pesticides have a 41% increased risk of developing a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.The evidence “supports a compelling link” between exposures to glyphosate-based herbicides a
  
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• Swedish company funds UK farmers through biomass initiative

  14-02-2019 14:40 via Farming UK News RSS
  Local farmers’ ability to sell biomass to a paperboard mill in Cumbria will return over £1.5m annually to the local agricultural industry.The initiative, by Swedish paperboard company Iggesund Paperboard, has created a new source of income for ne...
  
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• Payment worth £750/ha if farmers choose BPS as one-off cash sum

  14-02-2019 14:40 via Farming UK News RSS
  Farmers in England may be eligible for a payment worth up to £750/ha if they choose to take their Basic Payment as a one-off cash sum, according to preliminary calculations by Strutt & Parker.One of the proposals in the Agriculture Bill is that d...
  
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• AHDB Meat and Dairy to attend Gulfood in Dubai

  14-02-2019 13:40 via Farming Monthly National
  Meat and dairy from the UK will be in the spotlight this month at one of the world’s biggest annual food and beverage trade shows held in Dubai.
  Thousands of visitors from around the world will get to sample a selection of cheese and lamb from the UK at the 24th edition of Gulfood – which runs from February 17 to 21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
  The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will once again host its meat and dairy pavilions within their respective hall
  
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• Breakthrough in sustainable diesel production

  14-02-2019 13:36 via Farming Monthly National
  Renovare CTO Devin Walker, standing in front of Renovare’s Demo UnitA new technology that converts biogas into a high-grade liquid fuel that can be used as a direct replacement for fossil fuels is being showcased for the first time at Alliance Dairies in Florida on February 18, 2019. The process developed by UK-based technology company Renovare Fuels, allows biogas from waste material to be used as a direct replacement for traditional fossil fuels, with the potential to displace billions o
  
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• Exposure to glyphosate increases risk of cancer by 41%, research warns

  14-02-2019 11:43 via Farming UK News RSS
  People who have a high exposure to the popular herbicide glyphosate have a 41% increased risk of developing a certain type of cancer, researchers warn.Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used, broad-spectrum herbicide and the primary ingredient...
  
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• Fueled by climate change, Zimbabwe's erratic harvests cause farmers to struggle

  14-02-2019 09:16 via Farming UK World News RSS
  Jemitias Denhere shakes his head as he explains why, despite being a specialist in soil management and crop production, he specializes in beef livestock.The district agronomist -- plants specialist -- owns 27 hectares of land in the Mwenezi area of southern Zimbabwe, a particularly arid location. Here, farmers endure extreme weather challenges such as drought and flash flooding -- and, thus, some of the highest food shortages.His cattle can exist on the little grass that remains during dry times
  
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• Top US meat lobbyist urges UK to align with US food standards

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  A senior US meat lobbyist has told the Trump administration that the UK must adopt US food producing standards if it wants to secure a trade deal post-Brexit.Craig Thorn, Chairman of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), a group which repre...
  
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• Three farmers donate sheep to teenage boy who had flock stolen

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  Three farmers have helped replace a teenage boy's flock of sheep after livestock rustlers stole them last month.Fifteen year old Jack Sinott had 22 sheep stolen on 8 February, along with 120 sheep belonging to farmer John Lightfoot.The incide...
  
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• 'This darker form of animal rights activism is a serious concern'

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  A form of animal rights activism which is 'darker' and 'more insidious' is a 'serious concern' for pig producers, a leading industry figure has said.National Pig Association (NPA) policy officer, Lizzie Wilson gave the pig industry’s perspective ...
  
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• Police find body after hunt for missing farmer

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  The body of a man has been found in a river close to where a search was carried out for a farmer who has been missing for nine months.William 'Bill' Taylor was last seen at his home in Gosmore on Sunday, June 3 at around 9pm – shortly before his ...
  
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• Plans submitted to re-develop popular Scots Border mart

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  Plans have been submitted for the re-development of a popular Scottish Borders livestock auction mart.Scottish Borders Council has now received plans to build new facilities at Newtown St Boswells Mart, owned by Harrison & Hetherington (H&H)....
  
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• Owner of dog that killed sheep agrees to compensate farmer

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  The owner of a black Labrador that savaged a sheep in Sussex has made herself known to police and will compensate the farmer.Police released a disturbing image of a dog attacking a sheep near Horsham in a bid to find the owner of the animal.T...
  
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• Muller launches £100m 'cost and margin improvement' programme

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  Major dairy processor Muller has announced a £100m 'cost and margin improvement programme' after experiencing profitability issues.Muller Milk & Ingredients (MMI), Britain’s largest producer of milk, cream and butter, has launched the £100m progr...
  
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• Compensate farmers in event of 'no deal', Scots govt tells Westminster

  14-02-2019 09:13 via Farming UK News RSS
  Westminster has been told by the SNP-led Scottish government to compensate farmers in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit.Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing said leaving the EU with 'no deal' is 'by far the biggest threat' to Scottish farming....
  
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• Exposure to weed killing products increases risk of cancer by 41% – study

  14-02-2019 07:00 via Agriculture | The Guardian
  Evidence ‘supports link’ between exposures to glyphosate herbicides and increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphomaA broad new scientific analysis of the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate herbicides, the most widely used weed killing products in the world, has found that people with high exposures to the popular pesticides have a 41% increased risk of developing a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.The evidence “supports a compelling link” between exposures to gl
  
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• Scottish cereal farmers call for spring barley competition

  13-02-2019 16:14 via Farming UK News RSS
  Scottish cereal growers are working with the wider sector on adding a new spring barley category to the national yield competition– the Yield Enhancement Network.At the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) Growers Gro...
  
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• Stronger deterrents needed for food fraud crimes, egg industry says

  13-02-2019 13:06 via Farming UK News RSS
  The egg industry is calling for stronger deterrents for food fraud following the news that a Dutch egg trader convicted of fraudulently selling contaminated eggs as fit for human consumption has been fined just £26,000.The egg trader from Mijnshe...
  
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• Farmers told to take action on asbestos within premises

  13-02-2019 13:06 via Farming UK News RSS
  Farmers have been told to take immediate action on asbestos within their premises or risk being fined, following a recent crackdown on poor health and safety standards.Helping farmers maintain and achieve asbestos compliance is part of the Health...
  
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• Lack of profitability could mean suckler beef 'disappears', union warns

  13-02-2019 09:39 via Farming UK News RSS
  Northern Irish farmers have called for a drive to promote the quality of beef from suckler herds as many struggle to break even.Greater promotion of beef from suckler herds is one step to help farmers, according to Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).
  ...
  
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• 'Increasing political appetite' to improve live animal transport

  13-02-2019 09:39 via Farming UK News RSS
  The UK’s leading veterinary association is urging the government to put welfare 'at the heart' of any decision-making with regards to moving livestock inside and out of the country.In its updated position, the British Veterinary Association (BVA)...
  
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• Farmers warned of mis-selling as Feed-In Tariff deadline looms

  13-02-2019 09:39 via Farming UK News RSS
  Government plans to end the Feed-In Tariff for new solar schemes from 31 March are triggering a 'spate of mis-selling' in the renewables market.The Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme is a government programme designed to promote the uptake of renewable...
  
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• Eighteen Scottish food companies awarded £6m by government

  13-02-2019 09:39 via Farming UK News RSS
  Eighteen Scottish food processors have been awarded a share of more than £6m by the government to help them invest and grow.The fund will help the companies to invest in infrastructure, upgrade or replace facilities, and purchase new equipment, a...
  
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• Russian iFarm secures $1m to take urban farming solutions to next level

  13-02-2019 06:20 via Farming UK World News RSS
  Moscow-based iFarm Project has raised a $1 million round led by Gagarin Capital in support of their urban farming technologies. The iFarm Project’s fully automated vertical farms and year-round greenhouses enable fresh produce to be grown directly in the city, close to consumers.iFarm distinguishes itself from other offerings on the market for both their hardware and software that facilitates the cultivation of different crops in entirely closed ecosystems. Rather than integrating existing
  
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• US bull sold for record-breaking £1.2m at auction

  13-02-2019 06:16 via Farming UK News RSS
  A bull in the US has sold for a record-breaking $1.51m (£1.2m) at an auction in North Dakota.Schaff Angus Valley's annual auction oversaw the sale of the Angus bull on 9 February, which commanded a number of bids during its six minutes in the rin...
  
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• Tenant farmers urge 'sensible' rent review discussions

  13-02-2019 06:16 via Farming UK News RSS
  Farm landlords must take a 'steady-as-you-go' approach when rent review discussions commence this spring, according to tenant farmers.The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) is urging 'sensible' rent review discussions during continued 'Brexit uncer...
  
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• Hill farming parliamentary group launches

  13-02-2019 06:16 via Farming UK News RSS
  A parliamentary group which aims to protect the best interests of British hill farmers has launched today after disbanding back in 2015.Farmers marked the relaunch of the Hill Farming All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which will work towards ...
  
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• Flooding kills half a million cattle in Australia

  13-02-2019 06:16 via Farming UK News RSS
  The death toll of cattle in Australia has exceeded half a million head following a massive monsoonal flood in Queensland.More than 500,000 cattle have been killed and another 150,000 in danger of starving to death as a result of the catastrophic ...
  
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• Defra seeks use of EU's satellite technology for three more years

  13-02-2019 06:16 via Farming UK News RSS
  A new £2 million contract put out to tender by Defra seeks to use the European Union's satellite imagery technology for three more years.The three year contract will commence from April 1, 2019, with the department saying in a document that it se...
  
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• Hill farming parliamentary group launches today

  12-02-2019 16:52 via Farming UK News RSS
  A parliamentary group which aims to protect the best interests of British hill farmers has launched today after disbanding back in 2015.Farmers marked the relaunch of the Hill Farming All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which will work towards ...
  
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• North Yorkshire farmers reap rewards of holiday letting

  12-02-2019 13:50 via Farming UK News RSS
  A North Yorkshire farming couple are enjoying the fruits of their labour after turning their unused farm buildings into holiday cottages.
  As they approached retirement, farmer William Heslop, 66, and his wife, Ann Lovegreen, 57, wanted to breathe...
  
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• Loss of UK's protected foods after Brexit 'completely untrue', Defra says

  12-02-2019 11:11 via Farming UK News RSS
  Defra has called reports saying how the UK could lose Geographical Indication protection post-Brexit as 'completely untrue'.There has been coverage in The National over the weekend about the fate of Geographical Indications (GIs) – schemes that l...
  
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• Growers need certainty of trade in post-Brexit world

  12-02-2019 11:11 via Farming UK News RSS
  British growers have highlighted how they need more political certainty to trade in a post-Brexit world.Hundreds of British growers attended the Fruit Logistica, held in Berlin. The event is held every year for all sectors of the fresh produce bu...
  
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• Farm launches first UK-made 100% grass-fed organic cheddar

  12-02-2019 11:11 via Farming UK News RSS
  The UK's first grass-fed Pasture for Life organic cheddar has been launched, created by cows that have never eaten any grains or cereals throughout their entire lifetime.West Country cheese-maker Lye Cross Farm, based at Redhill near Bristol, lau...
  
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• Bavarians vote to save bugs and birds—and change farming

  12-02-2019 08:22 via Farming UK World News RSS
  For the past 11 days Bavarians have been standing in lines, sometimes quite long ones, to sign a petition designed to save bees, other bugs, and the birds that eat them.Weeks before carnival festivities officially plunge Germany into silly season, adults in bee costumes have been a common site on the streets of this south German state. In Erlangen a few elderly ones lay on their backs on the freezing pavement and pumped their arms and legs to simulate bee agony. In Munich’s Marienplatz on
  
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• Welsh dragon emblem 'must be prioritised' over union flag, meat body says

  12-02-2019 08:19 via Farming UK News RSS
  The Welsh flag must be prioritised over the union jack flag when showcasing the country of origin on produce, meat promoters have urged.Meat Promotion Wales - Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) told the BBC that the British brand has 'little traction' in key m...
  
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• Tinder-style app 'Tudder' lets farmers choose livestock breeding matches

  12-02-2019 08:19 via Farming UK News RSS
  Farmers have introduced a Tinder-style app, called Tudder, that lets them find breeding matches by viewing photos of livestock with details of location, age and owner.The app, based on popular dating app Tinder, is a new swipe-led matchmaking app...
  
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• Sustainable farming bursary worth £3k to be awarded to six students

  12-02-2019 08:19 via Farming UK News RSS
  A new bursary which encourages sustainable farming practices has been launched for six students under the age of 35.Jordans Cereals and the Prince’s Countryside Fund have launched the Sustainable Agriculture Bursary for students at the Royal Agri...
  
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