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The article features Rob Hughes, an Agrovista agronomist based in Shropshire, England. Hughes notes that 2008 has been his most successful year in the business which resulted from factors such as the upturn in commodity prices. It mentions that the loss of sugar beet following the closure of Allscott sugar beet factory allowed him to concentrate on a larger area of combinable crops. Hughes cites that one of his finest business achievements concerns convincing one client not to leave farming.

The article features Andrew Cotton, an Association of Independent Crop Consultant (AICC)-registered independent agronomist based in Oxfordshire, England. As an agronomist, Cotton walks 15,000 acres for 30 clients and has convinced his son, Luke, to join his trade. It notes that Cotton is not afraid of recommending unusual strategies to his clients which include a continuous wheat rotation. It adds that the Chiltern Arable Group that Cotton helps run allows members to benchmark themselves against others.

The article reports that public relations (PR) consultant Liam de Paor is celebrating his 10 years in agricultural consultancy in May 2008 in Ireland. It is stated that Liam set up the business with his wife Marie in 1998. The de Paor Consultancy specializes in public relations and market research and among their clients include Keenans, Delaval and Irish Holstein Breeders Associations and IFP Media.

Information about several papers discussed at a live forum sponsored by the Bollgard II and RoundupReady FLEX on the current and future of cotton trait technology in the U.S. is presented. Topics include the strategies for making the most of existing traits and ways to prepare for the generations of trait technology to come. The forum featured growers, consultants, and extension experts.

The article discusses the experience of Tim Roberts and Billy Beegle, cotton consultant partners, on their crop consulting business named TENNARK Crop Service. It says that their services extends from West Tennessee to the Missouri Bootheel. According to Roberts, working with farmers in two different areas helps them to track potential problems.

The article focuses on the effort of England-based Lancashire Rural Futures farm business adviser Julie Whalley to help farmers to develop new diversification projects by providing practical business advice. A brief career background of the consultant is offered. Whalley received the 2007 Award for Sustainability in the Institute of Business Consulting awards for her work advising new rural businesses in the county. Lancashire Rural Futures has spent nearly a decade revitalising the rural economy of the county with several schemes.

The article provides information about the topics discussed by research entomologist Roger Leonard at the 2008 Beltwide Cotton Conference of the National Cotton Council in Nashville, Tennessee in January. Leonard focused his discussion on the prevention of agricultural pests. He urged all agricultural consultants to start working with producers to develop a pest management plan.

The article offers tips for pest management professionals (PMPs) on how to develop sound relationship with food industry clients. It states that PMPs should seek to understand the expectations of food industry clients by recognizing problems and challenges in detail. In addition, it suggests that pest control technicians should value the importance of correct identification of the problem in order to provide the appropriate treatment.

The article reports on the warning by farm consultant Bruce McCluskey that New Zealand is facing a shortage of dairy-type animals from 2007-2009, which would raise prices. McCluskey advised a Hukanui farm discussion group to do everything possible to create more animals. Dairy farmers have an opportunity to increase their profits through sales of surplus dairy cows.

The article discusses the qualities of a successful arable adviser that can be set as a criteria for selecting the Farmers Weekly Awards 2007 Arable Adviser of the Year. An arable adviser must have knowledge in various aspects of agronomy. Advisers require an in-depth understanding of all potential markets and appropriate marketing tools to help growers get the best possible prices for their produce. They must also have a full understanding of fixed and variable costs within the business.

This article reports on the lack of independent consultants who can provide quality farm analysis and prepare nutrient budgets using a whole farm approach in New Zealand. According to Doug Edmeades of agKnowledge, there is a need for independent nutrient budgeting since Dexcel has not taken up the role. He further added the fertiliser sector has advisers with little experience. There are a number of critical factors for advisers in assisting farmers to change their practices, Edmeades claims.

The article presents an update on key agronomy issues in Great Britain from several crop consultants. David Cairns of McCreath, Simpson & Prentice argues that with good contracts available there is renewed confidence in the crop. Tod Hunnisett of Chichester Crop Consultancy claims that the spell of settled weather slowed crops a little. According to Neil Potts of Matford Arable Systems, many crops are already at GS30, which obviously poses some management problems.

The article discusses the recent article of Roy Ferguson, a nationally known agricultural financial consultant, on U.S. Department of Agriculture's net cash income and net farm income. Ferguson has long advocated the use of standard accounting principles for farmers. It is noted that net cash income and net farm income are two valid measures of profit. The net cash income is primarily a financial measurement that conforms to standard cash operating procedures.

The article features the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) in the U.S. which is composed of 495 independent consultants and researchers. NAICC has an essential role in making sure that members are kept up to date with technological developments through its various events. Consultants and researchers also use the Internet to keep themselves informed about global issues that could affect farmers.

The article presents information on an accredited continuing education course for crop advisors offered free online at the Farm Industry News and the Farm Press University Web sites in April 2006. According to Greg Frey, publisher of Delta Farm Press, a sister publication of Farm Industry News, there has been strong support from the U.S. and Canada for the course on spray drift management, which was developed by Delta Farm. The scope of the course is presented.

The article reports on the Annual Crop Consultant of the year honorees in the U.S. It include Jim Murn from Centrol Crop Consulting in Minnesota, Dr. Earle S. Raun of Pest Management Co. in Nebraska, and Harold Lambert of Lambert Agricultural Consulting, Inc. in Los Angeles.

Reports on the retirement of Frank Laemmlen as county director and vegetable/pest management advisor for Santa Barbara County, California. Accomplishments and achievements of Laemmlen; Career highlights.

Reports on the amount spent by Great Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on private consultants from 2002 to 2004. Increase in the spending for consultants posted by DEFRA; Implications of the increased spending for farmers.

Reports on the expected participation of a team of experts from Springdale Crop Synergies in the 2005 Great Yorkshire Show to be held in Harrogate, England from July 12 to 14 to discuss the importance of non-food crops following the Common Agriculture Policy reform. Advantages of single farm payment; Advice for farmers on starting a reasonable acreage; Estimated percentage of the British arable area that will be used for growing non-food crops according to Simon Meakin, production director of Springdale.

Presents information on the Ultimate Ramp from metalworker Dale Folz. Significance of the ramp to farmers and crop consultants who rely on their all-terrain-vehicles for scouting far-flung fields; Features of the ramp; Price range of the ramp.

Reports on the launch of commercial venture Richard Fenwick Variety Consultants by cereal specialist Richard Fenwick offering independent variety advice on combinable crops. Background on the specialist; Membership costs; Benefits of the venture to the members.

Reports on a warning issued by rural consultants to farmers regarding the importance of filling in correct information on the new forms being distributed by the British Rural Payments Agency, as of July 2004. Impact of the information stated in the forms on the value of the historic single farm payment that farmers are entitled to; Qualifications of businesses that are candidates for force majeure; Reasons for opting to drop one or more reference years from the calculation.

Presents updates on the consultation program of the Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) in Great Britain as of June 4, 2004. Extension of the FBAS; Coverage of the consultation program; Number of farmers in England using the scheme; Benefits of the service to farming businesses.

Reports that farm advisor and director of University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension in Butte County Bill Olson retires June 14, 2004. Olson plans to continue his agricultural research projects during retirement; Staff research associate in the UC Berkeley Department of Entomology; Educating growers on the use of pheromone traps for monitoring codling moth; Study of walnut harvest timing.

Reports on the retirement of University of California Cooperative Extension vegetable crops farm advisor Bob Mullen.

Features agricultural adviser Carole Johnstone and her personalized fairy cake business in England. Background on the career of Johnstone; Inspiration for starting the business; Price of the fairy cake.

Reports on the expansion of the role of crop consultants in Great Britain as of June 20, 2003. Primary reason for the change.

Reports on the interest of British farmers in advice from the Farm Business Advice Service, a free government service. Amount of action plans that have been created as a result of the use of the service since it was launched in 2002; Availability of the service; Responses to the service.

Elaborates the changes in the job description of agronomists in Great Britain, according to the consensus reached by delegates at the 2003 conference of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants. Consideration of income; Consultation services; Increase in the value of advisory packages.

Refutes the claims that fungicide use diminishes the protein concentration of grain, according to a report presented at the 2003 conference of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants. Findings of the study; Control of septoria; Importance of a high protein content for breadmaking.

Announces the reaction by Allen Scobie, chairman of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC), to the claim of input distributor UAP that crop consultants are less popular. Demand for crop consultants according to Scobie; Percentage of cropping in Great Britain that received advice from independent consultants based on the figure from the Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs; Comments from UAP crop consultants.

Reports on an environmental conference attended by members of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants and the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants at IACR Rothamsted in England, which focus on the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Capital investment in scheme options; Requirements of the scheme.

Presents news briefs relating to various agricultural agencies in the United States. Announcement of Kraft Foods' selection of Meyocks and Priebe Advertising as its angency for the Kraft Hy-Vee business team; Miller Meester Advertising awarding of an agricultural group positioning assignment from Cargill Incorporated; Fruehling Communications' development of a campaign to introduce chemical crop protection products to the United States market.

Reports that an agricultural survey which was conducted with the participation of over 17,000 crop farmer in 1995, revealed that more American farmers are using the services of crop consultants. Statistical information on the findings.

Presents a list of individuals who received awards at the 1996 American Cyanamid Company's Consultant of the Year program. Honoring of Dan D. Bradshaw, Dennis Berglund, David R. Mowers, Roger M. Cater, Bill D. Blair and others; Agricultural firms they represent.

Reports on the study commissioned by the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, which highlights that farmers of the US are satisfied with their crop consultants and follow their advice. Details of the survey.