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Meeting NVZ regulations on a widespread Dorset farm is the goal of our second arable finalist in the FW/ Nitram Fertiliser Award 2003. Peter Grimshaw reports BIG on acreage and […]

The second livestock farm in the final round of the FW Nitram Fertiliser User of the Year Award has an impressive policy for its manure. Peter Grimshaw reports TWO big […]

The first arable finalist in the farmers weekly/Nitram Fertiliser Award 2003 is responsible for a bulb-dominated rotation in Lincs. Peter Grimshaw reports WHEAT is a break crop on Nocton Estate's […]

The first of this year's finalists in the livestock sector of the Nitram Awards takes great care to ensure even fertiliser spread. Peter Grimshaw reports INACCURATE spreading can easily be […]

A NEW NFU web-site collaboration with the virtual farmers' market BigBarn could help farmers develop opportunities for local and regional sourcing in urban and built-up areas. Robin Tapper heads up […]

DETAILED market research and truly believing in your product gives new regional food ideas a head start and the chance of being successful. "We always encourage producers to explore in […]

By Peter Grimshaw NEW employment regulations aiming to strike a balance between employer and employee interests are due to come into force on Sunday (Apr 6). Farmers and other rural […]

What is the reality behind the potential offered by alternative crops? Peter Grimshaw reports the views of farmers at the recent farmers weekly/BASF Barometer Conference OVER-SUPPLY, variable returns, tricky husbandry, […]

WHAT does it take to be a top fertiliser user? Nicholas Ward, who farms 172ha (425 acres) of moderately heavy, patchy clay at West Harlsey, near Northallerton, Yorks, knows better […]

After a virtual no-show year, the agricultural show season is back in full swing. Peter Grimshaw previews next week's Bath and West show Cattle and pigs lead stock back ONLY […]

COFFEE, anyone? For Jim Powell it is a vital ingredient in the two widely separated arable enterprises he manages for M&H Farming on the Oxfordshire/ Northants border. A finalist in […]

What does it take to net a rural development grant? Peter Grimshaw asks a farmer who has just completed one of the first schemes under DEFRA management VISION, tenacity, excellent […]

A TIGHT grip on farm management, including rigorous attention to spreader calibration and testing, characterises the management style of Nitram Fertiliser Award finalist Nicholas Ward. "I like to be in […]

WHAT does it take to build a successful farming and rural business in today's tough circumstances? That's a question that several organisations hope to answer comprehensively at Rural United on […]

An award-winning Scottish fertiliser user shares his practical tips for protecting the environment and cutting costs. Peter Grimshaw reports ONE or two bright ideas are not enough; if you are […]

An O&K RH170 hydraulic excavator is being used by RJB Mining at its Llanilid West Revised site in Llanharan, Wales. Operations began at the 270 hectare site in the Spring of 1993 and will be completed at the end of 1996. The RH170 has state-of-the-art features and is powered by two Cummins KT38-C engines with an output of 1240kW at 1800rpm. RJB operations at Llanilid are now fully hydraulic with RH170 and other O&K excavators., In the November issue of WME we provided site information on several of the new machines launched earlier in the year at Bauma and Hillhead To extend this coverage Peter [...]

Micron Hydraulics has developed from a firm with great expertise in hydraulics technology into leading international specialists in providing specialist maintenance to hydraulic power machinery users and consulting services to hydraulic machinery and components manufacturers. Since its beginnings in 1983, Micron has has worked closely with the mining and quarrying industry which it expects to be leading users of hydraulic machines. The company offers preventative maintenance services to mining industries and through consultation with hydraulic equipment manufacturers., As hydraulics technology has become more sophisticated, and the range and scale of application have increased, so the demand for specialist maintenance and remanufacturing expertise has grown. Established in Bradford, [...]

NO MAGGOTS, no problem: Most poultry producers know the rules when it comes to controlling fly problems arising from manure. But the problem is that even with all measures in [...]

Weighs several opinions on the opportunities that farmers could get from non-food crops in Great Britain. Market performance of oilseeds for biodiesel which is handled by Simon Meakin of Springdale Crop Synergies; Development of a potential market for fuel energy, according to Richard Whitlock at Banks Cargill; Changes in the government policy with regards to the production of non-food products, according to Malcolm Shepherd of Wessex Grain.

The article reports on the wheats that are added to strong list in southern England based on the results of trials conducted by the British Home Grown Cereals Authority and National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) in 2005. Einstein was the highest yielder that surpassed the all-site yield index on a five-yearly basis. Xi19 and Mascot did not perform well confirmed by NIAB specialist Clare Leaman.

The article focuses on contagious mastitis. Post-milking test dipping and regular parlor hygiene and testing could help the reduction of infections from all sources according to Keith Cutler of Endell Vet Group. Use of wrong antibiotic affects the presence Streptococcus aureus in the udder of a cow.

The article offers news briefs related to rural crimes in Great Britain as of December 2005. Farmwatch scheme that requires the cooperation of the police and rural communities to tackle theft has resulted in an 11% reduction in rural theft in North-west Durham, England. There is a need to improve vigilance by farmers and rural communities to achieve a crackdown on rural crime in Lancashire, England. It offers tips from Wales peace officer Dorian Roberts on preventing rural crime.

Reports that growers with chitted oilseed rape in store are at the mercy of buyers and crushers according to National Farmer's Association. Advice given by United Oilseeds to its growers for their crops; Cost of testing chitted oilseed samples; Potential alternative markets for chitted seed.

Presents the views of United Oilseeds commercial manager Ian Munnery on energy crop contract. Advice of Munnery on signing the contract based on the European Union (EU) energy/biodiesel top-up payment; Value of top-up payment offered for energy crops by the EU; Rule on the EU limit for energy crop top-up indicated in some energy contracts.

Reports on the impact of the rainy season on the yields of Hagberg crops in Great Britain. Comparison of the yield of wheat crops in 2003 and 2004; Performance of Hagberg crops until August 9, 2004; Amount of Hagberg and Malaccas crops harvested in a south coast laboratory before the rainy season.

Discusses the rational risk assessment system for controlling slugs that can be used in integrated crop management devised by David Glen, of Styloma Research. Assessment process that would begin with trap setting before cultivation; Importance of soil moisture in the assessment process; Formation of traps in the field or slug-suspect area; Combination of trap findings with assessment of crop growth and vulnerability due to weather, soil conditions and other factors.

Focuses on the farm management implemented at Elveden Farms, finalist to the 2004 "Farmers Weekly"/Nitram Award. Comments from Elveden Farms' arable manager Ian Robertson; Description of the farm's soil; Importance of monitoring key elements in wheat farming.

Focuses on the challenges faced by F Southall & Sons farm owned by beef and lamb producer Stuart Southall. Extremes of clay and gravel soil; Need for bag disposal organization; Quality of livestock carrying capacity of the farm.

Features Jim Calcutt, one of the finalists in the 2004 Nitram Award of "Farmers Weekly," and his crop nutrition plans. Farm management criteria used by Calcutt; Application of chicken manure to crops; Other nutrients applied by Calcutt to his crops.

Features the farm managed by Nick Harding, a finalist in the "Farmer's Weekly"/Nitram Awards. Feeds given to calves; Number of outdoor sows; Frequency of testing for phosphate, potassium and lime.

Focuses on the farm management strategy of grower Christopher Hewis from Great Britain. Problems posed by using imported granulated urea; Benefits of tray testing to fertilizer application; Method in monitoring nitrogen inputs.

Focuses on the fertilizer practice at the Nant Bychan farm in Moelfre, Anglesey, Wales which is managed by Ieuan Evans. Classification of the soil on the farm; Number of bull calves reared for sale at the farm and number of ewes of the farm; Reason for the opposition of Evans to grazing near their campsites; Details of how the fields near the farm campsite is re-sown; Information on the farm's fertilizer input.

Features David Munday, winner of the 2003 Farmers Weekly/Nitram Fertiliser Award and one of the judges in the 2004 competition. Efforts undertaken by Munday to promote information on farm waste and plant nutrients; Details of the farming system employed by Munday; Other judges in the 2004 competition.