Search

Reports on efforts by the Plunkett Foundation in England to offer educational support and information for cooperatives in Great Britain and other countries. Formation of the foundation in 1919 by cooperative organizer and agriculturist Horace Plunkett; Role of Plunkett in the development of cooperatives; Reasons for the resistance to agricultural collaboration in England; Contact information.

The article discusses the open day presentation by the Stabiliser Cattle Co. on the project funded by Innovate UK focusing on the financing and efficiency of suckler beef production in Great Britain. The article also discusses the objectives including the use of public money, the commercial focus, and strategic vision.

A table focused on the fall in the subsidies which is lower under the British Agricultural Policy is presented.

The article reports that the British agriculture is a divided industry, with farmers facing a long wait for their basic payment. Banks and other agricultural lenders have been urged to remain patient when dealing with farmers left waiting for their cash. Meanwhile, growers and livestock producers who have already received their money are being warned that they risk being targeted by fraudsters.

The article reports that the British agriculture needs to be ambitious about "being the best" as no one else is going to fix the industry's problems. It asserts how farmers need to accept the ups and downs of the production cycle and learn to find ways to manage it. It will launch a volatility forum, with the aim of deepening industry knowledge of volatility management on a long-term basis.

The article reports on the financial support provided by the government of Scotland to dairy farmers on the Isle of Bute for use to cover the cost of tankers returning empty on ferries to Bute from the mainland. The move is said to be a response to First Milk' reduction of the price of milk paid to farmers. A statement from Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead about the government's commitment to working with the dairy sector is presented.

The article announces the first batch of young farmers who will receive financial assistance from the Henry Plumb Foundation for their business proposals as of August 30, 2013.

The article focuses on hill farming in Wales. Flock improvement in the region is discouraged by the market for lightweight lambs from southern Europe. The forecast that Welsh beef herd will contract may be countered by targeting agri-environment scheme cash towards mixed stocking systems. Derek Morgan, chairman of the Farmers Union of Wales' hill farming committee, comments on the reduction of agri-environment grants done by the Welsh Assembly.

The author comments on hill farming in Great Britain. Hill farming is seen by the British government as an environmental resource where it can justify spending money to support the landscape instead of livestock. In order for producers to sustain the uplands, hill farming deserves financial support from the government. Hill subsidies in England, which is roughly the same as lowland subsidy, is expected to decline by 2012.