All from last 7 days COVER CROPSA guide to catch cropping before autumn cerealsWhile many farmers are growing cover crops over winter before spring crops, there is also the possibility of establishing a catch crop between harvest and an autumn-drilled crop. The key… BREEDING AND FERTILITYWhy big cows are inefficient and how to breed smaller stockCows are getting bigger. UK dairy farmers are feeding and managing the equivalent of nearly five extra cows for every 100 in their herds, compared with 30 years ago. And… NEWSFW Podcast Ep 115: Too hot to harvest? Plus Farm Safety WeekIn this episode, with the UK heatwave set to see temperatures climb towards 40C, we ask could it simply become too hot to harvest? As the latest farm fatality figures… COMBINESNew 260hp model heads trio of five-walker MF Activa combinesMassey Ferguson has tweaked its entry-level, five-walker Activa range, which now includes the option of the firm’s Multi Crop Separator on all three models. The 260hp 7344 is the biggest… YOUNG FARMERSLucy Nott: In search of the perfect harvest sarnieIt’s a well-known fact that if you want to start a debate with a group of farmers then you should ask them what colour tractor they drive. If this ice-breaker is… FARM POLICYInvest in farmers to meet 2030 renewables target, says unionA Welsh farming union is demanding a national government policy that incentivises farmers to invest in renewable energy production. Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts has called for a… FARM POLICYNFU Cymru seeks food security targets in future farm policyThe Welsh government is being urged to embed commitments on food security in its new agriculture bill this autumn after what has been described as its “glaring omission” from draft… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERShould farms sell or chop straw with fertiliser prices high?The value of straw, whether for power stations or traditional forage and bedding markets remains, buoyant, and many growers will be looking to take advantage of that. However, with high… LAND MARKETSJapanese knotweed: Effect on farmland and how to prevent itHorticulture was responsible for Japanese knotweed’s arrival to the UK via imports of seed and live material in the 19th century. The farming industry has since been paying the price… FARM MAINTENANCEArlo Go 2 security camera sends footage to smartphonesArlo’s new Go 2 security camera connects anywhere via wifi or 3G/4G phone data, giving farmers the option to monitor their farm security from their phone. The camera streams live… SOILSNFU food report sets out foundations for improving farm soilA major new report setting out the importance of soil in food production has outlined eight actions farmers can take to improve this vital asset and ensure the UK’s food… CROP MANAGEMENTSwitch to hybrid barley can save on fertiliser, trial showsOpting for a hybrid barley variety instead of a conventional type could help farmers reduce their use of expensive nitrogen fertiliser in 2022-23, which is set to be a high-cost… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Could lucerne thrive in wet Wales year round?We have taken full advantage of the sun and made a start on our harvest. Generally, we are pleased with the first cut in terms of quality and quantity, but… MOWERSVicon launches 8.75m Extra 787T triple mower combinationThere's more choice in Vicon's mower range with the addition of a 8.75m-wide version of its triple mo-co, as a compact alternative to the 10m Extra 7100T. The new Extra… POULTRYThe poultry industry's response to total cage ban proposalsA strong industry response to a vocal home-grown animal welfare lobby has already propelled the UK to the forefront of the global move away from cage systems. Despite that, pressure… HARVESTHarvest 2022: Low N rate yields highest OSR marginLincolnshire grower Colin Chappell kickstarted oilseed rape harvest last week with his first field of hybrid variety Duplo yielding a very impressive 3.63t/ha from just 42.63kg N/ha. It was Mr… SHEEP EVENTWhat to see at the Sheep Event 2022After an unplanned four-year break due to Covid, the biennial National Sheep Association (NSA) Sheep Event is back with a bang. The one-day event at Three Counties Showground on 27… NEWSOpinion: Reverting arable land to grass or trees is follyThe question of how many of the 60m acres of Britain should be cropped is a question nearly as old as the hills on which arable farming has waxed and… CRIMEFears raised over thieves using Google to scope out farmsFarmers are being advised to check their yards and buildings on Google Street View and request images are blurred if they think the mapping technology could give rural thieves an… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONFree agricultural transition advice service set to launchThe final round of Defra’s Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF) is due to begin in England in the autumn. Defra will provide 17 organisations with grant funding to provide free… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Power lines often lower than they should beMy good friend, Jim Pearce, who supplies us with top hay for our horse liveries, took the view that fertiliser was far too expensive this year and did not apply… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESWhy dairy farmers should check contracts as blockades loomDairy processors have sought to reassure their suppliers on milk payments in the light of disruption plans by vegan activists to the dairy supply chain. However, the impact on individual… AIR AND WATERWater warnings as Met Office issues first ever 'Red' alertWith record temperatures of 40C or more forecast by the Met Office in the coming days, farmers are being urged to reduce their water use, where possible, to help conserve… HARVESTHarvest 2022: Good crop yields, but some moisture deductionsCombines are rolling in the South as harvest 2022 gets off to an early start with dry weather keeping drying costs at bay. However, the low moisture contents are causing… PIGSBetter contracts for pig producers may come from consultationThe government is considering intervening in pig sector contracts, using powers contained in the 2020 Agriculture Act, to address possible unfair trading practices. In a consultation on contractual practices launched… More articles
