Increasing role for chlorothalonil predicted in wheat fungicide programmes this spring
With reports of changes in sensitivity of Septoria to the triazoles and on the back of a difficult year for disease control, it is expected that the use of chlorothalonil will grow this year to bolster Septoria protection. The SDHIs fungicides have now been introduced to support the azoles, but they come with a single […]
Minimal grass growth forces cancellation of ScotGrass
Due to minimal grass growth the ScotGrass event at the SRUC Crichton Royal Farm at Acrehead Farm, Crichton Royal, Dumfries planned for Tuesday 14 May 2013 has had to be cancelled. Duncan Russell, Services Manager at event organiser AEA said that sadly the fields intended to host the event had experienced practically no grass growth […]
FUW calls for emergency action to help weather hit farmers
Farmers already struggling to cope with the impact of one of the wettest years in history and a massive fall in incomes have reported high ewe and lamb loses, massive pressures on livestock housing, collapsed or unstable buildings and severe shortages of grass and fodder. FUW president Emyr Jones, who farms near Bala in North […]
Pesticide combination affects bees’ ability to learn
Two new studies have highlighted a negative impact on bees’ ability to learn following exposure to a combination of pesticides commonly used in agriculture. The researchers found that the pesticides, used in the research at levels shown to occur in the wild, could interfere with the learning circuits in the bee’s brain. They also found […]
New DNA test cuts time to find horsemeat in food from two days to less than four hours
A new DNA test launched today cuts the time it takes to find horsemeat in food from two days to less than four hours. The process was developed by QIAGEN, the world’s leading provider of molecular sample and assay technologies. The new testing method can detect in real time even minute traces of horsemeat (<1%). […]
Farmers working around the clock to combat extreme weather
Unseasonable snow and icy conditions across the country has caused disruption for many homes and businesses, with farming battling against the elements to ensure farms can keep working and animals are cared for. NFU Vice President Adam Quinney said: “These are unusual conditions and are totally out of character for the time of year. Farmers […]
Syngenta tomato wins Best New Variety Award
One of the exciting new tomato varieties from Syngenta has won the UK’s Best New Variety of the Year at the prestigious Grower Awards, presented in London last week (20 March 2013). Edioso is grown by Flavourfresh Salads and marketed exclusively by ASDA as ‘Tomkin’ in the company’s Extra Special range, renowned for bringing its […]
Increased farming focus for ATS Euromaster
ATS Euromaster has extended its expertise in farming, with three additional centres – in Forfar, Market Harborough and Norwich – being accredited to the high standards demanded by Michelin’s nationwide Exelagri dealer network. The accreditations make ATS Euromaster the largest Exelagri dealer in the UK, with seven of its centres, each situated within a key […]
Genetically modified (GM) insects in the food chain and environment
GeneWatch UK today called for the European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) to suspend the adoption of new rules for the release of genetically modified (GM) animals into the environment while European Ombudsman completes an investigation into the European regulator (1,2). The investigation follows a complaint by GeneWatch UK about conflicts-of-interest on the EFSA’s Working Group […]
