UBC research aims to help Canadian flax farmers
A UBC professor’s flax research could one day help Canadian farmers grow a car fender. In a recent study, UBC researcher Michael Deyholos identified the genes responsible for the bane of many Canadian flax farmers’ existence; the fibres in the plant’s stem. “These findings have allowed us to zero in the genetic profile of the […]
Plant molecule crucial to improving stress tolerance in cereal crops
Tiny molecules found in plants are being targeted to breed cereals with the potential to deliver high crop yields under stressful growing conditions such as drought and heat. Researchers from the University of Adelaide found small gene-regulating RNA molecules already present in plants could be used to understand why certain strains of cereals fared better […]
Netherlands set as the stage for growing moves to tackle global food challenge
European food producers and policy makers are set to play a growing role in harnessing global efforts to provide enough safe, nutritious food to an expanding population, one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) will be launching its European edition in The Netherlands from 9-10 […]
Tax Tribunal unable to decide whether asparagus growing is farming or market gardening
The Upper Tax Tribunal has been unable to determine whether growing asparagus for sale is considered as farming or market gardening for the purposes of tax. The appeal case, which was heard in London on 27 June, was brought by a Mrs Thorne, and centred around the ‘sideways’ loss relief she claimed on her 2008-2009 […]
NFU’s largest member consultation ahead of Brexit set to get underway
An ‘options paper’ detailing the NFU’s ambitious vision for British agriculture post-Brexit has been agreed by its national Policy Board. This means the organisation can now embark on its biggest ever consultation with its 47,000 farmer and grower members. The paper covering crucial areas such as trade, access to labour, financial support and regulation was […]
Let’s back British cheese, says NFU
More people are buying more British cheese and more often, according to figures from AHDB. With a quarter of all milk produced in the UK processed into cheese, the household staple is an important product both for shoppers and for dairy farmers. While cheese exports are up and imports are down there are positive signs […]
Helmut Claas celebrates 90th birthday
Helmut Claas, for many years the managing partner of the CLAAS Group and chair of the Shareholders’ Committee, celebrated his 90th birthday on 16 July. He built the company, founded by his father and uncles, into one of the world’s leading agricultural machinery enterprises. “Helmut Claas has been a decisive source of both ideas and […]
UKIP agriculture policy announcement
Speaking to the Country Landowners Association during the Royal Welsh Show today, Neil Hamilton, Leader of UKIP in the Assembly and Spokesman on Agriculture & Rural Affairs, said: ‘I have taken the Agriculture brief for myself because farming and food security is so vital to rural Wales. I am announcing today a UKIP initiative […]
NFU urges new PM to champion British food and farming
NFU President Meurig Raymond has congratulated Theresa May on her appointment as the country’s new Prime Minister and urged her to champion British food and farming. In a letter to 10 Downing Street, Mr Raymond says he looks forward to working with the Government at an historic time to help shape a new agricultural policy […]
