Tibthorpe farmer awarded Kirby Cup by Yorkshire Grassland Society
A Tibthorpe farmer has won the prestigious Kirby Memorial Cup for his grassland management. Jonathan Shepherd, who farms at Field House Farm, was awarded The Yorkshire Grassland Society Kirby Memorial Cup at a recent meeting of the society that promotes the profitable and sustainable use of grass and forage. Mr Shepherd grows 150 acres of […]
ECPA stresses science should underpin, not undermine, innovation
Speaking at a major event in Brussels today on Innovative Agriculture Jean-Charles Bocquet, Director General of the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), called for a stronger role for science in EU decision making. Opening the event, organised by Politico and sponsored by the ECPA, Bocquet said “We have to stop this trend [for political decisions] […]
£31k paid to flood victims in one month
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) has paid out £31,000 to flood victims in Cumbria since December 7. The 155-year-old farming welfare charity expects that figure to rise considerably in the coming months once people have taken stock of damage and how it affects future income. Applications from farming people affected by flooding or storm […]
Wheat genome sequencing gets major boost
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) announced today the production of a whole genome assembly of bread wheat, the most widely grown cereal in the world, significantly accelerating global research into crop improvement. The project consisted of producing a whole genome assembly of the bread wheat variety Chinese Spring based on Illumina short sequence […]
Reformed Defra will help British farming lead the world
Defra will invest 12 per cent more capital this Parliament to upgrade its animal and plant disease response, as well improving flood defences and modernising the organisation to improve the service it delivers for rural communities, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss will pledge today at the Oxford Farming Conference (6 January 2016). In addition, over a […]
Decision on open access to Welsh countryside should not be rushed
With huge concerns from farmers and landowners in Wales around the proposed open access charter, the National Sheep Association (NSA) urges the Welsh Government not to rush a decision before all associated issues are fully considered. The Welsh Government is consulting on an open access charter, which it claims would improve access to the outdoors […]
Government not up to speed on broadband targets
The NFU believes Government measures to improve rural broadband could help farming communities but, it believes more could still be done to improve internet and mobile communications in the most remote areas. The new discounted satellite broadband scheme is being offered under the Government’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), in which it is committed to providing […]
Cumbria Farm Flood Action Group launched with funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund
The Prince’s Countryside Fund has announced £7,469 funding to a new collaborative initiative – the Cumbria Farm Flood Action Group. This group will assess the nature and scale of damage to farms and on farm diversified businesses following the floods earlier this month. The Cumbria Farm Flood Action Group is formed of the Farming Community […]
Warburtons commits to five-year plan with growers
Warburtons and its grain supply partner Openfield have agreed to extend their relationship for a further five years thereby giving its farmers the confidence to invest in their businesses. Openfield head of supply chain Sarah Bell welcomed the deal which will take the contract through to harvest 2021, reflecting Warburtons long-term commitment to the industry. […]
