New rules extend marketing standards for free range eggs hit by avian flu restrictions
Producers of free range eggs will be allowed to continue to market their products as such even if their hens have restricted access to open-air runs because of influenza outbreaks following further changes to EU egg marketing standards. An initial amendment to the EU-wide standard from September 2017 allowed egg producers to continue to market […]
New insight into mechanism making Black Sigatoka fungus less sensitive to crop protection
An international team of scientists led by Wageningen University & Research has discovered a new genetic mechanism that makes the notorious Black Sigatoka fungus less sensitive to the main chemical crop protection products used against the disease. The discovery shines light on this increasingly reduced sensitivity and underlines the importance of developing banana varieties resistant […]
Vets urge vigilance after Bluetongue-positive animals imported to England and Scotland
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called for renewed vigilance and responsible sourcing after Defra and Scottish Government announced that a number of cattle in a consignment from an assembly centre in France have tested positive for Bluetongue virus BTV-8. The animals entered the UK earlier this month destined for four farms in England (Preston […]
New yellow rust race detected
The ‘Kranich’ yellow rust race has been detected in the UK for the first time and winter wheat growers are being advised to inspect varieties closely as part of a UK-wide monitoring effort. The UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) identified the new ‘Kranich’ race from an isolate collected in 2014 and tested in the […]
Statement about LA-MRSA in piglets in eastern England
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) have issued a statement about the isolation of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) from piglets in eastern England as reported in the Veterinary Record (http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/176/6/151.3.extract). The joint statement by the BVA and PVS reads: “While there is no official requirement to test for MRSA, the […]
Scientists find potential way of controlling leaf blotch disease in wheat
Septoria leaf blotch (STB) is caused by a fungus and is seen as the most significant threat to wheat yields in Europe, and most other wheat growing regions, as currently available fungicides become less effective against resistant strains of the disease. Researchers at Durham University, working with partners from Newcastle University and Rothamsted Research, have […]
Draft National Johne’s Management Programme for Dairy Cattle launched in Worcester
The Action Group on Johne’s launched today a draft National Johne’s Management Programme at a conference hosted by Dairy UK and DairyCo. The objective of the plan is to manage and then reduce the incidence of Johne’s disease in dairy cattle and engage dairy farmers in Great Britain in credible and robust Johne’s management activities. […]
Light leaf spot disease risk high, says forecast
The HGCA-supported light leaf spot (LLS) service forecasts a very high disease infection risk in all regions of the UK for the 2014–15 season. The current high-risk level is due to a combination of disease build-up over recent years and favourable weather for pathogen growth over the summer. Where LLS is found in crops over […]
Time it right for spot control
Getting the timing right for effective light leaf spot control is crucial, according to the latest fungicide performance information from HGCA. Results show that controlling light leaf spot can be problematic so early detection and spraying before the disease becomes established are essential. “At high risk sites, growers should look to apply a protectant spray […]
