All from last 7 days 4X4SBedeo develops retrofit battery and kit for old DefendersLand Rover Defender 90s and 110s can now be electrified with in-wheel motors thanks to a retrofit kit from electric drivetrain specialist Bedeo. The “Reborn Electric: Icons” series will eventually… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow to assess farm mineral status after high rainfallProlonged rainfall has led to concerns about mineral supplementation on farm, due to leaching from the soil. A mineral audit may be a better investment than reaching straight for boluses,… COMMUNITY90 and Counting: 92-year-old Fred Campling's farming lifeIn the first of our series, "90 and Counting", celebrating the enduring nature of farming generations through the decades since FW’s first issue, we talk to 92-year-old Fred Campling. Watch… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Zone tine drill offers adaptable seedingPacking five rows of interchangeable seeding elements, the Zone direct tine drill from Bramleys Seed Establishment can be quickly adapted to suit different conditions. In its simplest form, the toolbar-style… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rejected heifers appear to show a trendExciting times ahead? We have welcomed two new members of staff to the team. Both of them have livestock and tractor/machinery experience, and we hope they will enjoy their new… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESRed meat exports add billions to value of UK livestockThe crucial role exports play in supporting farmgate prices for red meat has been highlighted by the latest trade figures, which show beef, pork and lamb exports worth £1.7bn last… BUSINESSTories and Labour clash on farm inheritance tax claimsThe Conservatives have accused Labour of planning a £1bn inheritance tax raid on UK family farms, putting the UK’s food security at risk. Defra secretary Steve Barclay has warned Labour… CROP SELECTIONPlant breeders fear gene editing could be "derailed" by electionPlant scientists are demanding the next government prioritise the introduction of gene editing, to help accelerate the development of crops with increased yields, improved climate resilience and reduced environmental footprints.… BROILERSTesco moves to lower stocking rates for fresh chickenSupermarket giant Tesco is joining Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury’s in requiring its chicken producers to stock their birds at a 20% lower rate than the industry standard. The move, which… DAIRYAdvice for managing a split-block calving herdHistorically, savings made from efficient block-calving outweighed seasonality penalties. Yet many contracts have tempted farms into going split block. Herds that move to split-block calving to satisfy milk buyer requirements… CROP WATCHCrop Watch: OSR pod sealants and foliar N in wheatThe weather remains unsettled with disease pressure staying high. For example, the showery weather as resulted in rhynchosporium starting to develop in spring barley crops in the west. This changeable… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Horsch rejigs Avatar no-till disc drillIt’s almost as though drill makers had to have a mounted toolbar model in their line-up in order to get a stand at this year’s Cereals event. One of the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Throwing it all at our fight against grassweedsOur farming system revolves around ryegrass seed production for four key reasons: successful yields, straw sales to North Island dairy farmers, the restorative function within our rotation and the lambs… MACHINERYBurke Trophy up for grabs in Normac innovation competitionThe prestigious Burke Trophy for machinery innovation will be up for grabs at this month’s Royal Norfolk Show. A clutch of mainstream manufacturers will be competing for the prize, which… FARM POLICYMore support, fairer prices, less migration, says Reform UKA boost to the farm budget, greater protection for farmland and a fairer supply chain are among the promises being made by Reform UK as part of its pre-election manifesto.… NEWSWelsh red meat body in turmoil after two directors resignWelsh red meat levy body Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) – Meat Promotion Wales – is descending into chaos amid reports of internal divisions, board members and key staff leaving, Farmers… OTHER CROPSCereals 2024: Project seeks to find UK chickpea varietyA new research project aims to explore the potential for domestic production of chickpeas by developing the UK’s first breeding programme. The Cicero project is a two-year feasibility study led… OILSEED RAPECereals 2024: Why September drilled OSR can boost yieldDrilling oilseed rape from the second week of September rather than the typical August sowing window could be a strategic move for growers to boost yield potential. Latest research from… NEWSWas ramming escaped cow the only way to keep public safe?Questions are being asked over the police handling of a fugitive cow in a Surrey residential street. Disturbing footage shared on social media shows the 10-month-old calf, Beau Lucy, being… DAIRYHow self-feed silage allowed autumn-block herd to expandAn autumn block-calving herd has moved to a new site on farm, replaced a mixer wagon with self-feed silage and increased herd size by 120 cows. Cost of production for… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Case IH Axial Flow offers greater automationCereals 2024 was one of the first opportunities to catch a glimpse of Case IH’s latest single-rotor 260-series Axial Flow combines. Mechanically, these are near identical to current 250 series… NEWSFW Podcast Ep 210: Covid-style business loans for farmersIn this episode, farm leader Tom Bradshaw calls for Covid-style business loans to help farmers ride out the impact of a challenging year. We join thousands of growers at the… VARIETY SELECTIONAfter 80 years, where next for the Recommended List?The future direction of the AHDB’s Recommended List (RL) and the need for it to reflect the move to more sustainable farming systems was the focus at Cereals 2024, as… FARMLIFE FRAMEDPhoto of the Week: When a combine cost just over £2,000This fabulous old photo of a combine from the 1960s was sent into us by Jemima White. “Hard to believe that this new McCormick Harvester was purchased by the G… MACHINERYCereals 2024: Latest NH CR10 twin-rotor combine packs 635hpHot on the heels of its flagship twin-rotor CR11 combine launch, New Holland has introduced a lower-powered CR10. Specs are almost identical to that of its bigger sibling, apart from… More articles
