Countryside feed - This Is Bristol

Export surge

Tue, 19 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Sterling's collapse against the euro has had a golden lining for beef and sheep producers, latest figures have revealed.

Lack of sheep shearers

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Farmers are warning of a welfare crisis in sheep flocks this summer because of a shortage of shearers.

They say millions of animals will have to carry heavy fleeces throughout the hottest months of the year – and some may not even get sheared at all.

The country is facing a potential shortage of professional shearers from Australia and New Zealand, who have traditionally supplied around a quarter of the workforce for the shearing season.

Pupils learn from the land

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Many farmers still believe they don't get enough recognition or thanks for putting at least 60 per cent of the nation's food on its tables. But there's no denying that the entire profile of farming and food production has been raised enormously over the last 20 years.

Benn urged to fight back on ID scheme

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Sheep industry leaders are calling for an all-out attack by Defra Secretary Hilary Benn on the "madness" of new EU regulations on ID.

West leads fight to beat food shortages

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:14:50 GMT

Farmers and scientists are joining forces to avert the threat of world shortages.

Rare breed salami is spot on

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:13:44 GMT

Connoisseurs have been praising the quality of Gloucester Old Spot pig for decades. But now they have another way to enjoy it.

Boycott call over sheep tag shake-up

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The first signs of a revolt are starting to appear over the introduction of compulsory identification for all sheep.

Revolutionary lambing pens can reduce mortality rates

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

More than 50 per cent of lambing is now carried out by women and a revamped design of lambing pen is now being marketed as the way to reduce some of the risks of what can still be a difficult, even dangerous, task.

Dairymen hit out over cuts in milk prices

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:00:08 GMT

Processors and retailers have been warned they could be slitting their own throats by slashing farmers' milk prices.

Action needed to prevent outbreak

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Sheep industry leaders have welcomed Defra's acceptance of all Sir Ian Anderson's detailed recommendations following his inquiry into the 2007 foot-and-mouth outbreak.

British beef in good books

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Consumers are sticking with British beef, despite startling price rises that have occurred over the last year.

Confusion as EU payment scheme ends

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Beef farmers are pleading for an early indication about the way farm support will change once the Single Farm Payment scheme has run its course.

Biofuel research gets £27m boost

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

T he biggest-ever single public investment in bioenergy research has been announced by the Swindon-based Bio-technology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Short cut to better beef

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

It was one of the triumphs of the Victorians' passion for agricultural improvement. But the beef shorthorn is very much back in fashion – and nowhere more so that on a Wiltshire farm now supplying local butchers with quality traditional breed meat.

Grass diet is key to quality meat

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Cattle and sheep grazed on natural grasslands produce tastier, healthier meat, new research has confirmed.

NFU in new welfare fight

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

T he NFU has moved to reassure shoppers about welfare on British poultry farms as the sector comes under the television spotlight again.

Shortages will boost beef prices

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT

B eef farmers are being warned not to use a surge in prices as a signal to sell up and quit the sector.

Preserving the old art of cider making

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A new orchard centre in Gloucestershire is attracting world-wide interest from enthusiasts keen to start producing their own cider.

War on fly-tippers

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Campaigners have welcomed a stiff penalty handed out to a fly-tipper who desecrated a Somerset woodland.

Cutting stress rates can boost quality of beef, say scientists

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Research by West Country scientists could soon be helping to add millions of pounds a year to the value of bull beef production.