Rural News

Attracting 150 delegates to hear the latest advancements in agri-tech, the first South West AgriTech Showcase was held on Thursday 20th April at Exeter Racecourse. So, what was in store for the attendees?

With lamb featuring as the main ingredient on the official Coronation menu, and thousands of military uniforms having been finely crafted from British wool, produce from the nation’s sheep farmers is playing an important part in the Coronation celebrations.

Openfield’s health, safety and environment manager Mark Smith was recognised at the 2023 Safety & Health Excellence Awards for his significant contribution to the implementation and enhancement of health, safety and wellbeing standards at the company.

Led by McCartneys auctioneers, the sale of pedigree cows and calves from the noted Wroxall Simmental herd of CH Evans & Son at Kington Grange Farm, Claverdon, Warwickshire, recorded just over £120,000 in gross earnings, with the leading cow-calf pair fetching a combined 6000gns.

With 6ha of plots growing a wide range of crops for Cereals 2023, exhibitors gathered at the new Thoresby site to view their crop plots and discuss plans for the event on 13th-14th June 2023.

To reduce financial barriers for potato farmers transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices, McCain Foods, the largest manufacturer of frozen potato products in the UK, has joined forces with NatWest in offering financial support with the costs of switching to a regenerative farming system.

The project will support farms in the Kent Downs AONB, by redistributing surplus food.

A new study funded by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI) has linked financial worries, long working hours and loneliness with “concerning” levels of anxiety among farming women, with younger generations being the most severely affected.

Perthshire-based Taylors Snacks and Abertay University are joining forces in a new project looking at mitigating levels of acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen, in potato crisp production in a bid to enhance food safety.

A host of professional shearing talent will be racing against time at the Royal Bath & West Show this year, including world record holder shearer Jon Roberts from Robertsacre Farm in Dartmoor.

Cereals has a wealth of seminars this year, with opportunities to question political leaders, players in the environmental services arena and farmers going down the regenerative agriculture route.

Entries are now open for the 15th edition of the Landscape Photographer of the Year competition – which celebrates the British countryside in all its glory.