Serving the farming industry across East Anglia for over 40 years
Trailer-mounted separator is new option for slurry contractors
A new trailer-mounted separator unit has been unveiled for contractors and multi-site farms looking to improve slurry quality before application. Manufactured by Vogelsang, the XSplit unit enables contractors to offer separation as an additional service to customers. Alternatively, it can be used on farm to separate slurry or digestate.... Read more
How ‘barometer bees’ could improve farm biodiversity
A Suffolk estate hopes to use bees as barometers to see which land management options most benefit the environment. Matthew Hawthorne, farm manager at the Euston Estate, south of Thetford, believes monitoring the bees will highlight which Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options deliver environmentally – as... Read more
Regenerative farm wins prestigious conservation award
A forward-thinking regenerative arable farmer from Hertfordshire has won a prestigious conservation award. The FWAG East Farm Conservation Award highlights growers and livestock producers who go the extra mile when it comes to sustainable farming practices and creating space for wildlife. Andrew Bott, of Finches Farm, Benington, was recognised... Read more
Have your say on calls for increase in farm budget
Farmers are being urged to join industry calls for a bigger budget for agriculture as the government prepares to unveil its spending plans. The Autumn Budget will be announced on 30 October. Farm leaders expect it to be like no other – with huge pressure on departmental budgets as... Read more
Bluetongue warning after virus confirmed on Norfolk farm
A bluetongue outbreak on a Norfolk farm has reignited concern about the virus – and the need to keep vigilant for the disease. Veterinary experts and industry leaders had warned it was only a matter of time before bluetongue was confirmed in the UK this year – likely to be... Read more
NFU piles on pressure for bigger farm budget
Farm leaders have ramped up calls on the government to increase its budget for farming – arguing that doing so is vital to maintain UK food security. NFU president Tom Bradshaw made the call on 13 August – the day each year that the UK would run out of... Read more
Project to grow onions without soil
Onions could be grown commercially without soil following a ground-breaking partnership between Essex University and major supplier Stourgarden. Tracy Lawson, of Essex’s School of Life Sciences, is using innovative techniques to grow onions aeroponically and help Stourgarden explore ways to make the production process more environmentally friendly. Based in... Read more
Time to deliver on farming pledges, government told
The government faces calls to put its money where its mouth is after Defra minister Daniel Zeichner pledged a “new deal” for Britain’s farmers. Mr Zeichner made the pledge during an NFU reception in parliament last month. More than 130 MPs and Peers attended the reception – held one... Read more
Open Farm Sunday puts farming in the spotlight
More than 225 farms opened their gates to the public last month to celebrate the best of British agriculture. The industry’s 18th annual Open Farm Sunday on 9 June saw events take place across East Anglia. Organised by the Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) charity since, the day put... Read more
OBEs for agri-scientists in Birthday Honours List
Two of the region’s leading agri-scientists were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for their outstanding achievements. Professor Diane Saunders, of the John Innes Centre; and Agri-TechE director Belinda Clarke both received OBEs – joining hundreds of eminent people from all walks of life who also received awards.... Read more