AMC PROVIDES FOCUS ON NVZ COMPLIANCE AT 2010 DAIRY EVENT & LIVESTOCK SHOW  Farmers with concerns about the financial implications of new Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) legislation are invited to visit the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC) stand at The Dairy Event and Livestock Show where there is a major focus on the funding of NVZ-related projects... (Ref: AMC6 7/09)

LLOYDS TSB OPENS AGRICULTURAL BANKING OFFICE IN SHREWSBURY Lloyds TSB has opened a new agriculture office in Shrewsbury to accommodate its recently expanded team dedicated to providing banking services to the farming sector in Shropshire...  Image  (Ref: Lloyds7 6/08)

STEPHEN GILBERT, SEED INDUSTRY LEADER AND NOVELIST; 1912 - 2010  Stephen Gilbert, former managing director of what is now the globally successful agricultural and amenity seeds business Germinal Holdings Limited, has died aged 97 in Whiteabbey, Northern Ireland...  Image (Ref: BSHM24)

NEW TRAINEE RUMINANT SPECIALIST JOINING WYNNSTAY  The Wynnstay Group has announced the appointment of a new trainee ruminant specialist to its agricultural sales team as part of the company's ongoing recruitment and training programme...  Image (Ref:Wynn45)

INVESTMENT SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO FARMERS AT ROYAL WELSH SHOW  With continuing concerns over food security making farming's role more important than ever, Welsh farmers have a timely opportunity to discuss the future of their businesses at the Royal Welsh Show, says Martin Waite, Regional Agricultural Manager with The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation plc (AMC)... (Ref: AMC4)

GRAIN STORAGE DEAL OPENS NEW DOORS FOR NORTHUMBERLAND OILSEED RAPE   Oilseed rape growers in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders will be able to enjoy improved access to the state-of-the-art crop processing and storage facilities at Coastal Grains Ltd in Belford after the company signed a long term crop storage deal with specialised oilseed rape marketing company, United Oilseeds ...  (Ref: UO31 6/7)

NEW MEDICAL CONTACT CARD WILL HELP SAFEGUARD HEALTH OF PEOPLE WORKING WITH LIVESTOCK Farmers and others working with livestock can now obtain a free agricultural medical contact card to help make their GP more aware of the human health dangers presented by zoonotic diseases...  Image  (Ref: SP207  1/07)

TOYSTORY PRICE REDUCTION MAKES COMPLETE BREEDING SOLUTION MORE AFFORDABLE FOR UK DAIRY FARMERS  Prolific semen production from the globally revered Holstein bull Toystory has enabled Bullsemen.com to announce a 35% reduction in price.  This, says the company, will proviide significantly more UK dairy farmers with affordable access to one of the most complete Holstein sires of recent times... Image (Ref: In36 30/06)

YORKSHIRE FARMERS TURN TO AMC FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT  With continuing concerns over food security making farming's role more important than ever, Yorkshire farmers have a timely opportunity to discuss the future of their businesses at the Great Yorkshire Show, says Adrian Cawood, The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation's (AMC) North East Regional Agricultural Manager... Image (Ref: AMC3 23/06)

WYNNSTAY GROUP PLC ANNOUNCE INTERIM RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS TO 30 APRIL 2010  Based in Wales, Wynnstay manufactures and supplies agricultural products and services for farmers.  It also operates two specialist retail chains, Wynnstay Stores (providing products for farmers and country dwellers) and Just for Pets (offering a comprehensive range of pet products)...  (Ref: Wynn43 16/06)

WYNNSTAY ACQUIRES WOODHEADS SEEDS LTD Yorkshire-based seed processing and supply business Woodhead Seeds Ltd (Woodheads) has been acquired by the agricultural and retail group Wynnstay...  (Ref: Wynn40 27/05)

NOT TOO LATE TO PROTECT SINGLE FARM PAYMENTS  Farmers who have chosen to receive their Single Farm Payment in pounds this year can still protect their support from currency movements ... Image (Ref: Lloyds16r 26/5)

CAREFUL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAN HELP BALANCE FLUCTUATING MARKET PRICES IN MORE VOLATILE FARMING FUTURE   Farmers facing a future of more volatile market prices should consider using financial risk management tools such as single farm payment protection and fixing interest rates to create greater stability within their businesses ...   Image  (Ref: Lloyds15 25/5)

NEW TRAINING SCHEME BRINGS FRESH BLOOD INTO WELSH AGRICULTURE Three new agricultural recruits in Wales as the first beneficiaries of a new training scheme which has been implemented by Wynnstay to bolster its Welsh sales force...  (Ref: Wynn39 24/05)

AVIAN INFLUENZA VACCINE TENDER AWARDED   DEFRA has awarded the recent tender for the supply of avian influenza vaccine to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health... (Ref: SP202 21/4)

FARM STORE OPEN DAYS PROVIDE FOCUS AHEAD OF SUMMER HARVEST Wynnstay is hosting a series of harvest product open days throughout April and May to offer professional and timely advice to farmers in advance of this summer's silage, hay and cereals harvests...  (Ref: Wynn38 8/4)

RUMENCO EXPANDS ITS MERCHANT SUPPORT TEAM Rumenco has expanded its trade support team to help merchants develop sales opportunities for its growing range of branded and own label block, bucket and other feed supplement products...  Image  (Ref: Rum14 31/3)

NATIONAL DIRECT DOOR-TO-DOOR AGRICULTURAL SEED WEBSITE LAUNCHED Agricultural retailer and crop marketing company, Wynnstay, has launched a new seed sales website which specialises in the retail of agricultural grass and root crop seed direct to farmers right across the UK...  (Ref: Wynn37 30/3)

OPTIMISM FOR MIDLANDS FARMING DESPITE SLOW RECOVERY IN WIDER ECONOMY   Whilst the economy may take some time to fully recover there will be opportunities for farmers in the central region ...  Image   (Ref:Lloyds14 26/3)

NEW HEAD OF AGRICULTURE MORTGAGE CORPORATION (AMC) ANNOUNCED Jonathan Allright has been appointed Head of The Agriculture Mortgage Corporation (AMC) and takes responsibility for day-to-day operations with immediate effect...  Image  (Ref: AMC2 26/3)

SLOW SPRING GRASS GROWTH MAY DICTATE NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTARY FEED Sub-zero night temperatures and cold days are continuing to restrict early season grass growth, so much so that grazing acres are a month behind where they were last year in many areas...  Image  (Ref: Rum13  12/3)

FINANCE THE FOCUS AT WADEBRIDGE FARMER MEETING South West farmers will be offered a valuable insight into the economic recovering and it's impact on farming alongside essential financial planning advice at an evening meeting at The Pavillion, Wadebridge frm 7pm on Wednesday 31 March...  Image  (Ref: Lloyds12 11/3)

FRESH NEWS FOR SMALLHOLDERS A new bi-annual newsletter aimed at providing advice and product news specifically to smallholders throughout Wales, the West Midlands and North West of England will soon be available from Wynnstay Stores...  (Ref: Wynn36 8/3)

GET A REAL EGG THIS EASTER Anyone with a back garden could be producing their own fresh, cheap and healthy eggs this Easter by joining the growing trend of keeping laying hens...  Image  Image  Image  Image  (Ref: Wynn35 8/3)

CONTINUED LOW INTEREST RATES AND STRENGTHENING POUND ENCOURAGE PROMPT ACTION With the Bank of England base rate held at 0.5% for another month, farmers should be considering ways in which relatively low cost finance can be used to benefit their farm businesses...  (Ref: Lloyds11 4/02)

RE-VAMPED AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY STORE OFFERS IMPROVED SERVICE TO NORTH WALES FARMING COMMUNITY As part of its ongoing strategy of investing within the agricultural sector, Wynnstay Stores has recently re-fitted its farm and country store at Station Road, Penygroes near Caernarfon in North West Wales...  Image  (Ref: Wynn33 21/1)

ONE THIRD SHARE OF HIGH PLI HOLSTEINS UNDERLINES STRENGTH OF BULLSEMEN CATALOGUE Bullsemen.com emerged as the leading supplier of high PLI Holsteins following the January proof run, boasting 34 of the top 100 sires in this all-important category...  Image  (Ref: In33 21/1)

WYNNSTAY GROUP PLC - FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 OCTOBER 2009....  (Ref: Wynn32 20/1)

OMAN SON LOGAN IS LEADING IMPROVER IN JANUARY PROOF RUN Co-op Oman LOGAN emerges from the January 2010 Holstein proof run as a leading improver for £PLI, production and milk components and, according to Bullsemen.com now ranks as the best value Oman son currently on the UK market...  Image (Logan daughter)   (Ref: In32  14/1)

NEW FORAGE MAIZE VARIETIES FROM BRITISH SEED HOUSES Forage maize growers seeking superior feed quality or exceptional early vigour alongside high dry matter yield will be catered for in 2010 following the introduction of two new varieties by British Seed Houses....  (Ref: BSHM23  11/1)

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED AT FULLWOOD Specialist milking equipment manufacturer, Fullwood Limited, has announced the appointment of David O'Hare as its new chief executive...  Image  (Ref: Full39 7/1)

LATEST OILSEED GUIDE OFFERS ESSENTIAL GROWING ADVICE The latest edition of Growing Oilseeds is now available from United Oilseeds...  Image  (Ref: UO22 6/1)

2009

FOURTH CONSECUTIVE PROFIT SHARE PAYMENT FOR CO-OPERATIVE OILSEED GROWERS Members of United Oilseeds will receive a total aggregate payout of £324,000 following the announcement that the company is to make its fourth consecutive annual profit share payment...  Image  (Ref: UO21  23/12)

TEAMWORK THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL EXPANSION Working closely with your bank manager and following some simple fiscal rules is essential when building or expanding a livestock business...  (Ref: Lloyds10  22/12)

CONTINUED LOW RATES OF INTEREST AND THE WEAKNESS OF STERLING ARE GOOD NEWS FOR FARMERS The Bank of England kept base rates at 0.5% today (Thursday 10th December), meaning the historically low level has been unchanged for nine months...  (Ref: Lloyds9 10/12)

SHORTAGE OF BICARB EXACERBATING ACIDOSIS PROBLEMS Ruminant nutritionists say a national shortage of sodium bicarbonate is exacerbating acidosis problems on many UK dairy units...  Image  (Ref: CSM3 30/11)

ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY AWARDED QUEEN'S ANNIVERSARY PRIZE FOR HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION Aberystwyth University has been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. The announcement was made this evening (Wednesday 18 November) at a special reception at St Jame's Palace by the Founder and Chairman of the royal Anniversary Trust, Robin Gill CVO...  (Ref: IBERS40 18/11)

PLAN NOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY As the Bank of England keeps interest rates at 0.5% for the ninth month running, farmers are being urged to ensure their businesses are in a position to respond to any upturn in the economy...  (Ref: Lloyds8 5/11)

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP STRENGTHENS AGRICULTURE COMMITMENT WITH SERIES OF KEY MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS Lloyds TSB Agriculture and Bank of Scotland have appointed Gareth Oakley as Agriculture Director as part of a wider strengthening of its commitment to the farming sector...  Gareth Oakley   Dick Mason   Colin Fenwick   Humphrey Richards  David Goldthorpe  Sandy Hay  (Ref: Lloyds7 4/11)

LENDING FIGURES SUGGEST INCREASED FARM INVESTMENT "Lending to UK agriculture continues to increase as farmers look to strengthen their business at a time of comparatively low interest rates," comments Paul Spencer, Agriculture Director for The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC)...  (Ref: AMC1 29/10)

SOUTH EAST FARMERS PRAISED FOR THEIR SELF-RELIANCE Champions demonstrate to Defra how important farming is to the region...  Image  Image  (Ref: Gose1  21/10)

ANOTHER BUMPER YEAR FOR UNITED OILSEEDS WITH INCREASED TURNOVER AND A 44% INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP United Oilseeds has today reported a pre-tax profit of £1.03 million for its financial year ended 30 June 2009, as well as a 44% increase in the number of farm businesses that trade with the company...  Image  (Ref: UO18  15/10)

ALLTECH EXPANDS SALES TEAM IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND Continuing business growth in the UK has prompted natural animal health and performance specialist Alltech to appoint Jadine Birchall as Field Sales Manager to strengthen its presence in the south of England...  Image  (All118  12/10)

PLAN WISELY TO MAKE BEST USE OF SINGLE FARM PAYMENT INCOME  With favourable exchange rates boosting 2010 single farm payments (SFP) in the UK, Lloyds TSB Agriculture is urging farmers to use any additional income wisely...  (Ref: Lloyds6 1/10)

CHESHIRE DAIRY FARMER SEEKS NEW IDEAS AT GLOBAL GATHERING   Cheshire dairy farmer Paul Billington will be seeking new ideas and inspiration to underpin the recent expansion of his family's Holstein herd when he joins delegates at Alltech's Global Dairy 500 conference this month ...  Image  (Ref: All17 25/09)

WYNNSTAY TAKES TO THE PODIUM IN WELSH COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARDS   Llansantffraid based agricultural supplier and retailer, the Wynnstay Group, has secured a podium position in this year's Welsh Company of the Year awards by taking a top three position in the prestigious honours ...   Image   (Ref: Wynn25  14/09)

FULLWOOD CELEBRATES 225 YEARS WITH A NEW MERLIN In 2010 Fullwood celebrates 225 years in business. To mark this anniversary the company is pleased to introduce the new Merlin 225, their latest high capacity milking robot...  Image  Image  (Ref: Full  25/08)

DOUBLE DIGIT LENDING SUPPORT FOR UK AGRICULTURE Figures released by the Bank of England earlier this week (August 4) show that UK farmer borrowing increased by 6.1% to £10.8 billion in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter of 2008...  (Ref: Lloyds5 6/08)

CLAY PIGEON SHOOT RAISES £1000 FOR CHARITY A charity clay pigeon shoot at Buckley Farm, Oswestry has raised £1000 in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI)...  Image  (Ref: Wynn23  21/07)

SHROPSHIRE ABATTOIR CLOSER TO RE-OPENING FOLLOWING ACQUISITION Re-opening of a south Shropshire abattoir has moved a significant step closer following the acquisition of Bishops Castle Meat by local investor group Daysdrove Holdings Limited...  Image   (Ref: DD1 14/07)

LONG TERM FIXED RATES CLIMBING DESPITE STABLE 0.5% BASE RATE  The Bank of England may have kept its base rates at 0.5% today (9th July), but the real cost of long-term borrowing is increasing and farmers need to consider how this will impact their business plans...   (Ref: Lloyds4 9/07)

WYNNSTAY GROUP PLC INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 APRIL 2009 Based in Wales, Wynnstay manufactures and supplies agricultural products and services for farmers...  (Ref: Wynn22 17/06)

LLOYDS TSB AGRICULTURE OFFERS HELP AND SUPPORT TO CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY DAIRY FARMERS OF BRITAIN COLLAPSE Lloyds TSB Agriculture has acted quickly to offer practical support to its dairy farmer customers who hold supply contracts with Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFoB)...  (Ref: Lloyds3  9/06)

INTEREST AND EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY PROVIDE PLATFORM FOR GROWTH The Bank of England's 4 June announcement to keep its base interest rate at 0.5% for the fourth month running means farmers still have the opportunity to borrow at historically attractive levels...  (Ref: Lloyds2 4/06)

RECORD PROFIT SHARE PAYMENT FOR OILSEED GROWERS Oilseed rape growers will receive a record profit share payout of £340,000 following a third consecutive successful year of trading by United Oilseeds...  Image  (Ref: UO16 26/05)

BRITISH SEED HOUSES LIMITED APPOINTS SOUTHERN COUNTIES AREA MANAGER Forage and amenity seed specialist British Seed Houses has extended its agricultural sales team with the appointment of Andrew Cook to cover the southern counties of England...  Image  (Ref: BSHM19 26/05)

SHEEP ABORTION TESTING SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE Sheep producers who have experienced more than 3% of ewes aborting this lambing season are being urged to take advantage of the subsidised blood testing service that detects exposure to toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion (EAE)...  (Ref: SP191 8/05)

LOUPING ILL CONTROL BOOST Sheep farmers concerned about controlling tick-borne louping ill virus because of recent vaccine shortages have received a boost this week with the news that Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has fast tracked production of new supplies...  (Ref: SP190 1/05)

UNITED OILSEEDS APPOINTS NEW TRADING MANAGER United Oilseeds has today announced the appointment of Owen Cligg to the new position of Trading Manager...  (Ref: UO15 1/05)

WYNNSTAY COMPLETES LATEST PHASE OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT AT ITS LLANSANTFFRAID FEED MILL Livestock feed supplier, Wynnstay, has recently completed the first phase of a £0.5 million investment project at its ruminant feed mill at Llansantffraid in Powys...   Image  (Ref: Wynn16 30/4)

TWO NEW REGIONAL SPECIALISTS APPOINTED AS WYNNSTAY INVESTS IN SOUTH AND WEST WALES The Wynnstay Group has announced the appointment of two new members of staff to its agricultural team in South and West Wales...  Image  Image  (Ref: Wynn14 27/04)

AGRI SECTOR CONFIDENCE GROWS AND FIXED RATE BORROWINGS INCREASE As the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep interest rates at 0.5% farmers are showing increasing confidence in the ability of the sector to weather the recessionary climate are are taking advantage of historically low long-term rates to fix the cost of borrowing...  Image  (Ref: Lloyds1 9/04)