Western Morning News, The

WITH all the recent ice and snow, grazing has become ever more limited and many of our horses have had to spend lengthy stretches of time in their stables. Now that the snow has gone, many fields have been left extremely wet and muddy. If, like many others, you are now having to increase the amount of forage you are feeding to supplement your horse's diet, it is crucial you provide good quality, dust-free forage and keep a watchful eye to spot any poor quality hay.

Spraying Window Limited for Weeds in Osr

THE window for the control of difficult broad-leaved weeds in Westcountry winter oilseed rape this spring is likely to be short. Rene Pollak, of Dow Agro-Sciences, pointed out despite most parts of the country experiencing a very cold winter, as soon as the warm weather returns to the South West weeds will start to romp away - and will need checking before they become too big a management problem.

Business Support Day in Diary

THE Cornish Guild of Smallholders is staging its Business Support Day at Lostwithiel Community Centre on February 6. Organiser Joy Cheeseman said: "This is open to all, free of charge, with seminars to attend, stalls to visit and refreshments available. Foot Anstey are doing the four legal seminars in the morning and Weston Underwood Accountancy the three seminars in the afternoon. "East Cornwall Local Action Group and the NFU will be present and the farming community is very welcome to attend."

Benn Reveals Plans for Animal Health Independent Body

DRAFT legislation setting up a new independent body to deal with animal health in England was published by the Government this week. Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn said the new body will be headed by an independent chairman and board.

Borders Blocked ; Brussels U P D at E

Small Farmers Call for Controls ; Brussels U P D at E

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Under Starter's Orders for the Great Nfu Stakes ; Nfu Election Hustings South West

POLICY and personalities dominated the South West hustings of the National Farmers' Union in Bridgwater, when 14 candidates took the stage in a bid to get members to vote for them. The union's presidency, deputy presidency and vice presidency are all up for grabs at the Annual Conference in Birmingham next month, with hustings being staged well in advance in all of the organisation's regions.

How Dairy's Eu Pounds 25 Million Cash Should Be Spent

ISHALL yield to no-one in my admiration for the Westcountry's dwindling band of dairy farmers. Not a morning has passed in the last grim two months without my waking thoughts turning to those unfortunate enough to have to thaw out a frozen milking parlour in the pre-dawn icy blackness before being able even to start on the ever-present imperative of milking the cows. Dairy farmers, and their herdsmen, are as dedicated and as hard- working a group of men and women as you will find in any walk ...