Western Morning News, The

Poultry Sector Outlook Good

THE poultry sector forms an important part of Westcountry agriculture's core success story. Nationally, poultry meat output was worth Pounds 1,.5 billion at the latest showing, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of all meat, by value.

Emphasising the Positive Impact of Sheep Farming ; Louise Moorhouse, the Westcountry-Based Policy Adviser to the National Sheep Association, Makes the Case for Sheep Farming As a Vital Tool for a Healthy Rural Environment

FOR the sheep industry to exist into a worthwhile future, producers will have to establish harmonious links within production and the environment. As part of on-going research from leading universities, and political pressure, the NSA will be producing a public report on the positives impact of sheep within the environment.

Market for Farmland Should Remain Strong ; the 2009 Farmland Market Was an Eventful Year for All Specialist Farm Agents Within the South West, Reports James Baker, a Partner of Strutt & Parker's Farms & Estates Department, Based in Their Exeter Office

THE year started with the launches of a few large 400-acre-plus farms, and agents remained nervous of the interest they would receive. As it turned out, bare land, farms and estates remained popular with a huge variety of purchasers.

Farming in a Volatile Scenario ; What Does the Future Hold for British Farming in the Next 12 Months - and the Years Ahead? Will Reform of the Eu's Common Agricultural Policy in 2013 Benefit Westcountry Producers? Farming Editor Peter Hall Reports On Some of the Likely Possibilities

GIVEN that there are no accurate crystal balls available to forecast the future for Westcountry farming, what would be the aspirations for the region's agriculture in the coming 12 months, and beyond? The way ahead is certainly challenging, with so many issues affecting profit margins and thus making the whole process worthwhile - no longer regional or national, but now global. What happens in China, India and Brazil - if they want to eat more red meat, consume more dairy products and adopt a...

Upbeat Hopes for Industry

MARKET forecasts suggest a favourable outlook for Westcountry lamb for the coming months. As predicted at the start of last season, 2009 saw continued improvement on the favourable prices seen for much of 2008, with prime-cut lamb prices peaking at comfortably over Pounds 4 per kilo deadweight in April and May and staying ahead of the previous year in almost every month. The firm and far more predictable market position than earlier years was primarily driven by a lack of hogget carry-over, a...

Green Option Gets Added Incentives ; Renewable Energy Production Is About to Become Considerably More Attractive to Farmers, with the Advent of New Tariff Supports. Mark Neath, Associate Director at Old Mill Rural Services, Explains

ALTERNATIVE energy has long been touted as an environmentally friendly way to boost farm incomes, but often fails to deliver in terms of profitability. Fortunately, with the launch of new Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) from April, that picture may finally be changing.

Longer-Term Outlook for Cereals Is More Promising ; After a Year When Arable Farming Took a Dip, Charles Castle Looks at Some of the Prospects for 2010, When World Markets and Weather Conditions Will Play a Leading Role

IN A topsy-turvy agricultural industry, where there is increasing volatility, arable fortunes have taken a bashing - particularly cereals. Last year was 12 months when the phrase "up horn, down corn" certainly applied.

Seeking Out Region's Fine Food ; What Next for Westcountry Food? That's the Question Posed by Becky Sheaves, the Western Morning News Food and Drink Editor

IN the six months since I took over as Food and Drink Editor, I have visited farms all over the region on a quest for interesting food-related stories. From my readers' point of view, I'm quite simply on the lookout for wonderful food and drink to recommend. But from the business angle, what so many of these stories have in common is that they show farmers transforming a commodity product into something commanding a premium price.

Wind Farm Openings in Region

IS wind energy the new crop for f ar ming? Defra has announced an annual drop in average incomes of 6.7 per cent per farm. As farmers are increasingly seeking to diversify into other avenues to increase potential income there is the good news that the Government has announced the introduction of FITS (feed-in tariffs) for on-site micro-generation of electricity.

Dairy Sector Faces Time to Invest and Upgrade ; Dairy Profits Are Likely to Weaken During 2009/10, but There Are Plenty of Tax Savings Up for Grabs, Says Andrew Vickery, From Old Mill Rural Services

LOWER milk prices during 2009 have eroded dairy farmers' profits, but cheaper inputs mean many producers will be able to continue rebuilding their balance sheets. And with a number of tax incentives to take advantage of, now could be the perfect time to invest in the business.

Pig Trade's Statistics

LAST year saw improved fortunes for pig producers, with the industry recovering from the high feed prices of the previous two years, which saw many farmers trading at a loss. Sow numbers increased by 20,000, and deadweight prices rose at one stage to over 150p per kilogram.

Inheritance Tax Farm Threat ; Renewed Interest From Hm Revenue & Customs Means That Farmers Need to Be Extra Vigilant to Retain Agricultural Relief From Inheritance Tax. Specialist Writer Olivia Cooper Reports

FARMLAND, buildings and houses have traditionally escaped inheritance tax through agricultural exemptions. But HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is targeting these areas in a bid to raise taxes, and farmers need to be extremely careful to avoid the ever-tightening noose. "We are seeing an increasing number of cases where HMRC is challenging whether farmhouses, agricultural buildings, and even the land itself, should qualify for Agricultural Property Relief (APR)," said Catherine Vickery, rural tax ...

Forecast for a Stable Beef Sector in 2010 ; by Jilly Greed, Vice Chairman of the National Beef Association's South West Branch

WITHOUT a doubt, the prospects for the suckler and dairy-beef sectors are more promising in both the short and longer term, with 2010 a year of consolidation. A combination of consumer demand for British beef, competition for quality cattle, cheaper wheat and a continuing weak pound, keeping imports out but generating some export trade, has brought stability to farm-gate prices.

Beef South West Moves to Exeter

THE exciting new Beef South West event will take place at Exeter Livestock Centre on Wednesday, September 29, on a wave of renewed optimism for British beef. Organised by the National Beef Association South West, this dynamic one-day event will showcase the breadth and depth of quality breeding and production, with the focus on profit and performance. The Westcountry is a major player in the UK with 20 per cent of the national cattle herd.