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The uplift in cattle prices of recent weeks slowed in week ended 11th May read more

With more new season lambs entering the market, the dynamics of the trade have started to change read more

Provisional data for April milk deliveries of approximately 1,111m litres are 93m litres (7.7%) down on the previous year read more

In April, the DAPP averaged 160.9p/kg, almost 4p up on the month. At the same time, the average retail price came down by a small amount read more

The GB weekly average price fell by £7.68/t to £295.35/t and the free-buy average fell by £22.02/t to £368.39/t. read more

The first USDA estimates for world production in 2013-14 forecast record maize and wheat production, citing larger planted areas and a rebound in yields from the US (maize) and the Former Soviet Union (wheat) read more

The USDA has released its first soyabean supply and demand estimates for the new season read more

UK malting barley export prices are at €245/t FOB (spring, South Coast) w/e 11th April. read more

The latest National Statistics produced by Defra on the activity of UK hatcheries and poultry slaughterhouses. read more

USDA’s latest quarterly stocks report, released on 28th September, estimated US maize stocks (at 1st September) at 25.1m t, down 12% on the same point in 2011 and the lowest since 2004. read more

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PAPERS

The traditional orange pumpkin could soon be history as a Cambridgeshire farm takes diversification to colourful new lengths. Oakley Farms in Wisbech is supplying a well-known supermarket with red, white and grey pumpkins for Halloween. Sales manager Steve Whitworth said: "The different colours are grown for both their taste and visual effect. "We can keep putting orange pumpkins in or we can show the public that there are other varieties out there." The British pumpkin season is short, lasting from mid-September until mid-November, but on its 64-acre pumpkin field, the farm expects to harvest 2.5 million pumpkins this year.

A report from the WWF conservation organisation points out, simply moving to local sourcing or vegetarian diets will not be the answer to creating a sustainable food system. Focusing on the UK, the WWF’s “How low can we go” report takes a broad look at the carbon dioxide emissions from food consumption, and in doing so it comes up with a startling figure – that the food system is responsible for some 30 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2006 found that livestock farming (using more than 30 per cent of the earth’s surface) is responsible for emitting more greenhouse gases than the world’s transport systems.

Walmart yesterday hailed a "new era" in its approach to the agricultural sector, launching a major new initiative designed to promote sustainable farming techniques amongst its global network of small and medium-sized suppliers. The supermarket giant said it would introduce a raft of new schemes over the next few years that would encourage farmers to share environmentally friendly best practices and embrace more efficient use of water, fertilizer and pesticides. It also outlined a major new commitment that will see the company significantly shorten its supply chains for many products by promoting the sourcing of locally produced food. "Through sustainable agriculture, Walmart is uniquely positioned to make a positive difference in food production – for farmers, communities and customers, " said Mike Duke, Walmart president and chief executive, on a teleconference to announce the new initiative. "Our efforts will help increase farmer incomes, lead to more efficient use of pesticides, fertilizer and water, and provide fresher produce for our customers."