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BeefLambMilkPigmeatPotatoes

 

WheatOilseedsBarleyPoultryMaize

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

Meat and milk from the offspring of cloned animals was cleared for sale yesterday. The Food Standards Agency ruled the food is no danger to health and does not need special labelling. More than 100 farm animals, mainly young Holstein cows, are descended from clones and their meat can now be sold without safety checks. The agency’s decision was immediately questioned by campaigners who point to high levels of miscarriage, organ failure and gigantism among newborn clones. There are also fears that cloning is another step toward inhumane factory farming. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Caroline Spelman has rejected a ban on the sale of food from clones or their descendants and her department also opposes labelling. The Food Standards Agency has ruled that meat and milk from the offspring of cloned animals is safe to consume. But Peter Stevenson, of Compassion in World Farming, said: ‘Consumers will be disturbed to find that food from a big hi-tech process is coming on to the market, even though it is imposing severe health and welfare problems on animals. ‘On top of that, the absence of any labelling will deny them the choice to decide whether they want to eat this food. We have a Government that talks about honest labelling, yet it is saying to consumers that they won’t be able to exercise a choice.’

Farmers are being urged to make more of trees through a free scheme aimed at increasing woodlands. A few have already signed up for the Woodland Advisory Service being offered by Staveley’s Cumbria Woodlands. But now the organisation is urging more to come forward. Office manager Sarah Rose said: “The take up hasn’t been as high with farmers as it has with general woodland owners, so we are trying to impress upon them the fact it is very beneficial and free. “Woodlands have the potential for everything from reducing heating bills by burning wood, through to helping to offset the effects of climate change – and we can help farmers get on board. “We provide a day of free advice and support to include a site visit. If further information, advice or technical help is needed, a further two days are available for a small charge.” Farmer Glenis Postlethwaite has taken up the offer and said she was ‘thrilled’ with the results. “We needed advice on new energy efficient wood-fuel boilers that are available, and also wanted to sell trees for timber and fuel. "Finding someone able to give an independent valuation was a huge help for us,” she said The service is available to any owner of an under-managed woodland of an acre or more in Cumbria.