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Free workshops for farmers and smallholders in Cornwall

12:10pm Thursday 11th March 2010

If you run a farm business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly, then you could access a series of FREE evening workshops and develop new skills to help move your business forward.

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Farmers and smallholders should make sure they are ready for the Election

8:10am Thursday 11th March 2010

Good planning might help you prepare for the growing season ahead, but you also need to plan in advance if you want to vote at the next General Election.

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Could your smallholding cat get a feline Oscar?

6:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

The search is on for the nation’s Top Cat as charity Cats Protection launches its prestigious Rescue Cat Awards 2010, sponsored by Purina PetCare – and organisers are on the prowl for nominations.

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Liz Wright shares her thoughts - to read more go to Editor's Blog where you can also leave comments I really enjoy cooking and my mother was a great cook (but hopeless needlewoman which describes me as well). She used to hand raise pork pies and make sausage rolls at the local butchers. Fearless in the kitchen, it’s rubbed off on me and I expect anything I cook to behave itself and turn out well, which normally it does.

High wool prices are sustainable says Sussex sheep farmer

2:03pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

The vigorous demand for wool, coupled with limited supply, which has sent prices to 113p a kilo in recent weeks, has led to the cancellation of 2 of the last 6 sales of the selling year at the British Wool Marketing Board’s Headquarters at Bradford.

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Eggs are not just for Easter

3:33pm Tuesday 9th March 2010

SOON after Christmas, Chocolate Easter eggs were popping up in our shops and supermarkets and this got me thinking about real eggs.

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Don't let dogs become party political say vets

2:10pm Tuesday 9th March 2010

Vets have welcomed the Government consultation on reforming dangerous dogs legislation but called on politicians not to let the issue become a political football during the forthcoming election campaign.

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Ducks begin to lay

9:07am Tuesday 9th March 2010

Liz Wright shares her weekend - to read more and add comments go to Editor's Blog Sunday 7 March was officially a sunny day and here at least in East Anglia it was almost warm if you stood in the sun around midday. Today was more of a disappointment. As I fed the animals this morning I noticed that the dear hens had pulled up a daffodil bulb (don’t let anyone tell you that gardening and free range hens mix – only if you have very large well established plants). I went to push it back in the ground by poking my fingers into the earth and nearly broke them. It was as hard as rock and fully frozen and remained so all day long. No wonder the grass looks depressed and the buds are only promising (but not delivering) to come out.

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Care farming in action - open day in Essex

4:50pm Monday 8th March 2010

On the 15th of March 2010 Butterfly Lodge Education Centre will be holding an open day for current and prospective clients, parents, commissioners, supporters, advocates and other interested parties in order to allow those attending to experience Care Farming first hand and help them make informed decisions about the future of themselves and others. Activities include milking demonstrations, wild bird lard ball workshops, seed bomb workshops, scare crow building, applied occupational therapy stand (and associated activities), reflexology taster sessions, complete farm tours and the chance to speak to and observe current clients, tutors and mentors taking part in activities in the farm environment. The open day begins at 10am and will finish at 4:30pm with tea and coffee served throughout the day. Butterfly Lodge encourage organisations and individuals to come to the open day for all or part of the day to see exactly what Care Farming is all about.

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Livestock owners urged to keep out Blue Tongue

10:57am Monday 8th March 2010

Vigilance and vaccination remains the key to keeping British livestock free from Bluetongue. This is the message from the national JAB campaign group reminding farmers to protect their animals against disease in 2010.