Farming Ads bucks the trend

May 14th, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Farming AdsThe latest statistics from Experian Hitwise show that Farming Ads, the UK’s leading farming classified site, is bucking the trend set by other farming/agricultural sites.

According to the latest statistics, Farmingads.co.uk was visited 174,476 times during the month of April 2012 – that’s a visit to the site every 15 seconds!  The statistics also reveal that Farming Ads is now ranked within the top 5 of all UK agricultural websites, and is the largest UK site that’s solely dedicated to classifieds.

 

Visits – April’12

Visits – April’11

year-on-year change

www.fwi.co.uk

609,331

618,498

-1.5%

www.farmingforum.co.uk

485,407

411,618

+17.9%

www.riverford.co.uk

308,050

260,596

+18.2%

secure.services.defra.co.uk

262,662

219,252

+19.8%

www.farmingads.co.uk

174,476

93,236

+87.1%

But that’s not the end of the good news.  If you compare traffic in April 2012 against April 2011, Farming Ads grew faster than all the other agricultural sites in the top 5, and also grew faster than its main competitors.

Visits – April’12

Visits – April’11

year-on-year change

www.fwi.co.uk

609,331

618,498

-1.5%

www.farmingads.co.uk

174,476

93,236

+87.1%

www.mascus.co.uk

113,759

113,134

+0.6%

www.agriaffaires.co.uk

101,300

107,811

-6.0%

www.farmersguardian.com

94,877

105,859

-10.4%

Finally, there is further good news for those looking to sell their farming equipment.  Those visiting farmingsads.co.uk are spending a greater amount of time browsing, which is a strong indicator of the site attracting a highly relevant audience that are looking to buy or sell farming equipment.  In fact, people spend more time browsing farmingsads.co.uk than its nearest competitors.

Avg Visit Time – April’12

www.farmingads.co.uk

6 mins 10 secs

www.agriaffaires.co.uk

5 mins 55 secs

www.mascus.co.uk

5 mins 15 secs

www.fwi.co.uk

4 mins 55 secs

www.farmersguardian.com

3 mins 5 secs


Want to see your farming stock listed on the UK’s leading farming classified site? Fill out our contact form to request more information, or call 01273 837855.

Picture: niXerKG

Farming Ads still on top

May 13th, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Farming Ads still on top

We’re proud to announce that Farming Ads’ reign as the UK’s leading farming classified site continues.

The latest Hitwise rankings have confirmed that Farming-Ads is still in first place ahead of rivals such as Mascus and Agriaffaires.

Our market share overtook Mascus in February 2012 and has steadily continued to climb ahead of the field and we are now enjoying a whopping 35% more traffic than our closest competition.

So, if you are looking to place an ad then Farming Ads should be your number one choice!

Farm safety scheme in Northern Ireland launched

May 2nd, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Farm safety scheme in Northern Ireland launchedThe issue of fatal farm accidents in Northern Ireland is being tackled by a partnership between government and industry.

Farm accidents currently account for more than half of all workplace fatalities in Northern Ireland, according to the BBC, and they have been the cause of 100 deaths over the past 16 years. And last month alone saw the death of two farmers in farming accidents.

This new partnership will bring together the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Agriculture and the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

A farmer called William Sayers lost an arm in a slurry tanker accident, but he considers himself one of the lucky ones after he came away from the incident alive. He is now helping other families and victims of farm accidents come to terms with their pain.

There are currently no statistics available on just how many accidents occur on farms every year, however, the fatalities are being recorded and analysed. And the fact the death rate remains stubbornly high has led to the new farm safety partnership.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster, who is responsible for the Health and Safety Executive, told the BBC: “Farms can be very dangerous places and it is a sad but true fact that farming has a very poor safety record.”

The new plan has a number of targets for each of the partners, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of sensible and practical health and safety to the farming community.

Launching the partnership, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said the majority of deaths involved either machinery, livestock or falls.

“The farm is a complex workplace where the farmer is often working alone on difficult terrain with heavy machinery and with livestock that can, at times, be very unpredictable,” said Ms O’Neill.

While many farming families have to live with the result of serious accidents, fatalities continue at the average of one a month.

Older farmers account for over 50% of fatal accidents and the new partnership will encourage all ages to think clearly about the risks involved in the tasks they carry out.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “The aim is not to stop older people getting involved in farming but to help them work safely.”

Picture: ZeroOne

Pig abuse whistleblowing hotline to be introduced

May 1st, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Pig abuse whistleblower hotline to be introducedThe pig farming industry is planning on setting up an independent whistleblowing hotline to enable farm workers to report animal welfare abuses.

The proposal was made after a number of high profile animal cruelty exposés made their way into the national press.

The National Pig Association is aiming to show that it takes animal welfare very seriously and the representative group is currently exploring how the hotline could work, who would run it, and how it would be paid for.

Whistleblowing hotlines are already in use in factories and people can use them to report HR issues, so there is no reason why they cannot be used in the farming industry to report animal cruelty.

In February, a Norfolk pig farmer committed suicide after animal rights group Animal Equality exposed welfare abuses on his farm and more recently they have also exposed animal welfare abuses on Freedom Food farms in Norfolk, leading to certification being suspended by the RSPCA and major supermarkets halting supply.

A number of farms have been under investigation from the RSPCA in the past 12 months after a number of shocking pieces of video footage were captured of pigs being abused. And the hope is that the introduction of a whistleblowing hotline may make it easier to prevent this abuse from happening again.

Picture: Svadilfari 

McDonald’s invests in UK farming

April 11th, 2012 by Admin No comments »

McDonald’s showing support to British farming with investmentFast food giant McDonald’s is investing heavily in the future of British farming to show their support for the industry.

The global restaurant chain is investing £1m as part of its Farm Forward programme, which is aimed at existing young farmers and new entrants to the industry.

The programme, which has been created in collaboration with the National Farm Research Unit, Eblex and FAI Farms, includes three projects.

They are based on research from 500 farms and are aimed at helping people into farming and ensuring that they can thrive once they are in the industry.

The group is setting up a 12 month training programme for young farmers which also offers them the opportunity to work with food manufacturer McCain along side some other food production companies.

Young farmers will also be offered a free carbon calculator, which is aimed at helping farmers measure and understand how to achieve greater efficiencies and environmental performance on their farms.

Farm Forward, will also be offering funding to new research which will encourage improvements in animal welfare standards by providing farmers with evidence and practical advice.

The senior vice-president of the supply chain at McDonald’s UK spoke to the Farmers Guardian, saying: “Supporting the next generation of farmers is vital if we are to secure the future of farming in this country.

“Our new work programme for young farmers is designed to help them develop the blend of skills and experience progressive, modern farmers want and need.”

Defra Secretary Caroline Spelman welcomed the scheme saying: “With the rising global demand for food, there are more opportunities than ever for British farmers.

“It goes hand-in-hand with all the work we in Government are doing to free up businesses to prosper by unwrapping them from red tape.”

There was also praise from Victoria Harris, director of The Prince’s Trust.

Visit Farming Ads to browse the latest farming equipment.

Picture: Daniel Oines

Planning policy may boost rural areas

April 11th, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Farming industry’s reaction to new government plansFarm industry leaders in the UK have shown a mixed reaction to a new government policy which aims to streamline the planning process in England.

The government’s National Planning Policy Framework was published yesterday (Tues 27 March) and there were some positives for sure.

One of the aims was to boost sustainable growth of rural businesses with well-designed developments and building conversions. They are also looking to support the development and diversification of rural businesses and to promote sustainable rural tourism which maintains the countryside’s character. The final main aim, which would affect rural businesses was the aim to maintain and develop local services and community facilities.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, the Country Land and Business Association praised the framework saying that it was a long overdue boost for planning in rural areas which would help to boost rural innovation.

Harry Cotterell, the president of the CLA, said: “The section on supporting a prosperous rural economy is excellent, laying the foundations for the growth of all types of business in rural areas.

“This includes conversion of existing buildings, constructing well-designed new ones, allowing new land-based businesses to get started and helping farmers to diversify.

He also stated that the NPFF’s “presumption in favour of sustainable development” would be a boost to rural businesses and would allow planning permission to proceed more quickly.

THe NFU’s opinion on the matter was, however, far more reserved. Andrew Clark the union’s head of policy services, spoke to Farmers Weekly, saying: “It is encouraging to see the local authorities will be expected to assess the needs of the food production industry and any barriers to investment that planning can resolve. But we are disappointed that ministers have not made this a requirement.

“Other section appear to support a thriving and diverse rural economy but again there appear to be substantial caveats in place for it not to be entirely positive.”

He continued: “The section on protecting the natural environment reinforces the importance of taking appropriate regard to different designations. However, farmers will be surprised that the NPPF provides planning status for Nature Improvement Areas and introduces the concept of ‘stepping stones’ and ‘wildlife corridors’ as part of the countryside hierarchy.”

Another group who expressed some concern, was the Tenants Farmers Association. They warned that landlords could find it easier to serve farm tenants with notices to quit under new planning rules.

Visit Farming Ads to browse the latest farming equipment.

Picture: Kismihok 

England to cull badgers

April 11th, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Defra announce decision to go ahead with England’s badger cullThe Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Defra, has announced that the government will be proceeding with a badger cull in England. They reiterated the government’s determination to continue with plans after Wales shunned culling badgers and decided to go with a vaccination programme instead.

Defra made it clear that the Welsh decision had no effect on its plans to commence pilot badger culls in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset this autumn.

Defra went on to defend the decision to use a cull, which is an attempt to control TB in wildlife, stating that vaccination alone is not sufficient to tackle bovine TB.

A Defra spokesperson said: “There are limitations on the widespread use of the injectable badger vaccine and it doesn’t stop already infected badgers spreading TB.

“Culling, carried out in the right way, will more quickly and effectively reduce TB in cattle than vaccination alone.”

The spokesperson went on to say that Defra was investigating millions in the development of more usable vaccines for badgers and cattle, although he was quick to state that these are still ‘years away’.

He said: “We must take effective action now to stop bovine TB devastating our farmers and rural communities.”

Defra have argued that, while there is evidence that immunity to TB can be increased within badger populations using vaccinations, there is ‘no direct evidence’ of the effect badger vaccination has on TB in cattle.

John Royle, the NFU chief farm policy adviser, said that the decision taken by officials in Wales makes no difference to the English plan for a cull. If the initial culls are successful then they will be extended to up to 10 more areas next year.

Groups of farmers in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset are currently putting together applications for cull licences to submit to Natural England.

Mr Royle spoke to the Farmers Guardian saying: “The Welsh policy will cost millions of pounds for no real benefit. Vaccination on its own is not as quick or effective as culling and we have no idea how effective it might be in tackling the disease in cattle. The English approach, in contrast, is a genuinely comprehensive package of measures that includes all the tools available to tackle the disease.”

Joanne Pugh, the assistant director of the National Beef Association said that her organisation shared the ‘huge disappointment of Welsh farmers.

Speaking to the Farmers Guardian she went on to say: “The only consolation is that the English pilot is going ahead and will show politicians that farmers are able to undertake a cull and that it an effective and essential tool within the battle against TB. Once the English cull programme is successfully underway we feel there will be even more pressure on Wales to reconsider its stance and finally give its farmers a real solution to the TB crisis.”

The courts will prove to be the biggest threat to the English cull as The Badger Trust has submitted an application for a high High Court Judicial Review of the Defra policy.

Visit Farming Ads to browse the latest farming equipment.

Picture: Sam Getliffe 

Farming Ads traffic up 38%

April 11th, 2012 by Admin No comments »

Traffic to Farming Ads seems to have been going from strength to strength over the past few months.

The site received a whopping 125,000 visits in February which was a fantastic 38% increase in traffic compared to that period last year.

All of the positive figures have also lead to the site leapfrogging Mascus and Agriaffaires to 2nd in the Hitwise rankings.

It doesn’t end there though, in February we also saw 741,000 page views which is a humongous 52% rise year on year.

Not only is the number of people coming to the site increasing, the amount of time they are spending on site has risen too compared to last year. The average user is now spending four minutes on site.

Visit Farming Ads to browse the latest farming equipment.

‘Many farmers’ not aware of Biomass and Solar Energy support

November 25th, 2011 by Admin No comments »

The RHI Scheme provides financial support to non-domestic operations including farms, for the heat that they use from renewable sources, such as biomass and solar thermal. The scheme could potentially have huge benefits for farmers, particularly those with their own biomass fuel supply like poultry manure or horse manure etc. It seems though that many farmers are not familiar with the new scheme.

One poultry farmer achieved payback on his biomass boiler in just two and a half years from the savings he made on his energy bills. That was before the RHI Scheme too. Farmers should seriously consider the RHI Scheme, they will be surprised at the savings they can make. says Sean Gilbride, CEO, lakelandrenewables.co.uk.

The general consensus is that a lot of farmers simply don’t have the time to keep track of new renewable energy grants and supports due to their hectic schedule. As energy costs continue to rise, biomass and solar look more and more attractive and it seems as though agricultural sector looks set to get the biggest benefit.

According to Sean Gilbride the RHI Scheme makes renewable energy an essential asset for any farm. Many waste products produced locally can be used to fuel biomass boilers. This reduces waste management costs along with the energy savings you would expect from your energy bills.

All in all it’s definitely worthwhile doing the analysis to determine if a renewable energy system is right for your farm.

Urgent Need to Reduce EU Food Waste

November 24th, 2011 by Admin No comments »

Almost 50% of food that is both healthy and edible gets wasted in EU households and supermarkets every year. At the same time 79 million EU citizens are living beneath the poverty line and 16 million depend on food aid from charitable institutions. The Agriculture Committee called for urgent measures to halve food waste by 2025 and to improve access to food for needy EU citizens.

Since food is wasted at all stages – by producers, processors, retailers, caterers and consumers, the Agriculture Committee called for EU and national measures to improve the efficiency of the food supply and consumption chains, sector by sector, e.g. by promoting direct relations between producers and consumers and to tackle food wastage as a matter of urgency.

“This issue has been neglected for far too long now and this report sends a strong signal that the EU needs to take action now”, said rapporteur Salvatore Caronna (S&D, IT), after the vote.

This is a drastic reduction in food wastage by 2025 and to achieve this, new awareness campaigns should be promoted at both EU and national levels to inform the public how to avoid excessive wastage of food, says the resolution. Member States should introduce food education courses in schools and colleges explaining how to store, cook and dispose the food and exchange best practices to this end.

Local authorities and media should also be involved in providing information and support to citizens on preventing and reducing food waste. To popularise the idea using food sustainably, MEPs called for 2013 to be designated as the European year against food waste.

Proper labelling and packaging

To avoid situations in which foods are being offered by retailers too close to their expiry date, thus increasing the potential for wastage, dual-date labelling could be introduced to show until when food may be sold (sell-by date) and until when it may consumed (use-by date), says the resolution, adding that the European Commission and Member States should nonetheless first ensure that customers understand the difference between currently used labels within the EU such as the quality-related “best before” and safety-related “use by” dates.

To prevent unnecessary waste, food packaging should offered in a range of sizes and designed to conserve food better. Out-of-date and damaged food products should be sold at discounted prices, MEPs say.

Public institutions should favour responsible caterers

Rules for public procurement on catering and hospitality should be updated to ensure that where possible, contracts are awarded to catering companies that use local produce and give away or redistribute leftover food to poorer people or food banks free of charge rather than disposing of it.

Leftovers to feed people in need

MEPs also welcomed existing initiatives in some Member States to recover unsold food and offer it to needy citizens and called on retailers to take part in such programmes.

Next Steps

The resolution drafted by Mr. Caronna was approved in committee with 38 votes in favour to one against. The vote in plenary is scheduled for the next Strasbourg session (12 – 15 December 2011).