Farm and country

Million pound FMD compensation claim settled

Published 4 October 2008

A £4.4M COMPENSATION claim against Cumbrian law firm Baines Wilson, arising out of the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, has been settled.

Pioneering nature reserve

Published 3 October 2008

ONE OF Cumbria’s best havens for wetland flora and fauna has become a pioneering 70-acre nature reserve at Bassenthwaite.

Fear over fall in sheep numbers

Published 3 October 2008

A CRITICAL decline in sheep numbers could hit Cumbria in five years, a national farmers’ union spokesman has warned.

Warning over killer livestock disease

Published 25 September 2008

GOVERNMENT minister Hilary Benn has urged Cumbrian farmers to vaccinate against the killer animal disease bluetongue.

Auction firm’s chairman is ready to retire

Published 18 September 2008

THE CHAIRMAN of Mitchell’s Auction Company in Cockermouth is to retire at the end of the year.

Farmers face huge losses after deluge

Published 18 September 2008

WEST Cumbrian farmers face huge losses after two months of rain ruined harvests, throwing the farming industry into another crisis.

Loweswater Show cancelled

Published 2 September 2008

THIS weekend's Loweswater Show has been cancelled.

Loweswater Show cancelled

Published 2 September 2008

This weekend's Loweswater show has been cancelled.

You can’t beat the charity sheep stakes – just for shear excitement

Published 28 August 2008

AN UNUSUAL race day was held in Cockermouth on Sunday as sheep took to the track for charity.

Blue tongue protection zone increased

Published 21 August 2008

FARMERS are being urged to take up the blue tongue vaccine after it was announced this week that Cumbria is to be included in the protection zone.

Cockermouth Show proves farming is still going strong

Published 3 August 2008

THOUSANDS of people attended Saturday’s Cockermouth Show, proving that farming is still alive and kicking.

Tackling lake weed

Published 10 July 2008

VOLUNTEERS have started to tackle the march of a problem plant on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake.

Top sheep in Keswick show

Published 29 May 2008

FARMERS from across Cumbria took part in the Keswick Herdwick Ram Show.

Summit omits farming

Published 17 April 2008

FARMING has been airbrushed out of an economic plan for Cumbria, a leading countryside champion has claimed.

Farm club birthday dinner marks membership revival

Published 10 April 2008

SOME OF Aspatria Young Farmers’ Club’s founding members were reunited for the first time in decades during a celebration to mark the club’s 50th birthday.

Moorland Line scheme welcomed by farmers

Published 10 April 2008

KESWICK farmer Will Cockbain has welcomed the announcement that the Moorland Line has been introduced into Environmental Stewardship.

Farm land prices still on the rise

Published 27 March 2008

HUGE rises in Cumbrian farmland values are showing no signs of slowing down.

More news

FORUMS

Loweswater Show cancelled

Last updated 17:42, Tuesday, 02 September 2008

THIS weekend’s Loweswater Show has been cancelled.

The decision was taken last night to cancel the show after farmers could not get on to the grass to prepare the show field due to persistent rain.

The show, situated opposite New House Farm, in the Lorton Valley, was meant to take place on Sunday.

Show secretary Annette Billinghurst, said: “We are very disappointed that we have had to cancel the show.

“We had hoped that this would be the one show that would go ahead after the cancellation of others, but due to the weather we have not been able to prepare the show field.

"There were major concerns about car parking as well and we reluctantly had to take the decision to cancel it.

“The rain has caused a lot of damage and all the people I have spoken to are very disappointed that it has had to be cancelled.

“It is a small traditional agricultural show and we are bitterly disappointed that we have had to take this decision.”