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Jane Davidson

We can make room for all on Wales’ wonderful waters

I READ the recent articles on water access by angling columnist Moc Morgan and canoe instructor Pam Bell with much interest. Both are concerned about public access to our rivers, lakes, and other waters in Wales – but they approach the issue from very different perspectives: the one through the eyes of anglers and the other from the point of view of canoeists. As somebody who supports both activities I think I am well placed to comment! Read

Steve Dube

More monsters for Wales

WALES was once the richest part of Britain. It had the lot. Gold was found nowhere else.The silver persuaded kings to set up mints here. The bare hills of Ceredigion were created by mining companies that cut down trees to provide timber for the industry. Welsh copper, lead, iron, slate and coal drove the industrial revolution, roofed the cities, put saucepans into kitchens and canned the food. Read

Liz Shankland

Roger the ram’s runaround

THERE’S no doubt that my favourite animals at the moment are the pigs. Read

Anwen Francis

Non-horse owners get chance to qualify

LIEGE Manor Equestrian Centre in the Vale of Glamorgan is hosting one of the regional qualifiers for the British Horse Society’s Equitation Competition, sponsored by Puffa and Trot on Club, on Thursday this week. Read

Brian Lee

Revolutionary bookmaker rues loss of colour and buzz in racing

CARDIFF bookmaker John Lovell started a betting revolution in 1995 by introducing a computerised betting system to Britain’s racecourses. He was also the first bookie in the land to bring the world of betting into the 20th century when opening the first two-in-one betting shop with traditional fixed odds facilities alongside a trading room where punters can play on betting exchanges. Read

How to make cow slurry pay dividends

WITH a world shortage of fertiliser and warnings in the media of problems faced by Welsh farmers it makes good business sense to exploit the fertiliser value of manure produced by your dairy herds. Read

Moc Morgan

‘Taster days’ can get you hooked on going fishing

SPRING is the time of year when thoughts of the great outdoors and its attractions come to mind. It was good to hear that there are many out there thinking of trying their hand at fishing this year. Read

Dai Davies

Shame EU stopped short on labelling

NEW proposals on food labelling put forward by the EU are a mixed bag for Welsh farmers. Read

Simon Hart

The welcome new Facebook of countryside communications

WHEN I first joined the Countryside Alliance, our means of communicating with each other and the media were restricted to telephone, fax and post. Read

Gwyn Howells

Analysis of threat from bluetongue

AN EXPERT analysis of how bluetongue could affect the industry in the year ahead will be a centrepoint of two important regional conferences for stakeholders that will be staged by Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales in the next eight days. Read

Moc Morgan

‘Pirates’ threaten peace and safety of our rivers

IN RECENT years much emphasis has been placed on insurance cover for anglers and one appreciates how essential it is for anyone whose hobby takes him close to water. A river is water in its most beautiful form – but it can also be treacherous. Read

Brian Lee

Daughter gets set to follow in the footsteps of racing dad

THE Vale of Clettwr fixture at Erw Lon, Pencader, next Saturday sees the start of the Welsh season. Read

Liz Shankland

A suitable babysitter for dogs, pigs and hens comes at a price

LAST weekend was an unusual one for myself and Gerry – as rare as hens’ teeth, as the saying goes. What happened? Well, we actually went away together. Read

Paddy Rooney

Let’s hope the Year of the Potato is a smash

LAST year the United Nations climate group held a major gathering in Spain to launch its final report. It was attended, not only by the UN team, but also by large numbers of politicians, officials, researchers, environmental lobbyists and media commentators, who were told that unless we changed our ways and reduced greenhouse gas emissions the future of planet was threatened. Read

Jonathan Evans MEP

Brazil’s beef ban wake-up call ‘long overdue’

THE European Union’s decision to suspend all imports of Brazilian beef due to the country’s unacceptable foot-and-mouth disease checks is long overdue. Read

Anwen Francis

Praise for ponies at society’s big night out

THE National Pony Society Area 28 Annual Points Awards were presented at a well-supported dinner at the Halliwell Centre, Trinity College, Carmarthen. Read

Elin Jones.

Ideas needed to make new entrants’ scheme a success

WE ARE one month into 2008 and I am pleased to have already made two major announcements aimed at making Wales a better place to be a farmer. Read

Gareth Vaughan

Farmers’ union boss in rally cry over Brazilian beef ban

THE Farmers’ Union of Wales can claim much credit for its efforts in persuading the European Commission to introduce a total ban last week of Brazilian beef imports. Read

Dai Davies

Auctions may help to boost lamb price

NFU Cymru has kicked off discussions internally on how farmers might market their finished lambs more efficiently and, in particular, how auction markets may be able to help farmers achieve the best possible returns for their livestock. Read

Liz Shankland

Time to let loose a fresh hen party

ONCE you’ve kept chickens, you’ll never want to be without them. Like most smallholders, hens were the first animals we bought as we were finding our feet – something simple to practise on while we decided what we really wanted to do with our land. Read

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