Government & Ministries
Central Office of Information The Communication Agency.
Central Science Laboratory An Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.
Countryside Agency Working for people and places in rural England.
DEFRA Environment, Sustainable Development, Rural Development, Wildlife & Countryside, Farming, Food & Drink, Animal Health & Welfare, Fisheries, Plants & Seeds, Horticulture, Water.
DETR Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions.
Health and Safety Executive The HSE ensures that risks to people’s health and safety from work activities are properly controlled.
Inland Revenue News and information on tax and national insurance matters in the United Kingdom.
Intervention Board The Intervention Board helps UK farmers and traders to understand and work within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
MFEP The Marches Farm Enterprise Partnership (MFEP) helps farmers who want to diversify their farm business and set up a new non-farm-but-on-farm enterprise.
open.gov.uk The first entry point to UK public sector information on the Internet.
The Macaulay Institute is a multidisciplinary-based research institute with soil, plant and animal scientists, geographers, socio-economists and IT specialists all working together under the same roof.
Independent Bodies, Companies and Research Organisations
ECOTEC is a wholly independent, international company providing specialist services in the fields of Economic, Environmental, Social and RTD/Innovation policy.
Leaf (Linking Environment And Farming) develops and promotes Integrated Farm Management (IFM) - common sense farming practices which are economically viable and environmentally responsible.
NIAB Specialising in agriculture, horticulture and food, NIAB supplies consultancy, training, information, contract research and technical services to governments, supra-governmental agencies, agribusiness and farmers.
PGRO The Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) is the UK centre for applied research on temperate peas and beans.
Scottish Natural Heritage Scotland’s natural heritage is a local, national and global asset. Scottish Natural Heritage promote its care and improvement, its responsible enjoyment, its greater understanding and appreciation and its sustainable use, now and for future generations.
Soil Survey and Land Research Centre The Soil Survey and Land Research Centre, SSLRC, is the leading independent organisation on soil resources in the UK. It conducts research, carries out consultancy, and offers a range of scientific services.
The Institute of Arable Crops Research (IACR) The mission of IACR is to be a leading provider of high quality scientific research relevant to plant-based agriculture with the objective of achieving improvements in rural and agricultural economies that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.
ACETO - Horsecareers Website The Animal Care and Equine Training Organisation (ACETO) is an organisation supporting people working in the equine and animal care industries.
AgriFor (Nottingham, UK).AgriFor is a gateway to evaluated, quality Internet resources in agriculture, food and forestry, aimed at students, researchers, academics and practitioners in agriculture, food or forestry.
British Agrochemicals Association (UK).The UK trade body representing companies involved in the manufacture, formulation and distribution of crop protection products.
British Domesticated Ostrich Association (UK).The Official WWW Site of The British Domesticated Ostrich Association with news, events and information on Ostrich farming in the UK.
Natural Resources Institute (UK).University of Greenwich center of expertise in research and consultancy in the environment and natural resources sector. Training to promote efficient management and use of renewable natural resources.
Primal Seeds (UK).Agricultural seed diversity, corporate control and its consequences.
Royal Agricultural Society of England (UK).Established by Royal Charter in 1840, it continues not only to keep farmers informed but also to act as a voice for British agriculture in all aspects of farming, food and the countryside.
Young Farmers Club (UK).Site includes Club News, Leters & Chat, Developments in the farming business, and Info and Advice.
Associations, Guilds and Societies
Anglesey Agricultural Society Show Features, Society News, Membership, Sponsorship, Schedule Request, Trade Stands.
Ayrshire Cattle Society of Great Britain and Ireland The Ayrshire Cattle Society of Great Britain & Ireland is based in the breed’s home territory at Ayr in Scotland. Ayrshires International. Ayrshires Milk Marketing. Ayrshires Cattle Services.
Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society The modern Beef Shorthorn is a high performance maternal breed, combining the traditional and modern virtues of hardiness, docility, milking ability, ease of calving, high growth rates and beef quality required by today’s market.
British Belgian Blue Cattle Society British Belgian Blue genetics have played a major role in shaping the carcase sought after by the modern, efficiency conscious, UK meat industry.
British Blonde Society The Blonde d’Aquitaine breed has been established in the UK for over 25 years and continues to gain much respect from commercial farmers, be they suckler producers or dairy men.
British Bleu du Maine originated in western France and was first introduced into the United Kingdom in 1978. Since this time, the breed has won Interbreed titles at both the Royal Show and Royal Welsh Shows.
British Cheese Board Flying the flag for British cheeses, 32 top cheese makers have joined forces to form the British Cheese Board.
British Domesticated Ostrich Association Ostrich meat is red, not unlike beef. It is very low in fat, and is very versatile to cook. It is becoming more available in supermarkets and is often seen in restaurants. With the increase in the number of birds being farmed, the price will continue to come down and the meat will be more affordable for the family budget.
British Friesian Breeding Society The club was formed to promote and encourage the best of the breed which, established over a period of 90 years, has thrived in the climatic and financial conditions prevalent in the U.K.
British Limousin Cattle Society These golden-red cattle originated in the West of the Massif Central between Central and South West France and have progressed from being mere images on a cave wall to become the largest numerical beef breed in the UK.
British Poultry Council The British Poultry Council promote and protect the sector’s interests, representing the collective views of poultry breeders, farmers and processors to the UK Government and its ministries and agencies, the European Union, and the media.
Cheviot Sheep Society A white faced hill sheep from the Scottish Borders. The ewe has fine hard white hair on her face, over the crown and on her legs which should have a fine, flat quality bone. The fleece should be dense and firm with no kemp or coloured hair. The rams can have horns.
Cornish Guild of Smallholders Membership is offered to anyone who has a general interest in good food, grown and reared naturally, together with good animal husbandry and the preservation of the countryside.
Cornish Hedge Group was formed out of the Cornwall Biodiversity Initiative to bring together all those bodies and individuals with an interest in Cornish Hedges.The Group is co-ordinated by Cornwall County Council and the Cornwall Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)
Country Landowners Association is at the core of the rural economy. The 50,000 members of the CLA have an interest in countryside issues, some with large farms and estates, others with smaller amounts of land. What they have in common is a commitment to rural life.
Crop Protection Association is the United Kingdom trade body representing companies involved in the distribution of crop protection products.
Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association was established in 1891 for “the encouragement of the breeding of Dorset Horn Sheep at home and abroad and the maintenance of the purity of the breed”.
IAgSA incorporated in 1967, is the professional body for anyone working as a secretary or administrator within the agricultural industry. The current membership is nearly 900, and covers a variety of grades, which include : Student, Licentiate, Intermediate, Associate and Fellow. Individuals or organisations may become affiliated to IAgSA.
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the worlds biggest group of professional arborists with over 14,000 members distributed throughout 38 “chapters” across the 5 continents.
Land Drainage Contractors Association is a Trade Association whose Membership includes land drainage contractors, manufacturers of drainage machinery, drainage pipes, and suppliers of drainage products.
National Beef Association The NBA aims to represent all beef farmers during the current difficulties and beyond and is the only specialist group dedicated solely to furthering the interests of the beef farmer and the beef industry.
Notts YFC Notts YFC History, County Officers, Dairy / Events, Links.
Quality Meat Scotland QMS has two main objectives: 1) To improve the competitive position of the Scottish meat and livestock industry at home and abroad, thereby bringing tangible benefit to the sectors involved, from primary production to point of sale. 2) To provide co-ordination and leadership for the whole of the industry.
Royal Highland Society The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland operates from the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, an exhibition centre where over 400 events are held annually. The Society is responsible for The Royal Highland Show that takes place over four days at the end of June every year.
Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs One of the strengths of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs is the role that members play in the decision-making at the various levels within the movement. The rock on which the Association is built is the club and its Members.
Scotch Half-Bred Sheep Breeders Association The Scotch Half-bred, also known as ‘Queen of Sheep’, originated in the mid-18th century and is the progeny of the Border Leicester sire and the North Country Cheviot dam. The principal attributes of the Scotch Half-bred are her capabilities of producing prime lambs. The ewe lambs make ideal breeding females. The Scotch Half-bred is a very prolific breed and has proved herself a real contender.
Scottish Crofters Union The Crofters Union is a voluntary membership association of some 3,300 crofters across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Small Farms Association The Association welcomes all who are interested in the conservation of the countryside, particularly farmers who farm less than 250 acres, and also practise less intensive traditional methods of farming that are sympathetic to the needs of the environment and its wildlife.
Soil Association The Soil Association exists ‘to research, develop and promote sustainable relationships between the soil, plants, animals and the biosphere, in order to produce healthy food and other products while protecting and enhancing the environment’.
Straights Feeders Group The purpose of the group is to encourage informal contact between members who feed straights, assist them with the provision of information, and to retain their independence and freedom from commercial pressure.
The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Objectives : To develop the Aberdeen-Angus breed to target the premium beef markets in the UK and Europe, whilst improving the efficiency of production through balanced breeding.
The Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association In 1963 the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association was formed to encourage the breeding and maintain the purity of the Bluefaced Leicester sheep. A flock book was also established. Today there are 1700 members with an average flock size of 15 ewes.
The British Sheep Dairying Association Aims : To promote the production, manufacture, marketing and consumption of quality dairy products derived exclusively from sheep’s milk in the UK.
The Dairy Council Presents all the facts about the white stuff.
The National Trust Act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings.
The Royal Agricultural Society of England The RASE is an independent charity devoted to the advancement of British agriculture through good science and the caring stewardship of land, animals and people.
The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers is an independent organisation formed in support of the UK Dairy Industry.
The Scottish Dairy Association The Scottish Dairy Association is the representative body for the milk processing industry in Scotland which handles 1,200 million litres of milk a year supplied by 2.400 dairy herds most of which are located in the South West of the country.
The Shorthorn Society of the United Kingdom and Ireland Up to date information about the oldest breed of cattle in the Country. With milk yields of up to 10,000kg combined with all the superior attributes of a native breed the Shorthorn is suitable for all types of production systems, particularly extended grazing and organic systems.
The Society of Border Leicester Sheep Breeders Border Leicester - Established over 100 years ago and named ‘The Great Improver’ the Border Leicester continues to sire quality breeding females & marketable prime lambs.
United Dairy Farmers United Dairy Farmers Limited is the largest farmer-owned co-operative society in Northern Ireland.
Whitebred Shorthorn Society The Whitebred Shorthorn bull is bred primarily as a crossing bull to mate with any breed of female, but principally with the Galloway to produce hardy, good quality Bluegrey cattle, well suited to the full range of British climatic conditions.
Yorkshire Agricultural Society The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was founded in 1837 to help improve agriculture in the region. It is best known for organising the Great Yorkshire Show.
Young Farmers Clubs Run by young farmers for young farmers.
Young Farmers Clubs Of Ulster Young Farmers Clubs throughout Northern Ireland.
UK Colleges and Universities of Agriculture and Horticulture
Bishop Burton , Beverley, East Yorkshire :- Animal Production, Business Management, Countryside Management, Engineering Department, Equestrian Department, Creative Studies, Horticultural Department, Special Needs, The Farm.
Cranfield University at Silsoe :- Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Centre, BioMedical Centre, Biotechnology Centre, Analytical Science, Precision Farming, European Marketing and IT Centre, Geographical Information Management, Institute of BioScience and Technology, Institute of Water and Environment, Postharvest Technology Group, Soil Survey and Land Research Centre.
De Montfort University School of Agriculture, Grantham, Lincolnshire :- Agriculture, Crop Production and Protection, Agriculture / Agricultural Mechanisation, Arable Mechanisation, Agriculture Law, Food Law, Environmental Law, Advanced Tractor and Machine Repair, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Law, Countryside and Agriculture Law, Food Law, Service Engineering.
Easton College 7 miles west of Norwich :- The College is a provider of education and training facilities for rural industries. Pressures on these industries nationally have encouraged diversification. Those working in them need to acquire the skills to support both traditional and new areas of activity.
Greenmount College Situated three kilometres from Antrim, Northern Ireland. Courses in agriculture at Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, National Diploma and Certificate level, and in horticulture at Higher National Diploma, National Diploma and Certificate level. Courses leading to NVQ Awards are also offered in both agriculture and horticulture.
Harper Adams University College All the Agriculture courses have an initial, common period of study (2 semesters for the degree and HND) in which all students take the same, core modules : Agri-Food Marketing and Business, Rural Enterprise and Land Management, Countryside Management, Rural Environmental Protection.
Imperial College at Wye Wye, Ashford, Kent. Initiatives to sustain more secure food supplies and livelihoods in a high-quality rural environment :- Agricultural Economics and Business Management Research Group, Agroecology Research Group, Biological Sciences, External Programme.
Landbased Education Landbased colleges are able to focus on providing a practical experience in education and help to build other skills alongside these. There are a huge range of opportunities for study and work in the land-based industries and many of the courses offered are both full-time and part-time.
Myerscough College Agriculture, Animal Care and welfare, Arboriculture, Blacksmithing, Equine and Horse Care, Farming and Wildlife, Horticulture, Landscape Practice, Land Base Study Skills, Mechanisation, Skills Training, Sport and Leisure, Sporstuff, Vetinary Nursing.
Reaseheath College Nantwich, Cheshire :- Agriculture and the Countryside, Engineering and Construction, Food and Dairy Technology, Greenkeeping and Sports Turf, Horticulture, Animal Care and Equine Studies.
Royal Agricultural College The College’s courses, from the Degree Foundation Course to diploma, degree, postgraduate and short courses are all tailored to meet the requirements of today’s increasingly demanding employers. As a result, equipped with the right skills and experience, Cirencester students have a head start in the careers race.
Seale-Hayne University of Plymouth : Seale-Hayne, a stunning campus in the heart of South Devon; Seale Hayne Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Land Use. Offers a full range of undergraduate courses.
The Scottish Agricultural College The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) is one of Europe’s leading education, research and consultancy organisations specialising, nationally and internationally in services for the rural sector and for related industries.
University of Aberdeen The University’s Agriculture Department was founded in 1895 and has developed an international reputation for teaching and research. It is housed in the modern MacRobert Building on the main University Campus, with its own library, laboratory and computing facilities.
University of Bristol Long Ashton Research Station :- Crop Performance and Improvement, Plant-pathogen Interactions, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology, Biological Chemistry, Agriculture and the Environment, Sugar Beet Improvement and Productivity.
University of Hertfordshire Agriculture and the Environment Research Unit : AERU are actively conducting and promoting high quality research to develop and apply environmental impact control methodologies and environmental management techniques to the areas of agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land use.
University of Reading Department of Agriculture, University of Reading :- The Department is divided into four teaching and research sections: Animal Science and Production, Biomathematics, Crop Science and Production Systems and Management.
Welsh Institute of Rural Studies Rural Studies, Aberystwyth :- Improvement and Renovation of Grassland, Agriculture, Animal Science, Crop Science, Organic Agriculture, Countryside Management, Marketing, Computer Science, Business Studies, Food Marketing, Economics of Agriculture, Food and the Rural Environment, Business and Agriculture, Agriculture and Countryside Conservation.
Writtle 3 km west of Chelmsford, Essex. Horticulture, Agriculture and Animal Care :- Amenity Horticulture & Landscape Management, Commercial Horticulture, Agriculture, Business Management, Leisure Management, Rural Environment and Conservation, Engineering, Equine Studies, Animal Science, Applied Plant Science.
UK Dairy Academy will become the recognised centre of excellence for training provision throughout the country.
