Top 10 farming news stories of 2011

Farmers Weekly has covered a range of news stories across 2011 reflecting the highs and lows of farming life.

These are ten of the most read stories over the year on the Farmers Weekly website.

Badger cull
Plans for a possible badger cull in England remained high on the news agenda with DEFRA announcing measures to control bovine tuberculosis.

The Farmers Weekly Awards
The Farmers Weekly Awards 2011 had a stunning year, attracting more interest than ever. The finalists were named in June with the winners being announced in November at the awards ceremony.

Record wheat crop
Christmas came early for Lincolnshire farmer, David Hoyles, who celebrated what could be the UK’s record commercial wheat yield, at 14.3t/ha (5.79t/acre).

CAP reform
While many were disappointed, pleased or simply unmoved with the CAP reform proposals, some remained, well, just confused. Farmers Weekly reporter Johann Tasker was on hand to unravel the ins and outs of the plans.

Farmer’s death
As well as the rewarding aspects of farming life, there were sadly also the tragic stories. We reported on the death of Gloucestershire farmer John Round in April this year, later confirmed as suicide.

Fendt’s GuideConnect
Machinery proved ever-popular with the news that Fendt unveiled remote control tractor system which allows one tractor driver to operate two tractors at the same time.

Civil servants told to do farm work experience
DEFRA stayed in the news as MPs suggested government employees should be sent to work on farms so they would see first-hand the consequences of their policy-making. 

Dale Farm travellers
The saga continued throughout the year of the illegal travellers’ site at Dale Farm in Basildon. On the eve of the eviction, the NFU circulated police advice to farmers to prevent trespassers entering their land.

Yeo Valley
The organic dairy company followed their success with last year’s internet sensation – the rapping farmers, with a new hit. They launched an ad campaign on TV’s X-Factor featuring four farming hunks singing the ballad “Forever”.

Rihanna
The Farmers Weekly forums and twitter feed were on fire after reports of singer Rihanna being ordered off farmer Alan Graham’s farm. In the unlikely event you need reminding, the pop star stripped off during the filming of a pop video. While Mr Graham was unable to extend his hospitality that far, there were plently more accommodating offers from our social networking community.

Did these stories make your top 10 this year? If not, tell us what did. Leave a comment below.

• Read more from our Review of the Year 2011