Summary of newsmakers from the previous day - 14.2.2006

When the situation continue we will plough pasturages away

The animals have to die of cold, why they do not hide them in a cowshed? - many people think looking at a herd of cows ruminating in deep snow. However, a breeder Lubor Kitzler explains presently, that his meat breeds of cattle mind nor this year's many-week frosts.

Wine and hop growers will not better themselves

Domestic beer market stagnates; sale of spirits decreases; in a long-term vine consumption grows. Despite that domestic wine growers complain. However, after an agreement from the last week the state should help them from the difficult economic situation. Growers and vine producers agreed together with the Minister of Agriculture Jan Mládek that they will obtain higher contributions for the integrated production.

South-Bohemian farmers harvested by 15 per cent of cereals less last year that the year ago

Farmers in the South-Bohemian region grew by 15 per cent of cereals less last year than in 2004.The production was influenced among others also cold spring and rains during the harvest. In total they harvested 736 451 tons of cereals which ranges them on the third place in the country. In front of them only framers from Central Bohemia and South Moravia are. They carried from fields over 2,6 million tons of cereals.

Bird flu arrived in Austria

The neighboring Austria has suspicion of bird flu. First tests found the virus H5N1 in two dead swans in Steiermark (Štýrsko). The infection has to be confirmed by other tests.

Source: Agris, 15.02.2006