Latest news with #harvestseason
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AlUla Kicks Off Summer Fruits Season, Celebrates Abundant Harvest
The Royal Commission for AlUla announced the launch of AlUla's harvest season, starting with the AlUla Summer Fruits Season. This seven-day event from July 22 to 28 at Al Manshiyah Farmers Market marks the beginning of several seasonal celebrations, including dates, citrus, peregrine, and honey seasons. According to SPA, during the Summer Fruits Season, farmers and local families will showcase diverse fruits, supporting comprehensive agricultural and economic development. The commission aims to drive economic growth through community initiatives during this peak harvest period for AlUla's over 5,000 farms, which boast more than 50,000 trees. AlUla's mango farms yield over 1,125 tons from 125,000 hectares, and fig, grape, and pomegranate farms produce over 3,141 tons from 348 hectares. Celebrating centuries of agricultural history, AlUla's diverse and high-quality produce balances ancient traditions and sustainable agriculture. The Royal Commission for AlUla prioritizes agricultural development to boost economic opportunities, enhance competitiveness, create local jobs, and offer visitors a unique experience of the region's agricultural
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Farmers warn of 'toe curling' risks on roads
Farmers have urged motorists to be patient when travelling on rural roads during the harvest season after "several scary moments". Henry Moreton, who farms near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, said he had encountered multiple incidents of drivers attempting to overtake his tractor and combine harvester when it is not safe to do so. "It does make your toes curl up," he said. "You're better getting home two minutes later than not getting home at all. There are too many accidents, head on collisions with tractors and machinery. Just be vigilant." Jason Butler, the owner of Pumpkin Patch Produce in Bewholme, East Yorkshire, said: "You do see some daft things - people overtaking on blind corners and taking unnecessary risks. "If everyone went a bit steadier and had a bit more patience, then everyone would get there safely." A spokesperson for insurer NFU Mutual said collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties were 65% more likely between the start of May and the end of September, compared with other months. Mr Moreton, who is Lincolnshire county chair of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), described a "terrifying wincing moment" when a minibus with children on board attempted to overtake him on a blind bend. "The thing is, we will have to deal with the consequences," he said. "We're the first responder. We're going to be the people getting people out of those cars or that bloke out of the hedge on his motorbike. It's a really scary thing. It's terrifying really." NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "We'll do our best to make sure we have safe loads, that we're not holding up the traffic too much, but this is a two-way thing. There needs to be a bit of understanding from everybody." According to the Highway Code, if you are planning to overtake a large vehicle you should: Drop back, make sure there is enough room, and do not cut in too quickly Be aware large vehicles may need extra space when turning Do not cross double white lines where the line nearest you is solid unless it is safe and you need to enter an adjoining premises or road You can also cross double white lines to overtake a vehicle traveling at 10mph (16km/h) or less If you are driving a large vehicle: Do not hold up a long queue of traffic Check your mirrors frequently and, if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass Vehicles with a maximum speed of 25mph (40km/h) or less must use a flashing amber beacon on unrestricted dual carriageways Mr Moreton said: "We will pull over if we can, but in certain conditions, we can't. "We're very proud to serve the British public by growing food, so if the British public could give us a minute or two of their time, we will get out of the way as quick as possible." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet links National Farmers' Union Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Farmers warn of 'toe curling' risks on roads
Farmers have urged motorists to be patient when travelling on rural roads during the harvest season after "several scary moments".Henry Moreton, who farms near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, said he had encountered multiple incidents of drivers attempting to overtake his tractor and combine harvester when it is not safe to do so."It does make your toes curl up," he said. "You're better getting home two minutes later than not getting home at all. There are too many accidents, head on collisions with tractors and machinery. Just be vigilant." Jason Butler, the owner of Pumpkin Patch Produce in Bewholme, East Yorkshire, said: "You do see some daft things - people overtaking on blind corners and taking unnecessary risks. "If everyone went a bit steadier and had a bit more patience, then everyone would get there safely." A spokesperson for insurer NFU Mutual said collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties were 65% more likely between the start of May and the end of September, compared with other months. Mr Moreton, who is Lincolnshire county chair of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), described a "terrifying wincing moment" when a minibus with children on board attempted to overtake him on a blind bend."The thing is, we will have to deal with the consequences," he said. "We're the first responder. We're going to be the people getting people out of those cars or that bloke out of the hedge on his motorbike. It's a really scary thing. It's terrifying really."NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "We'll do our best to make sure we have safe loads, that we're not holding up the traffic too much, but this is a two-way thing. There needs to be a bit of understanding from everybody." According to the Highway Code, if you are planning to overtake a large vehicle you should: Drop back, make sure there is enough room, and do not cut in too quicklyBe aware large vehicles may need extra space when turningDo not cross double white lines where the line nearest you is solid unless it is safe and you need to enter an adjoining premises or roadYou can also cross double white lines to overtake a vehicle traveling at 10mph (16km/h) or lessIf you are driving a large vehicle: Do not hold up a long queue of trafficCheck your mirrors frequently and, if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic passVehicles with a maximum speed of 25mph (40km/h) or less must use a flashing amber beacon on unrestricted dual carriagewaysMr Moreton said: "We will pull over if we can, but in certain conditions, we can't."We're very proud to serve the British public by growing food, so if the British public could give us a minute or two of their time, we will get out of the way as quick as possible." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
