Livestock top stories LAYERSGrants of up to ÂŁ500,000 offered for better hen housingGrants of up to £500,000 for upgrading layer hen and pullet housing, and up to £100,000 for attaching verandas to existing sheds, are coming soon as Defra continues to reallocate… BOVINE TBWelsh unions welcome on-farm TB slaughter rule changesHeavily in-calf cows that test positive for bovine TB will no longer have to be slaughtered on farm in Wales. Farmers will be able to choose to delay the removal… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Genetics play key role in labour at calvingSince my last article, a lot of water has gone under the bridge – literally. Fortunately, it has not been as freezing cold and wet as we have known it… BEEFHow beef units could improve efficiency with camera techA camera and electronic identification system that has been successfully used in the dairy sector to measure body condition scores and mobility of cows is now being trialled in the… PIGSThe value of the dead pig: Benefit of post-mortemsShould I ever lose my phone, the finder would probably be quite concerned if they looked through my photos. Obviously, there are a few of my family and pets, but… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Figures are good despite very wet lambingLambing for 2024 is now complete here at Gelston, Lincolnshire. It’s been a long, hard couple of months, but we’ve done it, and the sun has finally started to make… LIVESTOCKIT problems prevent farmers registering cattle movementsComputer problems have been preventing British livestock farmers from registering cattle movements online, Defra has said. Farmers have been reporting issues over the past few days attempting to log on… Livestock news BOVINE TBDaera study reveals bovine TB in a fifth of roadkill badgersThe latest roadkill survey figures from Northern Ireland show that about one in five badgers tested positive for bovine TB last year. In 2023, a total of 459 badgers were… FARM POLICYFarmer criticises RPA's approach on cattle passportsA dairy farmer has criticised the Rural Payments Agency for showing zero leniency over a single late passport application out of 4,400 in 20 years. Michael Colwell, who farms 350… SCHMALLENBERGSchmallenberg survey calls for farmers to take partVirology researchers at the University of Nottingham are calling for farmers to complete their latest Schmallenberg impact survey. The study, carried out by researchers at the university’s School of Veterinary… SCHMALLENBERGFarmers say more data needed on Schmallenberg impactFarmers are calling for a more definitive method of recording cases of Schmallenberg virus, as the true extent of the issue remains largely unrecorded. Sheep farmers across the country have… More articles Explore livestock Know How Business advice Essential guides Practical tips Case studies Dairy Beef Sheep Pigs Other livestock Grassland management Slurry and manure management Explore all topics Latest from livestock Know HowSee all PIGSThe value of the dead pig: Benefit of post-mortemsShould I ever lose my phone, the finder would probably be quite concerned if they looked through my photos. Obviously, there are a few of my family and pets, but… LIVESTOCKWhy a staffroom is vital for a productive livestock teamSetting aside a designated area for employees to relax can reap benefits in productivity and team building – as well as improve farm safety. Some rest and recuperation during the… ASSESSING PERFORMANCE7 lessons learned outwintering in soaking conditionsWinter growth rates struggled on many outwintering systems this year, and the cattle at Castletown Estates, near Carlisle, were no exception. Ruari Martin, farm and estate director, told the Beef… WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHEDVideo: What's in your livestock shed? visits a sheep dairyHaving always kept a small flock of Mules, vets John Bailey and Heather Benbow have now realised their dream to make cheese from their own milking flock. The couple sold… DAIRYHow adviser's dairy foot health focus improved milk yieldsVeterinary lameness expert Sara Pedersen is seeing real progress in improving the foot heath of the nation’s dairy herds, a problem that is estimated by the Royal Veterinary College to… DAIRYHow 4 once-a-day milking options affect profitabilityReducing milking frequency to once a day can cut the workload for dairy farmers. However, a new report commissioned in Wales by Farming Connect has shown that for some businesses,… LIVESTOCK DISEASESWhat can be done to prevent bluetongue virus?Insecticides and repellents will not prevent cattle and sheep from being infected with bluetongue virus, scientists are warning. Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious, non-contagious virus spread by Culicoides biting… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on grazing management for dairy heifersWell-managed rotational grazing for dairy replacements can produce cost-effective growth and train calves to become effective grazers. However, it is important to recognise the limitations in their first grazing year.… DAIRYHow separate milking groups helped parlour efficiencyGetting more heifers to calve down for a second lactation and improving milking parlour efficiency are the result of William Baillie’s herd group dynamics at Hillhead Farm, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Making… BROILERS4 ways to achieve a low feed conversion ratio in broilersEffective hygiene is the first step to ensure broilers convert their feed efficiently into weight gain. Without this, it is likely to be an uphill struggle to maintain their health,… PIGSHow a Yorkshire pig and arable setup is cutting carbonHome-grown beans have replaced 50% of the soya bought in for finisher rations, and slurry additives have cut ammonia emissions by more than 10% in ongoing trials at an East… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to get the most from red clover in silageRed clover silage leys respond well in a multicut system, with best results from mowing every five weeks. Cutting at the red bud stage just before flowering in mid-May will… LAYERSAdvice on free-range layer rations, stage by stageFrom early chick development to transition into laying, feeding birds the correct nutrition at every stage will help achieve the best possible performance and egg quality. Attention to detail is… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition farmer achieves closed sheep flock goalAchieving his goal of running a closed sheep flock to improve ewe health has been a slower process than James MacCartney anticipated, involving three years of breeding replacements and screening… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONSecond farm investment helps pig farmers meet business goalsInvesting in a second farm with buildings is helping pig farmers Vicky and Kate Morgan take back control. The appeal of the former 30-acre pig breeding site was its farmyard… AGRICULTURAL TRANSITIONTransition Farmers expand and restructure businessesFarmers Weekly’s Transition project is following a group of farmers on their journey to adapt and meet the challenges of farming. Here, we look at the progress of two farms.… Wet turnout The benefits of a spring rotation planner for beef cattle How to manage dairy cows at grass as seasons get more extreme Q&A: How to reduce the risk of grass staggers How to manage turnout of youngstock for optimum intakes Meat markets and pricesSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESDefra pledges ÂŁ3m fund for small abattoirs in EnglandDefra has promised £3m in additional support for new and mobile abattoirs in England through its Farming Investment Fund. The commitment, made by prime minister Rishi Sunak at this week’s… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSummer nerves see beef price fall to 480p/kg deadweightProcessor beef prices fell by 2-4p/kg deadweight this week for many, sparking debate about abattoir kill days, autumn supply and consumer behaviour. Trade sources believe farmers will resist the temptation… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal sow herd stabilises as pig producers return to profitThe tide finally seems to be turning for the global pork sector and after a period of herd contraction, pig numbers are now beginning to stabilise. Better returns for pig… BUSINESSTop third of Welsh suckler herds cut costs to below 140p/kgThe top third of beef suckler herds in Wales had total costs of 139.2p/kg in 2022/23, which was less than half of those in the bottom third of producers, according… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLidl commits to British pork and cost of production contractsDiscount retailer Lidl has introduced new contracts for pork producers that guarantee a margin for farmers above the cost of production. It will invest £500m through this new initiative and… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStore cattle hit ÂŁ2,000 a head peak at Scots auction martsScottish livestock farmers have been receiving higher returns for store cattle at auction markets so far this year, with prices consistently above the same period in 2023. Store cattle prices… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Genetics play key role in labour at calvingSince my last article, a lot of water has gone under the bridge – literally. Fortunately, it has not been as freezing cold and wet as we have known it… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Figures are good despite very wet lambingLambing for 2024 is now complete here at Gelston, Lincolnshire. It’s been a long, hard couple of months, but we’ve done it, and the sun has finally started to make… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Seasonality takes 2p/litre – for now...I seem to start every article by discussing the weather, but at this time of year, it really is in charge. Things improved during the last two weeks of April… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Agriculture bears brunt of changing weatherFrom the start of the 2023/24 season, all that seems to have happened is that I’ve dug myself into a deeper and deeper hole. I have no option but to… Dairy DAIRYHow adviser's dairy foot health focus improved milk yieldsVeterinary lameness expert Sara Pedersen is seeing real progress in improving the foot heath of the nation’s dairy herds, a problem that is estimated by the Royal Veterinary College to… DAIRYHow 4 once-a-day milking options affect profitabilityReducing milking frequency to once a day can cut the workload for dairy farmers. However, a new report commissioned in Wales by Farming Connect has shown that for some businesses,… LIVESTOCK DISEASESWhat can be done to prevent bluetongue virus?Insecticides and repellents will not prevent cattle and sheep from being infected with bluetongue virus, scientists are warning. Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious, non-contagious virus spread by Culicoides biting… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on grazing management for dairy heifersWell-managed rotational grazing for dairy replacements can produce cost-effective growth and train calves to become effective grazers. However, it is important to recognise the limitations in their first grazing year.… DAIRYHow separate milking groups helped parlour efficiencyGetting more heifers to calve down for a second lactation and improving milking parlour efficiency are the result of William Baillie’s herd group dynamics at Hillhead Farm, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Making… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips for establishing white clover in a swardA combination of correct pH, good seed-bed conditions and minimal competition from weeds is important for successful clover germination, according to consultant Andre van Barneveld of Graise Consultancy in Ireland.… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTWhy Gloucs dairy farmer is adopting longer-grass grazingA Gloucestershire dairy farmer is adapting her grazing management to make her farm more resilient as the climate changes, improving her soil health and reducing reliance on inputs. Third-generation farmer… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT6 tips for managing this year’s first-cut silageSlurry stores are full and forage stocks are running dangerously low on many farms. While grass is generally growing well, many fields remain vulnerable to damage by poaching and machinery.… PARASITIC DISEASESGrazing dairies urged to help develop parasite forecast modelDairy farmers with cows at grass can help researchers investigate parasitic disease in grazing herds by giving permission to have their milk tested. Liverpool University postgraduate student and University Centre… FEED AND NUTRITION6 things to watch out for in wet spring maize campaignMaize growers should be prepared to address soil compaction and drill later if required after a record-breaking period of rainfall. The wettest 18-month period across England in recorded history could… CALVINGWhy portable milkers can ease stress at calvingUsing a portable milking machine in the calving pen is the easiest and fastest way to harvest a cow’s first colostrum and avoid having to move a newly calved cow.… HEALTH AND WELFARE5 ways to ensure a safe and successful beef calvingUnderstanding basic principles of animal behaviour and physiology can help farmers develop a functional and safe calving system. Rarely a year goes by without Health and Safety Executive records showing… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all BALERS AND WRAPPERSCNH automates tractor speed and steering when big balingInexperienced operators or those who like to chill and drink a coffee while in the driving seat will welcome a new baling automation feature that takes charge of steering and… TRAILERSRedrock buys assets of financially stricken trailer maker KtwoFarm equipment maker Redrock Machinery has bought the assets of one of its competitors, just four weeks after Ktwo directors appointed an administrator. Redrock says it has acquired the Ktwo… TELEHANDLERSWeidemann extends telehandler range with 9m-reach T9535Having focused for many years on articulated loaders – plus a couple of ultra-compact four-wheel-steer models along the way – Weidemann is now growing its full-size telehandler portfolio. The latest… TELEHANDLERSDieci adds big, 153hp T80 to pivot-steer telehandler rangeDieci’s bend-in-the-middle Agri Pivot range has been bolstered with the introduction of a new flagship model, the T80. Power is the headline improvement, with the switch to a 4.5-litre FPT… Most popular this week