Livestock top stories SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow topping up manure with biochar has improved soil healthWhen prices of manufactured fertiliser and cattle concentrates increase, Mick and Sandy Jones do not see the financial impact in their suckler beef enterprise. For 15 years, they have grown… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Good cow condition yields excellent fertilityFlat-out serving in this weather has, so far, gone very smoothly with the new collars. We did get the vet in just to check, and 25 cows needed some sort… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on adding herb species to a grazing reseedWalking grazing fields to identify plant species when they are in growing and flowering mode will establish which clovers and herbs are naturally occurring on the farm. Reseeding costs can… LIVESTOCKIHT and NVZs key issues in Wales for livestock adviserJonathan Crimes is busier than ever since winning Farmers Weekly’s 2024 Livestock Adviser of the Year award, with old and new Welsh clients concerned about inheritance tax changes and restricting… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Earlier silage cut is improving our qualityYou know it’s dry up here when the golf course opposite our farm turns on the irrigation system for the greens. It doesn’t happen very often, but they’re on every… POULTRYDark-brooding, trees and data transform poultry businessA focus on hen welfare and technological innovation helped a 200-hen diversification grow into a business producing and packing eggs from 2 million chickens via a network of suppliers. David… POULTRYHow a free-range egg producer is achieving an 86-week layExtending lay to 90 weeks is remarkable in any system, and all the more so when it is achieved in just the fifth flock cycle. Arable farmer Michael Wilson diversified… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Earlier silage cut is improving our qualityYou know it’s dry up here when the golf course opposite our farm turns on the irrigation system for the greens. It doesn’t happen very often, but they’re on every… POULTRYDark-brooding, trees and data transform poultry businessA focus on hen welfare and technological innovation helped a 200-hen diversification grow into a business producing and packing eggs from 2 million chickens via a network of suppliers. David… POULTRYHow a free-range egg producer is achieving an 86-week layExtending lay to 90 weeks is remarkable in any system, and all the more so when it is achieved in just the fifth flock cycle. Arable farmer Michael Wilson diversified… HEALTH AND WELFARESafe shearing guidelines updated as season gets under waySheep farmers have been reminded that biosecurity during shearing season must be paramount to minimise disease risk to the flock, but also to protect shearers. The National Sheep Association (NSA)… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Optimism over pig expansions and start-upsFor the past month my life has been pig-free. Having spent the whole of my working life feeding, checking, loading and generally caring for pigs, this has felt a very… BOVINE TBHigh Court to hear legal challenge over badger cullA legal challenge against the Conservative government's 2024 decision to grant supplementary badger culling licences will proceed to the High Court. Wildlife groups The Badger Trust and Wild Justice argue… DAIRYPros and cons of feeding a home-grown dairy rationProducing a home-grown ration for cattle is an aspiration for more and more livestock farmers, and many rearing and finishing beef have made good progress in this endeavour. But dairy… Livestock news LIVESTOCK DISEASESSingle case of BSE confirmed on Essex farmA case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex after the animal showed clinical signs of the disease. The Animal and Plant Health… LIVESTOCKBluetongue zone extended in north of EnglandThe bluetongue restricted zone (RZ) in England has been further expanded to include Lancashire and the remainder of North Yorkshire, to further tighten disease control. Defra announced the extension following… FOOT AND MOUTHGermany declared FMD free, UK lifts trade restrictionsGreat Britain has officially recognised Germany as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination, following a technical assessment after a January 2025 outbreak. The declaration, which was confirmed on 14… HEALTH AND WELFARESafe shearing guidelines updated as season gets under waySheep farmers have been reminded that biosecurity during shearing season must be paramount to minimise disease risk to the flock, but also to protect shearers. The National Sheep Association (NSA)… 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 SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow topping up manure with biochar has improved soil healthWhen prices of manufactured fertiliser and cattle concentrates increase, Mick and Sandy Jones do not see the financial impact in their suckler beef enterprise. For 15 years, they have grown… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on adding herb species to a grazing reseedWalking grazing fields to identify plant species when they are in growing and flowering mode will establish which clovers and herbs are naturally occurring on the farm. Reseeding costs can… LIVESTOCKIHT and NVZs key issues in Wales for livestock adviserJonathan Crimes is busier than ever since winning Farmers Weekly’s 2024 Livestock Adviser of the Year award, with old and new Welsh clients concerned about inheritance tax changes and restricting… POULTRYDark-brooding, trees and data transform poultry businessA focus on hen welfare and technological innovation helped a 200-hen diversification grow into a business producing and packing eggs from 2 million chickens via a network of suppliers. David… POULTRYHow a free-range egg producer is achieving an 86-week layExtending lay to 90 weeks is remarkable in any system, and all the more so when it is achieved in just the fifth flock cycle. Arable farmer Michael Wilson diversified… DAIRYPros and cons of feeding a home-grown dairy rationProducing a home-grown ration for cattle is an aspiration for more and more livestock farmers, and many rearing and finishing beef have made good progress in this endeavour. But dairy… DAIRY6 tips on delivering water for dairy cowsMany dairy farms have outgrown their water supply as they have increased cow numbers. Yet investment in water infrastructure often is not considered until a problem arises. Phil Evans is… SHEEPHow a Breckland sheep farm is planning for successionTwo sisters who returned to the family sheep and beef farm with completely different approaches to work have successfully navigated a way to farm together. Katie and Claire Evans both… BEEFHow genomics are helping farm target beef to premium marketsGenomic testing is helping Wiltshire farmers Nick and Lucy Tyler – Farmers Weekly's 2024 Mixed Farmers of the Year – match each beef animal to its optimal market and target… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy enough space to feed is vital for heifer health and growthPaying attention to feed and water access for replacement heifers is the key to ensuring coccidiosis prevention works – and that youngstock can achieve their growth targets. Adding medicine such… LIVESTOCK DISEASESFarmers urged to be on alert for bluetongue re-emergenceFarmers are being urged to remain vigilant as temperatures rise and the threat of bluetongue virus re-emerges. The Animal Health and Plant Agency (Apha) has raised concerns that mildly… PIGS6 ways to manage antibiotics usage in pigsSignificant efforts to reduce antibiotics use in the UK pig herd resulted in a 75% fall between 2015 and 2022. Since then, however, rates have been increasing again – if… WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHEDWhat’s In Your Livestock Shed? Comfort for 50-point rotaryPrioritising cow comfort and wellbeing in the design of new housing has boosted average annual milk yield by 1,000 litres a head at a Carmarthenshire dairy farm. Features include waterbeds,… DAIRYWhy a dairy’s succession plan includes £1.5m of debtGiving the next generation an opportunity, not “a free ride”, by borrowing £1.5m to invest in revamping an autumn block-calving herd, has underpinned succession planning for a Wiltshire family farm.… PIGSWhy adequate water quality and quantity is vital for pigsA water system that is fit for purpose and can provide the correct quality and quantity of water is vital to maintain pig health, welfare and performance. Mark Jagger, assistant… HEALTH AND WELFAREAdvice on disinfection of livestock trailersWashing hands and wearing gloves while cleaning and disinfecting livestock trailers can help to reduce the spread of zoonotic pathogens as well as antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Following government guidelines for cleaning… Ewe management advice How mineral blood test helps cut barren rates in Highlands flock Tips for feeding and managing ewes for lambing success Advice on planning for triplet lambs and options for rearing How to budget and allocate rotational grazing for ewes Meat markets and pricesSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish beef booms with supplies set to tighten furtherPrime cattle in Scotland continue to break records and trade at unprecedented levels, with the very best selling for more than £3,000/head. Deadweight steers in Scotland averaged 715p/kg in mid-May,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLegislation due ‘imminently’ on fairer pig contractsFair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations, setting out fairer terms for pig contracts, are expected to be finalised "very shortly", Defra has indicated, following recent parliamentary approval. It is understood that… MARKETS AND TRENDSConfidence builds for UK pig sector as global demand growsLower on-farm feed costs and stable profit margins have left British pig producers in a much better position than during the pig backlog crisis of 2021-2022. There was a sense… MARKETS AND TRENDSTwo more cows per herd per year could plug beef supply gapScottish red meat levy body Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has suggested that an extra two cows a herd a year could help plug a supply gap and help fulfil domestic… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and pig exports to Canada see major increasesThe value and volume of UK beef and pigmeat exports to Canada has seen an increase in 2024, according to the AHDB. The Canadian market is now the second-biggest export… BUSINESSTight beef supply sees deadweight prices soaringTight international and domestic beef supplies are said to be responsible for a near 40% increase in cattle deadweight prices in just nine months, according to Wales’s red meat levy… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Good cow condition yields excellent fertilityFlat-out serving in this weather has, so far, gone very smoothly with the new collars. We did get the vet in just to check, and 25 cows needed some sort… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Earlier silage cut is improving our qualityYou know it’s dry up here when the golf course opposite our farm turns on the irrigation system for the greens. It doesn’t happen very often, but they’re on every… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Optimism over pig expansions and start-upsFor the past month my life has been pig-free. Having spent the whole of my working life feeding, checking, loading and generally caring for pigs, this has felt a very… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Cows will be cool with 11 new fans this summerThis dry spring was a welcome change to last year. Everything seems to go so much smoother. The in-calf heifers have been out at grass for a month or so,… Dairy LIVESTOCK DISEASESSingle case of BSE confirmed on Essex farmA case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex after the animal showed clinical signs of the disease. The Animal and Plant Health… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on adding herb species to a grazing reseedWalking grazing fields to identify plant species when they are in growing and flowering mode will establish which clovers and herbs are naturally occurring on the farm. Reseeding costs can… DAIRYPros and cons of feeding a home-grown dairy rationProducing a home-grown ration for cattle is an aspiration for more and more livestock farmers, and many rearing and finishing beef have made good progress in this endeavour. But dairy… DAIRY6 tips on delivering water for dairy cowsMany dairy farms have outgrown their water supply as they have increased cow numbers. Yet investment in water infrastructure often is not considered until a problem arises. Phil Evans is… PARASITIC DISEASESCryptosporidiosis impacts four in five dairies, study findsA recent study has highlighted that four in five dairy farms have experienced cryptosporidiosis in their herds, which has had significant financial and welfare implications. The study investigated the effects… DAIRYLungworm vaccine cuts wormer use by nearly 90%, study showsVaccinating youngstock for lungworm has resulted in an 87% reduction in the use of macrocyclic lactone wormers among dairy farmers who took part in a Welsh study. The trial was… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTWhy enough space to feed is vital for heifer health and growthPaying attention to feed and water access for replacement heifers is the key to ensuring coccidiosis prevention works – and that youngstock can achieve their growth targets. Adding medicine such… LIVESTOCK DISEASESFarmers urged to be on alert for bluetongue re-emergenceFarmers are being urged to remain vigilant as temperatures rise and the threat of bluetongue virus re-emerges. The Animal Health and Plant Agency (Apha) has raised concerns that mildly… HEALTH AND WELFAREHow data analysis helped dairy herds cut mastitis casesA project involving multiple dairy farms across Wales has demonstrated why collecting data to establish the mastitis “red flags” specific to an individual herd can be key to reducing disease… WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHEDWhat’s In Your Livestock Shed? Comfort for 50-point rotaryPrioritising cow comfort and wellbeing in the design of new housing has boosted average annual milk yield by 1,000 litres a head at a Carmarthenshire dairy farm. Features include waterbeds,… DAIRYWhy a dairy’s succession plan includes £1.5m of debtGiving the next generation an opportunity, not “a free ride”, by borrowing £1.5m to invest in revamping an autumn block-calving herd, has underpinned succession planning for a Wiltshire family farm.… NEWSPoor mental health key factor in UK dairy farmer exodusMajor reasons why dairy farmers in the UK are leaving the industry include declining control, autonomy, and self-efficacy, according to a new study published in the Journal of Rural Studies. The… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all BALERS AND WRAPPERSMassey Ferguson unveils new twin-chamber conventional balerThere has been a flurry of new developments in the small baler world in recent months, the latest of which was Massey Ferguson's launch of a new twin-chamber conventional baler… TRAILERSMitas launches heavier duty Agriterra Ultra trailer tyreThe introduction of a new range of heavier duty Mitas Agriterra trailed implement tyres has kicked off with the popular 560/60 R22.5 size for trailers, slurry tankers, manure spreaders and… MUCKSPREADERSBunning muckspreaders get slicker Topcon iD1 displayTopcon's iD1 has been chosen by GT Bunning as the entry-level isobus display for its manure spreaders, replacing the ISOcan unit produced by Topcon subsidiary RDS Technology. The 7in iD1… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: Tom Dinsdale's Schuitemaker Rapide 580Schuitemaker has been bolting forage wagons together at its Dutch factory since the mid-1980s and now has an extensive line-up to cater for farms big and small. We’re focusing on… Most popular this week
