Livestock top stories

BOVINE TB

Welsh TB strategy is working, claim government officials

Wales is making positive progress in addressing the bovine tuberculosis crisis through its TB eradication programme, the Welsh government has announced today (13 May). Through partnership working and changes to…

DAIRY

6 tips on delivering water for dairy cows

Many 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…

LAYERS

What new RSPCA Assured layer standards mean for farmers

Providing a minimum of 3% natural daylight in housing could cost free-range and barn-egg producers at least £1 a bird. Other requirements within the new RSPCA Assured welfare standards require…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Morale boost as lambing and calving completed

The beginning of May must be the happiest time of year. I don’t know if the general public share these good vibes, or if it’s just a farmer’s thing. We…

SHEEP

How a Breckland sheep farm is planning for succession

Two 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…

SHEEP

How a Breckland sheep farm is planning for succession

Two 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…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Two more cows per herd per year could plug beef supply gap

Scottish 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…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Efforts pay off as 69% of cows calve in 16 days

It has been a spring that will go down in my books as one of the best in memory. It’s a stark contrast from last year, which was one of…

BEEF

How genomics are helping farm target beef to premium markets

Genomic 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…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Turnout hit by ewe mastitis and lamb pneumonia

I was hoping for a “normal” year, but ewe mastitis after turnout has been awful. There’s only been one E coli case, but about 25 caused by Staph aureus. Caught…

POULTRY

Bird housing order to be lifted in Northern Ireland

Compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds across Northern Ireland are set to be lifted this coming Saturday (10 May), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera)…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Bluetongue vaccine efficacy and availability concerns raised

The recent approval of the BTV-3 bluetongue vaccine for use in Scotland has been branded “reassuring” for sheep farmers, but questions remain over its efficacy and availability. Sheep farmers are…

Livestock news

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Cranswick pig farm suspended after welfare abuse claims

Meat processor Cranswick is carrying out a detailed investigation at one of its pig farms and has suspended all staff at the location, after significant animal welfare concerns were exposed.…

PARASITIC DISEASES

Cryptosporidiosis impacts four in five dairies, study finds

A 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…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Two more cows per herd per year could plug beef supply gap

Scottish 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…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Bluetongue vaccine efficacy and availability concerns raised

The recent approval of the BTV-3 bluetongue vaccine for use in Scotland has been branded “reassuring” for sheep farmers, but questions remain over its efficacy and availability. Sheep farmers are…

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DAIRY

6 tips on delivering water for dairy cows

Many 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…

SHEEP

How a Breckland sheep farm is planning for succession

Two 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…

BEEF

How genomics are helping farm target beef to premium markets

Genomic 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 MANAGEMENT

Why enough space to feed is vital for heifer health and growth

Paying 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 DISEASES

Farmers urged to be on alert for bluetongue re-emergence

Farmers 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…

PIGS

6 ways to manage antibiotics usage in pigs

Significant 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 SHED

What’s In Your Livestock Shed? Comfort for 50-point rotary

Prioritising 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,…

DAIRY

Why a dairy’s succession plan includes £1.5m of debt

Giving 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.…

PIGS

Why adequate water quality and quantity is vital for pigs

A 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 WELFARE

Advice on disinfection of livestock trailers

Washing 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…

DAIRY

How rainwater harvesting is protecting borehole supplies

Rainwater captured from their floating slurry lagoon cover is probably saving about £10,000 a year in tankering costs for Rheinallt and Rachel Harries at Llwynmendy Uchaf, Bethlehem, Carmarthenshire. Instead of…

DAIRY

How video monitoring helped halve a dairy’s antibiotics use

A Pembrokeshire dairy farming family have made significant strides in reducing their antibiotics use on-farm by using technology and working closely with their vet. Stephen and Daniel James, who farm…

DAIRY

How to replace concentrates and get more milk from forage

Dairy farms clamping grass silage with digestibility of more than 70% should have the courage to challenge their production of milk from forage. Substituting 1kg of concentrates with 1kg of…

POULTRY

Tips on ensuring poultry biosecurity measures are effective

The avian influenza virus always makes its way into a poultry house from the outside environment, so preventing that transmission will keep disease at bay. While farms already have good…

SHEEP

Lack of colostrum increases lamb losses tenfold, study shows

Lamb mortalities on a Welsh sheep farm were 10 times more likely when the animals had not received adequate colostrum in the crucial first 24 hours of life, a study…

BEEF

How 15% replacement rate helped add ÂŁ500 to heifer value

Improved cow longevity has given a Scottish suckler farmer the luxury of greater choice when selecting replacement females, leading to a valuable bulling heifer premium. Wigtownshire-based farmer Robert Parker of…

Meat markets and prices

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MARKETS AND TRENDS

Two more cows per herd per year could plug beef supply gap

Scottish 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 PRICES

UK beef and pig exports to Canada see major increases

The 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…

BUSINESS

Tight beef supply sees deadweight prices soaring

Tight 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…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Rearing calves selling for ÂŁ500 plus at auction

Beef finishers in search for replacements have been paying well in excess of £500 a head for rearing calves at livestock markets. The calf trade has been buoyed up throughout…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Livestock sales up by ÂŁ220m at auction marts in 2024

Higher prices for cattle and sheep in 2024 have more than offset the decline in numbers, leading to significant turnover gains at auction marts across the country. Figures from the…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Unprecedented beef trade as prices hit ÂŁ7/kg

The beef trade has lifted by 25% since the beginning of the year and continues to break records, with the R4L steer price lifting above the £7/kg deadweight barrier for…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Morale boost as lambing and calving completed

The beginning of May must be the happiest time of year. I don’t know if the general public share these good vibes, or if it’s just a farmer’s thing. We…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Efforts pay off as 69% of cows calve in 16 days

It has been a spring that will go down in my books as one of the best in memory. It’s a stark contrast from last year, which was one of…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Turnout hit by ewe mastitis and lamb pneumonia

I was hoping for a “normal” year, but ewe mastitis after turnout has been awful. There’s only been one E coli case, but about 25 caused by Staph aureus. Caught…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Renewed efforts at rotational grazing planned

We are nearly finished lambing our outdoor flock of mainly Innovis Highlander cross Aberfield ewes; they have gone back to Aberfield SR tups. We double-tag any potential ewe lambs, as…

Dairy

DAIRY

6 tips on delivering water for dairy cows

Many 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 DISEASES

Cryptosporidiosis impacts four in five dairies, study finds

A 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…

DAIRY

Lungworm vaccine cuts wormer use by nearly 90%, study shows

Vaccinating 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 MANAGEMENT

Why enough space to feed is vital for heifer health and growth

Paying 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 DISEASES

Farmers urged to be on alert for bluetongue re-emergence

Farmers 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 WELFARE

How data analysis helped dairy herds cut mastitis cases

A 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 SHED

What’s In Your Livestock Shed? Comfort for 50-point rotary

Prioritising 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,…

DAIRY

Why a dairy’s succession plan includes £1.5m of debt

Giving 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.…

NEWS

Poor mental health key factor in UK dairy farmer exodus

Major 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…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Advice on disinfection of livestock trailers

Washing 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…

DAIRY

How rainwater harvesting is protecting borehole supplies

Rainwater captured from their floating slurry lagoon cover is probably saving about £10,000 a year in tankering costs for Rheinallt and Rachel Harries at Llwynmendy Uchaf, Bethlehem, Carmarthenshire. Instead of…

DAIRY

How video monitoring helped halve a dairy’s antibiotics use

A Pembrokeshire dairy farming family have made significant strides in reducing their antibiotics use on-farm by using technology and working closely with their vet. Stephen and Daniel James, who farm…

Livestock machinery

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BALERS AND WRAPPERS

Massey Ferguson unveils new twin-chamber conventional baler

There 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…

TRAILERS

Mitas launches heavier duty Agriterra Ultra trailer tyre

The 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…

MUCKSPREADERS

Bunning muckspreaders get slicker Topcon iD1 display

Topcon'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 WAGONS

Driver's view: Tom Dinsdale's Schuitemaker Rapide 580

Schuitemaker 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…