Livestock top stories 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.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Biosecurity bonus with new boundary fenceIt’s been a refreshing change this spring, with lambing going well thanks to the good dry weather. After last year’s relentless rain and mud, the dry spell has been a… 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… LIVESTOCKHow you can protect your poultry farm from diseaseThe importance of biosecurity in poultry farming In the poultry farming industry, disease outbreaks pose a constant threat, potentially leading to substantial financial losses and significant disruptions in farm operations.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Spring warmth boosts mood but not lamb priceWell, what beautiful weather we have enjoyed since I last wrote. Farming seems much easier and enjoyable when Mother Nature is on our side. After the past two awful springs,… 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… DAIRYHow rainwater harvesting is protecting borehole suppliesRainwater 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… 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… DAIRYHow rainwater harvesting is protecting borehole suppliesRainwater 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Ration tweaks cut soya but sums not adding upI hope everyone is well. Dare I say it, but we could do with some rain now. That said, the dry start to the year has been a blessing for… DAIRYHow video monitoring helped halve a dairy’s antibiotics useA 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… BOVINE TBPembrokeshire farmers come together to tackle TBA group of Pembrokeshire farmers have joined forces to support each other in dealing with bovine tuberculosis (TB). Forming the first Agrisgop group to focus on TB, the 15 farmers… FOOT AND MOUTHUK foot-and-mouth threat level raised to 'medium'Livestock enterprises have been urged to consider on-farm biosecurity measures, as Defra forecasts an increased risk of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) spreading to Great Britain. Further FMD cases on the Continent… DAIRYHow to replace concentrates and get more milk from forageDairy 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… Livestock news FARM POLICYBluetongue restrictions could put dampener on show seasonFarmers who are currently in a bluetongue restricted zone could find themselves banned from taking their livestock to agricultural shows this year if current restrictions are not lifted. The Royal… SHEEPRare breed protection 'essential to farming sustainability'The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is calling for greater government involvement to help protect some of the UK’s oldest livestock breeds, including the re-establishment of the Ministerial Native Breeds… BOVINE TBBadger control linked to TB rate decline in LRA ‘hotspots’Badger culling and vaccination in bovine TB hotspots across low-risk areas (LRAs) of England is being linked to dramatic reductions in disease prevalence, according to new data from a Defra… BOVINE TBPembrokeshire farmers come together to tackle TBA group of Pembrokeshire farmers have joined forces to support each other in dealing with bovine tuberculosis (TB). Forming the first Agrisgop group to focus on TB, the 15 farmers… 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 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… DAIRYHow rainwater harvesting is protecting borehole suppliesRainwater 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… DAIRYHow video monitoring helped halve a dairy’s antibiotics useA 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… DAIRYHow to replace concentrates and get more milk from forageDairy 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… POULTRYTips on ensuring poultry biosecurity measures are effectiveThe 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… SHEEPLack of colostrum increases lamb losses tenfold, study showsLamb 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… BEEFHow 15% replacement rate helped add £500 to heifer valueImproved 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… PIGSHow changes in pig unit staffing raised weaning weightsEmploying a former car sales executive has helped pig farmer James Ross improve weaning weights on his two outdoor units in Lincolnshire. Piglets are now 0.7kg heavier at five weeks… HEALTH AND WELFAREAmber blowfly warning as warm weather triggers seasonSheep farmers are advised to start checking for signs of blowfly strike and plan treatment for the blowfly season. An amber warning has been put in place across southern England… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on minimising soil compaction on silage groundOperating a controlled traffic system on silage fields this year – for both nutrient applications and grass harvesting – should prevent soil compaction. Giving up rolling (to push stones back… FEED AND NUTRITIONFour ways tenant dairy unit manages consistent feeding Adding maize and an alkaline fibre nut to the feed ration has helped a Cumbrian farm maintain rumen health through a period of challenging production years. Andrew Barraclough took on… DAIRYAdvice on vaccination protocols for dairy herdsFailure to adhere to vaccine protocols could prove to be an expensive mistake for dairy farms. Vet Sophie Prichard says such herds will not have optimal protection against disease and… SHEEPAdvice on developing a worm control plan for sheepHaving a worm control plan is often overlooked, but with anthelmintics resistance on the rise and becoming a real threat to lamb production, it is a fundamental tool for achieving… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow grassland winner is learning new skills for herbal leysHaving learned how to manage ryegrass to maximise its efficiency, James Tweedie, Farmers Weekly’s Grassland Farmer of the Year, is now in an “experimental” phase finding out how to do… 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 PRICESRearing calves selling for £500 plus at auctionBeef 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 PRICESLivestock sales up by £220m at auction marts in 2024Higher 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 PRICESUnprecedented beef trade as prices hit £7/kgThe 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… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFinished pig prices firm in Europe as UK supplies increasePig prices on the Continent have seen a flurry of support in recent weeks, with prices lifting by 10% since the start of April and tightening the gap to the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES10-year vision for beef industry aims to increase productionA 10-year vision for the sector has been unveiled by the NFU ahead of Great British Beef Week from 23 to 30 April. It outlines plans to stop the decline… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESRetailers divided on support for British lamb this EasterAs Easter approaches – a key time for lamb sales – questions are being raised over whether UK supermarkets are truly supporting British sheep producers amid a rising tide of… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Biosecurity bonus with new boundary fenceIt’s been a refreshing change this spring, with lambing going well thanks to the good dry weather. After last year’s relentless rain and mud, the dry spell has been a… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Spring warmth boosts mood but not lamb priceWell, what beautiful weather we have enjoyed since I last wrote. Farming seems much easier and enjoyable when Mother Nature is on our side. After the past two awful springs,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Ration tweaks cut soya but sums not adding upI hope everyone is well. Dare I say it, but we could do with some rain now. That said, the dry start to the year has been a blessing for… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calving complete and silage ground preparedCalving is complete and calves are back at market, so all is going well. With calving finished, it’s now a good time to reflect on how it all went. In… Dairy 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… 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… DAIRYHow rainwater harvesting is protecting borehole suppliesRainwater 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… DAIRYHow video monitoring helped halve a dairy’s antibiotics useA 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… DAIRYHow to replace concentrates and get more milk from forageDairy 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… FEED AND NUTRITIONFour ways tenant dairy unit manages consistent feeding Adding maize and an alkaline fibre nut to the feed ration has helped a Cumbrian farm maintain rumen health through a period of challenging production years. Andrew Barraclough took on… DAIRYAdvice on vaccination protocols for dairy herdsFailure to adhere to vaccine protocols could prove to be an expensive mistake for dairy farms. Vet Sophie Prichard says such herds will not have optimal protection against disease and… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow grassland winner is learning new skills for herbal leysHaving learned how to manage ryegrass to maximise its efficiency, James Tweedie, Farmers Weekly’s Grassland Farmer of the Year, is now in an “experimental” phase finding out how to do… DAIRYAdvice on running stock bulls with breeding heifersAccording to AHDB data, natural mating is now used to produce fewer than 5% of dairy heifer replacements in the UK. However, with routine euthanasia of bull calves discouraged and… FEED AND NUTRITIONForage analysis: Which test is best for mixed crops?Producers who rely on near-infrared spectroscopy to analyse forages such as mixed herbal leys, bi-crops and wholecrop legumes could be overfeeding or underfeeding key nutrients in their rations. Inaccuracies of… DAIRYNew entries hot on heels of top genomic young siresLow maintenance costs, high milk solids and strong environmental credentials characterise the top four bulls in the latest AHDB Holstein young sire rankings, launched on 1 April 2025. Unchanged since… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all 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… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: Alan Ramsay's short-chop Krone RX 370The RX is top dog in Krone’s mid-sized forage wagon line-up, with a trio of models offering capacities from 33cu m to 40cu m. Standout features include a pivoting headboard,… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: George Reed's wide-body Fendt Tigo 65 XRAgco completed a multimillion-pound deal for Lely’s forage machinery division in 2017, giving it access to a vast range of mowers, tedders, rakes, balers and forage wagons. The latter have… FORAGE WAGONSDriver's view: James Ireland's Pottinger Jumbo 5340Pottinger introduced a new Jumbo model last summer, promising the features of its big 7000- and 8000-series forage wagons in a cheaper and more compact package. There are six twin-axle… Most popular this week
