Livestock top stories POULTRYBird housing order to be lifted in EnglandMandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds across England, some of which have been in place since December 2024, are set to be lifted from Thursday (15 May) over… BOVINE TBWelsh TB strategy is working, claim government officialsWales 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… 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… LIVESTOCKGuide: Addressing trace element deficiency in livestockTrace elements are essential minerals required in only small amounts, but they play a huge role in the health, growth, fertility, and performance of sheep and cattle. Despite their tiny… LAYERSWhat new RSPCA Assured layer standards mean for farmersProviding 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 FOCUSFarmer Focus: Morale boost as lambing and calving completedThe 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… 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… 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… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Efforts pay off as 69% of cows calve in 16 daysIt 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… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Turnout hit by ewe mastitis and lamb pneumoniaI 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… POULTRYBird housing order to be lifted in Northern IrelandCompulsory 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 WELFAREBluetongue vaccine efficacy and availability concerns raisedThe 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 WELFARECranswick pig farm suspended after welfare abuse claimsMeat 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 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… 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… HEALTH AND WELFAREBluetongue vaccine efficacy and availability concerns raisedThe 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… 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 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… 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… 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 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… 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… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Morale boost as lambing and calving completedThe 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 FOCUSFarmer Focus: Efforts pay off as 69% of cows calve in 16 daysIt 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 FOCUSFarmer Focus: Turnout hit by ewe mastitis and lamb pneumoniaI 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 FOCUSFarmer Focus: Renewed efforts at rotational grazing plannedWe 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 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… 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… 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
