Livestock top stories POULTRYWhy more efficient egg production requires vaccination rethinkHitting the current 72-week average laying cycle in free-range egg production was once considered exceptional, but it is not uncommon now to see white bird flocks in-lay for 110 weeks.… DAIRYHow AI-linked cameras on backing gates can improve cow flowA backing gate to improve cow flow in the collecting yard can only be as good as the person controlling it. But replacing a human with cameras linked to artificial… BROILERSPoultry sector growth held back by planning constraintsThe UK poultry sector is likely to be come increasingly reliant on imports if tough UK planning restrictions continue to block grower base expansion, visitors to this week’s British Pig… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Adapting grazing mindset helps biodiversityWe desperately need some rain here. Luckily, we had a shower the other day, but it wasn’t enough and we could definitely do with some more. The grass isn’t really… FEED AND NUTRITIONAdvice on preventing two types of spoilage in silage clampsGood operators are pushing production from forage by making top-quality, high-protein and wetter grass silages, which make it more challenging to prevent secondary fermentation. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding within the industry… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pumping slurry out to fields costs £2k moreWith calving finished, everyone has had a week’s holiday somewhere. My partner Louise and I managed a week in Fuerteventura, where the weather was mostly dry, but being nicknamed the… ENVIRONMENTNFU warns cattle permits could curb farm investmentThe NFU has warned that extending Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) to cattle farms could damage confidence and investment in the livestock sector, after receiving hundreds of survey responses from beef… PIGS5 steps to achieve good pig farm biosecurityGiven the ever-present threat of notifiable disease African swine fever, Young National Pig Association members have made a range of pledges to help improve biosecurity on pig farms. Everyone has… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on pre-mowing grazing paddocks with poor residualsPaddocks with poor residuals after the first two grazing rounds can be reset now by pre-mowing before the grass plant gets into its reproductive phase. Wet ground conditions, over allocation… DAIRYSmart dairy investments when cashflow is tightOperating in a tight financial climate means double-checking planned investments are really worth the money. Before parking this year’s building (or maintenance) project because escalating input costs are squeezing the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dock spraying delayed by late first cutIn the past couple of weeks we’ve finally started to see the sunshine and enjoy some heat. We’ve certainly had to be patient this year, but thankfully all spring crops… PIGSHow to make biosecurity effective on pig farmsThe government’s consultation on a compulsory porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus control and eradication scheme, for farms in England with more than 50 pigs, will soon close. Alongside a… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Finding cost-effective maize ground isn't easyIt’s been a busy few weeks at Newlands. We had our annual TB test, which I’m pleased to say was clear. It’s always a huge relief when the last animal… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to start rotational grazing with beef and sheepBetter grazing management has allowed the Berry family to expand their sheep and beef enterprise without the need to take on additional land. A series of measures, including rotational grazing… Livestock news ENVIRONMENTNFU warns cattle permits could curb farm investmentThe NFU has warned that extending Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) to cattle farms could damage confidence and investment in the livestock sector, after receiving hundreds of survey responses from beef… MAIZENewly drilled maize crops crying out for rainMaize drilling is largely complete on two contrasting farms in Devon and Lincolnshire, but an exceptionally dry spring is leaving growers urgently waiting for rain to secure crop establishment. In… SHEEPSheep producers warned of high incidence of orf in flocksOrf remains widespread across UK sheep flocks, with new research suggesting the disease continues to carry both economic and welfare impacts for farmers. A study by the Royal Veterinary College… POULTRYPoultry housing order to be lifted in Northern IrelandFree-range poultry producers in Northern Ireland will be able to let their birds out on the range from next Tuesday (5 May), when the mandatory housing order is officially lifted.… 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 DAIRYHow AI-linked cameras on backing gates can improve cow flowA backing gate to improve cow flow in the collecting yard can only be as good as the person controlling it. But replacing a human with cameras linked to artificial… FEED AND NUTRITIONAdvice on preventing two types of spoilage in silage clampsGood operators are pushing production from forage by making top-quality, high-protein and wetter grass silages, which make it more challenging to prevent secondary fermentation. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding within the industry… PIGS5 steps to achieve good pig farm biosecurityGiven the ever-present threat of notifiable disease African swine fever, Young National Pig Association members have made a range of pledges to help improve biosecurity on pig farms. Everyone has… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on pre-mowing grazing paddocks with poor residualsPaddocks with poor residuals after the first two grazing rounds can be reset now by pre-mowing before the grass plant gets into its reproductive phase. Wet ground conditions, over allocation… DAIRYSmart dairy investments when cashflow is tightOperating in a tight financial climate means double-checking planned investments are really worth the money. Before parking this year’s building (or maintenance) project because escalating input costs are squeezing the… PIGSHow to make biosecurity effective on pig farmsThe government’s consultation on a compulsory porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus control and eradication scheme, for farms in England with more than 50 pigs, will soon close. Alongside a… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to start rotational grazing with beef and sheepBetter grazing management has allowed the Berry family to expand their sheep and beef enterprise without the need to take on additional land. A series of measures, including rotational grazing… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTBenefits of digestible cocksfoot and tall fescue in droughtDemand for grass mixes that perform dependably in dry conditions can be met by growing cocksfoot and tall fescue, with only slight changes in management to ryegrass-dominant swards. While perennial… PARASITIC DISEASESAdvice on grazing management to reduce tick risk to cattleGrazing low-risk tick pastures with maiden heifers before they reach bulling age will help beef suckler herds to build their resistance to tickborne diseases. Combining good cattle immunity with strategies… DAIRYWhy cutting dairy carbon footprint starts in the calf shedFor one south-west dairy, cutting carbon is about producing milk more efficiently, starting with the next generation of cows. Two Pools Farm, near Bristol, is one of 50 dairy farms… POULTRYAdvice on protecting flocks from Newcastle disease virusIt was in 2006 when Great Britain last had an outbreak of Newcastle disease. With cases now confirmed in western Europe, it is possible that this highly contagious avian virus… LIVESTOCKStarter crumb v mini pellet: Which is best for chicks?Early feed intake is vital to get birds off to a good start – in those crucial first seven days, good nutrition underpins musculoskeletal development and the growth of internal… LIVESTOCK DISEASESHow timely bluetongue vaccine prevents dummy calvesA bluetongue vaccination uptake of only 50% among the suckler herd clients of a South East vet practice has been followed by several cases of dummy calves in unprotected herds.… DAIRYHow dairy farmer made savings to counter milk price dropDairy producer Paul Waterfall has had to contend with an 8p/litre drop in milk income since last autumn. The business produces 6m litres of milk annually, so this equates to… SHEEPHow farmer manages ewe condition through weather extremesFeeding ewes through last summer’s drought cost Tom Bird, Farmers Weekly‘s 2025 Sheep Farmer of the Year, a lot of money. But there are no regrets: scanning rate averaged 210%,… BEEFWhy dairy-beef enterprise fits well alongside suckler herdHarry Gilder reckons he has the best of both worlds. The 120-strong suckler herd at Moat Farm, Lower Strensham, Worcestershire, produces premium-grade carcasses off a forage-based system, while dairy-beef cattle,… Grazing advice Benefits of digestible cocksfoot and tall fescue in drought 3 ways for dairy units to make on/off grazing work Advice on grazing management to reduce tick risk to cattle Spring grazing strategies to maximise lamb performance Meat markets and pricesSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESMorrisons’ abattoir serves notice to pig producersWoodheads abattoir in Lincolnshire, owned by the supermarket chain Morrisons, has given notice to a significant number of pig producers, citing a “challenging economic climate”. Some producers are expected to… BUSINESSMull Slaughterhouse launches new livestock collection serviceA slaughterhouse and butchery service on the Scottish Isle of Mull is launching a livestock collection service to help remote farmers and crofters access local processing without arranging their own… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFantastic trade for quality stock at Stirling Bull SalesStrong demand from buyers for high-quality bulls led to a tremendous trade at the Stirling Bull Sales on 3 and 4 May, with exceptional prices paid for both pedigree and… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTight margins for UK beef sector as cattle prices declineFinished cattle prices have struggled to hold ground this spring, with deadweight values slipping by almost 80p/kg in the past year. Several meat processors have confirmed price cuts of 10p/kg… BUSINESSRising input costs and falling prices hit pig sectorPig producers are under growing financial pressure as farmgate pig prices continue to slide further below the cost of production. Finished pig prices have fallen by more than 20p/kg in… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef and sheep numbers contract at worrying rateThe UK’s beef suckler herd has declined by 20% in the past decade, with 313,000 fewer breeding beef cows on farm than in 2015. This worrying trend has continued in… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Adapting grazing mindset helps biodiversityWe desperately need some rain here. Luckily, we had a shower the other day, but it wasn’t enough and we could definitely do with some more. The grass isn’t really… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pumping slurry out to fields costs £2k moreWith calving finished, everyone has had a week’s holiday somewhere. My partner Louise and I managed a week in Fuerteventura, where the weather was mostly dry, but being nicknamed the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dock spraying delayed by late first cutIn the past couple of weeks we’ve finally started to see the sunshine and enjoy some heat. We’ve certainly had to be patient this year, but thankfully all spring crops… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Finding cost-effective maize ground isn't easyIt’s been a busy few weeks at Newlands. We had our annual TB test, which I’m pleased to say was clear. It’s always a huge relief when the last animal… Dairy DAIRYHow AI-linked cameras on backing gates can improve cow flowA backing gate to improve cow flow in the collecting yard can only be as good as the person controlling it. But replacing a human with cameras linked to artificial… DAIRYSmart dairy investments when cashflow is tightOperating in a tight financial climate means double-checking planned investments are really worth the money. Before parking this year’s building (or maintenance) project because escalating input costs are squeezing the… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTBenefits of digestible cocksfoot and tall fescue in droughtDemand for grass mixes that perform dependably in dry conditions can be met by growing cocksfoot and tall fescue, with only slight changes in management to ryegrass-dominant swards. While perennial… DAIRYHow breeding index could reduce dairy carbon footprintThe dairy genetic index EnviroCow can deliver environmental benefits on commercial dairy farms with a cumulative potential reduction in carbon footprint of up to 16%, according to a UK study.… DAIRYWhy cutting dairy carbon footprint starts in the calf shedFor one south-west dairy, cutting carbon is about producing milk more efficiently, starting with the next generation of cows. Two Pools Farm, near Bristol, is one of 50 dairy farms… DAIRYHow dairy farmer made savings to counter milk price dropDairy producer Paul Waterfall has had to contend with an 8p/litre drop in milk income since last autumn. The business produces 6m litres of milk annually, so this equates to… ENVIRONMENTDairy permitting could drive up farm costs, NFU warnsDairy farms in England could face new environmental permitting requirements under forthcoming government plans, prompting warnings from the NFU over cost and regulatory burden. Defra is expected to consult this… BREEDING AND FERTILITYPros and cons of sweeper bulls v all artificial inseminationRunning bulls in dairy herds carries safety and biosecurity risks, but they are an effective and often low-cost means of sweeping up cows and heifers not in-calf after the artificial… DAIRY10 ways to help shield dairy herds from sharp price shocksRising fuel, fertiliser and feed prices caused by the Middle East conflict could add an extra 2.1p/litre to costs, bringing the breakeven cost of milk production to 40-41p/litre. This has… LIVESTOCKTop-ranking bull Lorenzo offers strong health and longevityPeak Powerhouse, the top proven Holstein sire © Lea Jordan/Cybil Fischer Photography A lifespan index 174 days longer than the average and a strong lameness advantage have earned new entrant… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTFeeding calves colostrum: Focus on quality over quantityThe industry must develop a new blueprint for colostrum and transition milk feeding that aligns vets and nutritionists to give calf rearers clarity on early-life nutrition. The industry standard has… DAIRYSpring calving index pivots towards grazing-based systemsPlanned revisions to the spring calving index are expected to change the type of animal dominating the male and female rankings. From April, producers running grazing-based, spring-calving dairy herds will… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all BALERS AND WRAPPERSScotGrass: First look at McHale V6 750-II vari-chamber balerThis V6 750-II was the first example of McHale’s updated variable-chamber round baler line-up to make a bale on UK soil. Notable changes include isobus control fitted as standard and… LOADING SHOVELSScotGrass: Clamp-climbing shovels put on a showJCB’s 457 was one of four machines working the Slacks Farm pit, exerting its 20t-plus mass on incoming grass. It remains top dog in the Staffordshire maker’s range, and the… MUCKSPREADERSScotGrass: Strautmann relaunches forgotten muckspreader rangeHaving revised its UK distribution model by replacing sole UK importer Opico with a direct-to-dealer approach, Strautmann is planning a fresh tilt at the muck-chucker market. Its spreaders account for… FORAGE WAGONSScotGrass: Dual-use Liquido F provides additive and ballastFarmers and contractors requiring an additive system for grass harvesting and a tractor front weight for field work might find both needs met by Pottinger’s Liquido F. The Austrian firm… Most popular this week
