Livestock top stories FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Investment held back by poor land securityI think it is safe to say that in my two short years at home on the farm, I have experienced the best and the worst that spring has to… PIGSGene-edited pigs approved for US marketGene-edited pigs, which have been produced to be resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), have been approved for the US food supply chain. The technology, which makes pigs… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: No downside in switch to shorter mating periodsWhat a tremendous spell of weather. March came in like a lamb and went out like a lamb – thankfully no lion this year. Sunshine on the backs of beasts… 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,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Our maize is off to a good start under filmThe maize and barley are drilled. We had it all finished by 4 April – a full two weeks before we had even started in 2024. Early drilling of maize… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Our maize is off to a good start under filmThe maize and barley are drilled. We had it all finished by 4 April – a full two weeks before we had even started in 2024. Early drilling of maize… 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… 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… 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… 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… Livestock news GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTWarm, dry conditions bring silage first cut forwardRelatively dry and warm conditions through March and April have pushed first cut silage forward, with many farmers preparing to harvest a week or two earlier than normal. While… 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… 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 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… 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… 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 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… 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… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Investment held back by poor land securityI think it is safe to say that in my two short years at home on the farm, I have experienced the best and the worst that spring has to… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: No downside in switch to shorter mating periodsWhat a tremendous spell of weather. March came in like a lamb and went out like a lamb – thankfully no lion this year. Sunshine on the backs of beasts… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Our maize is off to a good start under filmThe maize and barley are drilled. We had it all finished by 4 April – a full two weeks before we had even started in 2024. Early drilling of maize… 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… Dairy 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… 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… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all 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… 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… Most popular this week
