Livestock top stories DAIRYHow cow ownership can retain staff on block-calving unitsOffering staff the chance to own cows in the business is maintaining a good policy of recruitment and retention for a New Zealand dairy business that operates 58,000 cows. But… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: New role with outdoor farrow-to-finish operationA few months back, when it became apparent to me that my time with LSB pigs was going to come to an end, I found myself with an opportunity to… DAIRYHow advance planning for drying off protects herd healthThinking ahead and being organised to plan drying off the whole herd is an opportunity to do a superb job and set the business up well for the following season.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Grass stressed but rain in time for wholecropWell, getting out the paddling pool worked. Almost too well! It can stop raining for another six weeks any time now. We’ve had more rain in the past two weeks… DAIRYAdvice on measuring milk from forage in grass-based herdsFarmers Weekly’s recent dairy sustainability survey revealed the average herd is producing 3,258 litres from forage. But is this metric still a reliable measure of efficiency in a grass-based business?… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of lung scanning for respiratory disease in calvesA study involving eight commercial dairy farms has flagged up the value of scanning calf lungs for respiratory disease damage. Some two-thirds of the animals found with lesions had never… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Welcome rain for reseeds and silage spruce-upThe rain came at last and saved the day. The last week in May we had plenty of showers to give our fields a good old soak, and it brought… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Welcome rain for reseeds and silage spruce-upThe rain came at last and saved the day. The last week in May we had plenty of showers to give our fields a good old soak, and it brought… LIVESTOCKEgg producer's verdict on best alternative protein for layersFrom manure to processing, emissions from egg production can be tricky to manage. But replacing some, or all, of the soya in a standard flock’s diet with other proteins is… MEDICINESZinc oxide ban increases antibiotics use on Danish pig farmsThe 2022 ban on zinc oxide use on Danish pig farms has been followed by a sharp increase of antimicrobial use (AMU) on holdings, a study by Denmark’s National Food… ASSESSING PERFORMANCEHow data management drives decision making for Romney flockA pocket data management system combined with automated handling has improved workflow and decision making for sheep farmer Tom Hadley. With a flock of Romneys, together with shearing and other… LIVESTOCKIndustry calls for action as farm vet shortage worsensAnimal health specialist and medicine supplier Zoetis has drafted an industry white paper calling for action to tackle staffing shortages within the veterinary sector. A white paper published by Zoetis… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Bulling heifers grow at 2.25kg on grazed grassRain, finally! An exceptionally dry spring for us was beginning to take its toll on our grass availability, with many areas burning up. Thankfully, we have now had a timely… PARASITIC DISEASESSheep farmers urged to be alert as worm infections riseSheep farmers are being encouraged to watch out for Haemonchus contortus infections – commonly known as Barber’s Pole worm –.after a rise in incidence. The Sustainable Control of Parasites in… Livestock news LIVESTOCK DISEASESFinancial support for bluetongue testing ruled outFarmers who are required to pre-movement test their animals due to bluetongue policies in Wales, will not be financially compensated by the Welsh or UK government. The Welsh government is… MEDICINESZinc oxide ban increases antibiotics use on Danish pig farmsThe 2022 ban on zinc oxide use on Danish pig farms has been followed by a sharp increase of antimicrobial use (AMU) on holdings, a study by Denmark’s National Food… LIVESTOCKIndustry calls for action as farm vet shortage worsensAnimal health specialist and medicine supplier Zoetis has drafted an industry white paper calling for action to tackle staffing shortages within the veterinary sector. A white paper published by Zoetis… FARM POLICYWelsh bluetongue border policy sparks industry concernsThe Welsh government’s decision to enforce a hard border with England from 1 July to prevent bluetongue virus (BTV) from spreading has drawn criticism from the farming community. Under the… 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 cow ownership can retain staff on block-calving unitsOffering staff the chance to own cows in the business is maintaining a good policy of recruitment and retention for a New Zealand dairy business that operates 58,000 cows. But… DAIRYHow advance planning for drying off protects herd healthThinking ahead and being organised to plan drying off the whole herd is an opportunity to do a superb job and set the business up well for the following season.… DAIRYAdvice on measuring milk from forage in grass-based herdsFarmers Weekly’s recent dairy sustainability survey revealed the average herd is producing 3,258 litres from forage. But is this metric still a reliable measure of efficiency in a grass-based business?… ASSESSING PERFORMANCEHow data management drives decision making for Romney flockA pocket data management system combined with automated handling has improved workflow and decision making for sheep farmer Tom Hadley. With a flock of Romneys, together with shearing and other… PIGSHow collecting weight data helps improve pig unit efficiencyRoutinely weighing a batch of pigs helps improve farm efficiency and creates a business that is attractive to staff, ultimately leading to better pig welfare and more profit. Northants pig… DAIRYHow to use herd data to create effective change on farmWe have access to more herd data than ever, but how can we ensure we are using these data effectively to improve the areas that are important to us? The… DAIRYAdvice on buying second-hand robotic milkersBuying a second-hand robotic milker can help reduce start-up costs or add capacity to an existing setup. However, buyers must be aware that parts can become obsolete, new models may… LIVESTOCKThe importance of proper staff induction on livestock farmsThe staff recruitment process does not stop the day a new employee begins work. An induction period is essential to settle someone into their role, familiarise them with the farm,… DAIRYAdvice on supporting liver health in high-yielding cowsWe are all familiar with the challenges posed by the transition period in high-yielding dairy cows. However, ongoing research is demonstrating the value of more specific support for liver function… SHEEPHighs and lows of lambing season for award-winning farmerAnnie Carr is counting the cost of a dog attack on her ewe lambs just days before their due date. Out of 50 ewe lambs tupped, 10 had dead lambs… DAIRY'Little wins' improve milk and protein yield on Cornish farmMilk quality has not been compromised as yields have increased on a 550-cow dairy farm near Bodmin, Cornwall. In fact, while yields at Treveglos Farm are up by 1,200 litres… HEALTH AND WELFAREWhat farmers can gain from a vet discussion groupWith both farming and veterinary industries constantly evolving, discussion groups are a great way to keep in touch with current recommendations. Oakhill Farm Vets have been running the Red Rose… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow passive transfer testing gives calves a good startOn-farm blood testing to check dairy calves for successful passive transfer from colostrum has helped a 780-cow herd validate its protocols. Within six months, correlating the outcomes with calf health,… HOUSING AND HANDLINGAdvice on parlour maintenance for expanding herdsBigger herds and increased milking frequency can see some parlours operating 20 hours a day and, inevitably, that puts pressure on machinery and people. Herd expansion necessitates a complete rethink… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow spring block calver uses nurse cows to rear replacementsEase of management is the driver for a family farm in east Devon to leave the job of rearing heifer replacements to the cows themselves. Tim Wall, who runs a… DAIRYHow LED lights improved milk yield and dairy staff wellbeingA Herefordshire dairy farm is reaping the rewards of a powerful business upgrade, as brighter sheds have led to higher milk yields and happier staff. Over the past year, Ellie… Sheep grazing advice Advice on feeding creep to lambs efficiently How to budget and allocate rotational grazing for ewes Farmer learnings on grazing sheep on multispecies swards 5 tips for managing livestock and grazing in drier weather Meat markets and pricesSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSpring lambs see resurgence as values lift back above £7/kgThe lamb trade seems to have had a resurgence in the past month after a fairly subdued spring. Tight supplies have supported lamb prices in June, with fewer hoggets left… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESIndustry welcomes retention of discount for meat inspectionFarmer groups and rare breeds enthusiasts have welcomed a decision by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to retain the Small Abattoir Discount on meat inspection charges following a board meeting… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESPilgrim's launch 20-year pig contracts for producersMajor meat processor Pilgrim’s Europe has unveiled a new 20-year contract for its pig farmers in a bid to provide long-term financial security, encourage investment on farm and ensure producers… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFSA discount decision threatens small abattoirsThe future of the remaining 47 small abattoirs in England and Wales hangs in the balance as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) debates whether to continue the Small Abattoir Discount… MARKETS AND TRENDSGood prospect for exports despite UK's shrinking herdFalling numbers of beef and sheep in the UK will make future export expansion a challenge, but continued access to overseas markets remains crucial to maximise carcass value, according to… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK beef set for export growth after BSE risk downgradeThe UK’s beef sector is poised for a major export boost following the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reclassifying the country’s BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) risk status to “negligible”.… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: New role with outdoor farrow-to-finish operationA few months back, when it became apparent to me that my time with LSB pigs was going to come to an end, I found myself with an opportunity to… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Grass stressed but rain in time for wholecropWell, getting out the paddling pool worked. Almost too well! It can stop raining for another six weeks any time now. We’ve had more rain in the past two weeks… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Welcome rain for reseeds and silage spruce-upThe rain came at last and saved the day. The last week in May we had plenty of showers to give our fields a good old soak, and it brought… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Bulling heifers grow at 2.25kg on grazed grassRain, finally! An exceptionally dry spring for us was beginning to take its toll on our grass availability, with many areas burning up. Thankfully, we have now had a timely… Dairy DAIRYHow cow ownership can retain staff on block-calving unitsOffering staff the chance to own cows in the business is maintaining a good policy of recruitment and retention for a New Zealand dairy business that operates 58,000 cows. But… DAIRYHow advance planning for drying off protects herd healthThinking ahead and being organised to plan drying off the whole herd is an opportunity to do a superb job and set the business up well for the following season.… DAIRYAdvice on measuring milk from forage in grass-based herdsFarmers Weekly’s recent dairy sustainability survey revealed the average herd is producing 3,258 litres from forage. But is this metric still a reliable measure of efficiency in a grass-based business?… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of lung scanning for respiratory disease in calvesA study involving eight commercial dairy farms has flagged up the value of scanning calf lungs for respiratory disease damage. Some two-thirds of the animals found with lesions had never… DAIRYHow to use herd data to create effective change on farmWe have access to more herd data than ever, but how can we ensure we are using these data effectively to improve the areas that are important to us? The… DAIRYAdvice on buying second-hand robotic milkersBuying a second-hand robotic milker can help reduce start-up costs or add capacity to an existing setup. However, buyers must be aware that parts can become obsolete, new models may… DAIRYAdvice on supporting liver health in high-yielding cowsWe are all familiar with the challenges posed by the transition period in high-yielding dairy cows. However, ongoing research is demonstrating the value of more specific support for liver function… DAIRYHow farmers can benefit from advances in milking techIn the busy world of dairy farming, the milking machine is often just an everyday tool that fulfils its purpose, then is turned off and forgotten about until the next… DAIRY'Little wins' improve milk and protein yield on Cornish farmMilk quality has not been compromised as yields have increased on a 550-cow dairy farm near Bodmin, Cornwall. In fact, while yields at Treveglos Farm are up by 1,200 litres… HEALTH AND WELFAREWhat farmers can gain from a vet discussion groupWith both farming and veterinary industries constantly evolving, discussion groups are a great way to keep in touch with current recommendations. Oakhill Farm Vets have been running the Red Rose… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow passive transfer testing gives calves a good startOn-farm blood testing to check dairy calves for successful passive transfer from colostrum has helped a 780-cow herd validate its protocols. Within six months, correlating the outcomes with calf health,… HOUSING AND HANDLINGAdvice on parlour maintenance for expanding herdsBigger herds and increased milking frequency can see some parlours operating 20 hours a day and, inevitably, that puts pressure on machinery and people. Herd expansion necessitates a complete rethink… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all TRAILERSCereals 2025: Grizzly develops £55k isobus bale trailerGrizzly Fabrications has pushed the boundary of how much technology can be squeezed into a trailer by fitting its Terra-Line bale lugger with isobus control. The result is that a… WORKSHOP SKILLSDairy farmer converts bin lorry to dish out dairy rationsHaving spent his formative years driving HGVs, Niall Turley doesn’t always turn to tractors for powering implements on his family’s dairy farm near Camlough, County Armagh. So much so that… MUCKSPREADERSSelf-propelled Oxbo spreader mixes muck in with soilCultivating to incorporate yard manure, compost and solids digestate as it is spread is a new capability for the biggest self-propelled muck machine from Oxbo, the Dutch manufacturer previously called… FORAGERSContractor keeps costs down with quartet of ageing JaguarsRegularly forking out for new forage harvesters is one way of keeping reliability in check, but Neil Jones has found it far more cost effective to build strength in numbers.… Most popular this week
