Livestock top stories 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… BOVINE TBLabour accelerates plan to end badger cullingThe Labour government is accelerating its manifesto commitment to end badger culling in England by 2029, transitioning to a non-lethal strategy to combat bovine tuberculosis (TB). In 2024, 4,110 badgers… 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… HEALTH AND WELFARESheep farmers warned as blowfly risk rises to redSheep farmers across the UK are being urged to take action after Blowfly Watch raised its national risk alert to red, signalling a high threat of blowfly strike due to… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Maize amazes, but turnips are flea beetle feastI thought I would get this article in to Farmers Weekly in plenty of time. A few easier days have been enforced after an accident while shearing. Contrary to the… Livestock news 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… BOVINE TBLabour accelerates plan to end badger cullingThe Labour government is accelerating its manifesto commitment to end badger culling in England by 2029, transitioning to a non-lethal strategy to combat bovine tuberculosis (TB). In 2024, 4,110 badgers… 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 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… DAIRYGrant brings 'excellent' improvements to youngstock handlingFor his youngstock, spring block-calver Rupert Major installed an “excellent” curved handling facility instead of an “average” one to meet the requirements for Defra funding two years ago. Farmers Weekly… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow topping up manure with biochar has improved soil healthWhen prices of manufactured fertiliser and cattle concentrates increase, Mick and Sandy Jones do not see the financial impact in their suckler beef enterprise. For 15 years, they have grown… 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 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”.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScotland’s cattle herd hits lowest in more than a decadeFalling cattle numbers in Scotland have prompted urgent calls for support for the domestic beef sector. Total female beef cattle numbers dropped below 600,000 head for the first time since… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFairer supply chain regulations for pig farmers become lawPig farmers are set to gain stronger protections and fairer treatment under new legislation aimed at improving transparency and accountability across the supply chain. Recently signed into law by ministers,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESProtein in high demand as meat prices drive food inflationFarmgate beef and lamb prices have started to ease back during May, however tight cattle supplies in the UK and further afield continue to support prices with finished steers still… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESUK pig herd set to grow despite fewer abattoirs remainingThe UK breeding pig herd is projected to reach 337,000 head by June 2025 as it continues to expand year-on-year. Pigmeat production is also forecast to grow. The AHDB projects… Livestock communitySee all 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Maize amazes, but turnips are flea beetle feastI thought I would get this article in to Farmers Weekly in plenty of time. A few easier days have been enforced after an accident while shearing. Contrary to the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Haylage stocks hold out after lambingFeeding ewes haylage in May is a first for us here at Gelston. We have split all our fields into fours and started to rotationally graze, to try and make… Dairy 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… 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… 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
