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WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHED

Video: What's in your livestock shed? visits a sheep dairy

Having always kept a small flock of Mules, vets John Bailey and Heather Benbow have now realised their dream to make cheese from their own milking flock. The couple sold…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Agriculture bears brunt of changing weather

From the start of the 2023/24 season, all that seems to have happened is that I’ve dug myself into a deeper and deeper hole. I have no option but to…

DAIRY

How adviser's dairy foot health focus improved milk yields

Veterinary lameness expert Sara Pedersen is seeing real progress in improving the foot heath of the nation’s dairy herds, a problem that is estimated by the Royal Veterinary College to…

MEDICINES

Defra launches plan to combat antimicrobial resistance

Defra has today announced a new five-year plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a global issue that makes infections difficult or impossible to treat, and affects humans and animals…

DAIRY

How 4 once-a-day milking options affect profitability

Reducing milking frequency to once a day can cut the workload for dairy farmers. However, a new report commissioned in Wales by Farming Connect has shown that for some businesses,…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Sheep numbers likely to stay low

When I wrote my last column, I thought we were on the cusp of spring. I was sure the longer days and sunshine were just around the corner – how…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Bluetongue vaccine for UK farmers 'unlikely' this summer

The government is liaising with vaccine manufacturers on the development of an authorised bluetongue vaccine, but one is unlikely to be available for UK farmers this season. A vaccine for…

Livestock news

FARM POLICY

Farmer criticises RPA's approach on cattle passports

A dairy farmer has criticised the Rural Payments Agency for showing zero leniency over a single late passport application out of 4,400 in 20 years. Michael Colwell, who farms 350…

SCHMALLENBERG

Schmallenberg survey calls for farmers to take part

Virology researchers at the University of Nottingham are calling for farmers to complete their latest Schmallenberg impact survey. The study, carried out by researchers at the university’s School of Veterinary…

SCHMALLENBERG

Farmers say more data needed on Schmallenberg impact

Farmers are calling for a more definitive method of recording cases of Schmallenberg virus, as the true extent of the issue remains largely unrecorded. Sheep farmers across the country have…

LIVESTOCK

The Hokey Cokey method: How to make flocks lamb only by day

This story was published on 1 April as an April Fool's joke Sheep farmers can look forward to a stress-free lambing in future after a groundbreaking study revealed how to…

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WHATS IN YOUR LIVESTOCK SHED

Video: What's in your livestock shed? visits a sheep dairy

Having always kept a small flock of Mules, vets John Bailey and Heather Benbow have now realised their dream to make cheese from their own milking flock. The couple sold…

DAIRY

How adviser's dairy foot health focus improved milk yields

Veterinary lameness expert Sara Pedersen is seeing real progress in improving the foot heath of the nation’s dairy herds, a problem that is estimated by the Royal Veterinary College to…

DAIRY

How 4 once-a-day milking options affect profitability

Reducing milking frequency to once a day can cut the workload for dairy farmers. However, a new report commissioned in Wales by Farming Connect has shown that for some businesses,…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

What can be done to prevent bluetongue virus?

Insecticides and repellents will not prevent cattle and sheep from being infected with bluetongue virus, scientists are warning. Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious, non-contagious virus spread by Culicoides biting…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Advice on grazing management for dairy heifers

Well-managed rotational grazing for dairy replacements can produce cost-effective growth and train calves to become effective grazers. However, it is important to recognise the limitations in their first grazing year.…

DAIRY

How separate milking groups helped parlour efficiency

Getting more heifers to calve down for a second lactation and improving milking parlour efficiency are the result of William Baillie’s herd group dynamics at Hillhead Farm, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Making…

BROILERS

4 ways to achieve a low feed conversion ratio in broilers

Effective hygiene is the first step to ensure broilers convert their feed efficiently into weight gain. Without this, it is likely to be an uphill struggle to maintain their health,…

PIGS

How a Yorkshire pig and arable setup is cutting carbon

Home-grown beans have replaced 50% of the soya bought in for finisher rations, and slurry additives have cut ammonia emissions by more than 10% in ongoing trials at an East…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

How to get the most from red clover in silage

Red clover silage leys respond well in a multicut system, with best results from mowing every five weeks. Cutting at the red bud stage just before flowering in mid-May will…

LAYERS

Advice on free-range layer rations, stage by stage

From early chick development to transition into laying, feeding birds the correct nutrition at every stage will help achieve the best possible performance and egg quality. Attention to detail is…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Transition farmer achieves closed sheep flock goal

Achieving his goal of running a closed sheep flock to improve ewe health has been a slower process than James MacCartney anticipated, involving three years of breeding replacements and screening…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Second farm investment helps pig farmers meet business goals

Investing in a second farm with buildings is helping pig farmers Vicky and Kate Morgan take back control. The appeal of the former 30-acre pig breeding site was its farmyard…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Transition Farmers expand and restructure businesses

Farmers Weekly’s Transition project is following a group of farmers on their journey to adapt and meet the challenges of farming. Here, we look at the progress of two farms.…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Why Gloucs dairy farmer is adopting longer-grass grazing

A Gloucestershire dairy farmer is adapting her grazing management to make her farm more resilient as the climate changes, improving her soil health and reducing reliance on inputs. Third-generation farmer…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

6 tips for managing this year’s first-cut silage

Slurry stores are full and forage stocks are running dangerously low on many farms. While grass is generally growing well, many fields remain vulnerable to damage by poaching and machinery.…

SHEEP

How Ayrshire hill farm runs sheep for £11 a ewe

A total cash cost of less than £11 a ewe is helping a family business buy hill ground in Ayrshire. Strict culling in a low-intervention system and accepting the environmental…

Wet turnout

Meat markets and prices

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MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Global sow herd stabilises as pig producers return to profit

The tide finally seems to be turning for the global pork sector and after a period of herd contraction, pig numbers are now beginning to stabilise. Better returns for pig…

BUSINESS

Top third of Welsh suckler herds cut costs to below 140p/kg

The top third of beef suckler herds in Wales had total costs of 139.2p/kg in 2022/23, which was less than half of those in the bottom third of producers, according…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Lidl commits to British pork and cost of production contracts

Discount retailer Lidl has introduced new contracts for pork producers that guarantee a margin for farmers above the cost of production. It will invest £500m through this new initiative and…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Store cattle hit £2,000 a head peak at Scots auction marts

Scottish livestock farmers have been receiving higher returns for store cattle at auction markets so far this year, with prices consistently above the same period in 2023. Store cattle prices…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Export trade adds nearly £2bn in value to UK red meat sector

UK farmgate prices for beef, pork, and lamb are all being bolstered by valuable global export markets for red meat. Speaking at the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims) annual…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Record-breaking lamb trade hits peak but stays above £8/kg

The spike in demand for lamb from Easter and Ramadan may be passing, with Eid al Fitr ending proceedings on 10 April. However, deadweight lamb prices have continued to hold…

Livestock community

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Agriculture bears brunt of changing weather

From the start of the 2023/24 season, all that seems to have happened is that I’ve dug myself into a deeper and deeper hole. I have no option but to…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Sheep numbers likely to stay low

When I wrote my last column, I thought we were on the cusp of spring. I was sure the longer days and sunshine were just around the corner – how…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Let’s keep the anti-meat agenda honest

Not all heroes wear capes, or in this case, not all heroines. Bear with me because this is convoluted. I like to read The Guardian newspaper for its good coverage…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Hoping New Zealand genetics do the business

There was a sudden scramble to get up to speed. The list of weather-delayed tasks was immense: slurry tanks were full and sheds needed cleaning out as the stock were…

Dairy

DAIRY

How adviser's dairy foot health focus improved milk yields

Veterinary lameness expert Sara Pedersen is seeing real progress in improving the foot heath of the nation’s dairy herds, a problem that is estimated by the Royal Veterinary College to…

DAIRY

How 4 once-a-day milking options affect profitability

Reducing milking frequency to once a day can cut the workload for dairy farmers. However, a new report commissioned in Wales by Farming Connect has shown that for some businesses,…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

What can be done to prevent bluetongue virus?

Insecticides and repellents will not prevent cattle and sheep from being infected with bluetongue virus, scientists are warning. Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious, non-contagious virus spread by Culicoides biting…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Advice on grazing management for dairy heifers

Well-managed rotational grazing for dairy replacements can produce cost-effective growth and train calves to become effective grazers. However, it is important to recognise the limitations in their first grazing year.…

DAIRY

How separate milking groups helped parlour efficiency

Getting more heifers to calve down for a second lactation and improving milking parlour efficiency are the result of William Baillie’s herd group dynamics at Hillhead Farm, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Making…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Tips for establishing white clover in a sward

A combination of correct pH, good seed-bed conditions and minimal competition from weeds is important for successful clover germination, according to consultant Andre van Barneveld of Graise Consultancy in Ireland.…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Why Gloucs dairy farmer is adopting longer-grass grazing

A Gloucestershire dairy farmer is adapting her grazing management to make her farm more resilient as the climate changes, improving her soil health and reducing reliance on inputs. Third-generation farmer…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

6 tips for managing this year’s first-cut silage

Slurry stores are full and forage stocks are running dangerously low on many farms. While grass is generally growing well, many fields remain vulnerable to damage by poaching and machinery.…

PARASITIC DISEASES

Grazing dairies urged to help develop parasite forecast model

Dairy farmers with cows at grass can help researchers investigate parasitic disease in grazing herds by giving permission to have their milk tested. Liverpool University postgraduate student and University Centre…

FEED AND NUTRITION

6 things to watch out for in wet spring maize campaign

Maize growers should be prepared to address soil compaction and drill later if required after a record-breaking period of rainfall. The wettest 18-month period across England in recorded history could…

CALVING

Why portable milkers can ease stress at calving

Using a portable milking machine in the calving pen is the easiest and fastest way to harvest a cow’s first colostrum and avoid having to move a newly calved cow.…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

5 ways to ensure a safe and successful beef calving

Understanding basic principles of animal behaviour and physiology can help farmers develop a functional and safe calving system. Rarely a year goes by without Health and Safety Executive records showing…

Livestock machinery

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TELEHANDLERS

Weidemann extends telehandler range with 9m-reach T9535

Having focused for many years on articulated loaders – plus a couple of ultra-compact four-wheel-steer models along the way – Weidemann is now growing its full-size telehandler portfolio. The latest…

TELEHANDLERS

Dieci adds big, 153hp T80 to pivot-steer telehandler range

Dieci’s bend-in-the-middle Agri Pivot range has been bolstered with the introduction of a new flagship model, the T80. Power is the headline improvement, with the switch to a 4.5-litre FPT…

GRASSLAND AND MAIZE EQUIPMENT

Devon firm develops simple tine-and-harrow grass rejuvenator

Tractek Engineering has launched a new 2m-wide grassland rejuvenation tool that combines spring-loaded scarifying tines with a traditional chain harrow mat. The nattily named Scarrow is the first implement produced…

TELEHANDLERS

Grower helps develop Teli-squeeze grab for veg boxes

A purpose-built box grab has enabled a large-scale pumpkin grower to save time, improve safety, and reduce the number of tractors needed when moving wooden crates. Warwickshire-based outfit DJ Beards…

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