Livestock top stories 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… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Constructive chat from environment inspection“Mr de Feyter, this is so-and-so from the Environment Agency. Your holding has been selected for a random inspection; we would like to arrange a date to come and see… HEALTH AND WELFAREFood companies fail to deliver on animal welfare promisesMany of the world’s largest food companies are failing to turn animal welfare commitments into consistent action on farm, according to a new global benchmark. The latest Business Benchmark on… 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.… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Lambing losses hit hard after thorough prepI have been really knocked backwards by lambing. I had thought all the planning was in place and was really looking forward to it. The silage was the best ever,… 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… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Lameness lessons to learn before next lambingThe March lambing group lambed well, with ewes in good condition, good strong lambs and plenty of milk. The downside: having to pull more lambs than usual with heads and… 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.… 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… BOVINE TBStormont backs urgent action on NI bovine TB crisisStormont has backed calls for immediate action to eradicate bovine TB, including wildlife intervention, as farmer concern grows over the long-running failure to control the disease. Members of the Legislative… Livestock news 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.… BOVINE TBStormont backs urgent action on NI bovine TB crisisStormont has backed calls for immediate action to eradicate bovine TB, including wildlife intervention, as farmer concern grows over the long-running failure to control the disease. Members of the Legislative… 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 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,… LIVESTOCKWhy rearing organic poultry is good fit for dairy farmGrowth in retail sales of organic poultrymeat could present new revenue opportunities for UK farmers. In both volume and value, the market for organic food is increasing year on year,… LIVESTOCKHow lung scanning is leading to healthier dairy calvesA growing commitment by his dairy farming clients to improve calf health is keeping vet Peter O’Malley busier than ever. See also: Benefits of lung scanning for respiratory disease in calves… FEED AND NUTRITIONSpring grazing strategies to maximise lamb performanceAs spring grass starts to flourish, it’s important to plan this year’s grazing to get lambs finished quickly. Adapting grazing strategies to try to minimise the effects of severe weather… 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… HOUSING AND HANDLINGHow cattle handling upgrade improved safety and work rateInvesting in a new cattle handling system has not just made life safer for beef farmer David Drinkwater – work is easier too. For “the price of a front axle… PIGSWhy outdoor pig breeder plans expansion into rearingPutting plans into action for a new pig rearing enterprise is top of Norfolk pig farmer Mike Durrant’s to-do list this year. Instead of selling all weaners from his 1,700… 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 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… BUSINESSM&S offers farmers decade-long contracts for beef and sheepRetail giant M&S has announced a £2.1bn investment in its British lamb and beef supply chain, aiming to provide long-term certainty for thousands of farmers amid ongoing industry pressures. The… Livestock communitySee all 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Constructive chat from environment inspection“Mr de Feyter, this is so-and-so from the Environment Agency. Your holding has been selected for a random inspection; we would like to arrange a date to come and see… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Lambing losses hit hard after thorough prepI have been really knocked backwards by lambing. I had thought all the planning was in place and was really looking forward to it. The silage was the best ever,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Lameness lessons to learn before next lambingThe March lambing group lambed well, with ewes in good condition, good strong lambs and plenty of milk. The downside: having to pull more lambs than usual with heads and… Dairy 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… ASSESSING PERFORMANCEMilk production and herd health gains rise, finds NMR reportDairy farmers are making significant gains in milk yield and fertility, while mastitis levels continue to fall, indicating higher production efficiency and a healthier national herd. The latest National Milk… FEED AND NUTRITIONWholecrop barley silage solves key challenges on dairy farmCases of milk fever in the 400 high-yielding pedigree Holsteins at Poyerston Farm numbered just two in the last calving period. Roger Lewis, who runs the autumn-calving herd in partnership… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all FORAGERSThe perks and pitfalls of owning ageing foragersThe prospect of entering a silage campaign armed with an ageing, out-of-warranty forager would leave the nerves of many agricultural contractors in tatters. But for Will Bright of Devon-based WM… MOWERSPottinger automates Novacat Collect swath placementTractor drivers who get confused with their left and right have salvation at hand with the automated swath placement system available for Pottinger’s Novacat V butterfly mowers equipped with Collect… TELEHANDLERSUltimate guide to buying a telehandler 2026Rising machinery costs remains the dominant theme in the latest Ultimate Guide for telehandlers. Overall, compact machines have increased in price by between £1,000 and £4,000, with larger rises on… TRACTORSMassey Ferguson extends 20-65hp compact tractor rangeMassey Ferguson’s revamped compact tractor range now extends to nine models in all, covering power outputs from 20-65hp with hydrostatic and all-mechanical transmissions, and open platforms or air-conditioned cabs. The… Most popular this week
