Livestock top stories LIVESTOCKHow a whole-flock health strategy cut lameness to 1.4%Adopting a whole-flock approach to health has helped a Carmarthenshire farmer to reduce lameness from 3% to 1.4% while improving lambing output. Neil Stoddart is a full-time forester and first-generation… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dry matter error spotted in transition dietThe wet fifth-cut silage has come back at a staggering 16% dry matter. I don’t think that’s a record, but it must be pretty close. We’re feeding it already to… LIVESTOCKScotland declares nationwide bird flu prevention zoneAn Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been introduced across Scotland, requiring poultry keepers to implement stricter biosecurity measures amid rising bird flu cases. The new rules came into force at… BOVINE TBDefra urged to step up bulk milk testing in TB fightFarming, veterinary, and dairy industry organisations are urging the government to adopt bulk tank milk testing as an extra layer of defence against bovine tuberculosis (TB), following a major national… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow feeding according to breed can benefit growth ratesResearch is showing why it makes financial and practical sense in dairy-beef enterprises to match different breed growth rates to a farm’s acreage, labour availability and infrastructure. A study on… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: New grazing challenges heifer immunity to ticksIt has been a welcome change to the weather here. With the drop in temperature and some much-needed rain, it is easy to forget how dry it was during the… HEALTH AND WELFAREHow to reduce routine fluke treatmentsA 2,000-ewe farming enterprise has the confidence to not routinely treat breeding stock with a flukicide this autumn after adopting a new approach to monitoring and controlling infestation risk. See… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Electrical inspection prompts sockets updateGrass seeds went in at the end of September and, thanks to a spell of warm weather and steady showers, they have soon got away. The conditions also allowed us… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow smart ear tag data shows scope for tailored calf rearingLarge heifer-rearing operations in the US are using smart ear tag data to assess the effects of management on calves by analysing their rumination patterns before and after changes. See… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Late season grazing helps winter silage budgetAutumn came with a flush of quality grass, so we stopped feeding silage for the cows during September and only reintroduced it back into their diet in mid-October. But the… LIVESTOCKDisease surveillance under strain as outbreaks surgeSerious livestock diseases could slip through the net as Britain’s animal health services struggle to cope with multiple outbreaks, MPs have been warned. The NFU raised concerns about disease surveillance… BLUETONGUEFertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection falloutFarmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow farm's slurry covers meet the challenge of a wet winterThe value in topping a Pembrokeshire dairy farm’s 4,000 cu m (879,877-gallon) slurry lagoon with an impermeable cover was brought into focus last autumn during weeks of heavy rain. A… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: All three cuts in ration provides consistencyI’ve not fallen off the new bike, yet! We managed a couple of days up in Angus for half term with the boys and took it with us in the… Livestock news LIVESTOCKScotland declares nationwide bird flu prevention zoneAn Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been introduced across Scotland, requiring poultry keepers to implement stricter biosecurity measures amid rising bird flu cases. The new rules came into force at… BOVINE TBDefra urged to step up bulk milk testing in TB fightFarming, veterinary, and dairy industry organisations are urging the government to adopt bulk tank milk testing as an extra layer of defence against bovine tuberculosis (TB), following a major national… LIVESTOCKDisease surveillance under strain as outbreaks surgeSerious livestock diseases could slip through the net as Britain’s animal health services struggle to cope with multiple outbreaks, MPs have been warned. The NFU raised concerns about disease surveillance… LIVESTOCKNFU Scotland warns pig sector crisis far from overScotland’s pig sector remains in crisis, with independent producers losing more than £1m a month and businesses continuing to exit the industry, NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon has warned. Speaking… 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 LIVESTOCKHow a whole-flock health strategy cut lameness to 1.4%Adopting a whole-flock approach to health has helped a Carmarthenshire farmer to reduce lameness from 3% to 1.4% while improving lambing output. Neil Stoddart is a full-time forester and first-generation… HEALTH AND WELFAREHow to reduce routine fluke treatmentsA 2,000-ewe farming enterprise has the confidence to not routinely treat breeding stock with a flukicide this autumn after adopting a new approach to monitoring and controlling infestation risk. See… BLUETONGUEFertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection falloutFarmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow farm's slurry covers meet the challenge of a wet winterThe value in topping a Pembrokeshire dairy farm’s 4,000 cu m (879,877-gallon) slurry lagoon with an impermeable cover was brought into focus last autumn during weeks of heavy rain. A… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTBenefits of analysing slurry as it's being spreadComprehensive in-field nutrient analysis has turned dairy slurry from “a headache” into a valuable product for Norman Osborne, who farms at Tobarn Farm, near Jacobstow, Cornwall. Establishing the nitrogen, potassium… HOUSING AND HANDLINGBenefits of daily interaction with cattle to ease handlingAutomating jobs such as bedding up and feeding saves labour, improves farm efficiency and can increase stock performance. Yet beef farmers are advised to be aware of unintended consequences –… BREEDING AND FERTILITYWays to shift to autumn calving to avoid milk penaltiesDemand from dairy processors for a consistent milk supply is encouraging farmers to review their production profiles. Even some of the most committed spring calvers are introducing changes to create… MAIZEAdvice on cropping decisions for 2027 forage maize cropsMaize growers whose crops suffered this year in the heatwaves and prolonged drought are advised to prepare for these extreme conditions again in 2027, as predicted by the Met Office.… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTSteps to mitigate a winter forage shortfall after droughtBeef and sheep farmers are advised to measure grass and count silage stocks now to establish their feed position and determine whether they can meet their farm’s feed demand this… LIVESTOCKHow focus on profit a litre drives dairy’s performanceDairy farmer Jack Munday has scrutinised every cost to push for greater profit a litre using a system that fits the available resources. This has meant taking every opportunity to… LIVESTOCKHow funding boost improved performance in two flocksThe farmers I work with are inquisitive, knowledgeable and strive to improve their productivity. Each year brings about its own challenges, commonly in the form of weather or disease, but… BEEFWhy farm data matters in breeding robust cowsGreater use of genetic data to support breeding decisions is key to improving suckler herd productivity and efficiency. Recording figures does two jobs, says AHDB’s lead animal genetics expert for… LIVESTOCKHow advanced lighting controls cut broiler feed billA 2% improvement in feed conversion ratio has saved an average £3,580 a crop across four broiler houses on a Shropshire farm since installing a lighting system that mimics natural… DAIRYHow herd exceeds 12,000 litres on twice-a-day milkingA simple, consistent system is helping a Cornish dairy to achieve the UK’s highest yield on twice-a-day milking. According to the National Milk Records’ annual production report, cows at Sixty… DAIRYHow spate of returns to service led to Q fever diagnosisStriving for high health status together with efficient production from a block-calving, grazing system hit a snag in 2023 for Dorset dairy farmer Nick Tuke. A portion of cows in… DAIRYWays housed herds can plan for the next heatwaveMitigating heat stress needs to be a key element of a farm’s management strategy for cows housed in summer. But taking inspiration from hot climates and simply investing in an… 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 MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESWelsh farmers call for ban on Brazilian beef importsWelsh livestock farmers are urging the UK government to ban Brazilian meat imports amid concerns over production standards and potential disruption to domestic markets. NFU Cymru has written to all… MARKETS AND TRENDSSimmental and Charolais bulls reach 30,000gns at StirlingA vibrant trading atmosphere saw buyers flocking from across the UK to Stirling Bull Sales on 18-19 October. Simmental and Charolais bulls commanded the top prices of the day, achieving… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBeef prices to remain supported in 2027 as herd contractsTight supplies are expected to continue to support cattle prices for the rest of 2026 and into next year, though subdued consumer demand and a changing import mix may limit… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESExport demand drives £1.1bn boost for UK red meatBritish red meat exporters are seeking to capitalise on rising overseas demand, with UK export sales reaching £1.1bn in the first half of 2026. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFood consortium seeks targeted support for local abattoirsLighter regulation and more targeted funding for local abattoirs are needed to fend off the threat of further closures. The demands are contained in a letter to prime minister Andy… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTighter lamb supplies expected to support prices through 2027Falling sheepmeat production across the UK and Europe is expected to support lamb prices throughout 2027, despite weaker consumer demand and short-term pressure from seasonal supplies. The latest Outlook report… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dry matter error spotted in transition dietThe wet fifth-cut silage has come back at a staggering 16% dry matter. I don’t think that’s a record, but it must be pretty close. We’re feeding it already to… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: New grazing challenges heifer immunity to ticksIt has been a welcome change to the weather here. With the drop in temperature and some much-needed rain, it is easy to forget how dry it was during the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Electrical inspection prompts sockets updateGrass seeds went in at the end of September and, thanks to a spell of warm weather and steady showers, they have soon got away. The conditions also allowed us… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Late season grazing helps winter silage budgetAutumn came with a flush of quality grass, so we stopped feeding silage for the cows during September and only reintroduced it back into their diet in mid-October. But the… Dairy YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow smart ear tag data shows scope for tailored calf rearingLarge heifer-rearing operations in the US are using smart ear tag data to assess the effects of management on calves by analysing their rumination patterns before and after changes. See… BLUETONGUEFertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection falloutFarmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow farm's slurry covers meet the challenge of a wet winterThe value in topping a Pembrokeshire dairy farm’s 4,000 cu m (879,877-gallon) slurry lagoon with an impermeable cover was brought into focus last autumn during weeks of heavy rain. A… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow phosphorus recovery could change slurry managementAs pressure grows on dairy farmers to manage phosphorus more carefully and reduce water pollution, novel technology to remove phosphorus from slurry could offer a game-changing solution. The technology has… BREEDING AND FERTILITYWays to shift to autumn calving to avoid milk penaltiesDemand from dairy processors for a consistent milk supply is encouraging farmers to review their production profiles. Even some of the most committed spring calvers are introducing changes to create… LIVESTOCKHow focus on profit a litre drives dairy’s performanceDairy farmer Jack Munday has scrutinised every cost to push for greater profit a litre using a system that fits the available resources. This has meant taking every opportunity to… DAIRYHow herd exceeds 12,000 litres on twice-a-day milkingA simple, consistent system is helping a Cornish dairy to achieve the UK’s highest yield on twice-a-day milking. According to the National Milk Records’ annual production report, cows at Sixty… DAIRYHow spate of returns to service led to Q fever diagnosisStriving for high health status together with efficient production from a block-calving, grazing system hit a snag in 2023 for Dorset dairy farmer Nick Tuke. A portion of cows in… DAIRYWays housed herds can plan for the next heatwaveMitigating heat stress needs to be a key element of a farm’s management strategy for cows housed in summer. But taking inspiration from hot climates and simply investing in an… DAIRYTips to minimise fetch cows in a free-access robot systemDairy farmers who have settled their cows into free-access automated milking need to regularly monitor their list of fetch cows. It’s important to take care that being escorted to milking… LIVESTOCKAdvice on reducing the risk of dry-period mastitisThe first few weeks of lactation are one of the most valuable times to collect mastitis data, yet it’s easy for data recording to slip down the priority list. Mastitis… DAIRYCurious cows produce more milk, NZ study revealsPersonality influences performance: the “curious” cow has been shown in a New Zealand study to produce a higher milk yield and more milk solids. She also spends more time grazing… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all TELEHANDLERSJCB offers 'more affordable' 3CX Sitemaster backhoe loaderFarmers keen to handle their own ditch cleaning, water pipe installation, groundworks and similar operations are being offered a “more affordable” backhoe loader – a new Sitemaster version of the… TELEHANDLERSRelaunched tracked JCB Teleskid outlifts wheeled equivalentAfter a brief period off the UK market, the tracked version of JCB’s Teleskid loader is back on sale via JCB Agriculture dealers with the latest in-cab instruments and an… BALERS AND WRAPPERSUltimate guide to buying a round baler 2027Baler buyers have several freshened-up ranges to consider, with Claas, John Deere and the Kubota group – which includes the Kubota, Kverneland and Vicon brands – making some of the… BALERS AND WRAPPERSUltimate guide to buying a big square baler 2027This year’s big square baler buyer’s guide features modest changes to manufacturers’ ranges, with Krone having consolidated its UK offering and prices generally increasing across the board. 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