Livestock top stories 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,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Tight lambing block efficient but exhaustingWe are in the midst of the busiest and hardest time of year on the farm. While drilling and combining can mean long hours, it is the physicality of lambing… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dairy herd progress shaped by US study tripsSpring doesn’t seem to know if it’s coming or going. We’ve had some glorious days, but never two together. We’ve been spreading muck and ploughing ready for the maize, which… BOVINE TBDefra awards £15m badger vaccination contractA major new drive to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been launched after Defra awarded a £15.2m contract to Farmcare Solutions to expand badger vaccination across England. The joint venture… 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… HEALTH AND WELFAREDeadline looms for Defra’s mandatory vet visit consultationFarmers have just over a month left to respond to a major Defra consultation that could make vet visits mandatory on farms in England. Launched at the NFU Conference in… POULTRYBreeding ducks in Lincolnshire confirmed with avian influenzaHighly pathogenic avian influenza has struck again, with a farm housing breeding ducks in Lincolnshire the latest to succumb to the disease. The outbreak, confirmed on Saturday (11 April) on… 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,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rising costs prompt renewed efficiency focusI’m writing this article on my phone in the lambing shed, waiting for a ewe to deliver her second lamb. I prefer to let ewes lamb naturally with minimal intervention,… 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Cameras in calving shed well worth the moneyIt has been a good start to calving so far, with just under 70% of the herd having successfully calved within the first month. The recent dry spell of weather… 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… 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… Livestock news BOVINE TBDefra awards £15m badger vaccination contractA major new drive to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been launched after Defra awarded a £15.2m contract to Farmcare Solutions to expand badger vaccination across England. The joint venture… POULTRYBreeding ducks in Lincolnshire confirmed with avian influenzaHighly pathogenic avian influenza has struck again, with a farm housing breeding ducks in Lincolnshire the latest to succumb to the disease. The outbreak, confirmed on Saturday (11 April) on… LIVESTOCK DISEASESSheep scab scheme cuts disease across 2,000 Welsh farmsA Welsh government-backed programme has made significant progress in reducing sheep scab, having helped more than 2,000 farmers manage one of the sector’s most costly diseases. The Gwaredu Scab initiative,… HEALTH AND WELFAREAuctioneer dismay at Holyrood's approach to bluetonguePlans to reintroduce movement restrictions on livestock to Scotland this summer have prompted concern among auctioneers, who warn the measures could disrupt trade during a key period for the sector.… 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 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… 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… BREEDING AND FERTILITYBenefits of annual testing for bull and ram fertilityIn 2025, 28% of bulls tested at Friars Moor Livestock Health failed their bull breeding soundness examination. By identifying and removing this cohort of subfertile bulls, ahead of them being… SHEEPMore lambs hit carcass spec for information exchange groupSharing ideas, problems and solutions for 15 years has helped a group of Welsh lamb producers improve performance across their sheep systems. The farmers are all members of a Farming… 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… HOUSING AND HANDLINGAdvice on harvesting rainwater to build farm resilienceWet days are not just a reminder of broken gutters and downpipes in need of repair. They are an ideal time to look at the potential for recycling rainwater. Calculating… LIVESTOCKHow drying poultry manure can deliver for the bottom lineChicken manure does not always receive the best press – blamed to varying degrees for water pollution, obnoxious smells and general unpleasantness. But for north-east egg producer and regenerative arable… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of smart ear tag calf data for targeted treatmentSmart ear tags for calves can pick up signs of pneumonia at least 24 hours before they are obvious to humans. But the advantage of this earlier disease detection will… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow to ensure calves absorb vital antibodies from colostrumCalves with poor immunity have a lower chance of reaching first insemination and reduced conception rates, resulting in delayed age at first calving. This finding was from a recent study… POULTRY4 year-round biosecurity focus areas to combat bird flu riskPoultry farmers can enhance year-round biosecurity to prevent avian influenza by focusing on vermin control, water management and human activity. Wild waterfowl such as geese, swans and ducks, are the… Lambing advice How to identify and treat five sheep 'iceberg diseases' Step-by-step guide to dealing with vaginal prolapse in sheep 5 tips for successfully feeding newborn lambs How to recognise and manage ringwomb in livestock in labour 5 top tips to prevent watery mouth in lambs Expert advice on assessing and managing lambing difficulties Guide to preventing enzootic abortion in ewes Video: How to successfully wet-adopt a lamb Meat markets and pricesSee all 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… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESDairy accounts for growing share of cull cow marketPoorer returns for dairy farmers throughout the winter have prompted an increase in the number of dairy cows being culled, while culls from the suckler beef herd appear more stable.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESThame farmers' market given go-ahead to relocate and expandPlanning permission has been granted for Thame Farmers Auction Mart to relocate to a new site on the edge of Thame in Oxfordshire. The livestock market is currently based in… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESStrong Easter demand for lamb while retailers slash pricesDemand for red meat is expected to increase over the Easter weekend with more than half (54%) of households planning a roast dinner, according to consumer research by Pilgrim’s Europe.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLivestock throughput rises as market turnover tops £3bnHigher livestock prices and increased throughput across almost all categories has enabled live auction marts to achieve record sales of just over £3bn in 2025. This represents a 22% increase… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Tight lambing block efficient but exhaustingWe are in the midst of the busiest and hardest time of year on the farm. While drilling and combining can mean long hours, it is the physicality of lambing… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Dairy herd progress shaped by US study tripsSpring doesn’t seem to know if it’s coming or going. We’ve had some glorious days, but never two together. We’ve been spreading muck and ploughing ready for the maize, which… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rising costs prompt renewed efficiency focusI’m writing this article on my phone in the lambing shed, waiting for a ewe to deliver her second lamb. I prefer to let ewes lamb naturally with minimal intervention,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Cameras in calving shed well worth the moneyIt has been a good start to calving so far, with just under 70% of the herd having successfully calved within the first month. The recent dry spell of weather… Dairy 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… HOUSING AND HANDLINGAdvice on harvesting rainwater to build farm resilienceWet days are not just a reminder of broken gutters and downpipes in need of repair. They are an ideal time to look at the potential for recycling rainwater. Calculating… DAIRYAre transition cows getting enough metabolisable protein?Dairy producers could be limiting early lactation performance by underfeeding metabolisable protein, as well as the amino acids methionine and lysine, to transition cows. Prof Jim Drackley of the University… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of smart ear tag calf data for targeted treatmentSmart ear tags for calves can pick up signs of pneumonia at least 24 hours before they are obvious to humans. But the advantage of this earlier disease detection will… DAIRYTips on getting the most from benchmarking to drive profitBenchmarking is good for business, but only if you are honest with the figures. The exercise becomes meaningless if the numbers are incorrect, says Cheshire-based consultant Gaynor Wellwood. Results are… DAIRYHow milk source heat pumps have slashed dairy’s energy billsInstalling three milk source heat pumps is saving a Somerset cheesemaker more than £70,000 a year on electricity bills. Investment by Barber’s, Maryland Farm, Ditcheat, in this new technology is… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all 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… MOWERSClaas Disco 1100 plain disc mower gets crop swathing augersBuyers of Claas’s big Disco 1100 plain butterfly disc mowers can now spec a Direct Swather system on the back. It comprises a pair of augers that grab crop straight… GRASSLAND AND MAIZE EQUIPMENTTwo-in-one Visqueen silage cover speeds up clamp sheetingVisqueen has developed a twin-layer sheet that halves the time it takes to properly seal a silage pit. The first part of the Synergy combination is the firm’s Clingseal vacuum… LOADING SHOVELSDriver’s view: The good and bad of JCB’s 435S loading shovelJCB’s self-proclaimed “king of the clamp” underwent some subtle surgery last winter, giving it more power, more torque and a nifty new lever-steer system. An early example of this latest… Most popular this week
