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HOUSING AND HANDLING

Dairy roofs: What is best for cows in a changing climate?

A clear roof has created pleasant working conditions for staff, a great living environment for cows in winter – and has been keeping cows cool during this summer’s heatwaves. See…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Forage stocks get 37t/ha maize boost

Well, the rain has finally come, but maybe too late for some. Our grass has really taken off in the past 10 days and should be ready to cut before…

BLUETONGUE

NI farmers warned over rising bluetongue threat

Northern Ireland farmers are being warned to remain vigilant after bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) was detected in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the livestock disease closer to the border than…

BLUETONGUE

Farmers told 'not too late' to vaccinate against bluetongue

Dairy farmers are being urged to vaccinate against BTV-3 if they haven’t already, with vets warning midges are still active and the disease will overwinter. “Everybody in England should consider…

ENVIRONMENT

Dairy farms trial 200 measures to cut emissions

Dairy farmers are trialling more than 200 practical measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions through the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN), including nutrition, breeding, animal health and nutrient management. The…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

What worked on dairy units to combat this year’s heatwaves?

“Soakers”, space, diet and shade have been effective tactics in reducing heat stress in dairy cows this year – Britain’s hottest on record, with five official heatwaves logged since May.…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Pig tent flaps are up and down like a yo-yo

I have come to the conclusion that making hay in September on our coast is either for the brave or the foolhardy. The rain at the end of August warranted…

LIVESTOCK

Benefits of heat exchangers for poultry performance

It makes a lot of sense to reuse heat that is present in poultry housing. Warming up the incoming fresh air to provide the necessary ventilation keeps the internal atmosphere…

FEED AND NUTRITION

How lucerne kept lambs growing as grass turned brown

Scaling up the acreage of drought-tolerant lucerne from 6.9ha (17 acres) to 12ha (30 acres) maintained grazing for lambs through the summer drought at Newton Farm, Brecon. While grass growth…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Finished lambs disappoint at market

So far, we have missed most of the promised rain. A fantastic crop of maize came off on the Glorious Twelfth in 37C temperatures, but the herbal ley seed stayed…

PIGS

FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Pig Farmer of the Year finalists

This year’s finalists run very different systems, but all focus on high-welfare, sustainable businesses to optimise productivity. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalists…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Extreme weather prompts grassland rethink

We have seen a return to what is a more typical weather pattern in north-east Scotland in late summer: a real mix of sunshine and rain. Grass growth has found…

BEEF

How a breed switch improved beef profit and productivity

What began as a necessity to keep the family farm afloat has shaped the success of John and Rachel Geldard’s farming enterprises and put them at the forefront of the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Rain comes too late for reseeding plans

In my last column, I mentioned that the farm was still more green than brown. That didn’t last long. The next heatwave in early to mid-August tightened its grip and…

Livestock news

BLUETONGUE

NI farmers warned over rising bluetongue threat

Northern Ireland farmers are being warned to remain vigilant after bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) was detected in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the livestock disease closer to the border than…

ENVIRONMENT

Dairy farms trial 200 measures to cut emissions

Dairy farmers are trialling more than 200 practical measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions through the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN), including nutrition, breeding, animal health and nutrient management. The…

NEWS

Vets raise concerns over new bluetongue reporting system

Vets have warned that changes to bluetongue case reporting could have unintended consequences for disease surveillance. Changes introduced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) on Friday (11 September)…

BOVINE TB

Northern Ireland bovine TB wildlife consultation extended

A public consultation on potential wildlife interventions to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland has been extended by two weeks. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera)…

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HOUSING AND HANDLING

Dairy roofs: What is best for cows in a changing climate?

A clear roof has created pleasant working conditions for staff, a great living environment for cows in winter – and has been keeping cows cool during this summer’s heatwaves. See…

BLUETONGUE

Farmers told 'not too late' to vaccinate against bluetongue

Dairy farmers are being urged to vaccinate against BTV-3 if they haven’t already, with vets warning midges are still active and the disease will overwinter. “Everybody in England should consider…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

What worked on dairy units to combat this year’s heatwaves?

“Soakers”, space, diet and shade have been effective tactics in reducing heat stress in dairy cows this year – Britain’s hottest on record, with five official heatwaves logged since May.…

LIVESTOCK

Benefits of heat exchangers for poultry performance

It makes a lot of sense to reuse heat that is present in poultry housing. Warming up the incoming fresh air to provide the necessary ventilation keeps the internal atmosphere…

FEED AND NUTRITION

How lucerne kept lambs growing as grass turned brown

Scaling up the acreage of drought-tolerant lucerne from 6.9ha (17 acres) to 12ha (30 acres) maintained grazing for lambs through the summer drought at Newton Farm, Brecon. While grass growth…

PIGS

FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Pig Farmer of the Year finalists

This year’s finalists run very different systems, but all focus on high-welfare, sustainable businesses to optimise productivity. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalists…

BEEF

How a breed switch improved beef profit and productivity

What began as a necessity to keep the family farm afloat has shaped the success of John and Rachel Geldard’s farming enterprises and put them at the forefront of the…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Tips on managing ewe condition to reduce mastitis risk

Condition scoring the flock in September, then regrouping ewes to target forage stocks to thin animals (score 2.5 or less) will generate payback in spring. Aside from more vigorous lambs…

LIVESTOCK

How eggs cracked farm profitability challenge

Diversifying into egg production has helped one family secure the future of their Welsh upland farm and create a business capable of supporting the next generation. Gareth and Rhianon Jones…

SHEEP

Advice on reducing sheep rejections at abattoir

Lamb producers should study their kill sheets to see where they may be losing out and how they can reduce future risk, so they maximise financial returns. Whether it is…

LIVESTOCK

FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalists

This year’s mixed farmer of the year finalists show a strong sense of business resilience and are producing exceptional beef cattle from contrasting systems. See also: FW Awards: Meet the…

BEEF

Advice on suckler cow checks after summer stresses

Spring-calving suckler herds are advised to bring pregnancy checks forward this year and condition score cows at the same time. After the challenges of heatwaves, drought, poor grass growth and…

LIVESTOCK

Grass mixes for outdoor pigs: what are the options?

Improved soil health, lower risk of run-off and a less dusty environment are among the benefits of running outdoor pigs on grass, rather than bare soil. Grazing keeps pigs occupied,…

LIVESTOCK

Advice on pasteurisation of colostrum to improve calf health

Antibody-rich colostrum strengthens a neonatal calf’s immune system, reducing the animal’s future risk of contracting a microbial infection. But when that feed is contaminated with bacteria, absorption of those immunoglobulins…

LIVESTOCK

FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Sheep Farmer of the Year finalists

This year’s finalists run diverse systems, but all recognise the value of good grassland management and healthy stock. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Poultry Farmer of the Year…

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

How simple system keeps calf losses at 1% for block calver

Keeping calf mortality low while calving 650 cows in a 10-week block is no small feat. At Norwood Place Farm in Surrey, a simple feeding system, tight hygiene protocols and…

Grazing advice

Meat markets and prices

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MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Prime cattle prices rise as autumn demand strengthens

Stronger autumn demand and continued limited availability have driven GB prime cattle prices up another 4p/kg to 615p/kg deadweight in the week ending 12 September. At the same time, steers…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

20,000gns Texel tops record £3m Builth ram sale

A 20,000gns Texel shearling led a record £3m-plus trade at the National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales and Border Main Ram Sale at Builth Wells on Monday (21 September). Some 2,857…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Lamb trade holds firm despite export market caution

The prime lamb trade is starting to strengthen, with latest auction returns showing prices holding well despite an increase of lambs now coming forward. “The dry weather conditions experienced in…

BUSINESS

Export potential lifts pig market outlook

Market prospects have brightened for pig producers, with stronger German prices supporting confidence and Danish welfare and environmental reforms potentially creating new export opportunities for the UK. In the week…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Cattle markets move in opposite directions

Cattle markets moved in opposite directions across Northern Ireland and Great Britain this week, with prime cattle values easing slightly in NI while GB prices made gains. In Northern Ireland,…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Calf prices stay strong as buyers chase depleted numbers

The UK calf market continues to be in a strong position for farmers, with the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) reporting “incredible” prices in some areas, driven by a shortage of…

Livestock community

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Forage stocks get 37t/ha maize boost

Well, the rain has finally come, but maybe too late for some. Our grass has really taken off in the past 10 days and should be ready to cut before…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Pig tent flaps are up and down like a yo-yo

I have come to the conclusion that making hay in September on our coast is either for the brave or the foolhardy. The rain at the end of August warranted…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Finished lambs disappoint at market

So far, we have missed most of the promised rain. A fantastic crop of maize came off on the Glorious Twelfth in 37C temperatures, but the herbal ley seed stayed…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Extreme weather prompts grassland rethink

We have seen a return to what is a more typical weather pattern in north-east Scotland in late summer: a real mix of sunshine and rain. Grass growth has found…

Dairy

HOUSING AND HANDLING

Dairy roofs: What is best for cows in a changing climate?

A clear roof has created pleasant working conditions for staff, a great living environment for cows in winter – and has been keeping cows cool during this summer’s heatwaves. See…

BLUETONGUE

Farmers told 'not too late' to vaccinate against bluetongue

Dairy farmers are being urged to vaccinate against BTV-3 if they haven’t already, with vets warning midges are still active and the disease will overwinter. “Everybody in England should consider…

ENVIRONMENT

Dairy farms trial 200 measures to cut emissions

Dairy farmers are trialling more than 200 practical measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions through the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN), including nutrition, breeding, animal health and nutrient management. The…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

What worked on dairy units to combat this year’s heatwaves?

“Soakers”, space, diet and shade have been effective tactics in reducing heat stress in dairy cows this year – Britain’s hottest on record, with five official heatwaves logged since May.…

LIVESTOCK

Advice on pasteurisation of colostrum to improve calf health

Antibody-rich colostrum strengthens a neonatal calf’s immune system, reducing the animal’s future risk of contracting a microbial infection. But when that feed is contaminated with bacteria, absorption of those immunoglobulins…

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

How simple system keeps calf losses at 1% for block calver

Keeping calf mortality low while calving 650 cows in a 10-week block is no small feat. At Norwood Place Farm in Surrey, a simple feeding system, tight hygiene protocols and…

LIVESTOCK

Advice on keeping track of dairy heifer rearing costs

Keeping calf and heifer rearing costs on a separate spreadsheet can highlight areas to cut waste and improve efficiency, while also monitoring to see if growth targets are being met.…

DAIRY

M&S rolls out AI cattle monitoring across milk pool

Dairy farmers supplying M&S are to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor cow mobility and body condition as part of a rollout across its entire milk pool. Computer vision…

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

Advice on how much milk to feed to grow resilient heifers

Calves on automatic machines can drink up to15 litres a day (when given the choice) in as few as seven and as many as 13 visits to the feeding station.…

LIVESTOCK

Advice for preventing TB in Scotland when buying cattle

Bovine TB cases in Scotland are increasing, with 31 new herd breakdowns recorded in the year to March 2026. Although herd prevalence remains low, at just 0.1%, and Scotland has…

BREEDING AND FERTILITY

£16.6m cattle genotyping scheme opens to NI farmers

Dairy and beef suckler farmers in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to join a new cattle genotyping scheme offering payments of £13 for each eligible animal. The Bovine Genetics Genotyping…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Tips on avoiding cow health risks when grazing after drought

Once rain returns, though it may be welcome, grassland managers are warned to be careful as substantial rain following a drought encourages grass growth that could be rich in nitrates.…

Livestock machinery

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TRACTORS

Zetor moves tractor production from Czech to India and China

Tractor maker Zetor has finally acknowledged it can no longer manufacture and assemble its products competitively in the city of Brno, its long-standing home in the Czech Republic. Dwindling sales…

RAKES AND MERGERS

Pottinger’s mounted rake trails in corners for neater swaths

For neatly laid swaths that a baler, forage harvester or silage wagon can easily follow through corners, Pottinger’s latest tractor-mounted rake behaves like a trailed unit. The two-rotor Top V…

BALERS AND WRAPPERS

Harvest Assist app records bale weight, moisture and location

Baling contractors and operators keen to learn more about the efficiency of their operations can gather a whole load of potentially useful data by using the latest version of Pottinger’s…

FORAGE WAGONS

Strautmann adds smaller models to Magnon forage wagon range

Professional spec, smaller sizes; that sums up the latest additions to Strautmann’s Magnon self-loading forage wagon range, which are half a metre shorter and 4cu m less capacious than their…

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