Livestock top stories BEEFHow a vaccine transformed crypto control for one beef systemA new vaccine for cryptosporidium has markedly improved calf health and eased labour demand on a Perthshire beef farm – but it relies on excellent colostrum management to be effective.… BOVINE TBIrish cross-border TB eradication pilot to launchA new cross-border initiative to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) is due to launch within weeks, with ministers describing it as a “proof-of-concept” model for a regional approach to eradication. Daera… DAIRYProbiotics could hold key to lifetime dairy performanceTargeted use of probiotics in early life can support health, growth and, potentially, future milk yields, according to new research. Dr Colin Byrne, ruminant technical and deployment manager at Lallemand… LIVESTOCK DISEASESUFU seeks clarity on bluetongue movement rules in NIFarmers in Northern Ireland say they are being left in the dark around bluetongue restrictions, following limited communication from Daera on animal movements. Cases of bluetongue virus in livestock were… LAYERSHow free-range egg diversification solved labour dilemmaLabour is one of the biggest costs associated with running a business and can be a barrier to farmers becoming employers. For Aberdeenshire farmer Bruce Irvine, it was integrating a… POULTRYNew bird flu cases confirmed as UK remains on high alertFresh cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been confirmed in England and Scotland within 48 hours of each other, marking a February cluster that keeps the UK… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Late calving pays off after record wet JanuaryAs I write, the slurry spreading ban is being lifted in Northern Ireland, commencing the annual rush to get the slurry tanks emptied. However, with almost double the average January… BEEFHow meeting beef carcass specification reduced farm costsA switch from terminal to maternal genetics and a focus on carbon efficiency have enabled a Nottinghamshire beef farmer to make significant strides in rearing to meet market specification. And… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Vision and drive inspire on reunion farm tourDaylight hours are increasing and our young heifers are growing well, at 1.2kg daily liveweight gain, with weights suggesting we will hit our target for turnout ahead of schedule. However,… SHEEPHow Welsh hill flock benefited from performance recordingA flock of purebred Welsh Mountain ewes has seen multiple benefits as a result of performance recording – including a switch to outdoor lambing near Ruthin in North Wales. Coleg… LIVESTOCKWet weather exposes flaws in slurry spreading rulesFarm leaders have warned that the prolonged spell of wet weather is placing intense pressure on slurry storage, while inflexible rules on spreading are compounding the problem. See also: How… LAMBINGAdvice on treatment for vaginal prolapse in ewesFitting a harness and administering anti-inflammatories is the best way to treat a very mild case of vaginal prolapse in a ewe. Compared with spoons or sutures, this treatment is… LAMBINGHow to minimise bacteria build-up in the lambing shedA clean, dry floor in the lambing shed is a simple, essential step for a successful lambing season – and is best achieved when it is not left until the… DAIRYIs there a future for spring milk in the UK?A dairy consultant is warning that if the industry is to avoid worsening supply imbalances, spring milk production must evolve to create flatter production profiles. Current UK processing capacity is… Livestock news BOVINE TBIrish cross-border TB eradication pilot to launchA new cross-border initiative to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) is due to launch within weeks, with ministers describing it as a “proof-of-concept” model for a regional approach to eradication. Daera… LIVESTOCK DISEASESUFU seeks clarity on bluetongue movement rules in NIFarmers in Northern Ireland say they are being left in the dark around bluetongue restrictions, following limited communication from Daera on animal movements. Cases of bluetongue virus in livestock were… LIVESTOCKWet weather exposes flaws in slurry spreading rulesFarm leaders have warned that the prolonged spell of wet weather is placing intense pressure on slurry storage, while inflexible rules on spreading are compounding the problem. See also: How… DAIRYEnergy-saving heat pump wins Royal Dairy Innovation AwardAn energy-efficient milk cooling and water heating system has won a top prize for innovation in the dairy industry. Arkaya Energy’s Milk Source Heat Pump scooped the 2026 Royal Dairy… 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 BEEFHow a vaccine transformed crypto control for one beef systemA new vaccine for cryptosporidium has markedly improved calf health and eased labour demand on a Perthshire beef farm – but it relies on excellent colostrum management to be effective.… LAYERSHow free-range egg diversification solved labour dilemmaLabour is one of the biggest costs associated with running a business and can be a barrier to farmers becoming employers. For Aberdeenshire farmer Bruce Irvine, it was integrating a… BEEFHow meeting beef carcass specification reduced farm costsA switch from terminal to maternal genetics and a focus on carbon efficiency have enabled a Nottinghamshire beef farmer to make significant strides in rearing to meet market specification. And… SHEEPHow Welsh hill flock benefited from performance recordingA flock of purebred Welsh Mountain ewes has seen multiple benefits as a result of performance recording – including a switch to outdoor lambing near Ruthin in North Wales. Coleg… LAMBINGAdvice on treatment for vaginal prolapse in ewesFitting a harness and administering anti-inflammatories is the best way to treat a very mild case of vaginal prolapse in a ewe. Compared with spoons or sutures, this treatment is… LAMBINGHow to minimise bacteria build-up in the lambing shedA clean, dry floor in the lambing shed is a simple, essential step for a successful lambing season – and is best achieved when it is not left until the… DAIRYHow integrated data systems could transform livestock farmsTechnology using artificial intelligence has the potential to transform management of livestock farms, but further development to integrate disparate data sources is needed to truly unlock farm-changing insights. Such integrated… LIVESTOCK DISEASESOrf disease: Two ways sheep farmers are tackling the virusOrf is the more common name for contagious pustular dermatitis, and is considered endemic in the UK, and prevalent on most sheep farms. A recent study by the Royal Veterinary… BEEFHow to save money by meeting beef retail market specFailing to meet UK retail market specifications for beef can cost farmers about 30p/kg for cattle over 30 months of age, and about 10p/kg for those under 270kg or over… SHEEPPractical advice on reducing lamb losses from joint illWashing hands, wearing gloves, and sterilising tubes and taggers are simple steps in maintaining excellent standards of hygiene at lambing. And they could go a long way to protecting flocks… LAMBINGWhy early weaning should be the exception, not the ruleWeaning lambs early may be a useful tool to manage poor ewe body condition, but it should be seen as an exception – not an annual event. It risks setbacks… BEEFHow grass growth benefits from early beef cattle turnoutBeef farmers running low on silage or bedding straw can turn out a small group of yearlings, or other lightweight cattle, in February to graze overwintered grass. Not only will… LAMBINGHow recording lamb losses led to better flock performanceInspiring farmers to record lamb survival rates and benchmark performance was the aim of the game when Synergy Farm Health first launched its lamb survival survey. Now in its eleventh… BREEDING AND FERTILITYHow cattle in-vitro fertilisation breeds more elite femalesThe use of in-vitro fertilisation in cattle breeding is growing globally, driven by advances in genomics and an increasing desire among farmers to breed more intensively from their best animals.… FEED AND NUTRITIONAdvice on forage intakes for pregnant ewesWith lambing time approaching for many, we have started to see a few cases of twin lamb disease in early lambers. This has prompted a more in-depth review of nutrition… LIVESTOCKHow farming brothers are preparing for business successionClearly defined goals, and a roadmap for achieving them, are essential ingredients for a farming business to transition successfully to the next generation. Northumberland farming brothers Duncan and Angus Nelless… 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 PRICESKFC to boost British poultry purchases by £10m a yearFast food giant KFC has said it will boost its contribution to the British poultry sector by £10m a year, upping its intake of chicken from British farms from 30%… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESCull ewe trade lifts ahead of RamadanCull ewes have been achieving strong prices at auction, with buyers keen to secure supplies and demand likely to remain firm in the build up to Ramadan. Cull ewes averaged… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESFalling pig prices leave producers struggling to break evenBritish pig producers are once again grappling with tight margins, as farmgate prices fall while costs remain stubbornly high. The Standard Pig Price (SPP) stood at 190.35p/kg deadweight at the… NEWSUK food labelling reform demanded by NFUSNFU Scotland has called for urgent reform of UK food labelling rules, warning that current regulations are “confusing, inconsistent and unfair” to consumers and domestic producers. The call comes with… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESAberdeen Angus sells for 60,000gns at Stirling Bull SalesFarmers were out in force with a full ringside of pedigree and commercial buyers at Stirling Bull Sales on 1 and 2 February. The trade at the sale was underpinned… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESMargins tighten for beef finishers as abattoirs cut pricesA number of major meat processors have cut base prices for beef cattle in the past week, as more animals come forward. Finished beef prices have been well supported throughout… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Late calving pays off after record wet JanuaryAs I write, the slurry spreading ban is being lifted in Northern Ireland, commencing the annual rush to get the slurry tanks emptied. However, with almost double the average January… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Vision and drive inspire on reunion farm tourDaylight hours are increasing and our young heifers are growing well, at 1.2kg daily liveweight gain, with weights suggesting we will hit our target for turnout ahead of schedule. However,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Relief as scan percentage up despite droughtLambing looms – and this year, the scans tell a better story. After such a dry summer, and with plenty of reports of flocks scanning lower than normal, expectations were… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Two-flock solution to maedi visna under wayThis is my first article of 2026 and so far all we have had is rain. The ground is totally waterlogged, and store lambs are spending more time on the… Dairy DAIRYProbiotics could hold key to lifetime dairy performanceTargeted use of probiotics in early life can support health, growth and, potentially, future milk yields, according to new research. Dr Colin Byrne, ruminant technical and deployment manager at Lallemand… STAFF MANAGEMENTEmploy more dairy staff for fewer hours, farmers advisedThe dairy industry does not have a labour shortage. Instead, farmers need to fundamentally address the way they manage people to make the sector more attractive, believes recruitment specialist Paul… DAIRYIs there a future for spring milk in the UK?A dairy consultant is warning that if the industry is to avoid worsening supply imbalances, spring milk production must evolve to create flatter production profiles. Current UK processing capacity is… DAIRYHow integrated data systems could transform livestock farmsTechnology using artificial intelligence has the potential to transform management of livestock farms, but further development to integrate disparate data sources is needed to truly unlock farm-changing insights. Such integrated… LIVESTOCKCornish herd claims 2025 NMR RABDF Gold Cup awardHigh genetic merit, business efficiency and strategic management have earned a Cornish farm a top dairy accolade. Paul Broad and Irwin Morrow of TN Morrow and Partners, Treveale Farm, Ladock,… DAIRYEnergy-saving heat pump wins Royal Dairy Innovation AwardAn energy-efficient milk cooling and water heating system has won a top prize for innovation in the dairy industry. Arkaya Energy’s Milk Source Heat Pump scooped the 2026 Royal Dairy… MEDICINESAntimicrobials usage falls again in UK dairy herdsA 4% drop in antimicrobials usage on UK dairy farms means industry reduction targets have been met just months after they were set. Average total antimicrobials usage (AMU) between 2024… DAIRYFebrudairy campaign urges support for British dairy industryThe UK dairy industry has launched its annual #Februdairy social media campaign, urging consumers to champion British milk, cheese and dairy products at a time of intense pressure for dairy… BREEDING AND FERTILITYHow cattle in-vitro fertilisation breeds more elite femalesThe use of in-vitro fertilisation in cattle breeding is growing globally, driven by advances in genomics and an increasing desire among farmers to breed more intensively from their best animals.… FEED AND NUTRITIONWhy poor water management limits dairy herd potentialHow much water can a lactating dairy cow drink if she has access to ad-lib, fresh, clean and palatable water? The answer is unknown on many dairy farms, because of… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTHow new slurry store sets up dairy to optimise spreadingInvesting in six months of covered slurry storage, an integral stirrer and a separator has future-proofed an 850-cow dairy herd’s ability to produce milk and comply with environmental standards. The… DAIRY8 ways calf clubs are transforming rearing efficiencyWyvern Farm Vets’ Proactive Farmer Programme has shown what many farmers already suspected: when calf rearers, vets and vet techs work together consistently, calf performance improves dramatically. Over the past… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all MOWERSAcre-eating GreenTec Tiger rotary mower can work at 11mphThe Tiger rotary mower from Danish outfit GreenTec is geared up for high-output vegetation taming with a speedy working range of 9-11mph. And yet power requirements are modest, with a… MACHINERYMore slew for mid-range McConnel 62-Series reach mowersAn increase in slew angle to 120deg to ease manoeuvres in field corners is among a number of enhancements to McConnel’s mid-range 62-Series Power Arm reach mowers. The broader scope… TRAILERSSMS to introduce larger Porto V18 bale transporterCzech agricultural equipment manufacturer SMS is preparing to introduce a larger capacity version of its Porto bale transporter for producers looking to clear fields of silage or straw bales quicker… MOWERSRozmital SD-28L extends plain disc mower range to 2.8mWith a working width of 2.8m covered by a bank of seven oval discs, the new SD-28L rear-mounted mower extends Rozmital’s range to three models, joining the existing 2m and… Most popular this week
