Livestock top stories DAIRYHow cow-controlled climate ventilation can reduce lamenessA combination of positive pressure tubes, side curtains and cooling has helped cows to cope better with heat stress, maintain yields and improve foot health at Graig Olway, in Monmouthshire.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Forage changes hit milk yieldWe chopped our maize during the first few days in September. The process went smoothly and the effort from everyone involved was thoroughly appreciated. We averaged more than 7t/ha (18t/acre)… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTOn-farm ammonia reduction trials see breakthroughTreating slurry with a biological solution has been found to increase ammonia retention by 43%, lowering odour and ammonia emissions. Pruex, the supplier of the product, carried out trials on… POULTRYWild bird tracking data aims to to help manage avian fluWild bird tracking data could soon prove a valuable tool for poultry producers to help them understand their local avian influenza risk and take appropriate action. According to data from… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Terminal tups melt in a commercial hill flockIt’s been a busy few weeks here with the sheep sale season in full swing and our annual bovine TB test for the dairy heifers. Sheep prices have been mixed… BOVINE TBCattle TB vaccine field trials enter next phaseEfforts to eradicate bovine TB took a major step forward today as the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) announced the launch of Phase 3 field trials for a cattle… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTSmart tech helps shorten finishing period on Powys farmIncreased daily liveweight gain, respiratory health issues driven down by 75% and antibiotic use down 60% are the result of using modern technology with good stockmanship, at Brongain farm, Powys.… HEALTH AND WELFARENI farmers face mounting threat to vet med suppliesLivestock farmers in Northern Ireland could be left with access to fewer veterinary medicines, as a result of changes to the Windsor Framework agreement next year. Proposed changes mean that… DAIRYAdvice on managing transition for better cow fertilityDairy farmers are losing too many cows to poor fertility, but good management from drying off to submission can prevent those involuntary culls. Getting the basics right, from cow condition… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Will creep feeding cut weaning stress?What a difference a year makes. We have most of the winter crops sown, leaving only a field of broccoli to be harvested before drilling with wheat. This time last… POULTRYHow free-range layers complement electricity generationSix thousand hens range under the solar array on 16ha (40 acres) of former arable land let to egg producers Charlie and Laura Tomkins. The birds share the site with… HEALTH AND WELFAREPig industry responds to antibiotics use criticismThe UK pig industry has hit back at criticism over its use of antibiotics, following an investigation by animal rights groups which linked major food retailers to pork allegedly contaminated… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Cell counts up for cows grazing excess grassAutumn can be the most testing time of year for grassland management. If we want to deem ourselves as an effective grazing herd, it requires patience, adaptability and knowing when… LIVESTOCKHow to manage your farm boss to influence decision-makingIf you can learn to manage your boss at work, you acquire influencing skills, stakeholder strategy and how to set in motion low-risk change that benefits the business – and… Livestock news BOVINE TBCattle TB vaccine field trials enter next phaseEfforts to eradicate bovine TB took a major step forward today as the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) announced the launch of Phase 3 field trials for a cattle… HEALTH AND WELFAREPig industry responds to antibiotics use criticismThe UK pig industry has hit back at criticism over its use of antibiotics, following an investigation by animal rights groups which linked major food retailers to pork allegedly contaminated… LIVESTOCKNew 'Muck Off' campaign seeks to raise hygiene standardsThe AHDB has relaunched its Muck Free Truck campaign to strengthen biosecurity across the UK pig industry and reduce the risk of disease spreading through contaminated transport with a bold… LIVESTOCK DISEASESBluetongue reaches Wales as cases increase steadilyFarmers in Wales are being urged to get their livestock vaccinated against bluetongue as soon as possible and remain vigilant as two cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed. The cases… 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 DAIRYHow cow-controlled climate ventilation can reduce lamenessA combination of positive pressure tubes, side curtains and cooling has helped cows to cope better with heat stress, maintain yields and improve foot health at Graig Olway, in Monmouthshire.… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTOn-farm ammonia reduction trials see breakthroughTreating slurry with a biological solution has been found to increase ammonia retention by 43%, lowering odour and ammonia emissions. Pruex, the supplier of the product, carried out trials on… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTSmart tech helps shorten finishing period on Powys farmIncreased daily liveweight gain, respiratory health issues driven down by 75% and antibiotic use down 60% are the result of using modern technology with good stockmanship, at Brongain farm, Powys.… DAIRYAdvice on managing transition for better cow fertilityDairy farmers are losing too many cows to poor fertility, but good management from drying off to submission can prevent those involuntary culls. Getting the basics right, from cow condition… POULTRYHow free-range layers complement electricity generationSix thousand hens range under the solar array on 16ha (40 acres) of former arable land let to egg producers Charlie and Laura Tomkins. The birds share the site with… LIVESTOCKHow to manage your farm boss to influence decision-makingIf you can learn to manage your boss at work, you acquire influencing skills, stakeholder strategy and how to set in motion low-risk change that benefits the business – and… DAIRYHow new dairy entrants raised funds with no fixed assetsFrom 27 sheep and a handful of beef just over a decade ago, Cumbrian tenant farmers Matt and Lissy Stephenson have established a 900-cow herd yielding 13,400 litres a cow… DAIRYAdvice on dry cow shed management for high yieldersThe high-yielding cow faces immense metabolic challenges. Transition diseases such as milk fever, ketosis, and displaced abomasum cases remain costly threats, and poor fertility results in inefficiency. The transition period… LIVESTOCKHow hock and neck sores can limit milk yield potentialHock lesions and neck rubs could be depriving high-yielding cows of their ability to achieve their full genetic potential. An additional two lactations will also be forfeited, according to Cow… HEALTH AND WELFAREAdvice on drying off high-yielding cowsWith cows now reaching lactation yields of 13,000 litres-plus as standard, it is common for them to still be giving 40 litres (or more) at drying off. This risks discomfort… DAIRYWhen are the best times to condition-score the herd?Body condition scoring the whole herd at two key stages in lactation will repay the time and effort it takes only if the results are reviewed and used to change… HEALTH AND WELFAREFire risk planning - what to consider on a livestock farmClimate change is driving livestock farmers to consider farm resilience and feed security. But it should also make them think about the increasing challenge from wildfires and the risk to… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of feeding transition milk to calvesHelping calves build immunity quickly from the moment they are born goes far beyond the “colostrum story”, according to consultant vet Tommy Heffernan. While the role of nature’s “liquid gold”… SHEEP3 myths around feeding ewes debunkedFeeding ewes correctly before tupping and during pregnancy is vital for flock health, fertility and lamb output. Yet many long-held beliefs continue to influence on-farm decisions, often adding unnecessary costs… BEEFHow positive change on beef farm grew from tragedyWhen Kent farmer Edward Hulme died suddenly three years ago, aged just 43, his widow, Lou, vowed to continue the beef enterprise he had worked so hard to build. Had… HOUSING AND HANDLINGAdvice on dairy buildings designed for weather extremesVets and consultants are urging a rethink on building design to future-proof against greater heat stress risk and drought, while allowing the cow to express her natural behaviour. Recent modelling… Get ready for winter How to budget and allocate rotational grazing for ewes Winter grazing crop outperforms brassicas in sheep trial Benefits of winter sheep grazing for silage performance Advice for winter feeding in-calf beef heifers How to manage poultry housing environments in winter Advice for beef winter rations as feed shortages loom large Tips on preparing your pig unit for winter Dairy winter housing upgrade helps cut new infection rates Meat markets and pricesSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBeef producers benefit as tight supplies push prices higherFarmgate beef prices have continued to strengthen, supported by a reduced supply of cattle across the UK. As seasonal demand builds ahead of Christmas, abattoirs appear increasingly eager to secure… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESMorrisons expands Australian beef lineFears that ongoing beef imports from Australia are undermining UK producers have deepened as retailer Morrisons has extended its Australian beef line across online and in-store outlets. The Limited Edish… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSplit market for store cattle as short-keep beasts in demandStore cattle continue to meet a buoyant trade with buyers looking to fill their sheds for winter, but with a clear preference for shorter keep animals. Composite data from the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESAHDB aims to stimulate demand in lacklustre pig marketThe AHDB is stepping up its efforts to stimulate domestic and international demand following a period of flat prices in the pigmeat market. On the domestic front, the levy board… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish red meat exports reach record highScottish red meat exports, including offal, have soared to a record £164m between August 2024 to July 2025, according to the latest Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) annual export survey. According… MARKETS AND TRENDSWaitrose pledges 100% free-range British pork by 2027Waitrose has announced a commitment to selling only 100% free-range own-label British pork by 2027, in partnership with Pilgrim’s Europe and UK pig farmers. From 15 October 2025, all Waitrose… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Forage changes hit milk yieldWe chopped our maize during the first few days in September. The process went smoothly and the effort from everyone involved was thoroughly appreciated. We averaged more than 7t/ha (18t/acre)… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Terminal tups melt in a commercial hill flockIt’s been a busy few weeks here with the sheep sale season in full swing and our annual bovine TB test for the dairy heifers. Sheep prices have been mixed… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Will creep feeding cut weaning stress?What a difference a year makes. We have most of the winter crops sown, leaving only a field of broccoli to be harvested before drilling with wheat. This time last… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Cell counts up for cows grazing excess grassAutumn can be the most testing time of year for grassland management. If we want to deem ourselves as an effective grazing herd, it requires patience, adaptability and knowing when… Dairy DAIRYHow cow-controlled climate ventilation can reduce lamenessA combination of positive pressure tubes, side curtains and cooling has helped cows to cope better with heat stress, maintain yields and improve foot health at Graig Olway, in Monmouthshire.… SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENTOn-farm ammonia reduction trials see breakthroughTreating slurry with a biological solution has been found to increase ammonia retention by 43%, lowering odour and ammonia emissions. Pruex, the supplier of the product, carried out trials on… DAIRYAdvice on managing transition for better cow fertilityDairy farmers are losing too many cows to poor fertility, but good management from drying off to submission can prevent those involuntary culls. Getting the basics right, from cow condition… DAIRYHow new dairy entrants raised funds with no fixed assetsFrom 27 sheep and a handful of beef just over a decade ago, Cumbrian tenant farmers Matt and Lissy Stephenson have established a 900-cow herd yielding 13,400 litres a cow… DAIRYAdvice on dry cow shed management for high yieldersThe high-yielding cow faces immense metabolic challenges. Transition diseases such as milk fever, ketosis, and displaced abomasum cases remain costly threats, and poor fertility results in inefficiency. The transition period… LIVESTOCKHow hock and neck sores can limit milk yield potentialHock lesions and neck rubs could be depriving high-yielding cows of their ability to achieve their full genetic potential. An additional two lactations will also be forfeited, according to Cow… HEALTH AND WELFAREAdvice on drying off high-yielding cowsWith cows now reaching lactation yields of 13,000 litres-plus as standard, it is common for them to still be giving 40 litres (or more) at drying off. This risks discomfort… DAIRYWhen are the best times to condition-score the herd?Body condition scoring the whole herd at two key stages in lactation will repay the time and effort it takes only if the results are reviewed and used to change… HEALTH AND WELFAREFire risk planning - what to consider on a livestock farmClimate change is driving livestock farmers to consider farm resilience and feed security. But it should also make them think about the increasing challenge from wildfires and the risk to… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTBenefits of feeding transition milk to calvesHelping calves build immunity quickly from the moment they are born goes far beyond the “colostrum story”, according to consultant vet Tommy Heffernan. While the role of nature’s “liquid gold”… HEALTH AND WELFAREUK dairy cattle welfare strategy makes good progressSignificant progress has been made in meeting six dairy cow welfare goals, a recent report has highlighted. The five-year UK Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy was launched two years ago by… DAIRYFarmers Weekly Awards 2025: Dairy Farmer of the YearJohn and Nicola Young of Jenkin Cragg Farm, Kendal in Cumbria are the winners of Farmers Weekly Awards 2025 Dairy Farmer of the Year. A well-bred herd selected for milk… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all BALERS AND WRAPPERSUltimate guide to buying a big square baler 2026Big square baler updates in this year’s Farmers Weekly Ultimate Guide centre around the addition of more technology, making it easier to keep accurate task and crop records, and isobus-linked automation… BALERS AND WRAPPERSUltimate guide to buying a round baler 2026New round baler models and upgrades promising higher work rates and denser bales have been announced by several manufacturers this autumn, ahead of planned launches at Agritechnica in mid-November. See… FORAGERSDriver's view: Contractor rates Claas Jaguar 1200Demand for more chopping capacity has driven Claas to join John Deere and Krone in the 1,000hp forage harvester division, as it looks to deliver the throughput expected by mega… FORAGERSKemper maize headers get comfort boosting transport wheelKemper has tweaked the design of its 400Pro maize headers, adding an optional integrated transport wheel that promises a smoother ride on the road. This is mounted on a hydraulic… Most popular this week
