Livestock top stories POULTRYAdvice on protecting flocks from Newcastle disease virusIt was in 2006 when Great Britain last had an outbreak of Newcastle disease. With cases now confirmed in western Europe, it is possible that this highly contagious avian virus… BOVINE TBNFU Cymru pushes for bovine TB policy overhaulThe next Welsh government must deliver a “comprehensive TB eradication strategy” if the next generation of farmers is to have any hope of a future free from bovine TB, NFU… LIVESTOCKHow farm-designed solar energiser powers fencing year-roundA solar-powered energiser that does away with routine charging of batteries to power electric fencing on outdoor pig units year round has been developed by a Norfolk pig manager. See… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calving reveals outcome of breeding decisionsCalving and lambing have, on the whole, been going well. We have had a relatively mild winter and we have good grass growth for this time of year. The ewes… LIVESTOCKStarter crumb v mini pellet: Which is best for chicks?Early feed intake is vital to get birds off to a good start – in those crucial first seven days, good nutrition underpins musculoskeletal development and the growth of internal… SHEEPNew matchmaking service helps sheep farmers secure grazingSheep farmers looking for extra grazing land are being encouraged to make use of a matchmaking service designed to link livestock keepers with landowners. The National Sheep Association (NSA) says… LIVESTOCKBadger culling set to end in Cumbria’s Area 73Badger culling in Cumbria’s Area 73 is set to end after two years of operations, with no licence confirmed for 2026 and vaccination now under consideration as a replacement control… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Time-saving milk cart eases bulging calf shedsSix weeks since the start of calving, and it’s definitely been a whirlwind as we hit 70% calved within four weeks. Like everything in life, though, the good times don’t… POULTRYDefra defends poultry stats amid claims 25m birds 'missing'Defra has played down claims that its records of the UK poultry population are “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting its numbers are fit for purpose. The claims are made in a… HEALTH AND WELFAREBiosecurity app helps Welsh farms improve animal healthTrials of a new biosecurity app on Welsh livestock farms are helping improve animal health and drive down antibiotics use, according to farmers and vets involved in the project. Around… LIVESTOCK DISEASESHow timely bluetongue vaccine prevents dummy calvesA bluetongue vaccination uptake of only 50% among the suckler herd clients of a South East vet practice has been followed by several cases of dummy calves in unprotected herds.… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig price has hit us harder than fuel crisisIt has been a busy few weeks since my last piece – and the contrast between ground conditions from then to now is staggering. I was rather frustrated that we… DAIRYHow dairy farmer made savings to counter milk price dropDairy producer Paul Waterfall has had to contend with an 8p/litre drop in milk income since last autumn. The business produces 6m litres of milk annually, so this equates to… BOVINE TBTB exposure in Exmoor deer highlighted by studyMore than a quarter of wild deer tested on Exmoor show evidence of past exposure to bovine tuberculosis. This is according to a new government-funded study, which raises fresh questions… Livestock news BOVINE TBNFU Cymru pushes for bovine TB policy overhaulThe next Welsh government must deliver a “comprehensive TB eradication strategy” if the next generation of farmers is to have any hope of a future free from bovine TB, NFU… SHEEPNew matchmaking service helps sheep farmers secure grazingSheep farmers looking for extra grazing land are being encouraged to make use of a matchmaking service designed to link livestock keepers with landowners. The National Sheep Association (NSA) says… LIVESTOCKBadger culling set to end in Cumbria’s Area 73Badger culling in Cumbria’s Area 73 is set to end after two years of operations, with no licence confirmed for 2026 and vaccination now under consideration as a replacement control… POULTRYDefra defends poultry stats amid claims 25m birds 'missing'Defra has played down claims that its records of the UK poultry population are “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting its numbers are fit for purpose. The claims are made in a… 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 POULTRYAdvice on protecting flocks from Newcastle disease virusIt was in 2006 when Great Britain last had an outbreak of Newcastle disease. With cases now confirmed in western Europe, it is possible that this highly contagious avian virus… LIVESTOCKStarter crumb v mini pellet: Which is best for chicks?Early feed intake is vital to get birds off to a good start – in those crucial first seven days, good nutrition underpins musculoskeletal development and the growth of internal… LIVESTOCK DISEASESHow timely bluetongue vaccine prevents dummy calvesA bluetongue vaccination uptake of only 50% among the suckler herd clients of a South East vet practice has been followed by several cases of dummy calves in unprotected herds.… DAIRYHow dairy farmer made savings to counter milk price dropDairy producer Paul Waterfall has had to contend with an 8p/litre drop in milk income since last autumn. The business produces 6m litres of milk annually, so this equates to… SHEEPHow farmer manages ewe condition through weather extremesFeeding ewes through last summer’s drought cost Tom Bird, Farmers Weekly‘s 2025 Sheep Farmer of the Year, a lot of money. But there are no regrets: scanning rate averaged 210%,… 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… 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 BUSINESSRising input costs and falling prices hit pig sectorPig producers are under growing financial pressure as farmgate pig prices continue to slide further below the cost of production. Finished pig prices have fallen by more than 20p/kg in… 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.… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calving reveals outcome of breeding decisionsCalving and lambing have, on the whole, been going well. We have had a relatively mild winter and we have good grass growth for this time of year. The ewes… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Time-saving milk cart eases bulging calf shedsSix weeks since the start of calving, and it’s definitely been a whirlwind as we hit 70% calved within four weeks. Like everything in life, though, the good times don’t… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Pig price has hit us harder than fuel crisisIt has been a busy few weeks since my last piece – and the contrast between ground conditions from then to now is staggering. I was rather frustrated that we… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Losses frustrating in kind spring for lambingWe are nearly at the end of lambing, with only a few stragglers left. Overall, the weather has been kind, which has certainly helped. That said, the season hasn’t been… Dairy DAIRYHow dairy farmer made savings to counter milk price dropDairy producer Paul Waterfall has had to contend with an 8p/litre drop in milk income since last autumn. The business produces 6m litres of milk annually, so this equates to… ENVIRONMENTDairy permitting could drive up farm costs, NFU warnsDairy farms in England could face new environmental permitting requirements under forthcoming government plans, prompting warnings from the NFU over cost and regulatory burden. Defra is expected to consult this… 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… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all FORAGERSThe perks and pitfalls of owning ageing foragersThe prospect of entering a silage campaign armed with an ageing, out-of-warranty forager would leave the nerves of many agricultural contractors in tatters. But for Will Bright of Devon-based WM… MOWERSPottinger automates Novacat Collect swath placementTractor drivers who get confused with their left and right have salvation at hand with the automated swath placement system available for Pottinger’s Novacat V butterfly mowers equipped with Collect… TELEHANDLERSUltimate guide to buying a telehandler 2026Rising machinery costs remains the dominant theme in the latest Ultimate Guide for telehandlers. Overall, compact machines have increased in price by between £1,000 and £4,000, with larger rises on… 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… Most popular this week
