Livestock top stories 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… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calf losses harsh reminder to get basics rightWith 45% of the herd calved since our start date 11 days ago, the holidays are well and truly over. Like any year, this hard launch into the season has… BOVINE TBTB at lowest levels in England for nearly two decadesBovine tuberculosis in England’s cattle herds has fallen to its lowest levels since the mid-2000s, according to official statistics for the 12 months to December 2025. The latest quarterly figures,… LAYERSWhy egg producer includes humic acid in layer rationsThe latest cycle of hens at Glanalders in Radnorshire produced 14 eggs a bird more than the breed average, worth an additional revenue of £37,300 across the flock of Burford… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: All set for lambing and calving outdoorsSpring is on the horizon and the pace is certainly picking up here at Gelston Lamb. The ewes that have been grazing forage rape throughout the winter have now all… PIGSBanning CO2 pig stunning will place high cost on industryNew analysis by the AHDB has highlighted the significant extra costs and disruption that could result from a ban on the use of carbon dioxide in pig abattoirs. Currently 90%… 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… LIVESTOCK DISEASESFarmers advised to vaccinate against bluetongue as cases riseLivestock farmers are being advised to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue, as vet and industry leaders warn the coming “season” could be the worst yet since the disease appeared in… LIVESTOCK MARKETINGDiverse cattle tracing systems could undermine disease controlMeat industry representatives have warned that the development of separate livestock movement recording systems in England, Scotland and Wales could undermine the effectiveness of a previously unified traceability system. But… DAIRYHow difficult succession talks led to dairy expansionDespite being a partner in the business at the age of 18 and driving many key decisions, John Cartledge found his ambition had outgrown the acreage at his family’s dairy… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Farming skills feted at long-service awardsSince I last wrote, a great deal has happened. The Stirling Bull Sales, which I unfortunately missed, proved highly successful for both Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorns, reflecting the buoyant… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on cost-effectively overseeding a tired swardOverseeding can be an easier, cheaper, quicker way to rejuvenate a tired sward, but it will only be cost-effective if it leads to successful establishment. This year’s waterlogged fields and… DAIRYAdvice on balancing fibre and concentrates in dairy dietsDairy farmers who capitalise on a positive milk-to-feed-price ratio by upping concentrates in herd diets risk triggering acidosis and other metabolic issues if they fail to consider fibre. Although milk… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Turnip fields drying out to finish store lambsSpring has arrived, and after such a prolonged wet winter, it couldn’t be more welcome. I even managed to apply 125kg/ha of polysulphate to the oilseed rape before the end… Livestock news PIGSBanning CO2 pig stunning will place high cost on industryNew analysis by the AHDB has highlighted the significant extra costs and disruption that could result from a ban on the use of carbon dioxide in pig abattoirs. Currently 90%… LIVESTOCK MARKETINGDiverse cattle tracing systems could undermine disease controlMeat industry representatives have warned that the development of separate livestock movement recording systems in England, Scotland and Wales could undermine the effectiveness of a previously unified traceability system. But… SHEEPSheep sector braces for shake-up over tailing and castrationSheep farmers have less than a week to respond to Defra’s consultation on tail docking and castration – proposals that could reshape flock management across the country. The UK-wide consultation,… PIGSPig industry responds to London Underground ad campaignThe pig industry has expressed frustration over a two-week campaign by Animal Justice Project on the London underground, which has placed 22 large posters across 12 stations, urging commuters to… 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 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… LAYERSWhy egg producer includes humic acid in layer rationsThe latest cycle of hens at Glanalders in Radnorshire produced 14 eggs a bird more than the breed average, worth an additional revenue of £37,300 across the flock of Burford… 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… DAIRYHow difficult succession talks led to dairy expansionDespite being a partner in the business at the age of 18 and driving many key decisions, John Cartledge found his ambition had outgrown the acreage at his family’s dairy… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on cost-effectively overseeding a tired swardOverseeding can be an easier, cheaper, quicker way to rejuvenate a tired sward, but it will only be cost-effective if it leads to successful establishment. This year’s waterlogged fields and… DAIRYAdvice on balancing fibre and concentrates in dairy dietsDairy farmers who capitalise on a positive milk-to-feed-price ratio by upping concentrates in herd diets risk triggering acidosis and other metabolic issues if they fail to consider fibre. Although milk… DAIRYAdvice for producers on navigating falling milk pricesAfter a sustained period of strong returns, milk prices have fallen sharply and cashflow is now tightening. Advisers are urging producers to take proactive steps to manage milk volumes and… LIVESTOCKWhat to do if you have trespassers on your livestock farmVideos made by animal rights activists and shared on social media pose reputational risks to agriculture, but the physical presence of activists on your farm adds another layer of complexity.… SHEEPHow performance recording led to a 30p/kg lamb price premiumPerformance recording has helped a Powys hill farm capture a £6 a lamb price premium, while higher-index ewes are weaning an average 4.2kg more lamb than the lower-index ones. Estimated… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow one farm is trialling a regen approach to forage maizeFaced with a reliance on maize but driven by a commitment to regenerative farming principles, Lucy and Rob Noad set out to prove that maize can be grown more sustainably.… LIVESTOCKAdvice on growing successful maize crops after a wet winterChallenging wet weather, waterlogged soils and flooded sites mean growers must be flexible and develop a farm-specific strategy to get maize seed in the ground this year. Conditions are not… DAIRYHow slurry investment will slash dairy unit’s energy billsIt takes courage to spend more than £700,000 on a small-scale anaerobic digestion plant and slurry separator when milk prices are under pressure. However, the new setup at a Cumbrian… PIGSHow a scoring tool can help close gaps in pig biosecurityBiosecurity is the foundation of disease control on pig farms and a powerful driver of performance. But despite its importance, it can feel abstract on farm, leaving producers unsure what… BREEDING AND FERTILITYAdvice on long-term dairy crossbreeding strategiesEarly adopters of crossbreeding as a tool to produce the right kind of cow for their block-calving, grazing-based systems, found that longer term breeding strategies could become haphazard. Selecting the… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow farm’s electronic weather station aids grazing decisionsDitching multiple Met Office weather forecasts in favour of their own, precise, weather predictions has allowed Georgina and Adam Roberts to fine-tune grazing management – and reduce poaching at Trye… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow one dairy grows top-quality grass for grazing and silageCheshire farmer James Witter mowed a fifth cut of grass silage on 28 December 2025, picking it up on New Year’s Eve, just before the weather turned cold. This additional… 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 finished pig prices fall to three-year lowFinished pig prices have fallen by 13p/kg since the start of the year, reaching their lowest levels since the industry backlogs of 2022. The Standard Pig Price stood at 184.6p/kg… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESGlobal demand for meat set to grow as production risesGlobal meat consumption is expected to increase over the next five years, with demand for red meat and poultry projected to climb. Dr Phil Hadley, secretary general of the International… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESScottish cattle numbers still falling but decline slowsQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) has projected that UK beef production could be on course for an 8% decline by 2030, if the domestic beef herd continues to fall. The Scottish… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESWelsh levy body sets four-year red meat strategyHybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotions Wales) has published a new strategic action plan setting out its priorities for the next four years to support the Welsh red meat industry. The… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESSmall abattoirs at ‘dangerous tipping point’A Welsh abattoir owner has warned the UK’s network of small slaughterhouses is at a “dangerous tipping point”, as rising regulatory costs threaten to force more local facilities out of… BUSINESSAuction marts left owed thousands by cull ewe buyersA number of auction markets in the north of England have been caught up in an ongoing bidding war between a handful of major cull ewe buyers operating in the… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Calf losses harsh reminder to get basics rightWith 45% of the herd calved since our start date 11 days ago, the holidays are well and truly over. Like any year, this hard launch into the season has… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: All set for lambing and calving outdoorsSpring is on the horizon and the pace is certainly picking up here at Gelston Lamb. The ewes that have been grazing forage rape throughout the winter have now all… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Farming skills feted at long-service awardsSince I last wrote, a great deal has happened. The Stirling Bull Sales, which I unfortunately missed, proved highly successful for both Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorns, reflecting the buoyant… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Turnip fields drying out to finish store lambsSpring has arrived, and after such a prolonged wet winter, it couldn’t be more welcome. I even managed to apply 125kg/ha of polysulphate to the oilseed rape before the end… Dairy 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… DAIRYHow difficult succession talks led to dairy expansionDespite being a partner in the business at the age of 18 and driving many key decisions, John Cartledge found his ambition had outgrown the acreage at his family’s dairy… DAIRYAdvice on balancing fibre and concentrates in dairy dietsDairy farmers who capitalise on a positive milk-to-feed-price ratio by upping concentrates in herd diets risk triggering acidosis and other metabolic issues if they fail to consider fibre. Although milk… DAIRYAdvice for producers on navigating falling milk pricesAfter a sustained period of strong returns, milk prices have fallen sharply and cashflow is now tightening. Advisers are urging producers to take proactive steps to manage milk volumes and… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow one farm is trialling a regen approach to forage maizeFaced with a reliance on maize but driven by a commitment to regenerative farming principles, Lucy and Rob Noad set out to prove that maize can be grown more sustainably.… DAIRYHow slurry investment will slash dairy unit’s energy billsIt takes courage to spend more than £700,000 on a small-scale anaerobic digestion plant and slurry separator when milk prices are under pressure. However, the new setup at a Cumbrian… BREEDING AND FERTILITYAdvice on long-term dairy crossbreeding strategiesEarly adopters of crossbreeding as a tool to produce the right kind of cow for their block-calving, grazing-based systems, found that longer term breeding strategies could become haphazard. Selecting the… FEED AND NUTRITIONForage maize yield more than double under film, trial showsThe impact on a farm’s cost of production from more than doubling forage maize yield, from 7t dry matter/ha to 18t, is significant. This yield benefit was seen when the… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow one dairy grows top-quality grass for grazing and silageCheshire farmer James Witter mowed a fifth cut of grass silage on 28 December 2025, picking it up on New Year’s Eve, just before the weather turned cold. This additional… DAIRY3 ways for dairy units to make on/off grazing workA combination of low (or no) silage stocks and a falling milk price means there are dairy farmers turning cows out, despite wet conditions. On/off grazing is the most effective… DAIRY MARKETS AND PRICESAnalysis: Milk price crash tests dairy resilienceWith farmgate milk prices down by more than a quarter since the autumn, dairy producers are dealing with a margin squeeze few producers have experienced at this pace. Since October,… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all 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… MOWERSRT Sales’ stabilising frame reduces mower strain on tractorsMowing tractors could be in for an easier life, thanks to a nifty stabilising frame developed by RT Sales that promises to reduce the strain on cross-shafts and linkages. The… Most popular this week
